In the Rías Baixas region along the southern coast of Galicia, this city of 83,000 is not only second in Galicia after Santiago de Compostela in terms of history and heritage (dating back to Roman times), but is also celebrated in Spain - and indeed, the world over - for completely banning most vehicles in its historic centre for 20 years now.

This time of year Pontevedra boasts four Christmas trees, in Praza da Ferreria (20m/66 ft. high), Praza de Curros Enríquez (10m/33 ft.), Praza de Méndez Núñez (7m/23 ft.), and Praza do Hospital Provincial (also 7m/23 ft).

And here, too, there's a walk-in Christmas ornament - actually a pair of them, one in front of the Audiencia Provincial courthouse, the other at the corner of Rúas Peregrina and Daniel de la Sota.

In addition, there's a raft of fun stuff going on through 12 January. The Praza de España hosts Pontexogos, a family-oriented holiday park with all sorts of attractions and activities, including a ginornmous (450m/1,476-ft.) igloo; an illuminated, 150m (492-ft.) zipline; musical performances; and appearances by Santa and the Three Kings. Over in Praza do Teucro, the PonteNadal is a colourful handicrafts market perfect for holiday shopping. And out at the modern Recinto Ferial convention/events centre in the city's northwest, Mundonadal offers another raft of fun activities and attractions such as bounce houses and its centrepiece, an ice-skating rink 30m long and 18 wide (98x59 ft.).

Read more in my post Holiday Cheer in 2 Cities of Galicia.

J. Carlos Nesta