From Northern Spain to Portugal | Guided Small Group Tour | 17 Days

Day 1:                                                BARCELONA

Upon arrival into Barcelona airport, transfer to your tour hotel. Join tour tour director for your welcome dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers over a delightful evening of good food and wine. Overnight in Barcelona. (D)

Day 2:                                                BARCELONA

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Barcelona. Drive along the main avenues with its impressive Gaudi modernist buildings such as La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. The Montjuïc Park with spectacular views of the city and harbor, Olympic Ring, monument to Columbus and the Olympic Port. Visit the most important landmark in the city of Barcelona, Sagrada Familia. Continue to Port Vell to board a catamaran and sail along the beautiful coastline of Barcelona. Upon arrival, the crew will welcome you on board with music, a courtesy drink and a typical local tapa to start the experience in a Mediterranean style. You can sit in the shaded aft seats to feel the sea breeze, or lie on the forward nets in the sun to tan and be closer to the sea. This experience is the ideal complement to get to know Barcelona from all perspectives. The afternoon is for you to keep on discovering this city. Overnight in Barcelona. (B)

Day 3:                                                BARCELONA – ZARAGOZA – PAMPLONA – BILBAO

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure southwest along an industrial and agricultural area with certain relevance within Europe. Arrive to Zaragoza, capital city of Aragón, within the banks of Ebro River, the most copious within the Iberian Peninsula. Free time to see the impressive Baroque architecture of the Basilic-Temple of Our Lady Pilar. Continue to Pamplona, internationally famous for its annual San Fermín festival, 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 in Bilbao. (B)

Day 4:                                               BILBAO – SAN SEBASTIAN – BILBAO

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a Bilbao city tour and discover its most recent developments. Time at leisure for you to explore the esplanade where The Guggenheim Museum is located in order for you to admire this modern architectural building. Continue to San Sebastian in the afternoon, one of the most famous tourist destinations where they hold the International Film Festival. Panoramic city tour of this marvel style bourgeois city, seeing the extraordinary landscape dominated by the bay and the magnificent La Concha beach. We will approach Mount Igueldo, to contemplate the marvelous views of the city. Free time to stroll through this elegant city. Back in Bilbao, enjoy dinner at local restaurant to taste the famous typical “pintxos”, Basque name for tapas. Overnight in Bilbao. (B, D)

Day 5:                                                BILBAO – CASTRO URDIALES – SANTANDER

Breakfast at hotel. Bound for Asturias, famous Green Spain, we will proceed to the old fishing village “Castro Urdiales”. Time at leisure. Depart for Santander, a port city located between the sea and the mountains, well known for its Sardinero Beach. Overnight in Santander. (B)

Day 6:                                                SANTANDER – SANTILLANA DEL MAR – COVADONGA – OVIEDO

Breakfast at hotel. Depart to 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, where you will have free time to see the Sanctuary and the Grotto where you will see the patroness of Asturias our Lady of Covadonga. In the afternoon, departure to Oviedo, where you will see on a series of hills the beauty of Saint Maria de Naranco Church, Jewel of the pre Romanic Asturian architecture. Free time to explore Oviedo, many of its streets are pedestrian, where you will be able to see World Heritage sites like The Cathedral, a splendid example of gothic Asturian architecture. Join your fellow travelers to dine at a traditional cider house. Overnight in Oviedo. (B, D)

Day 7:                                                OVIEDO – MONDOÑEDO – LUGO – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Breakfast at the hotel. Bound for Galician lands. On the way to Lugo, take a short stop at Mondoñedo. Time at leisure to visit the 13th century Cathedral and try the delicious “Mondoñedo cake”. Continue to Lugo. Time at leisure to explore the Roman remains that still retains like its walls, declared World Heritage. We finally approach Santiago de Compostela´s holy land, declared World Heritage, as it is the most important center of Christian Pilgrimages in Spain as the end of the Camino de Santiago. Overnight in Camino de Santiago. (B)

Day 8:                                               SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Breakfast at the hotel. 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 in Camino de Santiago. (B)

Day 9:                                               SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – RIAS BAJAS – PORTO

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart towards one of the most marvelous areas of Galicia, the Rias Bajas (Spanish Fjords). Continue to the Ria de Arosa, where will do a cruise, with tasting of the typical 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 in Porto. (B)

Day 10:                                              PORTO

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a guided sightseeing tour of Porto. Admire the Cathedral, Stock Exchange building and Santa Clara church. Afterwards, enjoy a Douro River Cruise and discover famous Port Wine Cellars with a wine tasting experience included. Rest of day at leisure. Overnight in Porto. (B)

Day 11:                                             PORTO

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. Tonight, you will have the opportunity to share a typical fado show with dinner with your fellow travelers. Overnight in Porto. (B, D)

Day 12:                                             PORTO – AVEIRO – COIMBRA

After breakfast, we depart to Aveiro, known for its picturesque canals, which have earned it the nickname “The Venice of Portugal”. We will enjoy a ride on a moliceiro, a traditional colorful boat used for navigating the canals of Aveiro, before heading to Coimbra. We will 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 in Coimbra. (B)

Day 13:                                              COIMBRA – BATALHA – NAZARE – LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to 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. Free time and continue to Lisbon. In Lisbon, we will cross the Tagus River to Cacilhas and enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant featuring seafood. Overnight in Lisbon. (B,D)

Day 14:                                             LISBON

After breakfast, 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 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 colour housing the genuine “tabernas”.  Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy this magnificent city. Overnight in Lisbon. (B)

Day 15:                                             LISBON – MERIDA – MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel and 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 in Madrid. (B)

Day 16:                                             MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel. 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 will taste the typical chocolate with churros, the most Madrid-style snack. Afternoon at leisure to continue exploring the wonders that the city has to offer. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner. Overnight in Madrid. (B, D)

Day 17:                                              MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport. End of our services. (B)

Departures up until May 2026 – Accommodation (or similar): 

BARCELONA: Hesperia President Hotel Or Catalonia Barcelona Plaza

BILBAO: Barceló Bilbao Nervión Or Radisson Collection Hotel Gran Via Bilba**

Note: The departure on May 18, 2025, will not be accommodated in Bilbao, but in San Sebastian.

SANTANDER: Hotel Santemar

OVIEDO: Silken Monumental Naran

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA: EXE Peregrino Hotel

PORTO: Vila Galé Porto Ribeira Or Vila Galé Porto Or HF Ipanema Porto

COIMBRA: Aeminium Coimbra affiliated by Meliá

LISBON: Lutecia Smart Design Hotel Or VIP Entrecampos Or VIP Arts

MADRID: AC Cuzco by Marriott Or Princesa Plaza

Departures from June 2026 – Accommodation (or similar):

BARCELONA: Catalonia Barcelona Plaza

BILBAO: Radisson Collection Hotel Gran Via Bilbao

SANTANDER: Hotel Santemar

OVIEDO: Silken Monumental Naranco

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA: EXE Peregrino Hotel

PORTO: Vila Galé Porto Ribeira

COIMBRA: Aeminium Coimbra affiliated by Meliá

LISBON: Lutecia Smart Design Hotel Or VIP Entrecampos Or VIP Arts

MADRID: The Westin Madrid Cuzco

Includes:

• Guided city tour with local guides in Barcelona (Sagrada Familia entrance included), Madrid, Bilbao, Santiago (Cathedral ticket included), Porto, Coimbra & Lisbon
• English-speaking tour director throughout the journey
• Daily breakfast
• Welcome dinner in Barcelona
• Catamaran sailing experience in Barcelona
• Pintxos dinner in Bilbao
• Dinner and cider tasting in traditional cider house in Oviedo
• Mussels and wine tasting in a Rias Baixas cruise
• Fado show and dinner in Porto
• Douro River cruise & Port wine tasting in Porto
• Cruise along the Aveiro estuary in a typical moliceiro
• Dinner in a local restaurant in Lisbon (seafood)
• Chocolate & churros tasting in Madrid
• Farewell dinner in Madrid  
• Transportation in luxury coach
• Accommodation at selected hotels
• Private arrival transfer in Barcelona 
• Private departure transfer in Madrid

Things to Note:

• Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes, but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your tour director.
• Itinerary is subject to change at any time without notice.
• Service charges and tips for baggage handling are not included in the tour price.
• Tour can be a combination of regular tours, therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.
• *Minimum 8 passengers required for English-only tour. If the minimum of 8 passengers is not met, the supplier may offer an alternative coach tour that is operated on a multilingual basis.
• When the group is made up of 10 or fewer passengers, the circuit will have no guide, but a knowledgeable expert driver-guide. Such change will not be considered as a significant change of the trip.
• Baggage Policy: 1 suitcase per person up to a maximum of 25 kilos and maximum measurement of 157cm dimension (the dimensional measurement of a suitcase is the sum of length, width, and height). Only suitcases of higher measures will be accepted if they are shared between two passengers. Handbags should be taken care of personally with you. Only one hand baggage per person is allowed. Compulsory excess baggage penalties apply. We recommend that you carry only the luggage you will need. Remember that your trip will be more enjoyable if you don’t have to continually worry about heavy and bulky baggage.
• We recommend you to select flights that arrive no later than 5pm so you can enjoy the itinerary from the beginning.
• In the event that the panoramic tour of Madrid is not operated for technical reasons will be replaced by the Madrid Hop-on Hop-off Bus 1 day instead.
• Barcelona, Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto local city tax is not included, to be paid directly to the hotel.
• **The departure on May 18, 2025, will not be accommodated in Bilbao, but in San Sebastian.