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Northern Spain & the Pyrenees

Sip bubbly where it was invented

Stay 3 nights in Spain’s culinary capital of San Sebastián.

From the rich, rolling vineyards of the Rioja region, follow Spain’s Costa Verde to elegant San Sebastian. Explore the mighty French Pyrenees and stay in the walled city of Carcassonne. Ride high in mountain cable cars and sip wine and dine as the lucky locals do!

  • Travel in a first-class air-conditioned touring coach

  • A complimentary glass of wine, beer or soft drink with all included dinners 26 meals including breakfast daily (B), 2 lunches (L) ‘Fabada’ mountain lunch in Potes and beside the Canal du Midi and 8 dinners (D) Welcome drink on Day 1

  • Hotel porterage of 1 bag per person (where available) 16 nights specially selected hotel accommodation Free WiFi at most hotels (where available)

  • Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager Personal audio system whilst on tour (where available) ALL tips for your Tour Manager, Driver and Local Guides Local guides as described in the itinerary

  • Hand Selected Albatross Experiences including cable car rides at the Picos de Europa and Pic du Midi ALL excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described

Tour itinerary

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Hand Selected Experiences

These are just a few of the very special hand selected experiences that will really make your touring experience exceptional and unique, and don’t forget, with Albatross they are always included.

Rioja Wine region

Scenic Drive & Wine Tasting

We explore the famous wine region of Rioja including Haro, one of the most famous wine producing towns. A scenic drive through the famous Rioja wine region, brings us to the fortified hill top town of Laguardia to take in the spectacular views across the Sierra de Cantabria. A highlight today will visiting the flamboyant Marques de Riscal vineyard for a tour and wine tasting.

Picos de Europa

Cable Car Ride & 'Fabada' Lunch

Unrivalled scenery awaits both on the drive through the dramatic La Hermida Gorge and then on a cable car from Fuente De high up into the jagged mountains of the Picos de Europa, Northern Spain’s highest mountains. In the small mountain town of Potes, we enjoy a typical Picos lunch of ‘Fabada’ – the local mountain stew with beans and sausages, and a glass of Orujo schnapps.

Bilbao

Casco Viejo

We explore one of Spain’s largest cities with a local guide including the charming Casco Viejo – the old quarter. With 'My Time' over lunch, you may choose to visit the world-famous Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, with its extraordinary swirling, ground-breaking design.

San Sebastian

Guided Walking Tour

We begin up at the famous Monte Igueldo to take in the amazing views across the horse shoe bay, and the city ringed by mountains. Our guided walking tour continues down in the old town area through the narrow streets and old port, where you find the city’s famous tapas bars. San Sebastián is noted as the gourmet capital of Europe and is famous for Pintxo, the local name for tapas, coming from the Spanish word pincho - a cocktail stick.

Saint Jean De Luz

Delightful Seaside Town

We visit the delightful seaside town of Saint Jean De Luz where Louis 14th, the ‘Sun King’, married Maria Theresa of Spain in the 17th century. Stroll along Rue Gambetta in the old town which is lined with interesting houses and architecture, and visit one of the historic highlights, the Church of Saint John the Baptist, featuring typical Basque style tiered wooden balconies running along each side, and a very impressive 17th century gilded altar.

Pic du Midi

Stunning Cable Car Ride

We board a cable car & ride up to the summit of the Pic Du Midi de Bigorre. At 2,877 metres or nearly 10,000 feet the views are stupendous – one way down onto the broad French plains and the other along the massive Pyrenees into Spain.

Abbey of St Hilaire

14th Century Cloisters

We include a special visit to the Abbey of St Hilaire, a jewel of Romanesque architecture. The 14th century cloisters are a delight and the perfect setting for a glass of Blanquette de Limoux - the sparkling wine that the Benedictine monks of the Abbey are also credited with inventing.

Carcassonne

Guided Walking Tour

Dating back to the 13th century, Carcassonne is a magnificent timepiece. We are joined by a local guide to explore the ramparts and maze of cobbled streets and watchtowers in the old town of Carcassonne. We include entrance to the medieval castle, with its gigantic double walled fortifications and 53 watchtowers.

Le Somail

Lunch beside the Canal du Midi

Descending through the vineyards of the Minervois region we arrive in the picturesque hamlet of Le Somail, sitting astride the Canal du Midi, in time to enjoy lunch on the leafy terrace of an Auberge, beside the humped back bridge that crosses the canal.

Dates and Prices

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* Dates, prices, itineraries and hotels shown may be subject to change on specific departures. Please contact our European Tour Specialists for further details.

Pre-register your interest

To register your early interest in our 2026 Europe and UK Spring tours, please complete our pre-registration form.  We will keep you informed as our tours are developed and released.

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Tour Suitability

Our tours require a moderate level of fitness due to the unique places we visit and stay. This tour is not suited to anyone who has mobility issues.

  • There are a number of beautiful towns and sites we visit which require exploring on foot.
  • We include 2 cable car rides up mountains. Whenever you are at even a moderate altitude breathing becomes a little more laboured when you exert yourself. Having said that, neither summit we visit is very high, and there is no need to do anything but take in the views. So as long as you take things easy and go at a more leisurely pace (and with Albatross we have time!) you will be fine.

Please refer to our Tour Suitability section for more information.

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