CUSTOM ADVENTURE TRAVEL IN SPAIN

I first discovered Northern Spain Travel as I researched doing my first Camino Frances online. With Covid happening, I really needed help with the logistics as I was traveling alone. From the minute I spoke to Steph, I knew that I was dealing with professionals and people who listened to what my needs were. She and José Mari were with me every step of the way if I needed them. They had the knack of giving me the true camino life mixed with having some wonderful experiences that would enhance my knowledge of Spain’s rich culture. Based in Pamplona, they provided an amazing Navarran experience as I walked through and my stay at a “Heart of Pamplona” apartment for 2 nights was exceptional. I look forward to returning in 2022 for another camino and I have no doubt they will have some incredible recommendations. Their knowledge, local connections and enthusiasm are what make this team spectacular.
100 stars for NST, Steph, José Mari and their team!!!!

A perfect adventure in a true jewel of nature in Navarra. The experience in the Bardenas with the Northern Spain Travel team was excellent. Every detail was seamless, their knowledge of the terrain in a nature reserve desert was impeccable, permitting us to experience an incredible trip that can only be done with experts like them.
We went with my two daughters of 10 and 8 years old and they experienced a true adventure. They loved it and received 100% attention from Northern Spain Travel and viewed this trip as a great challenge that they loved. NST adapted to the group level, they are very positive people and they know how to create a very pleasant atmosphere for you.

I would definitely repeat and continue to sign up for the trips and plans they offer because they are quality and experience!

Thank you!

It was my first time in Spain and I only knew the country through its magnificent wines from La Rioja. The tour Stephanie and Oliver provided was not only educational, it was extremely entertaining. The first bodega (winery) we visited was Lopez Heredia and was truly awe inspiring. It was a traditional winery in which there were no modern tools or equipment, and they practiced the traditional ways of wine making. And of course, their wine was magnificent.

Next, we travelled to a more modern winery called Bodegas Franco-Españolas; one that was frequently visited by none other than Ernest Hemingway. But, don’t let that convince you; their wines will. After a great tour of their facilities, we were treated to the most entertaining drinking game I’ve ever played. Accompanied by some bread and cold cuts, we had a blast playing this game in which there were quizzes, and drinking tests where we tried to identify different things about the wines.

Our visit was made unforgettable mainly because of Stephanie and Oliver. From the moment we made our reservation they treated us like family. They made our departure unbearable and left us making plans for our next visit.

Call them!! You will love it!!

I admit that my experience was Fantastic, but because of the VIP package handled by Steph… no doubt about it. She put an enthusiasm in every event and reservation that it’s contagious. Her team is very kind and professional and they make us feel special all the time !!

Definitely I will recommend to do San Fermin program ALL THE WAY.

Absolutely great trip to San Sebastian, San Juan and San Jose — sailing, walking, a drive through beautiful farm lands, and a magnificent seafood lunch at Casa Camara in San Jose, which has been serving guests since 1884. If you like lobster and beautiful harbor views, this is the place to be. Our guide, Steph, was a delight — fun, knowledgeable and tireless. She started with us at 9 in the morning, and stayed with us until 10 that evening. Beautiful country, beautiful people, beautiful day — Hemingway style.

“This company was able to set me up with the best balcony/viewing area of anyone else I had spoken soon. The price was very reasonable considering the limited options. Once I reached the designated area, our hosts could not have been friendlier or more welcoming. Heart of Pamplona ultimately provided one of the most memorable San Fermín experiences and photo opportunities that exist during fiesta”

Not being one who willingly dives into crowded unfamiliar settings, I put my faith into Steph to get that Pamplona insider experience that just can’t be found during a short visit to a strange new place. Steph knows the best and most creative tapas chefs and local food critics, and they all know and greet her as a welcome friend. This was a memorable experience both meeting people and sampling dishes and wines that I would never have thought to try on my own. This was a fun informative evening and time well spent.

We stopped in Pamplona during our walk along the Camino from Saint-Jean to Santiago. We booked in advance of the walk to ensure we had the opportunity on opening day to watch the bull run, a bull fight, and have accommodations in Pamplona. Stephanie Mutsaerts from Northern Spain travel made this possible and went out of her way to ensure that we had our bags transferred correctly from our previous stay into our apartment in Pamplona, because the travel services for luggage do not typically transfer luggage into Pamplona unless there is 24-hour reception. We also enjoyed a walking tour (tasting samples from various locations) following the bull run. The company was accommodating and answered all of our questions in advance. Stephanie was so patient to ensure that our dream bucket list items were fulfilled and that we enjoyed our experience. I would highly recommend this event and travel company.

I’ve travelled several times with Northern Spain Travel and have found their indepth knowledge of this area to be second to none. The enthusiasm of this organisation, coupled with the best local contacts and years of research in this region (and beyond), leave me in no doubt that I’d recommend Northern Spain Travel to anyone!

“I went here last year during the Bull Run with my family and it was really good fun. The hosts were amazingly nice and hospitable and the food they served at the balcony was really good. We had a great view of the festival from the balcony. We got to fully participate in the festival and even dress the part, which provided us with a super unique experience. The festival was really wild but it was a very cool and very cultural experience that everyone MUST have when you visit Pamplona…

Thanks for the amazing day! Highly recommend to anyone travelling to Pamplona. “

“I can not even begin to express how grateful I am for Steph and her sincere generosity! I reached out to her for a question, and she was extremely kind, helpful, friendly, and helped solve the problem! Though I have not actually met her in person, just via email, she went above and beyond to help me out. Her positive vibes were felt across the ocean, and restored my belief in the basic human believe in kindness and empathy. I would 100%, hands-down recommend Steph as a host. I owe her, big time! 🙂 Much love from New Orleans, Louisiana. Cheers to a wonderful 2017, Steph!!”

We had such an amazing time with Deidre. Not only was she knowledgeable on all things Spain, far beyond food but she also had many personal accounts and stories that were fantastic. This intimate tour was full of mind blowing flavors. From modern takes on traditional foods to the beautiful basics you will not be disappointed!

We came to Pamplona and Stephanie of Northern Spain Travel took us under her wing. We did two tapas tours with her and one tour outside Pamplona to Roncesvalles. The tapas tours were both great. Stephanie is very personable and knows everybody. She knows Pamplona inside out and knows all the best places, as well as what to eat there, so you’re in good hands. The trip to Roncesvalles was a little less successful but that was only because of the horrible weather that suddenly erupted. And maybe because we would have liked to know more about the romantic history of Roncesvalles than about the World War I bunkers we visited also. But Stephanie’s guide, Koldo, made largely up for the bad weather with his stories of the surrounding area and what he finds in nature, to which we listened with fascination and warmed with glasses of Vermut. Overall, we think you cannot go wrong with Stephanie and Northern Spain Travel. They give you the feeling you’re out with local friends rather than with an organized tour! We learned also that Stephanie has enlisted the expertise of a Hemingway scholar to give even more depth to the Pamplona experience.

We booked a balcony for the chupinazo and the first run as well as bull fight tickets. Stephanie and her team welcomed us with open arms and made us feel very comfortable. The San Fermin festival is a little overwhelming with how many people are there but they made it so simple. The balconies were better than advertised and gave us great views as well as great food and drink. The guides were all extremely informative and friendly. Aitor was extremely helpful texting us details ahead of time and even helped us with cabs. We highly recommend northern Spain travel and will definitely use them again if we ever decide to come back to the area.

My wife and I and our 10 year old daughter combined the final 3 days walk into Pamplona from the Camino with the San Fermin celebrations. This was possible with the help of the travel agency “Northern Spain travel” based in Pamplona. Their attention to detail and bespoke customer service ensured our hotel and access to the festivities were seamless, we only wished we had more time to experience all that was on offer from them. At all stages Steph and her English speaking staff guided us through the excitement of the running of the bulls and a non-violent bull fight (Taurine) – both of which I would highly recommend.
Pamplona was truly magical – our first but not last taste, thanks to Northern Spain Travel !!

What a wonderful 5 days in Pamplona beginning with the opening ceremony viewed from a premier location on a balcony overlooking city hall to front row seats at the bullfight. Stephanie is the perfect hostess with just the right amount of attention without overwhelming the guests. We were traveling with our 17-year old grandson and Stephanie went out of her way to be sure he had the best and most unique experiences even providing her own teenage son to keep him company and show him some of the local color. Our lovely apartment in old town was in a perfect location and within a short walking distance of all the festivities. We had been to Pamplona several times before but only passing through. We knew we loved it but didn’t know how much. Now, after Stephanie showed us all the wonderful things it has to offer, it is one of our most favorite spots in Spain. Thank you Stephanie for your hospitality, for all of the special arrangements allowing us a front row seat for San Fermin, for lending us your son, and, of course, for the wonderful tour you arranged for us. We hope to see you again and to stay in one of your properties as we pass through Pamplona again in late August, 2019.

“I used Northern Spain Travel to organise a private tour guide for Pamplona. Our guide Odei was awesome. He personalised the tour for our interests. We walked around Pamplona and was shown all the amazing places. Odei is born and raised in Pamplona so had a wealth of knowledge. He also took us to the best bars for pintxos. Worth every euro. If you are in the area you definitely need to get in touch with Northern Spain Travel before you do anything”

“I came here with some friends from the US, Stephanie was such a delightful host and made sure we were always comfortable. She arranged a tour for us the second day we were there so we knew what was going on in the city during San Fermin, this city is such a gem and she is a rose amongst thorns so to speak I cannot recommend this place anymore, if you have the opportunity to stay here please know you are in great hands also we was greeted immediately by the downstairs neighbors for a drink and treated as if we had been friends for years.”

“Stephanie did a wonderful job coordinating ALL of the details of this experience! Everything was made easy for us and we very much enjoyed our opening ceremony experience and hope to have a repeat experience! Highly recommend!”

“I booked a balcony for the bull run through Northern Spain Travel. Stephanie was great to work with – communication was excellent throughout the process and everything ran smoothly on the day of the run. I would definitely recommend all of her services!”