Meals

10 breakfasts 1 lunch 8 dinners

Others

Covadonga Basilica and lakes Regions of Asturias, Cantabria & the Basque Country Guided walking tours in Oviedo, Santander, Bilbao & San Sebastian Coastal walking on GR121 (8km) Explore the Picos de Europa Central Massif & Iconic Naranjo de Bulnes peak Gastronomic delights: Cabrales cheese, tapas lunches & pintxos tour

Guide

The services of a guide is included

Accommodation

10 nights accommodation in 3 star hotels

Transport

Transfers included

Not included:

Others

Visas if required Tipping (allow approx £100) Lunches (apart from 1), 2 dinners, snacks & drinks.

Flights

International flights are not included

Optional

Single room Supplement

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Arrival Into Bilbao (B, D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Arrival Into Bilbao (B, D)

Arrive into Bilbao and be met and transferred to our hotel in Santillana del Mar. Nestled amid picturesque landscapes, it’s renowned as one of Spain’s most stunning destinations.Situated on the northern route of the Pilgrim’s Road to Santiago de Compostela, Santillana del Mar is a beautiful medieval town which was developed around the collegiate church of Santa María. Its various defence towers and Renaissance palaces make Santillana one of the most important historical areas of Cantabria. Depending on your arrival time, freshen up, relax or explore Santillana del Mar independently before meeting your English-speaking Spanish guide in the evening, and enjoying a briefing, a welcome drink of local cider and your first traditional Spanish dinner of the trip. If you need some ideas on what to do on your first afternoon, don’t hesitate to ask!Overnight: Hotel Altamira or Hotel Museo Los Infantes**2025**Please note for 2025 departures, your first night is spent in Bilbao. After arriving into Bilbao you will be transferred to your hotel to check in. Meet your English speaking guide for your welcome briefing, and enjoy your first Spanish evening meal.Overnight: Hotel Barceló Bilbao Nervión **** or Hotel Hesperia****. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 2 Day 2: Cantabrian Highlights (B, D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Cantabrian Highlights (B, D)

Today we explore some of the highlights of the autonomous region of Cantabria, whose delights are disproportionate to its size, which is small! Firstly, we will explore the magnificent Santillana del Mar. The Collegiate Church & Cloisters of Santa Juliana, one of the most attractive examples of Romanesque, has origins dating back to 870, although the buildings visible today date back to the C12th. Also not to be missed is a chance to visit the NeoCave of Altamira; an exact reproduction of the cave of Altamira as it was between 13,000 & 22,000 years ago, with its well known bison cave paintings. Then, we will move to Comillas, a small township in the autonomous community of Cantabria. From the second half of the 19th century, the Spanish royal family started spending their summers in Comillas, as a result, Comillas left an imprint of architectural relics such as palaces and monuments designed by renowned Catalan artists in particular, Gaudí or Doménech i Montaner. Besides this, there are many notable medieval and baroque buildings. Finally, we will go to the lovely fisherman’s town of San Vicente de la Barquera. After lunch we head to our final destination in Espinama, crossing the stunning La Hermida Gorge. Overnight: Hostal Remoña . Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 3 Day 3: Excursion To Potes, Fuente De & Santa Toribio De Liebana Monastery (B, D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Excursion To Potes, Fuente De & Santa Toribio De Liebana Monastery (B, D)

After breakfast, we head into the heart of the mountains (150mins), to the Fuente De cable car, for a fabulous and scenic ascent up more than 800m, to the Fuente de Glacier. At the top, we breathe in the stunning views and take a short tour to discover the area. Continuing our journey we visit the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana, one of just 5 Christian sites (Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela & Caravaca de la Cruz) that has the privilege of missing perpetual indulgences; effectively a way of reducing the amount of punishment that one has to undergo for sins. It is also famous for the Lignam Crucis (wood of Jesus’ cross) & illustrated religious manuscripts: the first Spanish Codice of the Beato de la Liebana.This afternoon we visit a liquor winery to see how the locally famed ’Orujo de Potes’; a grape-based spirit (40% alcohol!) is manufactured, before returning to familiar Hostal Remoña.Walking recommendation: Fuente dé. 2,5 km +150m -150 m Overnight: Hostal Remoña . Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 4 Day 4: Panoramic Tour Of The Iconic Peak Naranjo De Bulnes, Cabrales Cheese & The Town Of Sotres (B, D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Panoramic Tour Of The Iconic Peak Naranjo De Bulnes, Cabrales Cheese & The Town Of Sotres (B, D)

The Central Massif of the Picos de Europa, and the National Park with the iconic Naranjo de Bulnes, beckons today. We will make a stop at the "Pozo de la Oración" to see the iconic peak of the National Park to learn about the characteristics of the massive limestone peak and the stories surrounding it. We continue to Poncebos where the majestic Cares Gorge begins, and then we drive to the town of Sotres. We will set out on a gentle walk at Collado de La Caballar, offering beautiful views of the main summits of the Massif. After the walk, we will go to Arenas de Cabrales for lunch. Our destination for this evening is Llanes. Our journey there (2hr) takes us through some stunning scenery.Overnight: Hotel Paraíso or Hotel La Finca La Mansión. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 5 Day 5: Covadonga Lakes Circular Route (B, D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Covadonga Lakes Circular Route (B, D)

The walk starts from Lake Ercina in the heart of the Picos de Europa mountain range and heads up to the top of La Reblagas and then on to the beautiful Bricial Majada. A Majada is a high mountain meadow where horses, sheep or other animals are put out to pasture during the mild summer months. The route then continues towards the Vega de Enol Majada, crossing a beautiful beech forest, where we will stop to eat with spectacular views of “Las Peñas Santas”. The route continues until Lake Enol. In the afternoon, we will stop in Covadonga to visit the church and the “Saint Cave”, where we can see the Virgin of Covadonga. We also do a stop in Ribadesella, a lovely small town on the coast.Tonight we head back to Llanes for the night and to enjoy dinner. Walking recommendation: Covadonga Lakes Circular route. 5km +200m -110mOvernight: Hotel Paraíso or Hotel Finca La Mansión. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 6 Day 6: Excursion To Oviedo, Capital Of Asturias (B, D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Excursion To Oviedo, Capital Of Asturias (B, D)

The itinerary begins on Uría Street in Oviedo. After a leisurely stroll along this bustling shopping street, we will make our way towards the historic center.Since the earliest days of ancient Oviedo, the Asturian capital has been closely associated with royalty and the upper classes. This rich history has shaped Oviedo into a modern, avant-garde city.We will walk down Cimadevilla Street and emerge into the Plaza de la Constitución under the arches of the town hall. Though this building was destroyed during the Civil War, it was meticulously reconstructed to achieve its current majestic form.On one side of the square, you’ll find the Fontán Market, renowned for its fresh produce. The square itself is vibrant and lively, with cider-scented terraces and centuries-old arcades.From Fontán, we will proceed to the Escandalera. The headquarters of the General Assembly of the Principality is sure to catch your eye. The statue ’La Maternidad,’ affectionately known as ’La Gorda,’ is a notable work by Fernando Botero. Local legend has it that touching this statue brings love and good luck. From here, we will head to the Campoamor Theatre.Your private tour of Oviedo will conclude in front of the Cathedral.We return to Llanes for our final night and dinner at our hotel.Overnight: Hotel Paraíso or Hotel Finca La Mansión. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 7 Day 7: Explore Santander (B, D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Explore Santander (B, D)

After breakfast, we enjoy the highlights of Santander, the capital of the autonomous community of Cantabria. Off the main tourist routes, it is a city often overlooked by international visitors, though popular with Spanish visitors. It has a stunning natural setting, with urban beaches, and meandering peninsulas, and a slower pace than you would expect for a capital city. We visit the golden sands of Sardinero Beach, with crystal clear waters, and the Magdalena Palace set within 24 hectares of the Magdalena Peninsula. The former royal palace has opulent interiors and expansive gardens and was no doubt built here, in the 20th century, for its incredible views overlooking the Isla de Mouro and Bay of Santander. We also visit Santander Cathedral unusually consisting of 2 gothic churches, one above the other, constructed in the 13th & 14th centuries respectively. For a small fee, you can head up to the bell tower for incredible views of the surrounding area. This afternoon we enjoy a leisurely boat trip to explore the Bay of Santander - a wonderful way to appreciate the coastline from a new perspective, before crossing into our 3rd region; Basque Country, and to Bilbao (1hr 15m), another exciting and under appreciated Northern Spanish city. Overnight: Hotel Barceló Bilbao Nervión or or Hotel Hesperia. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 8 Day 8: Bilbao And Surroundings (B, D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Bilbao And Surroundings (B, D)

After breakfast, we head to the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, presents an alluring and futuristic space for the mix of modern & contemporary art it houses and is not to be missed. There is a lot to pack into today, and it’s from one ’out of this world’ experience to another. Next up is San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, an islet on the coast of Biscay used by Game of Thrones in Season 7 to represent Dragonstone. The word gaztelugatxe [gastelugatse] comes from the Basque gaztelu, meaning ’castle’ and atx, meaning ’rock’; together forming ’the rock castle’.The rock of Gaztelugatxe is a small island off the coast, reached by a man-made stone bridge leading to a narrow path with a mere 241 steps! Impressive and wild, set against the backdrop of the sea, a small church, over a century old, and dedicated to St John the Baptist, perches atop the rock. In the afternoon, on the way back to Bilbao, we visit the lovely Basque town of Bermeo, famous for the fantastic surf.Walking recommendation: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. 2 km -220m + 220m or San Juan de Gaztelugatxe view point. 600m -60m +60mOvernight: Hotel Barceló Bilbao Nervión or Hotel Hesperia. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 9 Day 9: Zumaia Coast (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Zumaia Coast (B)

Today, for those that would like to walk and enjoy the coastal air, we walk the well established and stunning ’Flysch’ coastal pathway (around 4km at a steady pace). This route is a section of the GR 121 - also known as the Tour of Guipúzcoa - a walking route around the perimeter of the stunning Basque province, stretching over 300 kilometres (186 mi). For those that are not so keen on the walk, you have the option to head straight to Zumaia and explore / relax until the rest of the group joins you. You may also fancy a trip to the coastal town of Zarautz, known for its 2.5km sandy beach, restaurants and shops - maybe time for a spot of souvenir shopping?Walking recommendation: Zumaia coast. 4 +200m Overnight: Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca or Sercotel Hotel Europa. Included meals: Breakfast.
Day 10 Day 10: Explore San Sebastian (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Explore San Sebastian (B)

Last, but definitely not least, the fantastic city of San Sebastian awaits us today. We enjoy a guided walking tour around the main sites of the city including the Plaza de la Constituzion with its majestic Town Hall, Old Town (La Parte Vieja), and fishing port at the foot of the Urgull Mountain. We end the morning with a private ’pintxos’ tour (pronounced ’pinchos’, and meaning ’tapas’), accompanied by a specialist in Basque gastronomic culture. After the tapas, enjoy the afternoon at your leisure; we are staying in San Sebastian tonight. Overnight: Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca or Sercotel Hotel Europa. Included meals: Breakfast.
Day 11 Day 11: Departure (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Departure (B)

Your adventure has come to an end - it must be time to plan your next holiday! Enjoy breakfast before your transfer to Bilbao for your journey home.. Included meals: Breakfast.

11 days tour

Historic Cities & Foothills Of Northern Spain

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Itinerary of your trip Historic Cities & Foothills Of Northern Spain

Day 1: Arrival Into Bilbao (B, D)

Day 2: Cantabrian Highlights (B, D)

Day 3: Excursion To Potes, Fuente De & Santa Toribio De Liebana Monastery (B, D)

Day 4: Panoramic Tour Of The Iconic Peak Naranjo De Bulnes, Cabrales Cheese & The Town Of Sotres (B, D)

Day 5: Covadonga Lakes Circular Route (B, D)

Day 6: Excursion To Oviedo, Capital Of Asturias (B, D)

Day 7: Explore Santander (B, D)

Day 8: Bilbao And Surroundings (B, D)

Day 9: Zumaia Coast (B)

Day 10: Explore San Sebastian (B)

Day 11: Departure (B)

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