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14 Days Paradors of Northern Spain Tour Package
Duration: 14 Days / 13 Nights
Priced From: $4990 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Apr - Jul, Sep, Oct
Explore the mosaic of diverse regions and cities of the north on this Spain tour that includes a taste of Portugal. Catalonia has a very distinct culture and a proud tradition that differentiates it from other areas of Spain; even its primary language, Catalan, is not spoken elsewhere. The Basque region is fiercely autonomous and also has its own unique traditions, culture and language, and the region of Castile is central to Spain’s medieval history. From the magnificent Pyrenees Mountains to the rugged Basque coast, scenic wonders abound. You’ll enjoy overnight stays in historic paradors – restored palaces, monasteries and castles.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to Spain
Your Spain tour begins at 6:00 pm at Le Méridien Barcelona. A transfer is included from Barcelona Airport to Le Méridien Barcelona, your hotel for the first two nights of our Spain tour. At a welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight, we invite you to meet those who will join you to discover the cultural diversity of Spain’s northern regions and Portugal.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Le Méridien Barcelona, Spain
Day 2 – Beautiful Barcelona
Barcelona, capital of the unique Catalonia region of Spain, beguiles at every turn. Highlights include La Sagrada Familia, architect Antonio Gaudí's famous gothic-yet-modern cathedral and the Barrio Gótico, which dates from medieval times. In Montjuïc, see the 1992 Olympic Stadium, then spend the rest of the day as you wish in Barcelona.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Le Méridien Barcelona, Spain
Day 3 - Captivating Catalonia
Your Spain tour continues as you admire delightful rural vistas of Catalonia when you travel along the Yellow Roads to the amazing mountaintop monastery at Montserrat en route to Cardona, where an ancient castle stands guard over the village. Savor a taste of Catalan cuisine when lunch is served in the medieval ambiance of the dining room of the Parador de Cardona, a 9th-century castle. Journey on to the small town of Castellciutat and Le Seu d’Urgell in the Pyrenees, where you'll overnight at an elegant resort.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: El Castell de Ciutat, Seu d’Urgell, Spain
Day 4 –Pyrenees pleasures
You’ll be inspired by your visit to the 12-century Cathedral of Santa Maria d’Urgell, the only Romanesque cathedral that has been preserved in the Catalonia region of the Pyrenees. After lunch, choices of activities for the afternoon include a cooking demonstration focusing on Catalan cuisine and a spa treatment. A highlight of your Spain tour awaits this evening at a special 7-course dinner at the hilltop 9th-century castle located on the grounds of your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: El Castell de Ciutat, Seu d’Urgell, Spain
Day 5 – The beautiful Basque country
Today your Spain tour takes you through the marvelous mountains of the Basque country to Pamplona, the city best known for the annual running of the bulls. You’ll have time to explore and have lunch on your own before continuing on to the charming seaside town of San Sebastián. Your home for the next two nights is among the most fabulous Belle Époch hotels in all of Spain.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastián, Spain*
Day 6 – Seaside San Sebastián
While in Spain tour the Old Town of San Sebastián with us if you wish. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you please. Further explore the medieval streets of Old Town, or enjoy the city’s many waterfront attractions, not the least of which is the famous beach popular with the international surfing set. You’ll have many opportunities to sample Basque cuisine on your own today.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastián, Spain*
Day 7 – Bilbao and the Guggenheim
Modern art is flourishing at the spectacular Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, as you’ll see during a visit. Continue on up into the magnificent Picos de Europa (“Peaks of Europe”) and admire the scenic views of rural villages, gorges and valleys en route to Fuente Dé. Enjoy dinner à la carte this evening at your parador, set in the foothills of the Picos mountains.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Parador de Fuente Dé
Day 8 – The plains of Castile
Leaving the mountains behind, journey across the flat lands of Castile. Once the capital of the Kingdom of León, the city of León was an important pilgrimage site. A city tour, a visit to its magnificent Gothic Cathedral, and an overnight stay in at the Parador de León, one of the most luxurious in Spain, reveal the fascinating history of the city.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Parador de León, Spain
Day 9 – In the footsteps of pilgrims
When the grave of Saint James was discovered in the ninth century, hundreds of thousands made the arduous pilgrimage along El Camino de Santiago on foot to visit it. In Santiago de Compostela, enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic quarter and a visit to the world-famous cathedral prior to an overnight stay at a remarkable parador that began accommodating travelers in the 15th century – a highlight of your Spain tour with us.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Parador de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Day 10 – Prosperous Porto
After a morning at leisure and lunch in Santiago de Compostela, your Spain tour crosses the border into Portugal, bound for the medieval port city of Porto. Today, Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city and offers much to interest visitors.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa, Porto, Portugal
Day 11 – How Porto got its name
Port wine is at the heart of the matter. Porto has long been known for the quality of its port and this wine has been an economically important export for centuries. At the end of a morning sightseeing tour of the city’s intriguing sights, spend time exploring on your own. This evening, sample Porto’s pride during a wine tasting dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa, Porto, Portugal
Day 12 – Perspectives of Portugal
Delve into Portugal’s history today as you visit Coimbra, liberated from Moorish occupation in 1064 and the site of oldest seat of higher learning in Portugal, founded by King Dinis in 1210. Journey on to Fatima, home to the famous pilgrimage shrine commemorating the reputed appearances of the Virgin Mary to three children in 1917.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Tivoli Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Day 13 – Lisbon discoveries
Everywhere you look in Lisbon, Portugal’s beguiling capital city, you’ll see reminders of the “Great Period of Discoveries” when Portuguese mariners set sail to explore the then-unknown world and found what is now Brazil, among other notable places. During a sightseeing tour, visit Mosterio dos Jerónimos and the unique National Coach Museum, and view the Tower of Belém and the Discoveries Monument. Join us tonight to share your Spain tour memories with your traveling companions at a farewell cocktail reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Tivoli Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Day 14 - Homeward bound
Your Spain tour comes to an end in Lisbon. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Tivoli Lisboa to Lisbon International Airport. Please allow 2 1/2 hours for airport check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
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