Northern Spain - End Barcelona, Classic Group
Northern Spain - End Barcelona, Classic Group
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:
E931ZM20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Northern Spain, starting in Madrid and culminating in the vibrant city of Barcelona. This classic group tour offers a rich tapestry of cultural experiences, from exploring the architectural marvels of GaudÃ's Sagrada FamÃlia in Barcelona to the historic streets of Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy guided tours with local experts in cities like Oviedo and San Sebastián, and savor authentic dining experiences, including a farm-to-table meal in Gijón. Travel in comfort aboard a luxurious coach, with ample legroom and onboard amenities, while staying in premium accommodations throughout your journey. Discover the stunning landscapes of the Picos de Europa, the charming village of Santillana del Mar, and the modern wonders of Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum. With a focus on responsible travel, this tour promises a blend of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery, all while supporting sustainable practices.
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 delicious food and wine.
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 OnÃs 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 GaudÃ
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation: Hilton Barcelona.
Accommodation Name: Hilton, Barcelona
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Wake up ready to embrace the city’s artistic heritage. Join a Local Expert and drive along the Passeig de Grà cia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district to behold GaudÃ’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada FamÃlia. 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 along Spain and Portugal as you transfer to the airport.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay in luxurious accommodations including Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, NH Collection Santiago de Compostela, Barceló Oviedo Cervantes, Eurostars Real in Santander, Barceló Costa Vasca in San Sebastián, and Hilton Barcelona.
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Meals
10 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners with Wine, and 1 Lunch with Wine are included.
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Guided Tours
Guided tours with Local Experts in various cities including Santiago de Compostela, Madrid, Oviedo, and San Sebastián.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
All hotel and restaurant tips are included.
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Baggage Handling
Baggage handling is included, with bags delivered to your hotel door.
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Insight Flourish
Occasional local specialties representing the destination provided by the Travel Director.
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Wi-Fi
Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
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Transfers
Transfers are available at scheduled times if arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates.
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Luxury Coach
Travel in a luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
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Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board the coach.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the tour start and end locations are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees, if applicable, are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort aboard Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Physical distancing measures and hand sanitizer are provided for your safety.
Dining Summary
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 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.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of dining experiences can I expect on this tour?
You can expect a variety of dining experiences including a Welcome Dinner in Madrid, a farm-to-table meal in Gijón, and a Celebration Dinner at a typical Catalan restaurant in Barcelona. Meals include 10 breakfasts, 3 dinners with wine, and 1 lunch with wine.
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What are some of the unique experiences included in the tour?
Unique experiences include a guided tour of the Prado Museum with an art historian in Madrid, a visit to the holy cave of Covadonga, and a scenic walk on part of the Way of St. James in Santiago de Compostela. You will also have the opportunity to see the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and explore the picturesque village of Santillana del Mar.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
Transportation is provided on a luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom. Physical distancing measures and hand sanitizer are available for your safety.
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Are there any special accommodations or amenities provided during the tour?
Yes, you will stay in luxurious accommodations such as Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, NH Collection Santiago de Compostela, Barceló Oviedo Cervantes, Eurostars Real in Santander, Barceló Costa Vasca in San Sebastián, and Hilton Barcelona. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available on the coach and in hotels where available.
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What is the focus of the 'Make Travel Matter' experience on this tour?
The 'Make Travel Matter' experience focuses on responsible consumption and production. In Gijón, you will meet locals and enjoy a farm-to-table meal of locally sourced produce, supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.
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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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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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