Journey from Madrid through the Rioja wine region to Pamplona’s Fiesta de San Fermin and the “Running of the Bulls,” made famous in the Ernest Hemingway novel, The Sun Also Rises. The trip (SEE ITINERARY BELOW) starts in Madrid for a tour and welcome dinner before heading north with overnights at beautiful historical Paradors and a winery visit in the Rioja wine country. Participants will arrive in Pamplona in time to explore the city and be ready for the jubilant and wild Fiesta de San Fermin opening celebration, the running of the bulls, medieval parades, bullfights and to join the Basque people in the world’s liveliest street party. The tour overnights in a rustic mountain village inn at Burguete (or we can arrange for optional Fiesta night accommodations in Pamplona). From there, travelers may choose to go back and forth to Pamplona daily by our chartered bus, hike a spectacular stretch of the centuries old Way of St. James pilgrimage Route over a Pyrenees Mountain pass, attend a pilgrims’ service at the famous Monastery of Roncesvalles, or visit the picturesque Irati River countryside. The last visit on the 9-Day tour will be to the famous Guggenheim Museum (modern art) in the seaport city of Bilbao before participants return to Madrid by train.

Optional 4 Day Tour Extension – 10-13 JULY - for a 13 day tour:
The optional four day tour extension continues on from Bilbao to rejoin the Way of St. James with overnights at spectacular Paradors in the beautifully preserved medieval town of Santillana del Mar, the historic city of Leon and into Galicia and Santiago de Compostela, the magnificent destination city of the ancient and modern day pilgrim’s route.

NOTE:
Travelers can also choose convenient travel segments: 04-09 July 2007 (6 Days), 09-13 July 2007 (5 days) and 04 -13 July 2007 (10 days)

NORTHERN SPAIN FIESTA
TRAVEL ITINERARY & PRICING

ITINERARY

Sunday, July 1
Tour officially starts at 4:00 PM in the lobby of the hotel.
Special Walking Tour in Old Madrid. Welcome Dinner with the tour leader at Antigua Casa Sobrino de BOTIN, Europe’s oldest restaurant (1725).
Overnight in Madrid at the ideally located Regina Hotel. (D)

Monday, July 2 – La Rioja
Travel by bus (less than 5 hours with stops) to the Rioja Alta wine region, where we’ll stop for a brief visit of the spectacular gothic cathedral in Burgos (founded 884). This former capital of Castile and Leon was also home to the romantic hero El Cid. Lunch and overnight at Parador de Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a former 12th century pilgrims’ hospital, next to the cathedral, built by Saint Dominic to give shelter to pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela, and famous for their regional cuisine. (B, L)

Tuesday, July 3 - La Rioja
Rioja area wine bodega tour and special lunch in Haro, a lively town that is the center of the Rioja Alta wine region.
Overnight in the Gothic town of Olite to stay at the Parador de Olite, housed in a section of the restored royal palace of the kings of Navarra. (B, L, D)

Wednesday, July 4 – Pamplona
Transfer to Pamplona. A City Tour of Pamplona is followed by a special
4th of July Celebration Dinner
Overnight at the Yoldi or Maisonnave Hotel (or similar) in the center of the Pamplona. (B, D)

Thursday, July 5 - Pamplona
Day in Pamplona to explore the city and the sites associated with the Fiesta de San Fermin and the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route into the city and the route the bulls and runners will follow in the Encierros (Running of the Bulls) during the Fiesta.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in the center of the Pamplona. (B, D)

Friday, July 6 – Pamplona – Burguete
12:00 Noon - Fiesta de San Fermin Chupinazo or Opening Celebration
Join the crowd in front of the City Hall or view the ceremony from (balcony seats opposite City Hall available for additional fee).
Group Lunch
Afternoon attendance at the fiesta’s only Bullfight on Horseback (ticket included in price).
Transfer to the town of Burguete, check into the small, rustic inn known for its excellent food and offers a respite from the noise and non-stop activity of Pamplona.
Dinner and Overnight at Hostal Burguete. (B, L, D)

TRAVEL NOTE: For those wishing to overnight in Pamplona for the Fiesta days of 6, 7 and 8 JULY, we can make your in-town arrangements at additional cost.

Saturday, July 7 – Burguete - Pamplona
6:00 AM - Our chartered bus will take participants to the Plaza del Castillo, main square of Pamplona, arriving by 7:00 AM.
8:00 AM - First Encierro or Running of the Bulls (Balcony Seats are available as an extra cost option).
12:00 Noon – View the Apartado, the daily sorting of the bulls into pens at the bullring for the afternoon bullfight (ticket included in price)
Group Lunch
Daily Parades and special events including the formal medieval Procession of San Fermin, where the effigy of San Fermin is carried from the Church of San Lorenzo through the streets of Pamplona accompanied by the famous Gigante figures and Cabezudos. Tickets to the afternoon Bullfight are available as an extra cost option.
9:00 PM Transfer, (Late) Dinner, and Overnight in Burguete (B, L, D)

TRAVEL NOTE: Travelers planning to hike the Pilgrim’s Way on 08 JULY will return early to Burguete.

Sunday, July 8 – Burguete - Pamplona – Roncesvalles
Day in Pamplona
Early morning transfer to Pamplona for those going to 2nd encierro - Running of the Bulls (Balcony seats available as an extra cost option). Opportunity to attend 2nd Apartado and bullfight as an extra cost option. Return to Burguete for late dinner and overnight.

Hiking the Pyrenees Mountains
Those who choose to hike on this day from St. Jean Pied de Port in France to Roncesvalles (Burguete) in Spain (approx. 27 kilometers over a Pyrenees Mountain pass) will complete the first and most spectacular leg of the ancient and still popular El Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James Pilgrimage), and can acquire official documentation (pilgrim’s carnet), and attend the pilgrim’s service at the Monastery of Roncesvalles.

Visiting the Irate River and Roncesvalles
Non-hikers not going into Pamplona can enjoy a visit to the Irati River, where Ernest Hemingway fished, and visit the Monastery of Roncesvalles, a key site on the Camino de Santiago and the site of the battle between Charlemagne’s rear guard and the Basques, that inspired the most important epic poem in French literature, “The Song of Roland.”
Dinner and overnight for all in Burguete. (B, D)

Monday, July 9 – Burguete - Bilbao – Santillana del Mar
Transfer to the Basque city of Bilbao on the Rió Nervión to visit the famous Guggenheim Museum (modern art) designed by architect Frank Gehry. (B)

Participants on full 13-Day Tour Program will travel from Bilbao to Santillana del Mar to spend the night in the beautifully preserved medieval village with an overnight at the Parador Gil Blas in Santillana, housed in a 15th century stone mansion on the Plaza Mayor.

Those on the 9-Day Tour will return to Madrid by train from Torrelavega (near Santillana del Mar) on July 10 or from Bilbao or Pamplona on July 09, depending on preference. Train tickets and overnight in Santillana del Mar July 09 or Madrid July 09 are included.

OPTIONAL 4 DAY TOUR EXTENSION – 10 – 13 JULY
Participants choosing the four day tour extension will travel from Bilbao to Santillana del Mar to spend the night in the beautifully preserved medieval village with an overnight at the Parador Gil Blas in Santillana, housed in a 15th century stone mansion on the Plaza Mayor.

Tuesday, July 10 – Santillana del Mar – Leon
Enjoy Santillana del Mar in the morning. Afternoon travel to Leon, a former Roman camp turned medieval capital with time to enjoy the sites of this historical and picturesque city. Overnight at the spectacular Hostal (Parador) de San Marcos, a historic landmark along the “Way of St. James.” The cathedral is especially renowned for its stained glass. (B, D)

Wednesday, July 11 – Leon – Santiago de Compostela
Transfer into Galicia and the final destination of the famous pilgrimage route, Santiago de Compostela, the third most important place of Christian pilgrimage in the middle-ages after Jerusalem and Rome. Those who wish to hike the final stretch into Santiago may do so, and present their documentation at the majestic and towering Cathedral of Santiago (11th century) directly across the plaza from where the group will be staying at the incomparable Hostal (Parador) de Los Reyes Catolicos, inaugurated to house pilgrims in 1499, and considered to be one of the oldest operating hotels in Europe. According to legend, the remains of Saint James are buried in the cathedral. (B, D)

Thursday, July 12 – Santiago de Compostela
Free day to explore the narrow streets and old squares of Santiago.
Overnight at the Hostal (Parador) de los Reyes Catolicos. (B, D)

Friday, July 13 – Santiago de Compostela – Madrid
Transfer to Madrid.
Farewell Dinner and Overnight in Madrid. (B, D)

Northern Spain Fiesta LAND Program Pricing – 2007:
9 Day Tour: July 1-9 $2,265 per person based on double occupancy
13 Day Tour: July 1 - 13 $3,045 per person based on double occupancy

Also Available in other convenient Travel Segments:
6 day - 04- 09 JULY: $1,595 per person based on double occupancy
10 day - 04- 13 JULY: $2,395 per person based on double occupancy
5 day - 09 -13 JULY: $1,265 per person based on double occupancy

Single supplement prices on request.

TOUR INCLUDES:
Hotel Accommodations as indicated
Ground Transportation from Madrid and back to Madrid
Transfers as indicated
Meals as indicated
Tours and Museum Entrance Fee as indicated
Other Tickets as Indicated
Accompanying English Speaking Guide

Not Included:
International Airfare and airport departure taxes

Call MILA TOURS for more info: (800) 367 – 7378 or (847) 625 - 3529