Northern Spain (Premium)
11 Day Spain Tour to Madrid, Barcelona & Oveido | Operated by InsightVacations
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11 Days
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1 Country
Spain -
11 Cities
Madrid, Rueda, Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Covadonga, Santillana del Mar, Santander, Bilbao, Donostia-San Sebastian, Pamplona, Barcelona -
14 Meals
3 Dinner with Wines, 10 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch with Wine -
Pace: Active
Faster paces with mix of 1–2-night stays in each location. Typically features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills and uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.
Trip Itinerary
Join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travelers over an evening of delicious food and wine.
Enjoy sightseeing with your Local Expert as they take you along the main historical areas in the capital of Spain, known as Madrid of the Bourbons. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter, discovering the origins of the city. Learn about the growth of this city, from humble beginnings to a thriving European metropolis. A highlight of your escorted journey will be to visit the Prado Museum. Discover countless works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and others as you are guided by a local art historian. Gain new perspective on classic artworks as your art historian shares historic anecdotes and provides new insights into the Prado's collection. The afternoon is free for you to relax at a café or shop in the boutiques.
Journey through the Guadarrama Mountains to the infinite horizons of Old Castile and pass the impressive Castillo de la Mota. Continue past historic Tordesillas, and on to Santiago de Compostela.
Explore Santiago de Compostela with Insight Choice. Choose to join a city tour with a Local Expert and visit the cathedral, festooned with architectural frills. Alternatively, embark on a scenic walk along the Way of St. James, through scenic parks and gardens. Relax during your free time, or explore the narrow streets and old city squares.
Pass through the ancient forests of Galicia and cross to the Green Coast of Asturias - one of Spain's most beautiful, named after the color of the sea and the pine and eucalyptus trees that line the shore. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience for lunch. Very popular with locals, enjoy a homemade meal and learn about traditional cider product, including a tasting. Your route reveals glorious coastal vistas before turning inland to travel through old villages and deep valleys en route to Oviedo.
Continue on to Oviedo where a Local Expert will show you the 9th century churches built when the city was the capital of Christian Spain. Visit the Cathedral of the Holy Savior in the stately square of Plaza Alfonso II. Admire the incredible altarpiece, one of the finest in Europe.
Visit the Holy Cave of Covadonga, a shrine to Pelayo, who achieved the first Christian victory over the Moors in 722. See the unique Roman bridge in Cangas de Onís as you head into the foothills of the Picos de Europa, a national park boasting spectacular mountain and gorge scenery.
Enjoy views of the Costa de Cantabria while traveling to Santillana del Mar, arguably the most beautiful village in Spain. Stroll through the rustic cobblestone streets, admiring stone houses decorated with carved, heraldic symbols and reach the delightful church square.
Continue on to the sophisticated beach resort of Santander where you have free time in the evening to enjoy this luxurious hotel.
In nearby Bilbao, admire the striking modern architecture of the Guggenheim Museum, one of the world's most spectacular buildings. Enjoy the views as you are driven along part of the Costa Vasca, dotted with small coastal fishing villages and pause in the seaside city of Getaria to see 'El Ratón', the mouse-shaped rock. Continue to San Sebastián and admire its beauty as you walk with your Local Expert through the Old Quarter to see the Plaza de la Constituction.
Enjoy a day at leisure to stroll along San Sebastián's boardwalk and with the city harbor filled with fishing boats and pleasure crafts, you can enjoy several sporting activities on its large sandy beach. Perhaps you'll want to explore the nearby French villages of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, also known as Little Paris and Biarritz? Maybe stroll the promenade of the famous La Concha bay or enjoy the boutiques of the Old Town?
Journey to the famed town of Pamplona, known for its Running of the Bulls festival. With time free for you to explore, take a stroll to the famous Estafeta Street or visit Café Iruña, immortalized by Ernest Hemingway in his novel 'The Sun Also Rises.' Your travels continue to Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia, a land that retains its own distinctive language, culture and traditions.
Wake up ready to embrace the city’s artistic heritage. Join a Local Expert and drive along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district to behold Gaudí’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família. As you venture inside, look above to see its giant, tree-like pillars and spectacular vaulting. Admire the wonderful rainbow of the incredible stained-glass windows. With the afternoon at leisure, you are free to relax or continue your exploration on your own. In the evening, join your Travel Director and newfound friends at a local restaurant. Raise your glass and toast your travels during your delightful Celebration Dinner.
Today, bid farewell to your journey along Spain and Portugal as you transfer to the airport.
Price Includes
Dining Summary- - 3 Dinner with Wines (DW)
- - 10 Breakfasts (B)
- - 1 Lunch with Wine (LW)
- Join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travelers over a beautiful evening of delicious food and wine.
- Some of Spain's finest wines hail from the Rueda region. During your tasting, learn about the Verdejo grape and what to look for in a fresh white.
- At a typical Catalan restaurant, savor a delicious Celebration Dinner that incorporates classic cooking with the freshest produce.
- Witness the world's finest collection of Spanish paintings, plus an impressive international collection, as you tour the Prado Museum with an art historian.
- See the highlights of the city with your Local Expert. Visit the Old Town, traveling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles, the Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace, before crossing the Puerta del Sol.
- Join a city tour with a Local Expert and visit Praza do Obradoiro to admire the cathedral facade festooned with architectural frills.
- Embark on a scenic walk on part of the Way of St. James with a Local Expert, through parks and gardens that transform with the seasons.
- Led by your Local Expert, see 1,000-year-old wall paintings in some of Europe's oldest churches. Admire the incredible altarpiece, one of the finest in Europe, when you visit the Cathedral of the Holy Savior.
- Visit the holy cave of Covadonga and see the tomb of Pelayo who is celebrated for winning the Battle of Covadonga against the Muslim Moors in 722 and later became the first King of Asturias.
- Venture into this magnificent national park to admire the stunning picturesque scenery and rocky trails.
- Step back in time when you visit this perfectly preserved and 'most beautiful village in Spain.'
- See the spectacular modern Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry and sites of this Basque region gem during your orientation with your Travel Director.
- See the rock known as El Ratón or the mouse.
- Led by your Local Expert, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Quarter including Plaza de la Constitucion.
- Spend free time exploring this city, known for its annual Running with the Bulls festival.
- Venture inside Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família and marvel at the contrasts of architecture. Above see its giant, tree-like pillars and spectacular vaulting. Admire the wonderful rainbow of the incredible stained-glass windows.
- With your Local Expert, drive down Las Ramblas and the elegant Passeig de Gràcia to witness some of the finest Modernist architecture. Journey through the Eixample district to see Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Família.
- Meet Flor, a local of Gijón, for a delicious meal of locally sourced produce that she has prepared just for you.
Optional Experiences
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Excursion to Segovia (Available on Day 2)Drive to the fortified city of Segovia where a Local Expert leads you through the medieval streets from the Roman aqueduct to the magnificent Alcazar, one of the inspirations for Walt Disney's Cinderella castle. Inside this 14th-century palace, experience the paintings, tapestries, weaponry and armoury of the Spanish medieval era. Then take a panoramic drive outside the walls to admire stunning views over the Eresma valley, the Roman aqueduct and picturesque buildings of this medieval jewel.
Adult Price: €55 Madrid by Night (Available on Day 2)An evening drive to the most historic area of Madrid including stops for wonderful views of the city and a walk through the lively streets and squares of old Madrid. Enjoy free time for dinner in one of the many restaurants and return home along the grand Avenida Castellana with its spectacular fountains.
Adult Price: €22 Madrid by Night with Dinner (Available on Day 2)Enjoy an evening out in the nation's stately capital city. Tonight we'll enjoy a wonderful dinner out on the town in a carefully chosen venue, accompanied by Spanish wine and great local entertainment. What a wonderful introduction to Madrid.
Adult Price: €66 Rías Baixas (Available on Day 4)Visit a Galician Grand Manor House known as a "Pazo", home to an aristocratic family and its garden. The journey with our Local Expert will also take us past the island of Arousa and the fishing villages of Vilagarcia and Vilaxoàn. Enjoy the scenery of this most bountiful seafood area of Spain, a region also famous for its white wines.
Adult Price: €41 Dinner in Galicia (Available on Day 4)Tonight we'll have the chance to sample a wonderful variety of Galician dishes, complemented with fantastic locally-produced wine. Discover the Celtic influence in the cuisine and enjoy ingredients fresh from the Atlantic. Having experienced the heart and soul of this wonderful region, tonight is the perfect opportunity to experience Galicia through your taste buds!
Adult Price: €68 Donostia by Night with Dinner (Available on Day 7)View the beach as we head to the lively heart of the old town of Spain's gourmet capital for a sumptuous supper in one of the city's boutique restaurants. Wine and soft drinks included.
Adult Price: €79 Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Available on Day 8)With your Local Expert, today we head to Basque France (don't forget your passports!). First stop is Biarritz, home to the rich and famous, with its sophisticated spa resort. Next a short drive to St-Jean-De-Luz, jewel of the Basque Country, to visit the church where 'The Sun King', Louis XIV, married the Spanish Princess Maria Theresa.
Adult Price: €44 Gaudi's Parc Guell and the Maritime Front (Available on Day 9)Enter a strange fantasy world at Parc Güell, Spain's most impressive public park which we'll visit with our Local Expert. Here Gaudí designed mushroom-like houses, "bird nest" pillars and a stunning mosaic dragon. The huge central terrace is enveloped by a ceramic-encrusted serpentine bench (reputedly the world's longest seat) and offers panoramic views of Barcelona and the bay. We then head to the Maritime Front, why not try one of the numerous waterfront restaurants?
Adult Price: €46 Montserrat & The Black Madonna (Available on Day 10)We'll enjoy a stunning drive to Montserrat, the mystical sacred serrated mountain, with its unique formations and spectacular views. It's home to the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat and the ‘Virgin of Montserrat’, one of the most-venerated Black Madonna’s of Europe. Catalan landscapes unfold before us, as our Local Expert introduces us to this place of immense beauty and significance.
Adult Price: €53