15 DAY NORTHERN SPAIN & PORTUGAL TOUR from BARCELONA - 15 days / 14 nights (BCGPTC)

Last edited: Tuesday 25 February 2020 (13 weeks 5 days ago)

15 DAY NORTHERN SPAIN & PORTUGAL TOUR from BARCELONA (BCGPTC)

DEPARTS BARCELONA / MONDAYS: 13 April 2020 - 22 March 2021

Visits: Barcelona, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Oviedo, Lugo, A Coruna, Santiago de Compostela, Rias Bajas, La Toja, Vigo, Viana do Castelo, Braga, Porto, Coimbra, Fatima, Batahla, Nazare, Alcobaca, Lisbon, Caceres

2020-2021 Itinerary:
northern spain tour from barcelona to madrid portugal

Day 1 (Monday)                      ARRIVE BARCELONA

Meet and greet at Barcelona airport, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Accommodation.
 

Day 2 (Tuesday)                     BARCELONA

Morning city tour of Barcelona, discover the history of the city visiting some of the most important places. Start with a guided walking tour through the small and narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter, the oldest part of the city, visit Las Ramblas, the Cathedral (free time), the Old Jewish Quarter, among other interesting places. Later take a panoramic tour around the rest of the city, drive along the elegant Passeig de Gràcia, home to Gaudi’s famous Casa Batlló and Casa Milà “la Pedrera”. Continue to Montjuic Mountain and the 1992 Olympic stadium (outside). Enjoy a panoramic view of the city while riding in a cable car (subject to the weather conditions). Visit the Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol), free time to explore. Return to the bus, pass through Plaza España, the twin Venetian towers, the MNAC and shopping centre Las Arenas, built in an old bullring. Conclude at Plaza de Catalunya. Afternoon free to continue exploring the city. Accommodation. (B)

 

Day 3 (Wednesday)               BARCELONA / ZARAGOZA (by train) / SAN SEBASTIAN

Morning transfer to Barcelona “Sants” train station to depart by AVE, high speed train, to Zaragoza. Upon arrival meet with your tour guide and the rest of the group. In the afternoon continue to San Sebastian, famous for hosting the annual International Film Festival. Take a panoramic city tour of this marvellous city, to see its extraordinary landscape dominated by the bay and the magnificent La Concha beach. Accommodation. (B)

 

Day 4 (Thursday)                   SAN SEBASTIAN / BILBAO / CASTRO URDIALES / SANTANDER

This morning experience stunning views of the city from Mount Igueldo, before continuing to Bilbao. Take a panoramic drive around Bilbao and free time on the esplanade with the Guggenheim Museum to admire this modern architectural building. Proceed to the old fishing village “Castro Urdiales” for some free time. Next depart for Santander, a port city located between the sea and the mountains, well known for its Sardinero Beach. An afternoon at leisure to stroll through this elegant city. Accommodation. (B)

 

Day 5 (Friday)                        SANTANDER / SANTILLANA / COVADONGA / OVIEDO

Today, depart for Santillana, one of the most important historical towns in Spain. It contains architectural treasures such as the Collegiate of Santa Juliana, a jewel of Romanesque architecture. Continue to Covadonga, free time to see the Sanctuary and the Grotto with the patroness of Asturias Our Lady of Covadonga. In the afternoon, depart for Oviedo, en-route look out for the beauty of Saint Maria de Naranco Church atop the hillside. Afternoon at leisure to explore Oviedo, many of the streets are pedestrian only, and where you will can find World Heritage sites like the Cathedral; a splendid example of gothic Austrian architecture. Accommodation. (B)
 

Day 6 (Saturday)                    OVIEDO / LUGO / LA CORUÑA

Today, drive to the Galician region. Arrive in Lugo for some free time to see the Roman wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to La Coruña, take a brief panoramic driver 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. A brief stop to visit the lighthouse “Tower of Hercules” dating back from to the roman period. Afternoon at leisure. Accommodation. (B) Afternoon optional tour: Visit Rias Altas.
 

Day 7 (Sunday)                      LA CORUÑA / SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Depart for Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and centre of Christian Pilgrimages in Spain as the end of the Camino de Santiago route built during the Roman Empire. Enjoy a city tour including the main square “Obradoiro” and the Cathedral (entrance included) dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. Afternoon at leisure. Accommodation. (B)
 

Day 8 (Monday)                      SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA / RIAS BAJAS / LA TOJA / VIGO

This morning, depart for one of the most marvellous areas in Galicia, the Rias Bajas (Spanish Fjords). Driving through this magnificent landscape to arrive at La Toja Island, universally known for its spa. Free time before continuing to the Ria de Arosa, passing through Pontevedra to arrive to Vigo, situated in the middle of the Rias Baixas. Accommodation. (B)

 

Day 9 (Tuesday)                     VIGO / VIANA DO CASTELO / BRAGA / PORTO

Today, farewell Spain and depart for the Portuguese border, continue to arrive in Viana do Castelo, a city located between the mouth of the river Miño and Porto. Afterwards, continue to Braga for a short stop. Then continue to Porto. Accommodation. (B)
 

Day 10 (Wednesday)             PORTO

Today, enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Porto, including the Cathedral, Stock Exchange building and Santa Clara church. Afterwards, enjoy a different perspective of the city from the river Douro aboard a cruise boat. Discover the heritage of this wine region at a Port Wine Cellars with a Port wine tasting. The rest of day is at leisure. Accommodation. (B)
 

Day 11 (Thursday)                 PORTO / COIMBRA / FATIMA

This morning, depart for Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and the birthplace of Fado. Enjoy free time before continuing to Fatima. Known as the centre of Christian Faith and a World Pilgrimage Sanctuary with its impressive Basilica and the Cova da Iria, the place where the Virgin Mary appeared. The Chapel of the Apparitions, heart of the sanctuary, with the tombs of the three shepherds, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. Accommodation. (B)
Evening optional: It may be possible to attend the Fatima Sanctuary Candle Procession.
 

Day 12 (Friday)                       FATIMA / BATALHA / NAZARE / ALCOBACA / LISBON

Farewell Fatima, and drive to the Monastery of Batalha, a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline style and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Next visit the picturesque fishing town of Nazaré, enjoy some free time before continuing to Alcobaça with its Gothic church and Cistercian monastery, whose origins date back to the 12th century. Later continue to Lisbon. Accommodation. (B)
Evening optional: A traditional dinner and performance of traditional Portuguese music “Fado”.
 

Day 13 (Saturday)                  LISBON

Take a morning sightseeing tour of the ancient Olissipo, drive through its main squares and avenues, visit the Tower of Belem, Jerónimos Monastery, Coach Museum, Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square and Liberty Avenue. Afternoon at leisure. Maybe explore the Alfama Quarter or the old city, with its old buildings nested in narrow twisting streets “Ruas”, full of colour. Accommodation. (B)
 

Day 14 (Sunday)                    LISBON / CACERES / MADRID

Today, farewell Lisbon for Madrid, en-route stop in Caceres to visit this ancient city. Old Town Caceres has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its historic architecture; a blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance styles. Walk through its Old Town and Plaza Mayor during this short stop. Afterwards, continue to Madrid. Accommodation. (B).
 

Day 15 (Monday)                    DEPART MADRID

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. (B) END OF TOUR.
2020 Departure Dates
Mondays
2021 Departure Dates
Mondays
Per Person
in Double / Twin Room
Per Person
in Single Room
April: 13, 27
May: 4, 11, 18
October: 5, 12, 19
February: 15
March: 15, 22
 AU$3630 AU$5210
June: 1, 8, 15, 22   AU$3715 AU$5295
July: 13, 27
August: 3, 24, 31
September: 21
   AU$3800 AU$5380
Regular guaranteed departure coach tour by air-conditioned vehicle with multilingual escorts/guides.
(B/L/D) = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Seasonal supplements may apply

Highlights Include: San Sebastian; Guggenheim Museum (Exterior only); Santiago de Compostela; Boat cruise along the Douro River; Port Wine Cellar Visit & Port Wine Tasting; Visit Coimbra, with one of the oldest universities in Europe; Monastery of Batalha; Tower of Belem & Jerónimos Monastery

Tour Includes: Meals as per itinerary: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner (drinks not included); Arrival & departure transfers; AVE (high speed) train tickets, tourist class: Barcelona-Zaragoza; Guided & Panoramic city tours as per itinerary; Entrance fees included as per itinerary

First Class (4*) Tour Hotels used (or similar): Barcelona – Catalonia Barcelona Plaza (2 nights); San Sebastian – Palacio de Aiete (1 night); Santander – Hotel Santemar (1 night); Oviedo – Ayre Hotel Ramiro I or Oca Santo Domingo Plaza (1 night); La Coruña – Tryp Coruña (1 night); Santiago de Compostela – Tryp Santiago (1 night); Vigo – Tryp Los Galeones (1 night); Porto – BessaHotel Boavista (2 nights); Fatima – Aurea Fátima or Estrela de Fátima or Regina (1 night); Lisbon – Lutécia Smart Design (2 nights); Madrid – Courtyard Marriott Madrid Princesa or RIU Plaza de España (1 nights)

Additional Information: Passport details are required in advance; During the stays in Barcelona, Madrid & the train journey, the tour escort will not be available; Tourist city taxes (in applicable cities) are to be paid locally; Luggage Limit: one suitcase per person (max. 25kg, 157cm total dimensions), If 2 passengers are sharing one suitcase larger measurements will be accepted.

Generally, coach tours in Spain, Portugal & Morocco use local guides in cities and destinations visited. Tours are also normally accompanied by a multilingual tour escort unless they are specifically listed as only ‘English Speaking’. Your tour may comprise a combination of tours and other participants in your tour may be going to or leaving for other destinations. Your tour escort may also change during the course of your program. Your fellow travellers could be from all over the world, speaking various languages. Tour information and descriptions will be given in English, and possibly Spanish and other language(s) depending on those spoken by tour participants. Your fellow tour participants may be staying at multiple hotels in each city.

For further tour information or to book a tour, please contact Timeless Tours.

  • We reserve the right to change all prices and programs without notice
  • All prices are per person unless otherwise stated
  • All prices on this website are in Australian Dollars unless otherwise stated