Itinerary Northern Spain & Portugal
Day 1, Friday: En route
Depart your home city, possibly via connection, on an overnight trans-Atlantic flight.
Day 2, Saturday: BARCELONA
Arrival at Barcelona airport. You will be transferred to your First Class hotel. It is suggested that you take advantage of the free time to get to know one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities. In the evening, it is suggested to dine at the Pueblo Español, featuring architectural replicas from all of Spain’s regions. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes dinner tonight. Accommodations.
Day 3, Sunday: BARCELONA
Buffet breakfast. This morning enjoy an escorted tour of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. See the ancient Gothic Quarter with its magnificent cathedral. Stop to admire the exterior of Gaudi’s masterwork, the Basilica of the Sacred Family (Sagrada Familia). Continue to Montjuich Hill (site of the Olympic Stadium), to enjoy a spectacular view of Barcelona and its port area. Free time for lunch, perhaps in the Olympic Port area. Luncheon included today in PREMIUM PACKAGE. Afternoon free. Accommodations.
Day 4, Monday: BARCELONA-ZARAGOZA-SAN SEBASTIAN-BILBAO
Buffet breakfast. Departure for old Aragon and into the proud city of Zaragoza. Pause downtown in a main plaza where you will have free time to visit the impressive Basilica of El Pilar and have lunch on your own. Continue on to the north coast and the beautiful Basque Country, arriving to San Sebastian called “the pearl of the Cantabric Sea”. Free time and continuation to Bilbao. Accommodations. (PREMIUN PACKAGE INCLUDES TONIGHT THE DINNER).
Day 5, Tuesday: BILBAO-SANTILLANA-COVADONGA-OVIEDO
Buffet Breakfast. Short panoramic tour of the city and free time to visit the Guggenheim Museum (on your own) PREMIUN PACKAGE INCLUDES THE ENTRANCE AT THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM. Departure to Cantabria and the nice and small town of Santillana del Mar, very well preserved with a unique medieval ambiance. Free time in Santillana, (PREMIUN PACKAGE INCLUDES LUNCH IN SANTILLANA) before leaving to los Picos de Europa, one of the most spectacular landscapes of Spain, to visit the shrine of Covadonga. This evening we will be accommodated in Oviedo the capital of Asturias.
Day 6 Wednesday: OVIEDO- RIBADEO-A CORUÑA
Buffet Breakfast and following the north coast departure to Ribadeo entering in Galicia. and continue towards the “Rias Altas” to admire some nice villages as Ortigueira. Arrive to A Coruña. Accommodations.
Day 7 Thursday. A CORUÑA – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Buffet Breakfast and panoramic tour of the city before leave to the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela. In the afternoon guided tour of the old city of Santiago de Compostela and its beautiful Cathedral Tonight we can have in the Hotel a nice dinner. (PREMIUM PACKAGE includes dinner). Accommodations.
Day 8, Friday: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – VIGO – GUIMARAES - BRAGA - PORTO
Buffet breakfast. Departure toward the Galician south coast and the city of Vigo, then crossing the Portugal frontier we arrive to Guimaraes and Braga two nice and historic cities of the north of Portugal. Free time and continuation of our trip to Oporto the beautiful and rich city of the north Portugal, noted for its namesake Port wines. Accommodations
Day 9, Saturday: OPORTO
Buffet breakfast. Local guided city visiting one local winery. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes a typical lunch. Afternoon free. Accommodations.
Day 10, Sunday: OPORTO – COIMBRA - FATIMA – OBIDOS - LISBON
Buffet breakfast. Departure to the quaint university city of Coimbra and the famous shrine of Fatima. Free time for lunch (PREMIUM PACKAGE includes luncheon) On to the charming medieval walled village of Obidos, with some time for a stroll around before continuing to Lisbon. Accommodations. Tonight enjoy an optional opportunity to listen to the hauntingly beautiful Fado music while enjoying a delicious dinner. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes Fado Show and dinner. Accommodations.
Day 11, Monday: LISBON
Buffet breakfast. Morning tour of this ancient and lovely city overlooking the Tagus River. Admire its splendid avenues and monuments like the Tower of Belem and the Jeronimos Monastery. Afternoon free, with a strong recommendation to visit the charming villages of Sintra and Cascais (this tour is included with the PREMIUM PACKAGE). Accommodations.
Day 12, Tuesday: LISBON – MERIDA - MADRID
Buffet breakfast. Departure toward the Spanish border and pause in Merida to admire the impressive Roman Amphitheatre archeological site. Lunch is included in PREMIUM PACKAGE. Continue to Madrid in the early evening and enjoy an “Illuminated Madrid” drive through the bustling streets of the old city, ending at the historical and impressive Plaza Mayor. This area is home to some of the most typical restaurants and taverns, which serve the delicious "tapas". PREMIUM PACKAGE includes a Tapas Dinner tonight. Return to your hotel at your own convenience. Accommodations.
Day 13 Wednesday MADRID
Buffet breakfast. This morning's escorted sightseeing tour will allow you to get a glimpse of some of Madrid's most outstanding attractions, like the Puerta del Sol, the magnificent fountains of Neptune and Cibeles, the stately Alcala Gate, the busy Gran Via, the Plaza de España and the Plaza de Oriente. Free afternoon to explore Madrid’s famous Art Museums or perhaps take an optional tour to the Imperial former capital city of Toledo, where you will be escorted through its narrow cobblestone streets, soaking up the medieval atmosphere. Touring will include the interior of the magnificent Gothic cathedral and a visit to St. Tome Church, where El Greco's masterpiece painting is displayed. Accommodations.
Day 14, Thursday: MADRID
Buffet breakfast and transfer at the appropriate time to Madrid airport.
