Run to the Rock
& The Best of Spain
This Amazing Trans-European Tour starts at the south coast port of Portsmouth for the crossing to Northern Spain. After disembarkation you'll embark on an epic journey South through central Spain stopping en route in Madrid & Granada before arriving at the British enclave of Gibraltar, known fondly as 'The Rock' where you'll spend 3 nights. Your return journey then takes you through western Spain with stops in the beautiful cities of Seville and Salamanca before making your way north to Ojedo and the Picos de Europa.
Madrid is Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.
Granada is located At the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, between the rivers Darro and Genil, lies one of the most interesting cities in eastern Andalusia. It is no surprise that one of its historic districts, Albaicín, is a World Heritage Site, together with the Alhambra and Generalife.
Gibraltar - Red pillar boxes, fish-and-chip shops, Gibraltar is a piece of Portsmouth sliced off and moved 1100 miles south. As with many colonial outposts, ‘the Rock’ is not shy in displaying its Britishness, a bonus for pub-grub and afternoon-tea lovers, but a confusing double-take for modern Brits who thought their country had moved on since the days of Lord Nelson memorabilia. Poised strategically at the jaws of Europe and Africa, Gibraltar, with its Palladian architecture and camera-hogging Barbary macaques, makes for an interesting break from Cádiz province's white towns and tapas.
Seville, disarms and seduces you, its historic centre, lorded over by a colossal Gothic cathedral, is an intoxicating mix of resplendent Mudéjar palaces, baroque churches and winding medieval lanes. Flamenco clubs keep the intimacy and intensity of this centuries-old tradition alive whilst aristocratic mansions recall the city’s past as a showcase Moorish capital and, later, a 16th-century metropolis rich on the back of New World trade.
Salamanca - When you enter the monuments of Salamanca, a world of legends and history awaits you. A good stroll could start in its famous Plaza Mayor, the meeting point par excellence in the city. Enjoying a coffee in the legendary Novelty while looking at its 88 arches or sitting quietly on any of its terraces are all highly recommended.
The Picos de Europa on the borders of Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León, is probably the most stunning National Park in Spain, or even Europe. The contrasts within these 300 square miles of spectacular natural beauty, that link Cantabria and Asturias, are amazing. Small mountain villages are tucked away in the higher slopes and are almost completely isolated. Deep gorges that plunge vertically down into deep river valleys, sparkling lakes and magical forests make this an adventure playground just begging to be explored.
Look What’s Included
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Return Brittany Ferries crossing from UK to Spain including overnight cabin accommodation (Other crossings on Request)
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2 Nights at the Hotel Melia Madrid Princesca Hotel, Madrid
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2 Nights at the Hotel & Winery Senorio de Nevada, Granada
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3 Nights at the Rock Hotel, Gibraltar
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2 Nights at at the Ribera de Triana Hotel
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2 Nights at the Parador de Salamanca
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1 Night at the Hotel Infantado, Ojeda
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1 Night at the Parador se Santillans Gil Blas, Santillana del Mar
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Buffet Breakfast each morning and dinners as meal basis below
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Detailed Road-book featuring Maps, Great Drives & Local Attractions
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Commemorative Tour Rally plate
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Car Parking at all Hotels - some charges may apply locally
OUR TOUR
HOTELS
See our selection of wonderful hotels, all of which have been hand-picked for their quality, facilities and location
Dates & Prices
Run to the Rock & Best of Spain
