10-Nights Northern Spain from $2,869

Trafalgar

OFFER ID 1478206

Northern Spain
Go beyond the normal northern Spain trip and immerse yourself in the region’s distinctive culture and history. On this trip, you’ll trace the footsteps of pilgrims, witnessing breathtaking landscapes and timeless traditions.

Dining Summary

1 Welcome Reception (WR)
10 Breakfast (B)
2 Dinner (D)
1 Lunch (L)

Be My Guest

Oviedo: Say salut to traditional Asturian cider and enjoy a local Be My Guest lunch and cider tasting with the Castanon family at their Cider Mill near Oviedo.

Dive Into Culture

Madrid: Visit the Prado Museum in Madrid, where you'll have time to admire its extraordinary collection of European art dating from the 12th to early 20th centuries.

Iconic Experience

Barcelona: With your Local Specialist, see Las Ramblas and the elegant Passeig de Grcia to take in some of the city's finest Modernist architecture. Journey past the beautiful façades of the Eixample district to see Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Família.
Pamplona: Spend time exploring this city, known for its annual Running with the Bulls festival.
San Sebastián: Stroll through San Sebastián's golden-hued Old Town and see the iconic Bahía de la Concha beach.
Bilbao: See the architectural landmark Guggenheim Museum.
Picos de Europa: Admire the stunning lush scenery and distant rocky peaks of the Picos de Europa.
Picos de Europa: Visit the holy cave of Covadonga and see the tomb of Pelayo, the first King of Asturias, who is celebrated for winning the Battle of Covadonga.
Luarca: Stop along the Way of Saint James at Luarca to appreciate the natural setting and historic charm of this quaint fishing village.
Santiago de Compostela: Join a Local Specialist on a visit to Praza do Obradoiro and admire the cathedral façade festooned with architectural frills.
Zamora: See the cathedral of Zamora and the 12th-century Church of Mary Magdalene during an orientation with your Travel Director.
Salamanca: See the handsome arcaded Plaza Mayor, the honey-colored cathedral and the 16th-century university buildings as you explore the city with a Local Specialist.
Madrid: See the highlights of the city with your Local Specialist. Visit the Old Town, traveling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the Cibeles fountain, Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Barcelona: In Barcelona, the talented team at Mescladis, an initiative promoting work opportunities to people victim from social exclusion, introduces us to local and seasonal flavors during our Welcome Dinner. Your experience supports UN Global Goal 4 Quality Education and 10 Reduced Inequalities.

Must-see Highlights

Explore Barcelona, Santiago de Compostela, Salamanca and Madrid
Discover Pamplona, San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander and Oviedo
Discover Pamplona, San Sebastián, Bilbao 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 and the Cathedral and University of Salamanca

Whats Included

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Optional Experiences and free time
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

10 nights from $2,869 per person

Itinerary

Trafalgar Tours: Northern Spain

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. Take the day to delve into centuries of history and the cosmopolitan culture of Barcelona, rambling up Las Ramblas, people-watching in Plaça de Catalunya and admiring the whimsical architecture of Gaudí. This evening, you’ll meet with your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Make Travel Matter® Welcome Reception at Mescladis, followed by an evening drive to see the city's iconic sights.
Accommodations: Abba Sants Barcelona Hotel
Meals: Welcome Reception

Day 2 - Discover Vibrant Barcelona
Join our Local Specialist today as we take in the Gaudi architecture of Passeig De Gracia before admiring the exterior of his unfinished La Sagrada Familia. Later, we pay tribute to Christopher Columbus as we pass the seaside monument that bears his name. Spend the rest of the day on your own to explore the city’s enchanting barrios. Consider joining an Optional Experience to the mountain-top monastery of Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna - affectionately known in Catalonia as La Moreneta.
Accommodations: Abba Sants Barcelona Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Journey to Pamplona
The feisty former capital of Navarre takes center stage. We follow in the footsteps of thousands of exhilarated runners and hot-blooded bulls today. See Pamplona's ancient city walls and Plaza del Castillo, the heart of the city where markets, tournaments and even bullfighting have taken place.
Accommodations: Tres Reyes Pamplona
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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 afternoon for a two-night stay.
Accommodations: Santemar
Meals: Breakfast

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 beaches, 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's El Capricho, built in the late 19th century as a summer villa, then carry on to Santillana del Mar to visit the museum dedicated to the impressive UNESCO-listed Altamira Caves.
Accommodations: Santemar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Scenic Landscapes, Quaint Towns and Oviedo Connect with Locals
Spectacular scenery awaits today as you travel through the dramatic Picos de Europa which sits between two main pilgrim routes where you will encounter several quaint historic market towns. Visit the grotto of 'Our Lady of Covadonga', a famous Marian pilgrimage site, and the pink-hued basilica made from the marble of the surrounding hills. Later we'll Connect With Locals and enjoy a traditional lunch and cider tasting at our Be My Guest experience with the Castañón family at their Cider Mill. This evening is free for you to explore Oviedo at leisure.
Accommodations: Exe Oviedo Centro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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.
Accommodations: Santiago Plaza by Melia
Meals: Breakfast

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 Plaza do Obradoiro, a square dominated by four architectural styles. Consider an Optional Experience to the Rías Baixas for soul-stirring views of the Galician coast. The region has long waterways stretching inland that are said to be the mark left by God's hand when he cleansed himself after creating the world.
Accommodations: Santiago Plaza by Melia
Meals: Breakfast

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 including views of Spain's oldest university and the Cathedral, as well as a walk through the imposing Plaza Mayor, built in the Spanish Baroque style.
Accommodations: Gran Corona Sol
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 - Venture to Stylish Madrid Dive Into Culture
Traveling 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 one of the largest collections of European art in the world. Then, see the Royal Palace, Gran Vía and the neoclassical Cibeles Fountain that has become an iconic symbol for the city of Madrid. Tonight, join your Travel Director and fellow companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner with wine, toasting to a magnificent journey through northern Spain.
Accommodations: Rafael Atocha
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 - Adiós Madrid
For now, it's a fond hasta luego to your newfound friends as our Spanish adventure comes to an end.
Meals: Breakfast

Featured Destinations

Barcelona

Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Spain, is a tremendous place to be. Though it boasts outstanding Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, and some great museums – most notably those dedicated to Picasso and Catalan art – it is above all a place where there's enjoyment simply in walking the streets, stopping in at bars and cafés, drinking in the atmosphere. A thriving port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of the country. In part this reflects the city's proximity to France, whose influence is apparent in the elegant boulevards and imaginative cooking. But Barcelona has also evolved an individual and eclectic cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Scattered as Barcelona's main sights may be, the greatest concentration of interest is around the old town (La Ciutat Vella). These cramped streets above the harbor are easily manageable, and far more enjoyable, on foot. Start, as everyone else does, with the Ramblas.

Excursions

Barcelona: A Walk Through Barcelona and The Sagrada Familia Park Guell for Families- 6 Hours

Your chauffeur and your guide will
be waiting for you at the port. They will be at disposal for 8 hours. Your chauffeur will drive you to the city center of Barcelona.

A Walk Through Barcelona
You will start your day by an exciting 2-hour walking tour of the oldest parts of Barcelona: the Barri Gothic and Born neighborhoods. You will follow your guide as he/she leads you into the small, narrow streets to discover the vibrant, trendy ambiance of Born and the historical atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter. You will see the Santa Maria Del Mar church, the Royal Palace and the world famous “Las Ramblas” avenue. The fun facts and stories
told by our guide will keep your children highly engaged. The children will each get a game booklet to keep them engaged and entertained. After this tour, you will enjoy a
lunch break. Your guide will be there to give recommendations depending on your taste.

Included:

A Walk Through Barcelona:
Private certified guide
2 hour walking tour
Game booklet for
each child
2-hour experience

The Sagrada Familia and Park Güell
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a 3-hour tour inside the two iconic Gaudi sites in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia and the Park Güell. You will follow your guide inside the
jaw-dropping and daring church and listen to the stories about its architecture, construction and future. After 1,5 hours spent in the Sagrada Familia, you will head out to
Park Güell. There you will witness the beauty of Gaudí’s mosaics as well as enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Barcelona. To keep the children entertained during this 3-hour tour, they will all get their own fun-filled game booklet. A perfect way to combine both educational discovery and fun!

The Sagrada Familia and

Park Güell:
Private certified guide
Skip-the-line tickets to
Sagrada Familia and
Park Güell
Transfer in a private
mini van
Game booklet for
each child
3-hour experience

At the end of the tour, depending on your cruise departure time, your chauffeur will drive you back to the port.

Art and Architecture in Barcelona (8 hours)

Gaudi’s Barcelona (4 hours)

Pamplona

Also known by its Basque name of Iruna, Pamplona, Spain, is a proud, prosperous, devout and usually conservative town with city walls and cobbled streets. The city, 195 mi/315 km northeast of Madrid, is the capital of the green province-region of Navarra, which borders France.

The central square is the Plaza del Castillo, dominated by the Neo-classical Palacio del Gobierno de Navarra and also home to one of Spain's finest cafes, the Cafe Iruna. The streets of the old town fill the space between this square and the cathedral, largely Gothic in style but with a facade added in the 18th century. The other main sight not to miss is the Museo de Navarra in a converted hospital, which has some large Roman mosaics among its other historical and archaeological exhibits.

The town's sedate personality gets turned upside down during the fiesta of San Fermin that runs 6-14 July each year. Immortalized in Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, the fiesta's most famous event is the running of the bulls. Each day at 8 am, the brave, foolish or drunk take to the narrow, barricaded streets to run alongside (or away from) six fighting bulls.

Less dangerous (but still exhausting) are the other activities that run the full week of the festival, including parades of giant figures, marauding bands, fireworks, endless dancing and lots of drinking.

If you can handle only a day or two of such merriment, try to make it to the first day or two of the fiesta (the weekend is the busiest time). The celebration that explodes at noon on 6 July is an incredible sight (plan to be soaked by champagne).

If you hope to stay in the city, accommodations should be booked at least a year in advance—be sure to get a room facing away from the street because the noise is relentless. Temporary campsites are set up on the outskirts of the city, and shuttle buses provide transport into town. Note also that petty crime is rife at this time.

Pamplona makes a good base from which to explore the rest of Navarra. Highlights of the province are the restored fairy-tale castle at Olite, the carved portal of the church at Sanguesa, the medieval town of Estella (Lizarra), the pilgrim bridge at Puente La Reina, the two monasteries of La Oliva and Leyre, Javier Castle (birthplace of St. Francis Xavier) and, near the French border, the tiny town of Roncesvalles, a traditional starting point for pilgrims heading across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia via the Saint James' Way.

Santander

Oviedo

Santiago de Compostela

Salamanca

Madrid

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

09/28/2024 - 10/08/2024

from $2,869 per person *

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $2,869 per person

Length

10 Nights

Air City

Call for airfares from your city.

Vacation Rating

Deluxe
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.

Remarks

Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discounts. Trip prices and discounts are subject to change. Airfare is additional. Tour prices, dates and itineraries are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Other restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1478206

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

North Bay Travel Group

(707) 484-3836

10-Nights Northern Spain from $2,869

Excursions

Barcelona: A Walk Through Barcelona and The Sagrada Familia Park Guell for Families- 6 Hours

Art and Architecture in Barcelona (8 hours)

Gaudi’s Barcelona (4 hours)

Excursions

Introducing Santiago de Compostela (8 hours)

Vacation Details

North Bay Travel Group