Day 1: Madrid
Day 2: Madrid
Day 3: Madrid - Mérida - Évora - Lisbon
We´ll leave Madrid, heading towards the capital of Extremadura: Mérida, where we´ll visit the archaeological complex of the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre (tickets included), a World Heritage Site renowned for its excellent state of preservation. There will be time for lunch in the pleasant pedestrian historic center bustling with life and restaurants. We´ll continue to Portugal and stop in Évora, another city recognized as a World Heritage Site, with its white streets, Renaissance palaces, and cathedral. We´ll arrive in Lisbon in the evening.
Day 4: Lisbon
In the morning, we´ll embark on a sightseeing tour of Lisbon, exploring the Portuguese capital of the seven hills, with its charming alleys, iconic tiles, the feeling of "saudade," and the beautiful Atlantic light. We’ll also visit the Belem neighborhood, from where the great Portuguese navigators set sail to cross the oceans in the 15th century. Free time in the afternoon to walk and go to the Bairro Alto and its viewpoint; if you’d like to, you could take an optional trip to the towns of Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening, we’ll return to the hotel from the lively Restauradores Square, filled with vibrant bars and cafes.
Day 5: Lisbon - Fátima - Porto
We’ll head to the north of Portugal to visit Fátima, a revered sanctuary. Our journey will then take us to Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. After lunch, we’ll take a 50-minute boat ride along the Douro River on a traditional Portuguese "Rabelo" to admire the city from the water while we drink a delicious Port wine. Afterwards, you’ll have free time.
Day 6: Porto - Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary - Cambados - Santiago de Compostela
Today, we´ll travel through stunning landscapes. In Braga, we´ll take a ride on the world’s oldest water-operated cable car to reach the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, where breathtaking views await. After exploring the sanctuary, we recommend descending via its picturesque staircase. Our journey continues into Galicia, where we´ll visit the historic town of Cambados in Rías Baixas. Here, we´ll embark on a glass-bottom boat trip along the Ría de Arousa, learning about mussel and oyster production. Enjoy wine and mussel tasting onboard. At lunchtime, we´ll arrive in Santiago de Compostela for a city tour led by a local guide, exploring its medieval streets and renowned pilgrimage sites dating back to the Middle Ages.
Day 7: Santiago de Compostela - Lugo - O Cebreiro - León - Oviedo
We’ll travel along the Way of St. James, beginning with Lugo. Here, we’ll have time to explore the historic town center and its Roman walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, we’ll visit O Cebreiro, a charming Galician stone village. Our journey will continue to León, where we’ll arrive at lunchtime. In León, we’ll visit the magnificent Gothic cathedral, renowned for its stained-glass windows, and enjoy a stroll through the historic town center.We’ll then cross the Cantabrian Range on our way to Asturias, arriving in Oviedo by evening. We’ll include a tour of the city with a local guide, either upon arrival or the following morning. During this hour-and-a-half tour, we’ll visit the 9th-century cathedral, the Calatrava Congressional Palace, Campoamor Theatre, and Calle de la Rua. A traditional Asturian dinner will be included in typical cider house.
Day 8: Oviedo - Covadonga - Santillana del Mar - Santander
We will travel to Picos de Europa. We will visit Basílica de Covadonga which is surrounded by beautiful scenery. We will resume our journey following the coastline to SANTILLANA, one of Spain’s most beautiful towns, and we will visit its well-preserved medieval quarter. We visit the National Museum and Research Centre of ALTAMIRA (ticket included) located in the vicinity of this town. We will later travel to SANTANDER, the region’s capital city, a coastal city with amazing vistas and beaches. We include panoramic city tour to discover this elegant city and its beautiful bay. NOTE: On some high difficulty dates (especially in summer from July to mid September), some groups can be accommodated in Bilbao.
Day 9: Santander - Bilbao - Guernica - San Sebastián
Day 10: San Sebastián - Burgos - Madrid
In the morning, we’ll start by enjoying breathtaking views over the San Sebastián Bay from Mount Igueldo, followed by a visit to the Miramar Palace and its lovely gardens. Afterward, you´ll have some free time to relax on the city’s large beach or take a leisurely stroll along its boulevards. We´ll include a traditional Basque cuisine pintxo experience, accompanied by a drink. Early in the afternoon, we’ll head towards Castile, traveling along a highway with stunning scenery. Our next stop will be Burgos, where we´ll spend some time exploring the historic center, highlighted by the Burgos Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece. We’ll then continue our journey to Madrid, arriving by the end of the day.
Day 11: Madrid
After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.
