North Spain essences from Barcelona

14 Days 2-8 People Transfers and rental car

A great combination of culture and gastronomy experiences

The best of Spain's center and north regions in a trip totally tailored for you.

Visit of the major cities of Spain

You will visit the most important points of Spain like Barcelona, Bilbao, Santiago & Madrid.

Best rental car service

Free drop off, unlimited mileage, airport charges, additional driver, full coverage insurance.

Charming boutique accommodations

The accommodation is a big part of this trip and must fulfil the experience.

Gastronomy & wine experiences

You will have the opportunity of tasting the best wines and the best cuisine.

Trip Itinerary

You cannot miss this fantastic trip through North and Central Spain combining major cities such as Barcelona, Bilbao and Madrid, but also visiting some of its wonderful fishing villages in the North, the fantastic coast of Catalonia, Basque country, Asturias and Galicia. A trip through the different culture, gastronomy, wines and nature that you will do at your own pace with a rental car - all of these will make you feel like a local.

Barcelona – Girona – San Sebastián – Bilbao – Ribadeselle – Santiago de Compostela – Madrid

Day 01 – Barcelona
On arrival to Barcelona, private transfer and check into your very central located hotel.
Day 02 – Barcelona
After breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up at the hotel for a private walking tour of Barcelona, including the main sights, not too tiring, like Plaza Catalunya, Ramblas, Barrio Gothic, and Boqueria. Time at your own leisure to visit the city, the Raval neighborhood, walk up Montjuit Mountain, visit the beautiful Parc Guell, etc.
Day 03 – Barcelona
After breakfast, if you didn´t have enough time the day before, you can visit some attractions from that day, or you can do the arty side of the city: walk around the lush gardens of the Teatre Grec and then head over to the Fundació Joan Miró, one of the largest museums in the world, and home to a collection of over 225 paintings, 150 sculptures and graphic pieces by the Spanish surrealist painter, along with a number of works by his contemporaries. Also the MNAC (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya), with pieces that represent Catalan art from the Romanesque period to the mid-20th century.
Day 04 – Costa Brava and Girona
After breakfast, pick up your rental car in Barcelona city centre, and drive to the beautiful coastal town of Cadaques (about two hour drive) and explore the Costa Brava towns. We recommend stopping in Peratallada on the way and then having lunch in Cadaqués, viewing the Mediterranean coast. In the evening, drive to Girona city for the night and dinner at any of the many beautiful restaurants in the old area.
Day 05 – Girona - Zaragoza - Pamplona - Mutriku - Basque Country
After breakfast, drive to Mutriku in Basque Country (about six hours drive). We recommend you to stop in Zaragoza on your way for lunch, since it´s a nice city with a beautiful Old part and Pamplona. You will arrive to Mutriku to your beautiful accommodation set on a cliff, with beautiful seaside and mountains surroundings.
Day 06 – Mutriku - Ondarrua
After breakfast, day off to rest after a long drive and to enjoy some of the beautiful trekking routes and walks around Mutriku. We recommend you to do a short drive to Getaria for lunch or dinner, and to try some of the best Txacoli white wines.
Day 07 – San Sebastian
After breakfast, drive to San Sebastian (about 45 minutes). On arrival, your local guide will meet you to have a beautiful walking tour of San Sebastian’s Old Town. You will learn about the history and traditions of the city, its royal heritage and gastronomic culture. Then, in the afternoon, get ready to experience one of the most traditional and local experiences, cooking and lunch at a Gastronomy Society with a visit to a local market. The privately owned Gastronomic Societies are a cornerstone of Basque dining tradition, and have existed in San Sebastian for over a century. They are a member’s only clubs for people who are passionate about cooking, and want to meet, cook, talk, play cards together and often sing within a private friendly atmosphere. The kitchens are equipped to a professional standard, and these societies can only be accessed by members or by special invitation. The food prepared in the Gastronomy Societies put their main emphasis on the quality of the fresh ingredients, and on sharing high quality meals with friends and family. It is a truly Basque experience that should not be missed.
Day 08 – Bilbao
After breakfast, drive to Bilbao (about 45 minutes) for a nice bike tour in the morning. At 10:30 guided cycle tour around Bilbao suburbs following the footprints of the industrial past of the city, key to the transformation of the actual city. You will also stop for a “pintxo” on the way. After lunch, visit the Guggenheim Museum, described as the best building of the second half of the twentieth century that has completely transformed Bilbao, putting the city on the world map and changing its image. Opened in 1997, it was designed by American architect Frank Gehry. In the evening, around 7:00 pm, pintxos tour for dinner by the hand of a local guide, Ruben.
Day 09 – Asturias - Cantabric Sea Coast
After breakfast, drive to Asturias-Ribadesella (two and a half hours). Highly recommended to stop in the towns of San Vicente de la Barquera and Llanes on the way. On arrival to Ribadesella, check in to your beautiful hotel for the night. Ribadesella is a beautiful town with the Picos de Europa mountains behind it, and the ocean in front. The town is estuarial and sees the meeting of the ocean and the river Sella, from which Ribadesella derives its name. Because of its location and beautiful old quarter, this town is very popular.
Day 10 – Santiago de Compostela
After breakfast, time to walk around this beautiful village and do some trekking routes to contemplate the amazing scenery of Picos de Europa. In the afternoon, drive to Santiago de Compostela (four hours aprox.) We recommend you to stop in Playa de las Catedrales in Ribadeo if the tide is low. Arrival to Santiago and check into beautiful boutique hotel.
Day 11 – Santiago de Compostela
After breakfast, guided visit to the famous city of Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia. A place where every year millions of people and pilgrims come from all over the world, many of them after doing the “Camino de Santiago”. Its historical center has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will visit the Old Town, the Cathedral and the famous Market of Abastos.
Day 12 – Madrid
After breakfast, drive to the airport and drop off the rental car. Flight to Madrid. On arrival, private transfer to your hotel. Check into your very well central located hotel. Time for leisure.
Day 13 – Madrid
In the morning, around 9:00 am, your tour guide will pick you up at your hotel for a nice private walking gastronomy tour of the most famous food markets in downtown Madrid. Explore the gorgeous Literary Quarter and taste local specialties at family-run shops and the neighborhood markets! In the evening, get ready for a “flamenco show” dinner experience at Corral de la Morería, the most known “tablao” flamenco in the world.
Day 14 – Departure
Private transfer to the airport and end of services.
“It was a fantastic trip. From the first contact at home to the experiences at the destination. I will carry Spain in my heart forever. Thank you!”
Emily & Philip
Seattle WA, USA
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