SHORTLIST

Northern Spain - End Barcelona, Classic Group

See spectacular Spain on this 11-day guided tour. Meet a local on the Green Coast of Asturias — a verdant beach along the wild Cantabrian Sea — for a lunch made of locally sourced ingredients and cider. In Oviedo, join a Local Expert for a tour of the town’s 9th Century churches and the Cathedral of the Holy Savior. See the most beautiful village in Spain, Santillana del Mar, where you can wander cobblestone streets until you reach its scenic town square. Relax at your luxury beach resort in Santander, taking in views of the bay below. In Barcelona, allow a Local Expert to lead you through the city’s Gothic Quarter, through the Roman Gate and to the Sagrada Família, a spectacular basilica with towers that seem to touch the sky and stained-glass windows that are works of art.
Tour details
Tour Provider Insight Vacations
Price From
$4,954
Number of Days
11
Start Location
Madrid, Spain
End Location
Barcelona, Spain
Age Range
Avg. 50+
Group Size
30 to 40
Tour Style
Luxury
Tour Themes
Virtuoso
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate
Itinerary Open all
Welcome to Madrid
Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner in a local restaurant and enjoy an evening of delicious food and wine.
Madrid of the Bourbons
Enjoy sightseeing with your Local Expert as they take you along the main historical areas in the capital of Spain, known as Madrid of the Bourbons. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter, discovering the origins of the city. Learn about the growth of this city, from humble beginnings to a thriving European metropolis. A highlight of your escorted journey will be to visit the Prado Museum. Discover countless works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and others as you are guided by a local art historian. Gain new perspective on classic artworks as your art historian shares historic anecdotes and provides new insights into the Prado's collection. The afternoon is free for you to relax at a café or shop in the boutiques.
Through the Guadarrama Mountains to Santiago
Journey through the Guadarrama Mountains to the infinite horizons of Old Castile and pass the impressive Castillo de la Mota. Continue past historic Tordesillas, and on to Santiago de Compostela.
Saintly Santiago de Compostela Relaxed Start
Explore Santiago de Compostela with Insight Choice. Choose to join a city tour with a Local Expert and visit the cathedral, festooned with architectural frills. Alternatively, embark on a scenic walk along the Way of St. James, through scenic parks and gardens. Relax during your free time, or explore the narrow streets and old city squares.
Along the Costa Verde to Oviedo Relaxed Start
Pass through the ancient forests of Galicia and cross to the Green Coast of Asturias - one of Spain's most beautiful, named after the colour of the sea and the pine and eucalyptus trees that line the shore. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience for lunch. Very popular with locals, enjoy a homemade meal and learn about traditional cider product, including a tasting. Your route reveals glorious coastal vistas before turning inland to travel through old villages and deep valleys en route to Oviedo. Continue on to Oviedo where a Local Expert will show you the 9th century churches built when the city was the capital of Christian Spain. Visit the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour in the stately square of Plaza Alfonso II. Admire the incredible altarpiece, one of the finest in Europe.
Picturesque Santillana del Mar and on to Santander
Visit the Holy Cave of Covadonga, a shrine to Pelayo, who achieved the first Christian victory over the Moors in 722. See the unique Roman bridge in Cangas de Onís as you head into the foothills of the Picos de Europa, a national park boasting spectacular mountain and gorge scenery. Enjoy views of the Costa de Cantabria while travelling to Santillana del Mar, arguably the most beautiful village in Spain. Stroll through the rustic cobblestone streets, admiring stone houses decorated with carved, heraldic symbols and reach the delightful church square. Continue on to the sophisticated beach resort of Santander where you have free time in the evening to enjoy this luxurious hotel.
Bilbao, Costa Vasca and San Sebastián Relaxed Start
In nearby Bilbao, admire the striking modern architecture of the Guggenheim Museum, one of the world's most spectacular buildings. Enjoy the views as you are driven along part of the Costa Vasca, dotted with small coastal fishing villages and pause in the seaside city of Getaria to see 'El Ratón', the mouse-shaped rock. Continue to San Sebastián and admire its beauty as you walk with your Local Expert through the Old Quarter to see the Plaza de la Constituction.
San Sebastián, Pearl of the Cantabrian Coast Relaxed Start
Enjoy a day at leisure to stroll along San Sebastián's boardwalk and with the city harbour filled with fishing boats and pleasure crafts, you can enjoy several sporting activities on its large sandy beach. Perhaps you'll want to explore the nearby French villages of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, also known as Little Paris, and Biarritz. You could also stroll along the promenade of the famous La Concha Bay or enjoy the boutiques of the Old Town.
Pamplona and on to Barcelona
Journey to the famed town of Pamplona, known for its Running of the Bulls festival. With time free for you to explore, take a stroll to the famous Estafeta Street or visit Café Iruña, immortalised by Ernest Hemingway in his novel 'The Sun Also Rises.' Your travels continue to Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia, a land that retains its own distinctive language, culture and traditions.
Barcelona, the City of Gaudí
Wake up ready to embrace the city’s artistic heritage. Join a Local Expert and drive along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district to behold Gaudí’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família. As you venture inside, look above to see its giant, tree-like pillars and spectacular vaulting. Admire the wonderful rainbow of the incredible stained-glass windows. With the afternoon at leisure, you are free to relax or continue your exploration on your own. In the evening, join your Travel Director and newfound friends at a local restaurant. Raise your glass and toast your travels during dinner.
Depart Barcelona
Today, bid farewell to your journey along Spain and Portugal as you transfer to the airport.
Inclusions
  • 10 Breakfast (B)
  • 3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
  • 1 Lunch with Wine (LW)
Departure dates
Start End Availability Price NZD
10 Aug 2024 20 Aug 2024 Available $5,540
07 Sep 2024 17 Sep 2024 Available $5,914
14 Sep 2024 24 Sep 2024 onRequest $6,105
19 Sep 2024 29 Sep 2024 Available $5,189
26 Sep 2024 06 Oct 2024 Available $5,858
12 Oct 2024 22 Oct 2024 Available $4,954
19 Oct 2024 29 Oct 2024 onRequest $6,105
05 Apr 2025 15 Apr 2025 Available $6,262
01 May 2025 11 May 2025 Available $6,133
03 May 2025 13 May 2025 Available $6,133
08 May 2025 18 May 2025 Available $6,133
15 May 2025 25 May 2025 Available $6,469
17 May 2025 27 May 2025 Available $6,469
22 May 2025 01 Jun 2025 Available $6,469
07 Jun 2025 17 Jun 2025 Available $6,236
14 Jun 2025 24 Jun 2025 Available $6,308
21 Jun 2025 01 Jul 2025 Available $6,308
05 Jul 2025 15 Jul 2025 Available $6,573
12 Jul 2025 22 Jul 2025 Available $6,573
26 Jul 2025 05 Aug 2025 Available $6,754
02 Aug 2025 12 Aug 2025 Available $6,754
09 Aug 2025 19 Aug 2025 Available $6,754
16 Aug 2025 26 Aug 2025 Available $6,598
28 Aug 2025 07 Sep 2025 Available $7,194
04 Sep 2025 14 Sep 2025 Available $7,194
06 Sep 2025 16 Sep 2025 Available $7,194
11 Sep 2025 21 Sep 2025 Available $6,469
13 Sep 2025 23 Sep 2025 Available $6,308
18 Sep 2025 28 Sep 2025 Available $6,308
25 Sep 2025 05 Oct 2025 Available $6,055
04 Oct 2025 14 Oct 2025 Available $7,009
11 Oct 2025 21 Oct 2025 Available $7,009
18 Oct 2025 28 Oct 2025 Available $7,009