Seafaring Tourism. Tourism Experiences
Carril shellfish growers have always wanted to diversify its services besides its growing and harvesting activities. To this end, and in light of the rising popularity of experiential travel, also known as immersion travel, the organization has launched numerous projects aimed at drawing direct attention to the daily work performed by more than 650 families who not just constitute this organization but also live exclusively from the sea.
A Different Experience
Residents and visitors can take the opportunity to learn about the realities of a trade with a seafaring tradition that dates back more than 500 years. This experience combines the knowledge of the work developed in the Arousa Estuary region– between the Concha Beach in Vilagarcía de Arousa, passing through Carril, and up to Cortegada Island –with an encounter with its unique look and flavor landscape thanks to the mollusk-growing farms.
This sort of tourism seeks to demonstrate to visitors the day-to-day activities of the profession, showing them the back-end labor required to protect the quality seal of the Carril clam and other bivalves harvested in this region. Because beyond the shellfish harvesting activity, visitors can learn about many more, such as substrate conditioning, seeding, predator-balancing hunts, cleaning, and constant maintenance. The knowledge gained through this direct immersion encourages consumers to appreciate the worth and quality of the products marketed by the Carril growers.
Guided Tours
The guided tours are the star activity whose main objective is to promote the renowned Carril clams through marine tourism. The Carril shellfish growers’ organization took the initiative to document the shellfish-growing activities by conducting numerous investigations of the entire region to present tourists with the most thorough and accurate information possible, merging this knowledge with the understanding of the trade and profession that has been passed down from generation to generation for more than half a millennium.
The growers offer several types of visits, all combined under the name «Get excited about our trade,» highlighting the intense work done in the region and ranging from mere observation to a much more interactive tour. The provided activities and experiences are suitable for all audiences, from schoolchildren, families, and sightseer groups, and are adapted for all ages.
As a result, the guided tours allow a combination of journeys by sea and land to the local shellfish culture farms. Additionally, they offer tours along the trails of the Cortegada Island and the Camino del Carro (Carriage Road) so that participants can know in detail both the Carril Association of Fish Producers’ work and the breathtaking environment in which their job takes place.
Variability According to Season and Climate
It is worth noticing that visitors can book their participation in these tours at different periods throughout the year without being repetitive or monotonous since the shellfish culture farms’ maintenance varies according to the season and the climate. Therefore, visitors will have a different experience in summer than in winter since the performed tasks change with the weather as the must-wear clothing of both shellfish growers and visitors. This variability is one of the significant benefits of this type of proposal since they can offer it several times, ensuring a different experience for the visitors on each tour.
If desired, the activities can include clam and cockle tastings or even specific and unique menus featuring these bivalves in a memorable way. To sum up, a wide range of possibilities to discover all the aspects of tourism in Carril.
Cooking Shows (Showcookings)
With gastronomic tourism on the rise, the Carril Association of Fish Producers (OPP) has committed to providing Cooking Shows for those who wish to learn firsthand how to cook the several dishes made with the Carril clams. Similarly, this type of proposal helps visitors to distinguish between some elaborations and others by highlighting the numerous nuances in the flavors and textures.
Throughout these cooking sessions, participants will learn traditional sauces, innovative recipes, and essential techniques. Once more, initiatives that confirm the worth and quality of the products extracted in the Arousa Estuary region directly to consumers.
How to Make a Reservation
If you want to make a reservation or need further information about any of the aforementioned activities, please call 986 508 077 or send an email specifying your request to info@parquistasdecarril.es.