Active pace with longer touring days. Expect intermittent walking at a moderate pace for 2–3 hours over a variety of terrain, including cobblestones, hills and uneven pavements. Must be able to negotiate stairs of varying heights, sometimes without handrails. Can tolerate periods of standing during guided tours and be able to climb in/out of various modes of transportation. Some days may include 5–7 km of walking over the course of the day.
We fly to Bilbao via Amsterdam.
We arrive in Bilbao and transfer to our hotel. Later we gather for our Welcome Dinner at the hotel.
Explore Bilbao’s historic Old Quarter and admire landmarks such as the Gothic Church of Santiago. Visit the iconic Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry (entrance included), before enjoying a free afternoon to continue exploring the museum or stroll through the city at your own pace.
Travel along the scenic Basque Coast, enjoying beautiful landscapes and charming villages. Visit elegant San Sebastián, famed for La Concha Bay, and enjoy a guided city tour with free time to explore. Continue to Albaola Maritime Heritage Museum to learn about the Basque whalers and fishermen who sailed to Atlantic Canada in the early 16th century.
Travel to Pamplona, renowned worldwide for the Running of the Bulls during the San Fermín festival. Explore its well-preserved medieval old town and visit the iconic Pamplona Cathedral. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Bilbao.
Visit the Maritime Museum in Bilbao, followed by a relaxing boat cruise along the Nervión River to Getxo. See the iconic Hanging Bridge, an architectural marvel and the world’s first bridge to carry traffic on a high suspended gondola. Enjoy a walk through the charming fishing village of Algorta before returning to Bilbao.
Discover La Rioja, including Haro’s historic quarter and the vineyards of Rioja Alavesa. Enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at a bodega, visit Frank Gehry’s striking City of Wine, and explore the medieval old town of Laguardia.
Travel to Santander, a refined coastal city of elegant palaces, seaside promenades, and bay-front architecture. See highlights including the historic Cathedral and enjoy time to appreciate the city’s grand 19th-century atmosphere. Continue to Oviedo for overnight, a city rich in history and cultural heritage
This morning we explore Oviedo’s charming old town, with its historic squares, cobblestone streets, chigres (cider bars), and the Cathedral of San Salvador. We then continue to León, where the Gothic cathedral’s stained-glass windows are impressive, and the exquisite Romanesque art at San Isidoro is not to be missed. We also admire the façade of the former pilgrim hospital of San Marcos, now a luxurious Parador.
Travel through the scenic Bierzo region, with its charming valleys, mountains, and lakes, before arriving in Lugo. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and relax.
Our city tour of Lugo includes its exceptionally well-preserved Roman walls, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterwards, enjoy a typical Galician farm lunch featuring local cheeses and produce. The afternoon is at leisure, followed by dinner at a local restaurant with Galicia’s traditional queimada beverage.
Explore Santiago de Compostela with a local guide, strolling through the charming streets of the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the magnificent Romanesque Cathedral of St. James, a major pilgrimage destination for Christians across Europe. The afternoon is free for leisure.
Enjoy a full day touring A Coruña, the “Crystal City,” famous for its ocean-facing glass-fronted houses. Explore María Pita Square, pass San Antón Castle with the world’s oldest functioning lighthouse, and admire panoramic views from Mount San Pedro. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Later, visit Cape Finisterre, the historic final destination for many pilgrims on the Way of St. James.
We return to Bilbao for our final 2 nights in Spain.
A day at leisure for last minute exploration and shopping in Bilbao. This evening is our Farewell Dinner at the hotel.
We fly home via Amsterdam.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (120 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
