Day 1: Madrid-Segovia-Peñafiel/Ribera del Duero-Tordesillas
At 9:00am, your English speaking driver/guide will pick you up at your hotel for departure to Segovia, for a walking tour of the city featuring the Alcazar, a unique castle/fortress dating back to the Kings of Castile and filled with interesting stories from the middle ages. You’ll also see the magnificent 2000 year old Aqueduct dating to Roman times.   After the tour, the guide will take you for lunch to a traditional restaurant to enjoy the regional specialties: “cochinillo” (roast suckling pig) or the “asado Castellano” (Castillian roast).

In the afternoon we continue to Peñafiel to visit the Castle, converted to the Provincial Wine Museum to learn about the rich wine culture of the Ribera del Duero region, renowned around the world. We will visit two Ribera del Duero wineries to see firsthand how these wines are elaborated and of course for actual tastings. In the late afternoon we continue to the historical town of Tordesillas for overnight accommodations at the hotel Torre de Sila or similar. SUPERIOR CLASS INCLUDES ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE PARADOR OF TORDESILLAS
 

Day 2: Tordesillas-Ourense-Cañones del Sil/Ribeira Sacra-Santo Estevo
After breakfast, meet your driver/guide for departure to Ourense, known as the “thermal capital” for the large amount of thermal hot springs within the city limits. In Ourense we’ll take you on a stroll through the historic old quarter and its unique sights such as the “As Burgas” fountain, the symbol of the city. You’ll also see the hidden Cathedral and perhaps cross the Miño river across some of the many bridges, including the a Roman bridge from the 1st century or the ultra-modern Millennium bridge.

At lunchtime you’ll have many options available to you based on fresh and delicious Galician products at one of the typical restaurants in the center of town. Lunch is included.   After lunch we depart by narrow and curvy back roads toward the “Cañones del Sil” (Canyons of the Sil river), you’ll see truly spectacular rural countryside of the Ribeira Sacra: terraced vineyards, mountain scenery and river gorges. We end our journey at the Parador of Santo Estevo, a Benedictine Monastery dating back to the 10th century, converted into a luxurious hotel. Overnight at the Parador.
 

Day 3: Santo Estevo-Baiona-Tui
Breakfast at the Parador. Free morning in Santo Estevo. We recommend taking an optional (not included in this program)  tranquil Cruise on the Sil River Canyons to marvel at the rock formations, flora and fauna, lush vegetation and impressive sheer cliffs (subject to availability – your driver guide can arrange this option).

In the afternoon, meet the driver in the Parador lobby for departure to the province of Pontevedra and the seaside village of Baiona, a picturesque fishing village and port, where on of Columbus’ galleons (the Pinta) arrive back in Spain from discovering America. Here we’ll take a stroll along the boardwalk and old quarter. We continue to medieval town of Tui, with its historical old monuments such as the baroque style cathedral. Tui is also located on the banks of the Miño river and has spectacular views of Portugal on the other side of the river – best view is from the Parador de Tui.   We’ll spend the next two nights in this area at the hotel Colon or similar in Tui. SUPERIOR CLASS INCLUDES ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE PARADOR OF TUI OR BAIONA.
 

Day 4: Tui: Albariño Wine Route/ Oia-A Guarda-O Rosal-Valenca do Minho
Breakfast at your hotel.  Today’s sightseeing will include interesting and picturesque towns and villages such as Oia, A Guarda and O Rosal, all of which are in the famed Albariño wine region. We’ll stop at a local winery to learn firsthand how this wine is elaborated and its special characteristics you’ll also taste some crisp Albariño or Rosal white wines.

In the afternoon, our tour continues into northern Portugal and the walled city of Valenca do Minho, across the Miño river from the town of Tui in Spain. Valenca is one of the most important fortified towns of the high Miño river, its fortress dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries.   Free time to stroll around in central Valenca and for shopping for local handicrafts. Return to Tui in the late afternoon for the night.
 

Day 5: Tui-Pontevedra-Cambados-Isla de Arousa-Padron-Santiago
Breakfast at your hotel.  Morning departure to the nearby city of Pontevedra, on the Lerez river, an unknown city for many but of great interest to the visitor as it conserved true hidden gems and one of the most important historic quarters of all of Galicia including the baroque church of “A Peregrina” with its singular shape in the form of a scallop signifying the Camino de Santiago.

Afterwards, we’ll continue to Cambados, located in the heart of the “Rias Baixas” and with its stately homes sculpted from granite. It is well known as the capital of Albariño wine. After a brief stroll through Cambados we’ll take you on a serene boat trip in the “Ria de Arousa” (Arousa Estuary), known for its natural beauty, beautiful beaches and bountiful shellfish and seafood. After our cruise, we’ll continue by private vehicle to Padron, famous for its delicious peppers (“pimientos de Padron”) and the birthplace of Galician poet Rosalia de Castro or Nobel Prize winning writer Camilo Jose Cela

In the late afternoon, as we get close to Santiago de Compostela you’ll see the majestic towers of the Cathedral of Santiago prior to entering the city through the old quarter. Check-in to your hotel in Santiago, your home for the next two days. Your driver guide departs late this afternoon and a local guide takes over the rest of your city sightseeing in the morning. Accommodations at the hotel Virxe da Cerca or similar. SUPERIOR CLASS INCLUDES ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE PARADOR OF SANTIAGO
 

Day 6: Santiago de Compostela
Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your guide at 9:30am this morning in the lobby of your hotel for a private walking tour including the main monuments of the city. Your guide will take you through the historical old quarter, a Heritage of Mankind site, Visit the interior of the impressive cathedral, Obradoiro square, the university area, the local main market, and the bustling narrow streets and alleys of Santiago.

This afternoon is free, we suggest getting to know the city on your own: Alameda or Bonaval parks, you can see amazing views of the cathedral from either park. Perhaps you might want to visit the new “Ciudad de Cultura”, a prestigious architectural marvel by American architect Peter Eisenman which gives form to an entire mountain. For dinner we suggest a restaurant along one of the animated “ruas” (streets) like Franco and A Raiña. Your driver/guide says goodbye to you late this afternoon.
 

Day 7: Santiago
Breakfast at your hotel. Early pick-up at your hotel and transfer to Santiago airport or rail station. End of Tour.