Discover the delights of northern Spain and the Pyrenees with this fabulous two week tour.
Explore the lesser-known areas of Catalonia and Aragon, where there is little traffic, and therefore excellent driving on exciting, winding roads, accompanied by far reaching views of hills, mountains and lakes.
Starting and finishing in Bilbao, you can explore Rioja and its vineyards and plains, see pilgrims on the Compostela di Santiago, travel across the Sierra de Guara, drive over the Pyrennees, and visit the enchanting seaside resort of San Sebastian.
Accommodation
Stay in some lovely guesthouses and hotels, including former fortresses, stylish mansions, chic country hotels and historic Paradors. All the hotels are individual and unique and, overall, are of an extremely high standard. Due to the nature and age of these hotels the rooms vary from charmingly comfortable to wonderfully luxuriant. We have hand-picked the accommodation for their unique atmosphere and style. All accommodation includes breakfast, and dinner is included where stated. Suitable parking is, of course, a feature of each hotel, but it is only occasionally undercover.
Itinerary
Itinerary may be subject to change without notice
Day 1
For those travelling from the UK leave Portsmouth on the P&O ferry to Bilbao, sailing at 8pm. Enjoy dinner on board before retiring to your sea view, en-suite cabin.
Day 2
All day is spent on board giving you plenty of time to relax. The ferry has a cinema, pool, sauna, fitness suite, a number of places to eat and shop, and a casino.
Day 3
Arrive in Bilbao at 8am. Visit the famous and striking Guggenheim museum in the centre of Bilbao. It’s an awe inspiring man-made mountain fashioned from a contorted concoction of titanium, limestone and glass. However you describe Bilbao’s breathtaking Guggenheim Museum, and whether you love it or hate it, this is a building which simply refuses to be ignored.
Then drive south into the Rioja area, descending the impressive Balcon de Rioja, offering wonderful views of the plains beyond. Stay for the next two nights in an elegant Parador which occupies a 12th century former hospital, on the famous Pilgrims’ Road to Santiago, in the centre of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Dinner is included.
Day 4
Spend the morning exploring some more Rioja ,or visit the Museo del Vino in Haro. There are a number of excellent vineyards in the area, or while away some time discovering Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a small medieval town very important for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Admire the noble stone mansions with their coats of arms and tour the 12th century Cathedral, famous for its legend of the ‘hen and the cock’.
Day 5
Drive across the Sierra de la Demanda, visiting the monastery of San Millan, and climbing over the mountains to the valley of the dinosaurs, Ruta da Cidacos. There is even a life size brontosaurus on one of the plains to keep you amused! Pass the many tiny troglodyte dwellings near Arnedillo, and then end the day at a superb hotel near Olite. Dinner is included.
Day 6
First stop of the day is at the very scenic to the small town of Olite, which boasts a magnificent castle, once the most sumptuous royal residence in Europe. Explore the medieval rambling streets and sample some local cuisine. Then head on to pretty Ujue, a small hilltop village that is well worth a stroll around. Drive east surrounded by beautiful views to visit the impressive Castillo de Loarre, which is set well into the rock and is virtually impossible to see until very nearby. It is then a short drive to the Sierra de Guara, an area of sculpted gorges, painted prehistoric caves and appealing villages. Stay overnight at a lovely small hotel and enjoy dinner in the restaurant.
Day 7
Drive some superb roads today, winding around mountains, through canyons, across high cols, and along river valleys, to the lovely town of Solsona. Stay overnight in a wonderful hotel that has been in the same family for over 80 years, and has been subject to a recent, outstanding refurbishment to create a very special place with fantastic flair. There is also a spa with hot tub, sauna and stream room. Dinner is included but there is a choice of restaurants in the hotel: a formal dining room, or a more relaxed tapas restaurant.
Day 8
Leave Solsona and head across to Berga, and then Ripoll. Drive along some excellent mountain roads, passing Spain’s oldest ski resort, La Molina, and then descend into Puigcerda, adjacent to the French border. Stay for two nights in an exquisite five star hotel on the edge of town, with underground parking, with views across the lake and mountains. The hotel also offers a superb spa for those wishing to relax. Dinner is in the renowned restaurant.
Day 9
A day off to relax or explore the area. It is possible to take an early morning balloon flight across the mountains, which is highly recommended as a sensational way to see the Pyrenees. Puigcerda is very pleasant for a stroll, with a number of cafes to soak up the sun and atmosphere, or there are a couple of golf courses in the vicinity. For water lovers there are many rivers nearby for fishing, rafting or canoeing or the coast is only an hour away.
Day 10
A wonderful drive across mountain passes and along pretty valleys, surrounded by breath-taking scenery. Stay in a lovely Parador in the Vall d’Aran, surrounded by mountains. Dinner is included.
Day 11
Another day of stunning driving on wonderful, meandering roads through canyons and across mountains. The scenery is captivating and dotted with untouched villages built from local stone. Stay for the next two nights just south of the French border, near Canfranc. The hotel was a former customs house and is now a luxury hotel with incredible mountain views, a refined spa and fitness centre. Dinner is included both nights.
Day 12
Enjoy another day of relaxation. This is a wonderful spot to walk in the mountains, visit the nearby villages, or just indulge in some spa treatments – or lavish some attention on your car.
Day 13
Cross the border into France, heading towards Oloron, before climbing back over the Pyrenees, into Spain again. Wind across the mountains to the fashionable sea-side resort of San Sebastian. Stay for the next two nights in a superb hotel, within a few minutes walk of the centre of town. This charming small hotel is in a renovated 19th century villa – a Historical Heritage Building of San Sebastian.
Day 14
Spend the day exploring San Sebastian. The hotel is just a five minute walk of the Zurriola beach, and the old part of town. San Sebastian is the summer capital of Spain: it is here where the Belle Epoque lives on, with its blend of cosmopolitan style and old-world ambience.
There will be a final dinner tonight at one of the best restaurants in town – just a few minutes walk from the hotel.
Day 15
For those heading back to the UK, drive to Bilbao for the overnight ferry which departs at 13.15.
Day 16
Arrive in Portsmouth at 17.15 and depart for home.
Details
Duration: 15 nights – this trip can be taken at any time.
Price: Please contact us for details
What’s included
- All accommodation for fifteen nights (including three nights onboard ferries for those travelling from the UK) for two people sharing a twin or double room.
- Breakfast every morning (except on the ferries) & dinner on ten evenings. You will be able to dine at restaurants of your choice on other nights.
- Return crossing from Portsmouth, England to Bilbao, Spain for a car & two people, with twin sea view cabins and en-suite facilities on both journeys. (Participants from the UK only)
- Tour book – includes a brief history of the countries to be visited, emergency details, maps and directions, accommodation information, and a very detailed, tailored account of recommended sights and visits for each day. The book effectively eliminates the need for any other guide books
- Arrangement and reservation of optional activities
What’s not included
- Fuel
- Five evening meals
- All lunches
- Entry into attractions and activities
- Personal travel and medical insurance
- We strongly suggest and recommend you have European breakdown cover, and ensure you are covered for Spain and France
- All drinks are extra to accommodate individual preferences
Requirements
Travel to the continent: Return ferry crossings will be reserved with P&O Ferries from Portsmouth to Bilbao
Classic Travelling was established in 2003 and offers motoring holidays for classic, vintage and sports cars. The founder of the business, Sarah Dowding, has extensive experience of touring and motoring, having driven well in excess of 250,000 miles over the finest roads in Europe, North America, and southern Africa.