Northern Spain & the Picos Mountains

5 days from £839

The shimmering titanium-clad curves of Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, beside the Nervión river
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
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Suggested Itinerary#

Your itinerary is exclusively yours to tailor to suit your group's interests and profile of your members. Here is our suggested itinerary:

Day 1 – Playa de Isla

Scheduled flight to Spain from your preferred airport – transfer with our tour manager in our private executive coach to the 4* Olimpo Hotel at Playa de Isla.

Day 2 – Guggenheim Museum at Bilbao & Castro Urdiales

Guided tour of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, designed by the renowned American architect Frank O Gehry and displaying a wonderful collection of modern and contemporary art – travel the scenic coastal road to the fishing town of Castro Urdiales for free time or to visit the Santa Maria Church which is located on a high promontory above the port.

Day 3 – Picos de Europa, Potes & Fuente Dé Cable Car

The beautiful Picos de Europa mountain range were reputedly christened the ‘Peaks of Europe’ by returning sailors for whom this was often the first sight of their homeland – Potes is a small ancient town with old balconied houses lining the river and a main square dominated by a 15th century defensive tower – option of taking the 900 metre ascent up the Fuente Dé Cable Car (subject to favourable weather conditions) from where you are rewarded with spectacular panoramic views across the Picos’ peaks and valleys.

Day 4 – Guided tour of Santander, Santillana del Mar & Comillas

Guided tour of Santander, Cantabria’s capital, takes in the Palacio de la Magdalena, a summer palace built for Alfonso XIII in 1912, reflecting the resort’s popularity at the time with the Royal Family – Santillana del Mar, one of the prettiest towns in Spain, was established around a monastery and is surrounded by an ensemble of 15th to 17th century golden stone houses and you may choose to visit the Romanesque La Colegiata Church or explore the rustic Plaza Mayor – the pretty resort of Comillas is famed for its unusual buildings designed by Catalan Modernista architects Antonio López y López.

Day 5 – Bilbao

Morning at leisure in Bilbao – transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight home.

Remember, every element of this itinerary can be adjusted. If you'd like to change the days, add different activities, or adjust the pace, just let us know.

Features#

What's included in this tour is entirely yours to customise to suit your group's budget and preferences. Here is what we've suggested:

  • 4* hotel

  • Half board accommodation

  • Full programme of included excursions

  • Professional tour manager

  • Scheduled flights to Spain

  • Executive coach in Spain

  • One free place per 10 paying passengers

Tailor your Features#

If you'd like to adjust what's included, perhaps a different hotel standard, more or fewer days, or different excursions, here are some alternatives:

  • Include UK airport coach transfers

  • Include all entrance fees & gratuities

  • Visit more (or fewer) sights*

* See Tailor your Sights for suggestions

Sights#

The places your group visits are exclusively yours to decide. Here are the main sights we've suggested:

  • Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao

  • Fishing town of Castro Urdiales

  • Picos de Europa mountain range

  • Ancient town of Potes

  • Santillana del Mar

  • Pretty resort of Comillas

  • Santander, Cantabria’s capital

Tailor your Sights#

If you'd prefer to visit different places, or if you'd like to add extra attractions that match your group's specific interests, here are some more suggestions:

  • Cabárceno Natural Park - Europe’s largest wildlife park is home to such animals as Bengal tigers, desert antelopes and elephants

  • Altamira Cave - considered the Sistine Chapel of Prehistory, this replica of the UNESCO listed cave depicts bison, horses, deer, hands and mysterious signs

  • El Soplao Cave - our mine train excursion is followed by a walk through the ‘rooms’ to see a spectacular array of geological formations

Accommodation#

Where you stay is entirely yours to choose to match your group's preferences. Here is our suggested accommodation:

Four nights on half board basis at the 4* Olimpo Hotel at Playa de Isla. On a promontory in a huge estate and with direct access onto private beaches, facilities include a restaurant, bar and outdoor swimming pool. All rooms are en suite.

Tailor your accommodation#

If you'd prefer different accommodation, perhaps a different hotel standard, location, or basis of accommodation, here are some alternative choices:

  • Stay for more (or fewer) days

Extras#

The costs on top of your tour price can be tailored to suit your group's needs. Here is what we've listed as extras:

  • Single room supplement £129

  • Insurance

  • Entrance fees to places of interest

  • Optional Fuente Dé Cable Car

  • Gratuities

  • Audio headphones

Many of these can be included in the tour price if you'd prefer. For example, we can include entrance fees, gratuities, or audio headphones as part of your overall cost.

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020 7064 4970

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for your group

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Northern Spain & the Picos Mountains

5 days from £839 per person

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