Iberian Triangle with Barcelona

02 WED. Madrid .-
The morning will begin with a comprehensive tour of central Madrid, featuring highlights like Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor. We’ll then visit Retiro Park, a beautiful oasis in the city center, where we’ll see the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. Admission is included to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid,considered by many to be the best football club in the world. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. In the evening, we’ll provide a return transfer to the hotel.

03 THU. Madrid - Mérida - Évora - Lisbon .-
We´ll leave Madrid, heading towards the capital of Extremadura: Mérida, where we´ll visit the archaeological complex of the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre (tickets included), a World Heritage Site renowned for its excellent state of preservation. There will be time for lunch in the pleasant pedestrian historic center bustling with life and restaurants. We´ll continue to Portugal and stop in Évora, another city recognized as a World Heritage Site, with its white streets, Renaissance palaces, and cathedral. We´ll arrive in Lisbon in the evening.

04 FRI. Lisbon .-
In the morning, we´ll embark on a sightseeing tour of Lisbon, exploring the Portuguese capital of the seven hills, with its charming alleys, iconic tiles, the feeling of ¨saudade,¨ and the beautiful Atlantic light. We’ll also visit the Belem neighborhood, from where the great Portuguese navigators set sail to cross the oceans in the 15th century. Free time in the afternoon to walk and go to the Bairro Alto and its viewpoint; if you’d like to, you could take an optional trip to the towns of Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening, we’ll return to the hotel from the lively Restauradores Square, filled with vibrant bars and cafes.

05 SAT. Lisbon - Fátima - Porto .-
We’ll travel to the north of Portugal, where we’ll visit Fátima, an important pilgrimage site. We’ll then continue to Porto, the country’s second-largest city. After lunch, we’ll enjoy a 50-minute cruise along the Douro River aboard a traditional Portuguese ¨Rabelo¨ boat, offering a unique perspective of the city’s beautiful riverside. Afterwards, you’ll have free time to explore the lively medieval Ribeira district, known for its narrow streets lined with historic merchant houses and charming cafés, before heading to the hotel.

06 SUN. Porto - Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary - Cambados - Santiago de Compostela .-
Today, we´ll travel through stunning landscapes. In Braga, we´ll take a ride on the world’s oldest water-operated cable car to reach the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, where breathtaking views await. After exploring the sanctuary, we recommend descending via its picturesque staircase. Our journey continues into Galicia, where we´ll visit the historic town of Cambados in Rías Baixas. Here, we´ll embark on a glass-bottom boat trip along the Ría de Arousa, learning about mussel and oyster production. Enjoy wine and mussel tasting onboard. At lunchtime, we´ll arrive in Santiago de Compostelafor a city tour led by a local guide, exploring its medieval streets and renowned pilgrimage sites dating back to the Middle Ages.

07 MON. Santiago de Compostela - Lugo - O Cebreiro - León - Oviedo .-
We’ll travel along the Way of St. James, beginning with Lugo. Here, we’ll have time to explore the historic town center and its Roman walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, we’ll visit O Cebreiro, a charming Galician stone village. Our journey will continue to León, where we’ll arrive at lunchtime. In León, we’ll visit the magnificent Gothic cathedral, renowned for its stained-glass windows, and enjoy a stroll through the historic town center.

We’ll then cross the Cantabrian Range on our way to Asturias, arriving in Oviedo by evening. We’ll include a tour of the city with a local guide, either upon arrival or the following morning. During this hour-and-a-half tour, we’ll visit the 9th-century cathedral, the Calatrava Congressional Palace, Campoamor Theatre, and Calle de la Rua.

08 TUE. Oviedo - Covadonga - Santillana del Mar - Santander .-
We’ll travel to the Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe). Our journey will begin with a visit to the Basilica of Covadonga. From there, we´ll follow the coastline to Santillana, one of Spain’s most beautiful towns with an intact medieval quarter. We´ll also visit the Altamira Cave Museum(tickets included), located nearby. Later, we’ll head to Santander, the capital of the region, a coastal city offering stunning views of both mountains and beaches. A panoramic tour with a local guide is included, allowing us to explore this elegant coastal city and its beautiful bay.

09 WED. Santander - Bilbao - Foronda Service Area - La Rioja - Zaragoza .-
We’ll follow the motorway along the Cantabrian coast, passing through stunning landscapes where mountains meet the sea. Our journey will lead us to Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country. There, we´ll embark on a brief city tour with a local guide, exploring highlights such as the Guggenheim area, the old quarter, and the Cathedral. Following the tour, you´ll have free time to savor authentic ¨pintxos¨. Later, we´ll continue our travels to La Rioja, renowned for its exceptional wines. We´ll visit the Wine Culture Museumin Briones to delve into the ancient art of winemaking. We´ll arrive in Zaragoza in the evening.

10 THU. Zaragoza - Poblet - Barcelona .-
We’ll start the day with a morning panoramic tour of Zaragoza guided by a local expert. Our first stop will be the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. We´ll also delve into the works of the famous painter Goya and discover some of his masterpieces. The tour will move on to the Roman theatre and a Renaissance palace, and then we’ll take a stroll by the Aljafería Palace.

After lunch, we’ll head to Catalonia to visit the Poblet Abbey, a stunning walled monastery set amidst beautiful scenery. It is one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world (tickets included). Our journey will then take us to Barcelona, where we’ll arrive in the evening.

10 THU. Zaragoza - Poblet - Barcelona .-
We’ll start the day with a morning panoramic tour of Zaragoza guided by a local expert. Our first stop will be the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. We´ll also delve into the works of the famous painter Goya and discover some of his masterpieces. The tour will move on to the Roman theatre and a Renaissance palace, and then we’ll take a stroll by the Aljafería Palace.

After lunch, we’ll head to Catalonia to visit the Poblet Abbey, a stunning walled monastery set amidst beautiful scenery. It is one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world (tickets included). Our journey will then take us to Barcelona, where we’ll arrive in the evening

12 SAT. Barcelona .-
After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.

• Europamundo General Services: Travel by bus with English speaking guide, basic travel insurance and breakfast buffet.
  Includes arrival transfer
  Boat: River Duero in Porto, Wine and mussel tasting in a boat trip in Cambados.
  City tour in : Madrid, Lisbon, Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Santander, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Barcelona.
  Evening Transfer: Plaza Mayor and la Latina in Madrid, Return from Restauradores Square in Lisbon, Maremagnum in Barcelona.
  Experiences: Tasting of a typical menu in a cider house in Oviedo.
  Ticket admission: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, roman theatre of Merida, National Museum of Altamira caves in Santillana, Wime museum in Briones, Poblet Monastery.
  Train: Wime museum in Briones.