DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart for Spain
Depart for Spain
DAY 2, Thursday - Arrive in Barcelona
Arrive in the dynamic city of Barcelona, with its stunning modernist architecture. Transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Your tour begins with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7 PM, followed by dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 5 PM
Overnight: Barcelona
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Friday - Barcelona City Tour
Begin the day in this artistic city with a drive along the Old Harbor to Plaza Catalunya, the city's bustling main square. Pass the famous works of Gaudi, the master architect, including the Casa Batllo, seemingly constructed from skulls and bones. Then, continue to view the iconic symbol of Barcelona, Gaudi's masterpiece La Sagrada Familia, a colossal church that is legendary and still unfinished*. Conclude the tour with a visit to Park Guell, Barcelona's most famous park, a playful creation by Gaudi. Learn intriguing facts about its creator and admire the park's colorful design and intricate tile work. The rest of the day is on your own. Choose the optional tour to Montserrat. Take a relaxing drive along the picturesque villages of the province to reach Montserrat Mountain. On arrival, visit the Royal Basilica, where you will see the famous 12th century Romanesque sculpture of "Virgen Moreneta"
*Entrance to La Sagrada Familia is not included. Passengers can visit on their own and are advised to book tickets in advance.
Optional: Half Day Montserrat Tour (PM)
Overnight: Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Saturday - Medieval Carcassonne, Toulouse
The first stop today is at the fairy-tale medieval town of Carcassonne. Your guided walking tour takes you around Europe's best restored ancient, fortified city with its over fifty towers and turrets, still standing today. Stroll along the cobbled streets to the St. Nazaire Basilica, adorned with magnificent stained glass and intricate carvings. Browse the shops selling medieval wares, and perhaps taste some of the local peasant stews at a café in the fortified town. Later, cross over to France and continue to Toulouse for overnight
Overnight: Toulouse
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Sunday - Toulouse Sightseeing
Begin with a tour of Toulouse the capital of the Occitanie region, known as the Pink City, on the river Garonne. Toulouse is home to Airbus headquarters and is renowned for its aerospace engineering and manufacturing. View the Capitole Square, home to the Capitole de Toulouse, a Neoclassical building housing the City Hall, and Opera House. Visit the Saint-Sernin Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church is one of the largest Romanesque churches in Europe and is an important stop along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Spend the afternoon at leisure or join the optional Albi Tour. Travel to the historic city of Albi and visit the ancient center of the city, adorned with brick houses, and the former home of famous painter Toulouse-Lautrec. Discover the imposing Sainte-Cécile Cathedral, with its lavish interior and Berbie Palace, now a museum devoted to painter Toulouse-Lautrec
Optional: Half Day Albi Tour (PM
Overnight: Toulouse
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Monday - Lourdes, Travel to Bilbao
Depart Toulouse and visit Lourdes, located in the foothills of the Pyrenees, which rose to international fame in 1858 when visions of the Virgin Mary were reported at the Grotto of Massabielle. The town is now a major site of Roman Catholic pilgrimage and of described miraculous healings. Visit the sacred church, sanctuary, and grotto where the apparitions took place and behold the healing water spring from the grotto, believed to possess therapeutic properties. Later, stop in San Sebastian for a panoramic drive through the city. Your journey continues to Bilbao, a city rich in culture. Arrive and check into your hotel in time for dinner
Overnight: Bilbao
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Tuesday - Excursion to La Rioja Region, Guggenheim Museum
This morning, travel through green fertile valleys and picturesque villages to the wine region of Rioja. Explore the picture-perfect town of Laguardia with its medieval fortress and walled old quarter. Next, head to a traditional Spanish winery (bodega) and enjoy a tasting, before departing for Logroño, the capital of La Rioja region. Upon arrival, take an orientation tour of the town with its tree-studded plazas and narrow streets. Have lunch on your own. Perhaps, head to Laurel Street, famous for its wine bars, for tapas and wine. Afterward, return to Bilbao and visit the iconic Guggenheim Museum, designed by architect Frank O. Gehry. The structure is dominated by his inspired use of flowing canopies, ship shapes, towers, and flying fins all gleaming with titanium tiles. View an extensive collection of contemporary and avant-garde art, featuring works by acclaimed artists such as Jeff Koons, Richard Serra, Yves Klein, and Mark Rothko
Overnight: Bilbao
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Wednesday - Covadonga, Oviedo City Tour
Your day of exploration begins with a stop in Covadonga to view the Shrine of our Lady of Covadonga, located in the Picos de Europa mountain range. Continue to Oviedo, the regional capital of Asturias, a treasure trove of Spanish religious architecture. On arrival, take an orientation tour of the city. Walk through the historic town center, stop at the El Fontan market dating back to the 1520s and conclude with a visit to the beautiful cathedral. Admire the detailed cloisters, intricate buttresses, and the main portico with its Arabesque decorations. In the evening, enjoy a traditional cider pouring demonstration during your dinner of local delicacies
Overnight: Oviedo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Thursday - Travel Santiago de Compostela
This morning, drive to Santiago de Compostela, the legendary destination for pilgrims who walked the "Saint James Road," to visit the shrine here. Arrive and check into the hotel with free time to discover the delights of the city
Overnight: Santiago de Compostela
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10, Friday - Explore Santiago de Compostela
This morning, take a guided tour of Santiago de Compostela, one of the most popular pilgrim destinations since the Middle Ages, and where the remains of the Apostle St. James are laid to rest. Visit the city's world-famous Romanesque cathedral and Praça do Obradoiro, a monumental square surrounded by magnificent buildings in various styles. Balance of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Santiago de Compostela
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11, Saturday - Douro Valley, Delightful Porto
Depart for Portugal on your way to the Douro Valley. Travel the scenic port wine road and visit one of the biggest estates of Sogrape, producing both Porto & Douro wines. Enjoy a tasting before continuing to the delightful northern city of Porto with a dramatic setting on the banks of the Douro River. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure
Overnight: Porto
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12, Sunday - Porto City Tour, Salamanca
Start your morning with a sightseeing tour of Porto. Take a panoramic drive and visit the 14th century Gothic Church of Sao Francisco with its gilded Baroque columns and the Stock Exchange, renowned for its exquisite Neoclassical façade and ornate Arabian Hall. This afternoon, drive to the university town of Salamanca. View the 12th century Old Cathedral, the Salina and Monterrey Palaces, and the historic center of the city. Arrive at Plaza Mayor, considered Spain's most beautiful central plaza
Overnight: Salamanca
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 13, Monday - Avila and Segovia en route to Madrid
Embark on a scenic drive through the Spanish countryside to Madrid, Spain's capital city. Stop along the way to visit Avila, surrounded by imposing city walls, one of Spain's best-preserved bastions with its convent that pays homage to St. Theresa, founder of the Order of the Carmelites. Then, continue to the historic city of Segovia. View the best-preserved 1st century AD Roman aqueduct, symbol of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the fairy-tale Alcazar with its soaring turrets, moats, and magical towers. Marvel at the Gothic Cathedral that took almost 200 years to complete before walking through the Jewish Quarter. Arrive in Madrid in the late afternoon and check into your hotel
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14, Tuesday - Madrid City Tour
This morning, begin with a sightseeing tour of Madrid. Drive along the Gran Via through the Opera District, Plaza de Colon and view the Royal Palace. Pass by the elegant Plaza de Cibeles and Puerta de Alcala Gate. The tour will end with a visit to world-renowned Prado Museum, where you will find works of art by famous artists such as El Greco, Velázquez, and Ribera. Spend the afternoon at leisure or, join the optional tour to Toledo, former capital of Spain and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Visit St. Tome Church with its El Greco masterpiece and Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue with its beautiful Moorish architecture
Optional: Toledo Tour (PM)
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 15, Wednesday - Depart Spain
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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