Serene Senior Excursion of Northern Spain Tour

You will begin your trip in San Sebastian, where you will arrive at the San Sebastian Airport. As you step out from the airport, you will be greeted by your chauffeur who will take you to your hotel in the historic part of San Sebastian. Once in the comfort of your private vehicle, you can marvel at the exquisitely ornate and golden tinted architecture as you familiarize yourself with this majestic city. As you step out of your car, you can inhale the fresh air from the sea that will be only steps away. The day is starting, and the busy inhabitants of San Sebastian will have meals to prepare as this food-haven holds cuisine to the highest of standards.

Once you have checked-in to your luxurious accommodation, you can delight in a stroll near your hotel to behold the dynamic energy of the area as international tourists, gastronomes, and Basque locals buzz to purchase cod and test the many varieties of pintxos. You can wander around to gain your bearings and witness the Plaza de Gipuzkoa and the beach of Playa de la Concha. You will then culminate your welcoming day to Spain and San Sebastian with a dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant and experience the seafood and wine that beckons food tourists from around the world. Here, you will indulge in the dedication of world-class chef’s work as you experience the outcome of traditional techniques as they are mixed with a modern interpretation of cooking.

On your second day in Northern Spain, your guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and will take you on a private tour of the city. Your drive around the city will take you to the many stops and sights that this city offers its visitors, and you will be informed about the extensive history that each one holds, including royal excursion and Basque maritime capabilities. This city is called Donostia by the Basques and has been a favorite destination for heads of the Spanish government and the Spanish Royal family. You can stop and gaze at the Cathedral of San Sebastian, which is a stunning example of gothic architecture before heading to Monte Urgull, which is a hill that oversees the city and is topped with a statue of Jesus that looks down in its splendor. You will behold the architecture of the Palacio de Miramar and the San Sebastian City Hall that complete the beauty of the landscape around it.

In the evening, anticipation sets in for restaurants as they prepare for the coming of international food critics and food enthusiasts. Children play out in the street until dusk, and people of all ages go on a bar-hopping trip throughout the city’s old quarter. The sun sets over the calm ocean, and an orange tint washes over the city. Prepare for another night of Michelin-starred cuisine as you have a reservation waiting for you at one of the city’s famed restaurants. You can try some of the best food in the world that will be crafted by one of the highly trained chefs that are ready to serve you their creations. You will sip on wine and sangria to accompany your food, and for your next day, you will be visiting where this wine has been crafted.

Today you will visit Haro, which is the focal point for La Rioja’s wine region that hosts the annual wine festival where participants throw buckets of wine on each other. You will stay in a beautiful and luxurious accommodation that is surrounded by vineyards that date back centuries. The status of La Rioja as a wine-producing mecca goes back to the middle ages when family-run wineries would oversee the delicate wine production.

You can settle into your beautiful hotel that will be nestled between rows of vineyards before preparing for your grandiose tour of Haro’s best wineries. During your tour, your palette will delight in the unique flavors of the region as you venture from stone constructed bodegas to modern minimalist buildings, sipping the delicious wine that has been delicately crafted for you. In the evening, you will have food in this up-and-coming scene for culinary testimonials. Haro has been working on developing its agritourism into the realm of high-end cooking. As you eat, you may realize that the wine you are drinking was only made steps away in this truly marvelous region that has a genuine appreciation of living a relaxing life while sipping on delicious wines.

On the fourth day of your excursion through the North of Spain, you will arrive by private car in the Capital of the Basque Country: Bilbao. This once industrial town has flourished into a stylish and modern city, whose center point is the renowned Guggenheim Museum. You will check-in to your luxurious accommodation that will be located near one of the most beautiful sections of the city.  Your guide will greet and lead you to the Guggenheim building. This architectural wonder has received numerous awards for its brevity and revitalization of Bilbao’s cultural district. A metallic decor and a flowery, three-story puppy will meet you as you arrive and step inside the museum. This will grant you the opportunity to witness modern works by Mark Rothko and Jeff Koons as well as those from rising artists.

Afterward, you will enjoy dinner at a restaurant that will be located in one of the city’s many plazas. Here, you can luxuriate as your waiter brings you pintxos, which are more ornate morsels than their tapas counterpart. If you gaze out to the plaza, you may be able to see people continuing on their routine, children playing pelote, and old-time friends as they converse about their lives. Another guide will meet you at your hotel and will take you on a walking tour of the city, giving you a history of the city as you stop at the important landmarks. Modern buildings that are distinct from the rest of the country have been constructed throughout Bilbao, and they display the wealth that has been amassed over the past century.

Today, your private driver will take you from your hotel in Bilbao to the steps of another beautiful accommodation that will be located in the charming town of Santillana del Mar. This village will be a contrast to the bustle of the city because it is a medieval and quaint reminder of the sophistication of the past as it is one of the most beautiful that exists in Spain. As you arrive, you can allow yourself to be amazed by the old-world feel that exudes from the windy roads, the stone buildings that tower above, and the amiable atmosphere that is materialized by its residents. Flowers hang from balconies, and people greet their neighbors in Santillana del Mar. The sights of these indications may transport you to a different time. Here, warmth will fill your heart, and your anticipation to see more will grow. You will check-in to your hotel near the city center and settle into your cozy accommodation.

You can venture out to meander and explore the town’s many antique and artisanal stores. Quirky objects, remnants of the past, and handmade crafts are bountiful in this town. You can stroll down the adorable roads and feel the sophistication set in, as you listen to the sounds of artists as they work on their pieces. You will be able to smell the delicious scent of the local bakery’s bread as it wafts by your nose and delights your soul. All in all, you will relax and reminisce about what you have seen on your excursion and what yet awaits you in the coming days.

Today, you will enter into the Asturian region of Spain, which is a nature lover's dream, as beaches and forests greet you with a freshness in the air. Ribadesella’s status as a local haven is emphasized with its many “cideries” or cider-centric bars that have become an integral aspect of Asturias’ leisurely life. You will check-in to your immaculate hotel that oversees the bay and is situated on a stretch of beach that resides at your doorstep. This will give you the perfect opportunity to fully bask in the beauty of the water and your surroundings.

Once you have unpacked and acclimated to your new surroundings, you will venture to the charming bridge that crosses into the pedestrian-centric town and make your way to the ornate promenade, which is where many finely dressed local seniors will also be making their way to spend their day socializing. You will behold the view of the ocean and the mountains as these ornate surroundings offer a warm welcome to Asturias. You can try the cideries around town and taste the craftsmanship of Asturian cidermaking prowess. You will be given a first-hand look at the tradition of cider pouring as your server pours this drink from high in the air. The boldness of Northern Spain knows no bounds for any seemingly simple occasion. Afterward, you will receive a private tour of the nearby Cave of Tito Bustillo, where your guide will show you ancient cave drawings that date back to 10,000 BC. Marvel and gaze as you walk into the hauntingly impressive cave, stopping at the many drawings the cave holds. You will spend the rest of your time at your leisure, trying the many artisanal foods in town.

Today, you will arrive at Oviedo, which is a magical town that has been described as the most immaculately clean in Spain. As your car arrives, you can admire the scenery of the colorful buildings and their backdrop of the mountains nearby. This city has served as an inspiration for writers from the 18th century to modern day. Finally, you will check-in to your luxurious quarters near the town square where you will begin your delightful stay in Oviedo.

If you step outside, you can feel the gentle air and sophistication of Oviedo inhabitants as they walk around you. You will be able to smell the delicious carbayones, tasty Asturian pastries from the nearby bakeries. When you arrive at the Fontan Market, your guide will meet you to take you on a taste tour of the numerous stands that are located in this beautiful hall.

After finishing your gastronomic tour of Oviedo, you will go on a historic trip throughout the city as your private driver will pick you up at your hotel to see ancient UNESCO world heritage site of the pre-Romanesque shrines. These structures have stood here for over a thousand years, so you can let yourself be carried into a different time as your guide takes you to stop at the Santa Maria del Naranco and San Miguel de Lilo to receive private access of the shrines.

You will relax in a private transfer as you enter the Galician region of Northern Spain and arrive in the town of Lugo. This city is an ancient capsule that remains completely surrounded by a fully-intact Roman wall, which is the only one left in the world. Lugo is a beautiful reminder of Roman innovation as this city’s wall has been in place for centuries. As you enter the old part of town, you should keep in mind that through this very entrance, you will feel as if you have transported back in time because most of the architecture here is dated to medieval times.

After settling into your luxurious accommodation, your guide will meet you in the lobby and take you on a walk of the town where you will witness many ancient Roman wonders. You will traverse to the top of the wall where you will be gifted with gorgeous views of surrounding Lugo. An overwhelming impression will set in, for this site has witnessed traditional ceremonies, battles, and trades. You will be led by your guide to the Roman baths. The nature that surrounds the baths gives a bit of insight into the refined minds of its past civilians as birds sing and the sun shines upon you. This is such a blissful location, and as you enter the baths, you will be able to see the mosaic patterns that were used to decorate their interiors. You will culminate your day with a peaceful night out at your leisure that will allow you to delight in the tapas bars along the curvy roads and toast to this well-preserved town that has endured many eras.

Your driver will pick you up at your hotel and whisk you away on a short drive to your final destination of Santiago de Compostela, which is where you will be accompanied by the many visitors who are arriving here just as you are. This is not just the last destination of your trip, but one that of many pilgrims have walked to for over two weeks from Eastern Spain. Along a golden, clamshell-lined path, visitors pay homage to St. James, who was an apostle of Jesus and who took the same journey centuries earlier. This city is the site of spiritual inspiration, and the town is synonymous with its cathedral and historical significance.

You will check-in to your cozy hotel before preparing for a private and all-access tour of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. You will be able to see artifacts that are reserved for the public on special occasions in addition to walking up to the church to see it in all its glory. You will also have the change to enter the breathtaking Cathedral and witness the excited look of the pilgrims’ faces as they walk inside, gawking at the golden altar. You will then visit the tomb of St. James and view the butafumeiro as it hangs from the ceiling. This is the largest incense burner in the world. You will enjoy the rest of your afternoon, admiring the welcoming spirit of Santiago de Compostela by eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant, where you will delight in all the delicacies that you are offered by this splendid region.

On your last full day in Northern Spain, your private guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and will take you to Cape Finisterre, which will prove a true capstone to your discovery-filled journey. As you approach the sea, the momentum will build, and the nature will become brighter in its colors. Finally, you have arrived in Fisterra and Cape Finisterre. Your car will arrive and you will step out to marvel at the Finisterre Lighthouse in all its glory as the sea breeze meets you. Alongside you, the travelers will all look toward the ocean where many ships have sailed. Your driver will take you on a scenic tour around the Costa de Morte or Coast of Death that goes along the coast of the Galician province, and you will stop along the route, and your driver will inform you of the important sites that dot the landscape on your way up North.

Tonight, you will enjoy your last night in Spain with a celebratory night out at another Michelin-starred restaurant, where you can toast with a glass of sangria in hand. Your trip has seen many wonderful sights and has provided you with a look into the wonder of joyous regions that few get to see.

You can let your last day in Spain be light because you will have a late checkout. Northern Spain’s captivity is cemented in the people and nature, and you will leave with a greater appreciation for its cuisine, traditions, and history. Your private transfer will meet you to transfer you to Santiago De Compostela Airport.