DAY THREE

Today we’ll spend a relaxed day exploring this agreeable capital of the province of Guipuzcoa. The old part of this harbour city sits on a rocky peninsular and was long a fortress defending the Basque coast. An old-world charm can still be discovered in the shops and bars crowding the narrow streets. The really active will enjoy a walk up to the 425 feet summit of Mount Urgull, past graves of the English killed in Napoleon and Wellington’s Peninsular Wars, and be rewarded with a magnificent view. The less fit will find plenty to do in the lower town, including perhaps a visit to the Basque Aquarium and Fishing Museum.

DAY FOUR

This is a scenic touring day as we drive the 150 miles to Pamplona through dramatic mountain scenery of the Navarra. We’ll have several choices of route and the one taken will depend on local conditions on the day. One particularly attractive route ascends the valley of the Urumea, then takes us through Goizueta, with its ancient timbered houses. There’ll be stops to admire the breathtaking views and to explore old towns and their 500 year-old churches.

DAY FIVE

This morning we’ll have time to explore a city with origins stretching back well over 2000 years! It’s best known for it’s ‘running of the bulls’ festival in July but it boasts a fabulous fortress, 11^th century cathedral and several excellent museums.

Around midday we’ll leave Pamplona and take the first of the many famed mediaeval pilgrim routes we travel on this tour. En route we’ll be passing through Estella, and Logrono, centre of the wine-growing district of La Rioja. Our stops will depend on group interests and timings. We’ll be stopping along the way for a late lunch/early evening dinner and arriving in Burgos in late evening.

DAY SIX

This is the ancient capital of Castille and Leon. Its greatest claims to fame is its truly magnificent cathedral, and for being the one-time home of El Cid. We’re going to spend a day here enjoying a period of ‘organised independence’. Some tour participants will no doubt spend much of their time in the cathedral and its chapels. It’s not only the magnificence of the architecture that absorbs the visitor but the fact that almost at every turn one is presented with yet another work of art or of historical significance. Naturally, the legends of El Cid feature large. But there’s plenty to absorb everyone in this interesting city.

DAY SEVEN

The road from Burgos to Leon is a continuation of the Pilgrimage route and naturally we’ll find the way lined with ancient churches, fortifications and small villages. Although we’ll stop at points of interest on our 75 mile ride, our objective will be to arrive at Leon with plenty of time to explore this city with Roman origins which had had 24 kings before it had had laws! And for those interested in this aspect of Spain’s history, the Museo Arqueologio Provincial will be a must.

DAY EIGHT

In almost complete contrast to the religious and devotional history of the region stands its war torn past. Napoleon’s war of conquest dominated one period, the Roman and Moorish invasions another, and more recently, the terrible civil war dominated the 1930. All left their mark. The town of Astorga, described as ‘magnificent city’ by Pliny, is just one to have suffered through the ages. But fortunately, its 6 metre Roman walls held back the worse of the French attacks in the early 1800s and have left us with an interesting stop. Perhaps of greater interest than the dry walls of history are the local inhabitants. The Maragatos, who live in the surrounding moorland villages, are said to be descendants of ancient Berber invaders and we may be fortunate enough to see locals in their ethnic dress – part of which is a kilt worn by males in a similar way to the Scots.

DAY NINE

Our routing today takes us through lovely and atmospheric coastal towns, as well as some pretty countryside on our way to Santiago. We’ll stop at the granite town of Pontevedra where ancient houses, complete with armorial shields line the arcaded streets, and perhaps find time to look at the more modern fishing port of Vigo. But it is Santiago de Compostela, the goal of the mediaeval pilgrim, which calls us.

DAY TEN

Non driving day. ‘A beautiful old town, in every respect calculated to excite awe and admiration’, wrote one 18^th century visitor. Well, little appears to have changed since! Legend relates that the body of St James was discovered here in 813 in a stone coffin. The discoverer was guided by a star to the spot (hence, ‘compostela’) and the shrines built there since now form the core of this city. This is another city where the intrepid visitor is rewarded. Around every narrow alley there’s yet another pretty site, church or interesting shop, bar or café. The cathedral itself is worth the visit, of course. Dinner not included on this evening.  

DAY ELEVEN

Taking our leave of Santiago, we drive first to the town of Lugo. This was a city of Celtic origins, colonised by Romans, sacked by the Moors and featuring in the Peninsular wars of 1800. The Roman walls here are the most perfect of their kind. But, in addition to the city itself, there’s a site just south of Lugo that will interest us; a remarkable subterranean church.

DAY TWELVE

Today’s drive will be a memorable one, and one that our alumni will say is typically Back-Roads. We wind our way through attractive fishing ports, like Luarca, stop to discover prehistoric sites, visit hidden churches, find romantic Romanesque architecture, perfectly preserved 16^th century streets (Villavicosa) and manage to see the ancient capital of Asturias, Oviedo. It’s a splendid day and a fitting way to make our way back to Bilbao.

DAY THIRTEEN

What better way to round off a perfect spring holiday than with a visit to the magnificent Guggenheim Museum and a relaxed day’s shopping and sightseeing in the city’s old town?  Dinner not included tonight.

DAY FOURTEEN

Transfers to the airport and home.