Betanzos & Garden of Pazo de Mariñan

Travel to Galicia’s captivating past on this tour to an imposing castle, a timeless fishing village and a graceful country estate surrounded by flowering gardens. View the 1594 Castle of Santa Cruz, a well-preserved fortress situated on a tiny, verdant island amidst an incredibly photogenic setting. You’ll be thoroughly charmed by Betanzo, a village found at the confluence of the Mendo and Mandeo rivers that boasts an abundance of buildings with galerias, or glass-enclosed balconies. Pass through the ancient town gates into a warren of narrow streets weaving through the well-preserved Old Town, where highlights include the Church of San Francisco, a Gothic masterpiece, and the Church of Santiago’s magnificent Clock Tower. Seek solace under towering Indian walnut trees, flowering camellias and eucalyptus trees at stately Pazo de Marinan, an 18th-century country manor known for its spectacular gardens. Appreciate the superb Italianate-style stairs leading to the gardens, which are fancifully adorned with aristocratic busts and sculptures of servants in attendance. You’ll gladly succumb to the romantic allure of Galicia’s storied sites on this fascinating tour.

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.