Paradors of Northern Spain

•   TAUCKS 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

Day 1: Arrive 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.
Overnight: Le Méridien Barcelona, Spain
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 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.
Overnight: Le Méridien Barcelona, Spain
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 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 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.
Overnight: El Castell de Ciutat, La Seu d’Urgell, Spain
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 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. Feast on a seven-course dinner this evening at a hilltop 9th-century castle.
Overnight: El Castell de Ciutat, La Seu d’Urgell, Spain
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 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.
Overnight: Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastián, Spain*
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 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 and popular surfing destination as you wish. Stroll down the city’s narrow medieval streets, sampling typical Basque food – and pintxos – and enjoy the many waterfront attractions found here.
Overnight: Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastián, Spain*
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 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, 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.
Overnight: Parador de Fuente Dé*
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 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.
Overnight: Parador de León, Spain
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 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 a visit to the Cathedral of St. James. Spend the night at the historic Parador de Santiago de Compostela – it has been accommodating travelers since the 15th century. Dinner tonight is at your choice of restaurants in the parador.
Overnight: Parador de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 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.
Overnight: Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa, Porto, Portugal
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: Sightsee Porto
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.
Overnight: Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa, Porto, Portugal
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 12: Coimbra and Fatima, then on to 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 at your hotel in Lisbon.
Overnight: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, Portugal
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 13: Sightseeing intrigues 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.
Overnight: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, Portugal
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

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 3 hours for check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Don't miss our current specials: Tauck Tour Special Offer Whether you choose to explore Europe on a Tauck "Yellow Roads of Europe" land journey, sail away on our award-winning European river cruises, find yourself someplace new on a Tauck Culturious trip or share the joy of European travel with your family on a Tauck Bridges adventure, your Tauck travel experience is built around these "cornerstones": Personalized Service We take care of every detail on your Tauck European vacation so you connect with the destination and experience the genuine emotion, the camaraderie, the little things that comprise day-to-day European life.   Quality Experience Tauck's expertise and local access provide guests with the best possible travel experience in Europe, including exclusive cultural events, fine hotels in the best locations and dining featuring authentic regional cuisine. Inclusive Value One up-front price with virtually everything included – no hidden costs, no surprises, no options sold on tour.   Peace of Mind Purchasing clarity – you know the quality of Tauck's travel experiences and full cost before you leave home. TAKE OFF WITH TAUCK makes flying to Europe easy with one flat up-front air price of $1,290 per person economy or $3,290 per person business and other benefits!* Call us today for more information!
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
4/20/2012 - 5/4/2012	$5,390
4/27/2012 - 5/11/2012	$5,390
5/4/2012 - 5/18/2012	$6,090
5/11/2012 - 5/25/2012	$6,090
5/18/2012 - 6/1/2012	$6,090
6/1/2012 - 6/15/2012	$5,390
6/8/2012 - 6/22/2012	$6,090
6/15/2012 - 6/29/2012	$6,090
6/29/2012 - 7/13/2012	$5,390
7/13/2012 - 7/27/2012	$5,690
7/27/2012 - 8/10/2012	$4,990
8/10/2012 - 8/24/2012	$4,990
8/31/2012 - 9/14/2012	$4,990
9/7/2012 - 9/21/2012	$6,090
9/14/2012 - 9/28/2012	$6,090
9/21/2012 - 10/5/2012	$6,090
9/28/2012 - 10/12/2012	$6,090
10/5/2012 - 10/19/2012	$6,090
10/12/2012 - 10/26/2012	$6,090
10/19/2012 - 11/2/2012	$5,390
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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