Northern Spain and Portugal

Embark on a morning city tour of Barcelona. Drive along the main avenues with its impressive Gaudi modernist buildings such as La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. The Montjuïc Park with spectacular views of the city and harbour, Olympic Ring, monument to Columbus and the Olympic Port. Visit the most important landmark in the city of Barcelona, Sagrada Familia. Continue to Port Vell to board a catamaran and sail along the beautiful coastline of Barcelona. Upon arrival, the crew will welcome you on board with music, a courtesy drink and a typical local tapa to start the experience in Mediterranean style. You can sit in the shaded aft seats to feel the sea breeze or lie on the forward nets in the sun to tan and be closer to the sea. This experience is the ideal complement to get to know Barcelona from all perspectives. The afternoon is at leisure for you to keep on discovering this city. Overnight Barcelona.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart southwest along an industrial and agricultural area with certain relevance within Europe. Arrive to Zaragoza, capital city of Aragón, within the banks of Ebro River, the most copious within the Iberian Peninsula. Free time to see the impressive Baroque architecture of the Basilic-Temple of Our Lady Pilar. Continue to Pamplona, internationally famous for its annual San Fermín festival, a city rich in history, with roots dating back to Roman times, and offers a variety of cultural and architectural attractions, including its medieval old town and the Gothic-style Cathedral. Depart to Bilbao for an overnight stay.

This morning depart on a city tour to discover Bilbao’s most recent developments. There will be time at leisure for you to explore the esplanade where The Guggenheim Museum is located. In the afternoon, continue to San Sebastian, one of the most famous tourist destinations where they hold the International Film Festival. There will be a panoramic city tour of this marvel style bourgeois city, seeing the extraordinary landscape dominated by the bay and the magnificent La Concha beach. Approach Mount Igueldo, to contemplate the marvellous views of the city. Free time to stroll through this elegant city. Return to Bilbao and head out for dinner at a local restaurant to taste the famous typical “pintxos”, Basque name for tapas. Overnight Bilbao.

Today you are bound for Asturias, famous Green Spain. Proceed to the old fishing village “Castro Urdiales” where there will be time at leisure to explore. Later depart to Santander, a port city located between the sea and the mountains, well known for its Sardinero Beach. Overnight Santander.

This morning you will leave Santander and head for Santillana del Mar, 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, depart for 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 its streets are pedestrian, where you will be able to see World Heritage sites like The Cathedral, a splendid example of gothic Asturian architecture. This evening join your fellow travellers to dine at a traditional cider house. Overnight Oviedo.

Today you are bound for Galician lands. On the way to Lugo, take a short stop at Mondoñedo where there will be time at leisure to visit the 13th century Cathedral and try the delicious “Mondoñedo cake”. Continue to Lugo. Time at leisure to explore the Roman remains, among them the ancient wall, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Finally approach Santiago de Compostela´s holy land, declared World Heritage, as it is the most important centre of Christian Pilgrimages in Spain as the end of the Camino de Santiago. Accommodation for two nights in Santiago de Compostela.

This morning join a Santiago city tour where you will see the main square called Obradoiro and the Cathedral (entrance included) dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the narrow cobblestone streets. Overnight Santiago de Compostela.

Depart towards one of the most marvellous areas of Galicia, the Rias Bajas (Spanish Fjords). Continue to the Ria de Arosa, where you will take a cruise, with tasting of the typical wines and mussels. Later journey to the Portuguese border to reach Porto. Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European towns and proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Accommodation for three nights in Porto.

This morning take a guided sightseeing tour of Porto. Admire the Cathedral, Stock Exchange building and Santa Clara church. Afterwards, embark on a Douro River Cruise and discover famous Port Wine Cellars with a wine tasting experience included. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight Porto.

Day at leisure to further explore this fascinating city. This evening head out to share a typical fado show and dinner with your fellow travellers. Overnight Porto.

Leave Porto this morning and head for Aveiro, known for its picturesque canals, which have earned it the nickname “The Venice of Portugal”. Here you will get to ride on a moliceiro, a traditional colourful boat used for navigating the canals of Aveiro, before heading to Coimbra located on the banks of the river Mondego. Meet with the local guide for a tour of Coimbra, an historic city known for its prestigious university (one of the oldest in Europe), charming medieval streets and beautiful riverfront. Overnight Coimbra.

Morning 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 to explore then continue to Lisbon for a two-night stay. This evening you will cross the Tagus River to Cacihas and experience dinner at a local restaurant featuring seafood. Overnight Lisbon.

This morning, join a city sightseeing tour of the ancient Olissipo (Lisbon). Drive through the main squares and avenues. See the Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square and Liberty Avenue. The afternoon will be 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 colour and housing the genuine “tabernas”. Overnight Lisbon.

This morning you will head back to Spain and travel to Merida, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its well-preserved Roman ruins, including the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre. Explore its rich historical heritage before continuing to Madrid where accommodation is reserved for two nights.

Discover the beauties of the city with a guided city tour. During the tour today you will see the Barrio de la Morería, the Hapsburgs District, 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. Discover contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, as well as the commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. During your tour there will be an opportunity to taste the typical chocolate with churros, the most Madrid-style snack. The afternoon is at leisure for you to continue exploring the wonders that the city has to offer. This evening join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner. Overnight Madrid.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

• 16 nights' first-class hotel accommodation as specified (or similar)
• Private transfers Barcelona Airport/Hotel and Madrid Hotel/Madrid Airport
• Transportation as per itinerary in air-conditioned deluxe coach
• Professional English-speaking Tour Director throughout the tour
• Guided city tour with local guides in Barcelona (Sagrada Familia entrance included), Madrid, Bilbao, Santiago (Cathedral ticket included), Porto and Lisbon.
• Daily breakfast
• Welcome dinner in Barcelona
• Catamaran sailing experience in Barcelona
• Pintxos Dinner in Bilbao
• Dinner and cider tasting in traditional cider house in Oviedo
• Mussels and wine tasting in a Rias Baixas cruise
• Fado show and dinner in Porto
• Douro River Cruise and port wine tasting in Porto
• Cruise along the Aveiro estuary in a typical moliceiro
• Dinner in a local restaurant in Lisbon (seafood)
• Chocolate & Churros tasting in Madrid
• Farewell dinner in Madrid
• 24/7 local operator support on tour
• Spain and Portugal Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Barcelona, Lisbon and Porto Local City Tax are not included, to be paid directly to the hotels
• Porterage
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Departure taxes
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Travel Insurance (compulsory)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above