Orense province was not part of our Rias Baixas main goals, but as its location is perfect to “break” the long trip from Madrid, we did stop both in the way to Galicia, and also in our way back.

On the way out, the break was done in the Verin area. The town itself is not really impressive but a nearby hill dominating the whole area hosts a Parador and a castle (owned by the Casa de Alba, famous noble family in Spain) which did interest us.

Moreover, we learned that many of the water brands that we drink in Spain originate in that area (for instance, Cabreiroa), and that one of the top designers also take even the name from there (Roberto Verino)

On our way back, we stopped in Orense, which is the province capital. It did surprise us for two main reasons: first, we arrived on an August friday night, and it had lots of activity in terms of restaurants and people having fun; and second, the way they have taken advantage of the thermal waters underneath, by creating both public and private thermal baths which have been incorporated as a habit by many locals, and also attract tourists (us, for example) to the city.