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16 Day Best Of Northern Spain And Portugal

This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.

Pace
Moderate Pace

These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for exact group size. Enjoy features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights, and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.

Group Size
Small Group

This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.

Escorted Type
Fully Escorted
2937 people have travelled to this destination

✓ Add Return International airfares for only $999 per person
✓ Incredible sightseeing including cultural capital Madrid, a Douro River cruise in Porto and renowned pilgrimage site Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, stunning Lisbon.
✓ Small group experience, with no more than 24 guests
✓ 15 nights in premium, 4-star accommodation
✓ Fully escorted by an expert, English-speaking tour leader
✓ Breakfast daily plus 4 dinners, including a welcome tapas experience
✓ Return airport transfers
✓ Dedicated, air-conditioned private coach transportation

What we love about this tour

Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.

Itinerary

Hotel
Hotel Princesa Plaza or Similar

Welcome to Spain! You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

You’ll meet your tour guide and fellow travellers tomorrow morning. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore this energetic city. Make like a Madrileño and take a paseo por la noche, a cherished evening stroll. Puerta del Sol, the heart of the city, is a busy plaza where you can find street performers, loads of restaurants and shops and the iconic statue ‘The Bear and the Strawberry Tree’.

Gran Vía, also known as the street that never sleeps, is the main shopping and tourist artery in the center of the capital. On this lively strip you’ll find great restaurants, theater, shopping and more. Look up – the buildings are exquisite. Calle Cava Baja is the city’s famed tapas street. Patatas bravas, anyone?

Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.

Hotel
Hotel Princesa Plaza or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, meet your tour guide and the rest of your group. Enjoy breakfast before heading out to explore Madrid on a guided city tour.

Explore Barrio de la Morería, the Habsburgs District, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. 

Continue on to contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium.

This evening, join your fellow travelers for an authentic Welcome Tapas Dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel
Barceló Nervión or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Say goodbye to Madrid for the time being and depart north towards Burgos. Enjoy Free time to visit the 13th century gothic Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos, the third largest in Spain and where construction began in 1221.

Continue to Haro, located in the heart of La Rioja, the famous Spanish wine region. Among the vineyards, visit a traditional family run cellar. Taste some of the range of world famous Rioja Reds. Our next stop is Bilbao.  

Check into the hotel, freshen up and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant where typical “pintxos” are served.

Hotel
Barceló Nervión or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

Enjoy a brief Bilbao city tour and discover its most recent developments. 

Stop and spend some time at leisure to explore the esplanade where The Guggenheim Museum is located. Admire this modern architectural delight. 

This afternoon, continue to San Sebastian, famous for its beach, food and International Film Festival. Enjoy a panoramic city tour of this bourgeois city. View the extraordinary landscape dominated by the bay and the magnificent La Concha beach from a lookout on Mount Igueldo. Later enjoy  free time to stroll through this elegant city. This evening you will return to Bilbao.

Hotel
Santemar hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

This morning you will board the coach bound for Asturias, famous as the part of Spain never conquered by the Moors. It is a stunningly green region full of dramatic coastlines, with rustic mountain villages and gorgeous aspects. Proceed to the pretty fishing village of “Castro Urdiales” where there is time at leisure to explore. 

Later depart to Santander, a port city located between the sea and the mountains, well known for Sardinero Beach. 

Hotel
AC Oviedo Forum or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Continue to Santillana del Mar, home to architectural treasures such as the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana - a Jewel of Romanesque Architecture.  

Next stop is Covadonga. Enjoy some free time, visit the Marian shrine devoted to the patron of Asturias, Our Lady of Covadonga. This shrine rose to prominence after the Battle of Covadonga around 720, following the first defeat of the Moors during their invasion of Spain

Afterwards, depart to Oviedo, where you will see on a series of hills the beauty of Saint Maria de Naranco Church, Jewel of the pre Roman Asturian architecture. Explore the pedestrian streets of Oviedo before joining your fellow travelers for dinner at a traditional cider house.

Hotel
Eurostars Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

Today we’re bound for Galician lands. En route to Lugo you will make a short stop at Mondoñedo, to visit the 13th century Cathedral and taste the delicious “Mondoñedo cake”. 

Continue to Lugo. Time at leisure to explore the stunning city walls, built by the Romans during the 3rd and 4th century, are one of the finest examples of Roman wall construction in Europe.  

Later, approaching Spain's holy land, it was declared a World Heritage site as the most important center of Christian Pilgrimages in Spain.

Hotel
Eurostars Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

Join a Santiago city tour, visiting Praza do Obradoiro, the city's main square. Next to The Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, one of the most important religious structures in Spain. The cathedral marks the end of the 790 km Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route

Rest of the day at leisure to explore the narrow cobblestone streets.

Hotel
Vila Gale Porto or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

Depart towards one of the most marvelous areas of Galicia, the Rias Bajas (Spanish Fjords). Continue to the Ria de Arosa, where we will do a cruise, with tasting of the typical wines and mussels. 

Bond for the Portuguese border to reach Porto. Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European towns, and proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.

Hotel
Vila Gale Porto or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

This morning we will enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Porto. Admire the Cetedral de Portol, known locally as Se, this hilltop cathedral was built between the 12th and 13th Centuries. We continue to the British Classical styled old Stock Exchange building and seemingly austere Santa Clara church. Inside is a masterpiece of gilded woodwork.  

Later we enjoy a Douro River Cruise before tasting a range of local tipples at the famous Port Wine Cellars. The rest of the day is at leisure to make your own discoveries.

Hotel
Vila Gale Porto or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Porto. Optionally, you can visit Guimaraes, one of the oldest cities in Portugal, cradle of the Portuguese nation, whose historic center is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 

Hotel
Hotel Sao Jose or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

After breakfast, we depart for Coimbra, one of the oldest universities in Europe and the birthplace of Fado. 

We continue to Fatima, one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the world. Made famous in 1917 when the Virgin Mary was said to have appeared to three shepherd children over several visits. Pilgrims flock here to visit its impressive Basilica and the Cova da Iria where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared. We visit the Chapel of the Apparitions in the heart of the sanctuary where the tombs of the three children, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta rest.

This evening (availability pending) attend the procession of the candles.

Hotel
Lutecia Smart Design Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

Visit the Batalha Monastery This morning, a masterpiece in the Gothic and Manueline style . We continue to the picturesque fishing town of Nazaré, enjoying some free time exploring before heading off to yet another World Heritage site at Alcobaça with its Gothic church and Cistercian monastery, whose origins date back to the 12th Century. Continue on to Lisbon for the evening.

Hotel
Hotel Roma or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, join a city sightseeing tour of the ancient Olissipo. Drive through its

main squares and avenues, visiting Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, the Coach Museum, Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square and Liberty Avenue. 

This afternoon is at leisure to catch the nostalgic corners of the Alfama Quarter, the old city gathered next to its Castle, with buildings nested in narrow twisting Ruas, housing genuine “tabernas” where locals gather. 

Tonight enjoy a typical Portuguese dinner visiting one of the oldest Fado venues in the city and located in one of the most interesting cultural neighborhoods in the area.

Hotel
Hotel Princesa Plaza or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Today we head for Andalusian soils, back in Spain, drive to Caceres, considered a World Heritage site because of the city’s blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. Walk through Plaza Mayor and the Old Town with its famous Medieval Quarter. Later today we will return to Madrid.

Meals
Breakfast

Enjoy one last delicious breakfast this morning, before your adventure comes to an end after checking out of your hotel. 

Madrid is a glorious city to explore – we recommend spending a couple of extra days to make the most of it. If you do extend your stay, we can help you organise additional accommodation.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.

Check out: Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or, alternatively, speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. This service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost.

Inclusions

  • Incredible sightseeing including cultural capital Madrid, a Douro River cruise in Porto and renowned pilgrimage site Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, stunning Lisbon,
  • Small group experience, with no more than 24 guests
  • 15 nights in premium, 4-star accommodation
  • Fully escorted by an expert, English-speaking tour leader
  • Breakfast daily plus 4 dinners, including a welcome tapas experience
  • Return airport transfers
  • Dedicated, air-conditioned private coach transportation

  • Madrid - Sit by the lake at Retiro Park and admire the magnificent Glass Palace
  • Madrid - enjoy a guided city tour of the Spanish Capital
  • Rioja - Taste some of the range of world famous Rioja Reds at a local winery
  • San Sebastian - Enjoy a day trip to this stunning seaside city
  • Oviedo -  dine at a traditional cider house.
  • Santiago de Compostela - Visit the stunning Cathedral.
  • Porto - watch Porto slip by on a Duomo river cruise
  • Fatima - Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, the 4th biggest Catholic pilgrimage site in the world
  • Lisbon - Explore Lisbon, a picture-perfect combination of cobbled alleyways, ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals
  • Lisbon - Enjoy a typical Portuguese dinner at one of the oldest Fado venues in the city

Fine Print

Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognized and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and well-being of our guests are our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation. 
 
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
 
Australian owned and operated 
We are proudly 100% Australian-owned and now operating across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. Our head office is located in Melbourne, Victoria, with offices around the globe to provide you with 24/7 support while you travel. When you book with Inspiring Vacations, you'll receive the support of travel professionals who are committed to the mission of inspiring people everywhere to experience the world.
 
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling-off period.  Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7-day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.
 
Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.

We offer two payment options – the choice is yours. Our advertised price is based on our 'Pay in Full' option, which includes a discount by making full payment at the time of booking. Alternatively, choose our 'Installment Payment Plan' option for the flexibility of incremental payments, beginning with a low deposit.

Please click 'Book Now' and proceed to the payment page to select your preferred option under the heading ‘Choose how to pay’. The total due will be reflected accordingly.

Pay In Full Option:

  • Full payment due at the time of the booking.
  • Please select this option at the payment page prior to finalizing your booking

Installment Payment Plan Option:

  • Book now and secure your package with only a $99.00 deposit per person.
  • Pay a 1st installment of $3,139.00 per person within 28 days.
  • Pay a 2nd installment of $1,278.00 per person within 90 days.
  • You will then be invoiced for final payment 120 days prior to departure.

Booking Process

  • Select the purple 'Reserve Your Seat' tab to begin your booking (you must 'Sign Up' first by entering your email and creating a password)
  • Then select the purple 'Book now' tab of the tour you have selected
  • Select your Departure Date, Departure City, Number of Passengers, Room Configuration, any Upgrade Options, and enter any Special Requests
  • Click the purple ‘Proceed to Secure Checkout' tab
  • Enter your credit card or PayPal details to secure your deposit/payment. You may also pay via BPAY (not available within 70 days of departure)
  • Once your order is complete, you will be prompted to complete a Booking Form so that we can fulfill your booking
  • Your booking is confirmed once your Booking Form is submitted and you can begin the countdown to your Inspiring Vacation!

Please refer to conditions below, which are agreed to at time of purchase. 

Can I extend my stay pre- and/or post-tour?

This depends on the package you are booking. 

Where available, extensions must be added at time of purchase and cannot be added post-purchase unless inside the 7-day cooling off period.

We can assist in arranging your airfares to accommodate an extension; however, you must also book the additional nights’ accommodation through us at time of booking (where available as an add-on):

  • At check-out, please ensure you add the numbers of extra nights you would like pre- and/or post-tour (where available as an add-on). This can only be done at time of booking and cannot be added after purchase.
  • Some packages may only offer the opportunity to book one (1) extra night pre and/or post. If you want more nights’ than what is available to book you must choose Land Only (refer below).
  • If there is no option to add additional nights’ accommodation to your booking, then extending your stay with Inspiring Vacations is not an option and you can instead choose to change your booking to Land Only so you can arrange both your airfares and additional accommodation independently. 

When adding additional nights to your booking, the cost of the extra nights’ accommodation will be reflected on your invoice and payable with the final balance. 

Airfare surcharges may apply if extending due to airfare seasonal changes and possible fare differences. These are payable at the time of selecting your desired airfare. 

The second installment of your booking must be made before airfares can be booked. 

Outside of extending your stay you must select Land Only if:

  • You would like to stopover
  • You would like to upgrade your cabin class
  • You would like a specific airline booked 
  • You would like to extend longer than what is available within the package 
  • You intend to book additional accommodation independently
  • You would like to arrive and/or depart from another city or airport or; 
  • Your preferred domestic departure city point (ie Perth, Australia) is not an option 

If you are interested in one of the above options, please select LAND ONLY at time of check-out and you will need to arrange your own airfares. Inspiring Vacations will not be accountable for flight delays or missed tour components due to late arrival or airline changes.

How to book my flights through the flight portal:

As the travel industry moves towards providing customers with more self-service options, we are excited that our customers will have the opportunity to book their flights through our flight portal. If this option is available to you, you will be notified once flights are available to book for your selected departure date. Flights may be booked by Inspiring Vacations at any time.

Please visit our FAQ for more information.

Conditions of flights for this package bookable by Inspiring Vacations:

  • Flight Offer valid from select departure cities within the purchase path only
  • Flights will be booked with the best available airline/s with luggage included. Low-cost carriers may be booked in conjunction with a full-service airline. Depending on the carrier, entertainment and meals may not be included but payable at an extra cost on-board. We cannot specify or guarantee the airline booked. If you would like a specific airline, please select land only. 
  • Flights may not be direct and may include multiple connections
  • Due to disrupted airline schedules globally with the pandemic, stopovers/transit times may be longer than usual (up to 12 hours in duration in some circumstances).
  • Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable; any changes will be subject to the airline rules and change fees. 
  • Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required at the time of submitting your traveller booking form. Any error in the names submitted will be subject to fees to amend with the airline or the ticket may be non-refundable with the purchase of a new ticket required. 
  • Depending on departure date and time of booking, the required booking class for airfare offer may be too far in advance to book with the appropriate airline.
  • If the required booking class is unavailable at time of booking, surcharges may apply. Total cost is final only at time of ticketing. Once issued, air tickets are subject to amendment and cancellation fees or may be non-refundable
  • Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are beyond our control and it is the responsibility of the customer to ensure they are familiar with the most up to date airline schedule prior to departure
  • After booking, the price payable may be subject to change as a result of factors beyond the control of Inspiring Vacations. Inspiring Vacations reserves the right to increase the price payable and this will be reflected on the customer's invoice. Increases may be in relation to, but not limited to, currency fluctuations, airline taxes, airfare increases and fuel surcharges.
  • Internal airfares (where applicable and included in the itinerary) will be using a local carrier and may include low-cost carriers without meals or entertainment. Checked baggage will still be included for each passenger. Any additional baggage required is payable at time of check-in. 
  • If you are travelling with another party on a separate booking, we cannot guarantee that the same flights will be booked for all parties, as this strictly depends on availability. 
  • All tickets will include 20 kilos checked baggage per person, along with 7 kilos of hand luggage to restrictions with internal flights (where applicable), as well as coach and train transportation.
  • You will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters are not included. If travelling over the recommended amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable directly.

Seat Selection & Frequent Flyer Points

Inspiring Vacations do not arrange seat selection. It is important to highlight that some airlines do not allow pre-selected seats or they may charge a fee to do so. We strongly suggest you contact the airline directly with seating allocation requirements and or arrive at the airport earlier to arrange your seating. While we do not add frequent flyer member details to bookings, you can do this directly with the airline once you have your flight information.

Online check-in 

Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.

COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.

Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.

As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.

This particular tour is categorised as a “1”.

1 – Leisurely Pace: This itinerary will be conducted at a relaxed pace. You will typically spend several nights at one location which means less time spent packing and unpacking, and more sightseeing. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and handling your own luggage.

Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.

You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however any changes are beyond our control.

Single Supplement
Single supplement is $975.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.

Triple Share
Not available.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.

We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.

Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.

Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.

Visas may be required.

Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.

Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.

Group Size
2-24 people

Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.

Trip Style - Group Tour
Our Group Tours offer unparalleled value for money and are the perfect style of travel for those on a budget, though still eager to pack as much into their itinerary as possible. These tours tick all the boxes with an abundance of inclusions such as sightseeing highlights, expert tour guides, quality accommodation, transfers, coach transportation, some meals and more. Please note that the maximum group size will vary between deals and will be mentioned within the Fine Print of each deal page.

  • International airfares (optional)
  • Airport Transfer
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Tipping
  • Optional activities
  • Personal expenses
  • Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
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