Northern Spain - End Madrid, Small Group
Northern Spain - End Madrid, Small Group
Northern Spain - End Madrid, Small Group
11 Days Starting and ending in Madrid
Visiting: Madrid, Rueda, Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Covadonga, Santillana del Mar, Santander, Bilbao, Getaria, Donostia-San Sebastian, Pamplona, Barcelona
Tour operator:
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 24
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
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 FamÃlia, a spectacular basilica with towers that seem to touch the sky and stained-glass windows that are works of art.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Madrid
Location: Madrid
Accommodation: Meliá Madrid Serrano., Meliá Madrid Princesa, Madrid.
Accommodation Name: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana or Radisson Red Paseo Del Arte
Meals Included: Dinner with Wine
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.
Day 2: Madrid Of The Bourbons
Location: Madrid
Accommodation: Meliá Madrid Serrano., Meliá Madrid Princesa, Madrid.
Accommodation Name: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana or Radisson Red Paseo Del Arte
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. 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. The afternoon is free for you to relax at a café or shop in the boutiques.
Day 3: Through The Guadarrama Mountains To Santiago
Location: Madrid, Rueda, Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela.
Accommodation Name: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Journey through the Guadarrama Mountains to the infinite horizons of Old Castile and pass the impressive Castillo de la Mota. Some of Spain's most fashionable white wines are produced in Rueda. This morning we have the opportunity to learn how they are made and sample the delights of the Verdejo grape. 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, Lunch with Wine
Pass through the ancient forests of Galicia and cross to the Green Coast of Asturias - one of Spain's most beautiful, named after the colour of the sea and the pine and eucalyptus trees that line the shore. Enjoy an espicha experience for lunch, very popular with the locals, you'll have a taste of different products they offer, with a souvenir glass of cider. 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 Saviour 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 Hotel Real
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 OnÃs 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 travelling 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. Why not take the time to explore the hotel terrace with stunning views of the bay below or relax with one of the many therapy treatments offered at the hotels spa?
Day 7: Bilbao, Costa Vasca And San Sebastián Relaxed Start
Location: Santander, Bilbao, Getaria, Donostia-San Sebastian
Accommodation: Barceló Costa Vasca San Sebastián.
Accommodation Name: Barceló Costa Vasca
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
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a day at leisure to stroll along San Sebastián's boardwalk and with the city harbour 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?
Day 9: Pamplona And On To Barcelona
Location: Donostia-San Sebastian, Pamplona, Barcelona
Accommodation: Hotel Hesperia Barcelona Presidente.
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, perhaps take a stroll to the famous Estafeta Street or visit Café Iruña, immortalised by Ernest Hemingway in the '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 GaudÃ
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation: Hotel Hesperia Barcelona Presidente.
Accommodation Name: Hilton Barcelona
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Wake up ready to embrace the city’s artistic heritage. Join a Local Expert and drive along the Passeig de Grà cia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and the most flamboyant Modernist buildings.
Continue through the Eixample district to behold GaudÃ’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada FamÃlia. 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.
Day 11: Depart Madrid
Location: Madrid
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, bid farewell to your journey of Northern Spain as you transfer to the airport.
What's Included
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Travel Director
Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
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.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
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Complimentary Wi-Fi
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
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Insight Flourish
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
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Luggage Handling
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
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Transfers
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.
What's Not Included
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Airfare
International and domestic airfare not included.
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Meals
Some meals not included, providing the flexibility to explore local cuisine on your own.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences and excursions are available for purchase during your trip.
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Personal Expenses
Items of a personal nature, including souvenirs, laundry, and drinks, are not included.
Check out our Q&As
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What are the highlights of the Northern Spain tour?
The highlights of the Northern Spain tour include choosing between two carefully selected activities in Santiago de Compostela, enjoying the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with onboard washroom, experiencing enhanced hygiene protocols, tasting various local delicacies such as the gilda and tapas, learning about the multiple languages spoken in Spain, and visiting significant sites like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the holy cave of Covadonga, and Gaudi's Sagrada FamÃlia in Barcelona.
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What meals are included in the Northern Spain tour?
The meals included in the Northern Spain tour are 3 Dinners with Wine (DW), 10 Breakfasts (B), and 1 Lunch with Wine (LW).
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What type of accommodations can be expected on the Northern Spain tour?
Accommodations on the Northern Spain tour include stays at hotels such as Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana or Radisson Red Paseo Del Arte, NH Collection Santiago de Compostela, Barceló Oviedo Cervantes, Eurostars Hotel Real, Barceló Costa Vasca, and Hilton Barcelona.
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Are there any COVID-19 safety measures in place on the Northern Spain tour?
Yes, the Northern Spain tour has implemented enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. This includes sanitization of the luxury coaches before the start of the tour, training for Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors, and Drivers in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols, and ensuring that all establishments worked with adhere to high well-being standards. Hand sanitizer is also freely available on board for use throughout the day.
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What are the inclusions in the Northern Spain tour?
The inclusions in the Northern Spain tour are services of a highly-skilled Travel Director, hotel and restaurant tips, personal radio headsets for tours, complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi, Insight Flourishes which are local specialties representing the destination, baggage handling, and scheduled airport transfers if arrival and departure flights align with the itinerary start and end dates.
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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.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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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.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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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.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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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.
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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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Terms and Conditions