In Barcelona, a city teeming with world-renowned architectural landmarks, admire the parks and structures scattered throughout the city designed by Gaudi, 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.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Barcelona

Your journey through northern Spain begins with an overnight flight to Barcelona.

Day 2 - Barcelona

Land in Barcelona, where a Go Ahead representative meets you. Get to know the rest of your group at this evening’s included dinner. 
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 travel through the city, take in panoramic views of the Columbus Monument, the 14th-century Barrio Gótico and Montjuïc, 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.

Day 4 - Zaragoza

Journey to the mountainside town of Montserrat, where your tour director offers you a brief introduction to this town which draws thousands of pilgrims each year.

Continue to Zaragoza, where a local guide leads you on a sightseeing tour of this dynamic city, once the seat of the ancient civilization of Aragón. Zaragoza is also a major pilgrimage site. Legend says that the Virgin Mary came to St. James, patron saint of Spain, and ordered him to build a church here. 
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 5 - Pamplona

As you continue through Spain’s northern countryside toward the Basque region, stop in Pamplona, glorified in the novels of Hemingway. Your tour director leads an informal walking tour of this town, which is best known for its annual Running of the Bulls. Then head to the oceanside town of San Sebastian.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 6 - San Sebastian

A professional local guide leads this morning’s tour of San Sebastian. Make your way through the town’s old quarter, where Spanish royalty vacationed in centuries past. Then take a relaxed two-hour walking tour, featuring a scenic climb up Monte Urgull. 
Included meals: breakfast

Day 7 - Bilbao

The path to Santillana del Mar takes you along Spain’s Costa Verde, or Green Coast, to Bilbao and the Altamira Caves. Here, visit the city’s Guggenheim Museum. Your tour director then leads a walking tour of Bilbao’s historic Old Town, followed by a tour through the Altamira Caves Museum. 

Day 8 - Santillana del Mar

Enjoy a day at your leisure in Santillana del Mar. Alternatively, join your tour director for an optional excursion to Potes and the Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe) mountain range for an invigorating hike (weather dependent). 
Included meals: breakfast

$119 USD

Potes & Picos de Europa Take a walking tour through the scenic small town of Potes, followed by free time for lunch. Then continue on the Picos de Europa National Park for another guided walk amid the region’s beautiful and rugged scenery.

Day 9 - Oviedo

Leave Santillana del Mar for Oviedo this morning, stopping to tour the charming medieval town of Comillas, known as the archbishop’s village. Arrive later in Oviedo, where a local guide leads you on a sightseeing tour. 
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 10 - Santiago de Compostela

Stop in Lugo on your way to Santiago de Compostela, which in the Middle Ages was the world’s third most important pilgrimage destination (after Jerusalem and Rome). This evening, enjoy the local specialties at an optional Seafood Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast

$79 USD

Seafood dinner For a true taste of Galicia, join your fellow travelers for a succulent Mariscada, or seafood dinner, at a local restaurant in Galicia’s historic center. Savor the freshest seafood Spain has to offer as you choose from a variety of menu options.

Day 11 - Santiago de Compostela

An expert local guide leads today’s walking tour through the Old Town in Santiago de Compostela. Visit the famous cathedral where the remains of Saint James are said to be entombed. Afterwards, take an optional river cruise along the Rias Baixas. 
Included meals: breakfast

$95 USD

Rias Baixas River Cruise Cruise among the West Galician coastal inlets, famous for their mussel and oyster farms (along the way, you’ll get to try some samples!). Galician bagpipe music serenades you as you pass islands and coves including Sansenxo, La Toxa Island, Cambados and Vilagarcia de Arousa.

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.)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Spain, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the Spanish consulate for your particular entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to Spain. It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements. As mentioned, this tour does include a significant amount of walking. Travelers should be in reasonable health and should be accustomed to short hikes and walking on uneven terrain.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Barcelona and depart from Santiago de Compostela via Madrid. Included transportation on “Barcelona & Northern Spain” is by private motorcoach.

Barcelona has a comprehensive metro system that is connected to the bus line and serves most of the attractions. You can buy tickets in singles or, for a better deal, in a package, from most tobacconists/news stands and metro vending machines.

Northern Spain’s small cities and towns are easily walkable. If you need a break from the walking, though, local buses serve most areas.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing, especially for the walks. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear. Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Currency

The euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available at your destination rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks, as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.

We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity.

We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide.

Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.