Duration
13 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.
Welcome to Europamundo!
IMPORTANT: If you requested additional nights, your room will be ready upon arrival at the hotel, but your trip guide will only contact you when the included activities begin. At the reception, you will find an information sign with our staff’s telephone number and hours of assistance. Until then, you have free time to enjoy at your leisure. The hotel staff can assist you with any information you need.
Note: The schedules in this itinerary are for reference. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance your experience.
In the evening, we’ll provide transfers to Plaza Mayor and La Latina, Madrid’s most famous neighborhoods for nightlife and tapas restaurants. You can choose to dine at a restaurant of your preference—options include Indian, Chinese, Spanish, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
We´ll then visit Retiro Park, a serene oasis in the heart of the city, where we’ll see the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. Our next stop will be the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the iconic home of Real Madrid. Here, we’ll explore the areas reserved for players, the public sections, and a small museum dedicated to the team, often hailed as the best in the world.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
In the evening, we will return to the hotel.
Scenery: Wide open pastures in Extremadura, picturesque walled towns in Portugal, and arrival in Lisbon via the breathtaking suspension bridge over the Tagus River.
Note: There´s a time change when crossing into Portugal; remember to set your watch back one hour (when it´s 12:00 p.m. in Spain, it will be 11:00 a.m. in Portugal).
07:45 a.m. – Departure from Madrid (departure time may vary slightly depending on the starting point). We´ll journey through Castile and Extremadura.
12:15 p.m. - Mérida, the capital of Extremadura. Admission included to the archaeological complex of the Roman Theater and Amphitheater, the largest in the Iberian Peninsula and a World Heritage Site. It´s renowned not only for its excellent state of preservation but also as a testament to the significance of shows and entertainment in Ancient Rome. Mérida also has a vibrant pedestrian historic center with plenty of options for lunch.
03:30 p.m. – Departing from Mérida, we´ll enjoy beautiful landscapes of vast pastures. We´ll then cross into Portugal and enter the Alentejo region.
04:30 p.m. (Portuguese time) – Évora. We’ll arrive in the capital of Alentejo, one of the most ancient cities in Portugal, declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Time to have a walk through the historic center with its white streets, cathedral, and old churches, a taste of southern Portugal.
06:30 p.m. – Departure from Évora.
08:00 p.m. – Lisbon.
Note: If there are very few passengers, the journey from Madrid to Mérida may be conducted by public transport (regular bus or train).
08:30 p.m. - We’ll return to the hotel from the lively Restauradores Square , filled with vibrant bars and cafes.
Scenery: Pleasant green landscapes, hills, historic cities.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Lisbon.
09:45 a.m. – Fátima. We’ll have time to visit the Sanctuary, a significant pilgrimage site marking the apparitions of Our Lady to the Three Shepherd Children. The chapel was built in 1919 at the location of the 1917 apparitions in Cova de Iria, and the Sanctuary has since expanded to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.
11:30 a.m. – Departure from Fátima.
02:00 p.m. – Porto. We’ll have time for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll go on a panoramic tour of approximately two hours with a local guide of this coastal city at the mouth of the Douro River. The historic center, with its cobbled streets and colorful houses, is renowned for its imposing bridges and has been declared a World Heritage Site. At the end of the panoramic tour, we’ll visit one of its historic cellars where the famous Port wine is produced. You’ll have free time at leisure.
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: Enjoy breathtaking views of mountains, the sea, and quaint villages along the route.
08:30 a.m. – Departure from Oviedo, the capital of Asturias.
09:45 a.m. - Covadonga - Time to visit the sanctuary nestled in the mountains, the historic site where the Reconquista of Spain began.
10:45 a.m. – Departure from Covadonga. As we travel, the lush green mountains blend with views of the sea, creating stunning scenery along the way.
12:30 p.m. - Santillana - Arrival in this charming medieval village, known for its stone streets, stately houses, and the Collegiate Church. Enjoy some time to explore and have lunch. Nearby, we’ll visit the Altamira Cave Museum, which features a replica of the amazing prehistoric rock paintings found there (tickets included).
04:00 p.m. – Departure from Santillana/Altamira.
04:30 p.m. - Santander - Arrival in the regional capital, a coastal city offering impressive views of both mountains and beaches. We´ll enjoy a panoramic tour of a little over 2 hours with a local guide to explore this elegant city and its beautiful bay and cliffs. The tour includes a stroll through the Pereda Gardens, a visit to the Centro Botín, and a stop at the Cathedral Square. We’ll then continue by bus to the Magdalena Peninsula, Sardinero Beach, the Gran Casino, Piquío Gardens, and Cabo Mayor Lighthouse, where you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the city and its dramatic cliffs. Arrival at the hotel is expected around 6:45 p.m.
Scenery: Enjoy magnificent sea views, beautiful mountains, and lush green landscapes throughout the journey.
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. Journey onwards to La Rioja, renowned for its exceptional wines.
03:45 p.m. – Wine Culture Museum. Visit this fascinating museum and winery in the charming town of Briones. Explore the rich historical legacy and craftsmanship of winemaking, with admission and a wine tasting included.
05:15 p.m. – Departure from Wine Culture Museum.
07:45 p.m. – Zaragoza. Arrival and time to settle into your accommodation. We recommend taking a stroll through the old town to soak in the city´s charm.
Scenery: Semi-desert landscapes in Aragon, and pleasant scenery in Catalonia.
After breakfast, we’ll go on a panoramic tour of Zaragoza guided by a local expert. Our first stop will be the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. We´ll also delve into the works of the famous painter Goya and discover some of his masterpieces. The tour will move on to the Roman theatre and a Renaissance palace, and then we’ll take a stroll by the Aljafería Palace. After the tour, you’ll have free time for lunch and a walk.
02:30 p.m. - Departure from Zaragoza.
05:00 p.m. – Poblet Abbey. Admission is included to this walled monastery, set amidst beautiful landscapes. It is one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world.
06:15 p.m. - Departure from Poblet Abbey. We’ll cross rich agricultural regions of central Catalonia.
08:00 p.m. - Barcelona.
06:30 p.m. - In the evening, we’ll include a transfer to Maremagnum, a modern entertainment and dining center by the sea, near Plaza de Colón. You can explore this lively area and enjoy dinner.
08:30 p.m. - Return to the hotel.
Scenery: We’ll follow the Levantine coast, traveling between the Mediterranean Sea and landscapes dotted with orchards, citrus groves, and rice fields, before arriving in Valencia. The journey also takes us through the arid lands of the peninsular interior.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Barcelona. We’ll travel to the Valencian Community along the Levantine coast.
10:45 a.m. - Peniscola. Dominating the sea with its imposing walls, this historic center, with its steep streets, white houses, and medieval castle, tells tales of popes and pirates. Peniscola is one of the most beautiful villages on the Spanish Mediterranean. You’ll have time for a walk.
12:30 p.m. - Departure from Peniscola.
02:30 p.m. - Valencia. Free time in the center for lunch. We suggest visiting the Lonja and the Cathedral. Why not try an authentic Valencian paella?
04:30 p.m. - Departure from Valencia. After passing through the avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences, we’ll continue towards Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid.
09:00 p.m. - Madrid.
Note: In some cases, the journey from Valencia to Madrid might be carried out by train.
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.