In the North-West extreme of Spain we come across Galicea. You may note that the name of the region suggests the Gallic influence that is found in the North of France and in Portugal. The influence is Celtic and these far flung regions were the last of those to be influenced by the Roman Empire. And still today, some of the more interesting tourist sights here are relics from those Celtic times.

In common with most Celtic locations, wetter and greener scenery makes up the landscape along with many spectacular beached bays, cliff faces and river estuaries. This is the dramatic Spanish "land of the 1000 rivers“which includes the ominously titled „Costa del Muerte“ or coast of death.

By contrast, the bays of Finisterre are gently rolling with a cultivated backdrop of pine and eucalyptus forests and grassy meadows.

A Coruña

This city has an international airport with direct flights from some UK towns and other major European cities and so this could easily be a starting point for a tour of the region.

This industrial port city has a pleasant medieval town at its heart surrounded by remenants of the old Roman wall that once protected it. On the sea front, the "Castillo de San Anton" stands proudly out of the water and in the streets that wind up hill from the harbour you can find the old town. Look out for the park area "Jardin de San Carlos" which once belonged to the fort of San Carlos.

Santiago de Compostela

The capital of Galicia and the most beautiful town in the region is 30kms inland. Santiago de Compostela has many monuments and buildings of international importance and so has been granted UNESCO world heritage status.

A walk along the cobbled and pedestrianized streets between the four main squares (the Obradoiro, the Quintana, the Azabacheria and the Platerias) reveal intricate masonry and detailing of the city's outstanding historic buildings. All of this is well preserved with nothing that seems out of step with other surroundings and architecture.