Northern Spain Express - 6 days

We start our journey from Barcelona and head towards the dramatic landscape of Montserrat Mountain, home to a revered Benedictine Monastery and the Madonna and Child statue. After some leisure time for lunch, we continue to the quiet town of Lleida, known for its Roman heritage. Here, you'll have free time to explore its ancient castle and cathedral. As the day turns to evening, we reach Huesca, where you can wander the medieval streets and discover numerous churches and picturesque facades.

Today, we'll be exploring the outdoors, starting with a visit to Torla-Ordesa, the gateway to Monte Perdido National Park. Here, you'll be treated to stunning cliffs, lush oak and pine forests, and breathtaking views over the Pyrenees. Our journey continues through the mountains to Jaca, where we'll discover the only surviving Spanish star-shaped fortress. After a day of exploration, we return to Huesca for the evening.

Our journey continues to the enchanting city of Zaragoza, where we'll visit the 11th-century Aljaferia Palace. After admiring its beautiful porticos, you'll have some free time to explore the city. Art lovers can search for Goya paintings, history enthusiasts can discover Roman remains, and foodies can savor chireta, a delicious local dish. We then move on to the village of Haro, where you can enjoy a glass or two of local La Rioja red wine.

Today, we explore the unique traditions and stunning shores of the Basque Country. We start in San Sebastian, a food lover's paradise that boasts the highest Michelin star density per capita. Enjoy lunch and a stroll along the picturesque La Concha beach. We then journey inland to Pamplona, known for 'the Running of the Bulls'. There is free time for you to stroll along the impressive walls of the town fortress before we return to Haro for the evening.

Today, we embark on a scenic drive through the gentle hills of La Rioja to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, where you'll have free time to wander its medieval streets or explore the cathedral. We then visit a family-run winery for a wine tasting session. In the afternoon, we visit San Vicente de la Sonsierra and cross the medieval Ebro River bridge for stunning valley views from the castle. We return to Haro in the afternoon, with plenty of time to relax or head out for a final dinner in northern Spain.

We say goodbye to La Rioja and journey to the region of Castile and Leon. Our first stop is in Burgos, where you'll have a few hours to explore the spectacular cathedral. After lunch in Aranda de Duero, a haven for wine and food enthusiasts, we head south to the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, often called Spain's 'mini-Versailles'. We explore its opulent rooms and stunning grounds before reaching Madrid in the evening, where our tour comes to an end.