Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Spain
You'll be picked up from the airport and driven to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day is open, so you can settle in at your own pace and start getting a feel for the place if jet lag allows.
- Day 2
Barcelona
A half-day guided tour takes you through Barcelona's historic center on foot, starting in the Gothic Quarter and the Old Jewish Quarter. After that, you'll head by bus through Montjuïc to see where the 1992 Olympics took place, then pass by the Venetian towers at Plaça d'Espanya and drive along Passeig de Gràcia to see Gaudí's architecture. Your afternoon is free, so this is a good chance to visit La Sagrada Familia on your own if you want.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Gothic Quarter, Cathedral Square, and Old Jewish Quarter
- Panoramic bus tour of Montjuïc, Olympic Stadium, Plaça d'Espanya, and Passeig de Gràcia
Optional Activities
- Aerial tramway views (weather permitting)
- La Sagrada Familia tour
Landmarks/POIs Barcelona Cathedral Montjuïc Olympic Stadium (Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys) Plaça d'Espanya MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia) Las Arenas Casa Batlló La Pedrera La Sagrada Familia - Day 3
Barcelona to San Sebastian
You'll catch the high-speed train from Barcelona Sants station heading to Zaragoza. Once you arrive, a guide meets you and drives you on to San Sebastian in northern Spain, a well-known coastal destination worth the journey.
Landmarks/POIs Barcelona Sants Train Station - Day 4
San Sebastian
A panoramic tour shows you San Sebastian's Bay and La Concha Beach from different angles. You'll go up Mount Igueldo for views across the town and coast. The rest of your day is free to wander around, or you can take an optional trip to small villages just across the French border if that interests you.
Included Activities
- Panoramic tour of San Sebastian
- Mount Igueldo ascent with town views
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz (France)
Landmarks/POIs Bay of San Sebastian La Concha Beach Mount Igueldo - Day 5
San Sebastian to Santander
You head to Bilbao with free time near the Guggenheim Museum to look at its modern design. Then you'll travel to Castro Urdiales, a quiet fishing village worth exploring, and continue on to Santander, a port city between the sea and mountains that's known for its beaches. A local guide walks you through the main spots in town.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Santander highlights
Optional Activities
- Visit to Guggenheim Museum esplanade in Bilbao
Landmarks/POIs Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Castro Urdiales El Sardinero Beach - Day 6
Santander to Oviedo
You'll drive to Santillana del Mar to see architectural highlights like the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, a Romanesque church. Next is Covadonga where you have time to visit the Sanctuary and its grotto. By afternoon you're in Oviedo, a hilltop city with nice pedestrian streets and historical sites including a Gothic Cathedral recognized as a World Heritage Monument.
Optional Activities
- Visit to Sanctuary and grotto at Covadonga
Landmarks/POIs Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana Covadonga Sanctuary Oviedo Cathedral (Cathedral of San Salvador) Mount Naranco - Day 7
Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela
Crossing into Galicia, you stop in Mondonedo to check out its 12th-century cathedral and try the local cake. Later you reach Lugo with free time to walk around and see its Roman walls, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there you continue to Santiago de Compostela, the historic end point of the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
Optional Activities
- Visit to Mondonedo Cathedral
- Sample Mondonedo cake
- Explore Lugo's Roman walls
Landmarks/POIs Mondonedo Cathedral Lugo City Walls Santiago de Compostela Historic Centre - Day 8
Santiago de Compostela
A guided tour takes you to the Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral of Santiago, which is dedicated to St James the Greater. After that, your time is free to explore this vibrant university city with its active student scene and narrow streets.
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Santiago de Compostela
- Cathedral of Santiago entrance
Landmarks/POIs Plaza del Obradoiro Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela - Day 9
Santiago de Compostela to Porto
You travel to the Galician Rias Bajas, sometimes called the Spanish fjords. You stop on the island of La Toja, which is known for its spa and natural scenery, with time to look around. Moving through the Arosa Estuary toward Portugal, you arrive in Porto with your first evening free to head out and see the riverside city.
Optional Activities
- Visit to La Toja island
Landmarks/POIs Rias Bajas La Toja Island Arosa Estuary - Day 10
Porto
A panoramic tour covers this UNESCO World Heritage city, including the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange building, and the Church of Santa Clara. Then you'll take a cruise on the Douro River and visit a known Port Wine Cellar for a tasting. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace.
Included Activities
- Panoramic tour of Porto
- Douro River cruise
- Port wine cellar visit with wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Porto Cathedral (Clérigos Tower) Stock Exchange Building (Palácio da Bolsa) Church of Santa Clara Douro River - Day 11
Porto to Salamanca
You'll head back toward Spain and stop at Ciudad Rodrigo, a medieval town surrounded by old walls with a fortress. From there you continue to Salamanca, an important university city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll spend the evening.
Optional Activities
- Explore Ciudad Rodrigo
Landmarks/POIs Ciudad Rodrigo - Day 12
Salamanca to Madrid
Leaving Salamanca, you drive to Avila and have free time to walk around the famous fortified city walls. Early afternoon you reach Madrid, Spain's capital, with the rest of the day open to explore the city.
Optional Activities
- Explore Avila's fortified walls
Landmarks/POIs Avila City Walls - Day 13
Departure
After breakfast and checking out of your hotel, you'll be driven to Madrid airport for your departure. The tour ends here with a transfer included to get you to the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
