Lisbon & Northern Spain (Zo)

Description

When the call “Txotx!” (pronounced “choach”) echoes in the traditional Sidrerias of Northern Spain, it signals a gathering! Positioned five feet from the tapped barrel, patrons queue up to catch the shooting cider into glasses, celebrating the age-old tradition that imparts the right amount of carbonation to this tart beverage. Fortunately, there’s much to celebrate as you embark on a sparkling seaside journey from Lisbon to Barcelona on this predominantly coastal tour of Portugal and Northern Spain. This sun-soaked vacation unfolds with visits to the revered pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela, the renowned seaside resort of San Sebastian, and the legendary Calle Estafeta in Pamplona, where the famous “running of the bulls” takes place. Indulge in the culinary delights of each country, from the zesty paella of Spain to the sweet port of Portugal. Cheers! Salud! Txotx!

Highlights

LISBON - Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit the Alfama quarter and Jeronimos Monastery

FATIMA - Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary

OPORTO - Guided sightseeing, visit the Arabian Hall in the Stock Exchange; [LF] Port wine tasting at Sandeman & Co.

VIGO - Walking tour

LA TOJA ISLAND - Enjoy a coffee and the spectacular view at the Gran Hotel La Toja and admire the shell-covered church

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA - Dinner with wine at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the cathedral

LUARCA - Stop in this pretty fishing village with its white houses

OVIEDO - Guided sightseeing, visit the Cathedral of San Salvador and [LF] enjoy a cider tasting

SANTANDER - Stop in the seaside resort

BILBAO - Guided visit of the Guggenheim Museum

SAN SEBASTIAN - Guided walking tour of the Old Quarter

PAMPLONA - Walk through the Calle Estafeta, followed by lunch with traditional tapas and Rioja wine at Basaburua restaurant

SARAGOSSA - Visit Plaza de Pilar

BARCELONA - Guided sightseeing; visit the Sagrada Familia Basilica, panoramic view from Montjuïc Hill; farewell dinner at La Fonda del Port Olimpic restaurant

Notes: For operational reasons, slight schedule changes for the Barcelona program cannot be excluded.

Transportation: Motorcoach. Free Wi-Fi available on your motorcoach and in most hotel lobbies.

Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN LISBON, PORTUGAL Welcome to Lisbon! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Dinner

Day 2

LISBON LISBON Guided sightseeing includes Jeronimos Monastery and cloister and a photo stop at Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries.
Breakfast

Day 3

LISBON–FÁTIMA–PORTO FÁTIMA Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.
PORTO Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a panoramic drive to the mouth of the Douro River. See the Church of São Francisco and visit the Arabian Hall in the Stock Exchange. [LF] Port wine tasting at the famous Sandeman & Co Port Wine Cellar.
Breakfast
217 mi / 350 km

Day 4

PORTO–VIGO, SPAIN–LA TOJA ISLAND–SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA Scenic drive along the coastline en route to Vigo.
VIGO Walking tour of the historic center.
LA TOJA ISLAND [LF] Enjoy coffee at the Gran Hotel La Toja. See the church that is completely covered with seashells.
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA Dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast Dinner
199 mi / 320 km

Day 5

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA Guided sightseeing includes the cathedral with the relics of St. James the Apostle.
Breakfast

Day 6

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA–LUARCA–OVIEDO LUARCA Free time to browse.
OVIEDO Guided sightseeing includes a panoramic drive and a walking tour of the Old Town. [LF] Cider tasting at a traditional Sidreria.
Breakfast
217 mi / 350 km

Day 7

OVIEDO–SANTANDER–BILBAO–SAN SEBASTIAN SANTANDER Free time for lunch.
BILBAO Guided visit of the Guggenheim Museum en route to San Sebastian.
Breakfast Dinner
249 mi / 400 km

Day 8

SAN SEBASTIANSAN SEBASTIAN Guided walking tour of the Parte Viejo Old Quarter. Free time this afternoon and evening.
Breakfast

Day 9

SAN SEBASTIAN–PAMPLONA–SARAGOSSA PAMPLONA [LF] Orientation walk through the Calle Estafeta, followed by lunch with traditional tapas and Rioja wine at Basaburua restaurant.
SARAGOSSA Orientation walk includes Plaza of Our Lady of the Pillar.
Breakfast Lunch
162 mi / 260 km

Day 10

SARAGOSSA–BARCELONA BARCELONA Guided walking tour this afternoon includes the Old Town with its Barri Gòtic and a stroll down La Rambla. Later, enjoy a fresh fruit juice.
Breakfast
193 mi / 310 km

Day 11

BARCELONA BARCELONA Guided sightseeing this afternoon features Columbus Monument, Plaza de Cataluña, a stop at the Sagrada Familia Basilica, and a panoramic view of the city and harbor from Montjuïc Hill. Farewell dinner at La Fonda del Port Olímpic restaurant.
Breakfast Dinner

Day 12

BARCELONA. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast