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The Kingdom of the Reconquest
Itinerary: León | Oviedo | Cangas de Onís | Covadonga | San Vicente de La Barquera | Comillas | Santillana del Mar | Santander | Burgos | Valladolid | Salamanca
The Kingdom of the Reconquest tour invites you to explore the fascinating historical period known as the Christian Reconquista, visiting the very locations where it unfolded. For centuries, the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula fought to reclaim territory under Muslim rule, known as Al-Andalus, which began in the early 8th century during the Umayyad Caliphate. This recovery movement was sparked by the Battle of Covadonga, where Don Pelayo seized a small territory from the Moors, founding the Kingdom of Asturias. Over time, this Christian resistance expanded, giving rise to other kingdoms. The idea of reclaiming the Iberian Peninsula under the banner of Christianity, in contrast to Islam, gained momentum during the Crusades, after nearly half of the Iberian territory had been reconquered by Christian kingdoms. This conflict lasted for about eight centuries, culminating in 1492 with the capture of the Kingdom of Granada by the Catholic Monarchs. In Portugal, the Reconquista was completed earlier, in 1249, with the conquest of Faro by the forces of King Afonso III.
On this journey, you will have the chance to explore the historic sites that witnessed this epic transformation of the Iberian Peninsula. Join us and immerse yourself in the rich history and intertwined cultures of this thrilling chapter in European history.
PROGRAM:
Day 1: León
Morning: Departure from the points of origin to León. Lunch en route.
Afternoon: Arrival in León. Exploration of the historic area, including Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, and the Basilica of San Isidoro, known as the “Pantheon of the Kings of León.”
Evening: Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Silken Luis de León 4* or similar.
Day 2: Oviedo | Covadonga | Cangas de Onís
Morning: Visit Oviedo, with a walk from the University to the Cathedral and visits to Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo.
Afternoon: In Covadonga, visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Covadonga and the lakes. Stroll through Cangas de Onís, with visits to the Roman Bridge and the Hermitage of Santa Cruz.
Evening: Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Los Lagos Nature 3* or similar.
Day 3: San Vicente de La Barquera | Comillas | Santillana del Mar | Santander
Morning: Departure to Cantabria, stopping at San Vicente de La Barquera, a charming fishing village. In Comillas, admire the modernist architectural buildings.
Afternoon: Continue to Santillana del Mar, with a visit to the Altamira Museum, a significant prehistoric site featuring cave paintings that reveal the Iberian Peninsula’s distant past. In Santander, enjoy a panoramic tour of the “El Sardinero” beaches.
Evening: Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Santemar 4* or similar.
Day 4: Burgos | Valladolid
Morning: Departure to Burgos, where you’ll visit the Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Spanish Gothic architecture. Stroll through the historic center. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue to Valladolid for a discovery tour of the Cathedral and Plaza Mayor, surrounded by historic buildings from the period when Valladolid was one of the kingdom’s capitals.
Evening: Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Eurostars Las Claras 4* or similar.
Day 5: Salamanca
Morning: Walking tour of the medieval center of Salamanca, including the iconic Plaza Mayor, Casa de las Conchas, and the façade of the University of Salamanca, founded in 1218. Visit the Old Cathedral (12th-13th centuries) and the New Cathedral (16th century), representing the continuity of Christian faith and Salamanca’s architectural richness. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Return to the points of origin.
PRICE PER PERSON:
In a double room (2 people, double bed) | 875 € |
In a twin room (2 people, separate beds) | 875 € |
In a single room (1 person) | 995 € |
Deposit: 250 €
Bookings up to 30 days before departure
The prices quoted include:
Tour by coach.
7 meals with a full menu (starters or soup, main course, dessert, coffee, wine and water at mealtimes. Some restaurants offer juices and soft drinks on the menu.
Accompanying guide representing the company.
Local guides for visits and activities.
All entrances and visits mentioned in the programme.
Accommodation in a 4* or 3* hotel with breakfast.
Civil liability and personal accident insurance.
SEATS ON THE BUS:
Seats on the bus are pre-allocated in order of where you get on the bus and date of deposit payment.
RYTHM: Medium
To take part in this route, you should:
Feel comfortable with several days of visits and an itinerary that alternates bus journeys and short walks in the places visited.
Be able to accompany a group at an average walking pace on sometimes uneven ground and with occasional stairs.
Being able to follow a medium-paced programme, which may involve getting up early on several days and only arriving at the hotel at the end of the day for dinner and a rest.
Feel comfortable accompanying a guide and respect all the instructions given.
Tolerate some temperature changes and unstable weather.
ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation is planned at Hotel Silken Luis De León 4*, Hotel Los Lagos Nature 3*, Hotel Santemar 4*, Eurostars Las Claras 4*, or similar.
If, for reasons beyond our control, it is not possible to stay at the indicated hotels, alternative accommodation will always be of a similar category, although the services offered by each hotel may vary.
NOT TO BE MISSED
Explore the historic Plaza Mayor and the majestic León Cathedral, bearing witness to the city's grand past.
Discover the "Pantheon of the Kings of León" at the Basilica of San Isidoro, where the monarchs of the ancient Kingdom of León rest.
Visit the Lakes of Covadonga and the iconic Sanctuary of Covadonga, one of the most sacred sites in Asturias.
Be captivated by the modernist buildings of Comillas, showcasing the unique aesthetics of 19th-century architecture.
Discover prehistory at the Altamira Museum, home to the famous cave paintings that date back millennia.
