Historic Paradores of Hidden SpainEscorted Tour, Spain

Stay in three delightful paradores – elegant hotels housed in former palaces, convents, castles and other historic buildings – and discover one of Spain’s most fascinating corners.

Discover a fascinating region of northern Spain, where dusty plains give way to spectacular mountains and a verdant coastline fringed by stunning beaches and fashionable resorts. Uncover the history, culture and charm of the provinces of Cantabria and Asturias, Galicia and Castilla y León. Visit ancient cities along the Camino de Santiago, which centuries of pilgrims have followed on their way to Santiago de Compostela, and enjoy the distinctive cuisine and fine wines of this very special corner of the world.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Soak up the royal history and elegant atmosphere of your parador hotels

Explore Santillana del Mar – one of Spain’s prettiest villages

Revel in relaxed Gijón and the historic Asturian capital, Oviedo

Follow in pilgrims’ footsteps in Santiago de Compostela and León

Embrace the delights of fashionable Santander

Enjoy views of the towering Picos de Europa mountains

Enjoy a more intimate and smaller group experience of 16 to 24 travellers

Join an optional excursion to the city of Burgos

Spend a day at leisure around the popular pilgrimage town, Santo Domingo de la Calzada

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Seven nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Parador de Limpias (2 nights), the four-star Parador de Vilalba (3) and the four-star Parador de Santo Domingo de la Calzada (2)

Four dinners

Return flights to Bilbao

Tour to Santander and Santillana del Mar

Excursions to Asturias and Galicia

Visit to A Coruña

Visits to Lugo and León

Comfortable coach travel and transfers throughout

Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

TINERARY

Day One – Fly to Spain

Arrive in Bilbao, where our coach will transfer to your first Parador - the 20th-century palace of Limpias, in its riverside, parkland setting. Settle in to your splendid surroundings, perhaps taking a stroll along the river to enjoy the views or making use of the Parador's amenities, which include a seasonal outdoor swimming pool. Dinner will be served in the Parador's dining room, this evening.

Day Two - Included tour to Santander and Santillana del Mar

Today, your first included tour takes you to the regional capital, Santander. Stop off at the Cabo Mayor Lighthouse Viewpoint before heading to the fishing port or watch the ebb and flow of daily life in this elegant and sophisticated city-resort from a seat in a pavement café or tapas bar.

You’ll also make the short journey to nearby Santillana del Mar, a picture-postcard-perfect medieval village. After a wonderful day, return to Limpias for a second evening, choosing perhaps to dine in the hotel or in the village.

Day Three – Included excursions to Asturias and Galicia

Re-board the coach, today, and journey along the stunning Asturian coast, where views of the Bay of Biscay shoreline compete with those of the towering Picos de Europa mountains. Break up your scenic journey with visits to beautiful coastal Gijón, and to the nearby Asturian capital, Oviedo.

Late this afternoon, you'll reach the heart of green Galicia and your second Parador. Partly housed in a restored 15th-century tower, and an ideal base for discovering Galicia’s cities and stunning coast, the Parador de Vilalba is built on the site of a former castle, in a quiet village on the route of the Camino de Santiago. Enjoy dinner this evening, and perhaps take a stroll through the old town.

Day Four – Included visit to Santiago de Compostela

Today you'll travel the short distance into ancient Santiago de Compostela, the destination at the end of the Camino, and one of Spain’s most beautiful cities. A marvellously preserved Romanesque cathedral lies at the city’s heart, perhaps the earliest-ever tourist destination for those who, in medieval times, first followed the route to Santiago.

After a marvellous day, you'll return to Vilalba for the evening.

Day Five – Included visit to A Coruña

On this delightfully contrasting day, you'll head to beautiful, rugged Galicia. Dotted with hidden coves and fjord-like rias reminiscent of Devon or Ireland, complete with tiny beaches and sleepy fishing ports, the Galician coast is a delight, epitomised by the historic port of A Coruña, or La Coruna as it's sometimes known.

Set on a peninsula fringed on one side by glorious Atlantic beaches, and on the other by a sheltered bay and deep water harbour, A Coruña is a wonderful place to wander and enjoy delicious Galician tapas and seafood, perhaps washed down with a glass of chilled white wine.

Day Six – Travel via Lugo and León

Bidding farewell to Vilalba, today you'll re-board the coach and head back along the route of the Camino into the sun-baked province of Castilla y León. Highlights today will include visits to Galician Lugo, still enclosed by its intact Roman wall, and to the historic university city of León. See León's majestic cathedral and fine old town, and perhaps take lunch in one of its many tapas bars and cafés.

This afternoon, you’ll continue on to your final parador. Housed in one of Spain's most popular pilgrimage spots, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, this grand Parador offers accommodation fit for a king and a relaxed atmosphere within its 900-year-old walls. Sharing a plaza with one of the major stops along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, the Parador benefits from the grand backdrop of the city's 12th-century Cathedral de Santo Domingo de la Calzada. With an in-house restaurant offering rustic Spanish classics, as well as a lively collection of bars and restaurants outside its walls, the Parador makes excellent use of Rioja's wine country with a wide variety of local wines and fresh produce. Dinner will be served on both nights.

Day Seven - Optional visit to Burgos

Today you're free to enjoy the delights of Lerma, but you may wish to join our optional excursion and explore one of Spain’s most enthralling cities. For centuries Burgos was the capital of Old Castille, and it was also once home (nearly a thousand years ago now) to the legendary warrior leader El Cid. This beguiling place has no shortage of tapas bars and restaurants in which to enjoy lunch, as you'll discover after your tour.

Day Eight - Fly back to UK

Bid farewell to your hosts, and transfer back to Bilbao airport to catch your flight home, at the end of a fascinating week in Northern Spain.

Historic Paradores of Hidden Spain is located in Escorted Tour, Spain. Accommodation rating is the operators own rating and may not be the official rating. Hotel details correct at 01/07/2025