Paradors of Northern Spain 2018

14 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Map not provided by operator
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews  
80%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
none

USTOA

Small Group Tour
Travel from Barcelona into the dramatic Pyrenees and along Spain's northern coast, with stays at historic paradors in San Sebastián, Fuente Dé, León, and the incomparable Santiago de Compostela; our popular Spain journey continues into Portugal to Porto and ends Lisbon.

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Overnight stays in historic paradors; special Tauck experiences include choice of spa treatment or cooking demonstration at El Castell de Ciutat; 7-course feast set within a medieval castle; visit to the monastery atop Montserrat; wine tasting and lunch at a Porto winery; cruise aboard a Rabelo boat

What's this trip about?

    Travel from Barcelona into the dramatic Pyrenees and along Spain's northern coast, with stays at historic paradors in San Sebastián, Fuente Dé, León, and the incomparable Santiago de Compostela; our popular Spain journey continues into Portugal to Porto and ends Lisbon.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBarcelona, Spain
End CityLisbon, Portugal

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Spain
  • Portugal

Attractions

  • Barcelona
  • Porto
  • Santiago de Compostela

Activities

  • Culture

Trip includes

    • TAUCK'S YELLOW ROADS! Cultural charms and spectacular scenery entice during overnight stays in historic paradors, authentically restored castles, palaces and monasteries At El Castell de Ciutat, a choice of a spa treatment, cooking demonstration of Catalan cuisine, a round of golf, or a guided visit to Andorra A seven-course feast in a medieval castle featuring cultural entertainment and regional cuisine Port wine tasting and lunch at Taylor's in Porto, one of Portugal's most famous port houses Cruise on a Rabelo boat, used for 200 years to transport port wine, along the Douro River A self-guided visit of the beautiful Benedictine enclave atop saw-toothed Montserrat Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted 30 meals (13 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 9 dinners), service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Barcelona
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Le Méridien Barcelona. A transfer is included from Barcelona Airport or the train station to Le Méridien Barcelona, ideally located on pedestrian-friendly Las Ramblas. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight. MEALS : D LODGING : Le Méridien Barcelona PORTOFCALL : Barcelona, Spain

Day 2 Art and architecture in beautiful Barcelona
Your day begins with a walking tour of city sights that includes Las Ramblas and the Cathedral in medieval Barrio Gótico. Drive to Montjuic to see the Olympic Stadium and continue on to a visit inside Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece, la Sagrada Família. MEALS : B LODGING : Le Méridien Barcelona PORTOFCALL : Barcelona, Spain

Day 3 Montserrat, Cardona & on to the Pyrenees
Venture into the mountains today, stopping at Montserrat monastery to see the shrine of Moreneta, the Black Madonna, en route to Cardona. Enjoy lunch in the medieval dining room at 9th-century Parador de Cardona, before driving through the Catalonian Pyrenees to your resort hotel. MEALS : B, L, D LODGING : El Castell de Ciutat PORTOFCALL : La Seu d'Urgell, Spain

Day 4 La Seu d'Urgell & free time in the Pyrenees
A morning walking tour of La Seu d'Urgell visits the 12th-century Romanesque Cathedral, renowned as the finest in the Pyrenees. You have a choice of afternoon activities, including a Catalan cooking demonstration, a 9-hole round of golf, a spa treatment, or a guided visi...
Day 5 Pamplona & San Sebastián in the beguiling Basque country
Ernest Hemingway immortalized Pamplona in "The Sun Also Rises"; walk the route followed during the "running of the bulls." Then it's on to San Sebastían in Basque Country where your first view of this popular oceanfront town is from the top of Mt. Igueldo. Settle in at your elegant Belle-Époque hotel for a two-night stay. MEALS : B, D LODGING : Hotel Maria Cristina PORTOFCALL : San Sebastián, Spain

Day 6 A day in seaside San Sebastián
A walking tour with a local guide reveals San Sebastián's Parte Vieja (Old Town); the remainder of the day and evening are yours to spend as you wish. Sample typical Basque food and enjoy the many waterfront activities including world-class surfing. MEALS : B LODGING : Hotel Maria Cristina PORTOFCALL : San Sebastián, Spain

Day 7 Bilbao, the Guggenheim and Fuente Dé
Visit the Guggenheim Museum, a treasure trove of modern art, in nearby Bilbao, then continue to medieval Santillana del Mar in the Cantabria region of Spain for lunch en route to Fuente Dé. Stay overnight at a parador located in the heart of the Picos. MEALS : B, L, D LODGING : Parador de Fuente Dé PORTOFCALL : Fuente Dé, Spain

Day 8 Across the scenic mountain roads of the Picos d'Europa
Enjoy a morning at leisure, then travel from Fuente De through the scenic mountain roads of the Picos d'Europa to the small, picturesque town of Cangas de Onis where you will enjoy lunch. Later, you'll arrive in Cangas del Narcea where you'll enjoy dinner and an overnigh...
Day 9 In pilgrims' footsteps on the way to Santiago
After breakfast, you'll travel along the scenic coastline of northern Spain to the coastal town of Ribadeo, with lunch included at a parador overlooking the bay. Following lunch, enjoy the coastal views as you head to Santiago. When the grave of Saint James was discovere...
Day 10 Prosperous Porto on the Atlantic in Portugal
Spend the morning at leisure. After lunch, change your clocks back one hour as we drive the coastal route from Spain to Porto, Portugal. An ancient port city nestled on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Douro River with a rich port-wine trading history...
Day 11 A Rabelo cruise & a taste of port, the pride of Porto
In Porto, port wine is at the heart of the matter; the city that gave this libation its name has long been known for the quality of its port, an economically important export for centuries. Your locally guided exploration of the city's intriguing sights includes the Goth...
Day 12 To Coimbra en route to Lisbon
Portuguese history comes alive today as you journey to Coimbra, home to Portugal's oldest university. Our local guide accompanies you on a visit that showcases its palatial spaces and treasures, including the library - its rooms of gilt and exotic woods are lined with 30...
Day 13 Discoveries through the centuries in Lisbon
Straddling seven hills, Portugal's charming capital city blends past with present with reminders of the "Great Period of Discoveries" and lively vignettes of daily life. Go back in time on visits to the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the impressive Maritime Museum in its wes...
Day 14 Journey home
Tour Ends: Lisbon. Fly home anytime. A transfer from the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon to Lisbon's International Airport is included. Allow a minimum of three hours for check-in. MEALS : B PORTOFCALL : Lisbon, Portugal

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $5,190
Price per day$371
Last Updated: 10/27/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Tauck Reviews & Ratings

4.2/5  Great
Excellent
16
Great
4
Average
0
Disappointing
4
Terrible
1
Write a Review

Other Tauck Reviews

S

Susan

Jun 2023

Written on

Nine Tours and Done

Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done o...

C

Cougess

Jan 2023

Written on

Skip this cruise - not worth it

My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the...

H

Harry

Sep 2022

Written on

Tauck/Aon terrible travel insurance

Tauck partners with Aon for travel insurance. We bought this insurance through Tauck specifically to cover us in case of a positive for test for Covid and could not ...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Tauck

none
View Profile

It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.

In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.

Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.

Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.

youtube_video_1


twitter_1

What they’re known for
Fun group tours and cruises that are culturally-focused and great for families and seniors on vacation.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
tauck-SN2018

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >