Northern Spain Highlights

Take interactive learning to another level with a Tour Director-led scavenger hunt of Las Ramblas, the most famous pedestrian street of Barcelona! Complete exciting activities and solve fun clues. Each clue and every activity is built to maximize on-tour experiential learning.

Tapas purportedly originated when bartenders set a small plate (''tapa'') over patrons' glasses of sherry and wine to keep the flies out. The bartenders starting piling the plate with cold cuts, olives, or salad, and the bite-size snack was born. (We're unsure how they kept the flies out of the cold-cuts... maybe that's how the sandwich was invented?) Over time these working-class snacks have become more elaborate, with each region adding its own specialties and cooking techniques to create unique tastes and combinations.

See brilliant Barcelona, a city of graceful Gothic churches, wrought-iron balconies and wide, grand avenues filled with outdoor cafés. Throughout the city, daringly innovative buildings sit side-by-side with the medieval past. A licensed, local guide will show you some of the high points of this architectural showcase. First stop, the pointy spires of the La Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family), a half-finished church complex that became the obsession of Barcelona's famously eccentric architectural genius, Antoni Gaudí. At the top of Güell Park, another of Gaudí's masterpieces, is a terraced area where you get a wonderful view of the park and Barcelona City. The vibrant colors of the tiles are breathtaking. Then step back to the past with a journey up to Montjuïc (Hill of the Jews), a fortress built atop an ancient Jewish cemetery. This was the site of numerous battles to control Barcelona, and also the location of the 1992 Olympics.

This breathtaking church, said to be the master-work of architect Antoni Gaudí, has been under construction since 1882 and is not expected to be completed until 2026!

Travel to Barcelona’s mountain of Montjuïc, the focal point of two of the city’s key international events: the World’s Fair of 1929, of which many structures still remain; and the 1992 Olympic Games. Montjuïc features the largest "green zone" in the city with miles of forests and parks.

Spend time in Parc Güell, part of the UN ESCO World Heritage Site, 'Works of Antoni Gaudi'. Designed primarily by Gaudí, particularly interesting areas of the park include a mosaic pagoda, a lizard fountain spitting water, an undulating bench decorated with ceramic fragments, and an array of unique Doric columns, which are hollow and serve as part of Gaudí's drainage system.

The Basilica of the Virgin of the Pillar in Zaragoza is believed to be the first church dedicated to Mary, built on the site where she is said to have appeared to Saint James in 40 AD. Over centuries, it has grown into a grand Baroque monument and remains a powerful symbol of Spanish faith, drawing pilgrims and visitors from around the world.

Pamplona is the capital of Navarre Province in northern Spain. It’s best known for the Running of the Bulls (Feast of San Fermín) in July. During this legendary multiday festival, bulls are led through the city streets by daredevil runners. A major stop along the Camino de Santiago, a medieval-era pilgrimage route, Pamplona is also home to Gothic-style churches including fortress like San Nicolás.

Often referred to as the "living room" of Pamplona, Plaza del Castillo has been the heart of the city for centuries. This bustling square has witnessed numerous historical events and is surrounded by elegant arcaded buildings. It's a perfect spot to start your tour, offering a glimpse into the daily life and vibrant culture of Pamplona. The square is also a hub for social gatherings, especially during the famous San Fermín festival.

The Pamplona Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral of Santa María la Real, is a stunning example of Gothic architecture. Built on the site of a former Romanesque church, the cathedral dates back to the 14th century. Its beautiful cloister is considered one of the finest in Europe, and the Diocesan Museum housed within the cathedral showcases a rich collection of religious artifacts, including medieval sculptures and paintings. The cathedral's historical significance is further highlighted by its role as a key stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

Adjust your eyes to some of the most perfect paintings by prehistoric man. (So perfect that even archaeologists wondered whether early man was capable of such a feat.) With nearly one hundred pictures of signs and animals such as bison, deer, horses and bulls decorating the walls and ceilings, it’s been given the name “The Sistine Chapel of Quaternary Art.” Because body heat and breath can damage the artwork, entry to the caves is restricted to 9,000 visitors per year. But don’t worry. A replica of the cave, true to the original, is open for all.

Visit Spain's first National Park situated between the regions of Asturias, Cantabria and León, in the heart of the Cantabrian Mountains, in northern Spain. Its history goes back to 1918, when don Pedro Pidal, Marquis of Villaviciosa, promoted the law to create the Montaña de Covadonga National Park, which was named Picos de Europa National Park on 30 May 1995. This natural area was awarded the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation in 2002.

Though one of Spain’s most popular resorts, San Sebastián is not just beaches. With your Tour Director you’ll visit the old quarter, centered around Plaza de la Constitución (known to locals as “La Consti”). Look for the numbers on the balconies around the square – the plaza was once used for bullfighting, and those balconies were rented as private boxes for spectators. The nearby Saint Vincent church, built in the 1500s, is the city’s oldest standing monument.

Dedicated to sculptor, Eduardo Chillida, Chillida Leku feels less like a museum and more like an artist’s sanctuary, just as Eduardo himself envisioned. Take in the warm Spanish sun as you stroll along grassy plains and through rich woodland dotted with Chillida’s enormous abstract artwork. (Feel free to touch!) Then cozy up inside the farmhouse filled with smaller works made from granite, terracotta, wood and paper.

Step into the Middle Ages in beautiful Burgos. The remains of a medieval castle watch over the town from above, and the original city walls still trail down the hillside. Prickly Gothic spires mark the town’s enormous and elaborate cathedral, which contains the tomb of the famous Spanish hero El Cid. Less-historic ducks and backpackers congregate along the river. Explore this picturesque town with a licensed local guide.

Get a true sense of this historical pilgrimage site as you explore the narrow streets of the well-preserved old city that lead the way to the impressive cathedral. See the different façades of the cathedral, the historic plazas, including Plaza Praterias, and visit the Monastery of San Paio de Antealtares.