International
2023 Spain - Tour is Full
Sep 15, 2023 to Sep 27, 2023
Lighthouse Tour of Northern Spain - Sep 2023
Join us for a lighthouse, cultural and historical tour of northern Spain. We will start in the northeast, in San Sebastian, near the border with France, in the heart of the Basque region and head west along the
shores of the Cantabrian Sea through Vizcaya, Cantabria, Asturias and into Galicia and see roughly 35 lighthouses. We’ll spend nights in cities such as San Sebastian – enjoying “pintxos”, the local version of
tapas -, Bilbao – where we will visit the Guggenheim Museum, Santander, Oviedo and La Coruña, home to the Tower of Hercules, the oldest light station in continuous use in the world. We will also have a few
“detours” through some of the interior to visit historic sites such as Covadonga – birthplace of the Reconquista in the mountains of Asturias, Guernica – site of German aerial bombings during the Spanish
Civil War, and Santiago de Compostela – the end point of the Camino de Santiago. We will also enjoy culinary delights for lunch, savoring the variety of local flavors along the way, matched with great wines
everywhere and “cidra” (alcoholic apple cider) in Asturias. This will be roughly a 12-day tour using a minibus, so it will be limited to probably 16 members. The tour guides will be Henry Gonzalez, our
Society Vice President, and his wife Chris. They have traveled extensively throughout Spain and knows these lighthouses well as his great-great grandfather was a lighthouse keeper at nine lighthouses along
the coast.
Tour Leaders: Henry and Chris Gonzales
TOUR IS FULL, WAITING LIST ONLY
NOTE: Due to the dynamic and fluctuating world financial markets the price per person quoted on this tour is an approximation. The actual cost may change after all of the tour elements have been negotiated and finalized.
Tour Cancellation / Refund Policy / Trip Insurance
Up to 180 days prior to departure $150.00 processing fee will be charged
179 – 90 days prior to departure Deposits become non-refundable
89 – 60 days prior to departure 25% of tour price becomes non-refundable
59 – 30 days prior to departure 50% of tour price becomes non-refundable
1 - 29 days prior to departure 100% of tour price becomes non-refundable Exceptions will be addressed on a case by case basis.
Day 1 - Arrive in San Sebastian and relax until the Welcome dinner.
Day 2 - This day we will visit Cabo Higuer Lighthouse, Faro de la Plata Lighthouse and Faro Monte Igueldo Lighthouse. We return for leisure time in the afternoon and pintxos at dinner with wine or beer.
Day 3 - Today we leave San Sebastian and head for Bilbao. On the way we will visit Faro de Zumaia Lighthouse, Loyola Sanctuary, Faro de Lekeitio Lighthouse and a stop at Guggenheim Bilboa Art Museum. Night one in Bilbao.
Day 4 - We will tour to see Arriluze Lighthouse and Algortu Breakwater Light, and Punta Galea Lighthouse. Then we will tour Guernica with a guide. We will have lunch in Bermeo. After lunch we will see Machichaco Lighthouse and then back to the hotel in Bilbao for night 2. Dinner is on your own so you can explore the area.
Day 5 - We start this day with a visit to Faro de Castro-Urdiales Lighthouse and castle. Then we have a boat ride to see Caballo and Pescador Lighthouses. Before lunch we visit Cabo de Ajo Lighthouse. After lunch we go to Cabo Mayor Lighthouse then on to see Magdalena Palace and Faro de la Isla Mouro Lighthouse. Then a visit to Cabo Mayor Lighthouse. From there we go to our hotel in Santander with dinner at the hotel.
Day 6 - Today we visit 3 lighthouses before lunch - Faro de Suances, San Vicente de la Barquera and Llanes. We have lunch in Llanes. We then go to Covadonga Sanctuary historic site before going to our hotel in Cangas de Onis Parador. We will have dinner in Parador.
Day 7 - We will tour to see Faro Cabot Lastres Lighthouse and then move on to Faro de Tazones Lighthouse. Before lunch we visit Cabo Torres Lighthouse then head for lunch in Gijon. After that we visit Candas Lighthouse and Cabo Penas Lighthouse. Then on to our hotel in Oveida - night one of two. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8 - Day of rest with optional non-lighthouse tours. Second night in Oveida with lunch and dinner on your own. Second night at hotel.
Day 9 - Our first stop today is Faro de Aviles, then we visit Cudillero Lighthouse. We will then view Cabo Vidio Lighthouse and have lunch in Luarca. After lunch we see Luarca Lighthouse and one more Cabo Busto Lighthouse. Then on to our hotel in Navia where we will have dinner.
Day 10 - Today is filled with lighthouses. First is Faro de San Agustin Lighthouse, then Tapia de Casariego Lighthouse and then Illa Pancho-Galacia Lighthouse. We will have lunch in San Ciprian. After lunch we visit San Ciprian Lighthouse, and Roncadoira Lighthouse. We then head to Viveiro and our hotel.
Day 11 - Another day of lots of lighthouses. In the morning we see Faro de Estaca de Bares and Cabo Ortegal Lighthouse. We have lunch in Frousxeria and then visit Punta Frouxeria Lighthouse. Next is a visit to Cabo Prio Lighthouse and we end the day with a visit to the Tower of Hercules Lighthouse, one of the most historic and ancient lighthouses in the world. We end up at our hotel in Coruna which is only .6 miles from the Tower of Hercules.
Day 12 - In the morning we have a late departure which will offer you one more chance to see the Tower of Hercules. Then on to visit Cabo Vilan Lighthouse. We will have lunch in Fisterra. We will then visit Faro de Finisterre Lighthouse, ou rlast lighthouse of the tour. We move on to Santiago de Compostela for visit to the cathedral and museum. We stay at a hotel here and have our farewell dinner this evening.
Day 13 - Breakfast and flights home.

Lighthouses
- Faro de Cabo Higuer Lighthouse
- Faro de la Plata Lighthouse
- Faro Monte Igueldo Lighthouse
- Faro de Zumaia Lighthouse
- Faro de Lekeitio Lighthouse
- Arriluze Lighthouse
- Punta Galea Lighthouse
- Caballo Lighthouse
- Pescador Lighthouse
- Cabo de Ajo Lighthouse
- Cabo Mayor Lighthouse
- Faro de la Suances Lighthouse
- Llanes Lighthouse
- San Vicente de la Barquera Lighthouse
- Cabo Lastres Lighthouse
- Faro deTazones Lighthouse
- Cabo Torres Lighthouse
- Candas Lighthouse
- Faro de Aviles Lighthouse
- Cudillero Lighthouse
- Cabo Vidio Lighthouse
- Cabo de Busto Lighthouse
- Luarca Lighthouse
- Faro de San Agustin Lighthouse
- Tapia de Casariego Lighthouse
- Illa Pancho-Galicia Lighthouse
- San Ciprian Lighthouse
- Roncadoira Lighthouse
- Estaca de Bares Lighthouse
- Cabo Ortegal Lighthouse
- Frouxeria Lighthouse
- Cabo Prior Lighthouse
- Algorta Breakwater Light
- Tower of Hercules Lighthouse
- Cabo Vilan Lighthouse
- Cabo Machichaco Lighthouse
- Faro de Castro-Urdiales Lighthouse
- Faro de la Isla Mouro Lighthouse
- Faro de Cabo Penas Lighthouse
Costs:
Want more Details?
Contact Headquarters: (415)362-7255 or jeff@uslhs.org
Email this tour to your friend, and add your "Let's Go" message!
Download a Tour Registration form (PDF) Complete and mail your check to USLHS, 9005 Point No Point Rd NE, Hansville, WA 98340.