Northern Spain & Portugal: 15-Day Guided Adventure

1. Day 1 Tuesday: Arrival in Madrid, Spain + Group Meeting

   • Meet & greet at the airport and take a private transfer to your hotel.
   • At 7 PM, meet with your Tour Director at the hotel's Reception Desk for a welcome meeting. You will also meet your journey’s fellow travelers. Your Tour Director will give you all the relevant details of the city and will inform you of the schedule for the following day. And adventure starts!
   • The rest of the day is at leisure. 
2. Day 2 Wednesday: Explore Madrid Tour (Included)

   • Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
   • Set out for morning city discovery and enjoy one of the most exciting cities in the world, Madrid. See the highlights and live the passion this city has in its DNA.
   • Afternoon at leisure to continue exploring the wonders that the city has to offer.
   • In the early evening, join your fellow travelers for an authentic Welcome Tapas Dinner at a local restaurant.
   • Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
3. Day 3 Thursday: Arrival in Bilbao, Spain + Tour (Included)

   • Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
   • Embark on your journey through Northern Spain with your first stop in Laguardia, nestled in the heart of La Rioja, a renowned Spanish wine region. Explore internationally acclaimed vineyards and visit a traditional family-run wine cellar. Savor the world-famous Rioja Reds and indulge in a delightful light lunch featuring local products.
   • Arrival in Bilbao and time at leisure.
   • Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
4. Day 4 Friday: San Sebastian Tour (Included)

   • Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
   • Your adventure in Bilbao begins with a knowledgeable local guide. The city's iconic highlight is the titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum, a masterpiece by Frank Gehry. We also recommend strolling through the historic "Siete Calles" district, which, despite being damaged during the 1980s floods, has been meticulously restored to its former glory.
   • Next, your journey takes you to San Sebastian, one of Europe's most renowned and elegant destinations. Here, you'll savor a traditional Pintxos lunch at the charming Taverns of San Sebastian Old Town. Afterward, enjoy some leisure time to soak in the beauty of this enchanting town. Marvel at the extraordinary landscape, which is dominated by the bay and the stunning La Concha beach.
   • Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
5. Day 5 Saturday: Arrival in Oviedo, Spain + Tour (Included)

   • Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
   • Are you ready for an adventure in the Northern mountains and along the Atlantic sandy beaches? Your journey begins as you depart for Santillana del Mar, a town of significant historical and artistic importance in Spain. This charming town is home to architectural treasures like the Collegiate of Santa Ana, a Romanesque jewel in the heart of Cantabria.
   • Next, continue your exploration to Covadonga, where you'll have some free time to visit the Sanctuary and the Grotto, where the patroness of Asturias, Our Lady of Covadonga, is revered.
   • In the afternoon, set off for Oviedo, a city nestled on a series of hills that showcase the beauty of the Saint Maria de Naranco Church, a gem of pre-Romanesque Asturian architecture. You'll also have some free time to wander through Oviedo, with many of its streets being pedestrian-friendly. During your exploration, you'll encounter World Heritage sites like The Cathedral, a splendid example of Asturian Gothic architecture.
   • Meals Included: Breakfast
6. Day 6 Sunday: Arrival in Santiago de Compostela, Spain + Tour (Included)

   • Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
   • Your journey now leads you to the picturesque Galician landscapes. En route to Lugo, make a brief stop in Mondoñedo. Here, you'll have some free time to visit the 13th-century Cathedral, a magnificent piece of history, and indulge in the delicious "Mondoñedo's cake."
   • Continuing your adventure, arrive in Lugo, where you can take a leisurely stroll to explore the Roman ruins that have endured over time, including its iconic walls, which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
   • Finally, Santiago de Compostela is also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This city holds immense significance as the most important center of Christian Pilgrimages in Spain, marking the end of the historic Camino de Santiago route that dates back to the Roman Empire.
   • Meals Included: Breakfast
7. Day 7 Monday: Santiago de Compostela Tour (Included)

   • Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
   • Take a leisurely stroll through Santiago's charming old cobblestone streets, immersing yourself in its rich historical beauty. Experience the palpable passion that permeates Obradoiro Square and behold the majestic Cathedral dedicated to the Apostle Santiago (please note that entrance to the Cathedral is not included).
     
   • Rest of the day at your leisure.
   • Meals Included: Breakfast

    

8. Day 8 Tuesday: Arrival in Salamanca, Spain + Tour (Included)

   • Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
   • Continue your journey to Salamanca, often referred to as the "University City." Here, you will partake in a city tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its remarkable architectural and artistic wealth. Explore the cultural and historical treasures that make Salamanca a city like no other.
   • Meals Included: Breakfast
9. Day 9 Wednesday: Arrival in Porto, Portugal + Tour (Included)

   • Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
   • Bid farewell to Spain to discover Portuguese landscapes. Our first stop will be at Pinhao, a beautiful little town on the Douro Riverbank and famous for its centenary cellars. Taste their wines while visiting their stunning vineyards. After the tasting experience, enjoy a local products-based lunch.
   • Continue to Porto. Located along the Douro River estuary in Northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European towns and was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. 
   • Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
10. Day 10 Thursday: Douro Tour (Included)

    • Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
    • Feel the Douro River breeze while discovering Porto. Admire the Cathedral, Stock Exchange building, and Santa Clara church. Afterwards, enjoy a Douro River Cruise.
    • Rest of day at leisure. 
    • Meals Included: Breakfast
11. Day 11 Friday: Arrival in Coimbra, Portugal + Tour (Included)

    • Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
    • Depart to Aveiro, known as “The Portuguese Venice”. Enjoy a cruise on its beautiful canals aboard a traditional Moliceiro boat. Enjoy time at leisure and explore the town, the old Beira Mar neighborhood, and the Aveiro Fish Market.
    • Continue to Coimbra, one of the oldest universities in Europe and the birthplace of Fado. Time at leisure.
    • Meals Included: Breakfast
12. Day 12 Saturday: Arrival in Lisbon, Portugal + Tour (Included)

    • Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
    • Today may seem long as you´ll discover several small historical towns, but distances are short and sweet. Depart to the Tomar´s Monastery, a Gothic and Manueline style masterpiece considered a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Continue to the picturesque fishing town of Nazare. Enjoy time at leisure.
    • Continue to Óbidos, a beautiful example of a Portuguese medieval walled town. Spend some time at leisure.
    • Continue to Lisbon, the Portuguese capital. 
    • Meals Included: Breakfast

     

13. Day 13 Sunday: Explore Lisbon Tour & Fado Dinner (Included)

    • Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
    • Spread across seven hills and known for its decorative arts, Lisbon is one of Europe’s most interesting capitals. 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.
    • The afternoon is at leisure for you to catch the nostalgic corners of Alfama Quarter, the old city gathered next to its Castle, with old buildings nested in narrow twisting “Ruas” full of color housing the genuine “tabernas”.
    • In the early evening, join your fellow travelers and enjoy a typical Portuguese dinner visiting one of the oldest Fado venues in the city.
14. Day 14 Monday: Return to Madrid, Spain + Tour (Included)

    • Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
    • Farewell Lisbon and Portugal as you get back to Spain.
    • The first stop will be Merida, the capital of the ancient Lusitania Roman province.
    • Once back in beloved Madrid, join your fellow travelers for a final Farewell Dinner. 
    • Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

     

     

15. Day 15 Tuesday: Return Flight Home

    After breakfast at your hotel, take a private transfer to the airport.

    We wish you a pleasant flight home and thank you for traveling with us. We look forward to future adventures together!

Available Experiences

Included

Special Offer: Northern Spain & Portugal Explorer: 15 Day Itinerary