A GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE IN NORTHERN SPAIN
SELF DRIVE TOUR: 08 DAYS
For the gourmet traveller, one of the great gastronomic regions of Europe is Northern Spain.
On your journey you will discover the impressive variety of culinary traditions and be able to explore these marvellous regions at your own pace. You may like to visit some of the cultural highlights such as the impressive Guggenheim Museum and medieval cities or perhaps go 'tasting' in one of the famous wineries of the Rioja. The cuisine is strongly regional, with fresh local ingredients at the heart of tasty dishes. Excellent fish and seafood is a Spanish specialty, delicious with a glass of sparkling Cava!
The variety of accommodation on this tour has been specially selected for its charm, style, history and atmosphere, each with its individual character and unique location.
This is a self-guided tour which includes all your accommodation and car hire as per the itinerary. You will be given a comprehensive Route Guide containing suggestions on a scenic driving itinerary, interesting regional attractions, recommended tapas bars and taverns, bodegas for wine tasting and a 10km circular walk from the Monastery Valdediós which includes part of the St James Way.
Departs: On request all year from either San Sebastian or Oviedo.
Day1 SAN SEBASTIAN
Arrival in San Sebastian. The Basque cuisine is generally regarded as Spain's finest and you will certainly be in food heaven! Overnight in a comfortable 3 star hotel.
Day2 SAN SEBASTIAN
Morning visit to the market to see the splendid assortment of fish and seafood. This afternoon, you can wander the beautiful old quarter and learn the art of 'tapear' or tapas tasting, a culinary art that has made the city famous. Optional: Dinner reservations at 3 Michelin star restaurant, "Arzak". Overnight 3* hotel.
Day3 SAN SEBASTIAN - SANTO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA 
Today you travel to the famous wine growing area of Rioja, where the vine has been exploited since Roman times. Accommodation tonight is in a Parador. The hotel was originally built as a hospital which cared for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
Day4 SANTO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA - BILBAO - PICOS DE EUROPA
An early departure for Bilbao to visit the Guggenheim museum. Afterwards you will make your way through the beautiful majestic mountain range of Picos de Europa to Casa la Valleja, a rural B&B. Paula and Antonio, our Spanish hosts will make you feel right at home.
Day5 PICOS DE EUROPA - LIBARDON
Sightseeing in this stunning natural paradise. Optional: Lunch reservations at "Casa Marcial", a 2 Michelin star restaurant in beautifully situated hamlet. A short drive takes you to your next accommodation in a small 16th century palacio.
Day6 LIBARDON - VILLAVICIOSA
A trail past numerous pre-Romanesque churches leads into the delightful town of Villaviciosa. You are offered a circular walk along the Northern St James Way with a map included as well as detailed walking notes to follow. Overnight Manor House 'La Corte de Lugas' 4*.
Day7 VILLAVICIOSA - OVIEDO
The last leg of the trip will take you to Oviedo, the beautiful capital of Asturias. Overnight at Gran Hotel España 4*.
Day8 OVIEDO
End of services.
- Spain
- Tours
- Great Train Journeys
- Paradores
- Rustic and Rural
- Hotels
- Apartments
Land of Contrasts
Appropriately called the 'Bull's Hide' by Roman geographer Strabo in 29-27BC, the landmass of Spain with its 505,000 sq. km, provides the traveller with an opportunity to experience the great diversity within its borders, bounded by sea, except for Portugal to the west and France to the north-east.
Iberia has charmed travellers for centuries, but it was not until the early19th century that the first romantics brought Spain into world recognition. Richard Ford along with many others of his time, describing the country as a 'land of miracles, anomalies and contradictions'.
Spain today embodies all of the contrasts of yesteryear. With its rich and varied culture and language, Spain's 17 autonomous regions offer many unexpected architectural, geographical, cultural, gastronomic and climatic differences; all contributing to the many delights and pleasures of the visitor.
Once Spain was one of the most powerful nations on earth with far flung dominions wielding great influence on world political and commercial affairs. The Spain of today is an energetic member of the European Community with a population of 45 million and a universally appreciated culture, individuality and language.
Download our 2012 brochure!
Tours
Ranging from short Fully Escorted coach tours to Private itineraries with your own driver, we have a tour to suit your time frame and budget. Here are a few examples of some of our most popular touring options...
| Self Drive Tours: | A GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE IN NORTHERN SPAIN -- ROMANTIC ANDALUCIA -- WORLD HERITAGE ENCOUNTER |
| Fully Escorted Tours: | ANDALUCIA AND MEDITERRANEAN COAST -- ANDALUCIA AND MOROCCO -- ANDALUCIA AND TOLEDO -- CASTILLA, PORTUGAL AND ANDALUCIA -- GREEN SPAIN -- NORTH OF SPAIN -- SALAMANCA AND PORTUGAL |
| Small Group Tours: | GOURMET SPAIN |
| Tours with Private driver: | SEVILLA AND THE WHITE VILLAGES OF ANDALUCIA -- SEVILLA, CORDOBA AND GRANADA |
| Walking Tours: | EL CAMINO DEL NORTE -- EL CAMINO PRIMITIVO -- SHORT BREAK PICOS DE EUROPA -- THE ALPUJARRAS - MOORISH SPLENDOUR -- WALKING THE PICOS DE EUROPA |
| Unique Spain: | BARCELONA AND ORGANIC WINE IN THE PENEDÈS -- BARCELONA AND THE MEDIEVAL VILLAGES OF CATALONIA -- A GOURMET'S GRANADA -- BARCELONA AND THE GENIUS OF DALI -- GRANADA -ORIGINS OF FLAMENCO -- SEVILLA AND THE PUEBLOS BLANCOS - A CULINARY ENCOUNTER -- THE MOORISH LEGACY IN GRANADA |
The Great Train Journeys of Spain
IBERTOURS is the sole GSA in Australia and New Zealand for the Great Train Journeys of Spain. These marvellous journeys attend to the needs of the traveller who is keen to savour the travel delights of yesteryear and who is enticed by the notion of a special journey by rail.
"El Transcantabrico" explores the rugged mountains and seascape of the northern coast in an 08 day gastronomic adventure. There are 2 very special and itineraries to select.
The "Espreso de la Robla" takes one on an enjoyable 4 day regional rail experience between Bilbao and Leon, as well as Gijon and Santiago de Compostela.
The legendary "Al Andalus" returns in 2012 in a luxurious 6 day adventure through historical Andalucia, from Sevilla to Sevilla, visiting Cordoba, Granada and Jerez along the way.
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EL EXPRESO DE LA ROBLA | EL TRANSCANTABRICO - 8 DAY JOURNEY AL ANDALUS
Unique Historic Accommodation
IBERTOURS TRAVEL is the Official Representative of Paradores in Australia and New Zealand.
The concept of utilising these unique establishments as selected accommodation for tourism goes back to 1926, when the royal tourist commissioner, the Marques of Vega-Inclan, sought Royal Approval for the extraordinarily far sighted idea of setting up State run Paradores as lodgings for nature lovers and hunters around the country.
Rustic and Rural Spain with Rusticae
Rusticae is a network of boutique properties and guesthouses that are often old farms, mills and homes, transformed into small hotels. Rusticae has currently has over 160 hotels spread across Spain, Portugal, France and Argentina divided into two main types of accommodation, Metropoli and Tradition.
The Metropoli range incorporates a selection of small, boutique hotels inside major cities including Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba, Palma de Mallorca and Bilbao.
The Tradition range is the most extensive and has a wide selection of hotels and manor houses located in small villages in the countryside.
There are around 140 of these properties in Spain alone and each possesses its own individual charm and style, reflecting the history and traditions of the region and its people.
Spanish Hotels
Stopovers can include 2 and 3 night packages in all major cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and San Sebastian, plus many other smaller regional cities such as Granada, Toledo, Segovia, Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela and so on... In fact, with our extensive experience and contacts we can develop stopover packages for almost any city or town in the Iberian Triangle, for any length of time, to suit your requirements. Here are some examples...
View a selection of hotels by region:
Northern Spain and the Pyrenees / Madrid and Surrounds / Extremadura and Castilla La Mancha / Valencia / Andalucia / Balearic Islands /Canary Islands
Apartments
If you are planning a stay of 3 nights or more, why not consider an apartment? Live like the locals do in the centre of one of Spain's vibrant and emblematic cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, and others. Ideal for an extended stay, an apartment gives you the freedom and choice to shop with the locals at the market and cook up your own Spanish fusion! All we need to know is how many people, what city and when and we can find one perfect for you! Just ask us to add an apartment to your creative itinerary.