TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
• Twelve-day/eleven-night program
• Round-trip, economy-class air transportation from New York JFK to Bilbao and from Santiago de Compostela to New York JFK

BILBAO (SPANISH BASQUE)
• Three nights at the superior first-class Silken Indautxu Hotel
• Welcome reception
• Panoramic walking tour of Bilbao’s Old Quarter including the Basque Museum of Archaeology, Ethnology, and History
• Visit to the Guggenheim Museum, designed by acclaimed architect Frank O. Gehry with a traditional tapas lunch
• Excursion to Burgos, including a visit to its superb Cathedrál de Santa Maria* containing the tomb of El Cid, Church of San Nicolás di Bari, the Romanesque Monasterio de Las Huelgas, and the Cartuja de Miraflores

SANTILLANA DEL MAR (CANTABRIA)
• Two-nights at the medieval first-class Parador de Santillana del Mar
• Visit to prehistoric caves of Covalanas, El Pindal, Tito Bustillo, El Castillo, the recently opened Las Monedas, and Altamira II, an exact replica of Altamira I, the "Sistine Chapel of Prehistoric Art"
• Walking tour of Santillana del Mar including a visit to the Santa Juliana Monastery

OVIEDO (ASTURIAS)
• One-night at the first-class Gran Hotel España located in the city center
• City tour of Oviedo* and nearby early Romanesque churches of San Miguel de Lillo and Santa Maria del Naranco*

LEÓN (CASTILE AND LEÓN)
• Two-nights at the deluxe Parador San Marcos
• City tour of León, including the cathedral with its splendid stained glass windows and Romanesque cloister graced with exquisite 14th-century frescoes, Saint Isidoro Bascilica, and the elegant Palacio de los Guzmanes

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA* (CORUÑA)
• Two-nights at the deluxe Parador Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos
• Scenic drive through the lush province of Galicia along the "Way of St. James"*
• Visit to Astorga, home of Gaudí’s fanciful neo-Gothic Bishop’s Palace and 16th-century cathedral with finely crafted plateresque doorways
• Lunch at Villafranca del Bierzo’s Convento de San Nicolás el Real
• Walking tour of Santiago with a visit to its magnificent cathedral
• Elegant farewell cocktail reception and dinner

EXCEPTIONAL VALUES
• Distinguished study leader, an expert in prehistoric cave art
• National guide/tour director, and local area guides
• Daily buffet breakfast, three lunches, eight table d’hôte dinners with wine and coffee or tea, and two cocktail receptions
• Deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach transportation
• All transfers and handling of two pieces of medium-size luggage
• All entrance fees, taxes, service charges, and most gratuities
• Extensive pre-tour assistance, practical and cultural guide
• Travel bag, name badge, passport wallet, and luggage tags
• Additional gateways and airline upgrades available

Northern Spain is like no other place on earth. Bison and mammoth seem to thunder across ancient cave walls, painted by prehistoric hands 15 millennia ago; picturesque villages and enchanting cities offer rich treasures in their soaring cathedrals, elegant palaces, and superb museums. Europe’s oldest traceable ethnic group claimed this region for its home, retaining a distinctive linguistic and cultural identity in the face of centuries of incursions by Romans, Visigoths, Moors, and Castilian Spaniards; and for a thousand years, millions of pilgrims seeking spiritual redemption have come, often braving unthinkable hardships, to kiss St. James’ sacred cloak at "the western edge of the world."

Join us on an extraordinary journey into this fascinating region. Marvel at the skill of prehistoric artists in myriad ancient caves, including Altamira II. Follow the pilgrimage "Way of St. James," traversing through some of Europe’s most picturesque villages and experiencing the magnificence of the Gothic and Romanesque cathedrals at Burgos, León, and Santiago de Compostela. Explore the distinctive Basque villages, wander through perfectly-preserved medieval villages, absorb the ambiance of feudal country manors, and tour incomparable archaeological,ethnographic, and art museums, including Frank O. Gehry’s spectacular Guggenheim in Bilbao with its signature titanium “Metallic Flower" roof. For those who wish to extend the journey, we offer an optional three days in Madrid, with time to explore the city and visit the renowned Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums.

Along the way, stay in some of Spain’s most elegant and historic accommodations, including León’s sumptuous Parador Hostal de San Marcos, once a medieval monastery, and Santiago de Compostela’s exquisite Parador Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos, which once ministered to ailing pilgrims as they arrived at their longed-for destination after months or even years of arduous travel.

We look forward to welcoming you on this unique itinerary that promises to be a memorable travel experience.


OPTIONAL
POST-TOUR EXTENSION
IN MADRID
• Three-nights at the deluxe Hotel Villa Real
• Opportunity to visit the Prado Museum and its Velasquez Room, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum housed in the restored Villahermosa Palace, the Old World Habsburg Quarter, the Royal Palace, or take an excursion to the romantic city of Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site