Family Friendly Northern Spain Tour

Your flight will arrive at the Santiago de Compostela Airport, where your private transfer will greet you at customs. You are now in the Galician region of Spain, which is a proud culture with its own identity and encompassing Celtic, Portuguese and Mediterranean influences.

You will arrive in this pleasant and quaint town that has served as a destination for pilgrims for centuries. The locals here are accustomed to greeting people of all countries, and you will be able to sense the welcoming air as you arrive along with the many travelers that are concluding their trip of Northern Spain. They have just finished the Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James, which is a route that leads to the tomb of St. James from here in Santiago de Compostela. It is widely believed in Europe that this route that spans 475 miles is an opportunity to experience a sense of spiritual oneness. Young and old backpackers alike are now taking in the town just as you and your family will. Santiago will greet you with its granite architecture, Galician hospitality, and deeply rooted Christian influence.

After checking into your hotel, you will take a stroll through the town and local plaza, Praza do Obradoiro. You will marvel up at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and look to your sides as the new arrivals from Northern Spain will give you a sense of place and also an idea of what is yet to come.

You and your family will wake up to breakfast at the hotel, and afterward, you will be taken on a tour of Finisterre and the Coast of Death. Finisterre is Latin for “end of the Earth,” receiving this name from the Romans who believed this place to be the end of the known world. You can try to spot the golden shell engravings that mark the way, and which are reminiscent of the yellow brick road that leads people to a land that is as magical as Oz. Pilgrims will accompany you along the path, and excitement will beat as you get closer, racing your way to spot of mystery that lies ahead.

As you arrive here, you will notice the picturesque and lush nature that gives you an understanding of why they believed this to be the end of the world. There is a perfect portrait lens wherever you turn, and there are many photographs to capture, including that of the lighthouse that is located right at the top and end of the land. The lighthouse here overlooks the Costa da Morte or Coast of Death, which is a site that has witnessed many shipwrecks throughout the centuries due to the treacherous weather conditions. You will now travel along the coast, stopping at various sites set to give you a paramount impression of why this is a place pilgrims burn their clothes in an act of purification. Sailors died here to accomplish their missions, and the Romans thought it to be the end of the world.

After getting breakfast the following morning, you will travel to the city of Lugo, which is the last, fully intact, walled Roman city. Your welcoming hotel will be located within the walls to give you a frame of reference for how old the structure is. Lugo is surrounded by a heavily fortified barrier that was left by the empire and dates back to the third century. You will be transported in time as the old town will receive you as it has received merchants, travelers, and treasures through this very entrance centuries before you. You will feel the powerful draw inward, and after getting comfortable, you will walk on top of the Roman wall and look down below at the valley and people. The view will parallel what Romans saw centuries before you. The lively hills are covered with trees, and the peaceful river below has remained, while the urban outline has changed. After getting your bearings, you will go on a tour of the Roman baths that are located a short, pleasant walk away.

Afterward, you will head to the majestic Provincial Museum of Lugo, which is housed in a cosmopolitan, architectural wonder. The romantic medieval cloister collides with a church and a modern gallery where you will discover ancient Roman mosaics, the history of Galicia, and breathtaking, contemporary art. At night, you will enjoy the wonderful tapas that line nearby the Lugo Cathedral.

The next day, you will head to Oviedo and into the Asturian region of Spain, which is known for its dramatic, natural wonders and prehistoric remains. This train ride will be met with a peaceful, yet energetic vibe as you enter the beautiful and tranquil city of Oviedo. After settling into your hotel, your family will head on a day trip toward the Playa de las Catedrales, or the Beach of Cathedrals. This series of natural monuments consists of natural arches and caves that have been carved into the cliffside and is located along a gorgeous beach. As you arrive during low tide, you will experience the magic that is unveiled from the waters as arches, and one of Europe’s most marvelous beaches will appear. You will recall being in Santiago de Compostela or Lugo’s cathedral as you and your family make way toward the enchanting cliffside. The arches over your head will bring to mind the buttresses of these cathedrals.

You will spend the night strolling around Oviedo as the smell of Asturian food calls you to come and taste local cuisine in one of Oviedo’s most charming plazas. You will gaze as the Asturian servers uniquely pour apple cider from an almost ridiculous height.

On your next day of excursion, you will be heading off to see Los Picos de Europa, or “the spikes of Europe.” This skyscraping mountain range is believed to have received this name due to the sailors that arrived from their trip to the Americas. Their week’s long journey would finally be met with the sight of relief of these mountains, proclaiming “We can see the spikes of Europe, we’re home!” The drive here will be marked by the endless beauty of bright Asturian-style homes, old farmhouses, and vivid green scenery unlike anywhere else in the world. As you reach deeper in the mountain range, you will start to notice the colors of everything becoming brighter, followed by sights of cattle roaming around. You will arrive and take in the powerful sights of the mountains that lie just beyond the Lakes of Covadonga as they vividly grasp your imagination.

You will head into the small resort town of Ribadesella, which is an almost perfect representation of the true Asturian way of life. This city remains mostly untouched by tourists, only receiving the adequate amount of transitory touch to give it life. You will take a stroll to relax from the long adventures that you have just had and walk down the charming promenade and take in the view of the bay. Restaurants will be situated along the walkway where you will see Asturian servers once again as they create their fizzle effect with their long pour of the cider. In the afternoon, you will travel to the Centro de Arte Rupestre and discover caves with hand paintings that date back to 10,000 BC. You can walk inside the Cueva de Tito Bustillo, which is a cave with drawings on its walls, and gaze at what should not exist. These cave paintings were only discovered in 1968 as they were sealed off for thousands of years, preserving the ink that otherwise would have been eroded millennia ago. You will feel the presence that exists in these caves as civilizations have made it their home in this long-standing area.

Today, you will go on a short drive to the Cuevona de Cuevas, which is a series of caves that are large enough for a car to go through. You will experience awe here as you pass through a winding road of 300 meters that consists of caves of all sizes. You can stare up at the ceiling of stalactites that will seem to encroach on you as you maneuver through this electrifying venture that sinks from the day back into the night as you go from outside the cave to inside it. Before noon, you will return to your hotel for your things and venture to San Sebastian, the most traveled to destination in Northern Spain and Basque Country.

This final destination on your trip will be a fitting end to the ancient remnants you have seen so far as the Basque country is occupied by none other than the Basques, which is a group of ancient peoples that speak a language that is unrelated to any other in the world. As you travel deeper into the area, you will be sure not to allow the sights to pass you by with the spectacular display from nature that will be before you. The culinary traditions of the Basque country are respected worldwide, and the navigation sailing systems that originated from the Basques were used to embark on journeys around Europe and to the Americas.

As your train arrives in San Sebastian, you will notice the thrill in the air as even as the sun sets, people of all ages are ready for excitement. You will see children playing in the plazas and beret-sporting grandpas sitting outside cafes in this family-oriented celebration of life. After settling into your accommodation, you should feel free to roam around the beach and city center, both of which are walking distance of each other. Do not refer to tapas as tapas here, for they are pintxos and they are just some that you will try in this renowned, culinary destination.

On the last full day of your trip, you will explore the San Sebastian Aquarium, where you and your family will be sure to have an enjoyable and educational time. This aquarium houses 31 exhibits with a total of 200 different species. This aquarium also serves as a museum, which is meant to inform tourists and locals alike of the maritime history of the Basque people. You can witness the boats that were used to sail to the present-day United States, and even Christopher Columbus’ ship was built from Basque hands. After this educational first stop, you will enjoy San Sebastian’s beautiful and idyllic environment as your family hops on a city-wide bus tour. The stunning landscape of San Sebastian will collide with an artistic vibe. You will make stops at the beautiful hill of Monte Urgull where a statue of Jesus overlooks the city. Down below at the edge is the Peine del Viento, or Comb of the Wind structure, an artist’s creation that consists of metal pieces that have been welded into the boulders as they rise above the sea. You will stop and see where Spanish Royalty came to spend their time when visiting San Sebastian at the Palacio Real de Miramar.

You will enjoy the rest of your time in San Sebastian at your leisure and await your return home. Your private transfer will meet you at your hotel lobby ready to escort you to San Sebastian Airport for your return flight home.