Iberian North Discovery - 16 Days

On arrival at Madrid Airport, we transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to relax or begin exploring the Spanish capital at your own pace. Overnight at the hotel.

Please note: During your stay in Madrid, tour escort services are not available. If the panoramic tour of Madrid cannot operate due to technical reasons, it will be replaced by a one-day Madrid Hop-on Hop-off Bus or a walking tour of the Hapsburg Quarter, at the operator’s discretion.

Tour Style: Please note that this is a bi-lingual, large group coach tour, where a majority of travellers are Spanish, so English will be the second language. For groups of 12 or more the tour is escorted by a bilingual (Spanish & English speaking) tour leader/escort. They will provide explanations about the itinerary, coordinate accommodation services, and ensure the smooth running of the tour, making your trip an enjoyable experience. When the group size is less than 12, this service may be provided by the driver. There will be experienced bi-lingual local guides for city sightseeing.

After breakfast, we enjoy a comprehensive panoramic city tour of Madrid. We begin with the city’s medieval origins, including the former Arab fortress and the Barrio de la Morería, known for its historic buildings and traditional taverns. We continue through the Habsburg district, shaped during the reign of Philip II, with Renaissance and Baroque landmarks at Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa. Our tour also introduces the Bourbon Madrid of Charles III, featuring the Royal Palace, the Cibeles and Neptune fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. We admire 19th-century highlights such as Plaza de Oriente and the Prado Museum, before discovering modern Madrid along Gran Vía, Paseo de la Castellana, the Salamanca district, Parque del Oeste and the city’s commercial and financial areas, including views of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The afternoon is at leisure.

Madrid - Zaragoza - San Sebastian. Following breakfast, we depart for Zaragoza. You have free time to visit the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, an important pilgrimage site and symbol of Spanish Catholic heritage, and to stroll through the historic centre. In the afternoon, we continue to San Sebastian, renowned for its elegant setting and its annual International Film Festival. Overnight accommodation.

After breakfast, we enjoy a panoramic tour of San Sebastian, an elegant seaside city framed by the bay and La Concha Beach. We ascend Mount Igueldo for magnificent views over the city and coastline. The remainder of the day is at leisure. In the afternoon, you may choose to join an optional excursion to the charming coastal towns of Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz in neighbouring France. Overnight at the hotel.

San Sebastian - Bilbao - Castro Urdiales - Santander. After breakfast, we depart for Bilbao and enjoy free time near the Guggenheim Museum to admire its striking contemporary architecture. We continue to Castro Urdiales, a traditional fishing village, where you have free time to explore. Later, we travel to Santander, a coastal city set between the sea and the mountains, known for beaches such as El Sardinero. We enjoy a guided tour with a local expert to fully discover the city. Overnight at the hotel

Santander - Santillana - Covadonga - Oviedo. Breakfast is followed by departure to Santillana del Mar, one of Spain’s most historically significant towns. Here we see architectural treasures such as the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, a masterpiece of Romanesque art in Cantabria. We continue to Covadonga, with free time to visit the Sanctuary and the sacred grotto housing the image of the Virgin. In the afternoon, we travel to Oviedo, a city set at the foot of Mount Naranco and known for its pedestrian streets and refined atmosphere. Its historic monuments are recognised as World Heritage Sites, including the impressive Gothic Cathedral.

Oviedo - Mondonedo - Lugo - Santiago de Campostela. After breakfast, we travel into Galicia. En route, we stop in Mondoñedo, with free time to visit its 12th-century cathedral and sample the local Mondoñedo cake. We continue to Lugo, where you have free time to admire the remarkably preserved Roman walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, we proceed to Santiago de Compostela, whose historic centre is also World Heritage listed and marks the final destination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

Following breakfast, we enjoy a guided city tour of Santiago de Compostela, visiting Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral, with entrance included, dedicated to the Apostle Saint James the Greater. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to further explore this vibrant university city with its youthful atmosphere. Overnight at the hotel.

Santiago de Compostela - Salamanca. After breakfast, we depart for Salamanca. On arrival, you have free time to explore this prestigious university city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptional architectural and artistic legacy. Overnight at the hotel. Please note: During your stay in Salamanca, tour escort services are not available.

Salamanca - Porto. Breakfast at the hotel, followed by free time in Salamanca. We then travel towards the Portuguese border and continue to Porto. Overnight accommodation.

After breakfast, we enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Porto, a city recognised as a World Heritage Site. We admire key landmarks including the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange building and the Church of Santa Clara. We then see the city from a different perspective along the Douro River and visit a renowned Port wine cellar for a tasting. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Porto - Coimbra - Fatima Breakfast is followed by departure to Coimbra, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities and a historic centre of Fado music. You have free time to explore. We continue to Fátima, one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the world. We visit the Sanctuary, including the Basilica and the Cova da Iria, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared. You may wish to visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, containing the tombs of the three shepherd children. In the evening, there is the possibility to attend the candlelight procession.

Batalha - Nazare - Alcobaca - Lisbon. After breakfast, we depart for the Batalha Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline architecture. We continue to the fishing town of Nazaré, with free time, before visiting Alcobaça, also World Heritage listed, known for its Cistercian monastery and Gothic church dating back to the 12th century. We then continue to Lisbon, the Portuguese capital.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, we enjoy a guided city tour of Lisbon, formerly known as Olissipo. We visit major squares and avenues, the Belém Tower, the exterior of the Jerónimos Monastery and the Monument to the Discoveries. The afternoon is free for you to explore areas such as the atmospheric Alfama district or to join the optional excursion to Sintra and Cascais, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Lisbon - Merida - Madrid. After breakfast, we depart for Mérida, a World Heritage city and former Roman capital of Extremadura. You have free time to explore its remarkable Roman remains, including the theatre, amphitheatre and Roman bridge. We then continue to Madrid.

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by transfer to the airport for your departure.