More Spain Our Way - 8 Day Tour - Astorga, Galicia, Segovia

Itinerary

Day 1: 1. Astorga, Spa Circuit, Leisurely Strolls Relaxing Meals, Rest!

Stop At: Astorga, Astorga, Province of Leon, Castile and Leon
.Once we collect your group at the airport in Madrid, we will travel 3 hours to Astorga and start the
tour. We will have some time to walk around and orient ourselves to this historically rich city before
enjoying a lovely lunch in the main plaza and checking in to The Spa hotel. As its name implies, there is a
European style spa with a sauna, hot tub, and a therapy pool with resistance jets, bubbles, and a
waterfall to soothe and revive our guests after their flight (spa circuit included for all interested). After
some rest and some spa therapy, we will convene for dinner in the main plaza where we will be treated
to Astorga’s rich regional cuisine, wines & historic majesty.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: En route to Astorga from the airport we will stop and enjoy some cafe' con leche, fresh juice and pastries.
• Lunch: We will enjoy lunch in Astorga's historic Plaza Mayor, including wine and beer
• Dinner: A several course gourmet meal in a cozy restaurant in Astorga's Historic Plaza Mayor, including beer, wine & dessert
Accommodation included: Overnight at 4.5 star Hotel Via De La Plata Spa, known for it's proximity to all attractions, and a European style spa.

Day 2: The Chocolate Museum, The Roman Museum, Gaudi's Episcopal Palace & Astorga Cathedral

Stop At: Astorga Cathedral, Plaza Catedral S/N, 24700 Astorga Spain
In Astorga, there is a lot to see and do in a small area, and we will see and do it all today! Our tour of
Astorga will include a visit to The Chocolate Museum, The Roman Museum, Gaudi’s Episcopal palace and
the Gothic Cathedral of Astorga. The museums are small and have nice items for sale at reasonable
prices, making it a great place to pick up a few souvenirs and gifts. We will sit in the plaza mayor (main
square), sip drinks and nibble on tapas. When the life size figurines bang the bell on the hour from the
top of the town hall’s clock tower, it will resonate through our guests leaving them with the feeling that
they have truly experienced one of Spain’s finest treasures. All admission fees included.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Museo del Chocolate, Calle Jose Maria Goy 5 Palacete Magin Rubio. Próximo a la Estacion de Tren, 24700 Astorga Spain
The Chocolate Museum (my favorite!) is a well curated, small quirky museum set up in an old mansion, painted yellow with edible looking chocolate colored brown trim! It contains an eclectic collection of old machinery, colorful advertising and lithographs. The museum has a short film describing the process of making chocolate back in the day. Best of all there are free samples at the end of the tour and bars for sale.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Museo Romano de Astorga, Plaza San Bartolome 2, 24700 Astorga Spain
The Roman Museum is constructed around a Roman built archway, with a screening section at the end of the arched tunnel where we will be shown an artistic film which creates a history for the artifacts on the first floor. The second floor displays artifacts from everyday life and dioramas of the sewer and water systems.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Palace of Gaudì Astorga, Plaza Eduardo de Castro, 15, 24700 Astorga, León, Spain
Designed by Antonio Gaudi and built between the late 1800's and 1936, Gaudi's episcopal palace today houses a museum of the Camino de Santiago, and contains a stunning selection of religeous artifacts.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Delicious, complete and beautifully presented breakfast buffet in our hotel.
• Lunch: Tapas in Astorga's Plaza Mayor complete with wine and beer.
• Dinner: Multi course gourmet dinner at the famous Restaurante La Paseta, founded in 1871. Meal includes beer, wine and dessert
Accommodation included: Overnight at 4.5 star Hotel Via De La Plata Spa, known for its European style spa and proximity to all local attractions

Day 3: 3. The Ortegal region of Northern Coastal Galicia - (The Rias Altas) and the Bay of Biscay

Stop At: Ortigueira, Ortigueira, Province of A Coruna, Galicia
Today we travel northwest for 3 hours to the Ortegal region of Galicia where the scenery along this
stretch of The Bay of Biscay is breathtaking. Our view at lunch looks out over the Cantabrian Sea, close
to where it joins with the Atlantic Ocean. Here we will enjoy delicious, fresh and traditional seafood
specialties. En-route to our rural accommodations, we will visit the highest cliffs in southern Europe and
the Ortegal cape and lighthouse. Stepping back in time, we will check into a Casa Rural (rural house),
a 700-year-old former gristmill, lovingly restored with exposed stone and wood into “country chic”
accommodations with modern conveniences. Each room is thoughtfully decorated with antiques and its
own beautifully tiled bathroom. Here we will be pampered by Vicente who will pour the regional wine
and serve their house specialties - delicious meals prepared on their antique wood cookstove. This is an
unforgettable experience that is only possible with a small group such as ours.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: Lunch of seafood cooked the regional way, served with salad, wine and beer at a seaside Chiringuito - a local favorite.
• Dinner: Rural Casa meal by Vicente and family.Regional specialties prepared traditionally,beer, wine dessert & liqueur included
• Breakfast: Delicious, complete and beautifully presented breakfast buffet in our hotel
Accommodation included: Award winning Casa Rural - 700 year old former gristmill complete with antiques and pretty tiled private bathrooms.

Day 4: San Andres Teixido, Morozous Beach Ortigueira, The most beautiful bench in the world in Loiba!

Stop At: San Andres de Teixido, Sierra de Capelada, Cedeira Spain
This morning our group visits the seaside village, church and sanctuary of San Andres Teixido, a Christian pilgrimage site with Pagan roots. Perched on a hill overlooking the open Atlantic, this beautiful stone church and surroundings captures the essence of mystical Galicia. If the weather is warm, we will have a picnic of local delicacies (purchased at the open market when possible) and also take a walk on lovely Morozous Beach. We'll take another scenic drive to the best bench in the world before retiring back to the Casa Rural, for another restful evening of rural pampering by our oh so capable host Vicente!
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Casa Rural breakfast with hearty servings of cured ham, cheese, toast, cake, homemade jam, and lots of good hot coffee!
• Lunch: If the weather is warm, we will have a picnic at Morozous Beach with local cheeses, meats, bread, wine and beer.
• Dinner: Another amazing, several course, traditionally prepared feast at the Casa Rural including wine, beer, dessert & liqueur
Accommodation included: Award winning Casa Rural - a 700 year old former gristmill, complete with antiques and pretty, tiled & private bathrooms

Day 5: The World's Oldest working Lighthouse in La Coruna, Magical Muxia, Santiago

Stop At: Tower of Hercules (Torre de Hercules), Dr. Vazquez Iglesias s/n, 15002 La Coruna Spain
In La Coruna we tour the Roman built “Tower of Hercules” – the oldest functioning lighthouse in the world, dating back to the 2nd century. We will tour the quaint museum and climb the tower (or not!).
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Santuario da Virxe da Barca, A Coruna / Costa da Morte / Muxia / Rua Punta da Barca, 15124, Muxia Spain
In Muxia we will visit the seaside church Senora de la Barca (Our lady of the Boat), and walk along the coastal part of the Camino de Santiago in Muxia from the Marina to the point. We will take in the wild Costa del Morte section of the Atlantic Ocean and feel the power and mystery of magical Muxia
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Casa Rural breakfast with hearty servings of cured ham, cheeses, toast, cake, homemade jam and lots of good hot coffee
• Lunch: Lunch in La Coruna after visiting the tower of Hercules, local,delicious cuisine served promptly - beer & wine included
• Dinner: Seafood and Tapas at the Marina in Muxia overlooking the harbor, beer and wine included
Accommodation included: Overnight at the 5 star Hotel NH Collection de Santiago or The 4 star centrally located Hotel Virxe Da Cerca in Santiago

Day 6: Tour of Santiago and The Cathedral de Santiago

Stop At: Cathedral De Santiago de Compostela, Praza do Obradoiro S/N, 15704, Santiago de Compostela Spain
.We will have the whole day to explore Santiago’s cobblestone streets, shops, parks and the amazing
Cathedral of Santiago where it is believed the bones of Christ’s Apostle James are interred. For
centuries people have walked the Camino to absolve their sins and it is more popular today than ever
before. We will have the opportunity to see emotional pilgrims arrive at their hard-earned destination,
and to experience the powerful energy of this historic and fascinating capital of Galicia.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Complete, delicious and beautifully presented breakfast buffet at our hotel
• Lunch: 2 course meal at our favorite neighborhood restaurant tucked away in the alleyways of Santiago, wine and beer included
• Dinner: Multi course dinner in a historic restaurant off from the Plaza Mayor in Santiago. Wine, beer and dessert included
Accommodation included: Overnight at the 5 star Hotel NH Santiago, or the 4.5 star, centrally located Historic Hotel Virxe Da Cerca

Day 7: Travel to Segovia visiting Sanabria on the way

Stop At: Castillo de Los Condes de Benavente, Plaza Castillo 1, 49300 Puebla de Sanabria Spain
After parting ways with beautiful Santiago, we take our last big journey together to Segovia – about a
5 ½ hour drive, which will be broken up with lunch with the locals at the quaint and beautiful Puebla de Sanabria and a tour of their beautiful castle, arriving at the stunning Parador ofSegovia in the late afternoon for an astonishing & luxurious hotel experience. Our group can have a little rest, a swim in the indoor pool, or a stroll around the grounds enjoying the panoramic views of old Segovia. The Paradors are like curated art museums,architecturally beautiful whether old or new with the most careful attention paid to every detail. Our gourmet dinner will be served in front of a glassed in wall with a panoramic view of the Roman Aqueduct, The Cathedral of Segovia, and the Alcazar Castle lit up against the night sky.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Delicious, complete and beautifully presented breakfast buffet in our hotel
• Lunch: Lunch at Restaurante de Puebla de Sanabria with locals - delicious, beautifully presented meals including beer and wine
• Dinner: Several course gourmet dinner at the Parador de Segovia, including wine, beer and dessert overlooking historic Segovia
Accommodation included: Overnight at the luxurious 4 star Parador de Segovia with a panoramic view of historic Segovia

Day 8: Roman Aqueduct, Cathedral of Segovia, Alcazar Castle

Stop At: Alcazar of Segovia, Plaza Reina Victoria Eugenia, S/N, 40003 Segovia Spain
We will tour Segovia's famous Alcazar Castle, visit the tower and see what provided Walt Disney with his inspiration for his trademark Disney Castles.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Cathedral of Segovia, Plaza Mayor s/n, 40001 Segovia Spain
We will tour and be astounded by this enormous and beautiful 16th century Gothic Cathedral right off the main square in Segovia's historic district
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Complete, delicious, beautifully presented breakfast buffet at the Parador de Segovia
• Lunch: Lunch at the famous, historic Meson de Cocido located alongside the 2000 year old Roman Aqueduct, Beer & Wine included
• Dinner: Multi course gourmet dinner at the Parador de Segovia, featuring regional cuisine & including beer, wine and dessert
Accommodation included: Overnight at the luxurious, 4 star Parador de Segovia featuring Panoramic views of historic Segovia