Itinerary
- Day 1
Barcelona to Pamplona
You're leaving Barcelona at 8:00 AM and heading northwest toward Pamplona. The route takes you through Zaragoza first, where you'll stop to check out some of the city's main landmarks before moving on. From there it's through Aragon's countryside to reach Pamplona, the historic city known for its Running of the Bulls festival and the charming old quarter. Dinner's included at your hotel tonight.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Brief stop in Zaragoza to view notable landmarks
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks Zaragoza 
- Day 2
Pamplona to San Sebastian - Bilbao - Santander
After breakfast you're heading to San Sebastian to spend time at La Concha beach with its distinctive curved shoreline. Then it's on to Bilbao where the Guggenheim Museum is the main draw, sitting right on the Nervion River with its striking modern design. Later you'll head along the coast to Santander, a historic seaside resort where you can walk the long promenade or check out the Magdalena Peninsula. Dinner is included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Stop in San Sebastian with free time at La Concha beach
- Viewing of Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
- Afternoon free time in Santander
- Dinner
Landmarks La Concha Beach Guggenheim Museum Nervion River Magdalena Peninsula 
- Day 3
Santander to Santillana del Mar - Covadonga - Oviedo
Your scenic drive starts with Santillana del Mar, a perfectly preserved medieval village that feels like stepping back in time. You'll walk through its cobbled streets, then continue into Asturias where the landscape gets hillier and greener. The day takes you to Covadonga, an important religious shrine and historic site, before ending in Oviedo, the Asturian capital, which has pre-Romanesque churches and an interesting old town to explore.
Included Activities
- Visit to Santillana del Mar medieval village
- Visit to Covadonga shrine
Landmarks Santillana del Mar Covadonga Oviedo Old Town 
- Day 4
Oviedo to La Coruna - Santiago de Compostela
After breakfast you're heading into Galicia. You'll stop briefly in La Coruna for a quick panoramic look around, then continue to Santiago de Compostela in Spain's northwest corner. You're staying here two nights, so after checking in you'll have time to head out and start walking around this sacred city where pilgrims finish the Camino journey. Dinner is included tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Panoramic tour of La Coruna
- Dinner
Landmarks La Coruna Santiago de Compostela 
- Day 5
Santiago de Compostela
A guided tour takes you through the heart of Santiago, including the Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral, which reportedly holds Saint James' remains. After that, the afternoon is yours to wander through the old town's narrow streets, take in the spiritual feel of the place, or sit at a cafe and watch people go by. Your tour leader can tell you about optional excursions if you want to do more.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Santiago de Compostela including Plaza del Obradoiro and Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Optional excursions available
Landmarks Plaza del Obradoiro Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela - Day 6
Santiago de Compostela to Rias Bajas - Vigo
You're heading to the Spanish Fjords area called Rias Bajas, with a quick stop at La Toja Island along the way. At O Grove there's an optional catamaran tour to see local oyster and mussel farms, where you can taste fresh mussels and Ribeiro wine. Later you reach Vigo with free time to explore however you like, and there's also an optional excursion to Santa Tecla if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Brief stop at La Toja Island
Optional Activities
- Catamaran cruise to oyster and mussel farms with tasting of fresh mussels and Ribeiro wine at O Grove
- Optional excursion to Santa Tecla
Landmarks La Toja Island O Grove Santa Tecla 
- Day 7
Vigo to Viana do Castelo - Braga - Porto
Now you're crossing into Portugal and arriving in Viana do Castelo, a town situated between mountains and the sea. You'll have free time to walk through the historic center with its ornate manor houses and narrow streets. From there it's to Braga, one of Portugal's oldest cities and nicknamed the 'City of Archbishops' because of its religious importance. You'll have time to explore its elegant streets before heading to Porto, the country's second largest city known for wine and its riverside setting.
Included Activities
- Free time in Viana do Castelo
- Free time in Braga
Landmarks Viana do Castelo Braga 
- Day 8
Porto
A morning panoramic tour shows you Porto's main sights: the Cathedral, the fancy Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange building), and St. Clara Church. The tour wraps up at a traditional port wine cellar where you'll get to taste the famous local wine. The rest of the day is free to wander Porto's winding streets, take a Douro River cruise, or spend time by the Ribeira waterfront.
Included Activities
- Morning panoramic tour including Cathedral, Palácio da Bolsa, and St. Clara Church
- Visit to traditional port wine cellar with wine tasting
Optional Activities
- Cruise on the Douro River
Landmarks Cathedral of Porto Palácio da Bolsa St. Clara Church Ribeira Waterfront Douro River - Day 9
Porto to Coimbra
You're traveling to Coimbra, a city known for learning and traditional music, and it was Portugal's medieval capital at one point. The city is home to one of Europe's oldest universities. After lunch you'll have free time to wander the university district, visit the Joanina Library, or listen to Fado music coming from local cafes.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Lunch
Optional Activities
- Visit to Joanina Library
- Experience traditional Fado music
Landmarks University of Coimbra Joanina Library 
- Day 10
Coimbra to Fatima - Lisbon
Heading south to Fatima, an important Catholic pilgrimage destination where the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared to three shepherd children back in 1917. You'll have free time to explore the Sanctuary and walk around its peaceful grounds. Then it's on to Lisbon, Portugal's capital. In the evening you might want to join an optional tour that includes a traditional Fado show.
Included Activities
- Free time at Fatima Sanctuary
Optional Activities
- Optional night tour in Lisbon with traditional Fado show
Landmarks Fatima Sanctuary 
- Day 11
Lisbon
A morning tour covers Lisbon's key areas: Eduardo VII Park, Rossio Square, Avenida da Liberdade, and the Madragoa district. Then you'll check out Belem, the birthplace of Portugal's Age of Discoveries, stopping at Belem Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, and Jeronimos Monastery. The afternoon is yours to relax or you can join an optional visit to Sintra, the old royal summer retreat, plus the coastal towns of Cascais and Estoril.
Included Activities
- Morning tour of Eduardo VII Park, Rossio Square, Avenida da Liberdade, and Madragoa district
- Visit to Belem with stops at Belem Tower, Monument to the Discoveries, and Jeronimos Monastery
Optional Activities
- Optional visit to Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril
Landmarks Eduardo VII Park Rossio Square Avenida da Liberdade Madragoa Belem Tower Monument to the Discoveries Jeronimos Monastery Sintra Cascais Estoril - Day 12
Lisbon to Merida - Madrid
You're crossing back into Spain and stopping in Merida, a beautiful city with Roman ruins on the UNESCO list, including an impressive amphitheatre. You'll have time to explore and grab a final Spanish lunch somewhere in town. Then it's the drive back to Madrid where you'll be dropped off on Ferraz Street near Plaza de Espana around 5:30 PM, though traffic and stops could affect the exact time.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Stop in Merida with time to explore Roman ruins and amphitheatre
- Lunch
Landmarks Merida Roman Ruins Merida Amphitheatre Plaza de Espana 
