Take the ferry from Baiona to the Islas Cíes, three islands off the coast that became part of a national park in 2002. There, you can spend a blissful day on the Praia das Rodas, a crescent of soft, pale sand fronting an expanse of calm, clear sea.

Spend today exploring Santiago de Compostela. The city’s focal point is its magnificent granite cathedral, construction of which began in 1075. Regardless of whether you’re staying in the parador, I recommend having a meal in its Restaurante dos Reis, which occupies vaulted former stables.

If you stayed in León, drive two hours to Burgos, again paralleling the pilgrims’ route for much of the way. The focal point of this elegant little city is another magnificent Gothic cathedral, which here contains the tomb of the legendary 11th-century warrior El Cid.

The best available choice in Burgos is the NH Collection Palacio de Burgos. For those who flew into Bilbao or don’t want to stay in Burgos, continue for another 90 minutes to the Hotel Viura. Designed by architect-owners Joseba and Xabier Aramburu, this 33-room property has a bold, modern design composed of fancifully stacked concrete cubes, as well as a superb restaurant.

Spend today exploring La Rioja. Perhaps start with a visit of the outstanding Bodega Luis Cañas, a 10-minute walk from your hotel.

The charming little town of Haro, a 20-minute drive away, contains many of La Rioja’s other great bodegas. Compañía Vinícola del Norte del España and López de Heredia are two of my favorites.

Check out of your hotel and drive to the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture. This may be the single-best wine tourism experience in La Rioja. You can visit the museum without a guide at any time during operating hours, but advance reservations are required to tour the adjacent winery.

After your museum visit, drive 45 minutes south to Echaurren, and have lunch in its Michelin-starred restaurant, El Portal.

Continue south another two and a half hours to the 1,730-acre Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine estate, an exceptional 30-room hotel created from a former 12th-century Cistercian monastery. Be sure to take a guided tour of its winery. Additional amenities include an outdoor pool and a spectacular 10,000-square-foot spa featuring vinotherapy treatments using grape extracts. The resort also offers a full range of activities such as horseback riding and golf.

Spend one or two days relaxing at Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine. Among other notable wineries, the iconic Vega Sicilia vineyard is nearby, as is the atmospheric old city of Valladolid.

Depart Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine and drive an hour south to the fairy-tale city of Segovia. The romantic towers and crenellations of the Alcázar de Segovia punctuate the western edge of the hilltop city. In the middle rises the honey-toned bell tower of the late-Gothic cathedral, and an immense two-tiered Roman aqueduct leads away from the eastern end of the old quarter.

After taking some time to explore and have lunch, continue another hour to Madrid’s airport and return your rental car. Take a taxi into the city center and check into the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, which underwent a three-year renovation and reopened in 2021.

Spend two days in Madrid, visiting its world-class art museums and boutiques. The Prado claims one of the world’s greatest art collections, and numerous smaller museums such as the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza contain masterpieces as well. The lesser-known Museo Cerralbo and Museo Sorolla, housed in former private homes, also merit visits.

Return to the airport, and depart on your flight home.