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Upper Spain

Code: LE01SP
From: 1990.- EUR

DAY 1:

LONDON - SANTIAGO

We pick you up at your selected hotel in London and drive you to the airport from where we take the morning flight to Santiago the Compostela. You meet your DG at the airport, board your maxi-van and start this expedition. The first stop is the famous pilgrimage town of Santiago. We take a full day to learn about the history and myths of this place - we also see all the top sights including a visit to the Apostle Cathedral which is the final stage of the long journey of the Camino Real. Dinner and overnight in Santiago.

DAY 2:

SANTIAGO - CABO FINISTERRE

Breakfast. Full day of backroad expedition along the narrow roads of the Coast of the Dead where we visit Cabo Finisterre - Spain's Land's End and the rest of the small peninsulas and estuaries of the wonderful, rural Galicia. Return to Santiago and overnight in the hotel.

DAY 3:

LUGO - LAS MEDULAS - LEON

Breakfast. A half-day drive towards the county of Leon. We make our last stop in Galicia in the small town of Lugo which has a very impressive Roman wall - some say the longest and best preserved in the world. Continuing our expeditions through the strange countryside of Las Medulas where the Romans have left behind huge tunnels and excavations where the gold mines used to be. We arrive in the city of Leon in the evening - accommodation in the city and an evening stroll around the lively Plaza Mayor. Overnight in Leon.

DAY 4:

LEON

Breakfast. Full day of exploring one the most interesting cities in northern Spain where evidence of its rich history as the capital of the powerful kingdom of Asturia and Leon can be seen everywhere. The main sights are of course the two beautiful churches: the 13C Cathedral and 11C Basilica. Overnight in Leon.

DAY 5:

OVIEDO - RIBASELLA

Breakfast. Morning departure to the capitol of Asturia. Oviedo has some interesting pre-Romanesque architecture, as a result of the long period in which this land was cut-off from the rest of Europe by the Muslim invasion of the 8C. Oviedo is a real capital, even if its larger neighbour Gijon does not seem to agree. After the sightseeing we proceed with our journey to the coast of the Atlantic ocean and Biscay Bay. Our expedition ends in the small port of Ribadesella. Overnight in the area.

DAY 6:

PICOS DE EUROPA

Breakfast. Morning departure to the Picos of the Europa - we drive through the National Park to see the spectacular gorges and lakes. Expedition ends back at the coast. Accommodation and overnight in Ribadesella area.

DAY 7:

SANTILLANA - ALTAMIRA

Breakfast. We drive along the Cantabrian coast towards a charming village of Santillana. We visit a museum which is completely dedicated to the Altamira Caves which, unfortunately, are practically impossible to visit. But what you can see is the exact replica of Altamira and some similar caves in the neighbourhood. We learn about the pre-historic people of the region and enjoy this wonderful place. Overnight in the Santillana area.

DAY 8:

BILBAO

Breakfast. Morning departure to the well-known city of Bilbao. We visit all the main sights including the famous Guggenheim museum. Accommodation is in the city so you have time to explore it on your own as well. Overnight in Bilbao.

DAY 9:

GUERNICA - SAN SEBASTIAN

Breakfast. Morning departure to Guernica. This little town that was viciously bombed by the Nazis and Franco is an interesting stop along our route. The mural reproduction of the famous Picasso painting, the interesting Peace Museum and the old tree where the Basque parliament used to gather are our main sights in this town. We also make a stop at the Painted Forest. We proceed along the coast to the seaside resort of San Sebastian. Overnight in San Sebastian.

DAY 10:

PAMPLONA - NAVARRA

Breakfast. A half day sightseeing around the famous Pamplona, which is the provincial capital of Navarra and a part of Basque country. Then we follow some backroads up into the Pyrenees mountain range and the beautiful villages of Roncal, Isaba and Uztarozz. Accommodation and overnight in the area.

DAY 11:

NAVARRA - SAN SEBASTIAN

Breakfast. Continuing our journey across the Navarra country takes us close to the French border and the place where the French army lost their hero Roland, a story immortalised in the Song of Roland. Our route then leads us back to the coast. Accommodation in the San Sebastian area.

DAY 12:

SAN SEBASTIAN

Breakfast. Free day for walking along the half moon riviera. Dinner and overnight in San Sebastian.

DAY 13:

BIARRITZ - LONDON

Breakfast. Drive to the neighbouring French town of Biarritz from where we fly to London. End of our expedition.