Romantic Northern Spain Getaway

Your plane will arrive at the Santiago de Compostela Airport. This city has served as a beacon of spiritual realization as many backpackers, young and old, have hiked for weeks to arrive here. Today, you will settle into your accommodation in the city’s old town.

Once you are settled in, you can enjoy a walk around the city and marvel at the intricate architecture of this prosperous town and reflect on its antiquity. You will see the reason this city holds the title of spiritual realization as you stand alongside the many pilgrims who are convening in the town plaza. While you are here, you will most likely be distracted by the Praza do Obradoiro, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, and the majestic, medieval buildings that encircle you. Santiago de Compostela serves as a “mecca” to travelers from around mostly Europe. They have just hiked across Northern Spain and have been yearning to arrive here at this very place. This spiritual tradition dates back to the 13th century because St. James, who was an apostle of Jesus, made the same trek. The nature of this very city is cemented in its historical roots of greeting passengers from all over the world. No other experience can better serve as a welcome to you and your partner as you arrive in this glorious city.

On your stroll, be sure to take a walk through the park, Parque da Alameda, and let the nature astonish you as you walk closer inside and gaze at the beautifully organized rows of trees. Atop the hills, you can stare back at the city of Santiago and take in the adventure that awaits you on your trip.

This morning, you will have breakfast provided by your hotel. Afterward, you can walk outside into the city and see the backpackers as they arrive. Today, you will get a more in-depth experience as you enter the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela rather than just marveling from the outside. As you walk inside the impressionable Cathedral, you will witness the botafumeiro, which is the largest Catholic incense burner in the world, as it hangs from the ceiling. Following your experienced guide, you will continue to the tomb that is said to hold the remains of St. James and absorb the spiritual energy that surrounds you. You will then delight in a short climb to the top of the Cathedral, where you will behold the city in its glory. Be sure to look down at the newly arrived pilgrims who may be staring back up at you from the plaza with their eyes full of wonder as their journey has come to an end. Theirs may be ending, but your is just beginning.

In the afternoon, the sounds of the regional bagpipe, the gaita, can be heard as you and your partner sit at a restaurant with tables that have been neatly laid out on the street. This welcoming nature of the city can be truly felt as you relax and enjoy Galician style tapas along with their trademark dish that has been freshly caught nearby: the pulpo, or octopus. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to witness modern art at the Galician Contemporary Art Center that holds some of the region’s local art pieces.

On your third day, you will enter by train into the Asturian region of Spain and continue directly into the immaculate capital of Oviedo. This ideal setting emphasizes beauty and character with charming facades and romantic leisure. As you walk outside your hotel, you will set out into the fresh breeze and the colorful buildings that surround you as the city of Oviedo stands with true authenticity and an artistic sensibility. Familiarize yourself with the town by taking a stroll around the town to gather a sense of why this town is still mostly undiscovered but has managed to garner an admirable following. Elaborate architecture stands side by side with quirky displays of art and sculptures. The city’s clean and pedestrianized style of habit conveys a tranquility that very few cities can match. You will stroll to the Fontán Market and wave back at the merchants who are ready to lend a taste of the many artisanal Asturian products that they have on display such as cheeses, hams, and ciders.

For lunch, you will indulge at an Asturian restaurant and try the local cuisine all while watching the traditional method of pouring drinks. As you sit at your relaxing table, wait to be astonished by this peculiar way that Asturians servers pour cider. Watching the pour can be like nothing that you have ever seen before, and the fizzy drink will tickle your tongue as you savor its intricate flavor. This unique cider is crafted by an artisanal process that dates back centuries.

In the afternoon, you will meet your private guide in your accommodation’s lobby and transfer to the pre-Romanesque shrines of San Julian de los Prados and San Miguel de Lillo. These UNESCO world heritage sites stand tall and proud as they reflect the architecture of the 13th-century, pre-Romanesque period. Your tour guide will take you to these sites and will give you a rundown of this sublime example of Asturian architecture that exists nowhere else in the world.

This morning, you will wake up with breakfast at your hotel and stare out of your window as the sun shines. You will soon take a tour to the Praia de Catedrais, which is a beach that holds a natural wonder of arches that have been carved from the cliff sides over centuries from the mighty waves. Your driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel as you transfer to the North. You will behold lovely mountain villages as you get nearer to the beach. The sandy beaches of Asturias are not particularly common in Europe, and these are recognized as an aspect of the local way of life. You can take in the view of the ocean as the tide is low and the sea grants you access to stroll along the beach. The air and the sand will greet you both with a scent of the salty sea as you set out and among the majestic, arching cliffs.

In the afternoon, you will be immersed in the culture as you visit the Museum of Fine Arts of Oviedo. The unassuming building is a showcase of Asturias’ best paintings, sculptures, and drawings that date back to the Middle Ages. After your journey of dramatic nature and art, you can reflect on your day by strolling through the peaceful Park of Oviedo, which is located in the city’s center. Here, Lush and well-organized greenery is contained within a beautiful stone studded sidewalk. Tonight, you will dine at a local restaurant that offers more of Asturias’ best foods.

Today, you will transfer to Ribadesella by private car, and this is a town unlike any other and is known to be an attractive place for Asturians to celebrate in their own splendor of food and drink such as baked goods and cider. As you move deeper into the city, your heart will stop as all you witness the majestic architecture and flowers that become more and more vibrant. You will check-in to your hotel that will be complete with a view of the heavenly bay and jaw-dropping nature that sits on an adjacent peninsula.

You will taste the varieties of this crafty town’s many ‘cideries’ as you go on a private tour that aims to familiarize you with the many types of cider that exist within the region. Afterward, you will walk off these drinks along the promenade that is almost too perfect to exist. As you stroll toward the ocean, you can stare at the photographic scenery that seems to revolve around you.

In the afternoon, you will partake in an adventure to see a sweeping vista at the Mirador del Fito. Your driver and guide will meet you outside of your hotel, and on your way there, you can marvel at the lively nature that surrounds you as you venture higher and higher into the mountains. The wind will hit you with anticipation, and upon your arrival, you will climb to the top of a breathtaking stage and witness a view of the mountains and forests that are a photographer’s dream. You can stand alongside your partner on top of the stage that towers 1,100 meters above sea level and grants a panoramic view unlike any other. Once you have fully indulged in the marvelous sights, you will be transferred back to your luxurious accommodation where you will have the rest of the evening to spend at your leisure.

Today, you can have a relaxing morning after traveling and the tours that you have taken. You can lie on the beach with your partner and have a blissful time that is free from a schedule. At your pleasure, you can walk to the nearby Centro de Arte Rupestre and the Cave of Tito Bustillo. This ancient place was home to some of the first human settlers in Northern Spain. This cave was recently discovered a few decades ago, and it holds cave drawings that date back to around 10,000 BC. The mystique and wonder grow more profound as you walk inside this imposingly dark cave. Here, you will witness and be awed by some of Europe’s earliest examples of civilization and some of the oldest cave drawings in the world.

The remainder of your day will be yours for you and your partner to spend it how you wish. Taste and savor the tranquility that Ribadesella offers in its beguiling and calming surroundings. You can munch on carbayones, which are impeccable Asturian pastries, delight in cabrales cheese, and relish in membrillo, which is a fruity jam.

Today, you will travel by train to Bilbao, which is the capital of the Basque country. The inhabitants here are arguably the proudest of all the regions that you have discovered, and the Basques hold an independent mentality that emanates into the cuisine and culture. You will check-in to your hotel near the river that runs through the middle of the city. After settling in, you will walk to the nearby Guggenheim museum and behold all of its architectural glory for this marvel has captivated architects and the city’s locals for years, standing as a testament to the city’s revival. You will also witness the modern art that is located inside the beguiling interior of the museum, seeing what master artists from around the world have created.

As you step out, you can walk toward the Republic of Abondo Park and take in the pleasant atmosphere of the river that is nearby. The hills over the river border the city around you, and the sleek buildings have been placed within the park. You can explore the many landmarks and buildings and walk into the beautiful Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao. This edgy museum curates art in an interesting way and holds pieces from Goya, Velazquez, and Basque artists.

In the afternoon, you will indulge in a pintxos tour or the Basque’s equivalent of tapas but with a regional twist. The Basques create more elaborate versions of this national dish, adding their own flavors that entice standing crowds. You will sample the decadent flavors of this cuisine-minded region and sip them down with a beer or as the Basques would call it, zurrito.

Today, you will travel by train to La Rioja, which is Spain’s wine country that produces most of the country’s renowned brands. Wine’s status as a social softener is truly felt in Haro, which is the capital of La Rioja. As you step off the train, the rich smell of grapes will reach you and your partner. You will be transferred to your hotel, which has been constructed in the immaculate setting of vineyards and the hilly terrain that surrounds you. La Rioja has been a site of wine production for centuries, and Haro is the region’s center point for identifying the best wines. It holds the annual Wine Festival, which is where participants throw buckets of wine on each other in a celebratory mood.

Move next for a private tour of La Rioja’s best wineries, where they will reveal the finesse of this region’s ancient winemaking process to you. Your tour guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and will take you to the many stops along your journey. You will experience what entices people all over the world to purchase wine from these wineries, many of which have been in the family’s care for over a century. Afterward, you can sit outside and admire the neatly organized vineyards that are placed in harmony with the stone masonry. Haro mixes hard working passion with a carefree exuberance that can be felt all while sipping fine wine. At night, you will delight in a meal at a nearby restaurant that highlights its new headway in turning Haro into a culinary paradise.

On day nine, you will arrive by train to your last and final destination of San Sebastian, which is the Basque Country’s crown jewel and leading destination. This is Northern Spain’s most romantic city, possessing a cosmopolitan nature that caters to surfers, food critics, and wandering travelers. You will arrive by train and receive a private transfer to your hotel in the charming old district. Then, you will step out of your car, and the rush of excitement will be seen in the anxious travelers and locals who are rushing to get the freshest food or to meet with their companions. After settling in, you will not want to miss the draw of this city’s universal appeal. Inspiring golden-colored architecture that rises above you and a nearby beach that is nestled under a hill will be calling to you and your partner. You can walk around and stop and revel at Monte Urgull, Plaza Gipuzkoa, and Alderi Eder Park in this city’s wealth of stylish gifts.

San Sebastian, is filled with Michelin-starred restaurants in addition to its food critics and culinary tourists who are all brimming with a passion to try and taste. You will begin your night at a Michelin-starred restaurant and experience the delicacies that attract the most devout from around the globe. San Sebastian’s attractive allure blends a delicate nature with a know-how manner of cooking. You will toast the night with your partner and appreciate some of the best food in the world.

This morning, you will have breakfast at your hotel and set out into the city afterward. You will spend the day in San Sebastian and will visit the many views and landmarks that this city is fortunate enough to hold. Your private guide will drive you around to bask in the many sights, and the awe-inspiring scenery of San Sebastian can only be matched by the constructed landmarks that it possesses. You will stop once again at the Monte Urgull and let the wind and sun guide you up the hill as you walk to see the view of the city. The fresh, sea breeze will hit your face while you stare down at the edge at the Peine del Viento or Comb of the Wind structure, which is an artistic interpretation that has been welded into the rocks.

You will spend your evening at your leisure on the beach, overlooking the city center and Santa Clara Island. The nightlife of San Sebastian does not stay within the bars and clubs but flows onto the plazas and the streets. You will conclude your magical vacation with another night at a Michelin-starred restaurant, and you will be gifted with another opportunity to indulge in some of the best cuisine the world has to offer.

Your ten days in Spain have reached their end, but this certainly will not be the end of your inspiration for this region. Your hotel will provide breakfast, and your transfer to the San Sebastian Airport has been arranged so you can enjoy the rest of the day for yourself and your partner to stop and see whatever you can fit in your schedule. You can check out the Cathedral of San Sebastian or walk around San Sebastian for one last view of the majestic city. Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.