Caradors
lassic Italy
P
of Northern Spain
You’ll long remember views of the Monastery at Montserrat, a Benedictine retreat
“So much culture, natural beauty and history;
I found the people to be very friendly and hospitable.
Our hotels throughout were beautiful, and I was
particularly impressed with the paradors.
– Lori McGann, NJ
”
Maximum Elevation: 6,300 ft.
San
FRANCE
Fuente
Sebastián
The Way
Dé
Santiago de of St. Jam
P
Bilbao
yrene
es
Compostela
es
La Seu d’Urgell
Pamplona
León Picos de
Europa
ATLANTIC
Cardona
OCEAN
Porto
Coimbra
Fatima
1. Arrive Barcelona
Santillana
del Mar
SPAIN
Barcelona
PORTUGAL
MEDITERRANEAN
SEA
Lisbon
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Le Méridien Barcelona. Welcome to
Barcelona! A transfer is included from Barcelona Airport to your
first night’s hotel, Le Méridien Barcelona, ideally located on one
of the main boulevards, Las Ramblas. Join us this evening for a
welcome cocktail reception and dinner. Meals D
2. Art
and
Architecture
in
Barcelona
Join a local guide for a walking tour of Barcelona to the city’s
beautiful Cathedral in medieval Barrio Gótico. Take a drive to see
architect Antoni Gaudí’s extraordinary unfinished masterpiece, la
Sagrada Família, then on to view the Olympic Stadium, set high
above the city with the harbor glistening below. The remainder of
the day is free to do as you please in Barcelona. Meals B
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3. Country Roads
of
Catalonia
The spectacular mountaintop monastery at Montserrat is
Catalonia’s holiest place, and one of the most scenic pilgrimage
sites in Spain; visit it en route to Cardona. Enjoy a taste of
authentic Catalan cuisine during lunch in the medieval dining
room of a 9th-century castle, the Parador de Cardona, and visit
the Romanesque Church of San Vincente. Drive along the western
Tauck Value Includes:
Tauck Value Includes:
•T
AUCK’S YELLOW ROADS! Cultural charms and spectacular
scenery from Northern Spain to Portugal as you travel the
Yellow Roads for several overnight stays in historic paradors,
authentically restored castles, palaces and monasteries
San Sebastían
is unforgettable;
part summer
resort, part
cosmopolitan
city, it’s also
rich in Basque
customs and
culture
•C
hoice of spa treatment or cooking demonstration at El Castell
de Ciutat; seven-course feast in a medieval castle featuring
cultural entertainment and regional cuisine
•P
ort wine tasting and dinner at Taylor’s in Porto, one of the
most famous port houses in Portugal
•C
ruise aboard a Rabelo boat, used for 200 years to transport
port wine, along the Douro River in Porto
•A
self-guided visit of the beautiful Benedictine monastery atop
saw-toothed Montserrat
edge of the Sierra del Cadi to tiny Castellciutat, near historic
La Seu d’Urgell. Spend the next two nights surrounded by the
majestic beauty of the Pyrenees at a Relais & Châteaux top-rated
resort hotel. Dine à la carte this evening at the hotel, where the
cuisine is inspired by the Mediterranean – and the setting inspires
the palate for seasonal specialties and local produce. Meals BLD
4. The Incomparable Pyrenees
Tour the 12th-century Cathedral in La Seu d’Urgell, one of the
only preserved Romanesque cathedrals in the Catalan Pyrenees.
This afternoon you’ll have a choice of activities, including a
Catalan cuisine cooking demonstration, a round of golf, or a
pampering visit to the spa, “dedicated to the five senses.” Feast
on a seven-course dinner this evening at a hilltop 9th-century
castle on the grounds of your hotel. Meals BLD
5. The Heart
of
Basque Country
Journey to the lovely seaside resort of San Sebastián, in the heart
of Basque country, for a two-night stay at a spectacular Belle
Époque hotel. Visit Pamplona, site of Spain’s annual running of
the bulls, with some free time to explore on your own. Your first
view of Spain’s popular oceanfront town is from the top of Mount
Igueldo, a picture-perfect overview of the small city, shell-shaped
bay and Cantabrian coastline. Meals BD
• Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
• 30 meals (13 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 10 dinners), service charges,
gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage
remote villages and emerald valleys, en route to Fuente Dé.
Overnight at a parador located in the heart of the Picos bordered
by woodlands and a massive “stone” mountain. Meals BLD
8. Castile / Parador
de
León
Cross the Cantabrian Cordilleras on the way to the high Meseta
Plateau of Central Spain. The mountains are now behind, with
the endless flats and wheat fields of Castile ahead. Arrive in León,
where you’ll embark on a city tour with a local guide; visit one of
the finest Gothic cathedrals in Spain. Stay tonight at the historic,
and ornately decorated, Parador de León. Meals BLD
9. Parador
de
Santiago
de
Compostela
Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims on the Camino of Santiago to
Santiago de Compostela; stops at towns along the way include
Astorga and Piedrafita del Cebrero for a look at daily life. A local
guide takes you on a walking tour through its narrow streets for
6. Enjoy Seaside San Sebastián
A walking tour with a local guide reveals San Sebastián’s La Parte
Vieja (Old Town); spend the remainder of the day exploring the
aristocratic summer capital of Spain as you wish. Stroll down the
city’s narrow medieval streets, sampling typical Basque food, and
enjoy the many waterfront attractions. Meals B
7. Art
in
Bilbao / Parador
de
Fuente Dé
View works of modern art at the world-renowned Guggenheim
Museum in Bilbao, then continue on to medieval Santillana del
Mar. Drive into the impressive Picos de Europa, through gorges,
Call your travel agent or Tauck at 800-468-2825
“Eclectic” art defines the wonderful works at the Guggenheim Bilbao
www.tauck.com 137
a visit to the Cathedral, final destination of medieval pilgrims
and the home of the relics of St. James. Spend the night at the
Parador de Santiago de Compostela, which is one of Spain’s
(and quite possibly the world’s) oldest hotels – it has been
accommodating travelers since the 15th century, set on the same
beautiful square as the Cathedral of St. James. Meals BLD
10. Journey
to
Porto, Portugal
Spend the morning at your leisure, before driving across the
border to Porto, Portugal, a medieval port city that is nestled on
the shores of the Atlantic Ocean; dine à la carte tonight. Meals BLD
11. Sightsee Porto
Giving its name to port wine, Porto’s well-known export, it is not
surprising that a tour of the city’s historic sights is entwined with its
many wineries. Sightseeing with a local guide includes the colorful
market of Bolhão; Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores
in the world; and a visit to the Gothic Church of São Francisco. Board
a traditional Rabelo boat for a cruise on the Douro River – these boats
have been used for over 200 years to transport barrels of port wine.
Tonight, you’ll be able to sample the locally produced port when you
visit Taylor’s winery for a tour that’s followed by a wine tasting and
dinner in the elegant Restaurante Barão de Fladgate. Meals BD
12. Coimbra / Fatima / Lisbon
Portuguese history comes alive today as you journey to Coimbra,
where a local guide accompanies you on a visit to Portugal’s
oldest university, founded in 1210 by King Dinis; visit historic
Saint Michael’s Chapel. See Fatima, world-famous for reported
sightings of the Virgin Mary in the early 20th century, and arrive
early evening in Lisbon. Meals BL
13. Sightseeing
in
Lisbon
Portugal’s capital intrigues with reminders of the “Great Period
of Discoveries.” Visit Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the unique
National Coach Museum; see the Tower of Belém, a defensive
tower built to commemorate Vasco de Gama’s expedition, and
the Discoveries Monument, where 15th-century ships set sail
for new worlds. Your afternoon is free for your own explorations
before tonight’s farewell cocktail reception and dinner. Meals BD
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 3 hours for check-in. Meals B
14 Days from $4,990 plus airfare
(13 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches & 10 Dinners)
Begins Barcelona
Apr 22 May 6, 13, 20 Jun 3, 10, 17, 24
Jul 1, 15, 29 Aug 12, 26 Sep 9, 16, 23, 30 Oct 7, 14, 21
Dates in blue indicate Small Group Departures with no more than 26 Tauck
Guests, priced from $5690 per person double; specific dates apply –
inquire at time of booking.
Go to www.tauck.com for space availability; additional departure dates
may become available as these sell out.
Price Per Person
Double $4990
Your paradors are destinations
in themselves, such as Parador
de Léon, once a 12th-century
monastery; in Portugal, it’s all
about traditions.
Single $5991
Triple $4912
International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on
international air for travel originating in the U.S. (subject to availability).
Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before or after
your tour and about our comprehensive Guest Protection Product.
Fine Hotels / Great Locations
Le Méridien Barcelona
El Castell de Ciutat
Hotel Maria Cristina
Parador de Fuente Dé
Parador de León
Parador de Santiago
de Compostela
Night 10,11 Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa
Night 12,13 Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
Night
Night
Night
Night
Night
Night
1,2
3,4
5,6*
7
8
9
Barcelona
La Seu d’Urgell
San Sebastián
Fuente Dé
León
Santiago del
Compostela
Porto, Portugal
Lisbon, Portugal
*Tour of Sep 16 will stay at the Melia Bilbao in Melia and will not visit San
Sebastián; ask at time of booking for details.
Paradors of Northern Spain combines well with
these Europe trips; ask at time of booking!
A Week In... Venice, Florence & Rome (8 days, page 32)
A Week In... London and Paris (8 days, page 98)
Spain and Portugal (14 days, page 139)
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