8 Days/7 Nights
Departs Daily from Madrid
Taste of Northern Spain:
La Rioja, San Sebastián, Bilbao, Oviedo, and Santiago de Compostela
The Northern provinces include some of the country’s most historic locales as well as its most famous
wine and food traditions.
ACCOMMODATIONS
•1 Night La Rioja
•1 Night Bilbao
•2 Nights Santiago de
•2 Nights San Sebastián
•1 Night Oviedo
Compostela
INCLUSIONS
•Wine Museum Visit plus Lunch
•Private Bilbao Pinxto & Tapas
•8 day Compact Manual
in La Rioja
Walking Tour
Car Rental
•Private San Sebastián Walking
•Private Albariño Wine Tour
•Daily Breakfast
Tour with Funicular Ride
plus Lunch
ARRIVE LA RIOJA:
Pick up your rental car at Madrid Airport or city center and drive to La Rioja. After
arriving at your hotel, relax among the vineyards as you have arrived in Spain's
most important wine regions.
(Accommodations, La Rioja)
LA RIOJA TO SAN SEBASTIAN:
After breakfast, you'll take a tour of the renowned Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture
Museum. It encompasses the origins of wine, particularly the Rioja region, the
variety of soils, the threats to the vines, the harvest, and ultimately, the wine making
process itself. The museum plays tribute to the grape, as you enter the Garden of
Bacchus, a collection of grapevines which boasts more than 220 varieties from
around the world. Whether you're an oenophile, or just a casual fan of wine, this tour
is informative and fun. After the tour, you'll enjoy a gourmet lunch at the adjoining
restaurant, accompanied by local wines. All of this, while being surrounded by the
incredible landscapes of the vineyards. In the afternoon, time to head north on a
scenic drive to the Bay of Biscay, and the coastal city of San Sebastián (Donostia in
the Basque language.)
In the evening, enjoy dinner with typical Basque cuisine, famous for its several
Michelin starred restaurants. Seafood of course is prevalent, and one of the most
typical Basque dishes of all is bacalao al pil pil, a Spanish fish stew comprised of
bacalao (cod), garlic and olive oil. Make sure to try pimientos de piquillo, roasted
small bright red peppers, and slabs of fore rib called txuleton, which are grilled over
coals and served with nothing more than a sprinkling of good sea salt.
(Breakfast, La Rioja; Accommodations, San Sebastian)
SAN SEBASTIAN:
Today you'll discover San Sebastián from a different point of view, a walking tour
with our local guide. Our sightseeing walking tour given in English will help you
experience and understand the differences between the Basque region and the rest
of Spain while at the same time touching the history and sights and flavors of this
beautiful city by the sea. Take the funicular up to Igeldo Hills to take in incredible
views to the Cantabria coast. Fishermen`s houses, a smart suburb and modern
districts make it one of the most attractive cities in the Basque country.
(Breakfast, Accommodations, San Sebastian)
SAN SEBASTIAN TO BILBAO:
After breakfast, a short drive to Bilbao. After checking in to your hotel, you'll
experience the Spanish culture, accompanied by a guide who will be pointing out
little-known cultural details throughout the tour. You'll have the opportunity for tapas
tastings in a traditional tasca and a pintxo bar. Pintxos (peen-chos) are the Basque
version of tapas, and are epic in variety and taste. Your guide will also explain the
ritual of the Bilbainos bar crawl, known as a txikiteo. Basically, it involves scoffing
pintxos washed down by txakoli, the local white or rosé wine.
At the Guggenheim, its entrance is guarded by an unlikely Cerberus; a 40ft dog
made out of flowers. “Puppy “is the creation of kitsch American artist Jeff Koons and
has become the unofficial mascot of the city. You may have to wait in line to have a
photo taken with the dog. But go inside for the good stuff. The exhibitions vary
during the year, but Richard Serra’s seven-part The Matter of Time alone is worth a
visit.
(Breakfast, San Sebastian; Accommodations, Bilbao)
BILBAO TO OVIEDO:
After a short drive, arrive in Oviedo; a fun, sophisticated city with an interesting
historic quarter, as well as some excellent restaurants. The compact casco antiguo
(old town) provides the opportunity to take in some of the most significant buildings,
such as Santa María del Naranco, San Miguel de Lillo and San Julián de los
Prados, all of them national monuments. These temples and palaces, along with
Santa Cristina de Lena, la Cámara Santa and la Foncalada (a medieval fountain)
have been given World Heritage status by UNESCO. Another old town site is the
Iglisia de San Isidoro, a 16th century church overlooking the Plaza de la
Constitución. Two excellent choices for dinner is the Michelin-starred Gloria, offering
traditional cuisine, or Naguar, more trendy and hip with a fusion influence.
(Breakfast, San Sebastian; Accommodations, Oviedo)
OVIEDO TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA:
After breakfast, begin driving west towards the Galicia region. There's no doubt that
you are in a different kind of Spain, where old-timers speak a dialect called Gallego,
and seafood not meat, bolsters the local diet. This is also the “Original Route” or
Camino Primitivo. It was the first used to reach Santiago de Compostela, when in
the 9th century most of Spain was under Moorish control. This was the route
traditionally followed by pilgrims originating outside of northern Spain and Europe.
So it will be no surprise to see pilgrims (peregrinos) walking along the road. The
route crosses the Cantabrian Mountains, and includes the city of Lugo. If you have
time, it's a perfect place for lunch. The old town is nested inside the only fully
preserved Roman walls in Spain, and of course, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
After arriving in Santiago de Compostela, stroll around the pedestrian friendly
streets before dinner. For being a pilgrimage site, it's surprisingly lively, no doubt
due to the large number of university students. Time for dinner, and seafood lovers
rejoice! Galicia is famed for its fresh and abundant seafood being caught in the rías
(estuaries). Shellfish like mussels, clams, oysters, shrimp, crab, and lobster abound
along with fish like tuna, monkfish, sea bass, and sole. The region is also known for
their scallops, as it is one of the most important symbols of the pilgrimage to
Santiago de Compostela. They are most commonly baked and eaten in their shells.
Octopus, a regional specialty will usually be on the menu. Called pulpo gallego; it's
a small, tapas-style dish of octopus dressed with olive oil and a sprinkling
of pimentón de La Vera (smoked paprika) on top.
(Breakfast, Oviedo; Accommodations, Santiago de Compostela)
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA:
After breakfast, your private driver will take you on a tour of Galicia's best known
wine region, the Rias Baixas. This area lies just south of Santiago and borders the
Atlantic Ocean. The principal grape is Albariño, which is aromatic with hints of
citrus. It's the perfect pairing for seafood, and you'll have the opportunity to sample
some of these, followed by a lunch at a local restaurant.
Returning to Santiago, make time to visit the majestic cathedral; the end of the
Camino and final resting place of St. James. A small church was first built over the
tomb of St. James shortly after it was discovered in 819 AD. This was destroyed by
Moorish army in 997 AD, though they left the relics of the Apostle undisturbed. They
did, however, force Santiago's citizens to carry the bells of the tower to the mosque
in Córdoba (they have since been returned). Entrance to the cathedral is through
the magnificent Pórtico de la Gloria, carved in 1188 by Maestro Mateo and
considered one of the finest works of medieval art. The spectacular Baroque façade
of the cathedral, known as the Obradoiro façade, was added in 1738. Made of
granite, it's flanked by the huge aforementioned bell towers, and adorned
everywhere with statues of St. James as the pilgrim, with staff, broad hat and
scallop-shell badge.
(Breakfast, Accommodations, Santiago de Compostela)
DEPART:
After breakfast, return the rental car to the airport for your next Avanti destination!
(Breakfast, Santiago de Compostela)
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