9 days - Madrid and the north of Spain by car

Arrival at Madrid Barajas airport. Enjoy the top attractions of Madrid, the capital of Spain: the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum, the Gran Vía, the Temple of Debod, the Puerta del Sol, the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and shopping on the “Golden Mile” (Milla de Oro). You can’t miss the beautiful Retiro Park which, together with the Paseo del Prado, form the so-called "Landscape of Light", which was declared a World Heritage Site in 2021. You'll love Madrid's style. Packed with people, monuments and history, restaurants, bars and shopping, it will leave you speechless. Spend the night in Madrid.

Leave the lights of Madrid and drive to the enlightened city of Burgos (2 hours and 40 minutes away). You can enjoy lunch here and admire the beautiful limestone buildings that give it its unique character. Examples include the Burgos Cathedral (declared a World Heritage Site), the Monastery of Las Huelgas, the Paseo del Espolón, the Museum of Human Evolution and the Plaza Mayor. Then, continue your journey towards the Basque Country to the city of San Sebastian (2 hours and 15 minutes away). Night in San Sebastian.

Also known as Donostia, this city is a prestigious destination for high-end cuisine, with a large number of Michelin stars. Eating in one of the city’s premium restaurants is a unique experience. Apart from the food, visit the old town, enjoy La Concha beach, climb Mount Urgull for panoramic views and discover the Miramar Palace. If you have the time, drive 23 kilometres (30 minutes) to the French border and visit the charming town of Hondarribia, which is known for its seafaring tradition. Get lost in its streets and don't forget to visit the Plaza de Armas, the Puerta de Santa María and the Plaza del Obispo.

Drive along the spectacular coastline of the Basque Country to Bilbao (just over an hour away). The city is also famous for its many Michelin-starred restaurants. Take a cultural tour of the old town and visit the famous Guggenheim Museum. On the way to Bilbao, you can also choose to stop in the colourful coastal town of Bermeo, the surfer's paradise of Mundaka, the islet of San Juan de Gaztelugaxte or the lovely village of Lekeitio. Drive to the capital of Cantabria, Santander, known for its amazing beaches, incredible food and surrounding mountains (just over an hour's drive). Night in Santander.

Spend the morning relaxing on the beaches of Mataleñas, Los Molinucos and El Sardinero. You can't leave without visiting the Magdalena peninsula and the seafront promenade, as well as the historic city centre. After lunch, head to the medieval town of Santillana del Mar (30 minutes away), where you will find the grand Palacio de los Velarde palace and the Colegiata. Visit the old town and discover the secrets of the city. Don't miss the Cave of Altamira. It is two kilometres away, and you can visit the Neocueva, a replica of the cave. It is located in the grounds of the Altamira Museum and its discovery caused much controversy among archaeologists, as they did not believe that prehistoric men were capable of making paintings of such mastery. The paintings were made some 14,000 years ago. You can also visit Comillas, a town well known for housing one of the few works that Gaudí designed outside Catalonia: El Capricho. If you go there, you will see that it looks like a building out of a fairy tale. Also visit the Sobrellano Palace. Night in Santander.

Continue driving along the Cantabrian coast to the Asturian town of Llanes (an hour's drive away). Walk along the San Pedro promenade, which starts at Sablón beach, to enjoy beautiful views. Visit the sculpted rocky cliffs and the “Bufones”, which are unique geological formations on the beach of Cuevas del Mar. In addition, you can photograph the fascinating “Memory Cubes” on the breakwater along the harbour. Before leaving, take a stroll through the old town. Drive to the mountain village of Potes or visit Cangas de Onís. Potes: To get here, traverse the impressive Hermidia gorge, which is 21 kilometres long, with rock walls that are as much as 600 metres high. In the background, you can see the Picos de Europa mountains. Once in Potes, visit the Infantado Tower and the Church of San Vicente. Don't leave without strolling along the bridges that cross the Quiviesa River and the Plaza del Capitán Palacios. Cangas de Onís: Nestled at the foot of the Picos de Europa, it is an open door to nature and history. Visit the Roman Bridge and the Chapel of Santa Cruz. Come and see the Pintu Palace, also known as the Captain's House, to admire the colours of its façade. Night in Potes or Cangas de Onís.

The Picos de Europa National Park is a protected natural area covering more than 67,000 hectares, located in the Cantabrian mountain range, spaning the provinces of Asturias, León and Cantabria. Visit the crystal clear Covadonga Lakes, surrounded by green pastures and mountains. You can go hiking or trekking. You can also go to Fuente Dé, from where you can take a lift to the heart of the Picos de Europa mountains. Night in Potes or Cangas de Onís.

On day eight, it's time to set course for the historic city of Leon. It is two and a half hours from Potes, or three hours from Cangas de Onís. Walk around León to find its Cathedral, the Basilica of San Isidoro, the Casa Botines (designed by Gaudí) and the Palacio de los Guzmanes. You will also come across the Plaza Mayor and the Plaza del Grano, and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Castilla y León (MUSAC). Night in the city.

Return trip to Madrid to catch the plane home. On the way to the capital, you can stop off in the city of Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore this medieval city, its Roman Aqueduct and the Alcazar. Stroll through its medieval streets and buy local souvenirs.