Tours
Northern Spain Tour
Exceptional, private experiences for your small group.
Rewarding. Memorable. Reasonable.
Custom tailored around your interests.
Tours
Northern Spain Tour
Exceptional, private experiences for your small group.
Rewarding. Memorable. Reasonable.
Custom tailored around your interests.
COVID-19 Travel Risk Mitigation:
Ultra small, private groups minimize potential risks from traveling in larger groups with others you don´t know. Risks can be mitigated through thoughtful planning, awareness and attention to detail in all aspects of your tour, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
THE BEST NORTHERN SPAIN TOURS.
Private.
For your group only. No one else joins your tour.
Custom.
Tailored around your specific interests.
Unique.
No standard tours. Each tour is different.
Ultra-Small Group.
From one to six persons ideally. Exceptionally, a few more.
Rewarding.
Memorable.
Reasonable.
Get more out of Northern Spain.
“Each of my Northern Spain private tours is custom designed around my clients’ interests and preferences. No two tours are alike. I specialize in delivering unique, memorable and rewarding travel experiences in Northern Spain that you simply could not get on your own.”
Tour Area
My tour area covers traditional Northern Spain: bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Cantabrian Sea and anchored by the Cantabrian Mountain range, including the regions of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Euskadi (Basque Country), Navarra, La Rioja and northern Castilla & Leon (Leon, Palencia, Burgos, Zamora, Valladolid and Soria). Barcelona and Madrid make great additions to my tours but are not included in my tour area.
Options
Endless Possibilities
Options
Endless Possibilities
Explore the possibilities below.
No standard tours. Tell me what you love.
I´ll design your Northern Spain custom private tour guided by your interests.
Clients Say
Clients Say
Clients Say
Clients Say
“Joanie and I firmly believe that we would not have been able to plan such elaborate, beautiful, and significant trip on our own, no matter the amount of research.”
“I have traveled on six continents...Charles is one of the best guides I have had.”
“Excellent. Fabulous. Amazing. ...these words fail to even come close to how wonderful the experience was.”
“We recently finished our second tour with Charles/Northern Exposure Spain. Charles is a bargain. Don’t think twice about working with our friend and guide—you won’t regret it! ”
“Confined to a...wheelchair. The trip far exceeded our rosiest expectations.”
“The trip exceeded our expectations by far. Mollie said [it] was her favorite part of our vacation.”
“We can say without reservation that our 8 day tour with Northern Exposure Spain was the most satisfying experience/adventure that we have ever had. ”
“One of my top travel highlights ever.”
“WOW just WOW...Charles has ‘woven’ the perfect itinerary yet again accompanied by his endless knowledge!”
“I can’t overstate what a special experience this was... at this point, it’s hard to imagine traveling any other way.”
“Exceeded our expectations by a mile.”
“I REALLY want to return to Northern Spain to explore more nooks, crannies, and side roads in the area Charles loves. ”
“Our trip across Northern Spain with Charles was amazing; one of our best trips ever.”
“Our balanced itinerary held something for everyone and would have been impossible to compose without your expertise. ”
“We experienced places that we did not know existed, and that revealed the magnificent beauty of the region.”
“As outstanding as all the reviews indicate.”
Why Northern Spain
Endless Reasons
Why Northern Spain
Endless Reasons
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Northern Spain on the Net
Most people don't realize just how diverse the country is. Andalusia is the most stereotypical image of Spain, but there are so many more regions. Don't overlook the northern coast (Basque Country, the seaside towns on the Costa Brava, Galicia) which is completely different. The food there is totally different from the cuisine the in south, and it's fantastic
Just over a month ago, we finished our tasting of 1,500 Spanish wines, and from those we whittled our list down to the Top 100 for 2021. Above all, it shows that the country is currently at a crossroads of change, with innovative, young producers joining and sometimes surpassing their well-versed and traditional cohort in making superb wines in a mosaic of styles from revived vineyards, cooler terroirs and forgotten grapes.
Yes, the Basque Country has a reputation for culinary innovation and modern techniques, but its history and traditions go way back, and the celebration of these can be seen every day on the streets of San Sebastián and across the whole region. With the Cantabrian Sea on the doorstep, fishing has always been a big part of the Basque economy, with fishermen bringing in the catch and women selling it at the fish markets. Fishing was, and still is, at the heart of the lives of many families in the region. Some of my favourite Basque fish recipes have literally come off the boats; these are dishes the fishermen would cook for sustenance while out at sea, such as marmitako (a type of fish stew).
The natural paradise of Asturias is one of the biggest discoveries of the decade for UK visitors, and for hikers, the region offers miles of unspoilt, wild landscapes to explore - from its rugged coastline, to its mountains, gorges, forests, religious sites and medieval architecture.
Rural depopulation has become one of the most pressing social crises in Spain over the past decade. ...Today, Silio stands out as the very example of a Spain that is slowly fading away due to the rapidly aging population and the generational disconnection, with youths who grow more uprooted every year. However, in the wake of rural depopulation, how do those that remain survive, and how does life change and adapt? Silio seems to have found the key to fight against disappearance.
The recently opened FyA Winery-Hotel by Carlos Bujanda is a new model of winery and hotel that combines the production of high quality wines from the DOCa Rioja with wine tourism, sustainability and culture. The winery building has a unique, avant-garde aesthetic, which stands out for its modern architectural configuration. The chromatic range of its façade blends into the surroundings by using four easily-recognisable hues found in the surrounding landscape: the tile-brown of the clay-ferrous soils typical of Rioja Alta, the classic ochre of the clay-limestone soil of Rioja Alavesa and the more common dark brown of Rioja Oriental, together with the characteristic garnet-red of Rioja wines.
Best places in Galicia, the "must-see", the ones you need to visit to affirm that you've know Galicia, and not just been here. These are all great sites, but there are many more that are lesser known hidden gems and worth knowing.
Rias Baixas is one of many distinct wine regions of Northern Spain. Each has its own character and all are worth learning about as you drink your way through them
The Camino provides an excellent framework for a tour of Northern Spain. A rich cultural heritage, great food and wine, escellent art and architecture, beautiful natural spaces including mountains and coasts, endless possibilities.
Here are all our favorite hikes in Galicia to discover the region of Pontevedra and its green nature! Want to hike the best trails suited to your abilities in a huge variety of terrain across Northern Spain?
The intangible cultural heritage of the Camino Lebaniego region on film as part of the Atlantic CultureScape Project. The set of interviews that record Spanish living culture along the pilgrimage route have attracted great interest, inspiring further interviews entitled ‘Célebres del Camino’, to be launched by The Lebaniego Way Foundation.
Spain: One of the Best Countries in Europe for Wildlife Travel
From the wide range of interesting habitats to an equally fascinating array of species, learn why Spain is one of the best countries for wildlife holidays.
Rioja Alavesa is dotted with wineries that boast cutting-edge architecture and are a mix of tradition with modernity. They are owned by small family winemakers and also large producers. It is a unique combination of wine and architecture, in a region where the culture of wine permeates everything.
Asturias, a region in northwest Spain that’s separated from the Castilian Plateau by the Cantabrian Mountains, is a land of contrasts. Once an industrial and mining powerhouse, the area has earned its nickname, Natural Paradise; a third of its territory is now environmentally protected.
Situated along the coast in Cantabria, the Faro de Ajo has been transformed from a barren facade into a vivid display of more than 70 hues. The undertaking of artist Okuda San Miguel (previously), the 16-meter tower features a striped bird, wild animals rendered in bold blocks of color, and various dots and squiggles.
Shhh... Spain likes to keep some things to herself. For how else can you explain why Asturias is overlooked? Tread softly. Pour some cider. And let's talk about the highlights of Asturias...When thinking about Asturias highlights, I close my eyes and remember this quiet, contemplative part of northern Spain. There's so much more to this region than just a checklist of buildings and list things to see and do. Asturias oozes culture, tradition, cider and sound from every cobbled corner.
While northern Spain is home to some excellent cities, if you prefer spending time off the beaten path, these are the villages along Spain’s northern coastal regions that you have to visit! These are the 20 most beautiful villages to visit in Northern Spain. From cute fishing villages to little towns nestled in the mountains.
Cantabria is a region rich in history, reflected in the absorbing culture and heritage that it encompasses. Through this brief review we will make known the intangible heritage that the community boasts, from its most ancestral traditions declared of National and International Tourist Interest as well as its various festivals of pagan and religious origins, which are part of the folklore and seal the community identity.
An unusual set of cave engravings, corresponding to graphics typical of the Gravettian period of between 28,000 and 20,000 years ago, has been located in the Alkerdi 2 cave in the Navarrese municipality of Urdazubi/Urdax. As reported by the Government of Navarra, these findings consist of a dozen engraved figurative representations, among which are bison, aurochs, and horses, with at least five series of lines attached to them, double traced in red paint.
It is not often that you can see a deer hunt by a wolf deep in the forest. The FAPAS cameras have captured an exceptional document. It is one of the cameras to identify reproductive female bears in the interior of forest territories where sightings from a great distance are not possible. These cameras discover what is happening inside the forest and we can learn a lot from the images.
The food in Northern Spain is arguably some of the best in the world. The regional /local variety and nuances, both in the food and the food cultures, are an integral part of traveling to the area. If you want to understand these fully you need to A: move to the area or B: enlist the help of local that can get you there without picking up your life (for more than a week or so). For those of you for whom A is not an option, choose B
Northern Spain is home to a unique set of sites related to human evolution and our growing understating of it. Among these are quite a few UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Atapueraca and 18 Paleolithic era caves with ancient art dating back to over 40,000 years.
Great news for wildlife watchers in Northern Spain. Iberian Wolves are not easy to spot unless you know where to go. Chance sightings do happen but targeted viewing is a much better option with a much higher success rate. Interested in seeing Iberian Wolf in the wild?
The country’s larder is bursting with the finest produce, from fiery spices to preserved fish and vegetables – all perfected over centuries by generations of passionate artisans
Recently discovered rock art from caves in Northern Spain represents an artistic cultural style common across ancient Europe, but previously unknown from the Iberian Peninsula,
La Hoya is an archaeological site of the Bronze and Iron Ages of the Basque Country, which was destroyed between 350-200 BC during a violent attack on the inhabitants.
Where puffing steam engines and rattling trains once wound their way across wide plains and through mountains in Spain, today the Vías Verdes await you. Following former railway lines that are now cycle paths, you ride to remote places from valley to valley, passing over huge viaducts and through...
Castilla y León is one of Europe’s greatest cultural centres. The region, which covers a vast chunk of northwestern Spain – from just north of Madrid, in the centre of the country, to Galicia in the far northwest, and from Rioja in the east to Portugal in the west – is home to no less than nine UNESCO World Heritage sites. It’s a land of sometimes-breathtaking Roman, medieval and prehistoric sites.
Candás and Luarca are two towns on the Asturian coast, washed by the waters of the Cantabrian Sea. The first is a small fishing village, home of the now-defunct La Flor cannery, founded in 1889, the first of many canneries, all gone, and the other is a smaller fishing village with a similar...
Located in the Galicia region of northwest Spain, DO Rías Baixas is world-renowned as a producer of delicious Albariño white wines, produced in a range of styles from five sub-regions.
If you are looking for a top choice for hiking, you cannot find better than Spain. It provides the best hiking trails in the world. It is famous for diverse landscapes, mountainous chains, breathtaking views, and maintained trails. Whether you are a professional hiker or a beginner looking for a new experience. Spain is your best destination having something for everyone.
Why Northern Spain? And how...
Northern Spain.
A perfect destination? Possibly.
In the hands of a local expert? Surely.
Tour Northern Spain with a passionate and proud local who is also a native English speaker.
Your Chief Experience Officer, Charles, bridges cultural gaps for you like no one else can.
Escorted tour itineraries are custom crafted, guided by your interests and preferences. No one tour is like any other.
Your Northern Spain tour is developed around you, designed and delivered to be the perfect tour, ensuring your experience exceeds your expectations.
Quite possibly one of the world’s perfect travel destinations.
A place full of beauty and wonder.
The best way to discover Northern Spain's hidden treasures is on your custom private escorted Northern Spain tour with us.
Art & Architecture
Lines between art and architecture blur in Northern Spain. It’s hard to discern where one ends and the other begins. Iconic structures such as the Guggenheim Bilbao art museum are obvious examples, yet many hidden gems go unnoticed. A Northern Spain art tour or a Northern Spain architecture tour can be a focus for your custom tour.
Coast & Mountains
The ocean frames Northern Spain and a mountain chain creates its backbone. Rivers flow from our snow capped mountains, though dense forests and green hills, down to Spain´s three seas: the Cantabrian, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Your best option is to let us navigate our seemingly endless geography. A Northern Spain coastal tour or a Northern Spain mountain tour can be a focus for your custom tour.
Hiking, Active & Adventure
Enjoy your favorite active pursuits with confidence. The variety of landscapes and terrain in Northern Spain make it the perfect place to get outdoors with hiking to suit all abilities, from mountain, forest, river and coastal trails and more. Beyond hiking, active and adventure activities are available for you to experience as much thrill as you can take. A Northern Spain hiking tour, a Northern Spain active tour or a Northern Spain adventure tour can be a focus for your custom tour.
Local Culture & Traditions
The best way to get closer to traditional life here. Local cultures and traditions run deep. Cultural nuances vary from one region of the area to the next, if the mountains and sea tend to form a central axis around which much of traditional life revolves. Many local customs come as a surprise and can transport you back in time to bygone eras. A Northern Spain local culture tour or a Northern Spain traditions tour can be a focus for your custom tour.
Rural & City
Your best option for going from urban to bucolic in no time. Northern Spain offers stark contrasts between its vibrant historic cities and the bucolic rural areas. The cities here are generally easy to walk and offer the services you would expect from any modern city. The rural areas get you away from the hubbub and closer to the tranquility many seek. A Northern Spain rural tour or a Northern Spain city tour can be a focus for your custom tour.
First World Peace of Mind
Very low crime
Safe and reliable transportation
Trustworthy and accesible banking services
Modern and accessible emergency healthcare
Cave Art & Human Evolution
Northern Spain is home to many of the finest expressions of prehistoric Paleolithic cave art in the world. Our archaeological sites related to human evolution have yielded over 80% of the world's pre-human hominid bones. A Northern Spain Paleolithic cave art tour or a Northern Spain human evolution tour can be a focus for your custom tour.
Food & Wine
Get a deeper understanding of our culinary and wine making traditions as you indulge in two of life's pleasures. World renowned chefs shine with their Michelin stars, yet deep rooted traditional foods are the real heroes of Northern Spain's gastronomy. Rioja leads the charge for Spain, but there are more wine areas with outstanding variety, many of the best unknown to most outside Spain. A Northern Spain food tour or a Northern Spain wine tour can be a focus for your custom tour.
History & Archaeology
Northern Spain has a storied past. The historical period here begins with the arrival of the Roman empire over 2,000 years ago. Even beyond, information gleaned from the rich archaeological sites of the area reconstructs what happened going back over a million years or more of prehistory. Get the best and most from our past. A Northern Spain history tour or a Northern Spain archaeology tour can be a focus for your custom tour.
Nature, Wildlife & Birds
Northern Spain has a wealth of natural environments for your to get out into, ranging from coast, wetlands, rivers, forests and mountains. Wildlife is flourishing aided by proper protection and environmental education. Birding enthusiasts will find opportunities to spot some harder to find species. Get closer to our open spaces and their residents. A Northern Spain nature tour, a Northern Spain wildlife tour or a Northern Spain birding tour can be a focus for your custom tour.
Unique Hotels
Whether you simply enjoy a comfortable home away from home while traveling, or prefer boutique hotels, Northern Spain offers everything you can think of in accommodations. Many properties are one of a kind with defining characteristics that simply can´t be recreated elsewhere. We take into account your individual preferences and provide your best accommodations options. The unique hotels of Northern Spain await you.
What more can you ask for in one destination?
Get everything you should out of your precious time here with the best Northern Spain tour experience available.
The best tour experience available in Northern Spain? Possibly.
Unique, private, small group tours.
Impossible to reproduce on your own.
Rewarding. Memorable. Reasonable.
After all, isn't that why you travel?
Book your custom private escorted Northern Spain Tour with Northern Exposure Spain.