North of Spain to Portugal | Guided Small Group Tour | 17 Days

DAY 1:                                 BARCELONA

Arrival at Barcelona Airport and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, meet the tour director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Barcelona. (D)

It is recommended to arrive in Barcelona no later than 5:00pm to enjoy the evening program.

DAY 2:                                BARCELONA

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Barcelona, passing Gaudí’s famous La Pedrera and Casa Batlló before continuing to Montjuïc Hill, the Olympic Ring, Columbus Monument and waterfront. Visit the magnificent Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s most iconic masterpiece. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Barcelona independently. Overnight in Barcelona. (B)

DAY 3:                                 BARCELONA – ZARAGOZA – PAMPLONA – BILBAO

Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to Zaragoza, with free time to see the magnificent Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar. Continue to Pamplona, famous for the San Fermín festival, and explore its medieval Old Town and Gothic Cathedral. Later, continue to Bilbao. Overnight in Bilbao. (B)

DAY 4:                                 BILBAO – SAN SEBASTIÁN – BILBAO

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Bilbao, followed by free time around the iconic Guggenheim Museum. Continue to San Sebastián for a panoramic tour featuring beautiful La Concha Bay, Belle Époque architecture and spectacular views from Mount Igueldo. Return to Bilbao and enjoy a traditional Basque pintxos dinner. Overnight in Bilbao. (B, D)

DAY 5:                                 BILBAO – CASTRO URDIALES – SANTANDER

Breakfast at the hotel. Travel along Spain’s scenic northern coastline to Castro Urdiales, a charming fishing town with a medieval harbour and the Gothic Church of Santa María. Continue to Santander, with free time to explore its elegant seaside promenades, architecture and famous El Sardinero Beach. Overnight in Santander. (B)

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

Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to the medieval village of Santillana del Mar, with time to explore the area surrounding the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana. Continue to Covadonga, with free time to visit the Sanctuary and Holy Cave, before travelling to Oviedo. Pass the historic Church of Santa María del Naranco and enjoy free time to discover Oviedo’s Old Town and Gothic Cathedral. Overnight in Oviedo. (B)

DAY 7:                                 OVIEDO – MONDOÑEDO – LUGO – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA Breakfast at the hotel. Travel into Galicia, stopping in Mondoñedo, with free time to see its historic Cathedral and explore the town. Continue to Lugo, famous for its UNESCO-listed Roman Walls, before travelling to Santiago de Compostela, the legendary final destination of the Camino de Santiago. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela. (B)

DAY 8:                                 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a guided tour of Santiago de Compostela, including entrance to the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, traditionally believed to house the remains of Saint James the Apostle. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the historic Old Town and Obradoiro Square. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela. (B)

DAY 9:                                 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – RÍAS BAIXAS – PORTO (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Travel through the picturesque Rías Baixas region and enjoy a scenic cruise along the Ría de Arousa, accompanied by a tasting of local Albariño wine and fresh mussels. Continue across the Portuguese border to Porto. Overnight in Porto. (B)

DAY 10:                              PORTO

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Porto, including the Cathedral, Stock Exchange Palace and Church of Santa Clara. Continue with a scenic Douro River cruise, followed by a visit to a traditional Port Wine Cellar for a tasting. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Porto. (B)

DAY 11:                              PORTO

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Porto independently. Overnight in Porto. (B)

DAY 12:                              PORTO – AVEIRO – COIMBRA

Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to Aveiro, known for its picturesque canals, and enjoy a ride aboard a traditional moliceiro boat. Continue to Coimbra for a guided sightseeing tour, discovering its historic streets and rich cultural heritage. Overnight in Coimbra. (B)

DAY 13:                              COIMBRA – BATALHA – NAZARÉ – LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Batalha and visit the magnificent Batalha Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Gothic and Manueline architecture. Continue to the seaside town of Nazaré, with free time to explore before travelling to Lisbon. Overnight in Lisbon. (B)

DAY 14:                              LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Lisbon, featuring Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Monument to the Discoveries, Marquês de Pombal Square and Liberty Avenue. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Lisbon independently. Overnight in Lisbon. (B)

DAY 15:                              LISBON – MERIDA – MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Lisbon and travel to Mérida, a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its impressive Roman heritage. Enjoy free time to explore its historic centre and ancient landmarks before continuing to Madrid. Overnight in Madrid. (B)

DAY 16:                              MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Madrid, exploring the historic Barrio de la Morería, Habsburg Quarter, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa. Continue past highlights including the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptune Fountains, Puerta de Alcalá, Gran Vía, Salamanca District, Paseo de la Castellana and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Madrid independently. This evening, join fellow travellers for a farewell dinner. Overnight in Madrid. (B, D)

DAY 17:                              MADRID

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Madrid Airport. End of services. (B)

ACCOMODATION (OR SIMILAR):

BARCELONA: Catalonia Boulevard, or Derby, or Granados 83

BILBAO: Barceló Nervión, or Radisson Collection Hotel Gran Via Bilbao

SANTANDER: Santemar

OVIEDO: Eurostars Palacio de Cristal, or AC Oviedo by Marriott, or Silken Monumental Naranco

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA: Exe Peregrino

PORTO: BessaHotel Baixa Porto, or Vila Galé Porto Ribeira, or Vila Galé Porto

COIMBRA: Aeminium Coimbra affiliated by Meliá

LISBON: VIP Entrecampos, or VIP Art’s, or Lutecia

MADRID: A Loft by Marriott, or Meliá Castilla, or Radisson Red

INCLUDES:

• 16 nights’ accommodation in 4* hotels
• Meals as per itinerary
• Private arrival transfer from Barcelona Airport on the first day and private departure transfer to Madrid Airport on the final day of the tour
• Transportation by luxury coach throughout the tour
• English-speaking tour director throughout
• Guided sightseeing tours in Barcelona, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, Coimbra, Porto, Lisbon and Madrid
• Entrance fees to Sagrada Família in Barcelona and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
• Rías Baixas cruise with mussels and wine tasting
• Douro River cruise in Porto
• Port wine tasting in Porto
• Traditional moliceiro boat cruise in Aveiro

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 6 passengers required for English-only tour. If the minimum of 6 passengers is not met, the supplier may offer an alternative coach tour that is operated on a multilingual basis.
• 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.
• If the panoramic tour of Madrid is not operated for technical reasons, it will be replaced by the Madrid Hop-on Hop-off Bus 1 day instead.
• Barcelona, Santiago, Lisbon, Coimbra & Porto local city tax is not included and is to be paid directly to the hotel.