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.
Regular guaranteed departure coach tour by air-conditioned vehicle with multilingual escorts/guides.