Costa Brava in Catalonia, Spain

The Hidden Cultures of Northern Spain Tour

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Spain

Places Visited

Barcelona, Catalonia, Parc Guell, Pamplona...

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Suggested Duration

12 Days

Explore a hidden but not forgotten side of Spain with this unique tour of five semi-autonomous regions: Catalonia, Navarra, La Rioja, Basque, and Galicia. Each community delights in protecting and promoting its traditional culture, taking you on a seductive journey through ancient Spain in all its quirky charm. With distinct destinations like Barcelona and Pamplona as your bases, specialist guides reveal the beauty and intimacy of five hidden pieces of Spain.

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Discover a unique side to Spain by exploring the culture of five distinct regions, each reveling in their authenticity and unchanged traditions
  • Start in Catalonia and the architectural wonder of Barcelona; two days reveal both the world-famous and the little-known delights of the city
  • The old-world Kingdom of Navarra has a mesmerizing setting, its sublime mountain backdrop gazing down on your two days in the ancient city of Pamplona
  • Weave through the hills and discover the dedication to wine in La Rioja, epitomized by the underground cellars in the walled town of La Guardia
  • One of Spain's most idolized towns, San Sebastian combines Basque independence, beach bliss, and a stunning old quarter
  • Explore the 6th century wonder of Santiago de Compostela and spend a day touring the tiny villages of Galicia
  • Meet the people and discover the stories that have thrived as each of five regions has strived for autonomy and independence

Detailed Description

Spain is a jigsaw of autonomous regions, 17 of them to be precise, each with unique landscapes and culture. Language and atmosphere change as you journey through the country on this unique tour. Move from the quirky modernism of Catalonia to the historic mystery of the Kingdom of Navarra. Continue to the calm and cute La Rioja region then discover the province of Spain that voices the most vociferous claim to independence: the Basque region. Northern Spain's hidden cultures are intimately discovered and you complete the journey in coastal Galicia, where the city of Santiago de Compostela epitomizes the revelation of seduction. This is a 12- day journey through one country yet five distinct ethnicities and culture. It is a journey that pieces together the passion and panache that makes Spain so famous. Language, cuisine, wine, history, and architecture - every destination takes you beneath the surface to the heart of a region and culture.

Barcelona's art nouveau architecture provides a dazzling welcome to Catalonia. Explore the work of Gaudi and Montaner: flamboyant touches and innovative design lining the late 19th century streets. Indulge in Mediterranean flavors, settle into a vibrant atmosphere, and enjoy two days in this world-famous city. In a first-class train carriage you accelerate into the mountains and the Kingdom of Navarra, a place virtually unchanged since it was annexed by Spain in the early 16th century. Pamplona epitomizes the Kingdom's historic atmosphere, its maze of narrow streets perfect for leisurely exploration. A specialist guide takes you on a walking tour of the town, revealing both Pamplona's Roman roots and Navarra's intimate style.

Days five and six take you to La Rioja, famous for its red wine and grand country chateaus. Take off your watch and settle into the walled town of La Guardia, home to languid hours of al fresco terraces and underground cellars of oak barrels. Enjoy a day discovering the town and a day exploring the La Rioja vineyards, an autonomous region that has a distinctly old-world feel. Continue to San Sebastian in neighboring Basque, a town of whitewashed houses that tumble towards pristine beaches and gentle waves. Like always, a specialist guide narrates a tale of the region's culture and independence, and unique food adventures reveal the distinct cuisine of the region. A day in the Basque capital Bilbao continues to showcase unusual architecture and exceptional dining.

Finish the adventure by flying to Galicia and the historic city of Santiago de Compostela. Lose yourself in the streets of crumbled stone, the spires of famous cathedrals act as your compass in the heart of a misunderstood region. Enjoy day 10 along the coast, stopping in quaint fishing villages that excel in the region's culinary masterpiece: octopus. Then complete the itinerary with a relaxed day in cobblestone streets of allure. Yet for all the autonomy and originality, there are a few constants that provide eternal reminders that you're in Spain: great food, vibrant colors, welcoming smiles, and a country that gently pulls you into her relaxed rhythm.

Starting Price

$3,739 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

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