Itinerary
Day 1: Barcelona - Montserrat - Lleida - Huesca
Stop At: Montserrat, Montserrat
It’s time to contrast the bravado of Barcelona with the serrated peaks of Montserrat. This majestic mountain with strangely shaped crags is home to a Benedictine Monastery and one of Spain’s most venerated statues of the Madonna and Child. At your stop here, you can enjoy lunch, contemplate the life of monks and hermits, and explore the magnificent basilica.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Lleida, Lleida, Province of Lleida, Catalonia
You continue deep into the mountains of Catalonia and visit Lleida. This is one of the oldest towns in the region and is steeped in Roman history. It’s a little off the beaten track and you have time to discover its castle and cathedral.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Huesca, Huesca, Province of Huesca, Aragon
As the evening settles in, you arrive in Huesca. You overnight here for two evenings and have plenty of time to amble around the medieval streets discovering the many churches and façades of this hilly town.
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Huesca with breakfast
Day 2: Huesca - Torla - Jaca - Huesca
Stop At: Parque Nacional Ordesa Y Monte Perdido, 22376 Torla Spain
Put on your adventure hats and get ready for nature. This morning, you travel to Torla-Ordesa, the gateway to the Monte Perdido National Park.
From here, you explore crumbling cliffs, forests of oaks and pines, and vertical views up to 1,700 metres tall. There may be a little walking involved, so make sure you’re wearing good footwear. It’s worth it to see a few of the most scenic views in all the Pyrenees.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Jaca, Jaca, Province of Huesca, Aragon
You leave Torla behind and head through the mountains to Jaca. Here, you can explore the perfectly preserved ‘star-shaped’ fortress, find out about the regional cuisine of Aragón, and tick off more quintessential Spanish cathedrals.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Huesca with breakfast
Day 3: Huesca - Zaragossa - Tarazona - Haro
Stop At: Palacio de la Aljaferia, calle Los Diputados, Zaragoza Spain
Zaragoza in Aragón looks as enchanting as it sounds. You travel here in the morning and have tickets to the 11th-century Aljafería Palace included in your tour.
After you’ve admired the patterned porticos of the beautiful palace, you have free time to explore the city. Art lovers can search for Goya paintings; history geeks can seek out Roman remains; and foodies can sample chireta, a local and delicious haggis type dish.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Tarazona, Tarazona, Province of Zaragoza, Aragon
You then travel to Tarazona. This town boasts medieval Mudéjar style architecture: a glorious fusion of the ancient Muslim and Christian aesthetic ideals. Your neck will ache from all the staring up in wonder.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Haro with breakfast
Day 4: Huesca - San Sebastian - Pamplona - Haro
Stop At: San Sebastian - Donostia, San Sebastian - Donostia, Province of Guipuzcoa, Basque Country
Today, you explore the Basque country, a land of curious customs, incredible coasts, and fabulous flavours.
Your first stop is San Sebastián, a foodie heaven with the highest number of Michelin stars per capita. You have time here to grab lunch and check out the beautiful blonde beach.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Pamplona, Pamplona, Navarra
You travel back inland to Pamplona. This town is famous for San Fermin, ‘the Running of the Bulls’. Fortunately, you aren’t going to have to run anywhere, instead you can stroll around the town’s splendid fortress walls and relax.
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Haro with breakfast
Day 5: Haro - Santo Domingo de la Calzada - San Vicente de la Sonsierra - Haro
Stop At: Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, La Rioja
In the morning, you embark on a scenic ride amongst the gentle hills of La Rioja region to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, where you can wander the network of medieval streets or take the opportunity to visit the cathedral.
A visit to the La Rioja region wouldn't be complete without sampling the local produce and your next stop is a family run winery, for wine tasting and snacks.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: San Vicente de la Sonsierra, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, La Rioja
From here you continue to the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Cross the medieval bridge over the Ebro river and take in the amazing views over the valley from the castle.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Haro with breakfast
Day 6: Haro - Burgos - Aranda de Duero - La Granja de San Ildefonso - Madrid
Stop At: Burgos, Burgos, Province of Burgos, Castile and Leon
Your first stop is in Burgos, where you have a few hours to admire one of the most spectacular cathedrals in all of Spain and check if the local flavours can compete with your favourite dishes from La Rioja and the Basque regions.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Aranda de Duero, Aranda de Duero, Province of Burgos, Castile and Leon
You'll have free time for lunch in Aranda de Duero, a paradise for lovers of fine wine and food.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Palacio Real de La Granja de San Ildefonso, Plaza de Espana, 15 Ayuntamiento, 40100 La Granja de San Ildefonso Spain
Next, you head further south to the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso. Your included ticket to this stunning structure lets you wander through the rooms of Spain’s ‘mini-Versailles’ and wonder how much the gardening bill must be for its gorgeous grounds.
As the sun sets, you arrive in the country’s capital, Madrid.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.