Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid and meet your Travel Director and group at a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. The meal features typical madrileño flavors, so it's a good chance to get to know everyone while trying some authentic local food.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant at 18:00, evening of delicious food and wine with Travel Director and fellow travellers)
- Day 2
Madrid
A Local Expert walks you through Madrid's Old Quarter, talking through how the city grew from its early days into the European center it is today. Then you'll spend time at the Prado Museum with an art historian who discusses major works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian and Rubens. After that, the afternoon is yours to sit at a café or wander through boutiques at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour with Local Expert through Madrid's main historical areas and Old Quarter
- Visit the Prado Museum with local art historian guide
Landmarks/POIs Prado Museum Plaza de Cibeles Royal Palace of Madrid Puerta del Sol - Day 3
Madrid to Santiago de Compostela
You'll head through the Guadarrama Mountains into Old Castile, passing the impressive Castillo de la Mota and the historic town of Tordesillas. The drive takes you through rolling countryside before arriving in Santiago de Compostela.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Castillo de la Mota - Day 4
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago offers choices. You can join a city tour with a Local Expert to see the ornate cathedral, or take a scenic walk along part of the Way of St. James through parks and gardens. Later, free time lets you wander the narrow streets and old squares on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Choice of: City tour with Local Expert visiting cathedral at Praza do Obradoiro, OR Scenic walk on part of the Way of St. James through parks and gardens
Landmarks/POIs Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Praza do Obradoiro - Day 5
Santiago de Compostela to Oviedo
From Santiago, the route goes through ancient Galician forests toward Asturias' Green Coast, named for its sea and pine forests. Lunch comes from a local farm with traditional cider tasting, and you'll learn how they make it. Then you'll drive along coastal views and through old villages to Oviedo, where a Local Expert shows you 9th-century churches and the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour with its notable altarpiece.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Farm-to-table meal with traditional cider product tasting, very popular with locals)
Included Activities
- Farm-to-table lunch with traditional cider tasting and education (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience)
- Local Expert guided tour of Oviedo's 9th-century churches
- Visit Cathedral of the Holy Saviour in Plaza Alfonso II
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of the Holy Saviour Plaza Alfonso II - Day 6
Oviedo to Santander
The day starts at the Holy Cave of Covadonga, connected to Pelayo's 722 victory over the Moors, and the unique Roman bridge in Cangas de Onís. Next comes Picos de Europa national park with its mountain gorges and coastal views. You'll arrive in Santillana del Mar, often called Spain's most beautiful village, to walk cobblestone streets with heraldic stone houses and visit the church square. Later you'll continue to Santander's beach resort with free evening time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Holy Cave of Covadonga
- See Roman bridge in Cangas de Onís
- Explore Picos de Europa national park
- Visit Santillana del Mar village
Landmarks/POIs Holy Cave of Covadonga Roman Bridge of Cangas de Onís Picos de Europa Santillana del Mar - Day 7
Santander to San Sebastián
You'll see Bilbao's striking Guggenheim Museum, one of the world's most notable modern buildings. The drive continues along the Costa Vasca past fishing villages, stopping in Getaria for 'El Ratón', the mouse-shaped rock. By afternoon, you're in San Sebastián, where a Local Expert walks the Old Quarter to show the Plaza de la Constitución.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Admire the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
- Guided walking tour of San Sebastián's Old Quarter with Local Expert
- Visit Plaza de la Constitución
Landmarks/POIs Guggenheim Museum Bilbao El Ratón Plaza de la Constitución - Day 8
San Sebastián
This day is yours to spend as you like. You might walk along San Sebastián's boardwalk with its fishing boats and pleasure craft, relax on the sandy beach, or try water sports. Other options include heading to nearby French villages like Saint-Jean-de-Luz or Biarritz, strolling the La Concha Bay promenade, or browsing Old Town shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stroll along San Sebastián's boardwalk
- Sports activities on the beach
- Visit French village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- Visit Biarritz
- Stroll La Concha Bay promenade
- Shop in the Old Town boutiques
Landmarks/POIs La Concha Bay - Day 9
San Sebastián to Barcelona
The journey heads to Pamplona, famous for its Running of the Bulls festival. You'll have free time to walk Estafeta Street or visit Café Iruña, where Ernest Hemingway spent time and which appears in 'The Sun Also Rises'. Then you'll travel to Barcelona, Catalonia's vibrant capital with its own language, culture and traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stroll Estafeta Street in Pamplona
- Visit Café Iruña in Pamplona
Landmarks/POIs Estafeta Street Café Iruña - Day 10
Barcelona
A Local Expert guides you through Barcelona's artistic side. You'll drive along Passeig de Gràcia with its elegant street lamps and distinctive Modernist architecture, moving into the Eixample district to see Gaudí's Sagrada Familia. Inside, the tree-like pillars and stained-glass windows are particularly striking. The afternoon is free to relax or explore more. That evening, join a celebration dinner with your Travel Director and friends at a typical Catalan restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Celebration Dinner at typical Catalan restaurant incorporating classic cooking with freshest produce)
Included Activities
- Guided tour along Passeig de Gràcia with Local Expert
- Visit Sagrada Família basilica (or Hospital de Sant Pau if access restricted)
- Celebration Dinner at typical Catalan restaurant with Travel Director
Landmarks/POIs Passeig de Gràcia Sagrada Família Eixample Hospital de Sant Pau - Day 11
Barcelona to Airport
You'll transfer to the airport to head home after your journey across Spain.
