Northern Spain Explorer - 8 Days

Madrid - Zaragoza - San Sebastian. We depart from the bus terminal in Madrid at 7:45/8:00 and drive to Zaragoza, where there's a short amount of free time to admire the stunning Basilica del Pilar, wander through the lively streets of the old town, or visit the impressive Aljaferia Palace with its blend of Islamic and Christian architecture.

From Zaragoza, we continue to the northern resort town of San Sebastian, known for its beautiful La Concha beach. 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.

San Sebastian - Bilabo - Santander. Enjoy breakfast before we depart for 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 first stop today is Santillana del Mar, a medieval village recognized as a National Monument. We will then travel through beautiful landscapes to reach Covadonga, where you will have free time to visit the sacred Shrine of Covadonga, nestled in the Picos de Europa mountains.

Our hotel for the night is in Oviedo, where dinner is included and your evening is at leisure.

Oviedo - La Coruna. Enjoy breakfast before departing for the Galicia region. We arrive in La Coruna and embark on a brief panoramic tour. In the afternoon, you have the option to take an excursion to the Rías Altas, exploring charming villages such as Pontedeume and Betanzos. Alternatively, spend the day further exploring La Coruna at your own pace. Dinner is included this evening.

La Coruna - Santiago de Compostela. This morning we complete our journey to Santiago de Compostela, in the north-west corner of Spain. On arrival, 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 - Porto (Portugal). After breakfast, we will depart for the area known as the Spanish Fjords (Rias Bajas), travelling through the stunning landscapes of La Toja Island, the Ría de Arosa, and Pontevedra. There is an optional excursion available to Santa Tecla and Valença do Miño, which is across the Portuguese border.

We will then continue to Vigo, where you'll have some free time to explore. Our journey will take us through the beautiful Minho landscapes and across the border into Portugal, arriving in the beautiful city of Porto. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Porto is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage city. We enjoy a panoramic tour that includes the stunning cathedral and the Stock Exchange building. Visit the Igreja de Santa Clara Church before concluding the tour at a local wine cellar for a tasting of the renowned Port wine. Afterwards, enjoy some free time, with the option to take a cruise down the Douro River. The evening is at leisure.

Porto - Salamanca (Spain) - Madrid. Our short stay in Portugal is over as we head back across the Spanish border this morning. Arriving in Salamanca, you will have some free time to explore this historic city and its renowned Plaza Mayor, and to admire landmarks such as the historic university and the ornate Old and New Cathedrals. Afterwards, we proceed to Madrid, where our journey concludes. 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.