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Galicia: The Route of the Camellia

Step into the quietly enchanting world of northern Spain on this wonderfully paced journey through Galicia’s most beautiful gardens, historic estates, and atmospheric cities.

From sun-dappled pazos and camellia-lined walkways to coastal viewpoints and UNESCO‑listed Santiago de Compostela, this tour traces the path of Galicia’s celebrated camellia collections.

Travelling with garden expert David Hurrion, you will discover elegant manor houses, bloom-filled estates, and characterful old towns, all set against Atlantic vistas, while enjoying fine local cuisine and carefully chosen hotels. 

A richly rewarding blend of horticulture, history, and Galician charm awaits.

From

£3,395

per person

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Three nights’ accommodation at the four-star Parador de Pontevedra, four nights’ accommodation at the four-star Hotel Compostela, Santiago, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
  • Discover the Authentic Galicia
    From the grand gardens of Pazo de Oca and the celebrated camellia collections of Soutomaior and Lourizán to the historic old towns of Pontevedra, Vigo, and Santiago de Compostela, discover the surprising beauty and elegance of Galicia.
  • Your Expert Guide
    Expert David Hurrion throughout, with dedicated tour manager.
  • Transport & Tours
    Transfers and full touring itinerary with guided tours and entrance fees. 
  • Flights from the UK
    Return flights from London Gatwick to Porto, returning from A Coruña.
Meet Your Expert Guide

David Hurrion

David is an accomplished plantsman, gardener, writer and broadcaster who has been growing plants for more than forty years. His extensive practical experience is underpinned by botanical and scientific training, together with a deep understanding of garden design, wildlife, geology and climate.

David has worked in gardens and nurseries, taught horticulture and spent more than twenty years writing and editing gardening publications, including BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. A genial and highly knowledgeable host, he has travelled widely in search of plants and gardens and brings both practical insight and infectious enthusiasm to every visit.

Meet Our Expert Guides
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Day 1: Arrival

Fly from London Gatwick to Porto and transfer to hotel for three-night stay. 

Evening welcome drink at the hotel, then an introductory talk by David Hurrion followed by dinner.

Day 2: Historic Gardens & Galician Elegance

Begin the day with a visit to the impressive Castillo de Soutomaior, set amid beautiful vineyards and formal gardens. Enjoy a guided exploration of the castle’s interior, followed by time to wander through its landscaped gardens, where camellias, magnolias, and shaded walkways create a serene introduction to Galicia’s garden heritage.

Next, travel to the typically Galician town of Pontevedra, whose old town consists of a host of cobbled streets and tiny squares, dotted with historic churches and excellent tapas bars. This afternoon, visit the Pazo de Lourizán, home to one of Galicia’s most important botanical gardens. Discover an extraordinary collection of exotic trees, rare plant species, and scenic viewpoints overlooking the Ría de Pontevedra.

Day 3: Formal Gardens & Coastal Character

Morning visit to the Quiñones de León Museum in Vigo’s Castrelos Park. Explore the historic palace before spending time in the beautifully designed gardens, blending formal French layouts, rose gardens, and romantic woodland areas.

Then enjoy a relaxed afternoon in Vigo’s Casco Vello (Old Town). Wander cobbled streets, browse small shops, or enjoy sea views from one of the city’s many terraces. Evening dinner at the hotel.

Day 4: Manor House Gardens & Santiago de Compostela

Spend the morning at Pazo de Rubianes, a stately manor surrounded by extensive gardens renowned for their camellias, vineyards, and ancient trees. The visit includes a guided tour of the garden and the interior of the pazo, followed by a group lunch.

Next, we travel to Santiago de Compostela and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to soak in the atmosphere of this historic pilgrimage city. Transfer to the hotel for a four-night stay.

Day 5: Santiago de Compostela Walking Tour

This morning, we take a guided walking tour of Santiago de Compostela, exploring its historic heart, elegant plazas, and spiritual landmarks. Learn about the city’s rich cultural and religious heritage as you walk through the UNESCO-listed old town.

The rest of the day is free to relax, explore independently, or enjoy one of the city’s parks and gardens.

Day 6: Iconic Pazos of Galicia

Visit the magnificent Pazo de Oca, often referred to as the “Galician Versailles.” Explore the palace interior and its spectacular gardens, famous for their ornamental waterways, stone bridges, sculpted hedges, and camellia-lined paths.

Lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to the Pazo de Santa Cruz de Rivadulla, set in romantic woodland gardens celebrated for their exceptional camellia collection and tranquil atmosphere.

Day 7: Santiago de Compostela at Leisure

A full day at leisure to enjoy Santiago de Compostela at your own pace. Visit the magnificent Cathedral with the opportunity to attend the daily Pilgrim’s Mass, relax in Alameda Park with views over the city, or browse the city’s vibrant food market.

Day 8: Coastal Gardens & Departure

Visit the elegant Pazo de Mariñán, set on a coastal estate overlooking the sea. Stroll through its refined gardens, featuring fountains, alleys of camellias, and panoramic Atlantic views. Continue to A Coruña to visit the Xardín de Méndez Núñez and Xardín de San Carlos, two peaceful urban gardens offering a blend of history, sculpture, and seaside vistas.

Enjoy some free time to explore the city before our transfer to the airport for our return flight to London Gatwick.

Availability

Choose Your Departure

Date
Departing From
Price From
Availability
10/03/2027
London Gatwick
£3,395
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Solo Traveller Supplement From: £371
Destination
Departure Date
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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Parador de Pontevedra
Housed in a beautifully restored 16th‑century Renaissance palace‑convent, the Parador de Pontevedra is a highlight in its own right. Set within the historic old town, it features a tranquil inner cloister garden with stone arcades, lush planting, and seasonal camellias, offering a peaceful retreat just steps from Pontevedra’s cobbled streets and elegant plazas. Bedrooms are comfortable and decorated in a classical style with ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning, TV, telephone, safe and hairdryer.
Hotel Website

Hotel Compostela, Santiago de Compostela
Located on Galicia Square right on the edge of the old town and just a short walk to the famous Cathedral, the four-star Hotel Compostela offers an excellent base for exploring the city. Facilities at the hotel include a bar-cafe, plus comfortable bedrooms with ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning, TV, telephone, wifi, safe and hairdryer.
Hotel Website 

our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
 
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
 
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing.
 
If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. Please note: no reminder for balance payments is sent to you and are not receipted unless requested. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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Industry-leading guides, some since day one, who speak local languages and have detailed knowledge.

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