Northern Spain & Portugal from Barcelona - Small Group Tour English Only

Arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Join your Tour Director and group for a Welcome Dinner. Overnight at Catalonia Plaza or similar. (D)

Morning city tour of Barcelona. Drive along the main avenues with its impressive Gaudi modernist buildings such as La Pedrera and Casa Mila. The Montjuic Park with spectacular views of the city and harbor, Olympic Ring, monument to Columbus and the Olympic Port. Visit Sagrada Familia and admire Gaudi’s masterwork by the hand of your expert local guide. Continue to Port Vell to board a catamaran and sail along the beautiful coastline of Barcelona. The crew welcome you on board with music, a courtesy drink and local tapa to start the experience in a Mediterranean style. This experience is the ideal complement to get to know Barcelona from all perspectives. Overnight at Catalonia Plaza or similar. (B)

Depart southwest for Zaragoza, the capital city of Aragón, within the banks of Ebro River. Free time to see the impressive Baroque architecture of the Basilic-Temple of Our Lady Pilar. Continue to Pamplona, a city rich in history, with roots dating back to Roman times and offers a variety of cultural and architectural attractions, including its medieval old town and the Gothic-style Cathedral. Depart to Bilbao. Overnight at Radisson Collection Hotel Gran Via or similar. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a Bilbao city tour and discover its most recent developments. Time at leisure to explore the esplanade where The Guggenheim Museum is located. In the afternoon, continue to San Sebastian. Enjoy a city tour of this marvel style bourgeois city, seeing the extraordinary landscape dominated by the bay and the magnificent La Concha beach. We approach Mount Igueldo, to take in the views of the city. Free time to stroll through this elegant city. Return to Bilbao and enjoy dinner at local restaurant to taste the famous “pintxos”, Basque name for tapas. Overnight at Radisson Collection Hotel Gran Via or similar. (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Castro Urdiales, time at leisure in this charming fishing village. Continue to Santander, known for its beautiful beaches and scenic coastal landscapes. Overnight at Santemar or similar. (B)

Depart for Santillana del Mar, one of the most important historical artistic towns in Spain. It contains architectural treasures such as the Collegiate of Santa Juliana, a Jewel of the Romanesque Architecture in Cantabria. Continue to Covadonga and enjoy free time to see the Sanctuary and the Grotto where the patroness of Asturias our Lady of Covadonga. Depart for to Oviedo, passing the beautiful Saint Maria de Naranco Church, Jewel of the pre–Romanic Asturian architecture. Enjoy free time to explore Oviedo, where you can see World Heritage sites like The Cathedral, a splendid example of gothic Asturian architecture. Tonight, dine at a traditional cider house. Overnight Silken Monumental Naranco or similar. (B, D)

Heading toward the Galician region and en route to Lugo, make a brief stop in Mondoñedo. Enjoy some free time to visit its 13th-century cathedral and sample the famous “Mondoñedo cake.” Then, continue on to Lugo, where you have time at leisure to explore the city’s well-preserved Roman heritage, including its ancient walls, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Journey to the sacred city of Santiago de Compostela, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the final destination of the Camino de Santiago, it stands as one of Spain’s most significant Christian pilgrimage centers. Overnight at EXE Peregrino or similar. (B)

After breakfast, join a Santiago city tour where you will see the main square called Obradoiro and the Cathedral (entrance included) dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. Rest of the day at leisure to explore the narrow cobblestone streets. Overnight at EXE Peregrino or similar. (B)

Depart for one of the most marvellous areas of Galicia, the Rias Bajas (Spanish Fjords). Continue to the Ria de Arosa, where will do a cruise, with tasting of wines and mussels. Bound for the Portuguese border to reach Porto. Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European towns and proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Overnight at Vila Gale Porto Ribeira or similar. (B)

Following breakfast, take a guided sightseeing tour of Porto. Admire the Cathedral, Stock Exchange building and Santa Clara church. Afterwards, enjoy a Douro River Cruise and famous Port Wine Cellars with a wine tasting experience included. Remainer of day at leisure. Overnight at Vila Gale Porto Ribeira or similar. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. Tonight, you have the opportunity to share a fado show and dinner with your group. Overnight at Vila Gale Porto Ribeira or similar. (B, D)

We depart to Aveiro, known for its picturesque canals, which have earned it the nickname “The Venice of Portugal”. Enjoy a ride on a moliceiro, a traditional colourful boat used for navigating the canals of Aveiro, before heading to Coimbra. We meet the local guide for a tour of Coimbra, a historic city known for its prestigious university (one of the oldest in Europe), charming medieval streets, and beautiful riverfront. Overnight at Aeminium Coimbra affiliated by Meliá or similar. (B)

After breakfast, depart for the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline style considered a World Heritage place by UNESCO. Continue to the picturesque fishing town of Nazaré. Enjoy some free time before continuing to Lisbon. In Lisbon, we cross the Tagus River to Cacilhas and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant featuring seafood. Overnight at VIP Entrecampos, VIP Art’s Lutécia or similar. (B, D)

Join a morning city sightseeing of the ancient Olissipo. Drive through its main squares and avenues, Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square & Liberty Avenue. Afternoon at leisure for you to explore the nostalgic corners of Alfama Quarter, the old city located next to its Castle, with old buildings nested in narrow twisting “Ruas” full of colour housing the genuine “tabernas”. Overnight at VIP Entrecampos, VIP Art’s Lutécia or similar. (B)

Depart for Merida, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved Roman ruins, including the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre. Explore its rich historical heritage before continuing to Madrid. Overnight at The Westin Madrid Cuzco or similar. (B)

Discover the beauties of the city with a guided city tour. Barrio de la Morería, the Hapsburgs District, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. The contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. During the visit, we taste churros with chocolate, the most Madrid-style snack. Afternoon at leisure to continue exploring the wonders that the city has to offer. In the evening, join your group for a farewell dinner. Overnight at The Westin Madrid Cuzco or similar. (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport. (B)