Northern Spain

11 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
96%
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USTOA

Group Tour
Go beyond the normal northern Spain trip and immerse yourself in the region's distinctive culture and history. On this trip up north, you'll trace the footsteps of pilgrims, admire the architectural talents of Frank Gehry and relax on the sunny shores of Santander.

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Explore Barcelona, Santiago de Compostela, Salamanca and Madrid with a Local Specialist
    • Discover Pamplona, San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander and Oviedo
    • Visit the Holy Cave of Covadonga, the fishing village of Luarca, St. James Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela and the Prado Museum in Madrid
    • View La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Cathedral and University of Salamanca
    • Scenic Drive through the Picos de Europa
    • Connect with Locals
    • Dive into Culture

What's this trip about?

    Go beyond the normal northern Spain trip and immerse yourself in the region's distinctive culture and history. On this trip up north, you'll trace the footsteps of pilgrims, admire the architectural talents of Frank Gehry and relax on the sunny shores of Santander.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBarcelona
End CityMadrid

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Spain

Attractions

  • Barcelona
  • Madrid
  • Santiago
  • Santiago de Compostela

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Barcelona

Trace the treasures of the north on this grand expedition from Barcelona to Madrid, easing yourself into la buena vida as only the Spaniards can. Delve into centuries of history and the cosmopolitan culture of Barcelona, rambling up Las Ramblas, people watching in Pla...

Day 2: Discover Vibrant Barcelona

The unfinished La Sagrada Família is our first stop this morning. We join a Local Specialist to see the Plaça de Catalunya and pay tribute to Christopher Columbus at the monument that bears his name. Later, spend the rest of the day on your own to explore the city's e...

Day 3: Journey to Pamplona

The feisty former capital of Navarre takes centre stage today. We follow in the footsteps of thousands of exhilarated runners and hot-blooded bulls. See Pamplona's ancient city walls and Plaza del Castillo, the heart of the city where markets, tournaments and even bullfighting have taken place.

Day 4: Off to Culinary San Sebastián and on to Santander

Today, we journey to the sophisticated culinary capital of San Sebastián. See the beautiful Bahía de la Concha beach or stroll along la calle 31 de Agosto in the Old Town. Our next stop is Bilbao to view the modern Guggenheim Museum, designed by talented architect Frank Gehry. We arrive in Santander later this evening for a two-night stay.

Day 5: Sophisticated Santander Your Way

Spend the day at leisure in elegant Santander. Relax on the sun-kissed shores of one of the nearby playas, amble through the charming Old Town or perhaps join an Optional Experience to the coastal town of Comillas, with its cobbled streets. Here you will explore Gaudí...

Day 6: Scenic Landscapes, Quaint Towns and Oviedo

Spectacular scenery awaits today as you travel through the dramatic Picos de Europa which sits between two main pilgrim routes along which you will encounter several quaint historic market towns. Visit the grotto of 'Our Lady of Covadonga', a famous Marian pilgrimage ...

Day 7: Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

The Asturian fishing village of Luarca is our first stop today. Soak up its seafaring atmosphere en route to the pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela, renowned as the end of the 'camino' pilgrimage route that has its origins dating as far back as the 9th century.

Day 8: Explore Santiago de Compostela

Join a Local Specialist who will share insights into the 'Way of Saint James' and explain why thousands of people attempt the life-changing pilgrimage annually. Visit the vast Cathedral, reputed to be the final resting place of Saint James the Great, and the Praza do ...

Day 9: Onwards to Artistic Zamora and Salamanca

Journey through the lush Galician landscape and Castile-Leon to Zamora, a veritable open-air museum of Romanesque art. We continue to Salamanca - its golden-hued façades providing an air of mystery and majesty. We join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour includi...

Day 10: Venture to Stylish Madrid

Travelling east, we arrive in the fiery Spanish capital, Madrid, for an afternoon of sightseeing with a Local Specialist. Dive Into Culture and visit the Prado Museum, which houses the largest collection of European art in the world. Then, see the Royal Palace, Gran V...

Day 11: Adiós Madrid

For now it's a fond hasta luego to your newfound friends as our Spanish adventure comes to an end. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,525
Price per day$230
Last Updated: 10/16/2024

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Trafalgar Reviews & Ratings

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Mother land ( Spain) is beautiful, full of beauty and history .

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Tour Operator

Trafalgar

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At Trafalgar, we passionately believe in the power of travel to broaden the mind and build bridges between people. By sharing with you the hidden places not mentioned in guidebooks, the local people you wouldn’t otherwise meet, and the traditions you may not have experienced by yourself, we ensure that you get the ‘insider’ view, an authentic and enhanced experience you simply could not have had on your own.

It is this dedication to taking our guests beyond the obvious sights that has helped us grow over the past 65 years into one of the most trusted and successful international guided vacation/holiday companies in the world. From Europe to the United States, South America to South Africa, and with the recent addition of Asia, we pride ourselves on uncovering the hidden gems, cultural highlights and not-to-be-missed attractions of the places you visit. We’ll help you delve deep into the heart of each city and capture the true essence of each new destination.

We are committed to establishing lasting relationships with our guests by exceeding their expectations the first time and every time, through consistently outstanding quality of service, experience and value.

We're proud to be the most globally awarded guided travel company. Every year, we win some of the most prestigious travel accolades around the world – from the Travel Globes to the Agents' Choice Awards. We've collected 46 major travel awards over the last five years alone, as well as the Gold Trusted Merchant Award from independent reviews provider Feefo.

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About the company:

As the world’s most awarded and loved travel company, Trafalgar unlocks the best of the world for every traveller. From the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals at private Be My Guest experiences, guests can be assured of a dream holiday without the stress of 'what ifs'. Committed to Make Travel Matter, Trafalgar aims to make a positive impact on locals, communities and wildlife visited, and the planet we call home. With tried and tested tours, created by local travel experts in destination and enjoyed by more than 5million happy guests, Trafalgar’s proud to be recognised by its Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award.

Trafalgar is part of the family-owned and run The Travel Corporation (TTC), driven by service for over one hundred years.

 

Why we love this operator
Their travelers enjoy 24/7 travel expertise and dedicated service throughout the trips - everything is taken care of.
What they’re known for
Tours and experiences that include everything from the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals, guided by expert travel directors.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Gran Corona Sol,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 10 breakfasts
  • 1 lunch
  • 3 dinners
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
  • Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Daily breakfast and up to half your evening meals
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Handcrafted Highlights
Trip ID
trafalgar-SNORFN17

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