Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia
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Highlights:
The north of Spain offers one of the most diverse climates and cultures in the country. Lying between the northern parts of Portugal and following the coast to the southwestern coast of France, this area, with its Celtic roots, may have more in common with Ireland than the Moorish influence of Andalusia.
Here you will find rugged mountain vistas, pristine beaches and rural scenery of breathtaking beauty. During your adventure you will stay in a variety of hotels from contemporary to Belle Époque and finish in the oldest continuously operating hotel in the world. Let us show you this idyllic corner of Spain.
The north of Spain offers one of the most diverse climates and cultures in the country. Lying between the northern parts of Portugal and following the coast to the southwestern coast of France, this area, with its Celtic roots, may have more in common with Ireland than the Moorish influence of Andalusia.
Here you will find rugged mountain vistas, pristine beaches and rural scenery of breathtaking beauty. During your adventure you will stay in a variety of hotels from contemporary to Belle Époque and finish in the oldest continuously operating hotel in the world. Let us show you this idyllic corner of Spain.
SKU:
Explore: CANTABRIA, ASTURIAS AND GALICIA
Customizable Itinerary - 10 Days (from $7,370 per person)
Day 1: Depart USA
Depart the USA on an overnight flight to Spain with the final destination of San Sebastian the culinary capital of contemporary Spain.
Day 2: Arrival in San Sebastian
Once you arrive in San Sebastian our driver will meet you and take you to your hotel where you can freshen up. You may want to walk along the promenade on the bay to stretch your muscles after the flight. San Sebastian is a foodies’ delight and we will have several recommendations for dinner.
Day 3: Old Town and an introduction to Pintxos
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, you will be ready to explore. You meet your guide for an informative walk through the old part of San Sebastian with narrow, cobblestone streets, while washed buildings and interesting boutiques. Along the way you will be introduced to Pintxos the Basque version of Tapas which is accompanied by wine or the hard cider which the Basques love. After lunch the rest of the day is open.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum
Today you will leave San Sebastian and drive along the coast to the city of Bilbao which was put on the touristic map with the building of the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum. While the building itself is a Titanium-clad work of art, there are many pieces on display covering several periods but mostly contemporary. You will get a guided tour before driving to the picturesque seaside resort of Santander. Enjoy dinner with ocean views at the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: The Altamira Caves and the Picos de Europa
After breakfast you will drive to the Caves of Altamira with drawings dating back 13,000 years. For conservation reasons the caves are now closed to the public but we visit Neocuerva which is a replica of the drawings inside another cave. You then visit a village dedicated to the making of Cabrales cheese including the cave where the cheese is aged. You will then visit a cellar where cider is aged. You have lunch inside the cellar before visiting the Picos de Europa which was the first national park created in Spain. Its rugged mountains and forests will remind you of certain US National Parks.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6: Your Personal Santander
Santander is often overlooked by US visitors and that is an oversight that we want to correct. You have the day to enjoy the beautiful beaches that front the city. If you are looking for culture the newly opened Botin Centre houses great contemporary art in a building designed by Renzo Piano.
Breakfast
Day 7: Oviedo and the Woody Allen Connection
Your destination today will be Oviedo the capital of the once independent principality of Asturias. Upon arrival you will explore the town including its 12th Century Gothic Cathedral. On a more contemporary note you will admire the street statues that seemingly emerging from the pavement. One of the statues is of Woody Allen who is a frequent visitor to the city.
Breakfast
Day 8: The Road to Santiago de Compostela
Your route today will take you to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela. On the way you will visit Lugo which has one of the finest surviving examples of Roman walls. You then travel to La Coruna which is where the Spanish Armada sailed from in its failed attempt to invade England. You then arrive in Santiago de Compostela which holds the remains of St. James and has been a major pilgrimage site since the middle ages. Your hotel was built as a hospital for pilgrims in the early 15th Century and it is, today, the oldest continuously operated hotel in the world. It sits on the main square so take some time to walk around before dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: A Walking Tour of the Pilgrimage City
After breakfast you meet your guide for a walking tour including the Museum of the Galician people, Plaza de Abastos Market and the Cathedral. Your guide will introduce you to the old quarter and then leave you to explore on your own, perhaps to have some tapas for lunch? Finish up your day with another excellent dinner at your hotel. Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: Return to USA
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Madrid to connect to your USA flight.
Breakfast
Depart the USA on an overnight flight to Spain with the final destination of San Sebastian the culinary capital of contemporary Spain.
Day 2: Arrival in San Sebastian
Once you arrive in San Sebastian our driver will meet you and take you to your hotel where you can freshen up. You may want to walk along the promenade on the bay to stretch your muscles after the flight. San Sebastian is a foodies’ delight and we will have several recommendations for dinner.
Day 3: Old Town and an introduction to Pintxos
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, you will be ready to explore. You meet your guide for an informative walk through the old part of San Sebastian with narrow, cobblestone streets, while washed buildings and interesting boutiques. Along the way you will be introduced to Pintxos the Basque version of Tapas which is accompanied by wine or the hard cider which the Basques love. After lunch the rest of the day is open.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum
Today you will leave San Sebastian and drive along the coast to the city of Bilbao which was put on the touristic map with the building of the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum. While the building itself is a Titanium-clad work of art, there are many pieces on display covering several periods but mostly contemporary. You will get a guided tour before driving to the picturesque seaside resort of Santander. Enjoy dinner with ocean views at the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: The Altamira Caves and the Picos de Europa
After breakfast you will drive to the Caves of Altamira with drawings dating back 13,000 years. For conservation reasons the caves are now closed to the public but we visit Neocuerva which is a replica of the drawings inside another cave. You then visit a village dedicated to the making of Cabrales cheese including the cave where the cheese is aged. You will then visit a cellar where cider is aged. You have lunch inside the cellar before visiting the Picos de Europa which was the first national park created in Spain. Its rugged mountains and forests will remind you of certain US National Parks.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6: Your Personal Santander
Santander is often overlooked by US visitors and that is an oversight that we want to correct. You have the day to enjoy the beautiful beaches that front the city. If you are looking for culture the newly opened Botin Centre houses great contemporary art in a building designed by Renzo Piano.
Breakfast
Day 7: Oviedo and the Woody Allen Connection
Your destination today will be Oviedo the capital of the once independent principality of Asturias. Upon arrival you will explore the town including its 12th Century Gothic Cathedral. On a more contemporary note you will admire the street statues that seemingly emerging from the pavement. One of the statues is of Woody Allen who is a frequent visitor to the city.
Breakfast
Day 8: The Road to Santiago de Compostela
Your route today will take you to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela. On the way you will visit Lugo which has one of the finest surviving examples of Roman walls. You then travel to La Coruna which is where the Spanish Armada sailed from in its failed attempt to invade England. You then arrive in Santiago de Compostela which holds the remains of St. James and has been a major pilgrimage site since the middle ages. Your hotel was built as a hospital for pilgrims in the early 15th Century and it is, today, the oldest continuously operated hotel in the world. It sits on the main square so take some time to walk around before dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: A Walking Tour of the Pilgrimage City
After breakfast you meet your guide for a walking tour including the Museum of the Galician people, Plaza de Abastos Market and the Cathedral. Your guide will introduce you to the old quarter and then leave you to explore on your own, perhaps to have some tapas for lunch? Finish up your day with another excellent dinner at your hotel. Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: Return to USA
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Madrid to connect to your USA flight.
Breakfast
