Northern Spain - End Madrid, Classic Group
Tour Type: Regional
Brochure Type Europe & Britain Premium 2025 v1
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.
Additional Included Highlights
Brochure Type Europe & Britain Premium 2025 v1
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.
Additional Included Highlights
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, y
- Rueda Some of Spain's finest wines hail from the Rueda region. During your tasting, learn about the Verdejo grape and what to look for in a fresh white.
- Barcelona At a typical Catalan restaurant, savor a delicious Celebration Dinner that incorporates classic cooking with the freshest produce.
- Madrid Join your Travel Director at 1800 for a Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travelers over a beautiful evening of delicious food and wine.
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Santiago de Compostela Embark on a scenic walk on part of the Way of St. James with a Local Expert, through parks and gardens that transform with the seasons.
- Santiago de Compostela Join a city tour with a Local Expert and visit Praza do Obradoiro to admire the cathedral facade festooned with architectural frills.
- 1 Lunch with Wine (LW)
- 3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- Madrid Witness the world's finest collection of Spanish paintings, plus an impressive international collection, as you tour the Prado Museum with an art historian.
- Gijon Meet Flor, a local of Gijón, for a delicious meal of locally sourced produce that she has prepared just for you.
- Madrid See the highlights of the city with your Local Expert. Visit the Old Town, traveling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles, the Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace, before crossing the Puerta del Sol.
- Picos de Europa Venture into this magnificent national park to admire the stunning picturesque scenery and rocky trails.
- Santillana del Mar Step back in time when you visit this perfectly preserved and 'most beautiful village in Spain.'
- Barcelona With your Local Expert, drive down Las Ramblas and the elegant Passeig de Gràcia to witness some of the finest Modernist architecture. Journey through the Eixample district to see Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Famíl
- Bilbao See the spectacular modern Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry and sites of this Basque region gem during your orientation with your Travel Director.
- Getaria See the rock known as El Ratón or the mouse.
- Picos de Europa Visit the holy cave of Covadonga and see the tomb of Pelayo who is celebrated for winning the Battle of Covadonga against the Muslim Moors in 722 and later became the first King of Asturias.
- Pamplona Spend free time exploring this city, known for its annual Running with the Bulls festival.
- San Sebastián Led by your Local Expert, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Quarter including Plaza de la Constitucion.
- Barcelona Venture inside Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família and marvel at the contrasts of architecture. Above see its giant, tree-like pillars and spectacular vaulting. Admire the wonderful rainbow of the incredible stained-glass win
- Oviedo Led by your Local Expert, see 1,000-year-old wall paintings in some of Europe's oldest churches. Admire the incredible altarpiece, one of the finest in Europe, when you visit the Cathedral of the Holy Savior.
- Santiago de Compostela Embark on a scenic walk on part of the Way of St. James with a Local Expert, through parks and gardens that transform with the seasons.
- Santiago de Compostela Join a city tour with a Local Expert and visit Praza do Obradoiro to admire the cathedral facade festooned with architectural frills.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical
Call (408) 365-3900 for more information or to book today! Mention code 18824500
- Tour Operator
- Insight Vacations
- Offer
- Offer valid through 12/30/2024
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Madrid | Welcome to Madrid: Join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travelers over an evening of delicious food and wine. Accommodations: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, Radisson Red Paseo Del Arte |
| Day 2 | Madrid | 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 cafe or shop in the boutiques. Accommodations: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, Radisson Red Paseo Del Arte |
| Day 3 | Santiago de Compostela | 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. Accommodations: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela. |
| Day 4 | 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. Accommodations: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela. |
| Day 5 | OVIEDO | 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 color 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 Savior in the stately square of Plaza Alfonso II. Admire the incredible altarpiece, one of the finest in Europe. Accommodations: Barceló Oviedo Cervantes. |
| Day 6 | Santander | 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 traveling 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. Accommodations: Eurostars Hotel Real, Santander. |
| Day 7 | Donostia-San Sebastian | 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. Accommodations: Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián. |
| Day 8 | Donostia-San Sebastian | 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 harbor 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? Maybe stroll the promenade of the famous La Concha bay or enjoy the boutiques of the Old Town? Accommodations: Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián. |
| Day 9 | Barcelona | 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 Cafe Iruña, immortalized 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. Accommodations: Hilton Barcelona. |
| Day 10 | Barcelona | 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 your delightful Celebration Dinner. Accommodations: Hilton Barcelona. |
| Day 11 | Madrid | Depart Madrid: Today, bid farewell to your journey of Northern Spain as you transfer to the airport. Accommodations: |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- Twin prices are per person.
- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
- For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.
- Hotel Class Key: D: Deluxe SF: Superior First Class F: First Class
