Grand Tour of Spain's Hidden Gems: Girona, Zaragoza & Valencia

Arrival in Girona  - After your flight, you’ll be met at your arrival airport by a member of the Riviera team and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day will be spent at leisure, allowing you time to settle into the hotel and start exploring if you wish.

Later this evening you can enjoy a welcome drinks reception to get to know your fellow travelling companions and your Tour Manager.  

 

Girona  - Often called the 'City of the Four Rivers’, Girona's historic quarter is shaped by medieval architecture and rich influences from Roman, Arab, and Jewish cultures.

After breakfast, enjoy an introduction to the history of Girona with a guided tour through this charming medieval city. We will explore some of the key highlights and wander through its ancient streets, before ending at the Cathedral. Dominating the centre of the Old Town, the Cathedral - with its iconic wide staircase - is one of Girona’s most recognisable landmarks. Its architectural styles blend together, from Romanesque to Gothic style.  

After your tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the Cathedral at your own pace and explore its magnificent interior. 
This afternoon, you’re free to explore Girona at your own pace. Take a leisurely stroll along the Onyar River, lined with its colourful houses, or enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the charming restaurants in Independence Square. Enjoy a wander through the medieval streets and soak in the rich culture and history of this lively city. 
Discover the heart of Girona through its food and wine. Join us this evening as we enjoy a tapas and wine tour by night, where we'll stroll through the city’s charming streets, savouring local dishes and sampling regional wines. A perfect ending to your first full day in Girona. 

Barcelona  - Today, we spend the day in the bustling city of Barcelona. We’ll explore the historic Gothic Quarter, home to the spectacular cathedral, the Ribera district with its impressive 14th-century mansions, and the renowned Picasso Museum, among many other highlights. As the city's largest neighbourhood, Eixample is a must-see, featuring iconic landmarks like La Sagrada Familia the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. Our guided tour will conclude here, where you'll have the chance to explore this architectural masterpiece with an included self-guided entrance. 
Later, you will have free time to explore Barcelona at your leisure. During this time, you could explore the city’s rich cultural heritage through world-class museums such as the Casa Batlló, one of the most famous and iconic buildings designed by the renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Or the bustling markets like La Boqueria, and lively neighbourhoods such as the trendy El Born. 

Monsterrat to Zaragoza - This morning, we’ll visit Montserrat’s famous Benedictine monastery, situated in the rocky peaks northwest of Barcelona. Montserrat comprises the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary of Montserrat and the Benedictine monastery, which, for almost 1,000 years, has been at the service of pilgrims from all over the world, who come to worship the Black Madonna, a Romanesque sculpture dating from the late 12th century featuring delicately carved features.

Here you canvisit to the Throne of the Virgin, the Open-Air Museum and explore the exhibitions in the "Montserrat Portes Endins" audiovisual room and the Museum of Montserrat.

There’ll be time for lunch before we depart for Spain’s Penedès region, well known for its Cava production.

Codorníu is one of the most famous and historic wineries in Spain, dating back to 1551. During our guided tour, we’ll learn about the history of the Codorníu family, the production process of Cava, and the architecture of the wine cellars. Our tour concludes with a premium tasting and some light appetizers, allowing you to experience the range and diversity of the wines produced at Codorníu.

After our visit to this historic winery, we depart for Zaragoza where we will stay for three nights.  

Zaragoza  - Zaragoza is one of the country's most important cities in terms of history, culture, and economy. Situated along the Ebro River, Zaragoza is a dynamic and spirited city that blends rich history with modern influences. The city dates back 2,000 years and today we will learn more about its history on a guided tour. Our tour takes us past the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, which is dedicated to the Virgin of the Pillar (or the Blessed Virgin Mary), who is considered the patroness of Zaragoza and Spain. The basilica is one of the most important Marian shrines in the world and has been a site of pilgrimage for centuries. Other highlights include, the Plaza del Pilar, the grand square in front of the basilica. Here, you’ll find several important buildings and landmarks, such as the La Seo Cathedral and the Palacio Arzobispal.

Our guided tour concludes with a visit to Aljaferia Palace, a 10th-century Moorish fortress. It’s an excellent example of Islamic architecture and features intricate Islamic carvings, stunning gardens, and some Renaissance additions. The palace now houses the Cortes de Aragón, the regional parliament.

 

Free day in Zaragoza - Whether you’re exploring ancient palaces, enjoying traditional Spanish food, or relaxing in lush parks, a free day in Zaragoza offers endless possibilities.

You could take a relaxing walk along the Ebro River, crossing over its historic bridges and enjoying the tranquil riverside parks. Visit the Pablo Serrano Museum for a taste of contemporary Spanish art or enjoy the greenery of Parque Grande with its grand fountains and gardens. For lunch, we recommend heading to the charming El Tubo district, famous for its narrow, lively streets lined with tapas bars. 

Teruel  - Today, we’ll explore the heart of Spain’s 'interior plateau', a vast and varied landscape characterised by its rugged mountains and expansive dry plains, dotted with river valleys and arid terrains.  

In the region of Aragon, Teruel stands out as a remarkable representation of Spain's Moorish heritage. This city showcases a rich blend of Gothic and Islamic influences manifested in the unique Mudéjar architectural style and intricate Arabesque structures. The towers of San Martin and San Salvador captivate with their beauty. The cathedral - featuring an incredible bell tower, bright mosaic tiles, and a magnificent interior - has been recognised by UNESCO as a prime example of this distinctive style. In addition, the charming turreted church of San Pedro holds a captivating romantic legend – the story of the ‘lovers of Teruel’. This ill-fated couple has inspired countless artists throughout history, and you can find their carefully crafted tombs nestled within the church’s mausoleum.  

After soaking in the charm of this enchanting town, we will proceed to our next destination, Valencia, where we’ll spend an additional three nights. 

Valencia  - This morning, we’ll discover the exciting city of Valencia on a coach tour of its main sights.  

The centrepiece of this cultured city of contrasts is the ribbon of green that curves its way from the port to the riverside Parc de Capçalera, hugging the historic old town as it goes. Once the Turia riverbed, this delightful urban park is now a series of manicured gardens, wooded areas, water features, whimsical play areas and monuments, all crossed intermittently by a series of handsome bridges.

On the port side of this green thoroughfare, we'll see the City of Arts and Sciences, a truly fantastical collection of buildings designed by world-famous local architect, Santiago Calatrava. An opera house, science museum, IMAX cinema and aquarium rise out of still pools of bright blue water like something in a science-fiction movie!

Contrasting the futuristic with the historic, we'll also follow a local guide on a walking tour through the old town, where leafy, boutique-lined avenues branch off down narrow alleyways, leading to little squares overlooked by pastel-coloured town houses, and a diverse smattering of architectural masterpieces.  
After your guided tour, you have a free afternoon in Valencia at your leisure.  
Dinner this evening will be spent at a nearby masia - a traditional farm villa - featured in paintings by Spanish artist Ignacio Pinazo. Here we’ll learn to make authentic paella before feasting on our creations together in this wonderful setting, surrounded by fragrant gardens and orange groves. 

Free day in Valencia - Today is yours to explore the lively city of Valencia, teeming with activities and sights.  

You may wish to check out the impressive science museum nestled in the City of Arts and Sciences. Afterwards, you could enjoy a leisurely walk through the Turia Gardens, where you can find an arched viewpoint that overlooks the shimmering lake at the Parc de Capçalera. For the history buffs, don't miss the Church of Saint Nicholas, which may look simple from the outside but boasts a beautiful interior filled with colourful frescoes, often likened to the famed Sistine Chapel. Valencia Cathedral stands out as a must-see landmark, showcasing an intriguing blend of architectural styles including Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque, and neo-Classical elements due to its lengthy construction history. The cathedral features a beautifully adorned dome, an impressive tower, and intricate façades. It's also famous for housing the holy chalice, believed to be the very cup used during the Last Supper and recognised by popes throughout history.  

 A seasonal highlight in Valencia is the spectacular Fallas Festival, celebrated in Spring in honour of St. Joseph. This lively event fills the streets with colourful sculptures, leading to days filled with music and dance. For a taste of this festival's playful spirit, you can visit the Fallas Museum, which showcases these often humorous and exaggerated figures. To savour the local atmosphere, you could enjoy a refreshing sangria and some tapas at the Central Market bar. Indulge in delicious shrimp, fluffy tortilla, and crispy calamari while soaking in the lively market scene.  

Return home