Charming Portugal and Northern Routes (2027)

Day 1: Madrid

Day 2: Madrid

Day 3: Madrid - Mérida - Évora - Lisbon

We´ll leave Madrid, heading towards the capital of Extremadura: Mérida, where we´ll visit the archaeological complex of the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre (tickets included), a World Heritage Site renowned for its excellent state of preservation. There will be time for lunch in the pleasant pedestrian historic center bustling with life and restaurants. We´ll continue to Portugal and stop in Évora, another city recognized as a World Heritage Site, with its white streets, Renaissance palaces, and cathedral. We´ll arrive in Lisbon in the evening.

Day 4: Lisbon

In the morning, we´ll embark on a sightseeing tour of Lisbon, exploring the Portuguese capital of the seven hills, with its charming alleys, iconic tiles, the feeling of "saudade," and the beautiful Atlantic light. We’ll also visit the Belem neighborhood, from where the great Portuguese navigators set sail to cross the oceans in the 15th century. Free time in the afternoon to walk and go to the Bairro Alto and its viewpoint; if you’d like to, you could take an optional trip to the towns of Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening, we’ll return to the hotel from the lively Restauradores Square, filled with vibrant bars and cafes.

Day 5: Lisbon - Fátima - Porto

We’ll travel to the north of Portugal, where we’ll visit Fátima, an important pilgrimage site. We’ll then continue to Porto, the country’s second-largest city. After lunch, we’ll enjoy a 50-minute cruise along the Douro River aboard a traditional Portuguese "Rabelo" boat, offering a unique perspective of the city’s beautiful riverside. Afterwards, you’ll have free time to explore the lively medieval Ribeira district, known for its narrow streets lined with historic merchant houses and charming cafés, before heading to the hotel.

Day 6: Porto - Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary - Cambados - Santiago de Compostela

Today, we´ll travel through stunning landscapes. In Braga, we´ll take a ride on the world’s oldest water-operated cable car to reach the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, where breathtaking views await. After exploring the sanctuary, we recommend descending via its picturesque staircase. Our journey continues into Galicia, where we´ll visit the historic town of Cambados or O Grove in Rías Baixas. Here, we´ll embark on a glass-bottom boat trip along the Ría de Arousa, learning about mussel and oyster production. Enjoy wine and mussel tasting onboard. At lunchtime, we´ll arrive in Santiago de Compostela for a city tour led by a local guide, exploring its medieval streets and renowned pilgrimage sites dating back to the Middle Ages.

Day 7: Santiago de Compostela - Lugo - León - Fromista - Burgos

We’ll travel along the Way of St. James, beginning with Lugo. Here, we’ll have time to explore the historic town center and its Roman walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll arrive in Leon at lunchtime, where we’ll visit the magnificent Gothic cathedral, renowned for its stained-glass windows, and enjoy a stroll through the historic town center.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 8: 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 9: 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 10: Madrid

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