MADRID, NORTHERN SPAIN & GALICIA
10 days
Departs from Madrid on Sundays
SCHEDULED DEPARTURES ON SUNDAYS:
April '26:
12
October '26:
04
May '26:
03, 10, 17 & 31
November '26:
01 & 08
June '26:
07 & 21
December '26:
-
July '26:
05 & 19
January '27:
-
August '26:
02 & 30
February’ 27:
-
September '26:
20 & 27
March’ 27:
14 & 28
INCLUSIONS: Guided city tours with local guides in Madrid, Santander and Santiago de Compostela (Cathedral entrance included) / Tour director throughout the journey / Transportation in a luxury coach / Accommodation / Daily breakfast / Transfers as per itinerary / Travel insurance.
1st Day (Sun.) MADRID
Arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Accommodation at the hotel.
2nd Day (Mon.) MADRID
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, a panoramic city tour will take us through its medieval origins, including the Arab fortress and the Barrio de la Morería, known for its ancient buildings and traditional taverns. We will explore the district of the Hapsburgs, characterized by Phillip II and its Renaissance and Baroque buildings at Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa. We will see the Madrid of the Bourbons and the urban planning of Charles III, including the Royal Palace, the Cibeles Fountain, the Neptune Fountain, and the Puerta de Alcalá. We will admire 19th-century landmarks such as the elegant Plaza de Oriente and the Prado Museum. We will also get to know contemporary Madrid with avenues like Gran Vía, Paseo de la Castellana, the Salamanca neighborhood, Parque del Oeste, commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Afternoon at your leisure. Accommodation at the hotel. (B)
3rd Day (Tue.) MADRID – ZARAGOZA – SAN SEBASTIAN
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart towards Zaragoza. Free time to visit the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, patroness of Hispanity and stroll through the old streets of Zaragoza. In the afternoon we will continue to San Sebastian, one of the most famous tourist destinations where they hold the International Film Festival. Accommodation. (B)
4th Day (Wed.) SAN SEBASTIAN
Breakfast at the hotel. Panoramic tour of this elegant and gentrified city whose landscape is dominated by the Bay and La Concha Beach. We will go up to Mount Igueldo, from where we will be able to contemplate a magnificent view of the city. Rest of the day at leisure.
In the afternoon, possibility of an optional visit to the picturesque villages of Biarritz and San Juan de Luz, already in French territory. Accommodation. (B)
5th Day (Thu.) SAN SEBASTIAN – BILBAO – CASTRO URDIALES – SANTANDER
Breakfast and departure to Bilbao for some free time on the esplanade of the Guggenheim Museum to admire this modern work of architecture. We will continue towards Castro Urdiales, a typical fishing village where we will have free time. Departure to Santander, a port city nestled between the sea and the mountains, and which has numerous beaches, such as El Sardinero, one of the best known. Guided tour with a local guide to thoroughly explore this beautiful city.
Accommodation. (B)
6th Day (Fri.) SANTANDER – SANTILLANA – COVADONGA – OVIEDO
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Santillana del Mar, one of the towns with the greatest historical and artistic value in Spain, which houses true architectural treasures, such as the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, the most important Romanesque jewel in Cantabria. Continue to Covadonga, where we will have free time to visit the Sanctuary and the grotto with the image of the Virgin. In the afternoon departure to Oviedo, located on a series of hills at the foot of the Naranco and which stands out for the beauty of its streets, many of them pedestrian. Its monuments are a World Heritage Site and among them the Cathedral stands out, one of the most important works of Asturian Gothic. Accommodation. (B)
7th Day (Sat.) OVIEDO – MONDOÑEDO – LUGO – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Breakfast and departure towards the Galician region. On the way to Lugo, stop in Mondoñedo; free time to visit its imposing 12th century cathedral and try the delicious “Mondoñedo cake”. Departure to Lugo and free time to contemplate the Roman vestiges that it still conserves as its walls, declared a World Heritage Site. Continuation to Santiago de Compostela, whose ancient city is a World Heritage Site, and one of the most important monumental centers in Spain, center of Christian pilgrimage and end of the Camino de Santiago, originally built by the Roman Empire. Accommodation. (B)
8th Day (Sun.) SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Breakfast at the hotel. City tour of Santiago visiting the Plaza del Obradoiro and its Cathedral (entrance included) dedicated to the Apostle Santiago el Mayor. Rest of the day at leisure to continue visiting this city with a university and student atmosphere. Accommodation. (B)
9thDay (Mon.) SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – SALAMANCA – MADRID
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards Salamanca and free time in this university city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its rich architectural and artistic heritage. After lunch (not included), continuation to Madrid. Accommodation at the hotel. (B)
10th Day (Fri.) MADRID
After breakfast at the hotel transfer to the airport. (B)
END OF OUR SERVICE.
(*) During your stay in Madrid, the tour escort service is not available.
(*) If the panoramic tour of Madrid cannot operate due to technical reasons, it will be replaced with the Madrid Hop-on Hop-off Bus for one day or a walking tour of the Hapsburg Quarter (as determined by the operator).
NIGHTS
CITY
CLASS
HOTELS
3
Madrid
A
Aloft Madrid Gran Vía / 1881 Madrid Ventas or similar
2
San Sebastián
A
Palacio de Aiete or similar
1
Santander
A
Santemar or similar
1
Oviedo
A
Sercotel Ciudad de Oviedo or similar
2
Santiago de Compostela
A
Santiago Plaza affiliated by Meliá or similar
*The hotel on the last night in Madrid may differ from the one during the pre-tour stay.
cost per person - LAND only
travel agent rate $2150.00 (US)
companion rate $2250.00 (US)