The Paradors & Pousadas of Castile, Madrid, Salamanca & Portugal
The Paradors & Pousadas of Castile, Madrid, Salamanca & Portugal
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The Paradors & Pousadas of Castile, Madrid, Salamanca & Portugal
12 Days Starting in Plymouth, UK and ending in Paris, France
Visiting: Santander, Chinchón, Madrid, Segovia, Salamanca, Ciudad Rodrigo, Coimbra, Porto, Burgos, San Sebastián, Parador de Lerma, Paris
Tour operator:
Tour code:
sppp
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
0-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Spain and Portugal with "The Paradors & Pousadas of Castile, Madrid, Salamanca & Portugal" tour. This cultural adventure takes you from the historic city of San Sebastián to the World Heritage Site of Avila, and the charming city of Coimbra. Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Madrid, explore the architectural treasures of Salamanca, and savor the delights of Porto, known for its famous port wine. Stay in luxurious Paradors and Pousadas, including the Parador Alcala de Henares and Pousada Viseu, as you traverse stunning landscapes and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of these two enchanting countries. With comfortable coach travel and optional walking tours, this tour offers a perfect blend of exploration and relaxation.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Santander
Accommodation: Overnight Ferry
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
Location: Chinchón
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Parador
Meals Included: Dinner
We head to our Parador in the charming old town of Chinchón, famous for its medieval square encircled by wooden balconies and its aniseed liqueur, where we stay for two nights.
Day 3 : Madrid
Location: Madrid
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Parador Chinchón
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Join our full-day excursion to Madrid, the capital of Spain. Madrid is a truly cosmopolitan city with a wealth of cultural attractions. The splendid Plaza Mayor provides the perfect starting point to explore Old Madrid, lined with arches above which perch ornate balconies. View the frescoes on the old bakery building and the statue of Felipe III, see the majestic Palacio Real (Royal Palace), explore the Paseo del Prado of Bourbon, enjoy a stroll around the magnificent Retiro Park and visit the famous art galleries of The Prado and Reina Sofia, amongst others. Our optional walking tour will show you the best of the city. Madrid Walking Tour can be pre-booked to secure your place.
Day 4 : Segovia & Avila
Location: Segovia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Parador Salamanca
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We leave Chinchón and head first to Segovia, where the impressive old quarter and Roman aqueduct are World Heritage Sites. Segovia quite rightly lays claim to being the most spectacularly sited city in Spain, built high on a rocky spur and surrounded by the Eresma and Clamores Rivers. In addition to numerous Romanesque churches, the cathedral and fortress form a magnificent city that presides over this part of Castile. We continue to Avila, a World Heritage Site, which rises from the ground, under the dramatic backdrop of the Gredos Sierra. Behind its impressive walls a wealth of beautiful Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and Renaissance churches and palaces can be found. Continue to Salamanca and our Parador for two nights.
Day 5 : Salamanca
Location: Salamanca
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Parador Salamanca
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Spend the day exploring this beautiful “Golden City”, with its splendid Roman, Arabic and Christian architectural treasures. Wander the elegant arcades of the Plaza Mayor, one of the finest in Spain, and see Spain’s oldest University, the Puente Romano and its two cathedrals. Our optional walking tour will allow you to see the best of the city. Salamanca Walking Tour can be pre-booked to secure your place.
Day 6 : Ciudad Rodrigo
Location: Ciudad Rodrigo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Pousada Viseu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Continue west to Ciudad Rodrigo, a small cathedral city, enclosed by its city walls which were besieged by both sides during Napoleon’s Peninsula war. We later continue across the border into Portugal and to our Pousada in charming Viseu for two nights.
Day 7 : Free Time or Coimbra
Location: Coimbra
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Pousada Viseu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you can join our optional excursion to the pretty city of Coimbra on the river Mondego. This former medieval capital of Portugal is home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, and today its historic centre of multi-coloured houses, two grand cathedrals, medieval churches and cobbled streets, combines with a lively, vibrant atmosphere; a delight we’re sure you will enjoy.
Day 8 : Porto
Location: Porto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Pousada for one night
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We leave our Parador and head to Porto, where we offer an optional city walking tour. Porto is one of the oldest and most striking cities in Europe, its unspoilt old quarter in the historic centre, with its maze of winding narrow streets, arcaded houses and beautiful churches, has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Known for its famous port wine made from local grapes grown along the banks of the Douro to the east, we visit a port wine cellar to taste the ‘precious nectar’. Continue to the beautiful town of Guimaraes, the 'birthplace of Portugal' with its picturesque cobbled centre, and our Pousada for one night. Porto Walking Tour with Winetasting is highly recommended so must be booked in advance. The cost is from £45, please ask for details when booking this holiday.
Day 9 : Burgos
Location: Burgos
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Parador Lerma
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, we head north to Burgos, situated on the Pilgrim’s Road. The cathedral and old quarter are masterpieces of Spanish Gothic architecture and El Cid is buried here. We stay overnight at the Parador Lerma.
Day 10 : San Sebastián
Location: San Sebastián
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Biarritz area for one night
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We leave Burgos and head to the stunning city of San Sebastián set on a sweeping, shell-shaped bay with its charming, old quarter and Belle Epoque style. This is one of Spain’s capitals of gastronomy and the local tapas bars in the old town are a true delight. Continue into France and to the Biarritz area for one night.
Day 11
Location: Parador de Lerma
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Paris area for one night
Meals Included: Breakfast
We head through France to Paris area for one night.
Day 12
Location: Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided 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.
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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
The tour is fully guided.
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International Travel
International travel is included.
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Transport
Transport is provided by a comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach.
What's Not Included
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Insurance
Insurance is not included.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as the Madrid Walking Tour, Salamanca Walking Tour, and Porto Walking Tour with Wine Tasting are not included and must be booked in advance.
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Meals on Board Ship
Meals are not included on board the ship during the overnight ferry sailing.
Accommodation
You will stay at the Parador Alcala de Henares for two nights. We then move on, spending two nights at the Parador Salamanca and Pousada Viseu and one night at the Pousada Guimaraes before completing our Paradors and Pousadas stay with one night at the Parador Lerma. 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.
Mode of Transport
Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point. Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach is provided for the journey.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes stays at various Paradors and Pousadas, such as Parador Alcala de Henares, Parador Salamanca, Pousada Viseu, Pousada Guimaraes, and Parador Lerma. Overnight stays in France will be in city-style hotels, and on the overnight ferry, accommodation will be in en suite cabins.
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Are meals included during the ferry crossing?
Meals are not included on board the ship during the overnight ferry crossing.
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Is there an option to join walking tours during the trip?
Yes, there are optional walking tours available in Madrid, Salamanca, and Porto. These tours can be pre-booked to secure your place.
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What is the luggage allowance for the ferry crossing?
When boarding the ferry at Portsmouth/Plymouth, you will require a small overnight bag containing any essential items such as medication. This small bag, no larger than a small rucksack, is counted as part of your overall luggage allowance.
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Is there an opportunity to taste local wine during the tour?
Yes, during the optional walking tour in Porto, there is a visit to a port wine cellar to taste the local 'precious nectar'.
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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
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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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