Northern Spain
Northern Spain
$3150
Northern Spain
11 Days Starting in Barcelona, Spain and ending in Madrid, Spain
Visiting: Barcelona, Pamplona, San Sebastián, Oviedo, Santiago de Compostela, Salamanca, Madrid
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SNORZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, History, Religion and Spiritual
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Northern Spain, exploring the vibrant cities of Barcelona, Santiago de Compostela, Salamanca, and Madrid. Discover the charm of Pamplona, San Sebastián, Bilbao, and Oviedo, and visit iconic landmarks such as La Sagrada Família, the Guggenheim Museum, and the St. James Cathedral. Experience the rich cultural tapestry of Spain with a Make Travel Matter® dinner in Barcelona and a traditional cider tasting with the Castañón family in Oviedo. Enjoy expertly guided tours, luxurious accommodations, and the flexibility of optional experiences. This cultural adventure promises breathtaking landscapes, historical insights, and culinary delights, all while supporting sustainable travel initiatives. Join us for a memorable exploration of Spain's northern treasures.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Barcelona, Santiago de Compostela, Salamanca and Madrid
- Discover Pamplona, San Sebastián, Bilbao and Oviedo
- Visit the Holy Cave of Covadonga, the fishing village of Luarca, St. James Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela and the Prado Museum in Madrid
- View La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Cathedral and University of Salamanca
Make Travel Matter®
Barcelona: In Barcelona, the talented team at Mescladis, an initiative promoting work opportunities to people victim from social exclusion, introduces us to local and seasonal flavors during our Welcome Dinner. Your experience supports UN Global Goal 4 Quality Education and 10 Reduced Inequalities.
Be My Guest
Oviedo: Say salut to traditional Asturian cider and enjoy a local Be My Guest dinner and cider tasting with the Castañón family at their Cider Mill near Oviedo.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation: Barcelona Condal Mar Affiliated by Melia
Accommodation Name: Abba Sants Barcelona Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
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 Gaudí. 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
Consider joining a morning Optional Experience to Montserrat, where you can visit the mountaintop monastery and the shrine of the Black Madonna, known in Catalonia as La Moreneta. Return to Barcelona for a sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Admire Gaudí’s stunning architecture along Passeig de Gràcia and take in the exterior of his unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Família. See the seaside monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus before taking time to explore Barcelona’s barrios at your own pace.
Day 3: Journey To Pamplona
Location: 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: 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 Bahía 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: Oviedo
Accommodation: Exe Oviedo Centro
Accommodation Name: Exe Oviedo Centro
Meals Included: Dinner
Your journey continues to Bilbao, where you’ll view the Guggenheim Museum, designed by architect Frank Gehry. Spectacular scenery unfolds as you pass the Picos de Europa and drive through charming market towns. Visit the grotto of Our Lady of Covadonga, a famous Marian pilgrimage site, and admire the basilica crafted from the marble of the surrounding hills. Later, you’ll connect with locals during a traditional dinner and cider tasting at a Be My Guest experience hosted by the Castañón family at their cider mill.
Day 7: Pilgrimage To Santiago De Compostela
Location: 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 Rías 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: 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: 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 Vía 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
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver are included in the tour.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, is included.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are included.
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals are included.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are included.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing are included.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys) is included.
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Optional Experiences and free time
Optional Experiences and free time are included.
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On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional Experiences are not included and are available at an additional cost.
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Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are not included.
Specific transfer information can be found in the tour details.
Dining Summary
4 Dinner (D)10 Breakfast (B)
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.
Mode of Transport
Travel in luxury with an air-conditioned coach equipped with Wi-Fi, ensuring a comfortable journey as you explore the scenic landscapes and vibrant cities of Northern Spain.
Accommodation
Stay in cherry-picked hotels such as the Abba Sants Barcelona Hotel, Tres Reyes Pamplona, and Santiago Plaza by Melia, offering comfort and convenience throughout your journey in Northern Spain.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the Northern Spain tour?
The tour includes a Make Travel Matter® Welcome Reception at Mescladis in Barcelona, supporting local and seasonal flavors. In Oviedo, you will enjoy a traditional dinner and cider tasting with the Castañón family at their Cider Mill as part of the Be My Guest experience.
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What cultural sites will we visit during the tour?
You will visit several cultural sites including La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Holy Cave of Covadonga, St. James Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, and the Prado Museum in Madrid.
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Are there any optional experiences available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional experiences available such as a visit to the mountain-top monastery of Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna and a trip to the Rías Baixas for views of the Galician coast.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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What meals are included in the Northern Spain tour?
The tour includes breakfast daily, up to half of your evening meals, a Welcome Reception, and a traditional dinner and cider tasting in Oviedo.
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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
Reviews of this operator
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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
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