Our Journeys

Galicia (Spain) & Portugal with Cathy Whims - Spring 2023
May 7 - 16, 2023

$4,450

Galicia (Spain) & Portugal with Cathy Whims – Spring 2023

You will have the unique opportunity of traveling through Galicia (Spain) and Portugal with Chef Cathy Whims, owner of Nostrana. Cathy is excited to explore these regions where she will share her secret dining spots with you and introduce you to local producers. On this tour you will also immerse yourself in the regions’ landscape, culture, art, and history, not to mention its unique cuisine and delicious wines. This tour can be taken as a 9-nights/10-days Galicia/Portugal tour (May 7-16, 2023) or combined with our Northern Spain tour (April 30-May 9, 2023) to make a 16-night/17-day The Magic of Northern Spain and Portugal tour (April 30-May 16, 2023).


MAP



ITINERARY


*Please click on each day to view daily itinerary.

DAY 0 - Saturday, May 6: Fly from US to Santiago de Compostela

Fly from US to Santiago de Compostela

DAY 1 - Sunday, May 7: Arrival in Spain

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DAY 2 - Monday, May 8: Santiago de Compostela

Today you will explore Santiago de Compostela, one of the true jewels of Spain! Hundreds of years of history, pilgrimages, hopes, prayers and energy have moulded its beautiful stone buildings, vivacious squares and colourful corners into a vibrant place that has no equal. Though we will not reach the city on foot or by bike like many visitors do, we will still experience the city’s traditions, music, and history while taking in some of its most important sights. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

DAY 3 – Tuesday, May 9: Galicia

Today we will enjoy the beautiful and rugged coastline of the Galicia region. On our way to our castle hotel in Baiona, we will stop to visit the charming village of O Grove and the enchanting Isla de la Toja. Overnight in Baiona

DAY 4 – Wednesday, May 10: Rias Biaxes & Combarro

Today we will visit one of the most beautiful areas in Spain and Galicia – the Rias Baixas. A beautiful green area, Rίas Baixas is characterized by rίas – deep, wide inlets encroaching many miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. The southern group of these rίas is known as Rίas Baixas (the lower estuaries). Today, we will explore the small fishing village of Combarro and will taste some of its amazing shell fish specialties. Overnight in Baiona

DAY 5 - Thursday, May 11: A Guarda & Celtic Prehistoric Villages

Today we will venture south towards Portugal to visit the lovely town of A Guarda. We will also visit a prehistoric celtic village and learn the connection between these two cultures. Afterwards, we will end the day in Portugal at a lovely resort outside of Porto. Overnight outside of Porto

DAY 6 – Friday, May 12: Porto

Today you will travel across to Vila Nova de Gaia, a lovely town across the Douro River famous for lodges, the traditional storage caves for Port wine. You will visit one of the best producers of Port wine in the world and then have lunch overlooking the river and the city. You will then head back to Porto, where we will tour the city with a great local guide and take a river cruise. In the late afternoon you will have time to soak in the lively atmosphere of Porto’s city centre and pay a visit to Lello, one of the oldest bookshops in Portugal and the inspiration for Harry Potter’s library at Hogwarts. Overnight outside of Porto

DAY 7 – Saturday, May 13: Battalha & Obidos

Today we will make our way to Lisbon with stops on the way to visit the Monastery of the Dominicans of Batalha, a breathtaking Gothic style church which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the afternoon, we will reach the charming city of Obidos. With its tiny alleys, quaint white houses and bright flowers, Obidos is a truly enchanting place. Overnight in Lisbon

DAY 8 - Sunday, May 14: Sintra & Cascais

This morning we will visit the impressive UNESCO World Heritage site of Palacio de Pena in Sintra. This romantic castle is an architectural masterpiece that was built to host the friends of King Ferdinand II. The gardens that surround the castle are arguably the most beautiful of Portugal and inspired Richard Strauss to create a few of his masterpieces. In the afternoon we will journey onto Cascais, a former fishing village that grew up to be an elegant beach town. Overnight in Lisbon

DAY 9 - Monday, May 15: Lisbon

Lisbon is well known for its dynamic character, culinary delights and mesmerizing Fado music. We'll start our day with the city's most important sights including Jeronimos Monastery, the Castelo de Sao Jorge, and we'll take time to walk the enchanting streets of Alfama, Lisbon's oldest district. Tonight, you will experience Fado -- a form of ballad characterized by soulful tunes and lyrics, usually about the sea, love or desperation. The rhythm and tones of the music are deeply connected with the character of the people and capture the atmosphere and beauty of a city -- something that can't be fully explained if not experienced first-hand. You will have time on your own in Lisbon to enjoy a bit more of this awesome city prior to our departure tomorrow. Overnight in Lisbon

DAY 10 - Tuesday, May 16: Departure

Transfer to airport for your return flight to the US.



INFORMATION

Trip Details:
2 nights in Santiago de Compostela
2 nights in Baiona
2 nights outside of Porto
3 nights in Lisbon
Total: 9 nights, 10 days

Price:

Galicia (Spain) & Portugal (May 8-16, 2023):
$4,450 USD per person (double occupancy)
Single Supplement: $1,395 USD per person

What is included in the trip

  • Private transfers upon arrival and departure
  • Accommodation in centrally located hotels and charming country inns
  • Group transportation in a deluxe coach
  • All breakfasts and 1 main meal per day including wine
  • All tastings, wine tastings etc
  • Entrances per the itinerary

What is not included

  • International airfare
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel Insurance: https://customizedjourneys.com/travel-insurance/
  • Tips for drivers and local guides

MORE INFO

    Upcoming Web Maintenance: November 2023

    Hi Friends & Travelers,

    Big changes to our website are on the way this year! At times, our website might be down or some pages may be “under construction”. If you have any questions on itineraries or other materials, feel free to email us at info@customizedjourneys.com. We can send you full copies of itineraries and answer any other questions you may have.

    Looking foward to seeing you on an upcoming or future trip!!

    The Customized Journeys Team