Signature: Northern Spain's Ancient Caves, Basque Coast & La Rioja

Your expedition begins in the Basque Country's cultural hub of Bilbao. Upon arrival, you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Later, gather with your National Geographic Expedition Leader, National Geographic Expedition Expert and fellow travellers for a welcome presentation that sets the stage for the heritage and history ahead. Step out into the evening air for a short orientation walk through the city's revitalized streets, where the scent of the Nervión River mingles with the buzz of local life. Savour a guided visit and dinner inside the world famous Guggenheim Museum where you start toasting your northern Spanish discovery.

Meals included: Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.Activity - Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Activity - Discover the icon that transformed the art world with a curated guided tour of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. This architectural deep-dive explores Frank Gehry’s titanium-clad genius, from the monumental outdoor sculptures to the soaring, light-filled atrium.Activity - Initiate your journey into Basque country with a Welcome Dinner at the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.Accommodation - Hotel Carlton Bilbao

Travel into the heart of prehistoric Spain to the UNESCO-listed caves of Castillo and Monedas. Here, you enjoy a private group visit led by a site archaeologist, whose expertise brings the ancient Paleolithic art and prehistoric culture to life in the cool, still air of the caverns. After a local lunch, the landscape shifts as you arrive in the medieval village of Santillana del Mar. Spend the afternoon wandering cobblestone streets lined with golden-hued stone buildings and artisan shops. As the sun sets, settle into your historic parador for dinner, feeling the weight of centuries in this timeless coastal village.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Embark on a profound "Origin of Art" tour through the caves of Puente Viesgo. Led by an archeologist you will explore El Castillo, home to the world’s oldest hand stencils and enigmatic red symbols, and Las Monedas, a subterranean cathedral of crystal formations and Ice Age charcoal sketches.Accommodation - Parador de Santillana del Mar

Immerse yourself in a day of architectural wonders, starting in Comillas at El Capricho de Gaudí. Marvel at the vibrant ceramic sunflower tiles and innovative use of light that define this early masterpiece of Catalan Modernism. Following a traditional lunch, continue to the Seminario Pontificio de Comillas, a grand 19th-century neo-Gothic complex that stands as a testament to the town's historic prominence. The red-brick towers and intricate carvings reflect a period of immense architectural ambition. Return to Santillana del Mar for a relaxing evening, where the quiet of the medieval square invites reflection on the day's cultural immersion.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - The Seminario Pontificio (or Major Seminary) in Comillas, Spain, is a historic, late-19th-century Neo-Gothic and Mudejar-style building in Cantabria, originally founded in 1890 by Pope Leo XIII to train priests.Activity - Discover the whimsical style at El Capricho de Gaudí, one of the very few buildings designed by the legendary architect outside of Barcelona. This vibrant summer villa is a masterpiece of Orientalist and Neo-Mudéjar style.Accommodation - Parador de Santillana del Mar

Depart the coast for the extraordinary Cueva de Altamira, often called the "Sistine Chapel" of prehistoric art. Within the meticulous replica, stand in awe of ancient paintings that remain a marvel of human creativity. After exploring the monumental friezes of Cueva de El Pendo, the landscape transitions into the rolling, vine-covered slopes of La Rioja. Arrive at a storied family estate that has guarded its vineyards since 1879. Step inside the remarkable Eiffel Cellar, designed by Gustave Eiffel, where the scent of aging oak fills the vaulted, historic space. Your day ends in the town of Haro, the heart of Spain's celebrated viticultural region, where the local wine culture is felt in every bustling tavern and sun-drenched plaza.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - While the original cave is strictly preserved to protect its fragile environment, an expert-led tour takes you through the Neocave at the Altamira Museum—a world-class, millimetric reconstruction—and the surrounding archaeological landscape.Activity - Explore the grandest stage of prehistoric life at Cueva del Pendo, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its cavernous interior and its stunning 25-meter-long Red Frieze.Activity - A private wine tasting and family-style lunch at CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) is widely considered the "holy grail" of Riojan wine tourism. The whole experience is an immersion into a winemaking dynasty. By dining in one of their historic rooms, you are stepping out of the modern world and into a space where time is measured in decades, not minutes.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Eurostars Los Agustinos

Journey deep into human history at the Atapuerca archaeological sites, a UNESCO World Heritage location that has reshaped our understanding of early evolution in Europe. Walk through the excavation areas where some of the continent's oldest hominin remains were discovered. After lunch, the focus shifts to the future of winemaking at a world-renowned estate. Explore the historic bottle cellars before standing in awe of the avant-garde "City of Wine" complex. Designed by Frank Gehry, its shimmering titanium ribbons flow like wine against the Riojan sky, perfectly blending storied tradition with bold, contemporary design.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - A visit to the Yacimientos de Atapuerca (Atapuerca Archaeological Sites) near Burgos, Spain, is a guided tour of one of the world's most important UNESCO World Heritage sites for human evolution.Activity - Experience the fusion of tradition and futurism with a sommelier-hosted tasting at Marqués de Riscal. Set against the backdrop of Frank Gehry’s architectural masterpiece, this elite session offers a deep-dive into the estate’s 160-year history of wine making excellence.Accommodation - Eurostars Los Agustinos

Travel to Pamplona, the historic capital of Navarra, globally renowned for its medieval architecture and lively old quarter. Join a guided walking tour to explore the city's main landmarks, feeling the energy of the streets famous for the Running of the Bulls. Savour an authentic pintxos lunch in the heart of the old town before continuing to the elegant seaside city of San Sebastián. Known for its Belle Époque architecture and golden beaches, the city's deep Basque identity is felt in every plaza. As evening falls, breathe in the salt air of Concha Bay and prepare to dive into the culinary soul of this coastal gem.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Walking the route of the Encierro (Running of the Bulls) in Pamplona is a journey through 875 meters of adrenaline-soaked history.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Hotel De Londres y de Inglaterra

Start the day on an immersive walking tour with a meaningful twist. Led by a community-based social enterprise initiative, you'll explore the city's culinary highlights while supporting a project that provides meals to those in need. Spend the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps browsing the charming coastal boutiques or joining your Expedition Leader for a stroll up Monte Urgull. From the summit, the breathtaking views of the turquoise bay and the city's red roofs provide a stunning backdrop. Conclude your expedition with a celebratory farewell dinner at a local restaurant, sharing memories of the past week.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - A foodie walk in San Sebastián is a mission-driven experience where every pintxo you enjoy helps provide a meal for someone in need through their local community enterprise.Accommodation - Hotel De Londres y de Inglaterra

Your expedition through Northern Spain concludes this morning. Enjoy a final breakfast as the light glints off the Atlantic waters before your included transfer to the airport where your expedition concludes. Whether heading home or further afield, you carry with you the echoes of ancient caves and the lingering finish of Rioja's finest vintages.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.