Northern Spain - End Barcelona, Small Group

Northern Spain - End Barcelona, Small Group

22 Views
11 Days From

$5095

$4484

Northern Spain - End Barcelona, Small Group

11 Days Starting in Madrid and ending in Barcelona

Visiting: Madrid, Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Covadonga, Santillana del Mar, Santander, Bilbao, Donostia-San Sebastian, Pamplona, Barcelona

Tour operator:

Insight Vacations

Tour code:

SE931ZN20

Specialist Group:

Family/Kids

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

12 - 24

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

5-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English
From: $5095 $4484 Operator discount: -$611 -12%

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

See spectacular Spain on this 11-day guided tour. Meet a local on the Green Coast of Asturias — a verdant beach along the wild Cantabrian Sea — for a lunch made of locally sourced ingredients and cider. In Oviedo, join a Local Expert for a tour of the town’s 9th Century churches and the Cathedral of the Holy Savior. See the most beautiful village in Spain, Santillana del Mar, where you can wander cobblestone streets until you reach its scenic town square. Relax at your luxury beach resort in Santander, taking in views of the bay below. In Barcelona, allow a Local Expert to lead you through the city’s Gothic Quarter, through the Roman Gate and to the Sagrada Família, a spectacular basilica with towers that seem to touch the sky and stained-glass windows that are works of art.

Highlights

  • content:

    Choice Highlights

    • Choose between two carefully selected activities
    • Santiago de Compostela: Join a city tour with a Local Expert and visit Praza do Obradoiro to admire the cathedral facade festooned with architectural frills.
    • Santiago de Compostela: 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.

  • content:

    Top Rated Highlights

    • Barcelona: Venture inside Gaudí'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.
    • Barcelona: With your Local Expert, drive along the elegant Passeig de Gràcia to witness some of the finest Modernist architecture as you journey through the Eixample district to see Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Família.
    • Madrid: 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.
    • Oviedo: 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.
    • Picos de Europa: 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.
    • Picos de Europa: Venture into this magnificent national park to admire the stunning picturesque scenery and rocky trails.
    • Santillana del Mar: Step back in time when you visit this perfectly preserved and 'most beautiful village in Spain.'
    • Bilbao: See the spectacular modern Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry and sites of this Basque region gem during your orientation with your Travel Director.
    • Getaria: See the rock known as El Ratón or the mouse.
    • San Sebastián: Led by your Local Expert, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Quarter including Plaza de la Constitucion.
    • Pamplona: The city is home to Café Iruña, a favorite of Ernest Hemingway.

  • content:

    Make Travel Matter

    Gijón: Meet locals for a delicious farm to table meal of locally sourced produce that has been prepared just for you. This experience supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

  • content:

    Authentic Dining

    Barcelona: At a typical Catalan restaurant, savor a delicious Celebration Dinner that incorporates classic cooking with the freshest produce.

    Madrid: 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.

  • content:

    Insight Choice

    Santiago de Compostela: Join a city tour with a Local Expert and visit Praza do Obradoiro to admire the cathedral facade festooned with architectural frills.

    Santiago de Compostela: 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.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Welcome To Madrid

Location: Madrid

Accommodation: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, Radisson Red Paseo Del Arte

Accommodation Name: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, Barceló Torre de Madrid

Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner in a local restaurant and enjoy an evening of delicious food and wine.

Day 2: Madrid Of The Bourbons

Location: Madrid

Accommodation: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, Radisson Red Paseo Del Arte

Accommodation Name: Barceló Torre de Madrid, Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 3: Through The Guadarrama Mountains To Santiago De Compostela

Location: Madrid, Santiago de Compostela

Accommodation: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela.

Accommodation Name: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 4: Saintly Santiago De Compostela Relaxed Start

Location: Santiago de Compostela

Accommodation: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela.

Accommodation Name: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 5: Along The Costa Verde To Oviedo Relaxed Start

Location: Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo

Accommodation: Barceló Oviedo Cervantes.

Accommodation Name: Barceló Oviedo Cervantes

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 farm to table 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.

Day 6: Picturesque Santillana Del Mar And On To Santander

Location: Oviedo, Covadonga, Santillana del Mar, Santander

Accommodation: Eurostars Hotel Real, Santander.

Accommodation Name: Eurostars Real, Santander

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 7: Bilbao, Costa Vasca And San Sebastián Relaxed Start

Location: Santander, Bilbao, Donostia-San Sebastian

Accommodation: Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián.

Accommodation Name: Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 8: San Sebastián, Pearl Of The Cantabrian Coast Relaxed Start

Location: Donostia-San Sebastian

Accommodation: Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián.

Accommodation Name: Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián

Meals Included: Breakfast

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. You could also stroll along the promenade of the famous La Concha Bay or enjoy the boutiques of the Old Town.

Day 9: Pamplona And On To Barcelona

Location: Donostia-San Sebastian, Pamplona, Barcelona

Accommodation: Hilton Barcelona.

Accommodation Name: Hilton, Barcelona

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 10: Barcelona, The City Of Gaudí

Location: Barcelona

Accommodation: Hilton Barcelona.

Accommodation Name: Hilton, Barcelona

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 dinner.

Day 11: Depart Barcelona

Location: Barcelona

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, bid farewell to your journey along Spain and Portugal as you transfer to the airport.

What's Included

  • Meals Included

    10 Breakfasts (B), 3 Dinners with Wine (DW), and 1 Lunch with Wine (LW) are included, offering a taste of local cuisine.

  • Expertly Guided Tours

    Enjoy the expertise of Local Experts as you explore Santiago de Compostela, Madrid, Oviedo, Picos de Europa, Santillana del Mar, Bilbao, San Sebastián, Pamplona, and Barcelona.

  • Unique Experiences

    Choose between two carefully selected activities, enjoy an espicha experience in Asturias, and visit a biodynamic farm in Catalunya for a sparkling wine tasting.

  • Cultural Highlights

    Witness the world's finest collection of Spanish paintings at the Prado Museum, marvel at Gaudi's Sagrada Família in Barcelona, and explore the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

  • Comfortable Travel

    Travel in comfort with luxury air-conditioned coaches, equipped with Wi-Fi and extra legroom. Hotel and restaurant tips, taxes, and porterage charges are included.

  • Welcome and Farewell Dinners

    Join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner in Madrid and a Celebration Dinner in Barcelona, perfect bookends to your journey.

  • Convenient Transfers

    Transfers are available at scheduled times on arrival and departure days. If your flights are outside these times, transfers can be arranged at an additional cost.

What's Not Included

  • Flights

    International flights to and from the start and end points of the tour are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.

  • Some Meals

    Some meals are not included, providing the opportunity to explore local dining options.

  • Optional Activities

    Any optional activities mentioned are not included in the tour price.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, minibar, etc.

    , are not included.

  • Visa Fees

    Any visa fees are not included and are the responsibility of the traveler.

Dining Summary

  • 10 Breakfast (B)
  • 3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
  • 1 Lunch with Wine (LW)

Additional Included Highlights

  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
  • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Insight Experiences

  • Madrid: Witness the world's finest collection of Spanish paintings, plus an impressive international collection, as you tour the Prado Museum with an art historian.

Well-being

  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Check out our Q&As

  • What cities does the tour start and end in?

    The tour starts in Madrid and ends in Barcelona.

  • How many meals are included in the tour?

    The tour includes 10 Breakfasts (B), 1 Lunch with Wine (LW), and 3 Dinners with Wine (DW).

  • Are there any wine tasting events included in the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes a visit to Trabanco for an espicha experience, a specific type of party that is very popular in Asturias, where you can taste different local products and enjoy a mini course of cider pouring.

  • What are some of the highlights of the tour?

    Some highlights include a city tour of Santiago de Compostela with a Local Expert, a scenic walk on part of the Way of St. James, a visit to the Prado Museum with an art historian in Madrid, exploring the holy cave of Covadonga, and marveling at Gaudi's masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

  • Is transportation provided during the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Transfers are available at scheduled times if your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates.

  • What type of accommodations can be expected?

    Accommodations include hotels such as Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, NH Collection Santiago de Compostela, Barceló Oviedo Cervantes, Eurostars Hotel Real, and Hilton Barcelona, among others.

  • Are there any cultural experiences included?

    Yes, the tour includes cultural experiences such as a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a biodynamic farm in Barcelona, an espicha experience in Asturias, and a Celebration Dinner at a typical Catalan restaurant in Barcelona.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1978.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

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Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily is a delightful trip and our travel guides and driver, Enzo, Chris and Greg were amazing and made the trip very memorable. We saw so many places and had great experiences along the way! Thanks to them for such a wonderful vacation.!

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Trusted Customer  

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11-Jan-2023

Great itinerary, good pace, tour director was friendly and very knowledgeable and organised. Bus was very spacious and driver was great. Yes would recommend insight to friends and families

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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