Northern Spain
Northern Spain
Tour Overview
Go beyond the normal northern Spain trip and immerse yourself in the region’s distinctive culture and history. On this trip, you’ll trace the footsteps of pilgrims, witnessing breathtaking landscapes and timeless traditions.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation: Barcelona Condal Mar Affiliated by Melia
Accommodation Name: Abba Sants Barcelona Hotel
Trace the treasures of the north on this grand expedition from Barcelona to Madrid, easing yourself into la buena vida as only the Spaniards can. Take the day to delve into centuries of history and the cosmopolitan culture of Barcelona, rambling up Las Ramblas, people-watching in Plaça de Catalunya and admiring the whimsical architecture of GaudÃ. This evening, you’ll meet with your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Make Travel Matter® Welcome Reception at Mescladis, followed by an evening drive to see the city's iconic sights.
Day 2: Discover Vibrant Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation: Barcelona Condal Mar Affiliated by Melia
Accommodation Name: Abba Sants Barcelona Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join our Local Specialist today as we take in the Gaudi architecture of Passeig De Gracia before admiring the exterior of his unfinished La Sagrada Familia. Later, we pay tribute to Christopher Columbus as we pass the seaside monument that bears his name. Spend the rest of the day on your own to explore the city’s enchanting barrios. Consider joining an Optional Experience to the mountain-top monastery of Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna - affectionately known in Catalonia as La Moreneta.
Day 3: Journey To Pamplona
Location: Barcelona, Pamplona
Accommodation: Tres Reyes
Accommodation Name: Tres Reyes Pamplona
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The feisty former capital of Navarre takes center stage. We follow in the footsteps of thousands of exhilarated runners and hot-blooded bulls today. See Pamplona's ancient city walls and Plaza del Castillo, the heart of the city where markets, tournaments and even bullfighting have taken place.
Day 4: Off To Culinary San Sebastián
Location: Pamplona, San Sebastián
Accommodation: Santemar
Accommodation Name: Tres Reyes San Sebastián
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, we journey to the sophisticated culinary capital of San Sebastián. See the beautiful BahÃa de la Concha beach or stroll along la calle 31 de Agosto in the Old Town.
Day 5: San Sebastián Your Way
Location: San Sebastián
Accommodation: Santemar
Accommodation Name: Tres Reyes 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. Maybe stroll the promenade of the famous La Concha bay or enjoy the boutiques of the Old Town?
Day 6: Scenic Landscapes, Quaint Towns And Oviedo Connect With Locals
Location: San Sebastián, Bilbao, Covadonga, Oviedo
Accommodation: Exe Oviedo Centro
Accommodation Name: Exe Oviedo Centro
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Our next stop is Bilbao to view the modern Guggenheim Museum, designed by talented architect Frank Gehry. Spectacular scenery awaits today as you travel through the dramatic Picos de Europa which sits between two main pilgrim routes where you will encounter several quaint historic market towns. Visit the grotto of 'Our Lady of Covadonga', a famous Marian pilgrimage site, and the pink-hued basilica made from the marble of the surrounding hills. Later we'll Connect With Locals and enjoy a traditional dinner and cider tasting at our Be My Guest experience with the Castañón family at their Cider Mill.
Day 7: Pilgrimage To Santiago De Compostela
Location: Oviedo, Luarca, Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation: Santiago Plaza by Melia
Accommodation Name: Santiago Plaza by Melia
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Asturian fishing village of Luarca is our first stop today. Soak up its seafaring atmosphere en route to the pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela, renowned as the end of the 'camino' pilgrimage route that has its origins dating as far back as the 9th century.
Day 8: Explore Santiago De Compostela
Location: Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation: Santiago Plaza by Melia
Accommodation Name: Santiago Plaza by Melia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join a Local Specialist who will share insights into the 'Way of Saint James' and explain why thousands of people attempt the life-changing pilgrimage annually. Visit the vast Cathedral, reputed to be the final resting place of Saint James the Great, and the Plaza do Obradoiro, a square dominated by four architectural styles. Consider an Optional Experience to the RÃas Baixas for soul-stirring views of the Galician coast. The region has long waterways stretching inland that are said to be the mark left by God's hand when he cleansed himself after creating the world.
Day 9: Onwards To Artistic Zamora And Salamanca
Location: Santiago de Compostela, Zamora, Salamanca
Accommodation: Gran Corona Sol
Accommodation Name: Gran Corona Sol
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey through the lush Galician landscape and Castile-Leon to Zamora, a veritable open-air museum of Romanesque art. We continue to Salamanca – its golden-hued façades providing an air of mystery and majesty. We join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour including views of Spain's oldest university and the Cathedral, as well as a walk through the imposing Plaza Mayor, built in the Spanish Baroque style.
Day 10: Venture To Stylish Madrid Dive Into Culture
Location: Salamanca, Madrid
Accommodation: AC by Marriott Cuzco
Accommodation Name: Rafael Atocha
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Traveling east, we arrive in the fiery Spanish capital, Madrid, for an afternoon of sightseeing with a Local Specialist. Dive Into Culture and visit the Prado Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of European art in the world. Then, see the Royal Palace, Gran VÃa and the neoclassical Cibeles Fountain that has become an iconic symbol for the city of Madrid. Tonight, join your Travel Director and fellow companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner with wine, toasting to a magnificent journey through northern Spain.
Day 11: Adiós Madrid
Location: Madrid
Meals Included: Breakfast
For now, it's a fond hasta luego to your newfound friends as our Spanish adventure comes to an end.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Optional Experiences and free time
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On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional Experiences and free time
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Airport Transfers
Specific transfer information can be found here: Airport Transfers
Dining Summary
- 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Dive Into Culture
- Madrid: Visit the Prado Museum in Madrid, where you'll have time to admire its extraordinary collection of European art dating from the 12th to early 20th centuries.
Check out our Q&As
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar 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 trafalgar 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