Duration
6 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Start city
Madrid
Available
April 2024 / March 2025
Detailed day by day description
Introduction
Dear Traveler: thank you for choosing us to perform this Tour! We hope you enjoy your trip.
Here we give you a guidance on their tour with the information that we believe may be of your interest. The information is indicative, may exist variations on designated hours.
TRANSFER from the airport, if you have it included or purchasing. Our transfer will be waiting for you with a poster on behalf of Europamundo or its name to the output of the custom (after collecting your luggage)..
Remember to inform us by phone if you lost your connection flight or expected delay of their arrival, in your VOUCHER figure the phone of the transfer.
IMPORTANT: If you had additional nights upon arrival the hotel will have your reservation, but his travel guide normally will not be until the night before the start of the tour.
Scenery: Enjoy pleasant landscapes in Castile and León and northern Portugal, featuring mountainous green lands and charming small towns along our route.
Note: There is a time change when crossing into Portugal; please set your watch back one hour.
07:30 a.m. - Departure from Madrid. We´ll travel through Castile towards northern Portugal, making a brief stop at The Four Posts viewpoint to capture a photograph of the magnificent walls of Ávila.
12:00 p.m. - Ciudad Rodrigo. Close to the border with Portugal, we´ll have time to stroll through this walled city with its picturesque streets and cathedral.
1:00 p.m. - Departure from Ciudad Rodrigo. We´ll cross into Portugal and stop for lunch at a service area along our route.
04:00 p.m. (Portuguese time) - Porto. Upon arrival, we´ll embark on a two-hour city tour with a local guide, exploring the Douro River, the historic center declared a World Heritage Site, and the iconic iron bridge. Afterward, we´ll visit one of its century-old wineries, where the famous "Port Wine" is produced.
Note: If the number of passengers between Madrid and Porto is very small, this segment may be conducted by plane, in which case the stop in Ciudad Rodrigo will be canceled.
Scenery: Beautiful green countryside and views over the Rías Baixas.
Note: Remember to bring warm clothes for the boat trip.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Porto.
09:00 a.m. - Arrival in Braga. We´ll visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus and take a trip on the world’s oldest water-operated cable car. After exploring the sanctuary, we recommend descending via its picturesque staircase.
10:15 a.m. - Departure from Bom Jesus. We´ll head to Galicia with stunning views over the Galician estuaries.
13:00 p.m. (12:00 p.m. in Portugal) - Arrival in Cambados. This historic maritime town offers a glass-bottomed boat trip along the Ría de Arousa, where we´ll learn about mussel farming. Onboard, enjoy wine and mussel tastings. Free time to explore Cambados and have lunch follows.
16:00 p.m. - Departure from Cambados.
16:45 p.m. - Arriving in Santiago de Compostela, you´ll embark on a city tour with a local guide, learning about how St. James has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Wander through the medieval streets of the center and marvel at its majestic cathedral.
Note: On certain dates, particularly during the celebration of St. James’ Day, our groups may need to be accommodated in a city near Santiago.
Scenery: Beautiful green hills, villages. Spectacular mountain scenery crossing the Cantabrian Range.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Santiago. Following the ancient Way of St. James, amidst picturesque landscapes, we’ll travel to Lugo.
09:30 a.m. - Lugo - Free time. You can explore its walls, built over 2000 years ago by the Romans and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
11:00 a.m. – Departure from Lugo. We’ll journey to Castile, stopping in O Cebreiro, a charming Galician stone village that offers a glimpse into the region’s traditional way of life.
02:15 p.m. – León. Time for lunch and a stroll in this historic Leonese capital, located on the Way of St. James. Its Gothic cathedral is renowned for its magnificent stained-glass windows.
04:45 p.m. – Departure from León.
06:30 p.m. - Oviedo. We’ll include (sometimes the next morning) a 90-minute city tour with a local guide. Highlights include the ninth-century cathedral, the Calatrava Congressional Palace, the Campoamor Theatre, and the Calle de la Rua. We’ll spend the night in the capital of the Principality of Asturias, a city with a vibrant atmosphere.
Scenery: Very beautiful landscapes: mountains, views of the sea, small villages line the road.
08:30 hrs Oviedo-Departure of the Asturian capital.
09:45 hrs Covadonga. - We will visit Basílica which is surrounded by beautiful scenery.
10:45 hrs Covadonga -Departure. The green mountains blend with the sea. Beautiful scenery on the way.
12:30 hrs Santillana. -Arrival to one of Spain’s most beautiful towns. We will visit its well-preserved medieval quarter with its embalzoned houses, the Collegiate church, its cobbled streets. Time to walk and have lunch.. We visit the National Museum and Research Centre of ALTAMIRA (ticket included) located in the vicinity of this town where we can find reproduction of the fantastic rupestrian paintings of the cave.
16:00 hrs Santillana / Altamira-Departure.
16:30 hrs Santander - Arrival to the region’s capital city, a coastal city with amazing vistas and beaches. We will foloow the coast of the port to arrive to the beaches of Sardinero. We include a tourist train tour of the Magdalena Palace gardens , where we will enjoy their magnificent vistas.
Free time in Santander.
NOTE: On some high difficulty dates (especially from April to mid October), some groups can be accommodated in Bilbao.
Scenery: Breathtaking sea views, picturesque mountains, and lush green landscapes before entering the Castilian plateau.
09:00 a.m. – Departure from Santander, beginning our scenic route towards the Basque Country.
10:30 a.m. – Bilbao. Arrival in the largest city of the Basque Country. We´ll embark on a brief city tour with a local guide, exploring highlights such as the Guggenheim area, the old quarter, and the Cathedral. After the tour, enjoy free time to indulge in authentic "pintxos."
02:15 p.m. – Departure from Bilbao. We´ll journey towards Castile (there may be a bus change on route).
08:30 p.m. – Madrid.
Note: Depending on the number of passengers, the journey from Bilbao to Madrid may be conducted by either regular coach or train service.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.