Human History: Northern Spain and Southwest France

TRAVELER FAVORITE

10 DAYS FROM $7,450

• Explore Atapuerca, where Europe’s oldest known hominin fossils were unearthed. • Enjoy a specially arranged visit to the International Centre for Cave Art. • Discover Castel-Merle's prehistoric stone shelters with an archaeologist.

Signature Land Light/Moderate

DAY 1 I MADRID, SPAIN Arrive in Madrid, then visit the National Archaeological Museum and Retiro Park on a walking tour. Hotel Wellington | Meals: 1D

DAYS 2–4 I CANTABRIA CAVES/ SAN SEBASTIÁN In Cantabria, visit the Atapuerca archaeological site. Then encounter some of the oldest artistic representations in human history at Puente Viesgo. Explore Las Monedas Cave, the Altamira Museum, and El Pendo Cave. Spend a night in beautiful San Sebastián. Parador de Santillana Gil Blas; Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra | Meals: 3B, 2L, 2D

DAYS 5–6 I SAINT ÉMILION, FRANCE/ VÉZÈRE VALLEY Tour Saint-Émilion, then continue to the Dordogne region and enjoy a lecture from Christine Desdemaines-Hugon—an expert on Paleolithic art—before a tour of the National Museum of Prehistory. Later, see the polychrome paintings of Font-de-Gaume. Hostellerie La Roseraie Meals: 2B, 2D

DAYS 7–8 I PECH MERLE/LASCAUX IV/ CASTEL-MERLE Examine the sculpted frieze at Cap Blanc; then venture into Pech Merle, a cave system filled with prehistoric art and artifacts. Enjoy a specially arranged tour of Lascaux IV—the most complete recreation of the original Lascaux Caves. Join archaeologist Isabelle Castanet at Castel-Merle, a complex of prehistoric stone shelters, then gather for a “prehistoric” meal. Hostellerie La Roseraie | Meals: 2B, 1L, 2D

DAYS 9–10 I VÉZÈRE VALLEY/BORDEAUX Explore Rouffignac Cave, known as the “cave of a hundred mammoths,” then continue to Bordeaux. Hotel de Normandie | Meals: 2B, 1L, 1D

A National Geographic Expert and Expedition Leader will accompany this trip, and local guides will join us along the way.

Ana Pinto Archaeologist National Geographic Explorer Ana Pinto is a Spanish archaeologist and human evolution expert who has conducted much of her research in caves and rock shelters in Spain, Tanzania, and Kenya. She has worked on archaeological sites in England, South Africa, and Armenia, and received the prestigious Prince of Asturias Prize for her team’s discoveries at World Heritage–listed Atapuerca in Spain.

INFORMATION

Dates: This expedition is offered from April through October, except in July and August. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies; please see our website. Airfare is not included in the price. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. This itinerary is for informational purposes only and is subject to change at any time without notice.