Circuit at your own pace Sanctuaries of Spain

1st Day. Origin - Santiago de Compostela

Upon arrival at the chosen hotel we will check-in and get ready to enjoy the local culture.

We will take this day as free time to unpack our luggage and relax with a walk and a good overview of the city and its streets. After this free afternoon we will return to the hotel to be well rested for the next day with more action.

Day 2. Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela - Oviedo

We will have breakfast at the hotel and check-out. At the agreed time we will head towards the Cathedral of Santiago.

It is the most important sacred temple in Galicia, if not in Spain, and thanks to which the community can be considered one of the cradles of European pilgrimage.

Legend has it that a hermit named Pelayo saw a strange light in the sky. This fact, verified before King Alfonso II of Asturias by Bishop Teodomiro de Iria, led to the construction of a small chapel that, during the reign of Alfonso III, became a church burned down by the Arab troops commanded by Almanzor.

At the beginning of the second millennium, in 1075, construction began on the current Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, one of the most representative places of worship in world Christianity. Beginning the first pilgrimages to the old chapel in the middle of the 9th century and its growing notoriety in the world ecclesiastical scene led it to become the seat of the archbishopric in the year 1120.

After entering the cathedral and seeing it at our own pace, we will have a visit to the roofs and the Carraca tower as well as its museum. Access is through the Gelmírez Palace, ascending the narrow stairs of the tower, until reaching the impressive stepped roofs of the Cathedral, which can be traversed in its entirety.

When we say goodbye to the cathedral, we will go to the Mercado de Abastos de Santiago, which has been in operation for the last three centuries, becoming a leading center in the marketing of fresh products. It is a perfect place to enjoy a tasting of typical Galician products, cheeses and wines.

In the afternoon we will head to Oviedo where we will go to the selected hotel for check-in and rest from the long day.

Day 3. Oviedo - Sanctuary of the Virgin of Covadonga - Burgos

Third day on our getaway. After breakfast and ready, we will check-out at our accommodation and enter the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park. Our destinations will be Cangas de Onís and the Royal Site.

Within the town the most representative without a doubt is its Roman Bridge with its hanging Victoria Cross, of course it is one of the most representative images of Asturias. From this valley nestled between high mountains you can see the mountains and forests of the Park in the landscape. It was the place, they say, of the beginning of the reconquest by decimating the Muslim attacks that approached these slopes with Pelayo at the head.

Later we will go up to the Royal Site of Covadonga. The Virgin of Covadonga, popularly known as La Santina, is found in the Holy Cave where it is said that Don Pelayo took refuge. Here is a small hermitage and a waterfall that falls directly into a large pool.

In addition to the Holy Cave, the sanctuary is made up of a 19th-century basilica built after a fire that destroyed the old temple that was next to the Holy Cave in 1777. It is located at the top of the hill and is built with incredible stone. reddish that stands out among the green of the vegetation.

If we still have strength left, we also have the option of going to the Mirador de Entrelagos and seeing the Covadonga lakes in an idyllic setting.

After the activity, we will go to Burgos to check-in and spend the night at the hotel before continuing our trip the next day.

Day 4. Burgos - Zaragoza

Once we get up we will delight ourselves with a splendid breakfast at the hotel and later we will check-out at our accommodation in Burgos since today we will spend the night in Zaragoza.

A long journey awaits us that will take us much of the day and we will have to make several stops if we do it by car.

In any case, once in Zaragoza we will go to our assigned accommodation, check-in and pack our luggage. Depending on the time of arrival and how much energy we have left, we still have the possibility of establishing a first contact with the city before returning to the hotel to pick us up.

Day 5. Basilica of the Virgen del Pilar - Zaragoza

Today we will have breakfast at the hotel and once we are ready we can start the day. It is the turn of a new Marian pilgrimage basilica, the first Marian temple in Christianity according to tradition, one of the largest centers of devotion and one of the most visited monuments in Spain.

Legend has it that the Cathedral-Basilica of the Virgen del Pilar has its origins in the first century when the Virgin appeared to the apostle Santiago, who was preaching in present-day Zaragoza. The Virgin Mary left a pillar on the banks of the Ebro, actually a jasper column, as a symbol of the strength that her faith must have had. The image of the Virgin that is preserved in the Holy Chapel of the Basilica rests on that sacred column.

As soon as we have finished analyzing the Pilar Cathedral, we will get ready to go up to the Pilar Tower through a panoramic elevator. Here is an exceptional viewpoint from which to delight ourselves with privileged views.

We will eat around the city, recreating ourselves with the gastronomy of Zaragoza. We recommend strolling down the street of the Tube where there are a large number of tapas bars. Some of its most characteristic dishes include baked lamb with potatoes, eggs with salmorejo, borage with potatoes and of course the Pilar cobblestones.

In the afternoon we will have free time to explore the city. The route that we suggest starts from the Balcón de San Lázaro, a platform with some of the best views of the city, to cross the Ebro River by the Puente de Piedra until you reach the Old Town. It is one of the largest historic neighborhoods in Spain and can boast narrow, cobbled streets and low, quaint buildings.

Its heart is the Plaza del Pilar where we will see, in addition to the Pilar and the Seo, the Zaragoza Town Hall, and its Lonja. A few meters away is the longest section that is still preserved of what were great walls of more than 3000 meters during Roman times.

Finally we will arrive at the Aljafería Palace, another of the jewels of the city. It is the northernmost Islamic palace in Europe, as well as being the most luxurious and best preserved from the Taifa era. For this reason, it is the third most important example of Hispano-Muslim art after the Alhambra in Granada and the Mosque of Córdoba.

It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as part of the "Mudejar Architecture of Aragon" and since 1987, it has been the seat of the Cortes de Aragón.

At the end of the day we will return to the assigned accommodation to rest.

Day 6. Zaragoza - Montserrat guided tour - Barcelona

Breakfast at the hotel and we will check-out to continue towards our last basilica of the circuit: the Montserrat Monastery.

The Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat is located on the Montserrat mountain, which belongs to the Bages region in Barcelona. The monastery complex is made up of two blocks of buildings with different functions, on the one hand the basilica with the monastic dependencies; and on the other the buildings intended to serve pilgrims and visitors.

Inside the basilica is the 12th-century image known as La Moreneta because of the dark color of her skin.

Outside there are several squares with different sculptures, forming an "open-air museum" in contrast to the steep mountain that surrounds them.

Through a guided itinerary around the outside of the monastery we will discover its history, artistic heritage and spirituality to complete the tour inside the basilica observing the image of the Virgin of Montserrat.

After the experience we will head to Barcelona. First of all, we will go to the assigned accommodation, we will check-in and leave our luggage and if we wish and the time allows it, we will walk around the surroundings of this new great city.

7th Barcelona - Origin

We have breakfast and check - out at the hotel to leave it. If you chose to rent the car, it will be left in the indicated place.

We wish you a safe journey back and that you have enjoyed these days.

• In case of traveling with your own car, the meeting point will be the first accommodation.
• Check-in: Since 12:00 a.m., at your choice.

• It is advisable to always wear comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes in any type of experience and visit. Some of the routes are longer than others and it would be a good idea to plan departure times well in advance.
• Be careful on the road, the trip and visits are enjoyed more calmly and on time.
• There is a possibility of change this itinerary if you wish in case you come with your own car.

• 7 days / 6 nights in bed and breakfast basis 
• 1 night in Santiago de Compostela
• 1 night in Oviedo
• 1 night in Burgos
• 2 nights in Zaragoza
• 1 night in Barcelona
• Visit to the Decks and Carraca's Tower of the Cathedral of Santiago of Compostela
• Ascent to the Tower of the Basilica del Pilar by a panoramic elevator
• Guided tour of Montserrat
• Free Cancellation Insurance (up to 30 coverages)

HOW TO FORMALISE YOUR RESERVATION

Our travel agency advised to book minimum 15 days in advance for a better management. It remains feasible to book this gateway although is made less than 15 days. However it is advisable to do it with more time in advance.

A deposit of 60€ will be required so as to formalise the reservation.

Once your reservation has been formalised, shortly after, our team will be in contact with you to specify all of the details. Once the reservation is finalised, we will send you all the information for your compliance.

Once all the services have been booked and confirmed, the client must make full payment minus the deposit paid in advance, 15 days before the beginning date. In case the reservation has been formalised less than 15 days before starting date, the client must paid in full the total amount

NO CANCELLATION FEE up to 7 days before beginning date. In this case, we will refund the total amount paid as deposit. Up to 7 days before the start date, there is no cancellation fee. In the unlikely event that it gets cancel, the deposit will get refund in full.

If you require any further information, please contact us via email info@getingalicia.com or mobile/whatsapp (+34) 639 935 925  

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