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Paradors of Spain – Cantabria & Basque Treasures & La Rioja
Some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe is to be enjoyed on this stunning holiday packed with fascinating contrasts. Our first base, Cantabria, boasts a dramatic coastline, with picturesque fishing villages, the majestic Picos de Europa Mountains, and valleys dotted with houses, churches and monasteries – a feast of traditional Spanish architecture. We then head to La Rioja, a region, renowned for its wines, the La Rioja. It’s also a region of stunning landscapes, ancient towns and villages. Historic castles perch in picturesque valleys laden with vineyards. All based in two traditional and exclusive Paradors, situated in the heart of the mountains.
Tour Includes
- 8 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- 7 evening meals
- Drinks package at the Paradors - ¼ bottle of wine (white or red), ½ bottle of mineral water, and tea or coffee - included with each of the seven evening meals
- Overnight ferry crossing with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Santander in a 2-berth en-suite inside cabin (meals at extra cost)
- Regional joining points
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 10 day itinerary
Please note: When you board the ferry at Portsmouth/Plymouth you will require a small overnight bag containing any essential items such as medication. Please note that this small bag (no larger than a small rucksack) is counted as part of your overall luggage allowance.
Arrival in Santander, then onwards to our Cantabrian Parador for three nights.
Includes Dinner
We include a full day tour to the Picos de Europa, which constitutes one of the most outstanding mountain ranges on the Iberian Peninsula.
Occupying part of the provinces of Cantabria, Asturias and Leon, the mountains rise to a spectacular 8500 feet. The surrounding valleys are dotted with small villages set in green, sheltered grasslands, with deep and narrow gorges through which flow fast-running rivers. Little churches and quaint monasteries dot the rolling landscape.
In the heart of the Picos is the town of Potes, which is the main town of the area, with its ancient towers and squares with arcades.
From Fuente De, there is the opportunity to take a cable car ride to an observation point offering unforgettable views of this spectacular mountain range.
We later visit Santillana del Mar, regarded as Cantabria’s showpiece of architectural beauty and one of the prettiest little towns in Spain. Once a famous place of pilgrimage, the town dates back to the 10th century and, despite its name, it is not situated on the coast. The mansion houses adorned with their coats of arms and the many quaint little shops all combine to rekindle the medieval past.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
On today’s optional excursion, we head first to the university city of Oviedo, the capital of Asturias. While there don't miss out on seeing the wonderful Gothic Cathedral, the San Tirso Church and Oviedo's Archaeology Museum.
Oviedo boasts a splendid choice of restaurants and bars. Why not enjoy a spot of lunch in one of the typical cider houses?
On our return, we follow the Costa Verde, heading inland to visit the pretty resort of Cangas de Onis.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).
We leave Cantabria and head to the Basque city of Bilbao. This cosmopolitan city has gone through a huge period of rejuvenation and is home to iconic Guggenheim Museum.
The beating heart of the Basque Country, Bilbao boasts a wonderful Old Town, the Casco Viejo, with its elegant arcades.
Continue to our Parador, near Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the heart of the wine-country, which will be your base for the next three nights.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Join our included excursion, as we explore the region of La Rioja, famous across the world for its rich red, fine white and crisp rose wines.
During this tour we discover the numerous delights of this region and, of course, sample the world famous wine. We make a stop in bustling Haro, the centre of the Rioja Alta. Haro, is regarded as the wine capital of La Rioja. The Old Quarter has a maze of streets and arcades and, of course endless wine shops.
During the day we will visit one of its historic bodegas for a wine tasting.
We will also call at the town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a popular stop on the fabled Camino de Santiago pilgrims' trail that snakes its way through the vine-covered landscape.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Included excursion, as we travel to the foothills of the Pyrenees today to visit Pamplona, world-famous for the ‘Running of the Bulls’ that takes place every July.
There’s time to explore the Old Town and wander the cobblestone streets to uncover the town’s history and simply enjoy the medieval centre.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
We leave our Parador and head to the beautiful Basque town of San Sebastián, set on La Concha - a sweeping, shell-shaped bay.
Explore the charming, old quarter and immerse yourself in the Belle Epoque style. The local tapas bars are a true delight. Explore the lively Old Town, which lies across the neck of Monte Urgull, the bay’s eastern headland.
After free time we continue into France and stay overnight in the Ciboure/Biarritz area.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
We head north through France to reach our overnight hotel in the Paris area.
Includes Breakfast
Return home.
Includes Breakfast
Accommodation
You will stay for three nights at the 3-star Parador de Cervera de Pisuerga and three nights at the 4-star Parador de Argómaniz.
Overnight stays in France will be in city-style hotels.
On the overnight ferry sailing, accommodation will be in en suite cabins. Meals are not included on board ship.
Reviews
4 Out of 5 ( 2 Reviews )
Reviews
Quality
4 / 5
Value for Money
4 / 5
CustomerStuart Jordan, 0 years ago
Both drivers were extremely competent and pleasant, strong on humour less so on directing passengers. Day one - very efficient pick-up. Good ferry journey. Long wait to get through customs, our party was left to our own devices but guided by another Leger driver for which I thank her. Day 2 Visit to Burgos was very good indeed. Very comfortable and welcoming Parador Day 3 Coach breakdown so we didn't get to Asturias and the optional excursion. Day 4 Very good visit to Picos de Europa etc Day 5 Cantabria and Bilbao very successful excursion. Second parador equally good. Day 6 Rioja - wine tasting very informative. Day 7 Pamplona visit very good indeed, however, the drop-off was a considerable distance from the centre of town, proved difficult for less mobile travellers Day 8. San Sebastion was very interesting but five hours was a long time before pick-up On previous Leger trips passengers have been given copies of street plans when visiting cities, we received none though they would have proved most helpful. Day 9 Journey through France to Paris - long but very well managed for comfort of passengers. Day 10 Very good journey Paris to Stop 24, much shorter than forecast time to reach Yeovil. Overall a successful trip. The new coach didn't seem as comfortable as previous Luxuria vehicles. Unfortunately, I had Seat 11 which has the worst visibility of any seat on the coach, if I travel again I will be more specific in my choice. Also, being next to the drinks counter there was a lot of noise, it seemed that items could have been more carefully secured.
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Mrs Gillian Anne Talbot, 0 years ago
Enhanced by the coach crew. Paradors were amazing but although splendid food in the first one was disappointing and served very late. with early starts this wasn't conducive for a good nigh's sleep. More information required at stop-off points, even if it was just a map. Biarritz was also a selling point but we arrived late on the outskirts and saw nothing. The Ibis hotel was quite appalling and we had to troup up the road for an evening meal in the hotel next door. Not a good experience here. Overall the holiday was lovely although it would have been preferable to have stayed in Santander than journey all the way up to Burgos before going to the first Parador
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