Coach holiday Green Coast of Spain & Portugal 12 days from Madrid
PEPE TOURS
Coach holiday Green Coast of Spain & Portugal 12 days from Madrid
PEPE TOURS
Departure City
SPAIN, Madrid
Returning City
SPAIN, Madrid
Number of DAYS
12
Meeting point
Madrid
Google Maps
Frecuency
Sunday
PRICE in Euros
1.555,00 €
NORTHERN SPAIN & HIGHLIGHTS OF PORTUGAL - 12 Days
Escorted coach holiday from Madrid along the Cantabrian Coast, a strech of land by the North coast of Spain, across the Bay of Biscay, between the Cantabrian Sea and the Cantabrian Mountains, to discover a great diversity of landscapes and cities that preserve some of the most beautiful monumental town centres of Spain & Portugal. We travel from the Basque Country, passing through Cantanbria, Asturias, Galicia and its magnificent estuaries and finishing at the Atlantic coast of Portugal. Coach tour to Northern Spain & Portugal with English speaking guides.
Departure days of the tour
Departures: Sunday
Coach holiday Green Coast of Spain & Portugal 12 days from Madrid includes:
The tour to Spain and Portugal includes
Transportation by modern air-conditioned coach / English-speaking accompanying guide during the tour / Visits in Santiago de Compostela, Porto and Lisbon / Visit to a winery with wine tasting in Porto / Accommodation at 4* hotels / Daily breakfast buffet / 1 lunch / 6 dinners / City taxes in Porto and Lisbon / Travel insurance.
Price details
PRICE PER PERSON IN EUROS (SEASON 2024 - 2025) | ||
IN DOUBLE ROOM | from 1555 € | |
IN SINGLE ROOM | from 1880 € |
Day 1. (Sunday) MADRID – ZARAGOZA – SAN SAN SEBASTIAN
Departure from Madrid towards Zaragoza, located on the banks of the Ebro River, one of Spain’s major cities and capital of the Region of Aragon. Free time to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar, Patroness of Hispanity and stroll through the old streets of Zaragoza to discover its impressive monumental legacy as Romans, Muslims, Jews and Christians left their mark on this place. Taste the typical dishes of the region and, of course, take part in one of the great traditions of the city, “going for tapas”: small gastronomic creations that delight anyone who tries them. In the afternoon we continue our trip to the Basque Country, a green paradise, land of great contrasts, to reach San Sebastian and its world-renowned La Concha Beach, framed by Mount Igueldo and the island of Santa Clara. Arrival at the hotel, dinner and accommodation.
Day 2. (Monday) SAN SEBASTIAN – BILBAO – SANTANDER
Breakfast at hotel. At mid-morning departure to Bilbao, capital of the province of Vizcaya. Arrival and brief stop to admire the avant-garde building of the Guggenheim Museum. Design and architecture permeate this entire city. Later on we’ll continue to Santander, capital of Cantabria Region, one of the most elegant and beautiful cities of the North Coast of Spain. Santander is a port city located between the sea and the mountains, well known for its Sardinero Beach, one of the best known beaches in Spain. Free time to stroll through this elegant city. Arrival at the hotel, dinner and accommodation.
Day 3. (Tuesday) SANTANDER – SANTILLANA – COVADONGA – OVIEDO
Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Santillana del Mar, one of the most important historical artistic towns in Spain. It contains architectural treasures such as the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, a Jewel of the Romanesque Arquitecture in Cantabria. Later on, driving a twisty road that will slowly reveal a beautiful countryside made up of calm waters, unimaginable green carpets and mountain peaks which all seem to be almost within reach, we will arrive to Covadonga, where you will have free time to visit the Shrine, a place of worship and pilgrimage for the people of Asturias, where you will see the Patroness of Asturias our Lady of Covadonga. In the afternoon, departure to Oviedo, a city of an unquestionable medieval flavour. Free time to explore Oviedo, most of its streets are pedestrian, where you will be able to see World Heritage Sites like the Cathedral of Oviedo, a splendid example of gothic asturian arquitecture or the beautiful church of Santa Maria de Naranco, a jewel of the pre-romanic asturian arquitecture. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 4. (Wednesday) OVIEDO – LA CORUÑA
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Galicia with its landscapes of lush valleys and stunning beaches, spectacular cliffs, charming fishing villages and incredible cities. Arrival to the stately city of A Coruña, with its beautiful houses of glazed galleries, cobbled streets that embrace the old city, the castle of San Anton or the Tower of Hercules, the oldest lighthouse in the world in operation and World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. We’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of the city and free time to explore at your own pace this beautiful historic city. In the afternoon your guide will offer an optional excursion alongside the Rias Altas Estuaries in northern Galicia overlooking the Atlantic with their spectacular cliffs, beaches and the fishing villages of Pontedeume, Betanzos, etc. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 5. (Thursday) LA CORUÑA – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Santiago de Compostela, whose old town is a World Heritage Site, one of the most important monumental centers of Spain, one of the sacred cities of Christendom and end of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route. Upon arrival we’ll enjoy a city tour visiting amongst others, the Plaza del Obradoiro, the point at which all roads into the city converge, where we can find Santiago’s Highlight, the Cathedral dedicated to the Apostle James the Elder, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ and brother of John, the Evangelist. Free time in the afternoon so you can continue visiting at your pace this historic city, discover its university atmosphere of joy and vitality, try the delicious cuisine that Galician tradition has preserved and its regional products, especially seafood, fish and beef. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
Day 6. (Friday) SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – RIAS BAJAS – LA TOJA – VIGO
After breakfast we travel to the most picturesque area of the Galician Estuaries, the Rias Baixas Estuaries. Through splendid landscapes of the Ría de Arosa, we will arrive at La Toja Island, universally known for its spa. In O Grove, you can optionally take a catamaran tour to learn how oysters and mussels are grown. During this optional excursion we include a tasting of mussel and Ribeiro wine. Our route continues to Vigo, located in the middle of the estuary to which it gives its name, the southernmost estuary of the Rías Baixas and undoubtedly the most beautiful one, with beaches of great attraction. As an optional activity you can take an excursion to Mount Santa Tecla, a must-see place for its interesting archaeological, religious and landscape values. The Santa Tecla archaeological site is considered one of the most important examples of the Roman culture of the Iberian Northwest region. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7. (Saturday) VIGO – VIANA DO CASTELO – BRAGA – PORTO
Breakfast at the hotel. Crossing the border with Portugal we will arrive at Viana do Castelo, a town located between the mouth of the Miño River and Porto. You’ll enjoy some free time to visit the old town with cobbled streets and emblazoned buildings. Our route continues to Braga, known as the city of the archbishops and the third most populous city in Portugal. Free time to discover at your own pace the essence of Braga, its labyrinthine narrow streets that hide places of historical interest, original monuments and traditional family businesses. You may visit the medieval Braga Cathedral, home to a sacred art museum and the Gothic-style Kings’ Chapel, the imposing Archbishop’s Palace and the beautiful Santa Barbara Garden. Don’t leave Braga without tasting its exquisite gastronomy among its typical dishes you may find codfish prepared in the Braga style, roast kid and crème caramel with bacon. In the afternoon, departure to Porto, city declared a World Heritage Site. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.
Day 8. (Sunday) PORTO
Breakfast at the hotel. We have a whole day to enjoy this authentic city, capital of Northern Portugal. We begin with a panoramic visit of Porto to discover the Cathedral of Sé, the most important religious monument in Porto, a mixture of styles and influences, also the Palacio de la Bolsa, one of the most beautiful buildings in Porto, Santa Clara Church and ending in a local winery where we will taste the world-famous “Porto wine”. Afternoon free at your disposal to continue exploring the corners of Porto, stroll along the Avenida dos Aliados, the Ribeira de Porto on the banks of the Duero and admire the Don Luis I Bridge, the most famous bridge in Porto, climb to the Clérigos Tower, the best viewpoint of Porto, from where you will have panoramic views of the historic city center or take an optional cruise on the Duero River. Hotel accommodation.
Day 9. (Monday) PORTO – COIMBRA
Breakfast at the hotel. We leave Porto heading south to reach Coimbra, a riverfront city rising scenically from the Rio Mondego and the country’s former capital during the Middle Ages. Arrival and free time at your disposal to explore its preserved medieval old town with its dark cobbled lanes, visit Coimbra’s monuments: the monumental 12th century Romanesque cathedral Sé Velha, the historic University of Coimbra, Portugal’s oldest and most prestigious university, the gothic Igreja de Santa Cruz, Coimbra’s most historically important church or enjoy a relaxed coffee and sweet pastry in the Café Santa Cruz. Arrival at the hotel, dinner and accommodation.
Day 10. (Tuesday) COIMBRA – FATIMA – LISBON
After breakfast at the hotel, we continue our route southward to Fatima. We will discover this important sacred center of the Christian Faith, known worldwide for its sanctuary, a place of Christian pilgrimage since the beginning of the 20th century. Free time at your disposal to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima consisting of an impressive Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Chapel of the Apparitions, heart of the sanctuary and place where according to the Roman Catholic Church, three visionary children Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta Marto received several apparitions and heavenly messages by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. You can visit the tombs of the three little shepherds, the precious statue of Our Lady of Fátima, the great oak tree, and also the monument dedicated to the three little shepherds (the seers) of Fátima. At the end of the day we will continue to Lisbon, the capital and largest city of Portugal. Arrival and lodging in the hotel. In the evening, optionally you can enjoy a Fado music show (typical Portuguese folklore).
Day 11. (Wednesday) LISBON
Breakfast at the hotel. We’ll have a full day to explore each corner of Lisbon. We’ll start the day with an in-depth sightseeing tour of Lisbon. We’ll visit Lisbon’s traditional neighbourhoods, which take us into the Belem district, on the northern bank of the Tagus River estuary, the birthplace of many great Portuguese navigators who sailed the oceans in the Fifteenth Century to explore and trade with India and the Orient. We will walk around the Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), a monument that celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery, we’ll see the Belem Tower, a medieval defensive fortification and a prominent example of the Portuguese Manueline style. We will finally see the beautiful gothic style Jeronimos Monastery, Vasco da Gama’s resting place, classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the nearby Tower of Belen. Enjoy some free time at leisure to explore Lisbon at your own pace, to discover the nostalgic corners of the Barrio de Alfama, the old city grouped next to its Castle with its old buildings in narrow and twisted “ruas” full of color and housing the genuine “taverns” where Fado music sounds like a lost past. Optionally you can do a beautiful coach trip to visit Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with Cabo da Roca and admire Cascais and Estoril. Accommodation at the hotel.
Day 12. (Thursday) LISBON – CACERES – MADRID
Our last breakfast in Portugal. Departure towards Spain travelling along beautiful green plains that extend as far as the eye can see dotted with cork oaks and olive trees that withstand time. Back in Spain, we enjoy the beautiful landscape of Region of Extremadura, the typical wooded pasture known as the “dehesa” where the iberian pigs forage freely for acorns. Arrival in Caceres, a magical medieval city, capital of the Extremadura region in western Spain. Free time to stroll through the old town with its city walls and watchtowers and its well-known medieval neighborhood, considered a World Heritage Site. We recommend you to follow the narrow walkways that will transport you to another century and engage you in its old charm. You’ll discover the main square of Cáceres – the Plaza Mayor and the Bujaco Tower locally known as the Clock Tower, the Arch of the Star, which is one of the five access gates of Cáceres, the beautiful Palace of the Golfines… In the afternoon he head back to Madrid. Arrival and end of our services.
Summary
- Departure city: SPAIN, Madrid
- Returning city: SPAIN, Madrid
- Cities where we will travel through: picos-de-europa-en, A Coruna, Bilbao, Braga, Caceres, Cascais, Coimbra, Covadonga, Estoril, Fatima, La Toja, Lisbon, Madrid, O Grove, Oviedo, Porto, San Sebastian, Santander, Santiago de Compostela, Santillana del Mar, Sintra, Viana do Castelo, Vigo, Zaragoza
- Countries where the tour goes: PORTUGAL, SPAIN
- Nº days of the tour: 12
- Departure day of the tour: Sunday
- Price: from 1555 €
- Tour code: 01113-12000000D-02-MADMAD-EG
Please note that
Exceptionally, the itinerary and the order of the excursions could be altered and modified for organizational reasons. Depending on hotel availability or in case of last minute reservations, the provided hotels may be replaced by others of the same category (see list of planned hotels at Scheduled Hotels).