In Barcelona, an enchanting city teeming with world-renowned architectural landmarks, admire the parks and homes designed by Antoni Gaudí, an artist inspired by the Mediterranean environment around him. Then, discover the old-fashioned charm of seaside San Sebastian, Spain's Costa Verde and the Old Town of Santiago de Compostela on this unforgettable tour.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Overnight Flight

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Barcelona aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Day 2 - Barcelona

Welcome to Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city and the capital of the Catalonia region. A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for beginning your explorations of Barcelona. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Barcelona

A professional local guide leads a sightseeing tour of Barcelona, featuring a stop at La Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family), Gaudí’s famous landmark. As you study the church’s mellifluous lines and multicolored Mediterranean-style mosaics, note that its construction was never completed after Gaudí’s death but continues sporadically today as funds allow. As you travel through the city, take in panoramic views of the Columbus Monument, the 14th-century Barri Gótic and Montjuïc Hill, where much of the 1992 summer Olympic Games took place. You’ll also visit another Gaudí creation, the Parque Güell, a garden village nestled in the heart of the city. This evening, partake of a festive Spanish cultural tradition at our optional Flamenco Show with Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast

$109 USD

Flamenco Dinner Show Experience the drama of flamenco dancing, one of Spain’s most celebrated traditions. Flamenco is a unique and colorful Andalusian art form, combining guitar playing, singing, clapping and dancing. Enjoy an included dinner featuring savory selections of traditional and local food.

Day 4 - Zaragoza

Journey to the picturesque town of Montserrat, where your Tour Director offers you a brief introduction to the town that inspired the composer Richard Wagner as he wrote Parsifal. Each year, the town’s rugged mountain setting attracts thousands of pilgrims, who come to pay homage to the Black Virgin in Montserrat’s 9th-century monastery. Then continue on to Zaragoza in the heart of Spain’s mountainous Aragón region. An expert local guide leads you on a sightseeing tour of this pilgrimage town, including the basilica, Roman Forum and the Moorish Aljaferia. Dinner is included this evening.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 5 - San Sebastian

Traveling north toward the Basque region, stop in Pamplona, the town known for its annual running of the bulls. Your Tour Director leads an informal sightseeing tour of Pamplona, highlighting views of the Plaza del Castillo, the Old Town and the Gothic cathedral. Then continue through the culturally and linguistically unique Basque region to oceanside San Sebastian, where dinner is included tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 6 - San Sebastian

A professional local guide leads this morning’s orientation to San Sebastian, a town bordered by green mountains and roaring ocean. Pass by Playa de la Concha and through the town’s old quarter. Isabel II spent her vacations here. While in the Old Town, notice the numbers on the balconies above. These used to be ringside seats for bullfights. Next, a two-hour walk takes you up the wooded slopes of Monte Urgull to its peak, from which you’ll have a wonderful panoramic view of San Sebastian and its environment.
Included meals: breakfast

Day 7 - Santillana del Mar

From San Sebastian, travel west along the scenic Costa Verde (green coast) to Bilbao and the Altamira Caves. In Bilbao, you’ll visit the world-class Guggenheim Museum of Contemporary Art. Like its counterpart in New York, this museum is a showplace of modern art. The building itself, a creation of titanium, limestone and glass designed by American architect Frank O. Gehry, is fascinating, as well. After your visit to the museum, your Tour Director leads a walking tour through Bilbao’s Old Town. Next, visit the Altamira National Museum to view replicas of the ancient cave paintings. Then head for tonight’s destination, Santillana del Mar. Dinner is included this evening.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Guggenheim Museum

Day 8 - Oviedo

This morning, transfer to Oviedo, stopping along the way to visit the charming seaside town of Comillas. This afternoon, arrive in Oviedo, where a local guide introduces you to the town. Dinner is included tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 9 - Oviedo

Spend today at leisure in Oviedo. Or, consider joining our optional excursion to the Picos de Europa, a mountainous ridge that earned its name from sailors during the Age of Discovery. Reaching nearly 9,000 feet above sea level, the Picos de Europa were often the first sight of European soil sailors would have seen on their return voyages.
Included meals: breakfast

$75 USD

Picos de Europa This excursion to the Picos de Europa features a guided tour of Cangas de Onis, the former capital of the Kingdom of Asturias, with a stop in the Sanctuary of Santa Cova. Once in the Picos de Europa National Park, you’ll take a scenic walking tour to the glacial Lakes of Covadonga. You'll also take in panoramic views of the Picos de Europa, the "peaks of Europe," so named because they were often the first sight of land for sailors returning to Europe from the Atlantic. Please note: This excursion is weather dependent.

Day 10 - Santiago de Compostela

Journey today to Lugo, a town to whose thermal springs the ancient Romans once flocked. Here, you can view the finest surviving Roman wall found anywhere in Spain. You might wish to climb one of the wall’s many staircases for a memorable view of the village below. Continue on to your destination, Santiago de Compostela, where you may choose to enjoy the local specialties at our optional Traditional Galician Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast

$79 USD

Traditional Galician Dinner For a true taste of Galicia, opt to join your fellow travelers for a succulent mariscada, or seafood dinner, at a local restaurant in the region’s historic center. Savor the freshest seafood Spain has to offer as you choose from a variety of menu options. The catch of the day may include the following: steamed Galician blue mussels, mariner style cockles and Feira-style octopus, as well as such delights as ‘espalda’-style sea bass or grilled baby squid. Depending on which menu you choose, you may also sample a viera, a scallop savored with a glass of Ribiero, Godello or Albariño, three of the region’s finest white wines.

Day 11 - Santiago de Compostela

On this morning’s walking tour, an expert local guide introduces you to the historic features of Santiago de Compostela, which ranked as Christendom’s third most important pilgrimage site (after Jerusalem and Rome) during the Middle Ages. Stroll along the ancient city’s narrow streets, viewing the twin-spired cathedral, the Praza do Obradoiro, the 9th-century monastery and the 17th-century fountain in the center of the Praza das Praterias. Explore the town on your own this afternoon or join an optional riverboat cruise along the Rias Baixas.
Included meals: breakfast

$75 USD

Rías Baixas Cruise Travel to the tiny fishing town of O Grove for a cruise of the Rías Baixas, the coastal inlets and estuaries of western Galicia. On a cruise through the town's harbor, you'll discover this region's maritime heritage. Seafood lovers will rejoice on this cruise you'll be treated to all-you-can-eat local mussels while you're onboard. Please note: This excursion is weather dependent.

Day 12 - Madrid

After a free morning in Santiago de Compostela, board your flight to Madrid and join your group for a Farewell Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 13 - Madrid

If you are not continuing on our tour extension to Madrid, a Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport for your flight home.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)