16 Days North of Spain and Portugal from Madrid.

After a tasty breakfast, you will depart towards Zaragoza. You will have free time to visit the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, the Patron Saint of Hispanics. This building is a jewel of Baroque art where we will find the beautiful works of Francisco de Goya and the Holy Chapel. You will continue the journey towards the Basque country to reach San Sebastian.

After a full breakfast, you will leave for the city of Bilbao, the capital city of the province of Vizcaya. You will have a brief stop to admire the avant-garde building of the Guggenheim Museum. You will continue towards Castro Urdiales, a typical fishing village where we will have free time. The route continues towards the city of Santander. Upon arrival, you will have free time to explore the historic center, where you will be able to see the majestic buildings that the aristocracy and royalty of the late 19th and early 20th centuries used to spend their vacations. The title of jewel of the city is undoubtedly for the Palacio de la Magdalena. The visit to this emblematic building, located at the highest point of the peninsula of the same name, is one of the essentials of Santander and allows you to contemplate (and photograph) an impressive panoramic view of “the bride of the sea”, as it is popularly known the city, framed between the beach and the mountains.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you will set off toward the beautiful Galician Region. Along the way to Lugo, we will make a stop in the charming city of Mondoñedo. During your visit, you will have some free time to explore the grand 12th-century Cathedral and indulge in the delightful “Mondoñedo cake.” Continuing our journey, we will arrive in the city of Lugo, situated inside the province, along the banks of the Miño River. Here, you will discover one of the most well-preserved Roman Ruins in existence today. Notably, the magnificent Lugo Wall, constructed during the 3rd and 4th centuries and referred to as Lucus Augusti, stands as a testament to the city’s ancient history. We will conclude our journey in the captivating city of Santiago de Compostela, celebrated for its historic cityscape, proudly designated as a prestigious World Heritage site.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you'll join our guide for a city tour of Santiago. Our first stop will be the Plaza del Obradoiro and its magnificent Cathedral. As you explore this square, you'll likely encounter pilgrims with their iconic walking sticks and scallop shells. When visiting the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela for the first time, there is a customary ritual: marvel at the Portico de la Gloria, embrace the figure of Saint James at the main altar, descend to the crypt, ascend to the rooftop (offering stunning views), and if you're fortunate, witness the botafumeiro (an enormous censer) in action. The entrance to the Cathedral is included to fully appreciate its beauty. The remainder of the afternoon will be free for you to continue exploring all the hidden corners and secrets that this city has to offer.

After a delightful breakfast, you'll embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of Porto. Our first stop will be the Stock Exchange Palace, known as Palácio de Bolsa in Portuguese. This architectural marvel, classified as a National Monument and designated as a World Heritage Site, is situated in the historic center of the city. We'll then proceed to one of the renowned wine cellars, where you'll have the opportunity to savor a wine tasting. Following that, we'll embark on a captivating boat excursion, which promises to be one of the highlights of your time in the city. The afternoon is yours to explore and uncover the most enchanting corners of Porto at your leisure.

After breakfast, you'll set off for the Batalha Monastery. This magnificent Dominican Convent was constructed to commemorate the Portuguese victory over the Castilians in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. Over the next two centuries, this site became the primary architectural endeavor of the Portuguese monarchy. The monastery boasts a distinctive national Gothic style, heavily influenced by Manueline art, with its crowning jewel being the exquisite Royal Cloister. Continuing our journey, we'll make our way to Nazare, a charming coastal village that has retained its vibrant fishing traditions. Next, we'll visit Alcobaça, home to a Gothic church and Cistercian monastery dating back to the 12th century. The monastery holds great historical significance and showcases remarkable architectural beauty. As the day draws to a close, we'll arrive in Lisbon, where you'll be staying for the duration of your trip.

After a delightful breakfast, we'll proceed with our journey to the captivating city of Cáceres, a designated World Heritage site in Spain. You'll have ample free time to explore Caceres's old town and its medieval quarter. As you wander through the historic center, you'll encounter magnificent palaces like the Golfines de Abajo, the Carvajal, the Toledo-Moctezuma (once home to the daughter of Aztec emperor Moctezuma II), and the Casa de las Veletas, which houses the Cáceres Museum and showcases remarkable works by Picasso and Miró. Don't miss the opportunity to marvel at the second-largest cistern in the world. You can also visit the Co-Cathedral of Santa María, where ascending the bell tower offers splendid views. Our journey continues toward our final destination, Madrid.