Madrid to Northern Spain & Lisbon - 12 Days

Madrid - Zaragoza - Pamplona. We leave Madrid at 8:00 a.m., heading northwest to the historic city of Zaragoza. After a brief stop to stretch our legs and admire some of its notable landmarks, we continue through the scenic landscapes of Aragon and the Basque Country.

We reach the northern town of Pamplona, best known for the controversial Running of the Bulls (San Fermín Festival) but also for its beautiful old quarter. Dinner is included at tonight's hotel.

Please note: This tour is bi-lingual, and will be conducted in Spanish as well as in English.

Meeting Point: C. de Ferraz, 3, Moncloa - Aravaca, 28008 Madrid at 8:00.

Pamplona - San Sebastian - Bilbao - Santander. Enjoy breakfast before we depart for San Sebastian, a glamorous coastal resort town known for its iconic curved La Concha beach. After some free time here, we continue to Bilbao, the capital of the province of Vizcaya. We make a brief stop to admire the architecture of the Guggenheim Museum before continuing our journey along Spain's northern coast to Santander, where you'll have some free time to explore. Dinner is included and the evening is at leisure.

Santander - Santillana del Mar - Covadonga - Oviedo. Our morning begins with a scenic drive to Santillana del Mar, a beautifully preserved medieval village often called a living museum. After strolling its cobbled streets, we continue into the heart of Asturias, climbing through verdant hills to the revered shrine at Covadonga - site of the first Christian victory in the Reconquista. Later, we arrive in Oviedo, the Asturian capital, known for its pre-Romanesque churches and old town.

Oviedo - La Coruna - Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy breakfast before departing for the Galicia region. We arrive in La Coruna and embark on a brief panoramic tour. We then continue to Santiago de Compostela in the north-west corner of Spain, our base for the next two nights. Dinner is included this evening and you've got time to head out and start exploring the city.

This morning we embark on a city tour of this famed pilgrimage destination, including visits to the Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral. After our tour, the afternoon is free for you to relax at the hotel or continue your sightseeing independently. Dinner is included in the evening.

Santiago de Compostela - Rias Bajas - Vigo. Today we travel through the picturesque Rias Baixas, Galicia’s famous “Lower Estuaries” dotted with fishing villages, inlets, and vineyards. We’ll stop briefly at La Toja Island, renowned for its spa heritage, then continue to O Grove, where you can take an optional boat tour around mussel and oyster farms, complete with a tasting of fresh shellfish and local Ribeiro wine. Later, we arrive in the lively coastal city of Vigo, with time at leisure and the option to visit the hilltop site of Santa Tecla for sweeping views.

Vigo - Viana do Castelo (Portugal) - Braga - Porto. Crossing into Portugal, we arrive in Viana do Castelo, a picturesque town nestled between mountains and sea. Enjoy free time to explore its historic centre, filled with ornate manors and narrow lanes. Then it's on to Braga, one of Portugal’s oldest cities, nicknamed the “City of Archbishops” for its religious significance. After time to discover its elegant streets, we continue to Porto, the country’s second city, famed for its wine and riverside charm.

A full morning panoramic tour reveals the city's highlights, the austere Cathedral, the lavish Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange), and the delicate St. Clara Church. We’ll end the tour with a visit to a traditional port wine cellar, where we enjoy a tasting of this iconic local product. The rest of the day is yours to explore Porto’s winding streets, cruise the Douro River, or simply relax by the Ribeira waterfront.

Porto - Coimbra. Today we travel to Coimbra, a city of learning and music. Once the medieval capital of Portugal, Coimbra is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. After an included lunch, enjoy free time to stroll through the university district, visit the Joanina Library, or hear the strains of traditional Fado echoing from cafés.

Coimbra - Fatima - Lisbon. We head south to Fatima, an important Catholic pilgrimage site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three shepherd children in 1917. After free time to explore the Sanctuary and its tranquil grounds, we continue to Lisbon, the sun-kissed Portuguese capital. In the evening, you may wish to join an optional night tour including a traditional Fado show.

A morning tour takes us through Lisbon’s key sights: leafy Eduardo VII Park, the bustling Rossio Square, elegant Avenida da Liberdade, and the atmospheric Madragoa district. We'll then explore Belem, birthplace of Portugal’s Age of Discoveries, with stops at the Belem Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, and the magnificent Jeronimos Monastery. The afternoon is yours to relax or join an optional visit to Sintra, the royal summer retreat, as well as the coastal towns of Cascais and Estoril.

Lisbon - Merida (Spain) - Madrid. We bid farewell to Portugal and re-enter Spain, stopping in the beautifully preserved Roman city of Merida. Enjoy free time to explore its archaeological treasures, including a UNESCO-listed Roman amphitheatre. After lunch on your own, we continue to Madrid, where our journey ends upon arrival.

You will be dropped on Ferraz Street, near the Plaza de Espana at approximately 17:30, though this time is subject to external factors such as traffic and passenger delays.