North of Spain

Experience historic cities, splendid landscapes and modern delights of Spain's North on this fully-escorted coach tour. Here you will find the perfect mix of the old and the new, combining the modern and contemporary architecture of the Guggenheim Art Museum in Bilbao with the historic & religious significance of Santiago de Compostela, the jewel in Galicia's historic& Medieval crown plus Rias Bajas, Spain's stunning Fjords. Enjoy a guided tour of Santiago de Compostela and discover the region's main highlights during our panoramic tours, while ample free time allows you to relax & explore on your own.

Day 1 Barcelona | Zaragoza | San Sebastian

Sunday - An early morning departure from Barcelona sees the tour heading through the countryside towards Zaragoza. Known as the City of Four Cultures, Zaragoza and the villages in and around the surrounding province are awash with history. There will be a short stop here before continuing on to San Sebastian, one of the most beautiful coastal cities of the entire peninsula. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation in San Sebastian. (D)

Day 2 San Sebastian | Bilbao | Santander | Santillana | Torrelavega

Monday - This morning the tour heads for Bilbao and a short panoramic tour of the city, home to the Guggenheim Museum building designed by North American architect Frank O. Gehry, and a magnificent example of the most groundbreaking architecture to have come out of the 20th Century. Continue on to Santander where there will be some free time for lunch on your own. In the afternoon depart to the little village of Santillana del Mar, with its cobblestone streets, ancient buildings and the feeling of timelessness for a short stop. Continue on to Torrelavega for dinner and overnight hotel accommodation (B.D)

Day 3 Torrelavega | Covadonga | Oviedo

Tuesday - Sit back and enjoy this morning's tour traveling through the spectacular scenery of the Picos de Europa Mountains, the limestone mountain range along Spain's north Atlantic coast, to reach the celebrated city of Covadonga. Here there will be free time to visit the shrine before traveling on to Oviedo and dinner and overnight hotel accommodation. (B.D)

Day 4 Oviedo | Gijon | Lugo

Wednesday - The second capital city of the region of Asturias is Gijon and this is the first destination this morning. On arrival enjoy a short panoramic tour before continuing on the quaint town of Luarca steeped in seafaring tradition, to Ribadeo whose estuary forms the natural link between Asturias & the lands of Galicia before reaching Lugo. The city, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, sits inside ancient walls and preserves major remains of its Roman past. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation (B.D)

Day 5 Lugo | La Coruña

Thursday - This morning depart from Lugo and enjoy the trip to La Coruña for a short panoramic tour.In the afternoon there will be an optional excursion to visit the Ri­as Altas travelling through typical villages such as Pontedeume & Betanzos. Dinner & overnight accommodations (B.D)

Day 6 La Coruña | Santiago de Compostela

Friday - Departure to Santiago de Compostela. This legendary pilgrim city is one of the jewels of Spain and here this morning you will enjoy a guided city tour of the spectacular old quarter including the magnificent 11th Century Cathedral erected on the site of the tomb of St James and the adjoining, historic Plaza del Obradoiro. This afternoon will be spent at leisure with time for some relaxation or souvenir shopping. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation. (B.D)

Day 7 Santiago | Rias Bajas | Vigo

Saturday - Depart Santiago this morning and travel through some splendid landscapes to the area of the Rias Bajas (Spanish Fjords). Visit the beautiful La Toja Island and the picturesque Ria de Arosa, the widest of all the estuaries and enjoy the opportunity to see some of the more typical fishing villages of the Ria de Pontevedrea before arriving in Vigo, the nation's most important fishing port for dinner and overnight hotel accommodation. (B.D)

Day 8 Vigo | Salamanca | Madrid

Sunday - On this last day of the tour enjoy breakfast before departing to travel to Salamanca via Zamora. On arrival there will be a short stop to visit the city's Plaza Mayor and the old quarters before continuing on to Madrid where the tour ends. (B)

Guaranteed Departures:

Tour departs every Sunday from March 24 to October 27, 2013.