Day 1: Arrival In Barcelona And City Exploration
- Arrive at Barcelona Airport. Begin your exploration of Barcelona by walking through some of the city’s most iconic landmarks—the Sagrada Familia, Picasso Museum, Las Ramblas, Barceloneta Beach, Gothic Quarter, and La Rambla. Sample delicious tapas, churros with hot chocolate, and explore lively markets like La Boqueria and Mercat de Sant Antoni before checking in at the hotel. Enjoy free time to relax and acclimate.
- Dinner Included.
Day 2: Gothic Cathedral, Casa Batlló, And Vintage Shopping In Barcelona
- Visit the Cathedral of Santa Cruz and Santa Eulalia, the seat of the Archdiocese of Barcelona, known for its grand Gothic architecture. Enjoy the vibrant square outside, filled with street artists, cafés, and shops. Visit the iconic Casa Batlló, a masterpiece by Gaudí. Stroll through picturesque neighborhoods on foot, discovering vintage and thrift shops in El Raval, a lively district, especially in the evenings. Enjoy free time to continue exploring and experience Barcelona’s nightlife.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 3: Sagrada Familia And Culinary Experience In Barcelona
- Visit the UNESCO-listed Sagrada Familia, the masterpiece of Antoni Gaudí and an iconic symbol of Barcelona. Admire its fascinating design and learn about its ongoing construction. Spend your final afternoon enjoying free time—sample Catalan cuisine at local restaurants, such as escalivada, canelons de carn, suquet de peix, and tapas, paired with cava. Experience the city’s vibrant culinary scene before departure the next day.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 4: Transfer To Valencia And City Tour
- Depart Barcelona and travel 340 km to Valencia. Enjoy a coffee break en route and make the most of your time discovering this beautiful city. Valencia, the European Green Capital for 2024, showcases the unique artistic influences of architect Santiago Calatrava. Visit the City of Arts and Sciences (CAC), the impressive Valencia Cathedral, and local markets such as Mercado de Colón and Mercat Central. Sample local delicacies, including fresh orangeade and tapas.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 5: Visit Toledo On The Way To Madrid
- Depart the coast for the Spanish mainland. First, visit Toledo, just 74 km away, the former capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover landmarks such as the Catedral Primada and the Alcázar fortress, appreciate Toledo’s multicultural heritage, and learn about its connection to El Greco. Continue on to Madrid, check in at the hotel, and explore lively neighborhoods like Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 6: Madrid’s Museums, Royal Palace, And City Life
- Begin your day with a guided tour of Madrid’s highlights. Explore Plaza Mayor and visit one of Madrid’s famed art museums—Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, or Reina Sofía—admiring works by masters such as Dalí, El Greco, Goya, and Picasso. Visit the Royal Palace, the largest in Europe, known for its artistic richness and splendid rooms. The evening is free for you to explore Madrid’s vibrant culture, food, and nightlife.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 7: Travel Via Salamanca And Trancoso To Pinhão (Oliveira Do Douro)
- Depart for Portugal with your first stop in Salamanca, a historic Spanish city and former cultural capital of Europe, famed for its Plaza Mayor, Casa de las Conchas, La Clerecía, and the Tormes River. Visit the Roman bridge and admire the New Cathedral. Cross into Portugal, stopping at one of the border castles in Trancoso. Continue to Pinhão, a charming river-port town, and check in at your hotel. Enjoy free time to explore.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 8: Scenic Douro Valley, Arrival And Tour In Porto
- Begin your day with breakfast before setting off on a scenic drive along Route 222 through the Douro Valley, one of Europe’s most beautiful routes. Take in spectacular landscapes and stop in Amarante to visit the Church of São Gonçalo and its charming medieval bridge. Continue to Porto and check in at the hotel. Begin your city tour, discovering Porto’s medieval districts, vibrant riverside markets, historic architecture, and renowned wine heritage. You may also choose to cross the Douro River to Vila Nova de Gaia for winery visits.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 9: Porto Cathedral, City Sights, And Cais Da Ribeira
- Enjoy breakfast and continue your exploration of Porto. Visit the Sé do Porto (Porto Cathedral), a Romanesque masterpiece with Gothic and Baroque influences, perched above the Douro River. Explore central Porto’s historic buildings, including the City Hall and cultural squares. In the afternoon, head to Cais da Ribeira, the heart of Porto, bustling with colorful buildings, shops, cafés, restaurants, and scenic river views.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 10: Excursion To Aveiro And Return To Porto
- Depart for a day trip to Aveiro, often called the “Venice of Portugal,” known for its canals and colorful barcos moliceiros. Enjoy time to explore the charming town and consider a scenic boat ride along the waterways. Return to Porto and enjoy free time, with the opportunity to sample the city’s renowned seafood cuisine.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 11: From Porto Through Braga, Viana Do Castelo, Ponte De Lima To Vigo
- Travel north through Portugal’s verdant countryside. Begin with a stop in Braga to visit its cathedral, the Palace of Raio, the Museum of Biscay, Braga Castle, and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary. Continue to the beautiful seaside city of Viana do Castelo, known for its historic palaces and churches, then head to Ponte de Lima to see its iconic Roman bridge over the Lima River. Cross the border back into Spain and check in at your hotel in Vigo.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 12: Vigo City Tour And Arrival In Santiago De Compostela
- Enjoy a city tour of Vigo, the capital of Galicia, renowned for its seafood and fishing heritage. Explore local markets and sample regional seafood specialties. Continue to Santiago de Compostela, the final destination for pilgrims on the famous Camino de Santiago. Visit the cathedral housing the relics of St. James and enjoy free time to explore the city’s historic squares, lively streets, and culinary offerings, including fresh seafood, cheeses, peppers, and Galician wines.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 13: Luarca Visit And Oviedo City Tour
- Travel along the scenic Bay of Biscay coast with a stop in Luarca, a picturesque fishing town. Continue to Oviedo, the capital of Asturias, for a walking tour of its historic center, including Plaza de Alfonso II El Casto, Plaza de la Constitución, the Church of San Isidoro El Real, Plaza del Fontán, and Oviedo Cathedral. Enjoy free time to explore this charming city.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 14: Bilbao Guggenheim And Arrival In San Sebastian
- Travel east to Spain’s Basque region. Begin with a stop in Bilbao to visit the renowned Guggenheim Museum and sample local Basque specialties such as pintxos. Continue to San Sebastián (Donostia), famed for its urban renewal and exceptional cuisine. Arrive at the hotel and enjoy free time to explore the city’s famous pintxo bars and sandy beaches.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 15: San Sebastian’s Sights, Culinary Culture, And Old Town
- Explore San Sebastián, beginning with the stunning La Concha beach promenade. Wander through the historic Old Town (Parte Vieja), home to lively pintxo bars, Calle Mayor, the Basílica de Santa María del Coro, San Telmo Museum, San Vicente Church, City Hall, and Plaza de la Constitución. Discover why San Sebastián is renowned for its Michelin-starred restaurants and follow the Basque tradition of “poteo” (pintxo bar hopping). Return to your hotel for your second night in the city.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 16: Explore Pamplona And Transfer To Zaragoza
- Drive deeper into the Basque Country through picturesque landscapes and arrive in Pamplona, known for its historic city walls, the Portal de Francia gate, and the neoclassical-Gothic Cathedral of Pamplona. You may also choose to visit the planetarium. Enjoy time to sample more pintxos in this vibrant region. Continue to Zaragoza, the capital of Aragón.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 17: Zaragoza City Tour And Return To Barcelona
- After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Zaragoza. Explore its majestic landmarks, including the Church of the Virgin of Pilar and the Cathedral of La Seo, along with the Aljafería Palace and the city’s distinctive Mudéjar towers. Stroll along César Augusto Avenue, wander through the charming streets of the old city, and enjoy views along the banks of the Ebro River.
- In the afternoon, continue your journey to Barcelona and check in at the hotel. Enjoy a free evening for last-minute exploration—and don’t forget to thank your guide!
- Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 18: Departure From Barcelona
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your return flight. Depart Barcelona, cherishing memories of your journey.