GASTRONOMIC TOUR: Take in the best of northern Spain and Portugal on this 17-day coach tour from Barcelona, with a focus on regional cuisine. Enjoy an included visit to La Sagrada Familia and uncover magical Madrid on a city tour. Explore the northern cities of Pamplona, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Santander and Oviedo. See the important religious sites of Santiago de Compostela, sample mussels on a Spanish Fjords cruise and enjoy a Douro River cruise in Porto followed by port wine tasting. Visit Coimbra, spend two nights in Lisbon and stop in Merida on your way to Madrid.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Welcome to Barcelona!
Bienvenido a Espana! On arrival in Barcelona, you will be collected and transferred to our hotel. The rest of today is free for you to head out and explore the city.
Overnight: Barcelona
Barcelona sightseeing
We enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour in Barcelona this morning. Driving down the city's main streets, we will admire some of Gaudi's impressive modernist works, such as Le Pedrera and Casa Mila. We stroll through Montjuic Park to admire the surrounding views of the city and we end our tour with a visit to La Sagrada Familia. This is the crown jewel of Gaudi's work and is due to be completed in 2026, exactly 100 years since the great architect died. Entrance to the cathedral is included. After our tour, the rest of today is free for you to continue exploring Barcelona. Perhaps head for a walk along the beach, find some dinner along La Rambla, or head to Parc Guell to see even more of Gaudi's work!
There's an included dinner this evening at an authentic Tapas restaurant. Dine on regional specialties, from 'patatas bravas' to manchego cheese!
Overnight: Barcelona | Breakfast, Dinner
Journey through Zarazoga & Pamplona
Barcelona - Zarazoga - Pamplona - Bilbao. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a picturesque journey from Barcelona to Bilbao, passing through enchanting cities along the route. Leaving Barcelona, you will traverse the scenic Catalan landscape, characterized by rolling vineyards and olive groves, on your way to Zaragoza. In Zaragoza, delve into the city's rich heritage and culture by visiting notable sites such as the iconic Basilica del Pilar and the Aljafería Palace. Continuing north, the journey takes you to Pamplona, renowned for its annual Running of the Bulls and its charming medieval architecture. Conclude your journey as you reach Bilbao, where you will settle into your hotel accommodations.
Overnight: Bilbao | Breakfast
Bilbao & San Sebastian
Bilbao - San Sebastian - Bilbao. After breakfast at the hotel we enjoy a Bilbao city tour, taking in the city's main highlights. The port city of Bilbao is surrounded by green mountains, and the de facto Basque capital is one of the prettiest cities in Spain.
Later, we head to nearby San Sebastian, an exclusive resort town known for hosting the International Film Festival and for La Concha, one of Spain's finest beaches. We will admire the view over San Sebastian and the Bay of Biscay from Mount Igueldo and enjoy some free time before returning to Bilbao for the evening. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant, where you can try pincho, The Basque version of tapas.
Overnight: Bilbao | Breakfast, Dinner
Castro Urdiales & Santander
Bilbao - Santander. Leaving Bilbao, we head into the green mountainous region of Asturias, admiring the view en route to the fishing town of Castro Urdiales. There's free time to wander around, and you will be able to see the castle which dates back to the Middle Ages. Then it's onto Santander, a coastal city known for the popular Sardinero Beach.
Overnight: Santander | Breakfast
Santillana del Mar & Oviedo
Santander - Santillana del Mar - Covadonga - Oviedo. Our first stop today is Santillana del Mar, known for its Renaissance palaces, medieval towers and the beautiful Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana. We then have a short stop in Covadonga before arriving at our destination, Oviedo. There is free time to explore the many pedestrianized streets and you can see the hilltop Saint Maria de Naranco Church overlooking the city. The UNESCO-listed Cathedral is also worth a visit. We enjoy a group dinner tonight at a traditional cider house.
Overnight: Oviedo | Breakfast, Dinner
Mondonedo, Lugo & Santiago de Compostela
Oviedo - Mondonedo - Lugo - Santiago de Compostela. Today we head into Galicia, Spain's north-westernmost region. Our first visit is Mondonedo, where you can see the 13th century Cathedral and sample the local delicacy. Mondonedo Cake is made with puff pastry, sponge, almonds and fruit.
Stopping in Lugo, you will have time to admire the historic Roman city walls before we arrive in Santiago de Compostela. The UNESCO-listed Old Town is home to one of the most important pilgrimages in Christianity. It marks the end of the Camino de Santiago Route, which was constructed during the Roman Empire.
Overnight: Santiago de Compostela | Breakfast
Santiago de Compostela
We spend this morning on a city tour of Santiago de Compostela. We will see the Praza do Obradoiro main square and enjoy included entry to the Cathedral, which is dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. After our tour, the rest of the day is free to stroll around the Old Town's cobbled streets.
Overnight: Santiago de Compostela | Breakfast
Spanish Fjords cruise & Porto
Santiago de Compostela - Porto (Portugal). Today is the day we say goodbye to Spain and cross into neighbouring Portugal. First, we travel to the Rias Bajas fjords and enjoy an included cruise, with tasting of local mussels and wine. Back on dry land, we cross the border into Portugal and complete our drive to Porto. One of the oldest cities in Europe, Porto is located along the Douro River estuary and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Overnight: Porto | Breakfast
Exploring Porto
Day 10 is spent exploring Porto with a number of included activities. We enjoy a guided city tour, taking in highlights such as the Cathedral, Stock Exchange and Santa Clara Church. We also take a cruise on the Douro River, which runs through the heart of Porto. And we visit one of the riverfront Port Wine Cellars, with included tasting of this local drink.
In the evening, there is an included group dinner at one of the oldest Fado venues in Porto, residing in a prominent cultural neighbourhood.
The next day is free for to explore Porto further.
Overnight: Porto | Breakfast x 2, Dinner x 1
Aveiro's Canals & Coimbra
Porto - Aveiro - Coimbra. Departing Porto after breakfast, our first stop today is in Aveiro. Often referred to as the "Venice of Portugal," this city is renowned for its
enchanting canals, vibrant moliceiro boats, and delightful Art Nouveau architecture.
Upon arrival, we'll embark on a serene boat trip aboard a Moliceiro, gliding through the city's idyllic canals. This journey offers stunning views of colourful tile-covered buildings, scenic bridges, and the peaceful lagoon, all while our knowledgeable guides share fascinating insights into the local history and culture.
After the boat tour, enjoy free time for lunch before we continue our journey to Coimbra. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the historic streets of this former Portuguese capital, including a visit to the prestigious University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in Europe, known for its magnificent Baroque library, the Biblioteca Joanina. Be captivated by the impressive Romanesque Old Cathedral, Sé Velha, and the charming medieval quarter, with its narrow lanes and the soulful sounds of traditional Fado music.
Overnight: Coimbra | Breakfast
Batalha, Nazar & Alcobaba
Coimbra - Batalha - Nazare - Alcobaca - Lisbon. This morning we visit the UNESCO-listed Batalha Monastery, a 14th Century Gothic masterpiece, built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. We then enjoy some free time in the quaint fishing village of Nazare before arriving in Alcobaca, where we can see the even older 12th Century monastery located here. This is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world. After admiring the monastery, we complete our journey to Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. The evening is at leisure.
Overnight: Lisbon | Breakfast
Lisbon sightseeing
Our day starts with a city sightseeing tour, taking in many of Lisbon's highlights. We see the city's main plazas, the fortified Belem Tower, Jeronimo's Monastery, the Monument to the Discoverers and the Marquis of Pombal Square roundabout.
The afternoon is free, and we recommend you head into the Alfama Quarter, the oldest part of Lisbon. Crowned by the Sao Jorge Castle, this part of the city features narrow alleyways and colourful 'tabernas'.
Overnight: Lisbon | Breakfast
Merida & Madrid
Lisbon - Merida - Madrid. Departing Lisbon, we cross back into Spain and make a stop in Mérida. Mérida is a historic city established by the Romans in 25 BC. It is famed for its remarkable archaeological ensemble, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Keep an eye out for its famous landmarks such as the Roman Theatre, the Amphitheatre, and the Guadiana River Roman Bridge. We then complete our journey to Madrid.
Overnight: Madrid | Breakfast
Madrid sightseeing
Today we take in the highlights of Madrid on a city tour. Highlights of the excursion include the historic Barrio de la Morería region, Habsburgs District, Puerta del Sol central square, Plaza Mayor and the Neptuno Fountains. These are dedicated to Neptune, a Roman water god. In the more modern part of the city we see the Salamanca district, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste. We also see the Santiago Bernabeu, the football stadium of Real Madrid, the most successful European club.
Overnight: Madrid | Breakfast
Madrid
Enjoy a final breakfast in the hotel before our tour comes to an end. There is an included transfer to the airport.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
All departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 1 person. Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'Single' price applies for solo travellers who require their own room.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Hesperia President, Barcelona
Located on one of Barcelona's most famous streets, Diagonal Avenue, the Hesperia President hotel is ideally located for those looking to immerse themselves in Barcelona. Ranked as a Biosphere sustainable hotel with measures taken to save water, use renewable energy and take climate action, it's a hotel that's good for the planet too! Modern rooms are bright and spacious, with ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning, flat screen TV and complimentary Wi-Fi access. There is an onsite gym and sun terrace, and a buffet breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
Barcelo Bilbao Nervion, Bilbao
The riverside Barcelo Bilbao Nervion is located on the edge of the city centre, a short walk from the Old Town, Calatrava Bridge and the Guggenheim Museum. The air-conditioned guest rooms offer free Wi-Fi connection, satellite TV, minibar, desk and private bathrooms. Guests can dine at the onsite Ibaizabal restaurant, where a selection of regional Basque and international dishes are offered. There are also a number of pintxos tapas restaurants within walking distance.
Hotel Santemar, Santander
Conveniently located just 150 metres from Sardinero beach and featuring a peaceful Japanese Garden, Hotel Santemar is a great place to stay when visiting coastal Santander. Modern rooms are elegantly decorated, with some offering a sea view and nautical themes. Amenities include air-conditioning, minibar, pillow menu, private bathroom and complimentary Wi-Fi. The Rincon de Mouro restaurant serves an array of Cantabrian dishes with an international twist, including a selection of fish and seafood dishes. A daily buffet breakfast is also served.
AC Hotel Oviedo Forum, Oviedo
The AC Hotel Oviedo Forum is housed just a short walk from the city's historic centre, including the impressive cathedral and the San Francisco Park. The hotel's 155 guest rooms are well-appointed, with wood panelled flooring, ensuite bathrooms, minibar, free Wi-Fi and TV. There is an onsite fitness centre and dining in the form of the AC Lounge, which fuses local cuisine with today's gastronomic trends. There is also a rooftop bar serving drinks and snacks with a view over the city.
Eurostars Gran Hotel Santiago, Santiago de Compostela
Located a 20-minute walk from the city centre and cathedral, Eurostars Gran Hotel Santiago is housed in beautiful gardens and has an impressive atrium with plants hanging from balconies and throughout the classically decorated interior of the hotel. There is complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and rooms come equipped with ensuite bathrooms, TV, minibar and safe. A buffet breakfast is served daily, and the onsite restaurant is also open for dinner and evening drinks.
Hotel Vila Gale Porto Ribeira, Porto
Located right on the banks of the Douro River, the 4-star Hotel Vila Gala Porto Ribeira is a wonderful base for discovering the charms of Porto. Rooms are modern and spacious, with ensuite bathrooms, flat-screen TV and air-conditioning. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and there is an onsite bar and sun terrace. breakfast is served buffet style in the hotel restaurant.
Hotel Coimbra Aeminium, Affiliated by Meliá, Coimbra
Hotel Coimbra Aeminium offers a perfect blend of contemporary comfort and historical charm in the heart of Coimbra. Situated near the city’s vibrant cultural and academic centre, this elegant hotel provides easy access to iconic landmarks such as the University of Coimbra and the historic old town. Unwind in tastefully designed rooms that feature modern amenities, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable stay. Enjoy the delightful restaurant serving a range of local and international dishes, and relax in the cosy lounge area perfect after a day of exploration.
Smart Design Hotel Lutecia, Lisbon
This recently renovated hotel features 9 themed floors, with rooms and corridors decorated in varying contemporary patterns and pastel hues. Smart Design Hotel Lutecia is located just 200m from the nearest metro station, giving guests quick and easy access to different parts of the city. Rooms are equipped with modern amenities such as design chairs, smart TV's and espresso coffee machines. In the morning enjoy an expansive buffet breakfast.