Contrasts of Northern Spain (2027)

Day 1: Madrid

Day 2: Madrid

Day 3: Madrid - León - Fromista - Burgos

We’ll leave early in the morning and cross Castile and León, making a stop in Tordesillas to learn about the town´s history and enjoy a coffee at its main square. We´ll then continue to Leon, where we’ll have time for lunch and to visit the stunning Gothic cathedral in this historic city on the St. James´ Way. We’ll then continue our journey across the Castilian plateau—lands connected for centuries to the St. James´ Way. We’ll stop alongside the historic Canal of Castilla, one of the most ambitious hydraulic engineering projects of the Spanish Enlightenment. From there, we can walk alongside pilgrims to the Church of San Martin de Tours in Fromista (admission included), one of the greatest treasures of Spanish Romanesque architecture. We’ll then continue to Burgos, where we recommend taking a walk through its historic city center.

Day 4: Burgos - San Millán de la Cogolla - Vitoria - Pamplona

After breakfast and before starting our day, we’ll head to the city center of Burgos. Free time to visit its cathedral or take a walk through the historic center. We continue to SAN MILLAN DE LA COGOLLA, a small enclave considered the birthplace of written Spanish. We’ll visit the Yuso Monastery (admission included), a World Heritage site where the famous “Glosas Emilianenses” were discovered—considered to be the earliest written texts in both Castilian Spanish and Basque. We’ll arrive in VITORIA-GASTEIZ for lunch and a stroll through its medieval quarter, known as the "Medieval Almond" for its unique shape. In the afternoon, we’ll continue our route to PAMPLONA, the historic capital of Navarre, world-famous for the San Fermín festival. Free time in the city center before heading to our hotel.

Day 5: Pamplona - Olite - Zaragoza - Madrid

After breakfast, we will head to OLITE, famous for one of the most remarkable castle-palaces in Spain. Its towers, galleries, courtyards, and gardens make it look straight out of a fairy tale. It was once the residence of the Kings of Navarre. Time to enjoy a coffee and stroll through its streets. We continue toward ZARAGOZA, situated along the banks of the Ebro River and known for the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, one of Spain´s major sanctuaries and a spiritual symbol of the Hispanic world. After lunch, we continue to MADRID; arrival around 07:00 p.m.

Day 6: Madrid

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.