Catch a glimpse of Galicia by visiting its fascinating capital, Santiago de Compostela and explore the Portuguese treasures by travelling through the vineyards and the mesmerizing landscapes of the Douro Valley. Experience the natural and cultural heritage of Galicia. This tour takes you to some of the most impressive places in the country – amazing mountainous landscapes, wild beaches, excellent gastronomy and friendly people. A pleasure for the senses. The northern regions of Spain are often less spoiled by tourism and less known to foreign visitors, however, the north of Spain boasts some of the most fascinating places in the country - amazing mountainous landscapes to charming beaches, friendly people, top-notch gastronomy and expansive nature preserves. This thirteen-day tour takes you to some of the finest places to visit in Spain for an incredible northern adventure.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Barcelona: Spend a day exploring the Gothic glory of the old town and another discovering the mesmerising modernist heritage bequeathed by architect Antoni Gaudi.
Rias Baixas: Its coastline combines the sea and the greenery of its settings with the seafaring tradition of Galicia.
Santiago de Compostela: Enjoy a walking tour of the old town with a visit to the spellbinding Gothic cathedral.
Oviedo: lose yourself in its streets where it seems that time has stopped and delight with its gastronomy and drinks such as cider and its way of serving it in the area of cider bars and bars par excellence as is "Gascona". Enjoy its pre-Romanesque art, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and its hospitable people.
Santander: Without a doubt, one of the most elegant and beautiful cities on the northern coast of Spain
Madrid: the capital of Spain and located in the centre of the country, is a cosmopolitan city that offers countless places to visit and enjoy. Discover its numerous highlights as such Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, Royal Palace, Cibeles and Puerta de Alcalá
Day 1: ARRIVAL BARCELONA
Arrive at Barcelona - El Prat Airport. A representative holding a sign displaying your name will be waiting to greet you in the arrivals lounge and transfer you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure enjoying the highlights of Barcelona
Overnight in Barcelona.
Day 2: BARCELONA: HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, make your own way to the meeting point for the Highlights City Tour of Barcelona. This half-day sightseeing tour will introduce you to the history of the city while visiting some of its most important sites. The first part of the visit consists in a guided walking tour through the small, narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter, the oldest part of the city. We will see Las Ramblas, the old Jewish Quarter, the Cathedral – where you will have time to enter and look around – as well as many other interesting places. Later, we will take a bus for a panoramic tour around the rest of the city. We will drive along the elegant Passeig de Gràcia, where two of Gaudi’s most important buildings, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, are located. Then we will see the Arc de Triomf and the Port Olímpic. Continue to Montjuïc, the location of the 1992 Olympic Games, and see the Olympic stadium from the bus. Later, ride the cable car up the hillside for panoramic views of Barcelona (weather dependent) and visit Poble Espanyol, which literally means ‘Spanish Village’. This open-air museum is a showcase of Spanish architecture and culture. Enjoy some free time here to enjoy the different sectors inspired by different Spanish regions and visit craft shops, restaurants and bars. After visiting Poble Espanyol, return to the bus and travel back to the city centre passing through Plaça d'Espanya, the Torres Venecianes, the MNAC national art gallery and the Las Arenas shopping centre, which is set in an old bullring. The tour will finish in Plaça de Catalunya. Make your own way back to your hotel for a well-earned rest.
Overnight in Barcelona.
Day 3: BARCELONA – ZARAGOZA – SAN SEBASTIAN (2 hrs by train/ 270 km – 3,5 Hrs by land)
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Barcelona Sants railway station to take the AVE high-speed train to Zaragoza. Free time in Zaragoza and in the afternoon, continue to San Sebastian, one of Spain’s most famous tourist destinations and the home of the International Film Festival.
Overnight in San Sebastian.
Day 4: SAN SEBASTIAN
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the panoramic tour of this elegant and gentrified city whose landscape is dominated by the Bay and La Concha Beach. We will go up to Mount Igueldo, from where we will be able to contemplate a magnificent view of the city. Rest of the day at leisure. In the afternoon, the possibility of an optional visit to the picturesque villages of Hondarribia and San Juan de Luz, already in French territory.
Overnight in San Sebastian.
Day 5: SAN SEBASTIAN – BILBAO – CASTRO URDIALES – SANTANDER (205 Km – 2,5 Hrs)
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel and proceed towards Bilbao. Kick back and enjoy a panoramic drive around this city before enjoying some free time on the esplanade where The Guggenheim Museum is located in order to admire this modern architectural building. Proceed to the quaint little fishing village Castro Urdiales, where you’ll spend some free time absorbing its charming atmosphere. Depart then to Santander, a port city located between the sea and the mountains, renowned for its Sardinero Beach, one of the best-known beaches in Spain. Free time to stroll through this elegant city before spending the night at the hotel.
Overnight in Santander.
Day 6: SANTANDER – SANTILLANA – COVADONGA – OVIEDO (220 Km – 3,5 Hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, depart to Santillana, one of the most important historical and artistic towns in Spain. It contains a wealth of architectural treasures, such as the Collegiate of Santa Juliana, a jewel of Cantabrian Romanesque Architecture. Continue then to Covadonga and enjoy some free time to see the Sanctuary and the Grotto, where you will see the patroness of Asturias, Our Lady of Covadonga. In the afternoon, depart to Oviedo, where you will see on a series of hills the beauty of Saint Maria de Naranco Church, a classic example of Asturian pre-Romanic architecture. Then explore the city of Oviedo at your leisure; many of its streets are pedestrian, so you will be able to calmly walk towards World Heritage Sites like its Gothic Cathedral.
Overnight in Oviedo.
Day 7: OVIEDO – MONDONEDO – LUGO – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (350 km – 4hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a drive to the Galician region. On the way to Lugo stop in Mondenedo for free time to visit its imposing 12th-century cathedral and try the delicious “Mondoñedo cake”. Then, depart to the mediaeval city of Lugo. Enjoy free time to take a walk along the Roman remains that still preserves in the town´s walls and was declared a World Heritage Site. Continue to Santiago de Compostela, whose ancient city is a World Heritage Site, and one of the most important monumental centers in Spain, center of Christian pilgrimage and end of the Camino de Santiago, originally built by the Roman Empire.
Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 8: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a city tour that will acquaint you with the city’s main square, called Obradoiro, and the magnificent Cathedral (entrance included) dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. The rest of the day is for you to spend at leisure wandering through the narrow cobblestoned streets and appreciating the city’s young lively atmosphere.
Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 9: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – RIAS BAJAS – LA TOJA – PORTO
Indulge in a delicious breakfast at the hotel before continuing to your following destination Porto. En route you will be passing through the most charming area, Rías Bajas, well-known as the Spanish fjords. Driving along this spectacular landscape you will arrive at the island of La Toja, famous for the wellness center and rich thermal quells. After this short stop, our panoramic drive continues along the river Arosa to Portugal. Check in to your hotel in Porto and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Porto.
Day 10: PORTO
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel before stepping out into the UNESCO-listed city of Porto. Spend the morning enjoying a panoramic sightseeing tour of this iconic Portuguese destination. The tour takes you to some of its most iconic locations, including the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange building and the Santa Clara church. Afterwards, enjoy a different perspective of the city along the river Douro aboard the Cruise and discover the historic heritage by visiting one well-known Port Wine Cellar with a wine tasting included. Rest of day at leisure.
Overnight in Porto.
Day 11: PORTO – CIUDAD RODRIGO – SALAMANCA (350 Km – 3.5 Hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel depart towards the Spanish border. On the way to Salamanca, stop at Ciudad Rodrigo, a beautiful town surrounded by medieval walls and dominated by its imposing fortress. Continue to Salamanca, a monumental university city declared a World Heritage Site.
Overnight in Salamanca.
Day 12: SALAMANCA – ÁVILA – MADRID (220 Km – 2.5 Hrs)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Ávila and free time to get to know this historic walled city. Continue to Madrid and upon arrival check in at the hotel.
Overnight in Madrid.
Day 13: DEPARTURE MADRID
Enjoy one last breakfast at the hotel before saying goodbye to Madrid and transfer to the airport
Breakfast included.
