On this week-long seafood pilgrimage, we’ll delve deep into the world of barnacle hunters, oyster fisherman, lobster trap builders, razor clam-diggers, and net menders, along with the local chefs who are harnessing the incredible offerings of their coast, transforming Galician cuisine into something new and exciting. Though our focus will be seafood and the traditional artisans along this coast, we’ll be exploring all facets of Galician identity – history, folklore, architecture, music, language, and religion – and gaining a deeper understanding of its unbreakable bond with the sea.
The Romans once considered Galicia, the rugged coastal region of northwestern Spain, the end of the world. Today, it remains one of Europe’s least-explored corners. The region’s Celtic heritage, seafaring tradition, and language – closer to Portuguese than Spanish – all contribute to a distinct Galician identity. Here, still-working fishing villages, monasteries, lighthouses, and ancient settlements punctuate panoramic views of the sea. For most visitors, the region’s allure is the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, the resting place and shrine of St. James, but it’s the seafood bounty of the Galician coast that has put it on the culinary map.
This afternoon, arrive in Vigo and settle into our hotel, located just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Ría de Vigo estuary. We’ll meet in the hotel in the early evening for a welcome drink and introductions.
From there, we’ll head out for dinner, where we’ll be introduced to the stars of the Galician kitchen, shellfish and crustaceans, which we’ll be hunting down throughout the week. We’ll raise a glass to a captivating – and delicious – week ahead.