Overseas Adventure Travel Announcing 2026 Adventures by Land & Small Ship | Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past

EUROPE

Mosque, Casablanca
Camino de Santiago, Spain

Spain: Bilbao, San Sebastian, Pamplona, León, Santiago de Compostela |
Portugal: Douro Valley, Porto
Small groups of no more than 16 travelers, guaranteed

Follow the path of ancient pilgrimage routes from the Basque city of Bilbao and Hemingway's beloved Pamplona to legendary Santiago de Compostela. Witness the breadth of the region's delights-from San Sebastian to the maze-like streets of León. Then, explore the rich traditions of Galicia, the lush Douro Valley of Portugal, and history-soaked Porto.

17 days starting from $5,795
including international airfare from New York or Newark
Single Supplement: FREE
Departure Dates: Mar-Jun; Aug-Nov
Activity Level: 1 2 3 4 5 Moderate

IT'S INCLUDED

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Galicia, Spain
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Galicia, Spain
Douro Valley, Portugal
Douro Valley, Portugal
 

ITINERARY

DAY 1. Depart U.S.

Fly overnight from the U.S. to Bilbao, Spain.

DAY 2. Arrive in Bilbao, Spain

Arrive in Bilbao, Spain, and meet your Trip Experience Leader and fellow travelers, including those on our optional Carcassonne, Bayonne & French Basque Country pre-trip extension.
Hotel Abando or similar

DAY 3. Bilbao

Get acquainted with Bilbao during an included walking tour. Visit the medieval Old Town, also known as the "Seven Streets" neighborhood, which is home to the Ribera Market-Europe's largest covered market.
Meals: B,D | Hotel Abando or similar

DAY 4. Bilbao • Guernica • Visit Guernica Peace Museum • Talo bread tasting • Home-Hosted Dinner

Explore the Basque coast, beginning in Guernica where the German Luftwaffe bombed in 1937. After, visit the Guernica Peace Museum, which documents the bombing in its exhibits and stands as a symbol of hope for a peaceful Basque future. Later, head to a farmhouse to learn about talo-traditional Basque corn bread- and sample its flavor during an included lunch. This evening, enjoy a Home-Hosted Dinner with a local family in Bilbao.
Meals: B,L,D | Hotel Abando or similar

DAY 5. Bilbao • San Sebastian excursion • Pamplona

We travel overland to Pamplona in the heart of Basque country. Along the way, we'll stop in San Sebastian, Spain's gourmet capital. Get to know the city during a walking tour.
Meals: B,L | Tres Reyes Hotel or similar

DAY 6. Walk the Camino de Santiago • Pamplona • Discussion about the running of the bulls

Walk a section of the Camino de Santiago, one of Europe's most important pilgrimage routes. Then, visit Pamplona, a city made famous by the running of the bulls, with a walking tour led by a local resident who will discuss the controversy surrounding this local tradition.
Meals: B,L | Tres Reyes Hotel or similar

ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT

On Day 6, walk along the Camino de Santiago, one of the historic pilgrimage routes recognized on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

DAY 7. Ubidea • Overland to León

Today we travel overland to León with a stop along the way in Ubidea, one of the smallest towns in Basque Country. We'll set explore Ubidea's archaeological center before continuing onward to León. Meals: B,L,D | Sercotel Alfonso V or similar

DAY 8. Explore León • A Day in the Life of a Spanish farm

Set out on a discovery walk in León to witness the city's long history, with a mix of medieval, Gothic, Renaissance, and Modernist architecture. Then, spend A Day in the Life of a rural Spanish farm. After meeting the farm's owner, we'll explore the property, see the animals, and sit down to a farm-fresh lunch.
Meals: B,L | Sercotel Alfonso V or similar

DAY 9. Santiago de Compostela

Travel to Santiago de Compostela, the culmination of the camino. Along the way, we'll stop in Santa Colomba de Somoza, a small village nestled in the historical region of la Maragatería. We'll visit a local beekeeper and have lunch with a local family before continuing on to Santiago.
Meals: B,L,D | Hotel Palacio del Carmen or similar

DAY 10. Santiago

Today, explore Santiago de Compostela, the city that has been the destination of many pilgrims, on a walking tour ending at the famous cathedral.
Meals: B,D | Hotel Palacio del Carmen or similar

DAY 11. Santiago • Optional Pontevedra & Combarro tour

Explore on your own today, or join an optional tour to the riverside city of Pontevedra and Combarro, a fishing village famous for its hórreos, traditional stone grain stores on stilts.
Meals: B | Hotel Palacio del Carmen or similar

DAY 12. Overland to Douro Valley, Portugal • Walk the Camino Portugués • Guimarães

Today, we leave Spain and depart for Portugal's Douro Valley. After a walk along the Camino Portugués, the traditional coastal route used by Portuguese pilgrims to reach Santiago de Compostela, we'll visit Guimarães, considered the birthplace of Portugal.
Meals: B,D | Lamego Hotel & Life or similar

DAY 13. Discover Douro Valley • Douro River cruise • Quinta visit

Explore port wine country along the Douro River during a cruise, enjoying views of the rolling hills, terraced vineyards, and Portuguese countryside as they pass you by. Later, we'll visit a quinta (wine farm) to trace the path of port from grape to glass. We'll also enjoy lunch at the vineyard.
Meals: B,L,D | Lamego Hotel & Life or similar

ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT

On Day 13, enjoy a visit to the heart of wine-growing, the Douro Valley, and savor the vintages of this lush wine region.

 

DAY 14. Porto

Travel west to coastal Porto, and enjoy a panoramic driving tour to see some of its famous sites and buildings. Then, we'll explore Porto's 2,000-year-old streets during a walking tour, featuring highlights including the blue and white tiled murals of São Bento Railway Station, and the labyrinthine alleyways of Pena Ventosa, one of the oldest districts of the city.
Meals: B,L | Hotel Porto Royal Bridges or similar

DAY 15. Porto • Optional Arouca tour

Explore Porto at your own pace today. Or join us for an optional tour of the Arouca Bridge and Geopark-a UNESCO World Heritage Site- before making our way to Arouca Monastery.
Meals: B,D | Hotel Porto Royal Bridges or similar

DAY 16. Porto • Portuguese youth emigration conversation

Enjoy a walking tour of Porto, and visit landmarks like the Parque das Virtudes and the Clérigos Church. Then, meet with local students to discuss how educated young people seem to be rapidly emigrating from Portugal.
Meals: B,D | Hotel Porto Royal Bridges or similar

DAY 17. Return to U.S.

Depart for the airport for your return flight home, or to begin our post-trip extension to Lisbon, Sintra Palace & Seaside Cascais.
Meals: B

Basque farmhouse, Spaina
Basque farmhouse, Spain
Ubidea village, Basque Country, Spain
Ubidea village, Basque Country, Spain

Want to know more? Find the full itinerary and dates & pricing at www.oattravel.com/spg

PERSONALIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE on your Spain & Portugal adventure

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS

Choose to maximize your discoveries and value when you add a pre- or post-trip extension-or both-to your adventure.

Carcassonne, Bayonne & French Basque Country

PRE-TRIP: 5 nights from $2,395

Mosque, Casablanca
Mosque, Casablanca

Experience the lush forests, abundant historic sites, and seaside treasures of southern France in its most distinct regions of Carcassonne, Bayonne, and Basque country—a journey which 83% of our travelers have rated excellent.

IT'S INCLUDED

Learn more at www.oattravel.com/spg-carcassonne-bayonne-2026

Lisbon, Sintra Palace & Seaside Cascais

POST-TRIP: 4 nights from $1,995

Cascais, Portugal
Cascais, Portugal

Discover the capital city of Lisbon, medieval town of Sintra, and picturesque fishing village of Cascais on this extension, which 88% of our travelers have rated excellent.

IT'S INCLUDED

Learn more at www.oattravel.com/spg-lisbon-2026

ARRIVE EARLY

We recommend that you relax after a long flight or explore more in depth before your trip. Price shown includes accommodations and private airport transfer.