Visiting :
Burgos, San Sebastian, Pamploma, Bilbao, Santander, Picos de Europa, Covadonga,Luarca,
Santiago de Compostela, La Coruna, Vigo, Coimbra, Rias baixas u Porto.
The Best of Spain and Portugal
Land in Madrid early morning and proceed to the town of Burgos, popular for its medieval architecture. Enter the city by passing through the magnificant Arco de Santa Maria, a treasure inherited from the middle ages. Make a stop at the French Gothic Cathedral also dedicated to St. Mary and visit the tomb of El Cid, a military commander of the 11th century. Mind you get lost in the large, yet very inviting Plaza Mayor. Sip a hot coffee or and consume a hot snack in one of the many cafeterias which make part of the square’s decor. Proceed to settle down for the three coming nights at a very comfortable 4 star hotel.
Set out to discover the enchanting, golden beaches of San Sebastian, the most conspicuous paradise being Biszay and get acquainted with Boulevard Zumardia, Avenida De La Libertad, the City Hall, the Conference Centre, Victoria Theatre, Katidral Buen Pastor while accompanied by a local tour guide. Recharge your camera and venture off to the well groomed Alderdi Eder Park. Pray for good weather and relax first at Plaza de Gipozkoa, which looks more like a garden than a square, then move on to more open space at Paseo De La Concha. Start building your enthusiasm for the panoramic views of Mirador del Monte Igueldo once up the Igeldoko funicular.
Get excited as you embark on your next journey to Pamplona, the capital of Navarre Province. Feel blessed you are not travelling in July, else you will have to make way for the bulls running widely at the Feast of San Fermin. Join another tour guide to explore the city and marvel at the unique beauty Plaza del Castillo, Plaza de Toros, Palcio De Navarra, Paseo de Pablo Sarasate and the C. Maria La Real Cathedral have to offer.
Ready to indulge in a mixture of modern architecture, green mountains and the Nervion River? Then Bilbao is the place to be. Admire the main avenue of the city, the Gran Via de Don Diego Lopez de Haro and the one of a kind Plaza de Don Federico Moyua. Pose on the Puente Arenal and head on to the Teatro Arriaga to admire its neo-baroque style. Wonder at the magnitude of the City Hall posing on its own, showing off its allure. Make a spiritual stop and visit the Santiago Cathedral belonging to the Roman Catholic Church before you continue your journey to Santander.
Explore Santander and marvel at the charm the city has to offer. Take a pic against the Jose Maria de Pereda Monument dedicated to the modern Spanish artist. Visit the old town and enjoy the old and quaint which has been salvaged from the huge fire of 1941. Be impressesd by the facade of the Santander Bank Palace. Be astonished by the white elegance of Palazzo Embarcadero located on the edge of the waterfront. Embrace the sun while you stroll along the Paseo de Pereda. Hop on a boat trip and enhance your experience of the surrounding beauty. End your day by helping the Spanish economy at the Calle San Fernando.
Away from the city life, anticipate a day full of natural exquisiteness. Start off at the Parque Nacional De Los Picos De Europa loaded with beeches and Cantarbrian Holm oaks. Look out for the glacial erosion on the limestone massifs. Proceed to the Cueva El Soplao and try to guess the different shapes of the stalactites and stalagmites nature decided to carve. Make your way to the Teleferico Fuente De to take you up via a cable car to the Picos Mountains and prepare to have your breadth taken away by the expanse natural loveliness.
Head to northwestern Spain until you arrive at Covadonga, surrounded by the Picos Mountains, a reminder of the previous day. Make your way to the Basilica St. Maria La Real and admire the architectural artistry against a mountainous background. While in the vicinity, check on the Holy Cave, a Catholic sanctuary amidst more natural beauty. Your journey will continue until you reach Asturias, popular for the craggy coast which its local fishermen need so much for their livelihood.
Everybody has heard about the Camino de Santiago. Discover where its culmination takes place, the attractive city of Santiago de Compostela. Look for the alleged burial site of the Biblical apostle St. James. Move up to the main square, the spacious Obradoiro Square which lies to the West of the main façade of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Travel on foot to the country’s oldest building, the church of St. Francis of Assisi. Feel romantic roaming around in the gardens and meet the life-sized statues of important Spanish figures at the Alameda Park.
Spend a day at La Coruna, a busy port on the Atlantic Ocean. Spare some time to enjoy the Tower of Hercules, none than the ancient Roman lighthouse and marvel at the breathtaking views. Dedicate some attention to Santa Maria dell Campo Church, a remarkable 13th century masterpiece located in the old Town. Meander along the streets of the old town and get a glimpse of the surroundings the Spanish ancestors cherished. Finish off your day by taking a leisurely stroll at the Playa dei Raizor. Be adventurous and take off your sandals to feel the golden sand on the beach as you walk at the water’s edge.
Continue your journey until you come across Rias Baixas. Famous for its white wine, the location is a popular holiday destination. Proceed to Porto do Grove and grab the opportunity to jump on the Cruceiro Rias to embrace the atlantic coast. Next, stop at the vibrant city of Vigo and let your steps take you to the neoclassical Church of Santa María, the town’s cathedral. Take a closer look at the taverns and tapas joints and admire all the shopping the Avenida de Principe has to offer you. Say adios to Spain and prepare for a warm ben vinda in Portugal.
Nothing will prepare you to the lively city of Porto, where getting from one attraction to the other will take you down and up at least a couple of steep hills. Down in Ribeira, and over the Duoro River, take pics of the most famous of all bridge, the Ponte Luis. Enjoy more bridges as you sail along the river and anticipate a nice glass of port following the river cruise. Be transported up to the Cathedral area and absorb the scenery you have just left from high above. Walk down to the Sao Benito train station and admire the paintings on the blue tiles, very typical of the city. March to the nearby Praca de Liberdade, chaotic with traffic, yet still offering a place to sit and relax. Don’t miss out on the baroque style Clerigos Tower, standing at 76m, making it the tallest in the whole of Portugal. Spend your free time at the Crystal Palace Gardens, easy to find on your own, and get another angle view of the Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia beneath.
Look forward to Coimbra, a town with a vast amount of history to offer and a river, Rio Mondego, belonging only to Portuguese territory. Visit the well renouned University, less bubbly from students’ vibrant life in the summer months. The Church of Santa Cruz is worth visiting as is the Town Hall. Feel free to tour the pedestrian Ferreira Borges Street in the historical centre. Don’t miss out on the last opportunity to buy souvenirs before you proceed to the airport and wave bye to the beautiful countries of Spain and Protugal.
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