10 Day Northern Spain Premium Small Group Tour
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This tour is categorised as 4 out of 5
Packed itinerary with maximum exploration: Embark on a whirlwind sightseeing tour with minimal downtime. This tour maximises your exploration, keeping you on the move and ticking off must-see locations. A good fitness level and mobility are required to keep pace with this action-packed adventure!
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Incredible sightseeing including guided visits in Madrid, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, and Salamanca
✓ Sample world-famous Rioja Reds as part of wine tasting experience
✓ 9 nights in 4 & 5-star premium accommodation
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of your tour
✓ Breakfast daily, 2 lunches & 2 dinners, including a welcome tapas dinner and a traditional pintxos lunch
✓ Travel in comfort with luxury coach transportation
✓ Benefit from the expertise of an English-speaking Tour Director throughout the journey
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Madrid!
In the evening, meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a welcome meeting, where you'll also meet your fellow travellers. Your guide will brief you on the city and the schedule for the next day. The rest of the evening is yours at leisure.
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.
Please note: 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 your hotel before embarking on a morning city exploration in Madrid, one of the world's most exhilarating cities. Witness its highlights and immerse yourself in the city's innate passion.
The afternoon is yours to indulge in further exploration of the city's captivating wonders at your own pace.
Later in the early evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a genuine Welcome Tapas Dinner at a local restaurant.
Begin your day with a buffet breakfast at your hotel. Next, venture into the enchanting Northern Spanish regions, with your first stop being Laguardia, situated in the heart of La Rioja, one of Spain's most renowned wine-producing areas. Amidst the picturesque vineyards, you'll have the opportunity to visit a traditional, family-operated winery, where you can sample the world-famous Rioja Reds and relish a light lunch made from local ingredients.
After this memorable experience, continue your journey to Bilbao, where you'll have some free time to explore the city at your leisure.
After breakfast, your exploration begins in Bilbao, guided by a local expert. The standout attraction here is the striking Guggenheim Museum, a masterpiece designed by Frank Gehry. We also recommend strolling through the historic "Siete Calles" district, which, despite flood damage in the 1980s, has been beautifully restored.
Take some free time to appreciate the modern architectural marvel of The Guggenheim Museum along the esplanade. Later, we'll journey to San Sebastian, renowned as one of Europe's most elegant destinations. Enjoy a traditional Pintxos lunch in the old town's taverns and explore this charming town at your own pace. Discover its stunning bay and the magnificent La Concha beach.
We'll then return to Bilbao for the night at your hotel.
After enjoying a buffet breakfast at your hotel, embark on a journey from the northern mountains to the Atlantic beaches.
Your first stop is Santillana del Mar, a historically rich town renowned for its architectural treasures, including the Romanesque jewel, the Collegiate of Santa Ana.
Continue to Covadonga, where you'll have free time to visit the Sanctuary and the Grotto, home to Our Lady of Covadonga, the patroness of Asturias.
In the afternoon, head to Oviedo, where you can admire the beauty of Saint Maria de Naranco Church and explore the city's pedestrian streets, including World Heritage sites like The Cathedral, a splendid example of Asturian Gothic architecture.
Start your day with a satisfying buffet breakfast at the hotel.
We're headed to the beautiful Galician landscapes today. On the way to Lugo, make a brief stop in Mondoñedo. Here, you can explore the 13th-century Cathedral and savour the delicious "Mondoñedo's cake" at your leisure. Then, continue on to Lugo, where you can take a leisurely stroll and explore the Roman ruins, including the well-preserved walls that have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Finally, we arrive in Santiago de Compostela, the holy land and the most significant Christian pilgrimage centre in Spain, marking the end of the Camino de Santiago route, established during the Roman Empire.
Explore the charming historic streets of Santiago, taking in its rich history. Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Obradoiro Square and admire the Cathedral dedicated to Apostle Santiago (entrance fee not included).
The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.
Begin your day with a satisfying buffet breakfast at your hotel.
Next, we'll journey to Salamanca, renowned as a University City. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site, which boasts remarkable architectural and artistic treasures.
As our journey nears its end, we have one more historic Spanish treasure to discover: Avila, an ancient mediaeval walled town that has stood for thousands of years.
After enjoying some leisure time in Avila, we will make our way back to Madrid, where we'll conclude our adventure with a final Farewell Dinner among fellow travellers.
After breakfast your journey has now come to an end.
Departure 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 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.
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorized as a ”4”
Active Tour: A very good level of fitness and mobility is required for you to enjoy all aspects of the itinerary, as this is considered a fast-paced tour. While there is some free time scheduled either in the morning or afternoon, there are many full days of sightseeing with minimal rest and some early starts. You will be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.
Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:
1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $1,445.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.
2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement.
You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub
During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name.
Triple Share
Not available
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Group Size
Minimum: 2
Maximum: 24
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
Please note: groups under 8-10 passengers will be operated with an English-speaking driver-guide.
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
Click HERE for more information on weather in Spain.
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