House of travel Spain, Portugal, Greece & Turkey 2017 | Page 21

Northern Spain
Spain’s north-western corner, pounded by the
Atlantic Ocean and separated from France
by the ramparts of the Pyrenees, is off the
beaten track. During medieval times the town
of Santiago de Compostela and its cathedral
attracted throngs of pilgrims, drawn to the
tomb of St James the Apostle, which even
today is regarded as the third most important
Christian site after Rome and Jerusalem. This
region, including the capital of San Sebastián,
2016 City of Culture, is the gateway to the
Basque country. Many Basques still speak their
Euskara language, and La Rioja is a landscape
of vineyards and its very famous Rioja wines.
Bilbao is home to the Guggenheim Museum,
a fascinating building, housing a 20th century
art collection including works by Picasso and
Warhol.
Our favourite things to see and do
San Sebastián Food Tour – Accompanied by an expert gastronomical guide,
discover the history behind the miniature morsels known as pintxos and local
delicacies like spider crab while sipping fine Basque wines and locally brewed beers.
Way of St James Hiking Tour from San Sebastián – Walk along the medieval
Christian pilgrimage trails around Ulia Mountain and admire breath-taking coastal
scenery. Gain insight into the area from your guide, enjoy a boat ride around Pasaia
San Pedro and taste delicious Spanish specialties in Santiago Square.
San Sebastián Cycling Tour – Ride through the diverse sections of beautiful San
Sebastián on a 2.5-hour bike tour to learn about the city’s rich and layered history
from your local guide. Pass beaches, villas, the river, modern shops and the Royal
Palace for a great overview and orientation of the city.
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao – Take a guided tour led by an art expert through
one of the world’s most respected museums to see the architecture and artworks
inside as you discover and share along the way.
Finisterre Day Trip from Santiago de Compostela – Travel along the Costa
da Morte, the Coast of Death, on this day tour that combines breath-taking landscapes,
visits to authentic fishing villages and the castle of Vimianzo, and local gastronomy.
Along the way learn about the history and culture of the Galician regions.
Our favourite places to stay:
• Hotel Compostela,
Santiago de Compostela
• Hotel Miro, Bilbao
• NH Salamanca Palacio de Castellanes
• Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastián
Salamanca Walking Tour – Hear about the city’s impressive history as you visit
the oldest University in Europe, and sightseeing places such as Cathedral Museum,
Medieval Towers, House of Shells, Old Market, Saina Palace and Mill Museum.
La Rioja Wine Cellar Visit and Tasting – Visit the bodegas (wine cellars) and
have a relaxing walk through the vineyards learning about the wine-making process.
21