Best of Portugal & Northern Spain

Best of Portugal & Northern Spain

16 days from only £1149 

A wonderful chance to discover some of the fascinating, most historic and colourful cities that Spain and Portugal have to offer. From Portugal’s lively capital, Lisbon, and the thriving city of Porto, famous for its wines; to the religious shrines at Fatima and the popular Basque city of Bilbao, this holiday’s interest is matched only by its variety.

Holiday highlights
• Lisbon, Portugal’s lively capital
• Wine lodges of Porto
• Fatima’s Basilica Shrine
• Santiago de Compostela’s magnificent cathedral
• Renaissance city of Salamanca

Optional excursions
• Douro river cruise
• Port wine tasting
• Walking tour of Salamanca

Holiday itinerary
Day 1 UK to Paris - Dover, Calais, then a drive south through France to our overnight hotel in Paris.
Day 2 Paris to Bordeaux - After breakfast we head south west to the port city of Bordeaux, in time for dinner. Classified as a City of Art and History, it has one of Europe’s biggest 18th century architectural areas.
Day 3 Bordeaux to Burgos - Cross into Spain and to the city of Burgos for our overnight stay at the Hotel Corona de Castilla in time for dinner. Gothic Burgos – home of the legendary El Cid – is a beautiful city, with the impressive Santa Maria Cathedral at its centre.
Day 4 Burgos to Santiago de Compostela - Heading west, we stop in the delightful city of León, situated on the pilgrims route to Santiago and capital of the Castilla-León province. In the afternoon, we reach the city of Santiago de Compostela for two nights at the Hotel Hesperia Peregrino, with an optional guided walking tour of the city in the afternoon.
Day 5 Santiago de Compostela - A day at leisure to explore this historic city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city’s cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, on the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St James. There is also a charming old town and a range of bars and cafes to enjoy.
Day 6 Santiago de Compostela to Porto - A drive into Portugal via Braga, where you can explore its many ancient monuments, cathedral and museums, to Portugal’s second largest city, at the mouth of the River Douro, for two nights at the Hotel Axis Porto.
Day 7 Porto - An included guided tour takes you to the impressive cathedral, the elegant Stock Exchange and the option to visit one of the city’s 80 wine lodges to sample the city’s famous product, port wine. In the afternoon you can explore the old town, narrow streets and bustling squares further or enjoy an optional cruise on the river Douro.
Day 8 Porto to Fatima - After breakfast we drive south to Coimbra, a lively university town, and Portugal’s answer to Oxford and Cambridge. Continue to the historic city of Fatima, for an overnight at the Hotel Fatima Plaza. The city is famous for the religious visions that took place there in 1917 and each year believers from far and wide flock to see the Basilica shrine.
Day 9 Fatima to Lisbon - A scenic drive with stops at the popular coastal resort of Cascais and World Heritage Site town of Sintra, famed for its 19th century romantic architecture, takes us to Lisbon for three nights at the Hotel Roma.
Day 10 Lisbon - A chance to explore on an included guided city tour, taking in the monument in Belem that commemorates some of the great 15th and 16th century explorers such as Vasco de Gama, the intricate Jeronimus Monastery and the quaint narrow streets of the Alfama district. The afternoon is free so you can explore further or relax and enjoy the atmosphere in lively Rossio Square.
Day 11 Lisbon - A day at leisure to explore further Portugal’s lively capital.
Day 12 Lisbon to Salamanca - After breakfast we drive north and across the border back into Spain for an overnight stay at the Hotel Regio in the historic city of Salamanca, one of the most spectacular Renaissance cities in Europe. An optional guided walking tour of the ‘golden city’ is offered.
Day 13 Salamanca to Bilbao - A drive north east to the bustling city of Bilbao, which over recent years has seen old blended with new, with the addition of the world famous Guggenheim museum. We stay at the Hotel Gran Bilbao.
Day 14 Bilbao to Tours - A full day’s drive into France and north to the city of Tours on the banks of the River Loire for our overnight stay.
Day 15 Tours to Paris - A short trip to explore the delights of France’s capital and one of Europe’s most romantic cities, including an optional cruise along the Seine. Overnight on the outskirts of Paris.
Day 16 Paris to UK - After breakfast we head north for the Calais to Dover ferry crossing and then home.

Whats included
• 15 nights room & breakfast, 14 dinners
• Shearings Tour driver
• Grand Tourer coach travel