Discover sustainable travel in Spain! Explore our unique & authentic tours blending cities, nature, food, & culture. Packages customizable upon request.

Sustainable Travel in Spain | Yugen Earthside

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Yugen Earthside connects mindful travelers to sustainable trips around the world. Carbon removals included with each booking!

Connecting mindful travelers to responsible experiences around the world.

Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.

Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.

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Discover self-guided, privately-guided, & small group tours around the world. Our sustainable adventures are customizable, and include carbon removals with each booking!

Trips | Yugen Earthside | Sustainable Adventures

Enjoy an unforgettable ride cycling the Camino de Santiago along the Portuguese Coastal Way from Porto to the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral!

[9 days] Camino: Cycling the Portuguese Coastal Way | Yugen Earthside

See the best of northern Portugal and Galicia as you cycle the Portuguese Coastal Way of St. James along the coast and through gloriously green countryside. Between the fascinating cities of Porto and Santiago de Compostela, you’ll discover authentic villages and hamlets, pretty towns, and loads of history.

The Camino de Santiago, or "the Way of Santiago", is an ancient and famous set of pilgrimage routes, all culminating at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in northern Spain. There are cycling and walking routes of varying lengths, many starting or passing through Portugal, Spain, and France. Contact us if you're interested in different Camino de Santiago routes!

Cycle this ancient pilgrimage route along a scenic coastal trail

Pass by gorgeous and iconic beaches, rivers, bridges, and valleys

See beautiful churches, chapels, and roadside shrines

Head inland and cycle through forests, farmland, and historical cities

Enjoy regional dishes, including amazing seafood, Padrón peppers, and great local wines

Find comfort in boutique accommodations and a spa town with thermal baths

You’ll begin in Porto, and pedal by a series of sandy beaches, villages, and market gardens en route up the coast to the low-key resort town of Esposende via Vila do Conde. Then you'll head inland and follow quiet country lanes to Caminha, passing through the small, attractive city of Viana do Castelo along the way.

A short but scenic ferry ride takes you across the River Minho to the fishing town of A Guarda in Spain. A glorious stretch of rugged coastline and a small mountain connect you to Baiona, a charming seaside town with lots of history and tapas bars. Then it’s on to the city of Vigo through the typical rural countryside. Ride on to Redondela, where the coastal and central Caminos become one, accompanied by views of the Ria do Vigo.

Stop for oysters in Arcade before using ancient stone paths to cycle through the forests and villages to the city of Pontevedra, a city full of intriguing squares and buildings. The next town of note is Caldas de Reis, where you can test the temperature of the thermal waters. Pretty Padrón is where St. James is said to have been buried. Try the famous peppers here then pedal on to your ultimate destination of Santiago de Compostela.

Like what you see but it is not a perfect fit?
Simply tell us what you’re looking for. We’ll happily adapt this itinerary to suit your personal interests, needs, and schedule to create your ideal trip.

You can book this itinerary from March 1st through October 31st each year.

The low season is in March, April, May, and October.

April, May, June, September, and October are ideal for a cycling holiday to northern Portugal. Days are generally warm and sunny but can be chilly and possibly windy, especially on the coast. There is always a chance of experiencing some rain, so please come prepared for changeable conditions. May, June, and September tend to be warmer with less chance of rain.

July and August are usually the hottest months, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

Traveling during the low or mid-seasons is generally considered a sustainable tourism practice as it helps with tourism dispersal – spreading out where tourists go and how their money supports locals throughout the year.

Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above

Roadbook with tips, maps, and detailed information about your route

8 Nights of accommodation with breakfast included

Luggage transfer between accommodations (1 bag per person – maximum 15 kg/bag)

7 days bike rental (MTB TREK Marlin 6 with 29” wheels + panniers + helmet)

Pilgrim Kit: Credencial (passport) and Vieira (shell)

More than 30 days before the expected arrival date: no costs

From 29 to 15 days before the expected arrival date: we retain 50% of the total cost

Less than 14 days before the expected arrival date: we retain 100% of the total cost

You may request an accommodation upgrade for paradores (a type of inn) as well as 4 and 5-star hotels.

Extra night at Porto Hotel (3-star hotel): 65 € pp in a shared double room, 95 € pp in a private single room

Extra night at Santiago de Compostela Hotel (3-star hotel): 70 € pp in a shared double room, 110 € pp in a private single room

6 Dinners during the Cycling Trip (drinks included): 175 € pp

Private transfer between Porto city and Porto airport: 40 € for up to 3 people, 65 € for 4-7 people

Private transfer from Santigao de Compostela to Porto: 320 € for up to 3 people, 360 € for 4-7 people

Upgrade to E-bike TREK Powerfly 4 625 (or similar): 200 € per E-bike

Price varies between high, mid, and low seasons.

Low Season: March, April, May, and October

This cycling tour was crafted using extensive local knowledge and designed to respect both the way of life of local populations as well as the natural environment. We firmly believe that travel should be a safe and rewarding experience for all concerned, including the destinations that you visit and the people you meet.

Environmental initiatives
We take into consideration environmental issues when planning new programs within Northern Portugal and design them to have a negligible harmful impact. To achieve this, we follow the guidelines laid out by the Portuguese Nature Conservation and Forestry Institute (ICNF), which protect and preserve the areas of natural beauty and environmental significance in which we operate. As biking is a low-carbon impact activity your trip will not seriously damage the environment.

Sociocultural Initiatives
The nature of our self-guided programs enables us to work in very quiet villages with small locally-owned, family-run hotels, cottages, guesthouses, and restaurants. We ensure our staff and those who work for us are treated with respect and have fair working conditions.. Throughout the different days, travelers will enjoy authentic experiences that enable a deep connection with local communities. 

Camino: Cycling the Portuguese Coastal Way

Visit all the vibrant highlights of Spain on this 11-day sustainable tour, including Madrid and Barcelona, experiencing the culture, gastronomy, and history along the way!

[11 days] Highlights of Spain: Sustainable Tour | Yugen Earthside

Start in the great city of Madrid and end your Spanish adventure in the heart of trendy Barcelona. Dive into Spain’s culture and heritage with guided city tours. and a visit to Segovian monuments as well as the Montserrat Monastery. Explore Spain's famous gastronomy through a cooking class, a traditional tapas night, and an olive oil tasting (you'll learn about wine production, too!). Immerse yourself in the nearby nature with cycling excursions and a tour of the river Tajo.

Your local hosts who will show you the best of this destination!

Oil tasting and learning about the production process

Visit the most emblematic destinations of Spain like a local! Having local people in all the activities will foster an immersive experience throughout this eclectic country. It will also ensure real, meaningful learning about some of the most important traditions and cities.  This sustainable tour combines must-see highlights of Spain like Madrid, Seville, or Barcelona with wonderful off-the-beaten-track locations and activities to bring to life authentic and unique experiences! This perfect combination of history, culture, food, and fun, makes Spain a popular destination for travelers from around the world.

Not to miss while in Spain:

Beautiful beaches: Spain boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, with crystal-clear waters, golden sands, and a warm Mediterranean climate. On this trip, you’ll enjoy a wonderful lunch by the beach!

Rich culture and history: Spain has a rich cultural and historical heritage, with many monuments, museums, and galleries showcasing its past. On this experience, you’ll get guided tours of Barcelona and a World Heritage Site.

Delicious food and wine: Spain is famous for its gastronomy, with a wide range of delicious dishes, such as paella, tapas, and seafood. The country is also home to some of the world’s best wines, including Rioja, Priorat, and Ribera del Duero. During this trip, you’ll eat tapas in a traditional taberna, take a cooking class, and learn about olive oil making, all of which will help bring the gastronomy of Spain to life!

Vibrant cities: Spain has several vibrant cities that you will see on this trip, including Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. These classic and well-loved cities offer a mix of history, culture, and modernity.

Spring (March to June) and fall (September to November) offer mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and lower prices. This is also a great time for outdoor activities such as hiking, visiting national parks, and enjoying festivals and events. If you like warm weather, the summer months (July and August) are ideal, with temperatures reaching up to 30°C in some parts of the country. However, these months can also be very crowded and expensive. To help curb over-tourism, we recommend avoiding the peak summer months if your schedule allows it. December is also a nice time to visit but it is colder in Madrid, Segovia, and Toledo and you may need to wear additional layers during the outdoor activities.

Low season: November – April

Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program

10 nights in accommodation with double room

5 lunches: Madrid, Segovia, in an olive farm, fish lunch in Barcelona, Penedés

Private transfer from Barcelona airport to the city center

Private transfer included to olive farm in Seville

Private transfer on day trip to Penedés and Montserrat

Activities mentioned in the program
Our assistance during the trip

This trip includes many activities. If you would like to forego some of the included activities, contact us and we will provide updated pricing.

We are a travel agency specializing in sustainable tourism and ecotourism in Spain. With almost ten years of experience, we offer authentic travel experiences in all regions of the country and activities of all kinds.

Environmental Initiatives
As a sustainable company, we prioritize eco-friendly practices and strive to minimize our carbon footprint. We encourage the use of public transport whenever possible and suggest avoiding single-use plastics. Our travel itineraries include low-carbon and alternative activities, such as cycling tours and eco-tours in green areas of the cities. We also carefully select small and local accommodations that recover spaces of historical and cultural interest, with a preference for those run by families. While it is difficult to find eco-friendly accommodations, we make every effort to choose places that serve local and organic food and have consciously designed interiors.

Sociocultural Initiatives
We support local businesses such as small restaurants, producers, and accommodations. Rather than working with large companies for guided tours, we rely on local guides who have firsthand knowledge of the places we visit. Our goal is to create an authentic travel experience that connects travelers with local realities and helps to create a better industry. We also support local and social projects to ensure that the benefits of tourism are shared among the communities we visit.
Our travel experiences are designed to highlight the varied cultural and natural heritage of Spain. We believe in meeting the locals, so we don't work with big companies. Instead, we support small and local businesses, many of which are family-run, and encourage you to visit our country from a different point of view. Our tailor-made travel itineraries are created to put the spotlight on local realities and unknown destinations. We carefully select local hosts who are committed to sustainable tourism and ecotourism, and who can provide travelers with firsthand knowledge of the places they are visiting. We also offer activities that allow travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture, such as tapas tours and cooking classes.

Create memories to last a lifetime on this eco-friendly and family-friendly trip through Spain's major cities and nature areas!

[10 days] Family Trip through Spain's Cities & Nature | Yugen Earthside

Create memories to last a lifetime on this eco-friendly and family-friendly trip through Spain's major cities and nature areas! Combine the hustle and bustle of Madrid and Barcelona and balance out your experience with the serenity of the rural countryside and natural parks in between.

A thrilling journey awaits amongst Spain's cities and nature, offering a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors, experience cosmopolitan flair, immerse yourself in Spanish culture, and observe local wildlife.

Kayak and cycle through the Ebro Delta (all participants must be able to swim to do the kayaking activity)

As soon as you arrive in Madrid, the adventure begins with a guided rooftop tour at dusk to bask in the spectacular views of the metropolis. Experience the natural surroundings by walking along the Tajo River, taking a moment to rest in iconic green spaces, learning about biodiversity, and hiking through the hills in Benicassim.

Spanish food will be prominent as well: your palate will rejoice in an olive-tasting session and multiple picnics! This sustainable family trip will also have kids and adults alike delving into experiences unique to Spain. Learn local traditions through an art workshop where Gaudi-style mosaic or urban art techniques will be taught, visit ancient olive oil trees and do an olive oil tasting, and spend quality time in nature away from the big cities.
On your walking tour through the Las Palmas Desert, you will be struck by the stunning natural beauty of the place. Enjoy an ample stroll amid a landscape of rocky terrain and sandy plains with unique flora and fauna. The beauty of the desert will surely awaken all your senses.
Fun fact: The desert is a famous filming location for many Western Movies!

What ages is this trip suitable for?
If you are a family traveling with younger kids or teenagers, eager to discover a different side of Spain away from all-inclusive resorts, this trip is definitely for you. The itinerary can be adapted for your family based on the age(s) of your kid(s), so we will make sure that everyone can do each activity planned for you.

The best time for a family with young children to visit Barcelona would be in the spring (April to June) or fall (September to November), as the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. During these seasons, the city is pleasant and easier to navigate, with many outdoor activities and parks to enjoy. This is also a great time for outdoor activities such as hiking, visiting national parks, and enjoying festivals and events. Traveling during these shoulder seasons also helps curb over-tourism.

Summer (July and August) can be quite hot and crowded, making it challenging for families with young children to enjoy their time in the city. Winter (December to February) can also be chilly and damp, with limited outdoor activities available.

3 lunches: in Benicassim, Maestrazgo, & Barcelona

Guided Tours: rooftops tour, Toledo tour, city cycling tour, walking tour Las Palmas Desert,   tour millennial olive trees in Maestrazgo, city tour in Barcelona, tour “Green Barcelona”

Guided Cycling and kayak tour in the Delta of the river Ebro

If you have a group or family size larger than 4, contact us for pricing.

We are a travel agency specializing in sustainable tourism and ecotourism in Spain. With almost ten years of experience, we offer authentic travel experiences in all regions of the country and activities of all kinds. Our goal is to design tailor-made travel itineraries that put on the spotlight our varied cultural and natural heritage, connecting travelers with local realities, but also with unknown destinations and with our carefully selected local hosts that work towards creating a better industry. We support and rely on small and local businesses, hire local guides, and support businesses in rural areas outside of big cities.

Environmental Initiatives
We use public transport (trains) except for transfers from and to airports. We ensure that during the visits to natural spaces, such as the one in Ebro Delta, animals are respected. Wild animals will not be fed and they will be observed from afar, respecting their habitats.


Sociocultural Initiatives
The travelers will meet and stay in contact with local residents and local producers. They will experience and understand which resources the local economy is based on.
Our commitment for this trip is to make families discover not only the culture of the cities, but above all experience the nature rural areas offer. We will bring you off the beaten paths, diving and getting in contact with local people, supporting their businesses and economy. We are committed to finding the best accommodations possible in each area, supporting small businesses and hotels that are implementing sustainable practices. Our accommodations are small and locally run and serve organic/local food.

Family Trip through Spain's Cities & Nature

Discover the beautiful architecture, culture, gastronomy, and nature of Barcelona and its surrounding areas on this privately-guided sustainable trip.

[8 days] Barcelona & its Surrounding Areas | Yugen Earthside

This trip allows you to visit one of the most popular cities in Spain, Barcelona, and also gives you the chance to explore its surroundings. Barcelona is much more than just a city, it lies within a beautiful region offering rural landscapes, vineyards, and mountains.

Visit and wine tasting in the Bages County area

Kayak and cycling in the Ebro Delta Natural Park

Barcelona is a popular destination for several reasons. Here are some of the main ones:

Gaudi’s architecture: Barcelona is famous for its stunning architecture, especially the work of the modernist architect Antoni Gaudi. His creations, such as the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and Casa Batllo, are some of the most popular attractions in the city. You will see some of Gaudi’s impressive buildings on this trip.

Culture and history: Barcelona has a rich cultural and historical heritage, with museums, galleries, and monuments showcasing its past. This trip includes traditional experiences that will help you get to know Spain’s culture on a meaningful level.

Food and drink: Barcelona and Spain in general is a foodie’s paradise, with an abundance of local produce, fresh seafood, and delicious tapas. Its wine and cava are also famous, and the city is home to many excellent bars, cafes, and restaurants. Wine tasting in the Bages County area will be a special experience! 

To make this trip to Barcelona more sustainable, this itinerary includes excursions away from the city and into the surrounding areas (comarcas) north of Barcelona, el Moianès, and Bages. On these visits, you will admire green rural spaces, vineyards, and the beautiful Montserrat mountain range. A hot air balloon ride, an art workshop, and a horse riding experience will provide unhindered enjoyment of Barcelona and its surroundings.

The trip will end in the Ebro Delta Natural Park, where you will discover its varieties of landscapes, as well as its flora and fauna. It will be a beautiful journey that will introduce you to the local life outside the big city.

Spring (March to June) and fall (September to November) offer mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and lower prices. This is also a great time for outdoor activities such as hiking, visiting national parks, and enjoying festivals and events. If you like warm weather, the summer months (July and August) are ideal, with temperatures reaching up to 30°C in some parts of the country. However, these months can also be very crowded and expensive. To help curb over-tourism, we recommend avoiding the peak summer months if your schedule allows it.

We don’t suggest the period from November to February for this trip. It will be chilly, and especially in the area near the Montserrat Mounting range it can be very cold, foggy, rainy, or snowy.

Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program.

 Private transfer to and from Barcelona Airport

Round-trip train tickets between Barcelona and Tarragona

Private transfers on day trips and activities

Activities as mentioned in the program: horse training experience, wine tasting in Bages, kayak and bicycle tour, sunset sailing experience

We are a travel agency specializing in sustainable tourism and ecotourism in Spain. We offer authentic travel experiences in all regions of the country and activities of all kinds. Our goal is to design tailor-made travel itineraries that put on the spotlight our varied cultural and natural heritage, connecting travelers with local realities, but also with unknown destinations and with our carefully selected local hosts that work towards creating a better industry.

Environmental Initiatives
We will use public transport (trains) when possible. We advise our travelers not to use single-use plastic items. We are sure that animals are treated ethically. For example, the horse training experience is based on the principles of natural dressage, Indian dressage, or emotional dressage. These animals live in a semi-freedom regime, they live in a community (herd), they search for food and water, and they have space to run. All this promotes the mental and emotional health of the animal and it will no longer be necessary to use whips, bits, muzzles, horseshoes, threats, shouts, or blows in order to work together.


Sociocultural Initiatives
For this trip we rely on local providers, they are mostly little, local, and family-run businesses. The entire area around Barcelona is trying to come to light as a tourist destination, highlighting that Barcelona has much more to offer. Therefore, we will help them to make their comarcas known to an international audience. Moreover, this trip helps deseasonalize and shift tourists from Barcelona to surrounding areas, as we know how hard the city suffers from mass tourism.

Travelers will be in constant contact with local people. We will rely on guides of the area, who knows perfectly the places that will be visited. They will meet local producers. In rural areas, they will get in contact with local people living there.

Spain

Camino: Cycling the Portuguese Coastal Way

Highlights of Spain: Sustainable Tour

Family Trip through Spain's Cities & Nature

Barcelona & its Surrounding Areas

Company

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