9-Nights North Of Spain Discovery

Cosmos

If you have a passion for Spain, the northern regions cannot be missed! On this affordable North Spain tour, discover the hidden treasures of Galicia, Cantabria, Castilla & León, Asturias, and the Basque Countries, starting and ending your trip in Madrid. Start and end your adventure in the capital city of Spain, elegant Madrid. In between, explore some of the smaller, nonetheless charming towns of these regions, among them: Salamanca, with its lively Plaza Mayor; Santiago de Compostela, the ending point of the Camino pilgrimage; Lugo, boasting a Roman wall with 10 gates; A Coruña and its Trajan Tower; Santander, spectacularly set between mountains and coastline; Burgos, showcasing a magnificent Cathedral; Medina del Campo with the castle of La Mota, and Segovia, known for the Roman Aqueduct and the fairy-tale castle, source of inspiration for Walt Disney’s cartoons. Discover the highlights of Madrid with a Local Guide and enjoy views, flavors, people and sounds of these undiscovered provinces of mainland Spain.

Featured Destinations

Valladolid Valladolid Valladolid, Spain, the city where Ferdinand married Isabella and where Columbus died, is rather prosaically set in the middle of a dusty plateau on the Pisuerga River. Lying 100 mi/160 km northwest of Madrid, much of Valladolid is modern, but it deserves a visit for the National Sculpture Museum. Outstanding works are on display there. In the Christopher Columbus House-Museum, history buffs can see the house where the discoverer of the New World lived in his later years. The San Pablo church, Santa Maria la Antigua (Gothic) and the never-finished main cathedral are all also worth a visit. The town also has an interesting Museum of Contemporary Spanish Art.	Destination Guide
Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela is now considered by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site and attracts visitors from all over the world thanks to its fantastic monuments. The town is named after the Apostle Saint James ("Santiago"), who is buried here. In 2000 Santiago de Compostela was given the title of European Cultural Capital. Santiago is certainly one of Spain's most monumental towns, with a particular architectonical style all of its own. But it is as well a town plenty of life, with one of the most famous Universities and a large number of students who guarantee youthful ambience inbetween the historical walls. The region's cuisine is of great reputation, and it is said that nowhere has better seafood than Santiago.	Destination Guide
Leon Leon Formerly the capital of the region, Leon gave its name to the Community. The city's most famous monuments are its great Gothic cathedral, the church Basilica de San Isidoro with valuable Romanesque frescoes in its crypt, and the San Marcos monastery of Renaissance period. Close to Leon visitors may visit the legendary Roman gold mines Las Medulas.
Oviedo Oviedo Oviedo is the historic capital of the Principality of Asturias and is the administrative and commercial center of the region. Visit Oviedo’s 9th century churches, built when the city was the capital of Christian Spain, the stately square, Plaza Alfonso II, the Cathedral and the nearby streets with the typical ‘cider bars.’	Destination Guide
Bilbao Bilbao Bilbao, the capital of Vizcaya Province, lies seven miles from the sea and has a coastline featuring rocks and steep cliffs, creeks and small estuaries; small fishing villages nestle in the inlets below green hills. The port of Bilbao is the largest in Spain and is built against the mountains. The city's fine museums include Fine Arts Museum and Guggenheim Museum. The Guggenheim Bilbao Museum is devoted to American and European art of the 20th century. The Fine Arts Museum specializes in paintings by Spanish masters. Our Lady of Begona Church is a 16th-century church on a hill with a good view of the city and valley. Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art is located in an old convent of Dominican nuns, a 16th-century, L-shaped cloister housing this fine museum with an outstanding exhibit of silversmiths' crafts that is one of the best collections in Spain. The Bullfighting Museum shows interesting bullfighting paraphernalia, such as costumes, photographs of famous toreros and a collection of posters. Visitors can try their gambling luck at Gran Casino Nervion.	Destination Guide
Madrid Madrid The capital of Spain since 1562, Madrid is located on the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula. Because of its central location and high altitude, the climate of Madrid is characterized by warm dry summers and cool winters. Madrid is a city of great monuments. Among its highlights are the medieval center dating back to the Habsburg Empire and the Prado Museum. Madrid is not just a cultural destination. It is also a lively metropolis with many pubs, cafes, discotheques and nightclubs open late into the night.	Destination Guide

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