MADRID, NORTHERN SPAIN & GALICIA 11D/10N

Special Package from Madrid

1^st Day (Mon.) MADRID

Meet and greet at the airport. Take a transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Accommodation at the hotel.

2^nd Day (Tue.)  MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning Madrid panoramic city tour; find the medieval origins of the city, like the Arabic fortress, at the Barrio de la Morería, famous for its historical buildings. Drive through the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs characterized by Phillip II and its Renaissance and Baroque style buildings, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. Admire the XIX C. works such as Prado Museum. The contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. Afternoon free to explore the wonders that the city has to offer. Accommodation at the hotel.

3^rd Day (Wed.) MADRID – ZARAGOZA – SAN SEBASTIAN

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart from our established hotels in Madrid. Please refer to your documentation for detailed departure information. Depart towards Zaragoza. Free time to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of The 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. Panoramic city tour of this marvel style bourgeois city, seeing the extraordinary landscape dominated by the bay and the magnificent La Concha beach. Accommodation.

4^th Day (Thu.) SAN SEBASTIAN – BILBAO – CASTRO URDIALES – SANTANDER

Breakfast at hotel. We will approach Mount Igueldo, to contemplate the marvelous views of the city and then proceed towards Bilbao. Panoramic drive in Bilbao and free time on the esplanade where The Guggenheim Museum is located in order to admire this modern architectural building. Proceed to the old fishing village “Castro Urdiales”. Free time. Departure to Santander, a port city located between the sea and the mountains, well known for its Sardinero Beach, one of the best known beaches in Spain. Free time to stroll through this elegant city. Accommodation.

5^th Day (Fri.) SANTANDER – SANTILLANA – COVADONGA – OVIEDO

Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Santillana, one of the most important historical artistic towns in Spain. It contains architectural treasures such as the Collegiate of Santa Juliana, a Jewel of the Romanesque Arquitecture in Cantabria. Continue to Covadonga, where you will have free time to see the Sanctuary and the Grotto where you will see the patroness of Asturias our Lady of Covadonga. In the afternoon, departure to Oviedo, where you will see on a series of hills the beauty of Saint Maria de Naranco Church, Jewel of the pre Romanic asturian architecture. Free time to explore Oviedo, many of their streets are pedestrian, where you will be able to see World Heritage sites like The Cathedral, a splendid example of gothic asturian architecture. Accommodation.

6^th Day (Sat.) OVIEDO – LUGO – LA CORUÑA

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the Galician region. Arrive to Lugo. Free time to be able to contemplate the Roman remains that still retains like its walls, declared Patrimony of the Humanity. Continuation to La Coruña. Brief panoramic drive through the main avenues of this fabulous town driving by the Marine Avenue to admire the elegance of this city with the typical Galician architecture of glass house galleries. Brief stop in one of the wonders of the world the oldest working lighthouse the “Tower of Hercules” dating back from the roman period. Afternoon at leisure where you can assist an optional tour to the Rias Altas. Accommodation.

7^th Day (Sun.) LA CORUÑA – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Santiago de Compostela declared World Heritage as it is one of the most important center of Christian Pilgrimages in Spain as the end of the Camino de Santiago route built during the Roman Empire. City tour where we will see the main square called Obradoiro and also the Cathedral (entrance included) dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. Balance of the day at leisure to explore the narrow cobblestone streets and get the feel of the student atmosphere. Accommodation.

8^th Day (Mon.) SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – RIAS BAJAS – LA TOJA – VIGO

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards one of the most marvelous areas of Galicia, the Rias Bajas (Spanish Fjords). Driving through this magnificent landscape we will arrive to La Toja Island, universally known for its spa. Free time and continue to the Ria de Arosa, passing through Pontevedra to arrive to Vigo, situated in the middle of the Rias Baixas. Accommodation.

9th Day (Tue.) VIGO – VIANA DO CASTELO – BRAGA

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the Portuguese border. Arrive to Viana do Castelo, city located between the mouth of the river Miño and Porto. Afterwards, continue to Porto. Short stop and continue to Braga.  Accommodation. 

10^th Day (Wed.) BRAGA – SALAMANCA – MADRID

Breakfast. Departure to the Spanish border to arrive to Salamanca. Short stop and free time in this University City (World Heritage) of great architectural and artistic wealth. Continue to Madrid. Accommodation at the hotel.

11^th Day (Thu.) MADRID

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to the airport.

INCLUSIONS:

• Guided city tour with local guides in Madrid, Bilbao, Santiago and La Coruña
• Tour director throughout the journey
• Transportation in luxury coach
• Accommodation at selected hotel class
• Daily breakfast
• Travel insurance.

EXCLUSIONS:

• Flights (discuss your specific requirements with us)
• Optional excursions
• Travel insurance
• Extra meals
• Personal expenses
• Any visas you may require

This is a guide price. Please enquire and we will provide a full personalized quote for you.  All our itineraries are tailor-made to your own requirements so can be modified however you wish.