Valladolid
Valladolid, Spain, the city where Ferdinand married Isabella and where Columbus died, is rather prosaically set in the middle of a dusty plateau on the Pisuerga River. Lying 100 mi/160 km northwest of Madrid, much of Valladolid is modern, but it deserves a visit for the National Sculpture Museum. Outstanding works are on display there.
In the Christopher Columbus House-Museum, history buffs can see the house where the discoverer of the New World lived in his later years. The San Pablo church, Santa Maria la Antigua (Gothic) and the never-finished main cathedral are all also worth a visit. The town also has an interesting Museum of Contemporary Spanish Art.
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is now considered by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site and attracts visitors from all over the world thanks to its fantastic monuments. The town is named after the Apostle Saint James ("Santiago"), who is buried here. In 2000 Santiago de Compostela was given the title of European Cultural Capital. Santiago is certainly one of Spain's most monumental towns, with a particular architectonical style all of its own. But it is as well a town plenty of life, with one of the most famous Universities and a large number of students who guarantee youthful ambience inbetween the historical walls. The region's cuisine is of great reputation, and it is said that nowhere has better seafood than Santiago.
Excursions
Introducing Santiago de Compostela (8 hours)
Highlights:
Explore the arcaded streets and famous cathedral, endpoint for thousands of pilgrims of the centuries. Try the local meat and cheeses and head to Monte de Gozo where pilgrims catch their first glimpse of the cathedral towers.
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 8 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
Not Included:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Leon
Formerly the capital of the region, Leon gave its name to the Community. The city's most famous monuments are its great Gothic cathedral, the church Basilica de San Isidoro with valuable Romanesque frescoes in its crypt, and the San Marcos monastery of Renaissance period. Close to Leon visitors may visit the legendary Roman gold mines Las Medulas.
Oviedo
Oviedo is the historic capital of the Principality of Asturias and is the administrative and commercial center of the region. Visit Oviedo’s 9th century churches, built when the city was the capital of Christian Spain, the stately square, Plaza Alfonso II, the Cathedral and the nearby streets with the typical ‘cider bars.’
Bilbao
Bilbao, the capital of Vizcaya Province, lies seven miles from the sea and has a coastline featuring rocks and steep cliffs, creeks and small estuaries; small fishing villages nestle in the inlets below green hills. The port of Bilbao is the largest in Spain and is built against the mountains. The city's fine museums include Fine Arts Museum and Guggenheim Museum. The Guggenheim Bilbao Museum is devoted to American and European art of the 20th century. The Fine Arts Museum specializes in paintings by Spanish masters. Our Lady of Begona Church is a 16th-century church on a hill with a good view of the city and valley. Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art is located in an old convent of Dominican nuns, a 16th-century, L-shaped cloister housing this fine museum with an outstanding exhibit of silversmiths' crafts that is one of the best collections in Spain. The Bullfighting Museum shows interesting bullfighting paraphernalia, such as costumes, photographs of famous toreros and a collection of posters. Visitors can try their gambling luck at Gran Casino Nervion.
Madrid
The capital of Spain since 1562, Madrid is located on the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula. Because of its central location and high altitude, the climate of Madrid is characterized by warm dry summers and cool winters. Madrid is a city of great monuments. Among its highlights are the medieval center dating back to the Habsburg Empire and the Prado Museum. Madrid is not just a cultural destination. It is also a lively metropolis with many pubs, cafes, discotheques and nightclubs open late into the night.
Valladolid, Spain, the city where Ferdinand married Isabella and where Columbus died, is rather prosaically set in the middle of a dusty plateau on the Pisuerga River. Lying 100 mi/160 km northwest of Madrid, much of Valladolid is modern, but it deserves a visit for the National Sculpture Museum. Outstanding works are on display there.
In the Christopher Columbus House-Museum, history buffs can see the house where the discoverer of the New World lived in his later years. The San Pablo church, Santa Maria la Antigua (Gothic) and the never-finished main cathedral are all also worth a visit. The town also has an interesting Museum of Contemporary Spanish Art.
Santiago de Compostela is now considered by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site and attracts visitors from all over the world thanks to its fantastic monuments. The town is named after the Apostle Saint James ("Santiago"), who is buried here. In 2000 Santiago de Compostela was given the title of European Cultural Capital. Santiago is certainly one of Spain's most monumental towns, with a particular architectonical style all of its own. But it is as well a town plenty of life, with one of the most famous Universities and a large number of students who guarantee youthful ambience inbetween the historical walls. The region's cuisine is of great reputation, and it is said that nowhere has better seafood than Santiago.
Excursions
Introducing Santiago de Compostela (8 hours)
Highlights:
Explore the arcaded streets and famous cathedral, endpoint for thousands of pilgrims of the centuries. Try the local meat and cheeses and head to Monte de Gozo where pilgrims catch their first glimpse of the cathedral towers.
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 8 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
Not Included:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Formerly the capital of the region, Leon gave its name to the Community. The city's most famous monuments are its great Gothic cathedral, the church Basilica de San Isidoro with valuable Romanesque frescoes in its crypt, and the San Marcos monastery of Renaissance period. Close to Leon visitors may visit the legendary Roman gold mines Las Medulas.
Oviedo is the historic capital of the Principality of Asturias and is the administrative and commercial center of the region. Visit Oviedo’s 9th century churches, built when the city was the capital of Christian Spain, the stately square, Plaza Alfonso II, the Cathedral and the nearby streets with the typical ‘cider bars.’
Bilbao, the capital of Vizcaya Province, lies seven miles from the sea and has a coastline featuring rocks and steep cliffs, creeks and small estuaries; small fishing villages nestle in the inlets below green hills. The port of Bilbao is the largest in Spain and is built against the mountains. The city's fine museums include Fine Arts Museum and Guggenheim Museum. The Guggenheim Bilbao Museum is devoted to American and European art of the 20th century. The Fine Arts Museum specializes in paintings by Spanish masters. Our Lady of Begona Church is a 16th-century church on a hill with a good view of the city and valley. Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art is located in an old convent of Dominican nuns, a 16th-century, L-shaped cloister housing this fine museum with an outstanding exhibit of silversmiths' crafts that is one of the best collections in Spain. The Bullfighting Museum shows interesting bullfighting paraphernalia, such as costumes, photographs of famous toreros and a collection of posters. Visitors can try their gambling luck at Gran Casino Nervion.
The capital of Spain since 1562, Madrid is located on the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula. Because of its central location and high altitude, the climate of Madrid is characterized by warm dry summers and cool winters. Madrid is a city of great monuments. Among its highlights are the medieval center dating back to the Habsburg Empire and the Prado Museum. Madrid is not just a cultural destination. It is also a lively metropolis with many pubs, cafes, discotheques and nightclubs open late into the night.