17 Day Northern Spain & Portugal Premium Small Group Tour

Welcome to Spain! Upon arriving at the airport, you'll transfer to your hotel. Later, meet your tour leader for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where you can connect with your fellow travelers while enjoying a lovely evening filled with delicious food and wine. Special InformationWe recommend you select flights that arrive no later than 5 PM so you can enjoy the itinerary from the beginning. Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a morning city tour of Barcelona. Drive along the main avenues, admiring Gaudi's stunning modernist buildings like La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. Visit Montjuïc Park for breathtaking views of the city and harbour, see the Olympic Ring, the Columbus Monument, and the Olympic Port. Then, explore Barcelona's most iconic landmark, the Sagrada Familia. Next, head to Port Vell to board a catamaran for a scenic sail along Barcelona's beautiful coastline. Upon arrival, the crew will greet you with a complimentary drink, and a traditional local tapa to kick off your Mediterranean experience. Relax in the shaded aft seats to enjoy the sea breeze or sunbathe on the forward nets for a closer connection to the water. This experience is the perfect way to appreciate Barcelona from every angle. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring the city. Overnight accommodation at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart southwest through an industrial and agricultural region significant in Europe. Arrive in Zaragoza, the capital of Aragón, located along the banks of the Ebro River, the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula. Enjoy some free time to admire the stunning Baroque architecture of the Basilica-Temple of Our Lady of the Pillar. Next, continue to Pamplona, renowned for its annual San Fermín festival. This historic city, with roots dating back to Roman times, boasts a variety of cultural and architectural attractions, including its medieval old town and the Gothic-style Cathedral. From Pamplona, depart for Bilbao. Overnight accommodation at the hotel. Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 7.5 hours.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a city tour of Bilbao to explore its latest developments. You'll have free time to wander the esplanade where the Guggenheim Museum is located, allowing you to admire this stunning modern architectural marvel. In the afternoon, continue to San Sebastián, a renowned tourist destination known for its International Film Festival. Take a panoramic city tour of this beautiful bourgeois city, taking in the breathtaking views of the bay and the famous La Concha beach. We'll visit Mount Igueldo for spectacular vistas of the city. After some free time to stroll through this elegant destination, return to Bilbao for dinner at a local restaurant to savour the famous Basque “pintxos,” the region's version of tapas. Overnight accommodation at the hotel. Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to Asturias, known as Green Spain. Our first stop is the charming old fishing village of Castro Urdiales, where you'll have some free time to explore. Then, continue on to Santander, a picturesque port city nestled between the sea and the mountains, famous for its beautiful Sardinero Beach. Overnight accommodation at the hotel. Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for Santillana del Mar, one of Spain's most significant historical towns. Here, you'll find architectural gems like the Collegiate of Santa Juliana, a stunning example of Romanesque architecture in Cantabria. Next, head to Covadonga, where you'll have free time to visit the Sanctuary and the Grotto, home to the patroness of Asturias, Our Lady of Covadonga. In the afternoon, continue to Oviedo, where you'll admire the beautiful Church of Saint Maria de Naranco, a highlight of pre-Romanesque Asturian architecture. Take some time to explore Oviedo, where many streets are pedestrian-friendly. You'll encounter World Heritage sites, including the Cathedral, a magnificent example of Gothic Asturian architecture. In the evening, enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers at a traditional cider house. Overnight accommodation at the hotel. Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to Galicia. On the way to Lugo, we'll stop briefly in Mondoñedo, where you'll have some free time to visit the 13th-century Cathedral and sample the delicious “Mondoñedo cake.” Continue your journey to Lugo, where you'll have time to explore its Roman remains, including the impressive walls that have been declared a World Heritage site. Finally, we'll arrive in Santiago de Compostela, also a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most important centre for Christian pilgrimages in Spain, marking the end of the Camino de Santiago. Overnight accommodation at the hotel. Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before joining a city tour of Santiago. You'll visit the main square, Obradoiro, and the Cathedral dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. After the tour, the rest of the day is yours to explore the charming narrow cobblestone streets at your leisure. Overnight accommodation at the hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for one of Galicia's most stunning regions, the Rías Baixas (Spanish Fjords). Continue to the Ría de Arosa, where you'll embark on a cruise that includes a tasting of local wines and mussels. Afterward, head toward the Portuguese border and arrive in Porto. Nestled along the estuary of the Douro River, Porto is one of Europe's oldest towns and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Overnight accommodation at the hotel. Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a guided sightseeing tour of Porto. You'll admire the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange building, and Santa Clara Church. Next, enjoy a Douro River cruise and explore the famous Port wine cellars, complete with a wine tasting experience. Afterward, the rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. Overnight accommodation at the hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend the day at your leisure. In the evening, you'll have the chance to experience a traditional fado show while enjoying dinner with your fellow travellers. Overnight accommodation at the hotel.

After breakfast, we depart for Aveiro, famous for its picturesque canals that have earned it the nickname “The Venice of Portugal.” Here, you'll enjoy a ride on a moliceiro, a traditional colorful boat that navigates the canals. Next, we'll head to Coimbra, where a local guide will lead you on a tour of this historic city. You'll explore its prestigious university (one of the oldest in Europe), charming medieval streets, and lovely riverfront. Overnight accommodation at the hotel. Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for the Batalha Monastery, a stunning masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline architecture recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Next, we'll visit the picturesque fishing town of Nazaré, where you'll have some free time to explore before continuing on to Lisbon. In Lisbon, we'll cross the Tagus River to Cacilhas, where you'll enjoy a seafood dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight accommodation at the hotel. Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

After breakfast, embark on a morning sightseeing tour of ancient Olissipo. You'll drive through the main squares and avenues, visiting iconic sites such as Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, the Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square, and Liberty Avenue. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the nostalgic corners of the Alfama Quarter, the old city nestled near its castle. Wander through its narrow, winding streets filled with colourful buildings and authentic tabernas. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy this magnificent city at your leisure. Overnight accommodation at the hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for Mérida, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved Roman ruins, including the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre. Take time to explore its rich historical heritage before continuing on to Madrid. Overnight accommodation at the hotel. Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a guided city tour to discover the beauty of Madrid. Explore the Barrio de la Morería, the Hapsburgs District, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa. Learn about the Madrid of the Bourbons and the urban planning of Charles III, visiting the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains, and the Puerta de Alcalá. You'll also see contemporary Madrid, including Gran Vía, Castellana, and the Salamanca district, as well as the commercial and financial areas and Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. During the visit, indulge in the traditional treat of chocolate with churros, a quintessential Madrid snack. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to continue exploring the city's wonders. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner. Overnight accommodation at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll be transferred to the airport for your departure. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special InformationDeparture transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.If you choose to extend your stay (e.g., departing after the final tour date) and have booked your additional accommodation independently, this included service will be forfeited and no refund will be issued. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.