16 Days North of Spain and Portugal from Madrid.

Welcome to Madrid, a city steeped in history and culture. Upon your arrival, our private vehicle will transport you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore Madrid at your own pace. Discover the city's impressive monuments, beautiful fountains, world-class museums, stunning architecture, delightful parks, and squares, and so much more.

After a tasty breakfast, join us for a guided half-day city tour of Madrid. Our tour will start at the Gran Vía and the Passeo de Castellana, two of the most emblematic avenues of this city. We will continue our journey through Plaza de España and Plaza de Oriente, then visit Plaza Mayor, which will lead us to the center of the city: Puerta del Sol. Your next destination will be the Atocha Station, the busiest passenger station in the country, and one of the main ones in Europe. Your visit will be complete with a panoramic visit to The Fountain of Neptune, the Cibeles Fountain, the Bullring, and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Once the tour is finished, the afternoon is free so you can keep enjoying this beautiful city at your own pace.

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 breakfast, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of this elegant and gentrified city. The town center streets of San Sebastian unfold overlooking La Concha Bay. Monte Igeldo marks one end of it - a wonderful vantage point for enjoying views over the city. At its feet is Torrepea Point, where the “Peine de los Vientos” (“the Wind Comb”), a sculpture by the famous Basque artist Eduardo Chillida, is installed. Here Ondarreta Beach begins, framed by a garden area and by the Pico del Loro. This was the place chosen by Queen Maria Cristina (18th century) to build the Miramar Palace, her summer residence. A lovely promenade with elegant railings and street lamps runs along La Concha Beach, on whose sands is the Perla del Océano Bathing Area, a former royal bathing hut. The afternoon is free to relax and keep enjoying this beautiful city.

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 your breakfast, you will depart for Santillana del Mar, a city renowned as a National Monument. This picturesque medieval town flourished around the Collegiate Church of Santa María. Continuing your journey, you will arrive at Covadonga, where you will have ample free time to explore and acquaint yourself with its Sanctuary. Covadonga holds immense historical significance as the birthplace of the reconquest under King Pelayo, whose resting place lies in the cave alongside Santina. Later on, you will resume your journey towards Oviedo, a city brimming with remarkable monuments and captivating attractions. Notably, the Cathedral of San Salvador stands as a testament to Asturian Gothic architecture and is considered one of its most significant achievements.

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 tasty breakfast, you will depart to one of the most picturesque areas of the Galician Rías Bajas (Spanish fjords). Through splendid landscapes, you will arrive at the island of La Toja, universally known for its spa and natural wealth. You will have some free time to admire the natural landscape that this area has to offer us. Your journey continues through the Arosa estuary towards our next destination: the city of Porto.

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 have a full day to explore the city of Porto at your own pace. Porto offers a wide range of activities for you to enjoy. Take a leisurely sunset stroll along the Douro River, visit the iconic Mercado do Bolhao, or indulge in the local sweet wines. As the second most important tourist city in Portugal, Porto has a rich history and a unique charm. There has always been a friendly rivalry between Porto and Lisbon, the capital city. Some say Porto has a touch of British influence due to its past as a hub for English wine merchants. The historic center of Porto, known for its size and preservation, was rightfully recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1996.

After breakfast, you'll depart for Coimbra, home to one of Europe's oldest universities. This prestigious institution was constructed on the grounds of a former palace and is renowned for its Baroque Joanina Library and impressive 18th-century bell tower. Coimbra is also recognized as the birthplace of traditional Portuguese music, known as fado. Take some time to explore this captivating city at your own pace and delve into its unique cultural offerings. Next, we'll continue our journey to Fatima, a significant center of the Christian Faith and a revered World Pilgrimage Sanctuary. You'll be awestruck by the grandeur of the Sanctuary of Fátima and the sacred Cova da Iria, the site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared.

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 delicious breakfast, you'll join a local guide to explore the key attractions of Lisbon at the mouth of the Tagus River. Our first stop is the iconic Tower of Belém, initially built as a defensive fortress but later transformed into a customs center and lighthouse. Just nearby, we'll visit the Jerónimos Monastery, where you'll find the tomb of Vasco da Gama, a renowned Portuguese explorer who opened the spice route to India. We'll also visit the Monument of the Discoveries, a fascinating landmark that celebrates Portugal's Age of Discovery and its rich history. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. We highly recommend taking a stroll through the enchanting Alfama neighborhood, known for its picturesque low houses, narrow streets, and vibrant street art. Lastly, you should visit the National Tile Museum, where you can delve into the history of this unique art form that adorns the city's streets and buildings.

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.

After savoring a delicious breakfast, you will be transferred to Madrid-Barajas International Airport at the designated time to catch your international flight. Wishing you a pleasant trip! Or as the locals say, “¡Buen viaje!”