Historic Paradores of Hidden Spain - Premier Collection
8days from
£1,926*per person
Overview
Stay in three delightful paradores – elegant hotels housed in former palaces, convents, castles and other historic buildings – and discover one of Spain’s most fascinating corners.
Discover a fascinating region of northern Spain, where dusty plains give way to spectacular mountains and a verdant coastline fringed by stunning beaches and fashionable resorts. Uncover the history, culture and charm of the provinces of Cantabria and Asturias, Galicia and Castilla y León. Visit ancient cities along the Camino de Santiago, which centuries of pilgrims have followed on their way to Santiago de Compostela, and enjoy the distinctive cuisine and fine wines of this very special corner of the world.
Discover a fascinating region of northern Spain, where dusty plains give way to spectacular mountains and a verdant coastline fringed by stunning beaches and fashionable resorts. Uncover the history, culture and charm of the provinces of Cantabria and Asturias, Galicia and Castilla y León. Visit ancient cities along the Camino de Santiago, which centuries of pilgrims have followed on their way to Santiago de Compostela, and enjoy the distinctive cuisine and fine wines of this very special corner of the world.
Itinerary
- Fly to Spain - Arrive in Bilbao, where our coach will transfer to your first Parador - the 20th-century palace of Limpias, in its riverside, parkland setting. Settle in to your splendid surroundings, perhaps taking a stroll along the river to enjoy the views or making use of the Parador's amenities, which include a seasonal outdoor swimming pool. Dinner will be served in the Parador's dining room, this evening.
- Included tour to Santander and Santillana del Mar - Today, your first included tour takes you to the regional capital, Santander. Stop off at the Cabo Mayor Lighthouse Viewpoint before heading to the fishing port or watch the ebb and flow of daily life in this elegant and sophisticated city-resort from a seat in a pavement café or tapas bar. You’ll also make the short journey to nearby Santillana del Mar, a picture-postcard-perfect medieval village. After a wonderful day, return to Limpias for a second evening, choosing perhaps to dine in the hotel or in the village.
- Included excursions to Asturias and Galicia - Re-board the coach, today, and journey along the stunning Asturian coast, where views of the Bay of Biscay shoreline compete with those of the towering Picos de Europa mountains. Break up your scenic journey with visits to beautiful coastal Gijón, and to the nearby Asturian capital, Oviedo. Late this afternoon, you'll reach the heart of green Galicia and your second Parador. Partly housed in a restored 15th-century tower, and an ideal base for discovering Galicia’s cities and stunning coast, the Parador de Vilalba is built on the site of a former castle, in a quiet village on the route of the Camino de Santiago. Enjoy dinner this evening, and perhaps take a stroll through the old town.
- Included visit to Santiago de Compostela - Today you'll travel the short distance into ancient Santiago de Compostela, the destination at the end of the Camino, and one of Spain’s most beautiful cities. A marvellously preserved Romanesque cathedral lies at the city’s heart, perhaps the earliest-ever tourist destination for those who, in medieval times, first followed the route to Santiago. After a marvellous day, you'll return to Vilalba for the evening.
- Included visit to A Coruña - On this delightfully contrasting day, you'll head to beautiful, rugged Galicia. Dotted with hidden coves and fjord-like rias reminiscent of Devon or Ireland, complete with tiny beaches and sleepy fishing ports, the Galician coast is a delight, epitomised by the historic port of A Coruña, or La Coruna as it's sometimes known. Set on a peninsula fringed on one side by glorious Atlantic beaches, and on the other by a sheltered bay and deep water harbour, A Coruña is a wonderful place to wander and enjoy delicious Galician tapas and seafood, perhaps washed down with a glass of chilled white wine.
- Travel via Lugo and León to Santo Domingo de la Calzada - Bidding farewell to Vilalba, today you'll re-board the coach and head back along the route of the Camino into the sun-baked province of Castilla y León. Highlights today will include visits to Galician Lugo, still enclosed by its intact Roman wall, and to the historic university city of León. See León's majestic cathedral and fine old town, and perhaps take lunch in one of its many tapas bars and cafés. This afternoon, you’ll continue on to your final parador. Housed in one of Spain's most popular pilgrimage spots, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, this grand Parador offers accommodation fit for a king and a relaxed atmosphere within its 900-year-old walls. Sharing a plaza with one of the major stops along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, the Parador benefits from the grand backdrop of the city's 12th-century Cathedral de Santo Domingo de la Calzada. With an in-house restaurant offering rustic Spanish classics, as well as a lively collection of bars and restaurants outside its walls, the Parador makes excellent use of Rioja's wine country with a wide variety of local wines and fresh produce. Dinner will be served on both nights.
- Optional visit to Burgos - Today you're free to enjoy the delights of Santo Domingo de la Calzada, but you may wish to join our optional excursion and explore one of Spain’s most enthralling cities. For centuries Burgos was the capital of Old Castille, and it was also once home (nearly a thousand years ago now) to the legendary warrior leader El Cid. This beguiling place has no shortage of tapas bars and restaurants in which to enjoy lunch, as you'll discover after your tour.
- Fly back to the UK - Bid farewell to your hosts, and transfer back to Bilbao airport to catch your flight home, at the end of a fascinating week in Northern Spain.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
- Soak up the royal history and elegant atmosphere of your parador hotels
- Explore Santillana del Mar – one of Spain’s prettiest villages
- Revel in relaxed Gijón and the historic Asturian capital, Oviedo
- Follow in pilgrims’ footsteps in Santiago de Compostela and León
- Embrace the delights of fashionable Santander
- Enjoy views of the towering Picos de Europa mountains
- Enjoy a more intimate and smaller group experience of 16 to 24 travellers
- Join an optional excursion to the city of Burgos
- Spend a day at leisure around the popular pilgrimage town, Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Our Price Includes
- Seven nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Parador de Limpias (2 nights), the four-star Parador de Vilalba (3) and the four-star Parador de Santo Domingo de la Calzada (2)
- Four dinners
- Return flights to Bilbao
- Tour to Santander and Santillana del Mar
- Excursions to Asturias and Galicia
- Visit to Santiago de Compostela
- Visit to A Coruña
- Visits to Lugo and León
- Comfortable coach travel and transfers throughout
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced Premier Collection tour manager
- All local taxes, fees and charges
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
Historic Paradores of Hidden Spain Touring Hotel -
Introduction
You will be staying in a series of elegant four-star Parador hotels, each conveniently located for your tour itinerary.
Parador de Limpias, Limpias (nights 1-2)
A few minutes’ drive inland from the Cantabrian coast, this 20th Century, riverside palace is set in beautiful parkland, and offers gardens, tennis court, and outdoor seasonal swimming pools, a gym and a sauna. The guest rooms are located in a modern, airy wing, and the dining room looks out over the beautiful grounds. There is Wi-Fi available.
Parador de Vialba, Vialba (nights 3-5)
Built around a 15th-century stone tower, this delightful Parador is tucked away in the old quarter of a quiet Galician town. A tapas bar, a café and more a formal restaurant offer a taste of regional cuisine, and there is a also quiet garden area and a terrace. A sauna, Wi-Fi and comfortable bedrooms furnished in traditional style add to the enjoyment of your stay.
Parador de Santo Domingo de la Calzada, La Rioja (nights 6-7)
Housed in a 12th-century hospital, with Gothic stone arches and beamed ceilings. Airy guestrooms, with terracotta tiled flooring and wooden furnishings, feature TVs, hairdryers, safes, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi. Two restaurants serve regional cuisine, and there’s a bar.
Other Information
Hotel transfer times
On arrival the transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. On departure the transfer time from your hotel to the airport is approximately two hours and 20 minutes.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Changes to your hotels
Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.
Repair Works
We've been informed that the Vilalba Parador Hotel, featured on our Historic Paradors of Spain tour, is currently undergoing repair works expected to continue through October. The tower building will be out of use during this time and will be covered in scaffolding and protective netting.
Evening Meal Arrangements
To give our customers the chance to experience authentic Spanish cuisine, this tour is offered on a mixed board basis, meaning there will be opportunities to dine at both the paradors and local restaurants. Meals served in the paradors are included in the price of the holiday, while other nights are kept free for customers to dine in restaurants of their choosing, style and budget.
Evening meals at the paradors will generally start a little later, consist of three courses and be served socially as a group, with a small gap between courses as is customary in Spain. In some instances, individual guests who have booked with the hotel independently may be offered a different menu from those who are staying at the hotel as part of an escorted tour. Each parador is unique in terms of its history, appearance and atmosphere, and due to their individual nature, kitchen space may be limited. In such circumstances, customers will therefore be asked two days in advance for your choice of meal.
While the dishes offered throughout your stay may be differ from those served at Spanish Restaurants in the UK, this authentic style of dining is one of the best ways to truly appreciate the cultural differences of each region. This approach allows the parador to plan its kitchen and restaurant service in advance to provide the best service they can.
Holiday code
Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays (for iTravel Offers)
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Newmarket Holidays (ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812), you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.