Discover the Way of St James

9 days
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Get ready for a special journey through the Way of St James! This unforgettable vacation begins and ends in Madrid, with stays in La Rioja, Burgos, Leon, and Santiago de Compostela. Pick up your rental car and put adventure in drive! Begin in La Rioja, where you'll become immersed in traditional country life. Enjoy included visits to a winery and a wine muse...
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

What's this trip about?

    Get ready for a special journey through the Way of St James! This unforgettable vacation begins and ends in Madrid, with stays in La Rioja, Burgos, Leon, and Santiago de Compostela. Pick up your rental car and put adventure in drive! Begin in La Rioja, where you'll become immersed in traditional country life. Enjoy included visits to a winery and a wine museum, then sip and savor as you indulge in a wine tasting and a gourmet lunch. After two wonderful nights, you'll take a scenic drive to Burgos, home to breathtaking Burgos Cathedral, Monasterio de las Huelgas, and other architectural wonders. Next stop: Leon! Another city filled with amazing architecture, Leon is known for its iconic cathedral with beautiful stained-glass windows and a museum. While in Leon, you may want to check out Casa Botines, Convento de San Marcos, and Basilica de San Isidoro!  The Way of St James will bring you to Santiago de Compostela, home to the landmark 11th-century cathedral that has served as a pilgrimage site for centuries. Stand in awe of this breathtaking cathedral, then visit the Praza do Obradoiro, the Monastery of San Martino Pinario, and other artistic museums and monuments.  Last but not least, you'll spend two nights in Spain's spectacular capital: Madrid. From tasty tapas to amazing attractions, this city is filled with life and culture. Visit the must-see sites, like the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Museo Nacional del Prado, and Retiro Park. 

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIndependent
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportRound trip airfare and all internal transport included
Start CityLa Rioja
End CitySpain

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Spain

Attractions

  • Madrid
  • Santiago
  • Santiago de Compostela
  • Santo Domingo

Activities

  • Independent

Trip includes

    • Round-trip economy class airfare to Madrid (MAD)
    • Manual rental car – upgrade to automatic available Pickup MAD on day 1, drop-off SCQ on day 7 2 nights in La Rioja at the Hotel Parador de Santo Domingo or similar
    • Winery visit and wine tasting in La Rioja region
    • Visit to a Wine Museum with gourmet lunch included
    • 1 night in Burgos at Hotel Abba Burgos or similar
    • 1 night in Leon at the Hotel NH Collection Plaza Mayor or similar
    • 2 nights in Santiago de Compostela at the Parador de Santiago or similar
    • One way economy class flight from Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) to Madrid (MAD)
    • 2 nights in Madrid at Sercotel Conde Duque or similar
    • Departure airport transfer
    • Buffet breakfast daily

Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to La Rioja!

Upon arrival in Madrid, pick up your rental car and journey to the beautiful La Rioja region! As you drive, take in the area's sweeping landscapes and extensive vineyards.

Arrive at your hotel and check-in. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon of exploration, relaxation, or both!

Day 2 La Rioja

Recharge with a delicious breakfast, then get ready to experience a wine-filled day! First, visit a traditional, family-run winery in La Rioja! Enjoy delicious tastings and take in the fascinating history of wine culture in this region. 

Keep the fun goin...

Day 3 La Rioja - Burgos

A beautiful city on the Pilgrim's Road to Santiago de Compostela, Burgos is ripe with medieval splendor. Once the capital of the united kingdom of Castilla-Leon for five centuries, Burgos boasts incredible Spanish Gothic architecture.

After you check-in to your hotel, be sure to check out Burgos Cathedral, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 4 Burgos - Leon

Say "bye" to Burgos and head for Leon! On the way, you may want to make a stop in Carrion de Los Condes, where you can visit the Zoilo Monastery and the small village of Fromista. 

The city of Leon is bursting with art and history, as it is linked to the ...

Day 5 Leon - Santiago de Compostela

It's the day you've been waiting for! Hop in the car and head to Santiago de Compostela, home to the one and only Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Every year, millions of people from all over the world flock to this city to reach the end of Saint James Way pilgrimage route. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this city is filled with religious history. 

Day 6 Santiago de Compostela

Enjoy a delicious breakfast, then grab your camera and explore this fascinating city. Visit the amazing Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and feast your eyes on its famous botafumeiro. The botafumeiro is a large "censer," or ceremonial incense burner, that swings vigorously across the cathedral, filling it with aromatic incense. 

Day 7 Santiago de Compostela - Madrid

Take one last look at the breathtaking Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, then take one last scenic drive to the airport and return your rental car. Hop on a plane and get ready to see Spain's majestic capital: Madrid!

Upon arrival in Madrid, make your ...

Day 8 Madrid

Today, enjoy the beautiful city of Madrid on your own! From the Plaza del Toros, to the Royal Palace, to Retiro Park, this capital city is bursting with art, culture, and historic charm. If you're interested, pay a visit to the world-famous Museo Nacional del Prado!

Day 9 Depart Spain

Squeeze all your souvenirs into your suitcase and pack up the car. Head for the airport, turn in your rental car, and find your departure gate. Spend your flight home dreaming about your next adventure! Adios!

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,046
Price per day$338
Last Updated: 4/19/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Great Value Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Great Value Vacations

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At Great Value Vacations, our mission is to be the pre-packaged vacation solution provider from the US to the most desirable vacation destinations in the world.

We offer premium, pre-built vacation packages to the top destinations in the world. Our vacations feature itineraries designed by travel experts and superior accommodations which have been hand-picked and vetted for quality.

What’s more, we offer these vacations packages at Great Value prices that are at or better than if you were to purchase the components separately.  Our state-of-the-art technology provides our customers with an easy to use booking system that allows you to book complicated vacations with just a few clicks.

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Our team of product experts are your “feet on the street” creating vacation itineraries we’d send our family on (and they have VERY high standards!) We do the heavy lifting for you by researching the best destinations, hand selecting the most desirable accommodations, designing a perfect vacation itinerary and recommending things to do and see along the way.

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We’re there for you at every step – from your first call or visit to our website right up until your flight home. Our vacation specialists and support staff are available to answer questions, provide advice or assist you at any point during the vacation planning process. Plus we offer Trip Protection Plans which allows you to cancel your trip for any reason up to 72 hours prior to travel and received a full refund and have access to 24-hr Emergency Assistance while you travel.

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Logistics

Travel Insurance
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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
Greatvaluevacations-PK-GC4P-SH-DWSJ-MAD

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