From September 17 to December 15, the Rural Tourism houses in Galicia are celebrating the 18th Gastronomic Autumn. One of the ways to make the most of the promotion is to sign up for the Autumn Plus, which offers additional activities to the rest of the modalities offered. This is not something that can be contracted independently, but as a complement to our gastronomic autumn experience, whether it is the menu, the package, the weekend or the family weekend.
Of the 77 rural tourism establishments participating in the Gastronomic Autumn, 31 of them offer the Autumn Plus, almost always on Saturday and/or Sunday. The price of the activities range from 2 to 60 euros; some are even free and, in others, the rate must be consulted in advance. On the other hand, there are activities that require a certain number of participants to be carried out, ideal for a group of friends.
It is noticeable that every year it is committed to openness to all tastes and ages. For our part, we have several parameters to choose our destination: the menu, the geographic location, the plus…. It will be difficult to decide. We’ll have to make a calendar, because we’re running out of weekends!
So, what kind of activity are we going to find? Well, for example, if we want to complete our gastronomic autumn with a bit of hiking, there are very interesting routes, such as the Railway and the Ovens from Trabada (Lugo), the Sensory Route next to the Miño, in Taboada (Lugo), or the Route of the apples, in A Estrada (Pontevedra). Other trails take us on a walk among the trees in the Ribeira Sacra and O Courel.In Lobios (Ourense) there is a route, which is done half by all-terrain vehicle and half on foot, which takes us to observe the fauna of O Xurés, as if we were on a safari. There are also excursions that combine a bit of everything, such as one that is done in Arzúa (A Coruña) with a visit to a museum and a waterfall, and which also takes us across the Portodemouros reservoir by ferry.
Walking is fine, but maybe we prefer to go on horseback. No problem, in Carral, Outes and Ames, in the province of A Coruña, the plus is a great route on horseback.
Other common activities are visits to museums and monuments, such as the Honey Museum in Arzúa, the Sobroso Castle or the Basilica of San Martiño de Mondoñedo, for example.
By the way, if we opt for autumn plus, it is better to pack comfortable or sporty clothes in the suitcase, even swimwear, which will come in handy if our destination is to kayak down the Tambre in Ames (A Coruña), relax in a Jacuzzi in Sanxenxo (Pontevedra), or visit the thermal baths of Prexigueiro from Covelo (Pontevedra).
In connection with the gastronomy and the wines of D.O. of Galicia, an activity typical of the theme and of the time is the visit to wineries and wine tasting, which mainly directs us to the province of Ourense (Cenlle, Coles and Monterrei) and Pontevedra (Cambados, Meis, Vila de Cruces), although there are also rural houses that take us to visit wineries in Pantón (Lugo) and in Arzúa (A Coruña). Something more curious is the tasting of organic cider in A Estrada (Pontevedra) or the queimada and talk about the mysteries of Santa Mariña, in Muxía (A Coruña), for those who like to talk quietly and listen to the legends of the place with a few drinks.
Perhaps we prefer to work in the orchard, knowing first hand the work in the fields and the care of the animals. This is something you can do in A Estrada (Pontevedra), for example.
For people who live in an urban environment, rural tourism means escaping from the stress of the city. Looking for relaxation? Well, there are rural houses in the province of Pontevedra that organize massage sessions (Sanxenxo) and yoga (Silleda), so it’s a good idea to pack a mat in your luggage just in case…
Another good way to escape is to live a fantasy adventure, like the one proposed in the escape room offered in Pantón (Lugo), in which the house becomes the scene of a real adventure, or rather, four, because there are four story options to choose from. It is one of the activities that are done in groups.
One of the most precious things about rural houses is silence. The tranquillity in which only the sounds of crickets, water, birds and little else enter. Far from environmental, noise and light pollution… At night in the countryside the stars shine brighter, if there are not too many clouds, of course. A guided night tour of the Trevinca astronomical centre, in A Veiga (Ourense) is a good opportunity to check it out, and also enjoy an astronomical autumn.
So far, the review of the types of activities that Autumn Plus has in store for us, to give us an idea of what awaits us. By the way, some of them have a title that already leaves us in awe: Forest bath, The secrets of O Souto, Walk of the well loved, Zen hour, The procure…
Now we just have to consult the guide and make our reservation.
Happy Autumn Plus!
