North Of Spain

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1 : ARRIVAL BILBAO

Stop At: Bilbao Airport, 48180 Loiu, Bizkaia, Spain
Upon arrival at Bilbao Airport, head directly to the Arrivals hall, where you’ll meet a car rental representative who will assist you with picking up your car and provide you with all necessary documentation for your trip. Then climb into what will be your mode of transportation for this holiday and drive to your first hotel accommodation in Bilbao. This city with an industrial heritage is an outstanding example of a complete urban transformation. Over the last 20 years, the redesigned city has become famous for its staggering architecture, art, Michelin-starred restaurants and for being the gateway to the Basque culture. In the evening, enjoy dinner in one of Bilbao’s seafood restaurants, as no trip to Bilbao would be complete without sampling some of its cod dishes.
Overnight in Bilbao
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Ercilla or similar 4*

Day 2: Day 2 : BILBAO

Stop At: Ercilla Hotel, Ercilla Kalea, 37, 39, 48011 Bilbo, Bizkaia, Spain
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you explore Bilbao. Although the capital of the autonomous region of Euskadi – also known as the Basque Country – is Vitoria, the port city of Bilbao is, in fact, the largest of all Basque cities. The renewal of this industrial city has been continuous since the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in 1997, with various projects designed by famous architects, including a new tram system, a subway system designed by Sir Norman Foster, a pedestrian bridge, the Zubizuri bridge by Santiago Calatrava, a jagged glass-fronted public health building, and the reconversion following the indications of well-known designer Philippe Starck of a disused warehouse turned into a public multifunction building, the Alhóndiga.

Overnight in Bilbao
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Ercilla or similar 4*

Day 3: Day 3 : BILBAO – SANTANDER (100 km – 1.5 hrs)

Stop At: Abba Santander Hotel, Calle Calderón de la Barca, 3, 39002 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Santander, in the region of Cantabria. Upon arrival, take a tour of this posh city. Santander is, without a doubt, one of the most elegant and beautiful cities on the northern coast of Spain. Both the sea and the mountains are continually present in this city, captivating you with its aristocratic atmosphere, its 19th-century buildings, its charming outdoor terraces and its spectacular bay, considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. There are several beaches and harbours on the northern side of the city and a quaint old quarter. In the 19th century, the city was a renowned tourist resort for Spanish politicians, aristocrats and upper class. The city still holds wonderful palaces and promenades, bay-type architecture with white buildings, old cafés and a famous casino.
Overnight in Santander
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = ABBA Santander or similar 3*

Day 4: Day 4 : SANTANDER – SANTILLANA DEL MAR – COMILLAS – SANTANDER (120km – 2h)

Stop At: Abba Santander Hotel, Calle Calderón de la Barca, 3, 39002 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
We suggest to drive to Santillana del Mar after breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a bit of leisure time in Santillana del Mar, an exquisitely charming cobblestoned town. Use the opportunity to visit the famous Altamira Neocave and Museum, which is nearby (entrance not included). The museum showcases the work of one of the oldest cave paintings known to man, dating back 13,000 to 22,000 years. Continue to Comillas, which is designated historic-artistic site. It has cobbled streets and squares with ancestral houses and some modernist buildings, as the stunning ‘El Capricho’, which was designed by Antoni Gaudi. Return to Santander.
Overnight in Santander
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = ABBA Santander or similar 3*

Day 5: Day 5 : SANTANDER – BURGOS (230 km – 2.5 hrs)

Stop At: Hotel Corona de Castilla (Sercotel), Calle Madrid, 15, 09002 Burgos, Spain
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing towards Burgos. Learn about the city’s history as you stroll through the winding streets and alleys of the old quarter, which lies the shadow of a hilltop castle, and discover the stunning Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Miraflores Charterhouse can be found on the city’s eastern outskirts and perhaps pay a visit to this wonderfully preserved Gothic Carthusian order monastery, which boasts a priceless collection of religious artefacts.
Overnight in Burgos
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Corona de Castilla or similar 4*

Day 6: Day 6 : BURGOS – SANTO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA – LOGROÑO – BURGOS (250 km – 3.5 hrs)

Stop At: Hotel Corona de Castilla (Sercotel), Calle Madrid, 15, 09002 Burgos, Spain
Breakfast at the hotel and depart towards Santo Domingo de la Calzada, which is still partially surrounded by defensive walls built in the Middle Ages. Our recommendation is visit the Cathedral, which commemorates the medieval saint who built this town to cater for the pilgrims passing through. Santo Domingo de la Calzada is famous for the number of miracles that affected pilgrims staying in the town. Head to Logroño, the capital of the wine-producing region of La Rioja. Discover the old quarter and enjoy a pincho at one of the many family-run bars on Laurel Street before you return to Burgos.
Overnight in Burgos
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = Corona de Castilla or similar 4*

Day 7: Day 7 : BURGOS – VITORIA (120 km – 1.5 hrs)

Stop At: Hotel Abba Jazz, Florida Kalea, 7, 01005 Gasteiz, Araba, Spain
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading towards Vitoria, the capital of the Basque country. It has a medieval city centre in which you will find countless places of that show off the essence of the city, such as Plaza de la Virgen Blanca and historic buildings like the Cathedral of Santa Maria or you can visit the region of La Rioja Alavesa, where we will contemplate magnificent views over a sea of vineyards. We will pass through typical villages and wineries of all kinds. In Laguardia, we will enjoy a walking tour through the historic center. It is one of the most charming and beautiful villages in La Rioja.
Overnight in Vitoria
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard Hotel Category = ABBA Jazz Vitoria or similar 3*

Day 8: Day 8 : VITORIA - BILBAO AIRPORT (80 km - 1 hr)

Stop At: Bilbao Airport, 48180 Loiu, Bizkaia, Spain
Bid farewell to Vitoria after breakfast at the hotel and drive back to Bilbao airport to drop off the car. You'll be told the return procedure and exact designated area by Rent a Car when you pick up the car on arrival day. Rent a Car shuttle service will transfer you to the terminal for you to catch your departure flight back home.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.