Guide

From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination. Bilbao: See the spectacular modern Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry and sites of this Basque region gem during your orientation with your Travel Director.

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Insight Vacations through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your client’s responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.

Accommodation

Madrid: Located on Madrid’s most chic avenue, the Hesperia Madrid is a centrally located, modern hotel offering comfortable and contemporary rooms. Santiago de Compostela: The NH Collection Santiago De Compostela delivers modern luxury in a timeless setting, just minutes from the historic Plaza del Obradoiro. Oviedo: The Barceló Oviedo Cervantes is situated in the heart of Oviedo, 10 minutes from the Old Town and cathedral. This striking and stylish designer hotel is restored from an early 20th century mansion. Santander: The luxury 5-star Eurostars Hotel Real is at the heart and soul of Santander and is a hallmark of excellence and prestige, facing the Playa de los Peligros beach.

Meals

10 Breakfast (B) 3 Dinner with Wine (DW) 1 Lunch with Wine (LW) Barcelona: At a typical Catalan restaurant, savour a delicious Celebration Dinner that incorporates classic cooking with the freshest produce. Madrid: Join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travellers over a beautiful evening of delicious food and wine.

Others

Choose between two carefully selected activities Santiago de Compostela: Join a city tour with a Local Expert and visit Praza do Obradoiro to admire the cathedral facade festooned with architectural frills. Santiago de Compostela: Embark on a scenic walk on part of the Way of St. James with a Local Expert, through parks and gardens that transform with the seasons. 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. 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. Gijón: Meet locals for a delicious meal of locally sourced produce that has been prepared just for you. This experience supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Barcelona: Venture inside Gaudí’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família and marvel at the contrasts of architecture. Above see its giant, tree-like pillars and spectacular vaulting. Admire the wonderful rainbow of the incredible stained-glass windows. Barcelona: With your Local Expert, drive along the elegant Passeig de Gràcia to witness some of the finest Modernist architecture as you journey through the Eixample district to see Gaudi’s extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerising Sagrada Família. Madrid: See the highlights of the city with your Local Expert. Visit the Old Town, travelling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles, the Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace, before crossing the Puerta del Sol. Oviedo: Led by your Local Expert, see 1,000-year-old wall paintings in some of Europe’s oldest churches. Admire the incredible altarpiece, one of the finest in Europe, when you visit the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour. Picos de Europa: Visit the holy cave of Covadonga and see the tomb of Pelayo who is celebrated for winning the Battle of Covadonga against the Muslim Moors in 722 and later became the first King of Asturias. Picos de Europa: Venture into this magnificent national park to admire the stunning picturesque scenery and rocky trails. Santillana del Mar: Step back in time when you visit this perfectly preserved and ’most beautiful village in Spain.’ Getaria: See the rock known as El Ratón or the mouse. San Sebastián: Led by your Local Expert, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Quarter including Plaza de la Constitucion. Pamplona: The city is home to Café Iruña, a favourite of Ernest Hemingway. Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Transport

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. 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.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Madrid
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Welcome To Madrid

Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner in a local restaurant and enjoy an evening of delicious food and wine.
Day 2 Day 2: Madrid Of The Bourbons
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Madrid Of The Bourbons

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 Day 3: Through The Guadarrama Mountains To Santiago De Compostela
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Through The Guadarrama Mountains To Santiago De Compostela

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 Day 4: Saintly Santiago De Compostela Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Saintly Santiago De Compostela Relaxed Start

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 Day 5: Along The Costa Verde To Oviedo Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Along The Costa Verde To Oviedo Relaxed Start

Pass through the ancient forests of Galicia and cross to the Green Coast of Asturias - one of Spain’s most beautiful, named after the colour 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 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 Saviour in the stately square of Plaza Alfonso II. Admire the incredible altarpiece, one of the finest in Europe.
Day 6 Day 6: Picturesque Santillana Del Mar And On To Santander
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Picturesque Santillana Del Mar And On To Santander

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 travelling 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 Day 7: Bilbao, Costa Vasca And San Sebastián Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Bilbao, Costa Vasca And San Sebastián Relaxed Start

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 Day 8: San Sebastián, Pearl Of The Cantabrian Coast Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: San Sebastián, Pearl Of The Cantabrian Coast Relaxed Start

Enjoy a day at leisure to stroll along San Sebastián’s boardwalk and with the city harbour 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 Day 9: Pamplona And On To Barcelona
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Pamplona And On To Barcelona

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, immortalised 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 Day 10: Barcelona, The City Of Gaudí
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Barcelona, The City Of Gaudí

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 Day 11: Depart Barcelona
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Depart Barcelona

Today, bid farewell to your journey along Spain and Portugal as you transfer to the airport.

11 days tour

Northern Spain (Classic, End Barcelona, 11 Days)

This tour includes:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Northern Spain (Classic, End Barcelona, 11 Days)

Day 1: Welcome To Madrid

Day 2: Madrid Of The Bourbons

Day 3: Through The Guadarrama Mountains To Santiago De Compostela

Day 4: Saintly Santiago De Compostela Relaxed Start

Day 5: Along The Costa Verde To Oviedo Relaxed Start

Day 6: Picturesque Santillana Del Mar And On To Santander

Day 7: Bilbao, Costa Vasca And San Sebastián Relaxed Start

Day 8: San Sebastián, Pearl Of The Cantabrian Coast Relaxed Start

Day 9: Pamplona And On To Barcelona

Day 10: Barcelona, The City Of Gaudí

Day 11: Depart Barcelona

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