Paradors of Spain – Cantabria & Basque Treasures and La Rioja
Paradors of Spain – Cantabria & Basque Treasures and La Rioja
Paradors of Spain – Cantabria & Basque Treasures and La Rioja
10 Days Starting in Plymouth, UK and ending in Paris, France
Visiting: Plymouth, Santander, Cantabria, Picos de Europa, Santillana del Mar, Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, La Rioja, Pamplona, Donostia-San Sebastian, Ciboure, Paris
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ecp
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
0-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
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.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Portsmouth/Plymouth
Location: Plymouth
Accommodation: Overnight Ferry
Meals Included: No Meals
Regional departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Portsmouth/Plymouth for the overnight crossing to Santander.
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.
Day 2 : Arrive In Santander
Location: Santander, Cantabria
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Parador de Cervera de Pisuerga
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrival in Santander, then onwards to our Cantabrian Parador for three nights.
Day 3 : Picos De Europa & Santillana Del Mar
Location: Picos de Europa, Santillana del Mar
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Parador de Cervera de Pisuerga
Meals Included: Breakfast, 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.
Day 4 : Free Time Or Costa Verde & Oviedo
Location: Cantabria
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Parador de Cervera de Pisuerga
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 5 : Bilbao
Location: Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Parador de Argómaniz
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 6 La Rioja & Wine Tasting
Location: La Rioja
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Parador de Argómaniz
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. Our first stop is in bustling Haro, the centre of the Rioja Alta, where'll we visit one of its historic bodegas for a wine tasting.
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.
We'll then continue to 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.
Day 7 : Pamplona
Location: Pamplona
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Parador de Argómaniz
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 8 : San Sebastián
Location: Donostia-San Sebastian, Ciboure
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City-style hotels
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 9 : Travel To Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City-style hotels
Meals Included: Breakfast
We head north through France to reach our overnight hotel in the Paris area.
Day 10 : Return Home
Location: Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary
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Additional Services
Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.
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Airport Transfers at Destination
This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point
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Fully Guided
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International Travel
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Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
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Transport
Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach
What's Not Included
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.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Low
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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What type of coach will be used?
You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach
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How long has the tour company been trading?
40 years
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?
Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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