Why Galicia? | Why Galicia? |
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Galicia is the region of Spain just above Portugal in the north-western tip of the Iberian Peninsula. Galicia is part of “Green Spain”, it offers a landscape of rugged coastlines, quiet beaches and green rolling countryside.
The Galician coast is dotted with large bays known as “rias”, these are similar to the Scottish lochs. The “rias” are full of white-sanded beaches, calm sea, quaint fishing villages and surrounded by pine forests, these “rias” offer the perfect setting for water sports and sun bathing. The Guardian voted a beach in Galicia, the Praia das Rodas, as the best beach in the world:
The interior of Galicia is lush, mountainous and full of green forests. Most towns and villages are to be found in the many green valleys, surrounded by hills and washed by rivers, Galicia is commonly known as “The Land of the Thousand Rivers”.
 Galicia also has several large towns famous for various reasons. Santiago de Compostela, a World Heritage City and pilgrimage destination, is probably the most renowned city, a granite stone town with an imposing cathedral built around the discovery of Apostle James’ tomb. The city is a magnet for pilgrims from all over the world and millions of visitors. A city full of mueums and culture, with a five-hundred year old university, one of the oldest in Europe.
La Coruña (A Coruña in Galician) is a large coastal town famous for its legendary lighthouse, The Tower of Hercules, the oldest working lighthouse in the world. The city is located in a large bay, dotted with many beaches including the large Riazor beach which dominates the city centre.
Another celebrated town is Lugo , dominated by its Roman Walls dating back to the third century built to defend the Roman town of Lucus. The world heritage organization UNESCO considers the Roman Walls of Lugo as the finest example of late Roman military fortifications.
Aside from the many monumental and natural sites that bless Galicia, it is also a land with many advantages for anyone wanting to relocate:
The region has 3 airports used by a total of 4 million passengers a year, Iberia’s low cost operator Clickair flies from London Heathrow to La Coruña, Ryanair flies to Santiago de Compostela from London Stansted. Air Berlin flies from London Stansted to Santiago de Compostela via Palma de Mallorca. You can also take your car from Plymouth to Santander with Brittany Ferries and then continue your journey to Galicia. Easjet has daily connections from Madrid to La Coruña.
The cost of living is low, it’s 88% of the EU average. In 2006 a total of 3.6 million tourists visited Galicia, making it the most popular destination in Northern Spain, they also spent above the average.
Galicia is also one of the safest places in Spain, in itself one of the safest countries in Europe. Crime statistics for April 2003 show Galicia as having a very low crime rate, at number 17 out of a total of 19 Spanish regions. Housing costs are cheaper in Galicia than almost anywhere else in Spain, but it also has one of the highest property growth rates in Spain. The Galician provinces of La Coruña and Lugo has topped the list this year in new property prices, with increases of 18.5% and 15% respectively.  USEFUL WEBSITES Travel www.ryanair.com www.clickair.com www.iberia.com www.airberlin.com www.brittany-ferries.com Tourism www.turgalicia.com
Food and Wine
www.bluemontana-wine.co.uk (Spanish wine shop in UK)
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