Palace Tours 12000 Biscayne Blvd. #107 Miami FL 33181 USA 800-724-5120 / 786-408-0610 Call Us 1-800-724-5120 Essence of Northern Spain-Self Drive Journey Embark on an amazing journey through the Green Spain. This memorable self drive tour starts in fashionable Madrid and takes you to Santiago de Compostela, Gijon, Santander, Bilbao and San Sebastian to name a few. You may visit remarkable sights like the Cathedral in Santiago, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Altamira Museum in Santillana del Mar or enjoy a cruise along the River Eo in Ribadeo. Itinerary Day 1 - Welcome to Madrid Our representative meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. Day 2 - Travel to Santiago de Compostela After breakfast your rental car will be available for pick up locally. Travel to Santiago de Compostela (600 km. approx.). Upon arrival you may explore the city and visit the famous Cathedral . (B) Day 3 - Visit the Tower of Hercules Today travel to La Coruna where you can visit the Plaza de María Pita and the Tower of Hercules. Later visit the city of Ferrol (93 km approx.) and check into the hotel. (B) Day 4 - Visit the White Village of Green Coast Begin your today's journey with driving across the Rias Altas Galicia until reaching Ribadeo (13 Km approx.) where you enjoy a boat tour around the Ria del Eo. In the afternoon continue to Luarca, (148 Km Km approx.) the White Village of the Green Coast. The next stop is Oviedo, (93 Km approx.) capital of the Principality of Asturias, admire the Romanesque monuments like the San Miguel de Lillo and Santa Maria del Naranco. End your day in the charming town of Gijón (32 km approx. ). (B) Day 5 - Admire the Picos the Europa This morning enjoy some free time to explore the city and walk along the beach of San Lorenzo before traveling to Ribadesella (70 km approx.) capital of a municipality surrounded by mountains, beaches and cliffs. Visit the Plaza Nueva and the Plaza de la Iglesia, which are full of lively cafes and shops. In the evening check into the hotel located near Cangas de Onis (22 Km approx.) and visit the Sanctuary of Covadonga (11 km approx.) or drive up to the Lagos de Covadonga (12 Km approx.). (B) Day 6 - Sights of Comillas Travel to Liebana Valley in beautiful Cantabria region. You can visit Potes, Fuente Dé (86 m approx.) or the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana (which houses a piece of the Lignum Crucis). In the afternoon drive to Cabezon de la Sal and Comillas (60 km approx) where a local guide takes you on a fascinating city tour.(B) Day 7 - Visit the famous Altamira Neo Caves After breakfast depart for Santillana del Mar (17 Km approx.) where a local guide takes you on a tour of this beautiful medieval town. The tour includes a visit to the famous Altamira Museum. Later continue your journey to Santander. Essence of Northern Spain-Self Drive Journey(© www.palacetours.com) 1/11 (34 km approx.) (B) Day 8 - Welcome to Bilbao This day brings you to charming town of Laredo (47 km approx. ). Visit the Old Town and Beach Salvé. You can take a boat ride to Santoña (17 Km approx.) where you can enjoy lunch at any of its great restaurants. In the afternoon arrive in Bilbao (73 Km approx. ) and visit the fascinating Guggenheim Museum. (B) Day 9 - The Glorious Views of San Sebastian Continue your journey to San Sebastian (99 Km approx.). Relax on the picturesque Playa de la Concha or visit the mountain Urgull and admire the breathtaking views of the city. (B) Day 10 - Travel to Madrid After delicious breakfast depart for Madrid (451 Km approx.). (B) Day 11 - Farewell Spain On the last day of your tour our representative meets you at the hotel and takes you to the airport for your flight home. (B) Destination Information A Coruna A Coruña or La Coruña is the second largest city in Galicia in northwestern Spain, second only in size to the port of Vigo in Pontevedra Province. The city is the capital of A Coruña Province. It had been the province capital from 1833 to 1982 before that role was taken over by Santiago de Compostela. A Coruña is a busy port located on a promontory in the entrance of an estuary in a large gulf on the Atlantic Ocean. It provides a distribution point for agricultural goods from the region. Although much of the heavy industry is based on the shipyards and metalworks of the neighbouring city of Ferrol, there is an oil refinery in A Coruña itself. Bilbao Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country and the capital of the province of Biscay. The city has recently undergone major urban renewal, in order to move away from the region's industrial history and instead focus on tourism and services. The developments are centered around the new metro system by Sir Norman Foster and, most of all, the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum by Frank Gehry. Other new landmarks include the Santiago Calatrava- designed Zubizuri Bridge and the Euskalduna Palace, a cultural center, further downstream. The city also acts as home for the Fine Arts Museum recognized as one of Spain's finest art museums and recently refurbished and the Maritime Museum on the Nervión's banks, which recently hosted the RMS Titanic exhibition. Cangas de Onís Cangas de Onís is a municipality in the eastern part of the autonomous community of Asturias in northwest Spain. It was the site of the first church constructed in post-conquest Iberia, Santa Cruz de Cangas de Onís (737), built on an ancient dolmen. More than 70 square kilometers of Cangas de Onís form part of the Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa. Within the park is the village of Covadonga, where in In 722 AD, Iberian Christians won the battle over the Moors in the battle of Covadonga. This marked the first significant Christian victory over the occupying Moors; as such, it is often considered to be the start of the Reconquista. Comillas Comillas is a small township and municipality in the northern reaches of Spain, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. The Marquisate of Comillas, a fiefdom of Spanish nobility, holds ceremonial office in the seat of power at a Essence of Northern Spain-Self Drive Journey(© www.palacetours.com) 2/11 small castle which overlooks the town. Ferrol Ferrol is a city in the province of A Coruña in Galicia. Located on the Atlantic coast in north-western Spain, the city has been a major naval shipbuilding center for most of its history, being the capital of the Spanish Navy's Maritime Department of the North since the time of the early Bourbons. Before that, in the 17th century, Ferrol was the most important arsenal in Europe. Today, the city is also known as the home of the shipbuilding yards of Navantia. Gijón Gijón is a coastal industrial city and a municipality in Asturias. Gijón keeps its Roman past alive through the actions taken in the Campa de Torres Archaeological Site, one of the main fortified settlements of the north of Spain (before 490 B.C.), and especially in the restored baths complex at Campo Valdés, a public building which dates from the end of the 1st century A.D. Gijón was occupied continuously during the Middle Ages, evident by the Romanesque churches which date from the 12th and 13th centuries. The process of industrialization begun in the mid-19th century changed the city into the industrial center of Asturias, with its leading El Musel Port, shipyards and many manufacturing installations. Laredo Laredo is a town in the Northern Spanish province and autonomous community of Cantabria. Located between the cities of Santander and Bilbao, Laredo is known in the region and nationally for "La Salvé", its 5 km long beach (7 km at high tide) and for the historic part of town dating back to Roman times. Its festivities in August are also well known due to the main event that occurs every year on the last Friday of August, known as la batalla de flores (the battle of the flowers), during which large floats entirely covered with flowers and petals are paraded along the central streets. Llanes Llanes is located in the province of Asturias, in northern Spain, on a narrow swath of land beneath the Picos de Europa and the Mar Cantabrico (Bay of Biscay). The region is part of the Costa Verde (Green Coast) of Spain, which is known for its spectacular coastal scenery, beaches, and mountains. The folklore, food, and fiestas of the region are famous for their color and history. Llanes is a traditional fishing port, with an active harbour and many notable monuments and traditions. Although small, Llanes, which is almost suspended above the ocean, is frequented by beach-goers in the summer months, with dozens of small beaches hiding around every corner. Three beaches and a spectacular cliff-top walk, the Paseo de San Pedro, add to the coastal atmosphere. Luarca Luarca is a truly stunning fishing village on the north western coast of Asturias. It is easily reached from Lugo (Galicia) and has one of the most attractive harbors in all of Spain. The best way to view Luarca is from the hills above the town, or on the slopes above from which you can also look out to the open sea. Nearly every harbor-facing building in this quaint town has a white facade and a grey pan tiled roof, which gives Luarca a tidy appearance while still retaining its old world charm.