Loading
Phone1800 960 693AustraliaMonday to Friday 8am - 9pm (AEDT)
Travel Agent Login

10-Day Alluring North Spain Tour

  • view trip mapView Trip Map
  • downloadDownload
  • shareShare

Overview

Over ten days, you'll embark on a north Spain tour that will take you from the bustling Basque Country to the peaceful beautiful Valleys of Cantabria.

San Sebastian, the pearl of the north, with its Michelin-starred restaurants, majestic vibe and its breathtaking bay will give way to Bilbao - a former industrial town, reborn from its ashes due to its tourist attractions and culture - especially the wonderful architecture of Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum!

After Bilbao, you will set out to discover the incredible treasures of Cantabria gorgeous natural landscapes, mouthwatering traditional gastronomy, sites of historical relevance and outdoor adventures for an unforgettable, off-the-beaten-path experience!
Food & Drink
Sightseeing
Outdoors & Nature
Culture & Arts

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in San Sebastian & Pintxos Tour!

Hide details accordion
Arrival in San Sebastian & Pintxos Tour!

Today, your first adventure on your north Spain tour is visiting one of the most enchanting cities in Spain, San Sebastian. The Pearl of the North, the city as famous for its beauty as it is for its culture and outstanding gastronomy. And if you feel a little tired after your flight, there's nothing better than recovering with a sample of Said gastronomy with a delightful pintxos tour!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Villa Soro4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Pintxos Tour of San Sebastian

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from San Sebastian Airport to Villa Soro

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    San Sebastián

Day 2

Cooking Class in San Sebastian

Hide details accordion
Cooking Class in San Sebastian

San Sebastian may be famous for its culture, its luscious natural landscapes and its cinema festival, but if there is something that its visitors will never forget, it's the outstanding food! A masterclass with an expert chef will unveil the secrets of this scrumptious cuisine- your friends will beg you to invite them to dinner when you return home! In the afternoon, you'll be free to explore San Sebastian and it's many monuments.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Villa Soro4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cooking Class in San Sebastian

    San Sebastián

    San Sebastián CathedralOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    San Sebastián

Day 3

The Kingdom of Navarre

Hide details accordion
The Kingdom of Navarre

Though far less known and visited than its neighbour regions in the Basque Country, the Kingdom of Navarre surprises its visitors with an incredible wealth of historical, architectural and natural treasures to explore. Today, you'll discover the endless allure of Navarre with an expert local driver-guide and all about its history with one of the biggest witch trials.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Villa Soro4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Day Trip to Pamplona and Navarra

    Pamplona

    Caves of Zugarramurdi

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    San Sebastián

    Zugarramurdi

    Pamplona

Day 4

San Sebastian to La Rioja

Hide details accordion
San Sebastian to La Rioja

Today, you'll leave San Sebastian behind and begin your journey to the renowned wine region of La Rioja. On the way, there will be time to visit the Urbasa Natural Park, where light hiking will take you to the sources of Urederra, a truly bewitching space that will take your breath away with its stunning views. In the late afternoon, you'll arrive at your hotel and have the rest of the evening to relax.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hospederia De Los Parajes3.5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Urederra

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Donostia / San Sebastián to Laguardia

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    San Sebastián

    Navarre

    Guardia

Day 5

Rioja Wine Tour

Hide details accordion
Rioja Wine Tour

You'll have the day to explore the beautiful region of La Rioja with a driver-guide; the most prestigious and famous wine region in Spain. Over the course of the day, you'll enjoy a charming blend of gastronomy, wine, enchanting landscapes and some historic landmarks, such as the monasteries of Suso and Yuso, where the Castilian language was born.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hospederia De Los Parajes3.5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Rioja Wine Tour

    Marqués De Riscal Winery

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Guardia

    Eltziego

Day 6

Rioja to Bilbao

Hide details accordion
Rioja to Bilbao

Today is a truly enchanting day full of enticing experiences: you'll leave La Rioja in the morning with your driver-guide for a transfer-tour that will take you to the breathtaking village of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. After taking in the gorgeous sights, you'll enjoy an absolutely unforgettable lunch at one of the most innovative and prestigious restaurants in the Basque Country that has been awarded three Michelin stars. Your trip will end with a guided tour of Bilbao.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Carlton5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

    Bilbao

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Restaurante Azurmendi

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Laguardia to Bilbao

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Guardia

    Gaztelugatxeko Doniene

    Basque Country

    Bilbao

Day 7

Bilbao to Santander

Hide details accordion
Bilbao to Santander

Today, you'll continue your trip across the north of Spain leaving Bilbao to travel with your driver-guide to the elegant and refined city of Santander, with the only south-facing bay in Spain. There will be time for a visit of an incredibly curious cemetery before you get there. The "whale" cemetery of Castro Urdiales is an unusual graveyard facing the sea with some impressive examples of funerary art.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Eurostars Hotel Real5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bilbao to Santander

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Bilbao

    Santander

Day 8

Visit to Valles Pasiegos

Hide details accordion
Visit to Valles Pasiegos

Today, you can revel in the beauty of the Valleys of Cantabria with a day to enjoy being surrounded by nature. Located between the rivers Mieres and Pas, these valleys provide some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Spain. They are also part of the Way of Saint James, and a visit of the Santa Cruz de Castañeda Collegiate church could be one of the spiritual highlights of your trip. You will also enjoy a hearty traditional lunch and a sample of the delightful Sobaos Pasiegos.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Eurostars Hotel Real5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Valles Pasiegos

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Santander to Santander

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Santander

    Cantabria

Day 9

Comillas, Santillana and Cobreces

Hide details accordion
Comillas, Santillana and Cobreces

An enchanting day visiting the former Masquisat of Comillas, with a modernistic Villa by Gaudi, discovering the medieval beauty of the nearby town of Santillana del Mar, one of Spain's most lovely and authentic medieval towns. You'll also visit the Cistercian Abbey of Cobreces, where you will learn about one of the most delicious products of Cantabria, the abbey’s own traditional cheese! Your guide will also treat you to an authentic sailor lunch.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Eurostars Hotel Real5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Comillas

    Santillana del Mar

    Cistercian Abbey of Saint Maria de Viaceli

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Santander

    Comillas

    Santillana del Mar

    Cóbreces

Day 10

Your North Spain Tour Has Comes to an End

Hide details accordion
Your North Spain Tour Has Comes to an End

Parting is such sweet sorrow: as your private driver takes you to the airport in Bilbao, you'll say goodbye to the north of Spain, and remember that you'll always be welcomed back!

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Santander to Bilbao Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Santander

Included in Price

  • 9 nights accommodation
  • 13 activities
  • 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 1 dinner
  • 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 1 dinner
  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
pdf icon

Want to Read This Later?

Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!

Why Choose Designer Journeys

access

Access Exclusive Experiences

Open your eyes to a world of exclusive experiences that will make your next trip extraordinary. Designer Journeys’ local travel designers are connected to unique experiences that are out of reach for most people – so you’ll return with some amazing stories to tell.

local expertise

Extraordinary Local Expertise

Using highly experienced local travel designers means you have access to your very own local expert. You'll find experiences you never knew existed, avoid some of the common pitfalls and, most of all, feel like you have an insider guiding you every step of the way.

support

Supported Every Step of the Way

Our in-destination local travel designers are the first line of support when you are travelling. They are in your time zone and have the local expertise and knowledge to solve any issue that may arise – making you feel more confident about your trip.

custom travel designed

Travel Designed For You

Designer Journeys style of travel is all about how you want to travel – its private travel designed exactly to your needs. Our local travel designers customise every trip to suit you, whether completely bespoke or based on one or more of our 2,000+ gallery of itineraries.

Image - Designer Journeys
Image - Designer Journeys
DESIGN YOUR EXTRAORDINARY

Why Travel with Designer Journeys

Smile icon
Your Trip. Your Version of Extraordinary.

At Designer Journeys, we know that we all travel differently. That's why you decide where you travel, how you travel and your travel experiences when you design your trip with us.

Message icon
Connect and Design With an Expert.

Our trusted Local Designers use their destination insight, local knowledge and travel planning expertise to build your extraordinary trip. Our dedicated Travel Concierge team will be there every step of the way to ensure your perfect trip becomes reality.

Trust icon
Book with Confidence. We are Trusted.

Secure payment platforms, multiple accreditations, rigorous Local Designer selection process, and decades of travel expertise means you are in safe hands with Designer Journeys.

As seen on
Partners