Payment of bespoke trip to Northern Spain | 24th of October – 4th of November | 2 pax
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Description and schedule of services
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24th of October: from San Sebastian to Cangas de Onís via the coastal town of Castro Urdiales and the villages of the Picos de Europa National Park
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10am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the town of Castro Urdiales.
11:30am: upon arrival to Castro Urdiales, enjoy some free time in town for a stroll and lunch at leisure. Castro Urdiales has a very charming and picturesque fishing port as well as a majestic town hall square, a prominent gothic church, a mediaeval castle and a park. We will give you recommendations of places to eat in Castro Urdiales.
2:30pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the village of Arenas de Cabrales near the Picos de Europa National Park.
4:30pm: upon arrival to Arenas de Cabrales, enjoy some free time to explore the village at leisure. Arenas is the gateway to the Picos de Europa national park and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Besides it has great examples of Northern Spanish traditional architecture as well as some great historic buildings both religious and civil.
5:45pm: after your exploration of Arenas de Cabrales, reconnect with your driver and be transferred to your hotel in Cangas de Onís.
6:30pm: arrival to your hotel in Cangas de Onís and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Cangas de Onís: superior double room with breakfast included at Parador de Cangas de Onís (4*)
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25th of October: from Cangas de Onís to Santiago de Compostela stopping along the way in the fishing village of Cudillero for a stroll through the town and lunch there
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10:30am: meet your personal driver at your hotel and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the village of Cudillero.
12pm: upon arrival to Cudillero, enjoy some free time for a stroll around town and lunch there. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see and of places to eat too. We will also book a table for you if you wish (as long as credit/debit cards are not needed to make reservations).
3pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred to your accommodation in Santiago de Compostela.
5:45pm: arrival to your accommodation in Santiago de Compostela and rest of the day at leisure. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see and of places to eat too. We will also book a table for you if you wish (as long as credit/debit cards are not needed to make reservations).
Overnight in Santiago de Compostela: superior double room with breakfast included at Parador de Santiago (5*)
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26th of October: morning culture, history and architecture tour of Santiago de Compostela old town
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10am: meet your personal guide at your hotel to go on an introductory history and architecture tour of Santiago old town.
Located at the end of one of the world’s most famous religious pilgrimages, the city of Santiago de Compostela has also one of the most beautiful and best preserved mediaeval old towns in Europe. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, Santiago old town treasures a unique Romanesque Cathedral in the world as well as many other exquisite examples of civil and religious mediaeval architecture.
Your tour will take you to visit the Cathedral in order for you to learn about Romanesque architecture and about the history of Saint James the Great who is buried there. This part of the tour will also explain the origins of the pilgrimage and how the city became one of the most important religious destinations in the world along with Rome and Jerusalem. This will allow you to understand how this helped to create a strong Christian identity in Northern Spain and an intense cultural connection with the rest of Europe during the times when an important part of what we know today as Spain was ruled by Muslims.
Your tour will also take you to the most important squares of the old town, which feature the greatest examples of mediaeval architecture in the city. These are the square of El Obradoiro with the majestic Hospital of the Catholic Monarchs, Azabacheria square with the archbishop’s palace, Quintana square with the monastery of Antealtares and the palace of the Parra family and Platerías square. Finally you will be taken to the inner areas of the mediaeval town to explore their winding cobbled streets.
1pm: end of your tour and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Santiago de Compostela: superior double room with breakfast included at Parador de Santiago (5*)
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27th of October: day trip from Santiago de Compostela to the coastal villages and coastal scenery of Costa da Morte including a walk that is part of the Camino de Santiago
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9am: meet your personal local host at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the stretch of Atlantic Coastline known as Costa da Morte.
This is a stunning area in NorthWest Spain with impeccable white sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, green pastures, fishing villages and majestic lighthouses.
10:15am: upon arrival to Costa da Morte, you will be taken to visit the village of Muxia. This will make a perfect introduction to the architecture, geography and coastal charm of the area. During your stay in Muxia you will be taken to see the Sanctuary of a Virxe da Barca from where you will be able to contemplate panoramic views of the village and of the surrounding coastline.
From Muxia, you will take a scenic route towards the village of Finisterre to enjoy the beautiful coastal landscapes in this area and to also learn about the history of an extended route of the pilgrimage to Santiago that finishes 3km South of the village. You will walk these last 3km of the route from the village of Finisterre to the km0 marker near the majestic lighthouse of Finisterre.
After your introduction to the beautiful nature of this unique coastal area, you will be taken to enjoy its wonderful gastronomy in a selected local restaurant.
Then after lunch, you will continue your coastal route towards the village of Muros, where you will take a stroll to enjoy its main square, promenade and traditional Galician architecture before returning back to your accommodation.
4pm: transfer back from Muros back to your accommodation in Santiago.
5pm: arrival to your accommodation in Santiago and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Santiago de Compostela: superior double room with breakfast included at Parador de Santiago (5*)
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28th of October: from Santiago de Compostela to León via the wine region el Bierzo
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9:15am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation in Santiago and be transferred to a selected local winery in the wine region of El Bierzo in the province of León.
11:30am: upon arrival at the winery, you will meet the owner with whom you will explore both the vineyard and the ageing facilities, tasting along the way some selected wines unique to El Bierzo and made from native grape varieties.
After learning about the history of the winery and about how they combine traditional wine- making methods with modern technologies, you will be offered a selection of late afternoon bites to pair with their wines. This will make an excellent opportunity to further interact with the owners and ask as many questions as you like not only about their wines but also about life in this remote region in Northern Spain.
1:30pm: after your visit to the winery, reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the nearby town of Ponferrada for lunch.
2pm: arrival to Ponferrada and free time for lunch and for a stroll at leisure. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Ponferrada in your free time and also of places to eat.
4pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred to your accommodation in León.
5:15pm: arrival to your accommodation in León and rest of the day at leisure. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in León and also of places to eat. We will also book tables for you if you like (as long as credit/debit cards are not needed).
Overnight in León: superior double room with breakfast included at Parador de León (5*)
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29th of October: Culture and gastronomy journey of León old town
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9:30am: meet your personal local guide at your accommodation in León to start a private walking tour of León old town aimed at adding context to your stay in the city. Your guide will give you an overview of the history and architecture of the city to later take you to probably its most impressive modern building: Casa Botines.
Along your tour, you will visit the “Real Colegiata de San Isidoro”, one of the oldest Romanesque churches in Spain. A highlight of your visit will be the 12th century frescoes in the pantheon of the church, which are in an exceptional state of preservation and are known as the “Romanesque Sistine Chapel”.
Then you will take a short walk through the northern section of León old town that will finish in its impressive Gothic Cathedral: your next stop along the tour.
The cathedral of León is a majestic construction of pure French Gothic style built in the 13th century over the ruins of ancient Roman baths and it treasures, in its impressive windows (most of them original), some of the most extensive and best preserved collections of medieval stained glass in the world.
With approximately 1,800 square meters of stained glass, León Cathedral is known as “the House of Light”. The stained glass covers the entire length of the upper story of the church with massive panes that span from its lower pointed arches all the way up to the ceiling, giving the impression that the walls simply vanish into light thus inducing a deep spirituality and a heavenly environment.
11:45am: after your visit to the cathedral take a short walk to enjoy (from the outside) one of the most thought-provoking buildings that Gaudí ever designed: Casa Botines.
Built in neo-Gothic style between 1892 and 1893, this construction is an outstanding example of what Gaudí became capable of in the first stages of his brilliant career. Casa Botines is a building full of symbols, that the Catalan architect conceived as a dragon: the dragon that waits outside the gates of the medieval city walls, asleep, ready to wake up. Your tour will unconver all its symbolism and meaning to later take you on a discovery journey of the tapas and wines scene of the city.
12:30pm: your León food and wine adventure will take you through the “Barrio Húmedo”. This is the name that the heart of León old town is known for. It translates as “the wet district” because it’s where the city has the biggest concentration of bars, pubs and taverns. This is also where the city’s best tapas bars are and there’s no better way to discover and experience their food and wine wonders than hopping from one to another!
Understanding how Spain works when it comes to celebrating food can be one of the most revealing experiences of the culture of the country. Food, conversation, wine, laughter combine in perfect harmony around Spanish tables to make meals memorable. Tapas play a key role in the wide variety of options that the country has to offer gastronomy-wise. They are small portions of food that people usually have as an appetiser before a meal. However, especially when eating out, a meal can consist of several different tapas and this is what this part of the tour is about!
Your host will take you on a tapas journey through 2 – 3 selected tapas bars of the city, during which you’ll be able to taste a selection of 6 – 9 different local tapas dishes, combined with the corresponding drinks.
2:40pm: after your tapas and wines journey, you will be escorted back to your hotel in León or be given recommendations to enjoy the rest of your day in the city at leisure.
Overnight in León: superior double room with breakfast included at Parador de León (5*)
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30th of October: day trip to discover the gastronomy and wine project of chef José Gordón in the village of Jimenez de Jamuz
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11am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to the ox farm of José Gordón.
Considered the best meat restaurant in the world by renowned international food critics, Restaurante el Capricho is located in a remote village in the northern Spanish province of León, excavated on a clay hillside.
A place of pilgrimage for discerning meat lovers from all over the world, Restaurante El Capricho is the life project of local chef José Gordón, who remained loyal to his roots and developed with great passion a genuine gastronomy concept based on carefully selected oxen.
This exclusive experience will take you to visit the farm where José Gordón keeps his animals: the mythical, magical and mysterious oxen, which are the basis of all his work. From there, you will be taken to visit the cellars where the ox meat is cured exactly the same way it was cured 2000 years ago, to prepare “cecina”, a local delicacy from the area. Your discovery journey will then take you to another cellar where José Gordón ages his own wine and finally you will arrive to a unique cave where you will enjoy some appetizers cooked on fire as well as a wine tasting.
After this introduction to El Capricho, you will be escorted to your table at the restaurant to enjoy a degustation menu carefully curated by José Gordón himself for his most discerning guests.
12pm: upon arrival to the farm, enjoy a private tour with José Gordón himself or a member of his team to learn all about the animals that are the origin of his gastronomy project. From there, visit the ox meat-curing cellars and the wine cellars too. Then, enjoy some appetizers and a wine tasting in an intimate cave before your degustation menu at the restaurant.
1pm: be escorted to your table to enjoy your degustation menu at the restaurant.
3pm: end of lunch and private transfer back to your accommodation in León.
4pm: arrival to your accommodation in León and end of services for the day.
Overnight in León: superior double room with breakfast included at Parador de León (5*)
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31st of October: from León to Ribera del Duero and first discovery journey of the region
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9:30am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation in León and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to your hotel in Ribera del Duero, which has its own winery.
11:30am: upon arrival to your hotel, be welcomed by a member of the winery staff to enjoy a private tour that will start with a discovery of the estate in a private vehicle. Along the journey you will enjoy some iconic viewpoints while you are explained about the particular ecosystem of the area.
Then you will be taken to the production area, where you will visit the ageing facilities of both their red and white wines. Finally you will enjoy a tasting of 7 selected wines from the winery.
1:30pm: end of the tour and rest of the day at leisure in your hotel which has a range of bar and restaurant options as well as a spa for guests.
Overnight in Ribera del Duero: superior double room with breakfast included at Abadía Retuerta le Domaine (5*)
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1st of November: Ribera del Duero discovery journey (II)
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9:30am: be met by your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to a selected local winery in the central part of the Ribera del Duero wine region.
10:30am: upon arrival to the winery, be welcomed by a designated member of staff taking care of in-depth tours and start a private guided tour of the winery. Along this tour you will visit both their vineyards and ageing facilities enjoying a tasting along the way of selected wines from the barrel, from the tanks and finally also the finished products. During the tour you will also enjoy some late morning – early afternoon snacks to pair with their wines.
1pm: after your private tour of the winery, reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the nearby town of Peñaranda de Duero, which is probably the prettiest one in the area.
1:20pm: upon arrival to Peñaranda de Duero, enjoy some free time for lunch and to explore the town at leisure. We will give you recommendations.
3:30pm: after lunch and your free time at leisure reconnect with your driver and be transferred back to your hotel, stopping along the way (1h stop) in the also very pretty village of Peñafiel for maybe a coffee and a relaxed stroll too. We will give you recommendations.
5:30pm: arrival to your hotel and end of services for the day.
Overnight in Ribera del Duero: superior double room with breakfast included at Abadía Retuerta le Domaine (5*)
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2nd of November: from Ribera del Duero to Salamanca via the Toro wine region in the province of Zamora
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10:15am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to a selected and historic local winery in the town of Toro in the heart of the wine-making region of Toro.
11:30am: upon arrival to the winery, be welcomed by a member of the family who owns it. Then, you will be explained the history of wine-making in the region and the particularities of their 17th century ageing facilities. This will be followed by the corresponding tastings of wines made from native varieties. The visit will focus exclusively on the particularities of the Toro region so you have an understanding of the differences between the wine regions you will have visited so far and will include some morning bites too.
1pm: after your visit to the winery, be transferred to the city of Zamora for lunch and for a stroll through its old town at leisure (we will give you recommendations).
1:30pm: arrival to Zamora and free time in the city.
4pm: reconnect with your driver and be transferred from Zamora to your accommodation in Salamanca.
5pm: arrival to your accommodation in Salamanca and end of services for the day. We will give you recommendations of things to do and see in Salamanca and of places to eat too. We will also book tables for you if you like.
Overnight in Salamanca: double room with breakfast included at Hotel Rector (5*)
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3rd of November: discovery journey of Salamanca old town
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10am: meet your personal local host at your hotel and start a private walking tour of Salamanca old town.
This tour will allow you to understand how Salamanca became the most important Renaissance town in Spain in the 16th century. Its social and economic prosperity based on trade, agriculture and farming (wool) turned the city also into an important intellectual hub that brought thousands of students of various origins as well as important religious orders.
This resulted in the construction of impressive mansions, temples and one of the most prestigious universities in Europe.
Your tour will take you to learn about this period of maximum prosperity in the city while you stroll through its most iconic squares (Anaya Square, Patio de Escuelas square and of course the Plaza Mayor) taking stops to visit the Old and New Cathedrals, the old University and the house of the Shells, which is a unique example of civil architecture mixing both Gothic and Renaissance styles.
1:30pm: end of your tour and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Salamanca: double room with breakfast included at Hotel Rector (5*)
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4th of November: from Salamanca to Madrid stopping along the way in the cities of Segovia and Avila for a guided tour of each city and end of trip
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9am: meet your personal driver at your accommodation and be transferred in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle to Avila.
10:15pm: upon arrival to Avila, meet your personal local host in the city and start a private walking tour that will take you to enjoy some selected spots both inside and outside the city walls. You will see Avila’s mediaeval squares, noble houses and impressive temples as well as its prominent defensive walls. The highlight of your walk will be the Romanesque Basilica of San Vicente, which is one of the greatest examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture in Spain.
12:15pm: after your tour of Avila, reconnect with your driver and be transferred to the city of Segovia.
1:15pm: upon arrival to Segovia enjoy some free time for lunch at leisure. We will give you recommendations of places to eat in Segovia and will book a table for you if you wish.
2:45pm: after lunch, meet your personal local host for a private guided tour of Segovia old town. Along this walking tour you will visit the three historic gems of the city, which are its Roman Aqueduct, its Cathedral and its Alcazar (a fortification of Roman Origin later used and transformed by different civilisations). Your tour will also allow you to enjoy the mediaeval charm of the quarters of the old city which feature palaces, cute little squares, quaint alleyways, an iconic old Jewish section and the main square of the city (plaza mayor).
5:45pm: end of your walking tour private transfer from Segovia to Madrid.
7pm: arrival to your hotel in Madrid and end of trip.
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Pricing
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The cost of this bespoke trip for a private party of 2 pax is 15970 Euros
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This price includes
– 11 nights’ accommodation with breakfast included as per mentioned above.
– All private transportation services mentioned above in a modern and comfortable Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated personal driver.
– All private tours and travel experiences mentioned above with a knowledgeable, personable, kind, flexible and interactive guide with a great command of the English language.
– All winery visits (1 in El Bierzo, 2 in Ribera del Duero and 1 in Toro) including the corresponding tastings and snacks.
– Lunch in a selected local restaurant during your day trip to Costa da Morte including a selection of 2 starters to share, 1 main course per person, 1 dessert per person and up to 3 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– A tapas and wines lunch in León city including a selection of 6 – 9 dishes to share and up to 4 drinks per person (beer, wine, refreshments, water).
– A private visit to the ox farm of chef José Gordón followed by a tour of his ox meat curing cellars with an aperitif there.
– A degustation menu (14 course) at the restaurant of chef José Gordón curated by him personally for his most discerning guests including wine.
– A list of recommended things to do and see and of places to eat in each of the places where you will be based and restaurant reservations if you like (as long as credit/debit cards are not needed to finalise the reservations)
– 24h guardian angel services throughout your trip for any emergencies you may have.
– Petrol, parkings and tolls.
– All taxes.
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This price excludes
– Your international flights.
– Any meals not mentioned right above.
– Anything else not mentioned right above.
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Confirmation and payments
In order to confirm this trip we require a 30% deposit of the grand total no later than the 18th of May 2024 via credit/debit card. The final 70% must be paid via the same method no later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip.
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Grand total of this trip: 15970 Euros
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30% deposit needed no later than the 18th of May 2024 via credit/debit card to confirm the trip: 4791 Euros
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Final 70% needed no later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip to pay it in full: 11179 Euros
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Cancellation policy
– If you cancel your trip more than 30 days prior to scheduled departure, we will charge the 30% deposit only.
– If you cancel your trip between 30 and 20 days prior to scheduled departure, we will charge 40% of the full cost of your trip and we will refund the remaining 60%.
– If you cancel your trip between 19 and 10 days prior to scheduled departure, we will charge 55% of the full cost of your trip and we will refund the remaining 45%.
– If you cancel your trip between 9 and 4 days prior to scheduled departure, we will charge 70% of the full cost of your trip and we will refund the remaining 30%.
– If you cancel your trip 3 days or less prior to scheduled departure, we will charge 100% of the full cost of your trip.
(*) If Spain closes its border due to a national or global emergency and you are not able to enter the country to take this trip, we will give you a full refund.
(**) Genuine Andalusia strongly recommends buying travel insurance for any international trip. Most of our guests buy their travel insurance via MedJet.
(***) Please note that partial cancellations won’t result in partial refunds. This applies to the group size and to the length of the trip.
