Stay in historic lodgings as you journey from Lisbon to Barcelona, discovering breathtaking architecture and stunning scenery, fishing villages and cosmopolitan cities, and Basque and Catalan cultures.
Across Northern Spain and Portugal: Lisbon to Barcelona
Featuring Historic Paradores and Pousadas
17 days from $6,974 | includes airfare, taxes and all fees
Stay in historic lodgings as you journey from Lisbon to Barcelona, discovering breathtaking architecture and stunning scenery, fishing villages and cosmopolitan cities, and Basque and Catalan cultures.
Tour Details
TOUR BROCHURE
brochureWHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Sherry B.This trip was a trip through time. We learned about historical events and places all the way to current events. Our guides provided us with context to tie all our new knowledge together into a "big picture" of the Iberian Peninsula. it was SO enlightening
- Lois C.The tour itself was excellent and quite enlightening. The addition of the local guides, the personal touches of being in a private home, brought the experience to a much more complete level giving us a piece of Spanish culture we would not have had otherwise.
JOURNEYS DISPATCHES
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Corinthia Hotel Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal
Situated a short distance from the historic city center, the Corinthia Hotel Lisbon overlooks Monsanto National Park. The 518-room hotel features two restaurants and an indoor/outdoor lounge, indoor swimming pool, gym, spa with massage treatments, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, solarium, jewelry shop, and laundry and dry cleaning services. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, tea- and coffee-making facilities, in-room safe, TV, and phone.
Pousada de Porto
Porto, Portugal
The public areas of the Pousada de Porto were converted from a former palace built in 1742 on the banks of the Douro River, which exemplifies Portuguese Baroque architecture and has been classified as a National Monument. The 87-room hotel features pieces from various museums in Porto along with contemporary furnishings, and its amenities include a restaurant and bar; fitness center; outdoor and indoor pool; spa with sauna Turkish bath, and massage treatments; complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access; and laundry and dry cleaning service. Air-conditioned guest rooms include private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.
Parador de Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Considered one of the world's oldest hotels, the Hostal dos Reis Catolicós as it is also known was built by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1499 as a hospital for pilgrims. The 137-room parador is situated in the historic Plaza do Obradoiro adjacent to the famed cathedral and its architectural flourishes include a carved entrance façade, vaulted ceilings, stone archways, a Renaissance chapel, and four courtyards. The hotel features two restaurants and a bar, coffee shop, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, library, gift shop, and laundry and dry cleaning service. Air-conditioned guest rooms are furnished in historical style and offer private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.
Parador de Leon
Leon, Spain
Originally a 16th-century monastery and an impressive example of Renaissance architecture, this parador once housed the knights of the Order of St. James charged with protecting the pilgrims on the Way of St. James. The 226-room lodging features fine architectural details including carvings, a cloistered courtyard, and a vaulted ceiling; amenities include a restaurant and bar, spa with massage treatments and hair salon, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, library, gift shop, and laundry service. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.
Melia Bilbao
Bilbao, Spain
The contemporary Melia Bilbao is located in the city center close to the Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, and other cultural attractions, shops, and restaurants. Housing a collection of contemporary art, the 211-room hotel has two restaurants featuring Basque specialties and a bar; wellness center with gym, heated outdoor pool, sauna, and massage and beauty treatments; complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access; and laundry and dry cleaning service. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, TV, and phone.
Parador de Bielsa
Bielsa, Spain
Perched on the mountain slopes of the Pyrenees in Monte Perdido National Park, the Parador de Bielsa offers sweeping views of this mountainous region of Northern Spain from its terrace. The 39-room parador features traditional regional architecture with local stone and offers a restaurant and bar, terrace, garden, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, laundry service, and gift shop. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, in-room safe, TV, and phone. A Note about Air Conditioning Hotels in Spain generally adhere to guidelines issued by the government regarding the availability of air conditioning. Many lodgings provide air conditioning in guest rooms only from late April or May until late September/early October.
Hotel Avenida Palace
Barcelona, Spain
Built in 1952, Hotel Avenida Palace stands in the heart of Barcelona and offers a good location from which to explore. The 151-room hotel is just minutes from La Ramblas, the Picasso Museum, and the museum housing the works of modern architect Antoni Gaudi. The hotel features a restaurant and bar and laundry and dry cleaning services. Air-conditioned guest rooms offer private bath with hair dryer, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, in-room safe, mini-bar, TV, and phone. A Note about Air Conditioning Hotels in Spain generally adhere to guidelines issued by the government regarding the availability of air conditioning. Many lodgings provide air conditioning in guest rooms only from late April or May until late September/early October.
Expectations: This Classic Land Journey features visits to historic cities, small towns and villages, and wilderness areas in many different regions across Portugal and northern Spain. Although comprehensive, it's not rushed, but well paced and finely tuned. Expectations include longer touring days with many full-day motorcoach excursions and seven different hotels. Many hotels are paradors or pousadas: historic buildings that have been transformed into hotels. Although modern with most amenities, they can sometimes require additional walking to get to guest rooms (and several do not have an elevator). Mostly full-day excursions are from four to six hours, and seven afternoons are at leisure. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time during city tours, museum visits, and outdoor activities; daily walks of up to three miles, sometimes over difficult terrain that includes cobblestones and city hills (especially in hilltowns), uneven pavement, stairs without handrails, and absence of elevators; longer walks to get to city centers where coaches are prohibited. There are four longer coach rides of approximately three to four hours duration.
Please note that dinners in Spain are typically later in the evening than we are accustomed to here in the United States. The majority of the dinners on this tour are scheduled at approximately 8:30 pm.
Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with longer days of touring (both walking tours and coach time).
Barcelona Post-Program Option — 3 Days, 2 Nights
Discover more of this lively, spirited city at your leisure. Your tour extension price includes:
- Accommodations at Hotel Avenida Palace (Superior First Class)
- Two meals: two (2) breakfasts
- Transfer to airport
WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Sherry B.This trip was a trip through time. We learned about historical events and places all the way to current events. Our guides provided us with context to tie all our new knowledge together into a "big picture" of the Iberian Peninsula. it was SO enlightening
- Lois C.The tour itself was excellent and quite enlightening. The addition of the local guides, the personal touches of being in a private home, brought the experience to a much more complete level giving us a piece of Spanish culture we would not have had otherwise.
Highly Recommended
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