Tours of Spain

The Way of St James Paradors and Pilgrims

Tour Map of The Way of St James Paradors and Pilgrims

The Way of St James is the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the apostle Saint James - the Patron Saint of Spain - are buried. We follow this route on our tour, from city to city, staying at superb Spanish Paradors - emblematic hotels in Spain built within charming, historic buildings of castles, palaces, convents, monasteries, and fortresses. History is at your fingertips simply in the setting of your hotel. We visit Pamplona, the city where the annual bull-run takes place, which is a nine-day fiesta, immortalised in Ernest Hemingways 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises; and along the route, we make cathedral stops, enjoy wine tasting, and time at leisure to ponder the passage of the myriad of pilgrims who have taken this route throughout history.

Over more than 30 years Explore has developed a diverse and exciting range of more than 100 walking and trekking holidays. Whether you’re new to walking holidays, a casual hiker or a seasoned trekker you will find plenty of expertly planned walks and treks to choose from. We specialise in small group walking and trekking holidays. On these you will be in a group of up to 16 along with an experienced tour leader. Depending on the trek you may also have guides, porters, muleteers, cooks and camping crew with you too. For many trekkers the camaraderie with the crew is one of the highlights of the holiday.

Spain - Wine, Walks and Tapas

Tour Map of Spain - Wine, Walks and Tapas

Some of Spain's best food and wine can be found in the provinces of the Basque Country, La Rioja and Catalunya. On this journey from Bilbao to Barcelona we blend easy walks through wonderful scenery with wine tasting for a great introduction to the quality wine regions of La Rioja, Montsant, Priorat and Cava. There is also a special focus on local cuisine along the way, from the ever-innovative Basques, to La Rioja tapas and onto the stylish and modern Catalans. The walks are varied and rewarding, from coastal scenes, along the Camino de Santiago, through vineyards and on top of Montserrat ridge.

Great value, reasonable prices, quality experiences. Comfortable and varied tourist-class accommodations chosen for location and character. Mix of public and private transport for the best overall experience. All the top highlights included, plus plenty of time to explore on your own.

The trips we've build our reputation on. Designed for maximum variety, these trips are geared towards travellers searching for a healthy mix of active exploration, uncommon landscapes, amazing wildlife and local cultures.

Best of Northern Spain

Tour Map of Best of Northern Spain

Spain has been described as less of a country than a collection of small nations all working together. Each region has its own distinct character, style, even language. This quick 8-day trip introduces you to Spain’s Basque and Catalan provinces the best way: through food, art, culture, and first-person contact. Vibrant Barcelona, unhurried San Sebastián, Bilbao’s fabulous architecture, Logroño's famous cuisine, cosmopolitan Madrid, and the mighty Pyrenees, all in just over a week? Yeah, we did that. Come find out how.

The Stunning Sights of the Spanish Basque Region

Tour Map of The Stunning Sights of the Spanish Basque Region

Discover the unique culture and stunning landscapes of Spain’s Basque Country, or Euskadi as the locals call it, on this wonderful seven-night holiday. You will be based in the city of Bilbao, home to the striking metallic curves of the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum, with included excursions to the medieval town of Laguardia in the heart of the wine-producing region of La Rioja, the historic city of Vitoria and the sophisticated seaside resort of San Sebastián, famed for its spectacular beaches and exceptional cuisine. You will also have the opportunity of visiting Gernika and the wildlife-rich Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, there will be plenty of excellent Basque food and drink to enjoy, including txakoli wine and pintxos, and a tasty and distinctive regional variety of tapas.

Highlights of Hidden Catalonia

Tour Map of Highlights of Hidden Catalonia

This fast-paced trip will show you the other side of one of the world's great cities and an intriguing insight into the beautiful Catalan countryside. After time in atmospheric Girona, we head into the Catalan hills to a real gem - the old village of Rupit set amongst the most spectacular scenery. Our return to Barcelona is unorthodox - a walk along the Path of Waters gives the most stunning views down on the city, then steeply descending by funicular. There's also time to cycle down old railway lines or admire surrealist masterpieces.

essential Northern Spain

Tour Map of essential Northern Spain

Northern Spain, including the provinces of Asturias and Cantabria, is often referred to as ‘Green Spain’ for its lush landscapes - a stark contrast to the drier terrain for which the south is recognised. We invite you to join us in exploring this beautiful area, taking in pretty medieval villages, the stunning mountains of Picos de Europa National Park and a picturesque coastline of rocky cliffs and sandy beaches, easily accessible from your hotel. The list of highlights also includes visits to an incredible house created by Antoni Gaudi and the exceptional Azpeitia Railway Museum with a journey on an historical steam train.