8 DAYS • 7 NIGHTS • SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA → SAN SEBASTIÁN
Santiago de Compostela to San Sebastián
Journey through Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and Basque Country
Experience the same spectacular route in reverse, beginning in the spiritual city of Santiago de Compostela and concluding in elegant San Sebastián. This 8-day journey offers unique perspectives as you travel from the Atlantic coast of Galicia through Green Spain to the Basque Country.
Day 1: Santiago de Compostela – Viveiro
12:00 – Reception in Santiago de Compostela. City tour and lunch visiting the Cathedral, UNESCO Old Town, and historic plazas.
Afternoon coach to Ferrol where the train and crew await. Welcome aboard and journey to Viveiro. Tour or free time in this walled medieval town. Dinner on board.
Overnight: Viveiro | Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Viveiro – Oviedo
À la carte breakfast. Visit Ribadeo and stroll along Playa de Las Catedrales beach with its magnificent rock formations. Afternoon visit to Luarca fishing village. Dinner on board with entertainment. Overnight in Oviedo.
Overnight: Oviedo | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Oviedo – Llanes
Visit Gijón and a typical Asturian cider press with lunch. Afternoon city tour of Oviedo. Dinner on board. Overnight in Llanes.
Overnight: Llanes | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Llanes
Breakfast on board. Full-day coach excursion to Picos de Europa National Park, Covadonga Sanctuary, and Cangas de Onís. Lunch in Arriondas. Afternoon in Llanes. Dinner in town.
Overnight: Llanes | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Llanes – Cabezón de la Sal
Train arrives in Cabezón de la Sal. Coach to Potes valley surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. Visit La Hermida spa with thermal baths. Lunch and free time. Afternoon visit to Capricho de Gaudí in Comillas. Dinner on board.
Overnight: Cabezón de la Sal | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Cabezón de la Sal – Santander
Coach to Altamira Neocave and Santillana del Mar. Lunch on board. Afternoon Santander city tour and dinner in restaurant.
Overnight: Santander | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Santander – Carranza
Train arrives in Bilbao. City tour including Guggenheim Museum. Lunch in restaurant. Dinner on board. Overnight in Carranza.
Overnight: Carranza | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Carranza – San Sebastián
Coach from Bilbao to San Sebastián. City visit and tour. End of journey at hotel in San Sebastián.
End of Journey | Meals: Breakfast
Journey Highlights
| Destination | Region | Key Attractions | Experience Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Sebastián | Basque Country | La Concha Beach, Old Town, Pintxos culture | Coastal elegance |
| Bilbao | Basque Country | Guggenheim Museum, Casco Viejo, Modern waterfront | Art & Architecture |
| Santander | Cantabria | Sardinero Beach, Magdalena Peninsula, Historic center | Coastal city |
| Potes | Cantabria | Medieval town, Tower of Infantado, Four valleys | Mountain village |
| Comillas | Cantabria | Capricho de Gaudí, Palace of Sobrellano | Architecture |
| Santillana del Mar | Cantabria | Medieval streets, Collegiate Church, Noble mansions | Medieval history |
| Llanes | Asturias | Coastal cliffs, Medieval walls, Historic port | Coastal town |
| Oviedo | Asturias | Cathedral, Pre-Romanesque monuments, Historic plazas | Regional capital |
| Gijón | Asturias | Cimavilla quarter, Roman baths, Chillida sculpture | Port city |
| Luarca | Asturias | White houses, Fishing harbor, Seven bridges | Fishing village |
| Ribadeo | Galicia | Old town, Gateway to Las Catedrales | Coastal town |
| Viveiro | Galicia | Medieval walls, Historic center | Walled town |
| Santiago de Compostela | Galicia | Cathedral, UNESCO Old Town, Pilgrimage endpoint | World Heritage |
| UNESCO Site | Location | Significance | Inscribed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cave of Altamira | Santillana del Mar | Prehistoric cave paintings, 36,000 years old | 1985 |
| Santiago Old Town | Santiago de Compostela | Cathedral, Camino endpoint, Romanesque architecture | 1985 |
| Pre-Romanesque Monuments | Oviedo | 9th century churches: Santa María del Naranco | 1985 |
| Natural Site | Location | Highlights | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Picos de Europa | Asturias/Cantabria | Limestone peaks (2,600m+), Deep gorges, Glacial lakes | National Park |
| Covadonga Lakes | Picos de Europa | Glacial lakes Enol and Ercina, Mountain scenery | Glacial Lakes |
| Las Catedrales Beach | Near Ribadeo | Natural rock arches (30m high), Sea caves | Natural Monument |
| La Hermida Gorge | Cantabria | Deep river gorge, Thermal spa, Dramatic cliffs | River Gorge |
| Bay of Biscay Coast | Northern Spain | Rugged cliffs, Sandy beaches, Fishing villages | Coastal Region |
| Museum/Site | Location | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guggenheim Museum | Bilbao | Frank Gehry masterpiece, Contemporary art | Art Museum |
| Altamira Museum | Santillana del Mar | Prehistoric cave replica, Paleolithic art | Archaeological |
| Capricho de Gaudí | Comillas | Early Gaudí villa, Colorful ceramics | Architecture |
| Covadonga Sanctuary | Picos de Europa | Holy Cave shrine, Neo-Romanesque basilica | Religious Site |
| Santiago Cathedral | Santiago | Romanesque masterpiece, Pilgrimage endpoint | Cathedral |
| Oviedo Cathedral | Oviedo | Cámara Santa, Gothic architecture | Cathedral |
| Experience | Location | Highlights | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basque Pintxos | San Sebastián | Gourmet small plates, Bar hopping, Txakoli wine | Pintxos, Basque cuisine |
| Basque Gastronomy | Bilbao | Modern Basque cuisine, Traditional cider houses | Innovative cuisine |
| Cantabrian Seafood | Santander | Fresh Atlantic fish, Famous Santoña anchovies | Seafood, Anchovies |
| Mountain Cuisine | Potes region | Cocido lebaniego stew, Mountain cheeses | Hearty dishes |
| Thermal Spa | La Hermida | Natural hot springs, Wellness treatments | Spa & Wellness |
| Asturian Cider | Gijón/Asturias | Traditional escanciado pouring, Cider houses | Natural cider |
| Asturian Gastronomy | Oviedo | Fabada asturiana, Cachopo, DOP cheeses | Asturian dishes |
| Galician Seafood | Ribadeo/Viveiro | Percebes, Pulpo a feira, Vieiras | Atlantic seafood |
| Pilgrimage Traditions | Santiago | Tarta de Santiago, Traditional Galician cuisine | Pilgrimage cuisine |