Northern Spain & Portugal
Overview
Itinerary
Meet your tour director at 5:00 PM for a welcome drink at your hotel with your fellow travelers. Your evening is free to explore and dine as you wish.
Travel north to Rioja, a region renowned for its wine heritage, hilltop medieval towns, and historic charm. Visit one of the region's 500 wineries for a guided tour of the cellars, followed by tastings and lunch. Travel on to San Sebastián, in the heart of the Basque Country, where your evening is free to stroll the seafront promenade and explore the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, dining independently in one of its many cafes and restaurants.
Tour central San Sebastián, taking in the lively atmosphere, elegant architecture, and the wide promenade of La Concha. Afterward, enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town featuring a pintxos experience. Your guide will explain this beloved Basque tradition as you visit local bars to sample these flavorful, bite-sized snacks, which you'll savor with a drink.
The rest of the day is free to explore and dine as you wish.
Travel to Bilbao for a guided tour of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao; this titanium clad structure is a masterpiece of modern architecture by American Frank Gehry and a major showcase of contemporary art. Enjoy some free time, perhaps to explore the shops and restaurants along the cobbled streets of the atmospheric Old Town. Continue to your hotel in Limpias, situated in a historic palace with beautiful wooded grounds, where you'll dine on regional Cantabrian cuisine with your group.
Visit El Capricho de Gaudí, an early, playful work by the celebrated architect, rich in intricate details with lush gardens. Continue to Santillana del Mar, recognized as one of Spain's most beautiful villages, for a short tour of its medieval delights and free time for lunch. Next, travel into Asturias and enjoy dinner at a local cider house, tasting local cider poured in the traditional way, with servers tipping the bottle high above their heads to introduce air and volume.
Travel to regal Oviedo, the capital of Asturias with a rich medieval heritage, for a visit to its majestic Cathedral and a short overview of the historic old town. Enjoy free time for lunch. Continue to A Coruña on the Galician coast, where Celtic and Roman heritage blend with dramatic seaside vistas—legend says you can see Ireland from the first-century Tower of Hercules. See the sights on a panoramic tour. Dine at your beachfront hotel this evening.
Travel to Santiago de Compostela, the historic endpoint of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. See the city on a walking tour, then visit Santiago Cathedral, a magnificent Romanesque-style structure that has welcomed pilgrims for centuries. Enjoy free time for lunch before continuing into Portugal and arriving in Porto. Take a panoramic tour of this city perched above the Douro River before dining at your hotel this evening.
Take a serene, scenic cruise on the Douro River, gliding beneath Porto's bridges and past the colorful riverside quarter of Ribeira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Vila Nova de Gaia for a visit to a port house, where you'll enjoy a tasting and lunch, learning about the centuries-old traditions of this famed wine fortified with brandy. Your evening is free to stroll Porto and dine as you please.
Travel to Aveiro, “The Venice of Portugal,” for a short canal cruise. Pass Art Nouveau buildings, salt pans, and the fish market on a traditional, colorfully painted moliceiro boat once used for transporting seaweed. Continue to the medieval walled town of Óbidos, famous for its whitewashed houses, blue-tiled churches, and narrow cobbled streets.
After a short orientation tour you'll have free time to explore and enjoy an independent lunch. Travel to Lisbon, Portugal's coastal capital, where you'll have dinner with your group.
Visit Belém, a historic port district that was busy in the Age of Exploration as sailors ventured forth to discover new trade routes. Tour the city, taking in sights like the ornate Jerónimos Monastery and the Torre de Belém. Return to central Lisbon for a free afternoon to explore independently. Regroup for a farewell dinner at a traditional Fado house, where you'll savor Portuguese cuisine and hear the melancholic, haunting music that expresses Lisbon's soul.
Your tour ends after breakfast.
Trip Inclusions
- Santiago de Compostela & Cathedral: Explore Santiago de Compostela, the historic pilgrimage city of Galicia and the final destination of the Camino de Santiago. Admire its magnificent cathedral at the heart of the old town, renowned for its soaring façade, intricate stonework, and powerful sense of history and devotion.
- Aveiro Canal Cruise: Glide through the scenic canals of Aveiro on a traditional moliceiro boat cruise. Known as the “Venice of Portugal,” Aveiro is famous for its colorful waterways, Art Nouveau buildings, and long history connected to fishing and salt production.
- Douro River Cruise: Cruise along the scenic Douro River and experience the beauty of Porto from the water. Pass beneath the city's iconic bridges and take in views of colorful riverside buildings, historic landmarks, and lively waterfront neighborhoods.
- Fado Dinner and Show: Experience traditional Portuguese culture with a Fado dinner and show. Recognized by UNESCO, Fado is known for its soulful music and emotional storytelling. Savor regional cuisine and local wines while discovering one of Lisbon's most treasured traditions.
- Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: Visit the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, one of Spain's most iconic modern landmarks. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the museum is known for its striking titanium exterior and contemporary art collections – and how it helped transform Bilbao into a celebrated destination for art and architecture.
- Lisbon Sightseeing: Discover Lisbon on a guided sightseeing tour through Portugal's vibrant capital city. Explore historic neighborhoods, grand plazas, and iconic landmarks while learning about the city's rich history and cultural traditions.
- Óbidos Tour: Wander the beautifully preserved medieval town of Óbidos, enclosed within ancient stone walls and filled with whitewashed houses, cobbled lanes, and flower-draped balconies.
- Oviedo Cathedral: Visit Oviedo Cathedral, a striking Gothic masterpiece at the heart of the old town and an important stop on the Camino de Santiago. Admire its intricate façade and soaring tower before stepping inside to discover centuries of sacred art; and the revered Holy Chamber relics.
- Porto Sightseeing: Visit Porto for a panoramic tour of this historic city set above the Douro River, known for its colourful riverside districts, tiled façades, and sweeping bridges. Take in the atmosphere of its steep streets, layered architecture, and timeless charm.
- Rioja Winery: Discover a Rioja winery set among rolling vineyards in one of Spain's most famous wine regions. Learn about traditional winemaking methods and the region's long heritage before enjoying a tasting in an authentic cellar setting and soaking up the surrounding countryside views.
- Dine at a traditional Asturian cider house and savor this refreshing drink, poured from high above the server's head in a dramatic ritual that aerates the cider and enhances its flavor.
- Melia Castilla (4 Stars)
- Mercure San Sebastian Monte Igueldo (4 Stars)
- Parador de Limpias (4 Stars)
- Palacio de Aviles, Affiliated by Melia (5 Stars)
- Melia Maria Pita (4 Stars)
- Turim Oporto (4 Stars)
- Eurostars Das Letras (5 Stars)
- 10 hot breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 6 dinners (D)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
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CIE Ireland & Britain (2027)
Dates & Pricing
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by CIE Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
