NORTH OF SPAIN AND GALICIA FROM MADRID

After arriving at Madrid-Barajas Airport, we will be greeted and transferred to our hotel.

We will have the rest of the day to relax and begin enjoying the capital of Spain.

Madrid, lively and awake at all hours, is famous for being an open city where people of all kinds and from anywhere come together.

In addition to its well-known museums, lively avenues with all kinds of shops, world cuisine restaurants, and incomparable nightlife, Madrid surprises with quiet historic corners full of charm for strolls.

There, we will find centuries-old taverns with family traditions where friends gather for a drink, neighborhoods of all styles, and alternative cultural centers away from the more touristy circuits.

At the same time, this city has an authenticity that is hard to match. It is hospitable, diverse, and undoubtedly one of the most interesting in Europe.

Greca Tip: As in any other large city, the center of Madrid offers a diverse variety of gastronomic venues to suit all tastes, where you can taste the traditional local tapas.

After a tasty breakfast, you can enjoy a guided half-day city tour of Madrid. Our tour will start at the Gran Vía and the Passeo de Castellana, two of the most emblematic avenues of this city.

You will continue our journey through Plaza de España and Plaza de Oriente, to then visit Plaza Mayor, which will lead us to the center of the city: Puerta del Sol. As Madrid's heart, all the national celebrations are focused in this large circular square.

Your next destination will be the Atocha Station, it is the station with the most traffic of passengers in the country, as well as one of the main ones in Europe.

Your visit will be complete with a panoramic visit to The Fountain of Neptune, the Cibeles Fountain, the Bullring, and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. These places will show us the essence of the city and are part of the daily life of the locals. 

Once the tour is finished, the afternoon is free so you can keep enjoying this beautiful city at your own pace.

Greca Tip: Thanks to the brilliant (and old) concept that tapas should be served for free to anyone ordering a drink, you’ll find places where you only need to pay for the beer to leave with a stomach full of food.

After a tasty breakfast, you will depart towards Zaragoza. You will have free time to visit the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, the Patron Saint of Hispanics. This building is a jewel of Baroque art where we will find the beautiful works of Francisco de Goya and the Holy Chapel, the work of Ventura Rodríguez, which houses the image of the Virgen del Pilar.

The Main Altarpiece, made of alabaster, and the Renaissance choir are also interesting. Along with the Santiago de Compostela Arch cathedral Basilica, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is one of the most important spiritual destinations in Spain. It is also a first-rate artistic center that brings together works of great value from different periods.

You will continue the journey towards the Basque Country to reach San Sebastián.

Greca Tip: Don’t miss visiting the old Dominican convent, which today is the San Telmo Museum, whose archeology, ethnography, and painting collections deserve a careful visit.

After breakfast, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of this elegant and gentrified city.

The town center streets of San Sebastián unfold overlooking La Concha Bay.

Monte Igeldo marks one end of it - a wonderful vantage point for enjoying views over the city. At its feet is Torrepea Point, where the “Peine de los Vientos” ("the Wind Comb"), a sculpture by the famous Basque artist Eduardo Chillida, is installed. Here, Ondarreta Beach begins, framed by a garden area and by the Pico del Loro.

This was the place chosen by Queen Maria Cristina (18th century) to build the Miramar Palace, her summer residence. A lovely promenade with elegant railings and streetlamps runs along La Concha Beach, on whose sands are the Perla del Océano Bathing Area, a former royal bathing hut.

The afternoon is free to relax and keep enjoying this beautiful city.

Greca Tip: Don't miss tasting one of the typical dishes from the Basque cuisine: Kokotxas (hake cheeks), bacalao a la Vizcaína (cod in a red pepper sauce), bacalao al pil pil (cod cooked in olive oil and garlic), merluza en salsa verde (hake in green sauce), txipirones (baby squid cooked in squid ink) or txangurro (spider crab).

After a full breakfast, you will leave for the city of Bilbao, the capital city of the province of Vizcaya. You will have a brief stop to admire the avant-garde building of the Guggenheim Museum. This Museum is one of the most amazing examples of 20th-century architecture, since Frank Gehry used 33,000 very fine titanium plates to create his curious curved shapes.

You will continue towards Castro Urdiales, a typical fishing village where we will have free time.

The route continues towards the city of Santander. Upon arrival, you will have free time to explore the historic center, where you will be able to see the majestic buildings that the aristocracy and royalty of the late 19th and early 20th centuries used to spend their vacations.

The title of jewel of the city is undoubtedly for the Palacio de la Magdalena. The visit to this emblematic building, located at the highest point of the peninsula of the same name, is one of the essentials of Santander and allows you to contemplate (and photograph) an impressive panoramic view of "the bride of the sea", as it is popularly known the city, framed between the beach and the mountains.

Greca Tip: In the most modern area of ​​the city, we can find the Botín Center, an avant-garde museum designed by Renzo Piano.

After enjoying your breakfast, you will depart for Santillana del Mar, a city renowned as a National Monument. This picturesque medieval town flourished around the Collegiate Church of Santa María. The presence of numerous defensive towers and Renaissance palaces has transformed Santillana into one of Cantabria's most significant historical complexes.

Continuing your journey, you will arrive at Covadonga, where you will have ample free time to explore and acquaint yourself with its Sanctuary. Covadonga holds immense historical significance as the birthplace of the reconquest under King Pelayo, whose resting place lies in the cave alongside Santina.

Serving as the gateway to the Picos de Europa National Park, this locale also houses a basilica that holds profound religious importance and attracts pilgrims from across Asturias. The neo-Romanesque-style basilica, adorned with two towering structures flanking its main entrance, enshrines the revered image of La Santina. Within its walls, you will find treasured artworks, including a canvas by Madrazo. The square adjacent to the basilica proudly displays the statue of King Pelayo.

Later on, you will resume your journey towards Oviedo, a city brimming with remarkable monuments and captivating attractions. Notably, the Cathedral of San Salvador stands as a testament to Asturian Gothic architecture and is considered one of its most significant achievements.

Greca Tip: Don't miss the opportunity to savor the delightful Asturian carbayones, a traditional dessert from Oviedo. These elongated, almond and egg yolk cakes feature a puff pastry base and are delicately coated in sugar. The name "carbayones" derives from the Asturian word for "oak," known as "carbayu."

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you will set off toward the beautiful Galician Region. Along the way to Lugo, we will make a stop in the charming city of Mondoñedo.

During your visit, you will have some free time to explore the grand 12th-century Cathedral and indulge in the delightful "Mondoñedo cake."

Continuing our journey, we will arrive in the city of Lugo, situated inside the province, along the banks of the Miño River. Here, you will discover one of the most well-preserved Roman Ruins in existence today. Notably, the magnificent Lugo Wall, constructed during the 3rd and 4th centuries and referred to as Lucus Augusti, stands as a testament to the city's ancient history.

This remarkable stone structure has withstood the test of time and serves as the primary architectural attraction, bridging the gap between the ancient and modern aspects of the city. Its exceptional condition and excellent preservation have earned it the distinction of being the only Roman fortress declared a World Heritage site.

We will conclude our journey in the captivating city of Santiago de Compostela, celebrated for its historic cityscape, proudly designated as a prestigious World Heritage site. Also, the city stands as a paramount Christian pilgrimage center, symbolizing the culmination of the historic Way of St. James (in Spanish, el Camino de Santiago), originally forged by the Roman Empire.

Greca Tip: Besides its winding streets and stunning stone palaces, the modern side of Santiago thrives around the university area, art galleries, and, most notably, two key locations: the Galician Centre of Contemporary Art and the Cidade da Cultura.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you'll join our guide for a city tour of Santiago. Our first stop will be the Plaza del Obradoiro and its magnificent Cathedral. As you explore this square, you'll likely encounter pilgrims with their iconic walking sticks and scallop shells.

When visiting the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela for the first time, there is a customary ritual: marvel at the Portico de la Gloria, embrace the figure of Saint James at the main altar, descend to the crypt, ascend to the rooftop (offering stunning views), and if you're fortunate, witness the botafumeiro (an enormous censer) in action. The entrance to the Cathedral is included to fully appreciate its beauty.

The remainder of the afternoon will be free for you to continue exploring all the hidden corners and secrets that this city has to offer.

Greca Tip: To experience the authentic atmosphere of Santiago, venture into Rua do Franco and Rua da Raiña, located in the heart of the old town. These streets have been a gathering place for locals and visitors to savor tapas "since forever." You'll discover a plethora of restaurants where you can indulge in the finest regional dishes and wines.

As the sun rises on the horizon, you awaken to the promise of a day that will lead you through centuries of wisdom, art, and Castilian passion. After a refreshing breakfast at the hotel, you set off toward a golden gem: Salamanca.

In the morning, the city welcomes you with the elegance of its golden sandstone, which seems to glow beneath the sun. Salamanca is not only home to one of the oldest universities in Europe but also a living museum where every corner tells a story. Did you know that on the ornate façade of the university hides a tiny frog, which, according to legend, brings luck to those who find it on their own? Today, you might just spot it.

Lunch is at your leisure, and we suggest following the tempting aromas of the local taverns while admiring the Plaza Mayor—often hailed as one of the most beautiful squares in Spain. In the afternoon, your journey continues to Madrid, where the vibrant heartbeat of the capital awaits.

Upon arrival, rest and relaxation welcome you with comfort at your hotel accommodation.

Greca Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and take your time—Salamanca reveals its magic best through slow strolls and lingering gazes.

After savoring a delicious breakfast, you will be transferred to Madrid-Barajas International Airport at the designated time to catch your international flight.

On behalf of everyone at Greca, we extend our warm wishes for a safe journey and hope to welcome you back soon to create more unforgettable memories together.

Wishing you a pleasant trip! Or, as the locals say: "¡Buen viaje!".

Greca Tip: If you feel your time in Madrid was too short, you can easily add extra nights when making your booking.