15D/14N - 2020 Northern Spain and Portugal - 15 days

day 1 Madrid
Met and greeted at the airport, then transferred to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure.
day 2 Madrid
After breakfast commence your panoramic city tour of Madrid; find the medieval origins of the city, like the Arabic fortress, at the Barrio de la Morería, famous for its historical buildings. Drive through the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs characterized by Phillip II and its Renaissance and Baroque style buildings, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. Admire the 19C works such as the Prado Museum. The contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. Afternoon free to explore the wonders that the city has to offer.
day 3 Madrid-Zaragoza-San Sebastian
Depart from our established hotels in Madrid. Please refer to your documentation for detailed departure information. Towards Zaragoza. Free time to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of The Pilar, patroness of Hispanity and stroll through the old streets of Zaragoza. In the afternoon we will continue to San Sebastian, it’s one of the most famous tourist destinations where they hold the International Film Festival. Panoramic city tour of this marvel style bourgeois city, seeing the extraordinary landscape dominated by the bay and the magnificent La Concha Beach.
day 4 San Sebastian-Bilbao-Castro Urdiales-Santander
We will approach Mount Igueldo, to contemplate the marvelous views of the city and then proceed towards Bilbao. Panoramic driver in Bilbao and free time on the esplanade where The Guggenheim Museum is located in order to admire this modern architectural building. Proceed to the old fishing village “Castro Urdiales”. Free time. Departure to Santander, a port city located between the sea and the mountains, well known for its Sardinero Beach, one of the best known beaches in Spain. Free time to stroll through this elegant city.
day 5 Santander-Santillana-Covadonga-Oviedo
Departure to Santillana, it’s one of the most important historical artistic towns in Spain. It contains architectural treasures such as the Collegiate of Santa Juliana, a Jewel of the Romanesque Architecture in Cantabria. Continue to Covadonga, where you will have free time to see the Sanctuary and the Grotto where you will see the patroness of Asturias our Lady of Covadonga. In the afternoon, departure to Oviedo, where you will see on a series of hills the beauty of Saint Maria de Naranco Church, Jewel of the pre Romanic Asturian architecture. Free time to explore Oviedo, many of their streets are pedestrian, where you will be able to see World Heritage sites like The Cathedral, a splendid example of gothic Asturian architecture.
day 6 Oviedo-Lugo-La Coruna
Drive to the Galician region. Arrive to Lugo. Free time to be able to contemplate the Roman remains that still retains like its walls, declared World Heritage. Continue to La Coruña. Brief panoramic driver through the main avenues of this fabulous town driving by the Marine Avenue to admire the elegance of this city with the typical Galician architecture of glass house galleries. Brief stop in one of the wonders of the world the oldest working lighthouse the “Tower of Hercules” dating back from the roman period. Afternoon at leisure where you can assist an optional tour to the Rias Altas.
day 7 La Coruna-Santiago de Compostela
Departure to Santiago de Compostela declared World Heritage as it is one of the most important center of Christian Pilgrimages in Spain as the end of the Camino de Santiago route built during the Roman Empire. City tour where we will see the main square called Obradoiro and also the Cathedral (entrance included) dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. Balance of the day at leisure to explore the narrow cobblestone streets and get the feel of the student atmosphere.
day 8 Santiago de Compostela-Rias Bajas-La Toja-Vigo
Departure towards one of the most marvelous areas of Galicia, the Rias Bajas (Spanish Fjords). Driving through this magnificent landscape we will arrive to La Toja Island, universally known for its spa. Free time and continue to the Ria de Arosa, passing through Pontevedra to arrive to Vigo, situated in the middle of the Rias Baixas.
day 9 Vigo-Viana do Castelo-Porto
Departure to the Portuguese border and then continue via Viana do Castelo, city located between the mouth of the river Miño and Porto, arrive to Porto and your accommodation.
day 10 Porto
Panoramic sightseeing tour of Porto, considered World Heritage city. We admire the Cathedral, Stock Exchange building and Santa Clara church. Afterwards, enjoy a different perspective of the city along the river Douro aboard the Blue Boats Cruise and discover the historic heritage visiting one well known Port Wine Cellars with a wine tasting included. Rest of day at leisure.
day 11 Porto-Coimbra-Fatima
Departure to Coimbra. City seat of one of the oldest universities in Europe and the birthplace of Fado. Free time. Then to Fatima. Center of the Christian Faith and World Pilgrimage Sanctuary with its impressive Basilica and the Cova da Iria Place where the Virgin Mary appeared. The Chapel of the Apparitions, heart of the sanctuary, with the tombs of the three shepherds, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. At night possibility to attend the procession of the candles.
day 12 Fatima-Batalha-Nazare-Alcobaca-Lisbon
Departure to the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline style considered a World Heritage place by UNESCO. Continue to the picturesque fishing town of Nazaré. Free time and continue to Alcobaça (World Heritage) with its Gothic church and Cistercian monastery, whose origins date back to the XII C. Then to Lisbon.
Optional: traditional (live show) of Fado, typical Portuguese song and music with dinner.
day 13 Lisbon
Morning sightseeing tour of the ancient Olissipo, drive through its main squares and avenues, Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Coach Museum, Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square, Liberty Avenue. Afternoon at leisure for you to catch the nostalgic corners of Alfama Quarter, the old city gathered next to its Castle, with old buildings nested in narrow twisting “Ruas” full of color housing the genuine “tabernas” where Fado sounds as a missing past.
day 14 Lisbon-Caceres-Madrid
Departure to Caceres declared UNESCO World Heritage site due to the city’s blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. Walk through its Plaza Mayor and the Old Town with its famous Medieval Quarter. Continue to Madrid.
day 15 Madrid-Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport

Inclusions: Tour escort during the tour, guided visits in Madrid, Santiago, Porto and Lisbon, panoramic sightseeing tours of San Sebastian, Bilbao and La Caruna, air conditioned deluxe motor-coach, breakfast daily.
Hotels 4*: Madrid-Tryp Atocha (Sup: Courtyard Marriott Princesa or Riu Plaza Espana), San Sebastian-Palacio de Aiete, Santander-Hotel Santander, Oviedo-Ayre Ramiro I, La Coruna-Tryp Coruna, Santiago de Compostela-Tryp Santiago, Vigo-Tryp Los Galeones , Porto-Tryp Porto Expo (Sup: Bessahotel Boavista), Fatima-Aurea Fátima/Estrela de Fátima , Lisbon-Roma (Sup: Lutécia).
Notes: Lisbon and Porto Local City Tax is be paid directly to the hotel. This tour may be a combination of different programs. If this applies, there may be a change in the tour escort and passengers during the programs. Bilingual tour.