Guided trip to Northern Portugal and Spain 2016

San Sebastian

Our recent trip to Portugal and Spain was a planning trip to prepare for a small group trip in 2016, probably late May/early June.  We already have quite a bit of interest in this trip.  Normally, we take 10 to 12 people, so space is limited.  But, if you read the itinerary below and think it's great, please let us know so we can save space for you.  I don't have prices yet, but will be getting quotes on this trip right away.



  

old city of Porto

Day 1        Depart from USA for Porto, Portugal
Day 2        Arrive in Porto about noon
                  Met at airport for transfer to Hotel Palacio das Cardosas
                  Afternoon free
                  Opening dinner
Day 3        Full day tour of Porto, including Porto’s historic center, Rabelo boat trip on the Douro
                  River
                  Lunch included
                  Dinner included
                  Overnight at Hotel Palacio das Cardosas

Port barrel boats on Douro River

Day 4       Morning sightseeing in Porto
                 Lunch on your own
                 Afternoon free
                 Dinner on your own
                 Overnight at Hotel Palacio das Cardosas

Douro Valley

Day 5       Day in Douro Valley, including Pinhao, D’Origem olive oil factory and winery, lunch at
                 DOC restaurant, port tasting at Quinta Santa Eufemia
                 Check in to Hotel Casa da Calcada in Amarante
               Dinner on your own on terrace or village

Guimaraes castle

Day 6       Full day tour of region, including Guimaraes, Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima
                Lunch included
                  Dinner included in Amarante
                  Overnight at Hotel Casa da Calcada

ancient Celtic fortification of Castro de Borona

Day 7        Drive to Santiago de Compostela along Spanish coast, with stop at Castro de Barona,
                   an ancient Celtic fortification on the Atlantic
                   Lunch included
                   Check in to Parador de Santiago de Compostela, adjacent to the famous cathedral
                   Dinner included

cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Day 8         Morning sightseeing in Santiago de Compostela
                   Lunch on your own
                   Afternoon free to wander the old city
                   Dinner on your own
                   Overnight at Parador de Santiago de Compostela
Day 9         Drive to Playa de Ribadesella via A Coruna and other coastal villages
                   Lunch included
                   Check in to Hotel Villa Rosario
                   Dinner included

castle at A Coruna

Day 10       Free day for hiking or exploring the town or enjoying the beautiful beach
                    Lunch on your own
                    Dinner on your own
                    Overnight at Hotel Villa Rosario
Day 11        Drive to San Sebastian along the Basque Coast visiting Santellana del Mar and Lekeitio
                    on the way
                    Lunch included
                    Check in to Hotel Maria Cristina
                    Dinner of pintxos and local wine tasting in the historic city

stone church in Santellana del Mar

Day 12        Morning sightseeing in San Sebastian, including the market, historic city and beaches
                     Lunch included
                     Afternoon free to wander the old city or shop
                     Dinner on your own
                     Overnight at Hotel Maria Cristina

Txacoli vineyard in mountains above San Sebastian

Day 13         Day of visiting mountain and fishing villages near San Sebastian, including tasting the
                     local txacoli wine, the fishing village of Gitari and Gernika (inspiration for Pablo Picasso’s
                     masterpiece, “Guernika”)
                     Lunch included
                     Dinner included
                     Overnight at Hotel Maria Cristina

we'll hike along these upended shale cliffs on the Basque Coast

Day 14         Drive to Bilbao in morning  for tour of the city
                      Lunch on your own
                      Afternoon free to visit the Guggenheim Museum or walk along the river
                      Closing dinner included
                      Overnight at Hotel Gran Domine Bilbao, right across the street from the Guggenheim

view of Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum

ay 15          Transfer to Bilbao airport for flights home to USA