Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Spain - Santiago de Compostela- Orense - Leon - Burgos - Bilbao
100% customisable for you
Spain is calling. Today your adventure across the enchanting northwest of the Iberian Peninsula kicks off. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy a premium pitstop in the airport lounge as you await departure. Flight time to your first destination of Santiago de Compostela is around two hours, just enough time to brush up on your Spanish before touching down in warmer climes.
A private driver will be waiting for you on arrival to whisk you off to your first hotel: a historic property nestled in heart of the elegant old town. The rest of today is then yours to spend settling into your new surroundings at your own pace. We recommend strolling around the historic part of town before stopping for some nibbles and refreshments at one of the eateries found in your Dossier. If, however, all the travel has zapped your energy, then why not spend this afternoon like a true local: enjoying a siesta in your suave new digs?
In the spirit of getting totally immersed in local life, we’ve arranged for a knowledgeable compostelano guide to show you around some of the city’s top sights. Deeply entrenched in Christian symbolism, Santiago de Compostela was a pillar of resistance against the Moorish invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages. More recently (by which we mean the ninth century), the tomb of Jesus' apostle, St. James, was believed to be discovered, turning the city into the second-largest pilgrimage site in Europe after Rome. Even today, the cobblestone streets of the city are awash with weary travellers from all walks of life who come to rest their legs on the glorious steps of the cathedral after weeks of walking. Discover the superb curiosities of the cathedral, from its humble foundations to its grand architectural additions, before touring the Cathedral Museum and the Pórtico de la Gloria (Portal of Glory), a grand Romanesque-style entrance.
Rise and shine; it's your final day in Santiago de Compostela and there's not a moment to waste. The list of Medieval delights found here is both impressive and insatiable, so we recommend dedicating a fair slice of today to touring the monasteries, temples and palaces sprinkled across the city. The quaint bars and restaurants that line the winding cobblestone streets of the old town are an ever-present reminder that, beyond its religious status, the regional capital is a flagship destination for Galician gastronomy. At the popular Mercado de Abastos food market, eager gastronomes are met with a smorgasbord of quality local products, from fresh fruits and veggies to hearty pastries and succulent seafood. Some of our favorite specialties include pulpo á feira (Galician-style octopus), caldeirada (seafood broth), caldo gallego (Galician stew) and the emblematic tarta de Santiago (almond cake). Those with a penchant for indulging in destination wines could also opt to spend this afternoon tasting a variety of Galician wines and cheeses on a private visit to a market.
It’s time to properly kick off this rail adventure across northwestern Spain as you take a short but scenic 40-minute train to the revered riverside city of Ourense. Hang up your hat for one night in an elegant spa hotel in the historic centre and spend the rest of today exploring the city. Boasting warm thermal baths that rival the finest in Japan, Ourense markets itself as the thermal capital of Galicia. Head to the Chavasqueira baths for some serious R&R surrounded by nature, or to As Burgas, a historic bathhouse in the heart of the old town. When you’re ready for a stroll, we recommend heading to the river to crisscross your way along some of Ourense’s eight bridges. The story of the city is woven into these very bridges, from the Ponte Vella, a Medieval Roman footbridge built nearly two millennia ago, to Millennium Bridge, a symbol for contemporary Ourense completed in 2001. For those eager to take a deep dive into the city’s long history, we can arrange a private walking tour that takes you through the ages.
After some soothing downtime in the spas of Ourense, it’s time to get moving and explore more of northern Spain. Your next destination is Leon, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Leon and a historic stop-off on the Camino de Santiago. Thankfully, your method of transport is much more comfortable; trade the weathered hiking boots of pilgrims for a seat on a luxurious locomotive. The train ride takes around four hours and passes through the pristine green scenery that characterises the northern realms of Spain. On arrival in the city, check-in for one night in an arty and elegant hotel nestled within the historic centre. After settling in and freshening up, head out and make the most of your one day here in Leon. If this Medieval metropolis is a treasure chest of historic and cultural delights, then the Santa Maria Cathedral is the crown jewel. Often described as the ‘Sistine Chapel of Spanish Romanesque art’, this towering architectural wonder is a spectacle of stained-glassed windows and classic Gothic features. Other unmissable monuments include the Casa Botines, a rare jewel by Gaudí outside of Catalonia; the San Isidoro Basilica, with its royal pantheon; and the former convent and hospice of San Marcos.
Head back to the station this morning and continue by train to Burgos, the cradle of Old Castile, just a one-and-a-half-hour journey away. Set down your suitcases for two nights here in a historic hotel that exudes the character of old Spain. After a busy few days of exploring, we’ve left the rest of today’s agenda clear for you to carve out as you please. We recommend heading out for a stroll to take the pulse of the city. You can meander to the riverside Paseo del Espolon walkway for a stroll under the shade of willows and poplars before rubbing shoulders with the locals in one of the many gastro bars that call Burgos home. Make sure to tuck into the local pintxos, the traditional bitesize tapas that characterises the bar culture of northern Spain.
The next important stopover on the legendary Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route is Burgos, the provincial capital that delights visitors with its wealth of Medieval and Renaissance architecture. Spend today weaving your way through the cobbled streets of the old town, admiring monuments such as the cathedral, the arch of Santa Maria, the San Lesmes church and the casa del Cordón (palace of the constables of Castile). Burgos also claims fame as the birthplace of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, a legendary Castilian knight and ruler in medieval Spain, now immortalised in the cinema of Anthony Mann. You can explore the city at your own pace or opt to have a private local guide to lead the way through the city.
Wave goodbye to Burgos and turn your sights to the cosmopolitan coast. Your final stop on the northern Spain adventure is Bilbao, a city that needs little introduction. After a pleasant three-hour train ride, head to your next hotel: an artsy riverside hotel in the trendy La Vieja district. After settling in and freshening up, head out and breathe in the bohemian charm of this quintessential neighbourhood. Dating back to the 14th century (even older than the Casca Viejo old town), the district exudes a real rags-to-riches charm. La Vieja was down on its luck until as late as the 1980s but has since transformed itself into a bustling open-air bazaar of casual pintxo bars, hip cafes and creative shopping options.
It’s your final day in northwestern Spain, so wake up bright and early to seize the day. On today’s agenda: a private walking tour with a local Bilbao resident who knows the city inside and out. This is a great way to not only discover the sights of the city, but also to experience its cultural individuality through the lens of a local. The walk is laid-back and based around you, so you can be completely spontaneous. The total urban redevelopment of Bilbao at the end of the 20th century breathed new life into a forgotten metropolis in need of some serious TLC. The result? An exciting explosion of contemporary architecture layered on top of a genetically blessed historic centre filled with traditional pintxo bars and lively markets.
This afternoon is dedicated to the Guggenheim Museum. Frank Gehry’s bold and unorthodox museum is the postcard symbol of the city and a magnificent example of avant-garde 20th-century architecture. Armed with entrance tickets, spend as many hours as you please discovering the wealth of modern and contemporary art nestled within the titanium facade. The permanent collection brings together creations by David Salle, Chillida, Jeff Koons, Louise Bourgeois and Robert Rauschenberg. The rest of today and this evening is then yours to play with. You can continue exploring the city at your own pace or head out in the company of a local guide to discover Bilbao’s best pintxo bars in private.
Sadly, the time has come to bid northwestern Spain a warm farewell. After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, head back to the airport with a private driver, whizz though security and settle in for a two-hour flight back to the UK.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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