Discover the delights of northern Spain with this fabulous two week tour.
Explore the lesser-known areas of Catalonia and Aragon, where there is little traffic, and therefore excellent driving on exciting, winding roads, accompanied by far reaching views of hills, mountains and lakes.
Starting and finishing in Bilbao, you can explore Rioja and its vineyards, see beautiful Barcelona, drive through the Pyrennees, visit the tiny principality of Andorra, the city of Pamplona and the seaside resort of San Sebastian.
Accommodation
Stay in some lovely guesthouses and hotels, including former fortresses, stylish mansions, chic country hotels and historic Paradors. All the hotels are individual and unique and, overall, are of an extremely high standard. Due to the nature and age of these hotels the rooms vary from charmingly comfortable to wonderfully luxuriant. We have hand-picked the accommodation for their unique atmosphere and style. All accommodation includes breakfast, and dinner is included where stated. Suitable parking is, of course, a feature of each hotel, but it is only occasionally undercover.
Itinerary
Itinerary may be subject to change without notice
Day 1
For UK participants, meet at Portsmouth for the P&O ferry to Bilbao, sailing at 20.45. Welcome dinner on board for all tour participants.
Day 2
All day is spent on board giving you plenty of time to relax. The ferry has a cinema, pool, sauna, fitness suite, a number of places to eat and shop, and a casino.
Day 3
Arrive in Bilbao in the morning and join any continental participants, if applicable. Visit the famous Guggenheim museum. The drive south into the Rioja area and take the opportunity to visit a few of the vineyards and sample some of the wines. Stay in an elegant Parador which occupies a 12th century former hospital, on the famous Pilgrims’ Road to Santiago . Dinner is included.
Day 4
Spend the morning exploring some more vineyards or visit the Museo del Vino in Haro. It is a short drive across the southern Navarra to the small town of Olite, which boasts a magnificent castle, once the most sumptuous royal residence in Europe. Explore the medieval rambling streets and sample some local cuisine. Stay in a comfortable, atmospheric hotel.
Day 5
Drive east surrounded by beautiful views to visit the impressive Castillo de Loarre. Cross into Catalonia and head to the castle of Montclar. After a guided tour, there will be a special, private reception and dinner, with medieval-style entertainment, in the castle, finishing with a very short stroll back to the guesthouses.
Day 6
Visit the mountain and monastery of Montserrat, one of Spain’s most spectacular sights. Drive to the fabulous city of Barcelona and marvel at the Art Nouveau and Gothic architecture. Stay for the next two nights in a very contemporary, luxury hotel in the centre of the city, There is underground parking included at the hotel.
Day 7
A day to explore the city: There are some superb museums and markets, or stroll along the Ramblas, with its buskers and street performers. Wander through the atmospheric maze of the ancient and narrow streets of the Barri Gòtic, and visit the Parc Güell, which is an extraordinary flight of fancy.
Day 8
Leave Barcelona behind and drive north, along the Costa Dorada and then north to ancient, walled city of Girona. Visit the ancient Greek and Roman ruined settlement at Empúries, before heading for Figueres, a town inextricably linked with Salvador Dalí. Then travel east into the Pyrenees to stay for the next two nights in a fabulous mansion. Dinner is not included as there is an a la carte restaurant in the hotel.
Day 9
A day off to relax or explore the area. The nearby town of Puigcerda is very pleasant for a stroll or there are a couple of golf courses in the vicinity. For water lovers there are many rivers nearby for fishing, rafting or canoeing or the coast is only an hour away.
Day 10
A wonderful drive across mountain passes and along pretty valleys, surrounded by breath-taking scenery. The tour will drive into France and then through the tiny principality of Andorra. Stay in a lovely Parador in the Vall d’Aran, surrounded by mountains. Dinner is included.
Day 11
Another day of stunning driving on wonderful, meandering roads through canyons and across mountains. Visit the 12th century castle of Alquézar. Stay in a lovely village hosteria (dinner is included) within the National Park of Sierra de Guara, an area of sculpted gorges, painted prehistoric caves and appealing villages.
Day 12
Head west to Pamplona and then onto the town of Puente la Reina, the point at which all the different Roads to Santiago in Europe converge. Stay overnight in an attractive, stone hotel, renowned for its cuisine. Dinner is included.
Day 13
A short, pretty drive north to the coast, through some well-preserved villages, to the fashionable seaside resort of Hondarribia and its old walled city. The night will be spent in a Parador, which was once a fortress, overlooking France. Dinner not included
Day 14
Wind along the coast, visiting the fashionable resort of San Sebastián, and enjoy the rugged coastline. Head inland to a small village surrounded by utterly seductive views. The tour has exclusive use of an enchanting and chic hotel, housed in 18th century farmhouses. A celebration dinner at the excellent restaurant is included.
Day 15
A relaxed morning as it is only 40km to Bilbao. Continental participants to depart. All UK participants drive to Bilbao for the ferry at 13.15.
Day 16
Arrive in Portsmouth at 17.15 and depart.
Details
Dates
Duration: 12 days - this trip can be taken at any time.
£1,950 per person - based on 2 people per car and sharing accommodation, travelling from the UK (£157.50 per person per night)
2,800 euro per person - based on 2 people per car and sharing accommodation, travelling from mainland Europe (200 euro per person per night)
What’s included
- All accommodation for fifteen nights (including three nights onboard ferries for those travelling from the UK) for two people sharing a twin or double room.
- Breakfast every morning (except on the ferries) & dinner on seven evenings. You will be able to dine at restaurants of your choice on other nights.
- Return crossing from Portsmouth, England to Bilbao, Spain for a car & two people, with twin cabins and en-suite facilities on both journeys. (Participants from the UK only)
- Tour book - includes a brief history of the countries to be visited, emergency details, maps and directions, accommodation information, and a very detailed, tailored account of recommended sights and visits for each day. The book effectively eliminates the need for any other guide books
- Arrangement and reservation of optional activities
What’s not included
- Fuel
- Eight evening meals
- All lunches
- Entry into attractions and activities
- Personal travel and medical insurance
- We strongly suggest and recommend you have European breakdown cover, and ensure you are covered for Spain, France and Andorra
- All drinks are extra to accommodate individual preferences
Requirements
Travel to the continent: Return ferry crossings will be reserved with P&O Ferries from Portsmouth to Bilbao
Booking
Apart from our scheduled, escorted group tours, none of our itineraries are set in stone - after all, this is your holiday - so we can fine-tune any aspect of these tours to meet your wishes. Any of our escorted tours may also be taken as a private, independent tour, at a time to suit you.
We work closely with a number of classic and spots car hire companies across the UK, Europe, and beyond, so we can arrange your car hire for you , too. Please contact us for futher details and the cars we have available.
