Compare Northern Spain - End Barcelona, Classic Group End Barcelona Classic Group by Insight Vacations vs 8 Day Portugal & Spain Vineyards, Palaces, Gardens & Ports Walking Tour by Gate 1 Travel

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Trip	Northern Spain - End Barcelona, Classic Group End Barcelona Classic Group by Insight Vacations 5 \| Excellent 12494 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Reserve	8 Day Portugal & Spain Vineyards, Palaces, Gardens & Ports Walking Tour by Gate 1 Travel 3.5 \| Average 746 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip See Offer

Duration	11 days	8 days
Price From	$ 3,650	$ 3,169
Price Per Day	$ 332	$ 396
Highlights	Choose between two carefully selected activities Madrid: Join the female pillars of the local community on a neighborhood walking tour and learn the history of the women's movement in Spain, firsthand. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities. Alternatively, explore the main historical areas of Madrid with your Local Expert. Madrid: See the highlights of the city with your Local Expert. Visit the Old Town, travelling 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. Choose between two carefully selected activities 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. 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. : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests). : 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 distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches. : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols. : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues. : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day. : "One food I really love introducing my guests to is the gilda because it is the original pintxo and has evolved into Europe's most exciting foodie experience." : "There is nothing quite like sampling the many varieties of tapas. Every region has its own delicacies so you can be assured that you will taste different ones everywhere you go." : "Guests are surprised to find that Spanish is not the only language spoken in the country – there’s also Basque, Galician and Catalan, not to mention the little dialects in each province." Madrid: Join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travellers over a beautiful evening of delicious food and wine. 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. Gijon: Meet Flor, a local of Gijón, for a delicious meal of locally sourced produce that she has prepared just for you. Barcelona: At a typical Catalan restaurant, savour a delicious Celebration Dinner that incorporates classic cooking with the freshest produce. Dining Summary: 3 Dinner with Wine (DW), 10 Breakfast (B), and 1 Lunch with Wine (LW) Madrid: See the highlights of the city with your Local Expert. Visit the Old Town, travelling 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. 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. 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. 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 Saviour. 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. 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.' 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. San Sebastián: Led by your Local Expert, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Quarter including Plaza de la Constitucion. San Sebastián: Ascend Monte Igueldo to marvel at the views of the town and La Concha Bay. Pamplona: Spend free time exploring this city, known for its annual Running with the Bulls festival. 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 windows. Barcelona: Your Local Expert shows you the Gothic Quarter. See the cathedral and the Roman. You will also enjoy a 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 mesmerising Sagrada Família.	5 Easy Days \| up to 4 hours of walking a day, easy walking on mostly flat terrain, accessible to all travelers in good health
Trip Style	Group tour	N/A
Lodging Level	Premium	Standard
Physical Level	0- Wheelchair accessible	3- Moderate
Travel Themes	Cultural 50 plus Education / Learning	N/A
Countries Visited	Chile Spain	Chile
Cities and Attractions	Barcelona Madrid Santiago Santiago de Compostela Santillana del Mar	Porto Santiago Santiago de Compostela
Flights & Transport	Airfare included	Ground transport included
Activities	Culture Historic sightseeing	N/A
Meals Included	N/A	N/A
Description	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.	1 Arcos de Valdevez, 2 Pontevedra, 1 Padron Area, 1 Santiago de Compostela, 1 Porto

Itinerary: Northern Spain - End Barcelona, Classic Group End Barcelona Classic Group

Day 1: Welcome to Madrid

Your transfer will depart Madrid airport at 09:00, 11:30, 13:30 or 16:00.Join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travellers over an evening of delicious food and wine.

Day 2: Madrid of the Bourbons

Explore Madrid with Insight Choice. Choose to join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on a neighbourhood walking tour, led by female pillars of the community and focused on the history of the women's movement in Spain. Alternatively, sightsee with your Local Expert as they guide you through the Spanish capital’s most historic neighbourhoods.Enjoy a special visit to the renowned Prado Museum with an art historian who will guide you through the collective works of Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and more. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

Day 3: 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. Some of Spain's most fashionable white wines are produced in Rueda. This morning we have the opportunity to learn how they are made and sample the delights of the Verdejo grape. Continue past historic Tordesillas, and on to Santiago de Compostela.

Day 4: 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.

Day 5: 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 colour of the sea and the pine and eucalyptus trees that line the shore. Meet a true local, Flor, who will invite you to join her for lunch. Hear about daily life as you enjoy a delicious meal, typical of the region, that Flor has freshly prepared from locally sourced ingredients, accompanied by delicious local cider. 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 Saviour in the stately square of Plaza Alfonso II. Admire the incredible altarpiece, one of the finest in Europe.

Day 6: 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 travelling 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. Why not take the time to explore the hotel terrace with stunning views of the bay below or relax with one of the many therapy treatments offered at the hotels spa?

Day 7: 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 Constitución. Atop Monte Igueldo there are breathtaking views of the town and La Concha Bay.

Day 8: 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 harbour 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?

Day 9: 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, perhaps take a stroll to the famous Estafeta Street or visit Café Iruña, immortalised by Ernest Hemingway in the '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.

Day 10: Barcelona, the City of Gaudí

Wake up ready to embrace the city’s artistic heritage. Join a Local Expert to see the Barri Gotic - the Gothic Quarter, and walk through the Roman Gate to see its narrow lanes and old squares. You are driven 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.

Day 11: Depart Barcelona

After breakfast departure transfers arrive at Barcelona airport at 07:00, 09:00 and 11:00.

Itinerary: 8 Day Portugal & Spain Vineyards, Palaces, Gardens & Ports Walking Tour

This itinerary requires a high level of physical fitness with up to 4 hours of walking per day. The route and activities are subject to change. Please see the "Is This Trip Right for You?" section and the Trip Preparation tab for more information.

DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Portugal
Depart for Portugal

DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Porto, Transfer to Arcos de Valdevez
Arrive in Porto and transfer to your hotel in Arcos de Valdevez. The rest of the day is at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by a light dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Arcos de Valdevez
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Sunday - Ecovia Trail, Santa Trega, Travel to Pontevedra & City Tour
Begin with a walk along the Ecovia riverside trail in Ponte de Lima in the Minho region. Ponte de Lima is a medieval town, which served as a Roman settlement 2500 years ago. Then, drive to Caminha and cross the Miño River into Spain on a small boat. Next, explore the 4th century BC village of Santa Trega with stunning views of the Miño estuary. Following a picnic lunch, travel to Pontevedra. On arrival, check into your hotel and later embark on a city tour. Stroll through the Old Town and visit the Santa María la Mayor Basilica, a jewel of Gothic architecture, and La Virgen Peregrina Church
Overnight: Pontevedra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Activity Level: Easy, 5.5 miles, 3 hours

DAY 4, Monday - Santa Maria de Armenteira Monastery, The Route of Stone and Water Trail, Pazo de Rubianes, Cooking Class
This morning, visit the impressive Santa Maria de Armenteira Monastery, which belongs to the Cistercian order, and was founded by the knight Ero de Armenteira in the 12th century. Afterward, hike along the "Ruta da Pedra e da Auga" (the route of stone and water) to the Aldea Labrega. Then, drive to Pazo de Rubianes, a Ducal palace with spectacular gardens and vineyards. Enjoy lunch with local Albariño white wine in the cellar. Later, tour the palace and stroll through the gardens. Return to Pontevedra. Tonight, attend a Galician cooking class, followed by dinner of your creations
Overnight: Pontevedra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activity Level: Easy, 4 miles, 3 hours

DAY 5, Tuesday - Travel to Cambados, Manolo Paz Foundation, Catamaran Cruise to Pontecesures
Depart Pontevedra and travel to Cambados, known for its historic monuments and famous Albariño white wine. Start your walk from the 16th century Pazo de Fefiñáns in the Old Town to the Tower of San Sadurniño, which was built to defend the Galician coast from Viking attacks. Continue the walk through the nature park of the wetlands of the Umia River to the Manolo Paz Foundation. Stroll around this stunning sculpture garden, created by Spanish artist Manolo Paz and learn about his work. Afterward, drive back to Cambados, and spend time at leisure. In the afternoon, embark on a catamaran cruise to Pontecesures, following the journey of the stone boat carrying the remains of the Apostle Saint James. Arrive at your hotel in the Padron area for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Padron Area
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Activity Level: Easy, 4 miles, 2.5 hours

DAY 6, Wednesday - Camino Trail to Santiago de Compostela & City Tour
This morning, walk the final leg of the Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostela, passing though scenery that will remind you of the Route of Stone and Water. Enter the Old Town and arrive at Plaza del Obradoiro. Here, gaze at the impressive Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, an iconic symbol of the city and the end point of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Opportunity to attend the Pilgrim's Mass. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the city and view the major sights. Tonight, dinner is at the hotel
Overnight: Santiago de Compostela
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Activity Level: Easy, 5 miles, 3 hours

DAY 7, Thursday - Travel to Tui, Walk to Valença do Minho, Winery Tour in Porto
Leaving Santiago de Compostela behind, travel to the medieval city of Tui. On arrival, begin your walk to the 12th century Fortress of Valença do Minho in Portugal. During the walk, cross over the River Minho into Portugal via an iron bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel. Spend free time for lunch on your own and to explore the fortress, along with the town of Valença do Minho. Afterward, continue to Porto and check into your hotel. Later in the afternoon, tour a winery and learn about wine production of the famous port wine. Visit the cellar and the tasting room to sample a few port wines
Overnight: Porto
Meals: Breakfast
Activity Level: Easy, 2 miles, 1 hour

DAY 8, Friday - Depart Portugal
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

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