North of Spain Discovery

Welcome to Spain! Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Spain's capital using your CosmosGO app. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions at the welcome meeting.

Discover Madrid on the guided orientation tour with a Local Guide who will help you discover the city with some insider information. (B)

Leave Madrid to explore the pearls of Castilla & Leon, Salamanca. Take a walk through centuries of history, art, knowledge, and landmarks such as the famous University, one of the oldest in Europe, and the Plaza Mayor, crowned with 88 arches. Continue to Leon. Perhaps tonight you may wish to try the local cuisine or taste the Duero region wines with tapas in the ancient streets of "Barrio Humedo". Today's Distance: 260 mi/ 419 km (B)

The day starts with the visit of Lugo, a town known for the Roman wall, exceptionally well preserved and continuing to be the city's most distinctive architectural feature, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tonight's host city is Santiago de Compostela, the completion point of the Saint James' Way. Thousands of pilgrims, every year walk the Camino to reach the capital of Galicia and enter the iconic Cathedral. But Santiago de Compostela is a living city, with countless restaurants and bars to enjoy delicious Galician seafood, the old town centre, contemporary art… There's plenty to do in this city which combines history and tradition with a modern, younger side. Today's distance: 203 mi /327 km (B)

A Coruna's distinctive landmark is the oldest Roman working lighthouse in the world, called Hercules Tower, but the town also boasts a rich historical centre and a scenic promenade along the Atlantic shores. Spend some time exploring and taking advantage of the Galician seafood dishes. The most famous one is Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega).

Overnight in Oviedo, closely linked to the Asturian monarchy since its foundation. Former capital of the Kingdom, it boasts a medieval historic quarter, transformed in modern times into a pleasant pedestrian area. Oviedo is famous for its natural cider production, one of Asturias' specialities! Today's Distance: 224 mi/ 360 km (B)

Visit Santander, capital of the Cantabria region. Santander was the destination par excellence for royalty at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. A stroll through the old quarters, with its majestic buildings, takes us back to a distinguished past. Continue to Bilbao, in the Basque Countries. Today's Distance: 180 mi/ 293 km (B)

Spend the day at leisure in Bilbao. We suggest a visit to the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry and featuring an important private collection of modern and contemporary art. Discover the contrast of the avant-garde with the traditional feel of the city, with charming streets and bars offering "pintxos", or explore the La Ribera Market, a beautiful building where you can have the produce that you purchase cooked for you. (B/D)

Burgos preserves distinct signs of its medieval splendour. It was the capital city of the unified kingdom of Castile and Leon for five centuries, and boasts one of the masterpieces of Spanish Gothic, its Cathedral, declared a World Heritage Site. Castile & Leon is a region of fine wines, and a visit to a Ribera del Duero wine cellar visit is included today. Continue to Valladolid, built on the banks of the Pisuerga River. Today's Distance: 176 mi/ 284 km (B)

Medina del Campo's most outstanding feature is the castle of La Mota, from the 15th century, whose silhouette dominates the town's skyline. Segovia boasts an impressive aqueduct from the days of the Roman Empire and a fortress that inspired Snow White's Castle in Disneyland. Today's Distance: 152 mi/ 244 km (B)

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)