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Accommodations The paradores of Spain and pousadas of Portugal deliver a special experience that provides luxury accommodations for those with a taste for history and scenic beauty. Paradores and pousadas are special inns and hotels that often are housed in historic buildings, such as castles, palaces, convents and monasteries. Sometimes they are new hotels built in especially scenic areas. These state-run hotels provide luxurious accommodations and many amenities. Paradores and pousadas feature excellent restaurants that showcase regional specialties. This travel program showcases three of the most memorable hotels in Spain and Portugal. In Ávila stay at the Parador Raimundo de Borgoña, which is inside the city wall. Over the centuries, it has been home to political leaders and nobility. For a time, it even was a barracks for the Civil Guard. Located in a converted 16th-century palace, this inviting paradores offers guestrooms with many amenities. Experience the beautiful views of its garden and the medieval city walls while relaxing on the patio or enjoying the delicious cuisine of the region. Each guestroom features air conditioning, cable and satellite television, a direct-dial telephone, hair dryer and minibar. Currency exchange, room service and laundry service also are available. Next, experience the luxury of the Hostal Dos Reis Católicos in Santiago de Compostela. This former royal hospital was commissioned in 1499 by the Catholic Monarchs, Isabel I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, to attend to the needs of the thousands of pilgrims who visited the city. Anchoring the Praza de Obradoiro along with the Catedrál de Santiago de Compostela, this parador is considered to be the top hotel in the city. The parador today is renowned for its beauty, elegance and luxury and is the perfect base to begin your exploration of the city and its environs. The parador also has an excellent restaurant. All guestrooms feature air conditioning, cable television, a direct-dial telephone, hair dryer and minibar. Currency exchange, room service and laundry service also are available. In Portugal, stay at the Pousada de Santa Marinha in Guimarães. The pousada, which has a view of the city from a nearby hill, is a former monastery of the Order of St. Augustine. It has spectacular gardens and Mozarabic features. The monastery was acquired by the state in the early 1970s to become a pousada. After its restoration, it received the Portuguese National Architecture Prize in 1985. Its luxurious accommodations, numerous amenities, fine restaurant and beautiful views of the valley and the city will delight your senses and ensure an enjoyable stay. All guestrooms feature air conditioning, cable television, a direct-dial telephone, hair dryer and minibar. Currency exchange, room service and laundry service are also available. |
Portugal & Spain - Paradores & Pousadas
May 9 - 18, 2009
Experience the grandeur of Spain and Portugal in their paradores and pousadas, which combine architecture, art, history and tradition to evoke a feeling of the past. Each is unique, beautiful and historically important to its locale and will provide the perfect accommodation for your journey through these two spectacular countries. Begin in Ávila, and journey through Spain to cultured Santiago de Compostela, historic Segovia and lively Salamanca to see the ancient treasures that these towns hold. Travel to Portugal, where history comes alive in the preserved cities of Guimarães, Braga, Fátima and Óbidos, while visits to sophisticated Porto and cosmopolitan Lisbon showcase the contemporary side of Portugal. Acquaint yourself with these cities of old while discovering the eastern Iberian Peninsula.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY INCLUDED FEATURES EXCLUSIVE AHI EXTRAS Enjoy luxurious, Five-Star accommodations, renowned for every modern comfort and amenity, in four diverse and historically significant locations. A uniquely designed itinerary and exceptional opportunities to experience the breadth of culture and landscape of Spain and Portugal. Discover the highlights of Ávila; revered Santiago de Compostela, the destination of the important medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James; Guimarães and Lisbon. Leave the cities to travel off-the-beaten-path as you explore Segovia, Salamanca, Braga, Porto, Fátima and Óbidos.
Cost Special Tulane pricing is from approximately $3395 per person, plus airfare and V.A.T., based on double occupancy. Booking For booking information please contact Alumni Holidays International at 800-323-7373, or Tulane Alumni Travel at 877-488-5263. Specific trip details (itinerary, meals, sightseeing & accommodations) will be published in the brochure.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1 - DEPART GATEWAY
Depart your gateway city for Madrid, Spain, aboard scheduled jet service. (Provided for Air Package participants only.) DAY 2 - Ávila
Upon arrival, transfer by deluxe motorcoach to Ávila and the Parador Raimundo de Borgoña. (Transfer provided for Air Package participants only.) This evening, gather with fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception and Dinner.
DAY 3 - Ávila
Lecture: History of Castile. Excursion: Ávila. Take a walking tour of this medieval city, which still stands protected by one of the best-preserved defensive alls in Europe. Dinner is served at the parador.
DAY 4 -Segovia
Excursion: Segovia. This full-day tour takes you to charming Segovia. See the magnificent, first-century Roman aqueduct, the Plaza Mayor, the impressive Cathedral and Alcázar castle. Lunch is served in Segovia.
DAY 5 - Santiago de Compostela
Depart Ávila for Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, stop in the university city of Salamanca, which also was a stop on the Via de le Plata, the Silver Road. See the Plaza Mayor, Cathedral and La Casa de las Conchas, or the House of Shells. Lunch is served in Zamora, a city filled with medieval, Romanesque architecture. Upon arrival in Santiago de Compostela, check into the Parador Dos Reis Católicos. Dinner is served in the parador.
DAY 6 - Santiago de Compostela
Excursion: Santiago de Compostela. A walking tour of this fascinating city includes a stop at the famous pilgrimage cathedral of James the Apostle. DAY 7 - Guimarães
Depart Santiago de Compostela for Guimarães. Along the way, stop in the historic town of Braga, Portugal, for sightseeing and lunch. Upon arrival in Guimarães, check into the Pousada Santa Marinba. Tonight, dinner is at the pousada. DAY 8 - Guimarães
Lecture: History of Portugal. Excursion: Guimarães. Explore this lovely town, birthplace of Portugal's first king, during a walking tour. See the historically preserved city center and walls. Visit the medieval castle and the palace of the Dukes of Braganca.
DAY 9 - Porto
Excursion: Porto. A full-day excursion takes you to Portugal's second city. Porto gave its name to the country's famous export, port wine, as the city was home to a bustling port during the Age of Discovery. Visit a port wine cellar to learn about this sweet, fortified wine. Go on a walking tour of this city's narrow, winding streets and see Leõs Square, the Clerigos Tower and stop at Bulhão Market, where you will have free time to explore on your own. Lunch is served in Porto.
DAY 10 - Queluz
Depart Guimarães for Queluz. On the way, visit Fátima, famous for the Marian visions of 1917, and medieval Óbidos, where a Moorish castle is perched on a hill in this walled city. Lunch is served en route to Queluz. Upon arrival in Queluz, check into the Pousada D. Maria I. DAY 11 - Lisbon
Excursion: Lisbon. A full-day excursion will showcase the highlights of Portugal's capital city. Stroll across the mosaic pavements and discover breathtaking views atop every hill. See the Tower of Belem, the Monument of Discoveries and the Jeronimos Monastery, including the church and the cloister. You will have the opportunity to spend the afternoon at leisure to explore this exciting city, shop or relax. Tonight, attend a Farewell Reception and Dinner at the pousada.
DAY 12 - Return
Transfer to the Lisbon airport for the return flight(s) to your gateway city. (Provided for Air Package participants only.)
Note: Itinerary schedule may change dues to local conditions. Many excursions in this program involve an element of walking as some of the finest attractions are located in areas not closely accessible by motorcoach. back
INCLUDED FEATURES
FIRST, THREE NIGHTS IN ÁVILA
- Deluxe accommodations at the Parador Raimundo de Borgoña.
- A welcome Reception and Dinner at the parador.
- Join a walking tour of the walled city, including a visit to the cathedral.
- Explore Segovia and see the Roman aqueduct, Cathedral and Alcázar.
- Attend a lecture about the history of Castile.
- Two dinner at the parador and a lunch in Segovia at the Mesón de Cándido restaurant.
- Breakfast buffet daily at the parador.
NEXT, TWO NIGHTS IN SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
- Deluxe accommodations at he Hostal Dos Reis Católicos.
- Visit Salamanca en route to Santiago. See the cathedral and the university.
- See the highlights of Santiago de Compostela, including the cathedral.
- Tour the historic parador.
- Lunch in Zamora en route to Santiago and a dinner at the parador.
- Breakfast buffet daily at the parador.
FINALLY, THREE NIGHTS IN GUIMARÃES
- Deluxe accommodations at the Pousada de Santa Marinha.
- Visit Bom Jesus do Monte en route to Guimarães.
- Join a walking tour of Guimarães, including a visit to the castle and the ducal palace.
- Tour the historic pousada.
- Attend a lecture about the history of Portugal.
- Explore Porto during a full-day tour, including visits to the Stock Exchange, cathedral and a port wine cellar.
- Lunches new Bom Jesus and in Porto, dinner at the Guimarães pousada and a dinner at the Santa Maria do Bouro Pousada.
- A Farewell Dinner at the Guimarães pousada.
- Breakfast buffet daily at the pousada.
TRANSFERS AND PORTERAGE
- Deluxe motorcoach transfers from Ávila to Santiago de Compostela and from Santiago de Compostela to Guimarães, including baggage handling.
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