From Bilbao to Madrid: History, Wine, and Culture, Spain

Explore Northern Spain and Castile & León, combining vibrant cities, medieval towns, world-class wines, and cultural treasures, concluding in the dynamic capital of Madrid.

Private Itinerary
8 Days

Journey Highlights & Signature Inclusions

Experience Northern Spain and Castile & León through a curated journey of history, culture, and gastronomy. From vibrant Bilbao to the medieval streets of Salamanca, this itinerary combines private guided sightseeing, exclusive wine and food experiences, and scenic travel. Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites, iconic cathedrals, and charming historic towns while enjoying boutique accommodation and seamless transport throughout.

  • 7 nights in boutique 4 and 5-star accommodation
  • 7 breakfasts (B)
  • Private guided walking tours in Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Burgos, and Salamanca
  • Private tour of Atapuerca UNESCO Paleoanthropological Site
  • Winery visits and tastings in Aranda de Duero
  • Visit Guijuelo for an authentic Iberian ham experience
  • Admissions to Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, Burgos Cathedral, Salamanca Cathedral, Salamanca University, and Vitoria-Gasteiz Cathedrals
  • Private train transfers, deluxe private transport and premium class train tickets, as indicated
  • Note: hotel city taxes, if applicable, are not included

Discover The Itinerary

Explore your itinerary in detail, featuring carefully selected hotels, unique experiences, and premium inclusions designed to elevate your travel experience.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8

DAY 1: Bilbao

Vibrant, industrial, and cultural, welcome to Bilbao. Arrive at your hotel to check-in and unwind. Enjoy your evening at leisure; consider a walk along the Ría de Bilbao or a riverside pintxo to experience the city’s gastronomic delights.

Hotel Tayko Bilbao

Overnight Hotel / or similar

DAY 2: Bilbao – Vitoria-Gasteiz – Burgos

After breakfast, meet your private driver for the journey south. Stop in Vitoria-Gasteiz for a private guided walking tour, exploring the medieval old town and the Gothic Santa María Cathedral and María Inmaculada Cathedral (New Cathedral). Enjoy independent time for lunch in one of the city’s charming squares before continuing to Burgos, arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon. Your evening is at leisure.

Hotel NH Collection Palacio de Burgos

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 3: Burgos

After breakfast, enjoy a private guided walking tour of Burgos, visiting the magnificent Burgos Cathedral of St Mary, a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its French Gothic architecture, soaring spires, intricate sculptures, and stunning altarpieces, and discover the city’s medieval streets. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore the local cafés, historic plazas, or the Arlanzón riverbanks.

Hotel NH Collection Palacio de Burgos

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 4: Burgos – Atapuerca – Aranda de Duero – Salamanca

Enjoy breakfast and meet your driver for a full-day journey to Salamanca. Stop in Atapuerca, a UNESCO Paleoanthropological site famous for the discovery of ancient human fossils, including Homo antecessor and some of the earliest known remains of our species in Europe, offering a rare glimpse into human evolution. Continue to Aranda de Duero for a tasting of local wines and cheeses, before arriving in Salamanca for the evening at leisure.

Hospes Palacio de San Esteban

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included
Astronaut carving Salamanca New Cathedral façade

DAY 5: Salamanca

After breakfast, meet your private guide for a walking tour of Salamanca. Discover the secrets and legends of Salamanca University, Spain’s oldest university, renowned for its intricate Plateresque façade and scholarly history. Visit the Salamanca Cathedral, where Gothic meets Baroque, and explore the city’s ornate squares, including Plaza Mayor, a hub of social life since the 18th century. Your afternoon is at leisure.

Hospes Palacio de San Esteban

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included
Iberian Ham Experience Guijuelo tasting

DAY 6: Salamanca – Guijuelo – Candelario – Salamanca

After breakfast, visit Guijuelo, renowned for its Iberian ham. Partake in an authentic Iberian ham experience to learn about the ham as it is dry-cured from pigs fed on acorns and aged naturally. This produces a rich, nutty flavour that is prized across Spain. Continue to the mountain village of Candelario, a picturesque village famous for its traditional slate-roofed houses, narrow cobbled streets, and rich artisanal heritage. Enjoy independent time to explore before returning to Salamanca.

Hospes Palacio de San Esteban

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 7: Salamanca – Madrid

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your private driver for a transfer to Salamanca Train Station. Board your train to Madrid in premium class. Upon arrival at Madrid, meet your driver for a private transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps explore the nearby Retiro Park, stroll through the vibrant city centre, or enjoy tapas at a local tavern.

H10 Villa de la Reina

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 8: Madrid

Enjoy breakfast and check out of your hotel, or extend your stay to explore Madrid’s Royal Palace, bustling plazas, world-class museums, or vibrant tapas scene.

Breakfast

Meals Included

Upcoming Departures

Enjoy your private itinerary

Experience the freedom of a private, fully customisable itinerary with Ormina Tours. This itinerary can start on any date, with options to adjust activities, upgrade experiences, and tailor every detail to suit your travel style, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable journey designed just for you.

  • Depart on any date you choose
  • Fully customisable
  • Unique activities
  • Comfort and privacy
From $6,390 AUD PPFrom price (Private driver)

Upgrade Options

  • Upgrade to stay in stunning 5-star accomodation - recommended: Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao (Bilbao), Hospes Palacio de San Esteban (Salamanca)
  • Visit the beautifully preserved villages of La Alberca and Mogarraz, exploring traditional architecture and regional cuisine during a relaxed full-day private tour.
  • Discover the dramatic landscapes of Los Arribes del Duero with a winery visit and tasting, complemented by a regional lunch before returning to Salamanca.

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Ormina Tours provide?

Ormina Tours provides land services in Europe. We cover most of Europe and are continually expanding. If your destination is uncommon, please contact us to confirm availability.

We offer Small Group Journeys on set departure dates (max. 12 guests for 2026), tailored private journeys (full F.I.T. services), and booking and coordination of accommodation. From airport transfers to fully customised European travel, we cover everything, except flights

Where is Ormina Tours based, and do you serve clients worldwide?

We are an Australian company with offices in Sydney and Perth, as well as a team in Europe to ensure seamless service delivery. While based in Australia, we cater to clients globally and partner with over 250 travel agents across Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.

When is the best time to visit Europe, and do your tours operate year-round?

Europe offers charm year-round. May and September are popular for Australians, while beach destinations are busiest in August. Most Small Group Journeys run between April and October, while private journeys are available year-round. Early planning (at least 6 months) is recommended for busy regions like the Amalfi Coast.

Is travel insurance required?

Yes, we require all clients travelling to have travel insurance as this is a requirement for Tour Operators Insurances, otherwise guests must sign a release and discharge of liability waiver for us to accept the booking. If you need assistance arranging insurance, just ask.

Do you cater to travellers with mobility challenges?

We tailor all journeys to our client’s travel preferences and needs, including any mobility challenges whether it is special vehicles, travel scooters, hotel rooms with accessible showers and hoists. We also have expertise on most attractions and towns to know which are more accessible than others.

With our Small Group Journeys, any significant mobility challenge requires an accompanying minder/helper to attend on the tour as it is not always possible for our Tour Directors, drivers and guides to offer continuous care in a group environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

What is the group size, and what happens if only two people book the tour?

Our Small Group Journeys are designed for a maximum of 10 guests (12 guests in 2026) to ensure an intimate experience. A minimum of 2 guests is required to guarantee departure (4 guests in 2026).

Should fewer than four guests be booked, you will have the exclusive opportunity to enjoy the same itinerary as a private journey at a preferential rate, giving you the confidence and certainty to book in advance. If you do not wish to undertake the small group journey itinerary as a private journey and we advised within the require deadline as disclosed, we will provide you with a full refund.

What is included and excluded in a Small Group Journey?

Our itineraries include accommodation, transportation, guided activities, and meals as marked – B (breakfast), L (lunch), or D (dinner). Exclusions typically include flights, city taxes, personal expenses, and any items not explicitly listed in the itinerary.

Do I need to tip?

Tipping is optional but appreciated for exceptional service. After booking you will be provided with some tipping guidelines should you choose to do so.

What is the luggage allowance?

Each guest can bring one standard checked bag and one carry-on. Please inform us if you need to bring extra luggage.

What is a private journey?

Private journeys (named City Breaks and Regional Discoveries) are not tours with other people. They are suggested itineraries for the city/region that can be fully customised with prearranged services, allowing independent exploration.

Can I choose my hotel?

For private itineraries, we recommend hotels in our itineraries, we can certainly work to accommodate your preferences.

Hotels are set for Small Group Journeys but you can opt to upgrade your room.

What currency are your tours priced in?

Tours (that is our Small Group Journeys) are priced in AUD for Australian residents, NZD for New Zealand residents, and USD for US residents. Other nationalities will pay in AUD unless otherwise arranged.

Prices are fixed once paid in full. In rare cases of significant currency fluctuations, unpaid bookings may be subject to price adjustments. If this occurs, we will contact you or your travel agent to advise you and you will have the option to either pay the full tour price by a certain date or accept the increase.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, though credit card fees may apply. Domestic wire transfers are also accepted.

What deposit is required?

Deposit amounts vary on the size of the booking and whether the booking includes tickets and admissions that maybe non-refundable or non-transferable after purchase. Full payment is due 3 months before your first service date.

Can I change or cancel my booking after making a deposit?

Changes incur a $100 fee per request unless additional services are added. Cancelling more than 50% of services is considered a cancellation, and fees will apply.
Any cancellation made by you prior to your travel (including any changes to your departure date) will result in the following cancellation fees:

Days of notice from notification to first date of service:

  • 91+ days: Loss of deposit
  • 90–75 days: Loss of Booking Deposit and 50% of the balance of the Tour Price
  • 75 days or less: Loss of Booking Deposit and 100% of the balance of the Tour Price

We always advise our clients to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover any unforeseen cancellations.

What are Ormina Tours’ COVID-19 guidelines?
  • Follow local laws, wear masks, and maintain social distancing as required.
  • Do not travel if you are symptomatic, recently exposed, or COVID-positive.
  • Stay updated on airline and country-specific protocols.

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Reach out to our team for personalised assistance and start planning your next European adventure with Ormina Tours.