Cantabrian Treasures & La Rioja – Staying in Spanish Paradors

Cantabrian Treasures & La Rioja – Staying in Spanish Paradors

What's Included:

• 9 nights hotel with continental breakfast
• 7 evening meals
• Overnight ferry crossing with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Santander in a 2-berth en-suite inside cabin
• Convenient joining points

Day 1: Depart the UK

Regional departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Portsmouth, where we board Brittany Ferries' flagship vessel, the Pont-Aven.

Accommodation is in 2-berth inside cabins with en suite facilities. The crossing takes 24 hours during which you can enjoy the facilities on board including restaurants, bars, shopping and swimming

Day 2: Cantabrian Parador

Evening arrival in Santander, then onwards to our Cantabrian Parador for three nights.

Included meals: Dinner

Day 3: Picos De Europa & Santillana Del Mar

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.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Free Time or Costa Verde & Oviedo

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 coast and head inland to visit the pretty resort of Cangas.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Bilbao

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 Logroño, in the heart of the wine-country, which will be your base for the next four nights.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: La Rioja & Wine Tasting

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 Santa Domingo de la Calzada, a popular stop on the fabled Camino de Santiago pilgrims' trail that snakes its way through the vine-covered landscape.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Pamplona

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.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Free Time or Logroño

Why not join our optional excursion to Logroño, which is the perfect example of a wine country town. Its heart is a patchwork of tree-studded squares linked by narrow streets.

The pedestrianised Old Town is a network of narrow alleyways, many full of pintxos, Basque style tapas bars. The town has a growing culinary reputation.

While wandering through the picturesque place, perhaps cross over the Puente de Piedra – one of four bridges on the Ebro River in Logroño. One of the symbols of the city, it appears on its coat of arms.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: San Sebastian

We leave our Parador and head to the beautiful Basque town of San Sebastian, 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.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Paris

We head north through France to reach our overnight hotel in the Paris area.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Return home

Return home.

Included meals: Breakfast