Northern Spain - End Barcelona, Classic Group
Northern Spain - End Barcelona, Classic Group
$4125
Northern Spain - End Barcelona, Classic Group
11 Days Starting in Madrid, Spain and ending in Barcelona, Spain
Visiting: Madrid, Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Santander, San Sebastián, Barcelona
Tour operator:
Tour code:
E931ZN20
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
20 - 40
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Northern Spain, starting in the vibrant city of Madrid and concluding in the artistic hub of Barcelona. This classic group tour offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from exploring the historic streets of Santiago de Compostela and the lush landscapes of the Picos de Europa, to marveling at Gaudí's architectural wonders in Barcelona. Delight in authentic dining experiences, including a farm-to-table meal in Gijón and a celebratory Catalan dinner. With expert local guides, discover the cultural treasures of Oviedo, the picturesque charm of Santillana del Mar, and the modern marvels of Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum. Enjoy leisure time in San Sebastián and the historic allure of Pamplona, all while traveling in comfort and style. This tour promises a perfect blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty, making it an ideal choice for those seeking to explore the diverse regions of Spain.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Madrid
Location: Madrid
Accommodation: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, Radisson Red Paseo Del Arte
Accommodation Name: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, Barceló Torre de Madrid
Meals Included: Dinner
Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner in a local restaurant and enjoy an evening of typical madrileño flavors.
Day 2: Madrid Of The Bourbons
Location: Madrid
Accommodation: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, Radisson Red Paseo Del Arte
Accommodation Name: Barceló Torre de Madrid, Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy sightseeing with your Local Expert as they take you along the main historical areas in the capital of Spain, known as Madrid of the Bourbons. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter, discovering the origins of the city. Learn about the growth of this city, from humble beginnings to a thriving European metropolis. A highlight of your escorted journey will be to visit the Prado Museum. Discover countless works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and others as you are guided by a local art historian. Gain new perspective on classic artworks as your art historian shares historic anecdotes and provides new insights into the Prado's collection. The afternoon is free for you to relax at a café or shop in the boutiques.
Day 3: Through The Guadarrama Mountains To Santiago De Compostela
Location: Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela.
Accommodation Name: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey through the Guadarrama Mountains to the infinite horizons of Old Castile and pass the impressive Castillo de la Mota. Continue past historic Tordesillas, and on to Santiago de Compostela.
Day 4: Saintly Santiago De Compostela Relaxed Start
Location: Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela.
Accommodation Name: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Santiago de Compostela with Insight Choice. Choose to join a city tour with a Local Expert and visit the cathedral, festooned with architectural frills. Alternatively, embark on a scenic walk along the Way of St. James, through scenic parks and gardens. Relax during your free time, or explore the narrow streets and old city squares.
Day 5: Along The Costa Verde To Oviedo Relaxed Start
Location: Oviedo
Accommodation: Barceló Oviedo Cervantes.
Accommodation Name: Barceló Oviedo Cervantes
Meals Included: Breakfast
Pass through the ancient forests of Galicia and cross to the Green Coast of Asturias - one of Spain's most beautiful, named after the color of the sea and the pine and eucalyptus trees that line the shore. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience for lunch. Very popular with locals, enjoy a homemade farm to table meal and learn about traditional cider product, including a tasting. Your route reveals glorious coastal vistas before turning inland to travel through old villages and deep valleys en route to Oviedo. Continue on to Oviedo where a Local Expert will show you the 9th century churches built when the city was the capital of Christian Spain. Visit the Cathedral of the Holy Savior in the stately square of Plaza Alfonso II. Admire the incredible altarpiece, one of the finest in Europe.
Day 6: Picturesque Santillana Del Mar And On To Santander
Location: Santander
Accommodation: Eurostars Hotel Real, Santander.
Accommodation Name: Eurostars Real, Santander
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit the Holy Cave of Covadonga, a shrine to Pelayo, who achieved the first Christian victory over the Moors in 722. See the unique Roman bridge in Cangas de Onís as you head into the foothills of the Picos de Europa, a national park boasting spectacular mountain and gorge scenery. Enjoy views of the Costa de Cantabria while traveling to Santillana del Mar, arguably the most beautiful village in Spain. Stroll through the rustic cobblestone streets, admiring stone houses decorated with carved, heraldic symbols and reach the delightful church square. Continue on to the sophisticated beach resort of Santander where you have free time in the evening to enjoy this luxurious hotel.
Day 7: Bilbao, Costa Vasca And San Sebastián Relaxed Start
Location: San Sebastián
Accommodation: Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián.
Accommodation Name: Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián
Meals Included: Breakfast
In nearby Bilbao, admire the striking modern architecture of the Guggenheim Museum, one of the world's most spectacular buildings. Enjoy the views as you are driven along part of the Costa Vasca, dotted with small coastal fishing villages and pause in the seaside city of Getaria to see 'El Ratón', the mouse-shaped rock. Continue to San Sebastián and admire its beauty as you walk with your Local Expert through the Old Quarter to see the Plaza de la Constituction.
Day 8: San Sebastián, Pearl Of The Cantabrian Coast Relaxed Start
Location: San Sebastián
Accommodation: Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián.
Accommodation Name: Barceló Costa Vasca, 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. You could also stroll along the promenade of the famous La Concha Bay or enjoy the boutiques of the Old Town.
Day 9: Pamplona And On To Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation: Hilton Barcelona.
Accommodation Name: Hilton, Barcelona
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey to the famed town of Pamplona, known for its Running of the Bulls festival. With time free for you to explore, take a stroll to the famous Estafeta Street or visit Café Iruña, immortalized by Ernest Hemingway in his novel 'The Sun Also Rises.' Your travels continue to Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia, a land that retains its own distinctive language, culture and traditions.
Day 10: Barcelona, The City Of Gaudí
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation: Hilton Barcelona.
Accommodation Name: Hilton, Barcelona
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wake up ready to embrace the city’s artistic heritage. Join a Local Expert and drive along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district to behold Gaudí’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família. As you venture inside, look above to see its giant, tree-like pillars and spectacular vaulting. Admire the wonderful rainbow of the incredible stained-glass windows. With the afternoon at leisure, you are free to relax or continue your exploration on your own. In the evening, join your Travel Director and newfound friends at a local restaurant. Raise your glass and toast your travels during dinner.
Day 11: Depart Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, bid farewell to your journey across Spain and Portugal as you transfer to the airport.
What's Included
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Choice Highlights
Choose between two carefully selected activities in Santiago de Compostela, including a city tour with a Local Expert and a scenic walk on part of the Way of St. James.
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Top Rated Highlights
Experience top-rated highlights such as visiting the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, exploring Madrid with a Local Expert, and seeing the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
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Make Travel Matter
Enjoy a farm to table meal in Gijón, supporting United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
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Authentic Dining
Savor a Celebration Dinner in Barcelona and a Welcome Dinner in Madrid at local restaurants.
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Insight Choice
In Santiago de Compostela, choose between a city tour with a Local Expert or a scenic walk on the Way of St. James.
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Additional Included Highlights
Enjoy personal radio headsets, hotel and restaurant tips, porterage, Insight Flourish, complimentary Wi-Fi, and airport transfers if flights match itinerary dates.
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Insight Experiences
Tour the Prado Museum in Madrid with an art historian, witnessing the world's finest collection of Spanish paintings.
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Well-being
Travel in comfort with Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned coach, featuring double the standard legroom, onboard washroom, and physical distancing measures.
What's Not Included
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International Airfare
Flights to and from the start and end points of the tour are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Optional Activities
Any optional activities or excursions not listed in the itinerary.
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Personal Expenses
Items of a personal nature, including souvenirs, laundry, and beverages, are not included.
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Meals Not Listed
Any meals not listed in the inclusions, including some lunches and dinners, are not covered.
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Visa Fees
Any applicable visa fees are not included.
Dining Summary
10 Breakfast (B)2 Dinner with Wine (DW)1 Dinner (D)1 Lunch with Wine (LW)
Additional Included Highlights
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Insight Experiences
Madrid: Witness the world's finest collection of Spanish paintings, plus an impressive international collection, as you tour the Prado Museum with an art historian.
Well-being
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Mode of Transport
Travel in luxury aboard Insight's air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom, ensuring comfort and safety with physical distancing measures and hand sanitizer available throughout the journey.
Accommodation
Experience comfort and style with stays at renowned hotels such as Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, Barceló Torre de Madrid, NH Collection Santiago de Compostela, Barceló Oviedo Cervantes, Eurostars Real Santander, Barceló Costa Vasca, and Hilton Barcelona.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique dining experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a farm-to-table meal in Gijón, supporting sustainable practices, and a Celebration Dinner at a typical Catalan restaurant in Barcelona, featuring classic cooking with fresh produce.
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour in Santiago de Compostela?
In Santiago de Compostela, you can choose to join a city tour with a Local Expert to visit the cathedral or embark on a scenic walk along the Way of St. James through parks and gardens.
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What can I expect to see in Oviedo during the tour?
In Oviedo, you will see 9th-century churches and visit the Cathedral of the Holy Savior, known for its incredible altarpiece, guided by a Local Expert.
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What is the significance of the Holy Cave of Covadonga visited on the tour?
The Holy Cave of Covadonga is a shrine to Pelayo, who achieved the first Christian victory over the Moors in 722, marking an important historical event.
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What architectural marvels will I see in Barcelona during the tour?
In Barcelona, you will visit Gaudí's extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família, and drive along Passeig de Gràcia to see some of the finest Modernist architecture.
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What is the focus of the Make Travel Matter experience in Gijón?
The Make Travel Matter experience in Gijón focuses on enjoying a farm-to-table meal with locally sourced produce, supporting responsible consumption and production.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations 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 insight vacations 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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