Self Drive Tour of Secret Northern Spain

This holiday can start on any date you request.

Day One - Arrive Bilbao and transfer to your hotel for 2 nights

Bilbao is the largest city of the Basque country and is surrounded by untouched Natural Parks, dramatic coastlines and magical landscapes. It is known as the culinary capital of Spain with many world class innovative and Michelin starred restaurants/chefs serving the regions take on nuevo cuisine “nueva cocina Vasca”. If fine dining is not of interest then the city is also renowned for its tapas bars and a walk through the old town is the best place to find an array of delicious small dishes as an introduction to the local fare.

Day Two - A visit to The Guggenheim Museum

Frank O Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum has been described as “the greatest building of our time” and holds an unparalleled collection of 20th Century Modern and Contemporary Art which along with thematic exhibitions, the permanent collectionrotates between the foundations other museums in Berln, New York and Venice.

In the afternoon you will be free to explore Bilbao and take in the compact Casco Viejo – the atmospheric old quarter who’s charming streets are full of independent shops and quirky bars. At the centre of the old town are the original seven streets “Las Siete Calles” that date from the 1400s.

Day Three - Collect your hire car and transfer along the Cantabrian coast to Santillana Gil Blas for 2 nights

Your drive today will take you along the rugged Cantabrian coast, following rivers full of salmon and trout through green valleys and fishing villages; all set to the stunning back drop of the Picos de Europa mountain range. This area is steeped in historical finds even back to pre-history with some of the best examples of Upper Palaeolithic cave paintings in Europe and the most famous caves of Altimira have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Romanesque, even a few rare pre-Romaneaque churches are hidden within the small, rural villages that seem untouched for hundreds of years. You then reach your base for the night; close to the chocolate box village of Santillana del Mar; known as the prettiest village in Spain it is a delight to wander the medieval streets lined with honey coloured mansions and quaint churches - your hotel for the night is a converted monastery in Santillana Gil Blas.

Day Four - A free day to explore the city

Today we will give you a suggested itinerary to follow as you explore the nearby villages of Cóbreces, Suances and Comillas, the pretty fishing coves and lush Natural Parks. Many treasures are to be found along the way including a powder blue neo-Gothic Abbey where you can buy cheese made by the monks, a gingerbread like Gaudi designed villa and a town marooned on both sides by the sea, entered by a long causeway which local legend says that if you hold your breath all the way across the bridge your wish will come true. Lunch and dinner in this área is to be savoured over; hearty stews, slow roasted meats and tasty, locally produced chorizos. From the nearby coast comes fresh fish and seafood from the Bay of Biscay and the cheese is divine with up to 14 different varieties just in Santillana itself.

Day Five - Transfer to Cangas de Onis in the Ancient Kingdom of Asturias for 1 night

Today you will drive further West along the coast as the scenery becomes more and more rugged as you enter the Principality of Asturias you will head inland to the edge of the Picos de Europa mountain range. Today is all about exploring the countryside; absolutely stunning scenery and incredible mountain views. You can either have a day in the car driving through the National Park or explore on foot some of the well trodden trails that have welcomed walkers and hikers from all over the world for many years. One particular walk is the Cares Gorge a 1000ft deep cleft that separates the central and western massifs. A flat section of the walk can easily be done to get a taste of the terrain on a well maintained footpath that has been hacked out of the cliff face.

Day Six - Transfer to the pilgrimage city of Leon for 2 nights

Once the old Christian capital; Leon and Castile spearheaded the war against The Moors and the 13th Century was the period of Leon’s greatest power. Its Gothic cathedral dates from the end of this period and its stained-glass windows are a stunning kaleidoscope that rival any in Europe. Leon is a resting site for pilgrims following the Camino de Santiago.

Day Seven - Private guided morning walking tour of the city

Leon is a city compact enough to explore on foot and for this morning your personal guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a fascinating tour of the cities main monuments including the cathedral, The Royal Pantheon, Casa Botines (a modernist building designed by Antoni Gaudi) and the Monastery of San Marcos where pilgrims, upon presentation of official documentation, were allowed to rest and regain strength before the gruelling mountain stretch to the west.

In the afternoon we would recommend you take a short drive following the pilgrimage route to the town of Astorga. The town was first settled by The Romans, sacked by The Moors and later endowed with hospices and monasteries. The main sight is the Bishops Palace; designed by Antoni Gaudi it is surrounded by a moat and houses an interesting museum devoted to the pilgrimage route through the ages.

Day Eight - Transfer to Santo Domingo de Calzada in La Rioja for 1 night

Today you will journey back along the “camino” through the land of jousting tournaments; the región of Castile and Leon. Past the hundreds of crumbling castles that conjure up scenes of Don Quijote and maidens in distress with towering turrets and deep moats that were the stronghold of the Catholic crusade. Finally you will arrive to your destination in the small province of La Rioja – taking its name from the River Oja and naturally the area that produces the most famous wines of Spain. The village of Santo Domingo de Calzada was an original pilgrimage village where a man named Domingo had the foresight to see the popularity of the camino and built a hospes (which will be your hotel for the night) and a well that has been conserved in the hotel’s courtyard. The town and the Saint have always been known for their hospitality and the food here is only outdone by the quality of the wine.

Visit to a Rioja bodega in Haro the Rioja capital of Spain

As well as for the pilgrimage route, of course Rioja is known throughout the world for its superb wines. Just 14km away from your hotel in the town of Haro which has a worldwide reputation for being the most important wine town in the Rioja region. The countries’ top bodegas are all located within the town. You can plan to wander and just soak up the atmosphere (excuse the pun) or depending on the day, we can arrange a pre-booked tour and tasting (the bodegas are generally not available for tours at the weekend).

Day Nine - Transfer back north to San Sebastian for 2 nights

San Sebastian (Donostia) is a picturesque city that for many years has been a Royal retreat from the summer heat of Madrid. The town is set around the bay of “La Concha” and surrounded by dramatic green hills with lush vegetation. The old part of the city is crammed with lively cobbled streets that are bursting with shops, café and bars which lead down to the fishing port where you can sample freshly caught shellfish from the street vendors.

Day Ten - Walking tour of the old town

For this morning you will spend a couple of hours with an enthusiastic local guide for a walk around the city discovering the historical buildings, most important public spaces, history and culture of this fascinating city.

Cider is one of the oldest traditions in the Basque country – up until the civil war almost every farmhouse produced its own and was used for barter. Cider drinking is a ritual and has to be poured in the traditional way from above your head into a glass held down at arm’s length. Make sure you have a glass with lunch!

Guided evening Pinxos Tour. Pinxos (also known as pinchos or “basque tapas”) are a northern Spain culinary culture that delights all visitors that spend time in San Sebastian. For your last evening, enjoy a guided tour with a local expert visiting the best bars and sampling the local specialities.

Day Eleven - Depart San Sebastian back to Bilbao (deposit your hire car) and say farewell to “El Norte!”