About Pontevedra, Spain

Galicia, Spain's westernmost province, is blessed with moderate weather, adorned with beautiful beaches, and inculcated with Spanish and Celtic roots. This melange has given rise to a true Gallegan spirit, a culture within a larger, Spanish culture - one with its own customs and even language, but also one that is quintessimally Spanish. Open, friendly, jovial, vibrant... all define the Galician natives. These are the characteristics that we search out - a bit off the beaten path, only a little tainted by Mickey and Mac; proud and defending a heritage that goes back to Helen of Troy. History and folklore tell of a Trojan archer names Teucer, son of Telemon, half-brother of Ajax, who, following the Trojan war, journeyed to what would become Spain and founded Pontevedra. It originally had a Trojan name, but was later (and historians say originally) named by the Romans - Pons Vetus or old bridge. Pontevedra is also one of four cities to claim Christopher Columbus as their native son. Its other famous son was the father of Fidel Castro who migrated from Galicia to Cuba where he became a successful sugarcane plantation owner.

Regardless of fact or fiction, Pontevedra and the surrounding Galician coast presents a culturally rich landscape for us to explore and learn. Its beaches are among Spain's finest. The waters are surprisingly warm (well, not cold...), the summer days long and mostly sunny. Awaiting us are classic fishing villages, rocky promontories, white sandy beaches, sailing ports, vineyards, ancient cathedrals and castles, architecture from the Roman times.