Duration
16 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Start city
Madrid
Available
April 2025 / October 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.
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. You’ll have some free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll board a traditional Portuguese "Rabelo" boat for a 50-minute cruise along the Douro River, offering a unique view of the city´s beautiful riverside as we pass under the six bridges that span the river, including the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, one of the city´s most famous landmarks. While enjoying the experience, we’ll also have the opportunity to taste a delicious glass of Port wine, the most famous of Portuguese wines, produced in this region and once transported on these very boats. Afterwards, you’ll have free time, and we recommend exploring the medieval Ribeira district, with its narrow, cobblestone streets lined with old merchant houses and charming cafes.
07:00 p.m. - We´ll provide a transfer to the hotel.
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.
10:30 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.
01:45 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.
04:15 p.m. – Departure from León.
06:00 p.m. - Oviedo, the capital of Asturias. We´ll include a one-and-a-half-hour city tour with a local guide, either in the evening or the next morning. During the tour, we´ll visit the 9th century cathedral, the Calatrava palace, the Campoamor theater, the Rúa street and we will also learn about Asturian cider, one of the most deeply rooted traditions of this land. After the visit, we’ll enjoy a traditional Asturian dinner at a typical cider house. Are you ready to taste and try your hand at pouring cider the local way? We’ll spend the night in Oviedo, the vibrant capital of the Principality of Asturias, known for its lively atmosphere.
Scenery: Very beautiful landscapes: mountains, views of the sea, small villages line the road.
08:30 hrs Oviedo-Departure of the Asturian capital.
09:45 hrs Covadonga. - We will visit Basílica which is surrounded by beautiful scenery.
10:45 hrs Covadonga -Departure. The green mountains blend with the sea. Beautiful scenery on the way.
12:30 hrs Santillana. -Arrival to one of Spain’s most beautiful towns. We will visit its well-preserved medieval quarter with its embalzoned houses, the Collegiate church, its cobbled streets. Time to walk and have lunch.. We visit the National Museum and Research Centre of ALTAMIRA (ticket included) located in the vicinity of this town where we can find reproduction of the fantastic rupestrian paintings of the cave.
16:00 hrs Santillana / Altamira-Departure.
16:30 hrs Santander - Arrival to the region’s capital city, a coastal city with amazing vistas and beaches. We will foloow the coast of the port to arrive to the beaches of Sardinero. We include a tourist train tour of the Magdalena Palace gardens , where we will enjoy their magnificent vistas.
Free time in Santander.
NOTE: On some high difficulty dates (especially from April to mid October), some groups can be accommodated in Bilbao.
Paisajes : Grandes vistas sobre el mar, montañas, paisajes verdes de la Cornisa Cantábrica.
09:00 hrs Santander -Salida. Magníficos paisajes. Paso al país Vasco.
10:30 hrs Bilbao. Llegada a la mayor ciudad del País Vasco. Incluimos con guía local, una visita de la ciudad : donde destaca el Museo Guggenheim con su impactante arquitectura exterior y el casco viejo , antiguo núcleo medieval con sus calles llenas de vida y su catedral. Tiempo libre para pasear y almorzar. Recomendamos el Mercado de La Ribera para almorzar que ofrece puestos con la típica gastronomía vasca en una estructura parecida a un barco ubicada frente al río.
14.30 hrs- Bilbao, salida. Tras la hora del almuerzo continuamos nuestro día.
15.15 hrs- Guernica, llegada y tiempo para un paseo en esta localidad cuna del pueblo vasco pero tristemente conocida por ser el lugar donde se libró una de las peores masacres de la Guerra Civil Española recordada en la pintura de Pablo Picasso. Acá se encuentra el árbol de GuerniKa, bajo cuyas ramas se otorgó autonomía al País Vasco en la Edad Media.
16.45 hrs.- Guernica. Seguimos nuestra ruta entre montañas.
18.15 hrs-Hondarribia (Fuenterrabía), parada en uno de los pueblos más bonitos del País Vasco, con sus playas, sus murallas, su ambiente marinero y su centro histórico donde sorprende el trazado cuadriculado de sus calles angostas y adoquinadas. Tiempo para pasear en el casco histórico.
19.45 hrs- Hondarribia, salida.
20.15 hrs- San Sebastián / Donostia . llegada al final de la tarde a la elegante capital de Guipuzcoa. Sugerimos conozca la “Parte Vieja" famosa por sus animados bares de pintxos y su ambiente vibrante, destino popular para los amantes de la gastronomía. Cada establecimiento tiene su propia especialidad y estilo, lo que hace que explorar y probar diferentes pintxos sea una experiencia emocionante y deliciosa.
Scenery: Lush, wooded areas in the Basque Country transition to the vast pine forests of France´s Landes region, eventually giving way to vineyards as we approach Bordeaux.
In the morning, after soaking in the stunning views of San Sebastián Bay from Mount Igueldo, we’ll head to the Miramar Palace and its lovely gardens. You’ll then have some free time to relax on the large beach, stroll along the boulevards, and enjoy lunch in the old town, famous for its lively “pintxos” bars and vibrant atmosphere—a hotspot for food lovers, where each of the bars has its own speciality and style. We´ll include a traditional Basque cuisine pintxo experience, accompanied by a drink.
04:15 p.m. – Departure from San Sebastián. We’ll cross into France through the Basque Country, traveling through the Landes region with its pine forests and lakes. As we near Bordeaux, we’ll be welcomed by the region’s renowned vineyards.
07:15 p.m. - Bordeaux. Our guide will give a brief introduction to the city. You’ll then have free time to explore, and we suggest taking a walk through the city center.
Scenery: Picturesque vineyard landscapes.
Take time to savor the center of Bordeaux, which has been recognized as a World Heritage Site. Prepare to be captivated by the "Water Mirror" and explore the historic old town with its charming pedestrian streets and 11th-century cathedral. Later, you´ll have free time to stroll along the Garonne River banks, lined with quaint restaurants perfect for lunch, or if you wish, you can visit Cité du Vin, an impressive interactive museum that delves into the history and production of wine.
02:00 p.m. Departure from Bordeaux. We will continue our journey towards the Pyrenees.
05:30 p.m. - Arrival in Lourdes. Time to visit the Sanctuary. We recommend attending the candlelight procession, typically held at 9 p.m. from late March to late October. Dinner included.
Scenery: Pyrenees mountain range and snow-covered high peaks.
8:30 a.m. – Departure from Lourdes. We’ll travel to the south of France, passing through the Toulouse Métropole.
11:30 a.m. – Carcassonne. We’ll have time for lunch and a walk in this beautiful town, famous for its medieval walls, impressive castle, and picturesque historic district (La Cité).
02:00 p.m. – Departure from Carcassonne. We´ll continue towards the Pyrenees.
03:30 p.m. – Foix. Brief stop to stroll through this medieval town renowned for the Château de Foix.
04:30 p.m. – Departure from Foix. We’ll continue through the Pyrenees, with their snowy peaks visible year-round, and arrive in Andorra, a small country in the Pyrenees between Spain and France, where the official language is Catalan. On our route, we´ll make a short stop at Sant Joan de Caselles, a small Romanesque church from the 12th century.
07:00 p.m. Andorra la Vella. Arrival in the capital of Andorra. You´ll have free time to explore the city with its bustling commercial life or visit Caldea, the largest thermal spa in Europe. Dinner will be included.
Scenery: Picturesque mountain landscapes with stunning views around the abbey of Montserrat.
Important: Have your passport ready, as there may be occasional border checks.
We’ll spend the morning in Andorra, where you can explore this modern city nestled in the mountains or shop in its large, low-tax shopping centers. Lunch will be at your leisure.
02:00 p.m. - Departure from Andorra. We’ll cross into Catalonia and make our way to the beautiful area where the Benedictine Abbey is located.
04:15 p.m. - Arrival at the foot of Montserrat Mountain. We’ll take a rack train (tickets included) to the abbey, enjoying breathtaking views on the way up.
04:45 p.m. - Arrival at the abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat. You’ll have time to admire the views and visit Santa Maria de Montserrat, the abbey of the patron saint of Catalonia.
06:30 p.m. - Departure from Montserrat by bus.
07:30 p.m. - Arrival in Barcelona.
In the evening we include a transfer to the Maremagnum , an avant-garde leisure center with restaurants facing the sea, next to Plaza Colón, where you can stroll through this lively area and dine.
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. As a way of welcoming you to the city, we’ll include a transfer to the Plaza Mayor. Our guide will show you around the area and recommend places to eat.
Notes:
-In some cases, the journey from Valencia to Madrid might be carried out by train.
-In some cases, the transfer to Plaza Mayor may take place the next day, after the panoramic tour.
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.