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7-Nights Best of Northern Spain - Classic from $2,099

G Adventures

OFFER ID 1532731

Best of Northern Spain
Spain has been described as less of a country than a collection of small nations all working together. Each region has its own distinct character, style, even language. This quick eight-day trip introduces you to Spain’s Basque and Catalan provinces the best way: through food, art, culture, and first-person contact. Vibrant Barcelona, unhurried San Sebastián, Bilbao’s fabulous architecture, Logroño's famous cuisine, cosmopolitan Madrid, and the mighty Pyrenees, all in just over a week? Yeah, we did that. Come find out how.

Highlights
Capture photos of stunning countryside and age-old cathedrals, indulge in the tapas lifestyle, wander through Gaudí's wonderland in Barcelona, live like a local in a "casa rural" in the Pyrenees, experience the Basque way of life

Accommodation
Hotels (5 nts), casa rural (2 nts).

Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 12.

Meals Included
7 breakfasts, 2 dinners

What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Rioja Region Wine Tasting, Logroño. Orientation walks in Barcelona and Madrid. "Casa rural" stay with traditional meals. San Sebastián day trip. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.


7 nights from $2,099 per person

Itinerary
Click here for Full Itinerary Details
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Itinerary Details

G Adventures: Best of Northern Spain

Day 1: Barcelona
Arrive at any time. We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this vibrant city.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.

Day 2: Barcelona/Pyrenees
Take the morning to explore beautiful Barcelona. Head to the Pyrenees region for 2 nights in a 'casa rural'. Enjoy home-cooked meals and hiking.
Explore a bit of Barcelona before an afternoon departure north. Travel to the Pyrenees by local bus and van to reach a 'casa rural', or converted farmhouse, near the town of Ainsa. Indulge in delicious local meals and time to explore the beautiful landscape.

Day 3: Pyrenees
Enjoy the day in the scenic Pyrenees. Opt for some hikes in the area or head to Ainsa to explore. Spend another night in the 'casa rural'.


Day 4: Pyrenees/Bilbao
Travel to Bilbao, the first stop in the unique Basque region of Spain. Arrive in the early afternoon. Opt to visit the stunning Guggenheim Museum, or climb the Mallona Stairs to Parque Etxebarria for beautiful views over the city.


Day 5: Bilbao/San Sebastian/Bilbao
Take a day trip to San Sebastian. Opt to take a pintxos (tapas) tour and learn about the fascinating culture of the area. Return to Bilbao for the night.
The real treat in this part of the country is the eating. Basque cuisine is famous in Spain and around the world, with many believing this is the best food in the country. While San Sebastián didn't invent tapas, they are well-acknowledged to have perfected them. Wander through the streets before lunchtime or in the evening and check out what each bar has on offer.Stop in each place for some wine or beer and sample their tapas (pintxos in Basque) selection. Move on to the next bar and repeat!Delicious seafood abounds here as well. Looking for more than just pintxos? Head to the harbour and hole up in a traditional simple tavern. Don't leave San Sebastián without trying the famous jamon iberico.The specialty drink in this area is called the Kalimotxo — half wine (usually red table wine) and half Coca Cola.Take some time to wander through the plazas, marvel at the buildings, and spot the art sprinkled throughout the city. And, as always, try the pintxos.

Day 6: Bilbao/Logroño
Travel to Logroño and enjoy an included wine tasting in the Rioja region.
With tons of churches, roman bridges, parks, plazas, and ancient buildings, there's no shortage of sights to be seen when wandering around this city.

Day 7: Logroño/Madrid
Travel to Madrid and enjoy free time in this capital city.


Day 8: Madrid
Depart at any time.
We recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this lively city has to offer.

Featured Destinations
Pyrenees
San Sebastian
The famous aristocratic beach resort of great reputation during last century still conserves its exclusive and cosmopolitan ambience. Its beautiful buildings and excellent beaches still today make it a privileged holiday destination.

Excursions

Basque Captivating Coast from the Skies

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Basque Captivating Coast from the Skies

Overview: Get a bird' s-eye view of the Basque Country. Fly over its most emblematic places, which combine the captivating coast with the mountainous inland.

Duration: 1 Hour

Delve into a Basque Gastronomic Society

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Delve into a Basque Gastronomic Society

Overview: Embark on an exclusive culinary journey at a Basque Gastronomic Society. Embrace the privilege of accessing the invitation-members-only Club. Savor a delightful array of seasonal delights, complemented by Basque desserts and a selection of beverages. Expect to go beyond mere dining and partake in the gastronomic society's customs, assisting in setting tables, cooking, serving, and cleaning up alongside fellow diners.

Duration: 3H30

Pintxos Gourmet Deligths

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Pintxos Gourmet Deligths

Overview: Delve into an extraordinary and intimate Gourmet Pintxos Tour in San Sebastian. Learn about the pintxo's secrets and history in the finest bars paired with excellent local wines and drinks.

Duration: 3 Hours

San Sebastian Sailing Journey

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San Sebastian Sailing Journey

Overview: Discover the Basque Country by sailboat from a new perspective. Bursting extraordinary places that harbor cultural and traditional elements such as castles, forts, battles, and rowing, sailing the Basque Country coast offers an exceptional perspective and unique memories. Witness the great diversity of seabeds, beaches, charming ports, cliffs, and incredible landscapes.

Duration: 4 Hours

Logrono
Madrid
The capital of Spain since 1562, Madrid is located on the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula. Because of its central location and high altitude, the climate of Madrid is characterized by warm dry summers and cool winters. Madrid is a city of great monuments. Among its highlights are the medieval center dating back to the Habsburg Empire and the Prado Museum. Madrid is not just a cultural destination. It is also a lively metropolis with many pubs, cafes, discotheques and nightclubs open late into the night.

Excursions

Flamenco Gastronomic Experience

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Flamenco Gastronomic Experience

Overview: Step beyond the ordinary on your Madrid journey and experience the world's most famous and only Flamenco tablao in a Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant. Featuring award-winning artists recognized in Spain and at the top flamenco festivals, immerse yourself in an exclusive and extraordinary Flamenco gastronomic Journey.

Duration: 1 Hour

Home Away from Home!

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Home Away from Home!

Overview: Feel at home in Madrid, hosted by a local Madrilene who will introduce you to authentic Spanish culture. With a background in haute cuisine, your Chef invites you for an intimate meal at her splendid elegant flat in the Salamanca district, one of Madrid's most elegant and glamorous neighborhoods. Relax and unwind as you savor a mouthwatering meal prepared with dedication, and love, feeling as if you were in the comfort of your own home.

Duration: 2 Hours

Bilbao
Bilbao, the capital of Vizcaya Province, lies seven miles from the sea and has a coastline featuring rocks and steep cliffs, creeks and small estuaries; small fishing villages nestle in the inlets below green hills. The port of Bilbao is the largest in Spain and is built against the mountains. The city's fine museums include Fine Arts Museum and Guggenheim Museum. The Guggenheim Bilbao Museum is devoted to American and European art of the 20th century. The Fine Arts Museum specializes in paintings by Spanish masters. Our Lady of Begona Church is a 16th-century church on a hill with a good view of the city and valley. Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art is located in an old convent of Dominican nuns, a 16th-century, L-shaped cloister housing this fine museum with an outstanding exhibit of silversmiths' crafts that is one of the best collections in Spain. The Bullfighting Museum shows interesting bullfighting paraphernalia, such as costumes, photographs of famous toreros and a collection of posters. Visitors can try their gambling luck at Gran Casino Nervion.
Barcelona
Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Spain, is a tremendous place to be. Though it boasts outstanding Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, and some great museums – most notably those dedicated to Picasso and Catalan art – it is above all a place where there's enjoyment simply in walking the streets, stopping in at bars and cafés, drinking in the atmosphere. A thriving port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of the country. In part this reflects the city's proximity to France, whose influence is apparent in the elegant boulevards and imaginative cooking. But Barcelona has also evolved an individual and eclectic cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Scattered as Barcelona's main sights may be, the greatest concentration of interest is around the old town (La Ciutat Vella). These cramped streets above the harbor are easily manageable, and far more enjoyable, on foot. Start, as everyone else does, with the Ramblas.

Excursions

Barcelona: A Walk Through Barcelona and The Sagrada Familia Park Guell for Families- 6 Hours

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Barcelona: A Walk Through Barcelona and The Sagrada Familia Park Guell for Families- 6 Hours

Your chauffeur and your guide will
be waiting for you at the port. They will be at disposal for 8 hours. Your chauffeur will drive you to the city center of Barcelona.

A Walk Through Barcelona
You will start your day by an exciting 2-hour walking tour of the oldest parts of Barcelona: the Barri Gothic and Born neighborhoods. You will follow your guide as he/she leads you into the small, narrow streets to discover the vibrant, trendy ambiance of Born and the historical atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter. You will see the Santa Maria Del Mar church, the Royal Palace and the world famous “Las Ramblas” avenue. The fun facts and stories
told by our guide will keep your children highly engaged. The children will each get a game booklet to keep them engaged and entertained. After this tour, you will enjoy a
lunch break. Your guide will be there to give recommendations depending on your taste.

Included: 

  • A Walk Through Barcelona:
  • Private certified guide
  • 2 hour walking tour
  • Game booklet for
  • each child
  • 2-hour experience

The Sagrada Familia and Park Güell
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a 3-hour tour inside the two iconic Gaudi sites in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia and the Park Güell. You will follow your guide inside the
jaw-dropping and daring church and listen to the stories about its architecture, construction and future. After 1,5 hours spent in the Sagrada Familia, you will head out to
Park Güell. There you will witness the beauty of Gaudí’s mosaics as well as enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Barcelona. To keep the children entertained during this 3-hour tour, they will all get their own fun-filled game booklet. A perfect way to combine both educational discovery and fun!

The Sagrada Familia and
  • Park Güell:
  • Private certified guide
  • Skip-the-line tickets to
  • Sagrada Familia and
  • Park Güell
  • Transfer in a private
  • mini van
  • Game booklet for
  • each child
  • 3-hour experience

At the end of the tour, depending on your cruise departure time, your chauffeur will drive you back to the port.

Art and Architecture in Barcelona (8 hours)

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Art and Architecture in Barcelona (8 hours)

Highlights:
An architectural delight awaits you today in Barcelona, one of the most exciting cities in Europe.  Receive a warm greeting at the port by your private guide and driver and commence your full-day tour with a visit to Gaudi's masterpiece, the impressive, but unfinished Sagrada Familia.  Although work started on this project in 1882, this iconic church is not expected to be complete until 2028! 

Next, visit Parc Guell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi's most colourful creations.  Continue along Passeig de Gracia, to view Gaudi's Casa Batlló and Casa Mila from the outside, with its brilliant wave-like façade.

After lunch, lose yourself in the narrow streets of the true heart of the city - the medieval Gothic Quarter.  Here you will visit the magnificent 13th-century Cathedral, and the Picasso Museum, where some of the painter's earliest works are housed. At the end of your tour you are transferred back to the port.

  • Walk the labyrinthine alleys of the medieval Gothic Quarter to find architectural gems like the Church of Santa Maria del Mar
  • Admire the Sagrada Familia and the Picasso Museum, where some of the artist's earliest works are housed.
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can operate: Morning/Afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:
  • Private transport by luxury car or minivan
  • An expert local guide for 8 hours
  • Entrance fees to all sights and museums
  • All taxes
Not Included:
  • All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
  • Gratuities

Gaudi’s Barcelona (4 hours)

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Gaudi’s Barcelona (4 hours)

Highlights:
Receive a warm greeting at the port from your private guide and driver and commence your half-day tour with a visit to Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece; the impressive, but unfinished Sagrada Familia. Although work started on this project in 1882, this iconic church is not expected to be completed until 2028!

Continue on to Parc Guell, a beautiful municipal garden with a superb panoramic view over the city; the focal point is a colourful sea-serpent-shaped central terrace. Visit the gatehouse where Gaudi lived during his later years which is now a museum dedicated to him. Transfer back to the port at the end of your tour.

  • Visit the impressive, but still unfinished Sagrada Familia, masterpiece of the Catalan architect
  • Wander through Parc Guell, the UNESCO World Heritage Site considered Gaudi's most colourful creation
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning/Afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions: 
  • Private transport by luxury car or minivan
  • An expert local guide for 8 hours
  • Entrance fees to all sights and museums
  • All taxes
Not Included:
  • All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
  • Gratuities

Authentic Barcelona by Bike

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Authentic Barcelona by Bike

Overview: Uncover the most authentic side of Barcelona riding the world's best folding bike, a Brompton. Be led by an expert bike guide and venture into a unique and exclusive experience. Connect with your local guide by sharing and listening to trivia stories about Barcelona. Embark on a ride to explore the least touristy Eixample and Gracia districts. Glimpse the Plaça d'Espanya, the Hospital de la Santa Creu, Sant Pau, and modernist estates.

Duration: 3 Hours

Barcelona Sailing Journey

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Barcelona Sailing Journey

Overview: Experience the thrill of sailing the Barcelona Coastline. Glimpse the Barcelona skyline from a different perspective and spot some landmarks, including Frank Gehry Golf Fish Sculpture and the Twin Towers", Torres Venecianas. Immerse yourself in the serene deep blue while seeping your glass of wine. Weather permitting, anchor and venture in a short swim.

Duration: 4 Hours

Exploring Cavas' Origin

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Exploring Cavas' Origin

Overview: Uncover the dedication of a biodynamic winegrowers family committed to excellence in long-aged wines. Venture on a stroll around the winery's iconic vineyards to discover the distinctive features of a unique spot in the Penedès region. Sheltered by the woods, taste a base wine paired with a light snack. Elevate your experience by savoring three long-aged sparkling wines, a limited-edition white wine, and an extra-virgin olive oil.

Duration: 4 Hours

From Market to Home with a Top Chef

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From Market to Home with a Top Chef

Overview: Led by a top Chef who graduated from the prestigious Cordon Bleu School in Paris, embark on an exclusive gourmet journey at her private penthouse. Head to a 19th-century local market and thoroughly select the finest ingredients for your recipe. Dare to partake in the cooking process while you uncover some secrets of high-end cuisine. Savor the combination of flavors paired with a premium selection of Spanish Wines.

Duration: 4 Hours

Hike a World of Nature (7,5 miles)

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Hike a World of Nature (7,5 miles)

Overview: Step away from the bustling Barcelona and embrace Catalonia's unique landscape with La Garrotxa and Fageda d'en jordà. Venture into an exciting 7,5 miles hike through the Natural Park of the Volcanic Zone of La Garrotxa. Engage in a circular route through La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. Ascend to the inside of Santa Margarita volcano and discover a chapel lying on its crater. Dive into Fageda d'en Jordà, a unique beech forest that grows on the lava flow of Croscat Volcano. Finalize your trail with a stop at the Croscat Volcano grederes.

Duration: 4 Hours

Montserrat Discovery Hike (5 miles)

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Montserrat Discovery Hike (5 miles)

Overview: Ancient Wonders and hidden gems await you on the famous needles of Montserrat Mountain. Venture into an exciting and intimate hike connecting you to Montserrat's outlandish and most authentic elements. Uncover the region of Agulles and the north face of Montserrat, passing between the needles, having to take some steps climbing ropes, and ending up visiting emblematic places such as Cadireta or Foradada.

Duration: 4 Hours

Montserrat from the Skies

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Montserrat from the Skies

Overview: Marvel at Montserrat Mountain's impressive scenic views. With a bird' s-eye view, witness these massive conglomerates, which form unexpectedly imposing sculptures due to their geological evolution. They all have names related to their shapes, and we find caves, chasms, and torrents in their shelter.
Flying over the Montserrat mountain, the spiritual Center of Catalonia is undoubtedly one of the most surprising and impressive experiences.


Duration: 1 Hour

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges
09/13/2025 - 09/20/2025
from $2,199 per person
09/20/2025 - 09/27/2025
from $2,199 per person
09/27/2025 - 10/04/2025
from $2,199 per person
10/04/2025 - 10/11/2025
from $2,199 per person
10/11/2025 - 10/18/2025
from $2,199 per person
10/18/2025 - 10/25/2025
from $2,099 per person
10/25/2025 - 11/01/2025
from $2,099 per person
11/01/2025 - 11/08/2025
from $2,099 per person
11/08/2025 - 11/15/2025
from $2,099 per person


* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Prices Start At
from $2,099 per person
Length
7 Nights
Air City
Call for airfares from your city.
Vacation Rating
Moderate
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
Remarks
Pricing is per person, land only, in US dollars and based on double occupancy. For specific validity dates, discount amount and tour information, please return to the promotion in question. Promotion valid on G Adventures small group tours excluding Independent, MS Expedition or National Geographic Journeys, unless otherwise stated. Promotion applicable to new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Does not apply to airfare (unless otherwise stated), pre-/post-accommodation, 'My Own Room' or 'My Own Tent', transfers, theme packs, insurance, polar kayaking & camping excursions or other in-country services. G Adventures reserves the right to withdraw this offer from sale at any time. Itinerary and map subject to change.  Please click here for a description of the travel style options provided by G Adventures. 

Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
 

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID
1532731

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

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