PORTUGAL AND NORTH SPAIN TOUR 13 DAYS

PORTUGAL AND NORTH SPAIN TOUR 13 DAYS

Itinerary

DAY 1. LISBON AIRPORT – LISBON

Arrival in airport. Transfer to Lisbon for a panoramic view of the Portugal’s hilly capital with a local guide. It is a coastal city known for its café culture and soulful Fado music. From imposing São Jorge Castle (exterior), the view encompasses the old city’s pastelcolored buildings, Tagus Estuary and the 25 de abril Ponte (suspension bridge). Free time for lunch by the customer. In the afternoon we meet with our local guide for visiting the Belém Tower and Jeronimos Monastery (included) which became a burial place, for kings, and later poets. Today it is a part of Portuguese culture and identity. In 1983 UNESCO classified it as a «World Heritage Site». Once we back to Lisbon downtown, you have free time to discover the city by strolling about Alfama quarter or taking a coffee in Brasileira Café or doing some shopping in Rua Augusta. Accommodation in hotel in Lisbon.

DAY 2. LISBON – ÉVORA

After breakfast, we start our trip towards Évora. A very well preserved old town Centre, still partially enclosed by medieval walls, has a large number of monuments dating from various historical periods, including a Roman Temple, is a la UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch by the customer. We will have the option to walk around, in as many people say, «the most beautiful city of Portugal». Accommodation in Évora.

DAY 3. VILA VIÇOSA – ALTER DO CHÃO – AL- MOUROL – TOMAR – FÁTIMA

Breakfast. We move to the center of Portugal. We stop at Villa Viçosa to admire its majestic palace in the middle of Alentejo. We continue to Alter do Chão, ideal for walking around the old town with its castle and churches. Lunch by the customer. Go on our trip to Almourol, where we make a must stop at its medieval castle, located on a small islet in the middle of the Tagus River. Our next destination, Tomar, this town was born inside the walls of the Convento de Cristo; and later we arrive in Fátima. Accommodation in hotel in Fátima.

DAY 4. FÁTIMA – PORTO

Breakfast. Free time this morning in Fátima for visiting its Sanctuary. Lunch by the customer. Go on with our journey to Porto, where we meet with our local guide for visiting this ancient town, World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. We point out the Porto Cathedral, the romanesque Church of Cedofeita or the Church of São Francisco (entrance included). We can see the baroque style in St. Francisco and St. Clara, the churches of Misericordia or Clérigos. The neoclassicism and romanticism added monuments as the magnificent Stock Exchange Palace (entrance included). Oporto is also famous for its production of port wine. We have the opportunity to visit a wine cellar with tasting (included). Accommodation in hotel in Porto.

DAY 5. RIAS BAIXAS -SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

After breakfast, the group departs for Rías Baixas (Southern Galicia), well known for being a true outdoor museum carved in granite. We will arrive in O Grove for boarding in a cruise along Arousa estuary (included) with a stop at a hatchery or breeding farm with a brief talk on mussel. We enjoy a tasting of steamed mussels with wine. Later on we move to a wine cellar in Cambados (included) where we will know everything about Albariño wine. Go on our trip to Santiago where our local guide will take us for a tour to the capital of Galicia. The city’s Old Town was designated a la UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. The most emblematic places we visit are the Cathedral (entrance included), The Pórtico de la Gloria and St James tomb. We have then the opportunity to visit the Cathedral surrounding area, walking along The Obradoiro square. Accommodation in hotel in Santiago de Compostela.

DAY 6. LUGO – O CEBREIRO – LEON

Breakfast. We start today’s trip route to Castile. Our first stop is Lugo, the only city in the world to be surrounded by completely intact Roman walls. World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Free time for walking along its wall. Lunch by the customer. In the afternoon we continue with our trip making a brief stop in O Cebreiro, a typical Galician stoned «aldea” (hamlet) and finally we will arrive in León. We’ll visit its old town, which is home of many churches and cathedrals the most outstanding are the Gothic Catedral, with its towers and flying buttresses and the Romanesque Basílica de San Isidoro, known for its frescoes and royal tombs. Accommodation in hotel in León.

DAY 7. OVIEDO

Breakfast. We continue our tour to Oviedo, our local guide will take us for a tour to discover this ancient city. Oviedo contains a very architectural history, with many buildings dating back to the early medieval period. The Cathedral, The Holy Chamber (entrance included) and San Julián de los Prados Basilica, are the main interesting sites for visiting. Lunch by the customer. Free time for shopping, paying a visit to a Museum or popping in one of the typical bars around the town for tasting the most famous beverage is Asturias: Cider. Accommodation in hotel in Oviedo.

DAY 8. COVADONGA – SANTILLANA – SANTANDER

Breakfast. Today we start our trip towards Los Picos de Europa. We can enjoy the beautiful scenery on our way to Covadonga Basilica, a Catholic church that was declared as Basilica on 1901. Typical lunch in Restaurant in Covadonga or surroundings. Later on we continue our journey to Santillana, one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. Nearby we will pay a visit to Altamira Cave’s Museum “Neocave” (included). Go on with our trip to Santander, the capital of the Cantabrian region. It features a small historic center and a handful of beaches. Its most famous tourist attraction is the Magdalena Palace, used as a summer resort of Spanish royalty. Accommodation in hotel in Santander.

DAY 9. SANTANDER – BILBAO

Breakfast. The group has the opportunity of roaming along the roads of this majestic city. Later on we continue our route along the Cantabrian Coast whose beauty is the combination of sea and mountains. Our next stop is Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country. Lunch by the costumer. In the afternoon we will visit the Guggenheim Museum (entrance included) which became the most important structure of its time when it opened in 1997. Free time for discovering the narrow alleys in its old quarter and taste some «pintxos” (well prepared snacks) accompanied by Txakoli wine. Accommodation in hotel in Bilbao.

DAY 10. BILBAO – RIOJA – ZARAGOZA

Breakfast and departure to La Rioja Alavesa, Spanish region well known for its local wine industry. We will arrange a visit to a traditional winery with tasting in Haro or nerby villages. The Rioja tradition is very well represented by these centenary wineries, which keep bottles from the time of their founders in their cemeteries. Lunch by the customer. After lunch we will visit the Medieval city of Laguardia where we could pay a visit to Santa Maria de los Reyes Church (entrance included). Later, we continue our route to Zaragoza, we arrive late in the evening. Accommodation in hotel in Zaragoza.

DAY 11. ZARAGOZA – POBLET – MOTSERRAT – BARCELONA

Breakfast, we’ll start with a visit to Zaragoza, one of the Spain’s major cities. We will find a stunning legacy of Roman, Moorish, Jewish and Christian communities who left their mark on the place. We see the baroque heritage in the Pilar Basilica (entrance included). Lunch by the customer. Go on our journey to Poblet Monastery, surrounded by walls, is one of the best preserved monasteries in the world. Afterwards we will visit the Montserrat Monastery (entrance included), located on the mountain of Montserrat. We would enjoy the amazing the breathtaking views from there. We continue our route. Accommodation in hotel in Barcelona.

DAY 12. BARCELONA

Breakfast. We meet with our local guide for visiting Barcelona. Our sightseeing tour will include a drive around Montjuic Hill to see the Olimpic Stadium and a great panoramic view of the port and city. It continues to the city centre to Plaza Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia to admire the greatness and eccentricity of Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces in the houses ‘Batlló’ and ‘Mila’ (entrance included) and the Sagrada Familia (entrance included). Lunch by the customer. In the afternoon we have the opportunity to walk around the Ramblas, it stretches for 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) connecting Plaça de Catalunya in the Centre with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell. Accommodation in hotel in Barcelona.

DAY 13. BARCELONA – BARCELONA AIRPORT

Breakfast at the hotel or take away, depending on our departure time. Transfer to airport. End of our Services

Services

Services Included

  • 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Lisbon or surrounds
  • 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Évora or surrounds
  • 2 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Fátima or surrounds
  • 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Porto or surrounds
  • 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Santiago or surrounds
  • 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in León or surrounds
  • 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Oviedo or surrounds
  • 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Santander or surrounds
  • 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Bilbao or surrounds
  • 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Zaragoza or surrounds
  • 2 Nights at Hotel ***/**** in Barcelona or surrounds
  • Meal Plan as indicates in the itinerary
  • Wine and water included in all dishes
  • Transport by coach
  • Group assistant during all the tour
  • Lunch at restaurant in Covadonga
  • Local guide in Lisbon
  • Local guide in Porto
  • Local guide in Santiago de Compostela
  • Local guide in Oviedo
  • Local guide in Barcelona
  • Entrance into Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery
  • Entrance into São Francisco Church in Porto
  • Entrance into Stock Exchange Palace in Porto
    Visit to a winery and tasting in Porto
  • Boat Cruise in the Arousa Estuary with taste of Mussels and wine
  • Entrance and audio-guide in Cathedral of Santiago
  • Entrance into Cathedral and Holy Chamber in Oviedo
  • Entrance into Guggenheim Museum with audio-guide
  • Visit a winery and tasting D.O. Rioja
  • Entrance into St. María de los Reyes Church – Laguardia
  • Entrance into Pilar Basilica in Zaragoza
  • Entrance into Montserrat Monastery
  • Entrance into Casa Batlló & Casa Milá in Barcelona
  • Entrance into Sagrada Familia

If you want more information,  please contact us at info@mundispaintours.com