The Paradors & Pousadas of Castile, Madrid, Salamanca & Portugal

The Paradors & Pousadas of Castile, Madrid, Salamanca & Portugal

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The Paradors & Pousadas of Castile, Madrid, Salamanca & Portugal

12 Days Starting in plynmo and ending in Paris, France

Visiting: Santander, Plymouth, Chinchón, Madrid, Salamanca, Segovia, Ávila‎, Ciudad Rodrigo, Viseu, Guimaraes, Porto, Burgos, Donostia-San Sebastian, Biarritz, Paris

Tour operator:

Leger Holidays

Tour code:

sppp

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

0-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Discover the spectacular scenery of Spain and Portugal’s most outstanding destinations. From the capital of Madrid to the Golden City of Salamanca, you can see some of the most incredible, historical and sensationally stunning parts of Spain before moving into Portugal uncovering the charms of Porto. You’ll also visit the beautiful city of San Sebastián, the World Heritage Site of Avila and the pretty city of Coimbra. But, that’s not all, you can really make the most of your time away by staying in some of Spain’s finest Paradors and Portugal’s idyllic Pousadas. These luxury hotels offer you a lavish stay, and are a real highlight of this exceptional brand new tour.

Highlights

  • See some of the most incredible, historical and sensationally stunning parts of Spain before moving into Portugal uncovering the charms of Porto

  • Visit the beautiful city of San Sebastián, the World Heritage Site of Avila and the pretty city of Coimbra

  • Visit Avila, a World Heritage Site, which rises from the ground, under the dramatic backdrop of the Gredos Sierra

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Travel To Santander

Location: Santander, Plymouth

Accommodation: Overnight Ferry

Regional departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Portsmouth/Plymouth for the overnight crossing to Santander.



Please note: When you board the ferry at Portsmouth/Plymouth you will require a small overnight bag containing any essential items such as medication. Please note that this small bag (no larger than a small rucksack) is counted as part of your overall luggage allowance.

Day 2 : Head To Chinchón

Location: Chinchón

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Parador Chinchón

We head to our Parador in the charming old town of Chinchón, famous for its medieval square encircled by wooden balconies and its aniseed liqueur, where we stay for two nights.

Day 3 : Madrid

Location: Madrid

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Parador Chinchón

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Join our full-day excursion to Madrid, the capital of Spain.


Madrid is a truly cosmopolitan city with a wealth of cultural attractions. The splendid Plaza Mayor provides the perfect starting point to explore Old Madrid, lined with arches above which perch ornate balconies.


View the frescoes on the old bakery building and the statue of Felipe III, see the majestic Palacio Real (Royal Palace), explore the Paseo del Prado of Bourbon, enjoy a stroll around the magnificent Retiro Park and visit the famous art galleries of The Prado and Reina Sofia, amongst others.

Our optional walking tour will show you the best of the city.

Madrid Walking Tour can be pre-booked to secure your place.

Day 4 : Segovia & Avila

Location: Salamanca, Segovia, Ávila‎

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Parador Salamanca

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We leave Chinchón and head first to Segovia, where the impressive old quarter and Roman aqueduct are World Heritage Sites.
Segovia quite rightly lays claim to being the most spectacularly sited city in Spain, built high on a rocky spur and surrounded by the Eresma and Clamores Rivers. In addition to numerous Romanesque churches, the cathedral and fortress form a magnificent city that presides over this part of Castile.



We continue to Avila, a World Heritage Site, which rises from the ground, under the dramatic backdrop of the Gredos Sierra. Behind its impressive walls a wealth of beautiful Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and Renaissance churches and palaces can be found.


Continue to Salamanca and our Parador for two nights.

Day 5 : Salamanca

Location: Salamanca

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Parador Salamanca

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Spend the day exploring this beautiful “Golden City”, with its splendid Roman, Arabic and Christian architectural treasures.


Wander the elegant arcades of the Plaza Mayor, one of the finest in Spain, and see Spain’s oldest University, the Puente Romano and its two cathedrals.


Our optional walking tour will allow you to see the best of the city.

Salamanca Walking Tour can be pre-booked to secure your place.

Day 6 : Ciudad Rodrigo

Location: Ciudad Rodrigo, Viseu

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Pousada Viseu

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Continue west to Ciudad Rodrigo, a small cathedral city, enclosed by its city walls which were besieged by both sides during Napoleon’s Peninsula war.


We later continue across the border into Portugal and to our Pousada in charming Viseu for two nights.

Day 7 Free Time Or Coimbra

Location: Viseu

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Pousada Viseu

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today you can join our optional excursion to the pretty city of Coimbra on the river Mondego.


This former medieval capital of Portugal is home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, and today its historic centre of multi-coloured houses, two grand cathedrals, medieval churches and cobbled streets, combines with a lively, vibrant atmosphere; a delight we’re sure you will enjoy.

Day 8 : Porto

Location: Guimaraes, Porto

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Pousada Guimaraes

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We leave our Parador and head to Porto, where we offer an optional city walking tour.


Porto is one of the oldest and most striking cities in Europe, its unspoilt old quarter in the historic centre, with its maze of winding narrow streets, arcaded houses and beautiful churches, has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.


Known for its famous port wine made from local grapes grown along the banks of the Douro to the east, we visit a port wine cellar to taste the ‘precious nectar’.


Continue to the beautiful town of Guimaraes, the 'birthplace of Portugal' with its picturesque cobbled centre, and our Pousada for one night.

Porto Walking Tour with Winetasting is highly recommended so must be booked in advance. The cost is from £45, please ask for details when booking this holiday.

Day 9 : Burgos

Location: Burgos

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Parador Lerma

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we head north to Burgos, situated on the Pilgrim’s Road. The cathedral and old quarter are masterpieces of Spanish Gothic architecture and El Cid is buried here. We stay overnight at the Parador Lerma.

Day 10 : San Sebastián

Location: Donostia-San Sebastian, Biarritz

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: City-style hotels

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We leave Burgos and head to the stunning city of San Sebastián set on a sweeping, shell-shaped bay with its charming, old quarter and Belle Epoque style.

This is one of Spain’s capitals of gastronomy and the local tapas bars in the old town are a true delight.

Continue into France and to the Biarritz area for one night.

Day 11 : Head To Paris Area

Location: Paris

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: City-style hotels

Meals Included: Breakfast

We head through France to Paris area for one night.

Day 12 : Return Home

Location: Paris

Meals Included: Breakfast

Return home.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Additional Services

    Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point

  • Fully Guided

  • International Travel

  • Meals

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Transport

    Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach

What's Not Included

Accommodation

You will stay at the Parador Chinchón for two nights. We then move on, spending two nights at the Parador Salamanca and Pousada Viseu and one night at the Pousada Guimaraes before completing our Paradors and Pousadas stay with one night at the Parador Lerma.

Overnight stays in France will be in city-style hotels.

On the overnight ferry sailing, accommodation will be in en suite cabins. Meals are not included on board ship.

Check out our Q&As

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • What type of coach will be used?

    You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Low

  • Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

    On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    40 years

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?

    Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

Reviews of this operator

Gary White (Google Reviewer)  

Just got back from a...

27-May-2024

Just got back from a holiday with leger holidays to callea spain which my wife done as a surprise for my 60th and wedding anniversary together my wife and i had a great time the coach journey there was excellent regular stops for toilet breaks and a stretch. Our two drivers Geoff and katrina were brilliant serving regular drinks and making the trip pleasant all the people on the coach were pleasant the hotel in spain was so nice the best we've stayed in lovely staff lovely bar the guy at the bar was great really friendly nice room. Overall our journey there and our return journey was brill the only thing that was not good at all was the ibis hotel on the return journey the room was horrible not a nice breakfast not polite French staff. Not really interested in trying to speak some english if i was leger should try and use a different hotel. Once again a big thank you to Geoff and katrina well done guys for making our holiday lovely. Hope to see you on another holiday soon

Will (Google Reviewer)  

I went on the 4...

05-Jan-2024

I went on the 4 countries trip and swiss glacier express and overall it was a great trip. The coach I was on was silver service, it was tidy had nice seats and other accessories such as charging points and headsets which was very handy. The drivers Alex and Dave were fantastic, very kind, funny and respectful throughout the whole trip and a pleasure to talk to. The excursions were very pleasant and all ran very smoothly. The hotels were decent and offered a good service. I overall very much recommend leger holidays.

Sally Matson  

Excellent customer service

10-Jan-2023

Booked our ‘Christmas in Austria & Scenic Trains of the Tyrol’ through George on the customer Helpline. Nothing was too much trouble, everything clearly & patiently explained. He even had permission to log in on his day off to finalise the sale! A charming and helpful young person and a credit to the company.

Euan Donald (Google Reviewer)  

Been on two tours now...

10-Oct-2023

Been on two tours now the “D Day beaches” and “ All Quiet on the Western Front” tour of the Somme and Ypres. Both four days in total, two travelling and two on the site of the various battles. This is outstanding value for money, picked up from Carlisle , Cumbria and literally looked after all the way through the tours. The coaches are great and the accommodation spot on . The guides are very knowledgeable ( Mark Hope brilliant guy)and the bus drivers professional . Absolutely fantastic .

Remon Wanis (Google Reviewer)  

We have been working with...

05-Aug-2024

We have been working with them for nearly a year now as Sussex Airports Taxis, and they offer the best customer service ever. All their customers are always happy when they return from their holidays. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many more years to come.

William Olley (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

21-Aug-2024

I recently went on a coach holiday with this company. Everything was on time but there can be traffic hold ups with jams and roadworks! The coach was comfortable and the driver stopped for rest periods. The hotel was a 3 star close to a spectacular beach and was adequate. The catering was excellent! I went on the excursions included in the package and visited some lovely places.

Gordon Price (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from Italian holiday....

21-Jul-2024

just returned from Italian holiday. It was great spoilt a little by the high temperature even Ledger can't control that. The only real thing to spoil the trip was one of the hotels. The Krystall hotel in Diano Marina was terrible the room was dire with cracks in shower bogged up shower fittings noe control for AC end so on. The food was very poor, limited choice luke warm food on cold plates. After 4 evening meals (3 or four courses) we were only able to remember 2 we enjoyed. Breakfast was poor no bread except for hard rolls. No fresh fruit if you liked cake for breakfast you were good. If this is a 3 star hotel Italian standards have fallen which I don't think they have. Ledger brochure states "some of Europes most fascinating unique hotels" for Luxuria trips. This hotel should be removed from your list at once. The holiday was other wise good I cannot praise your coach crew too to much they were excellent. A highlight of the trip was the return trip through the swiss alps. It was superb and deserves mention in your holiday iteniary description.

Hilary Jackson (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

12-Jun-2024

I recently went on a 4 night tour to Scarborough. Driver was great hotel superb. My criticism is too many destinations crammed into day excursion. Example visit to Flamborough head stop for 1 hour it was teeming nobody got off coach but even if fine pointless. Then on to Bridlington coach Park 1.5 ml from centre. Most people are hard pressed to get to center & back in 1.5 hours pointless. Incidentally if Leger paid a permit they could alight us in the resort. Very bad logistics. On to Whitby with a decent stop should have taken us there & bypassed the other stops. I will not go with them again. I will source a better holiday with excursions to one place only.

aled blackshaw (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from a solos...

25-Mar-2024

just returned from a solos break to valkenburg and rhine valley i enjoyed the break overall although both journeys were considerably longer than expected due to several picks ups. I could have done without the 3 countries meeting point excursion to be honest and the lunch on rhine cruise was very basic. The drivers/couriers were efficient and good humoured and provided free lunch vouchers on the ferry which were much appreciated. I probably would book another break with leger but to somewhere a lot closer to home.

laura young (Google Reviewer)  

We booked a holiday to...

09-Aug-2024

We booked a holiday to Edinburgh with some excursions. In the travel agents we booked the excursion to sterling which we didn’t do as they went to Loch Lomond instead. The drivers Mike and Heidi were not very polite at times. Moaning that they weren’t allowed to sell alcohol to passengers and then trying to on the sly. Mike quote “if I leave this and £3 appears then great” They read off Google for facts and read like they couldn’t be bothered. Which there was very little facts passed along. We did an excursion to glassglow which was 20 mins away from our hotel. We left at 13:00 meaning we only got around 3 hours there. The trip was lots of people in their 70s meaning they walk slow, some with mobility issues. So not a lot of time there. The Edinburgh tattoo was fantastic but again we left the hotel at 13:00 meaning less time there. When we asked about why we left late they just huffed and said because of legal hours for drivers. While I appreciate this and they need a break there were two drivers. Meaning one could drive the night before and the other the next day meaning we are not left sat around the hotel untill 13:00 each day with very little to do in this area of eaglesham. This was my first trip with ledger and I am very dissatisfied and disappointed at this mainly due to the drivers. The trip was far from cheap and there was no value for money I feel.

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.

    Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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