What is a Parador?

Spanish Paradores were started to help preserve failing historical structures such as Medieval Castles, Renaissance Palaces, Arab Fortresses, Monasteries and Convents. Although you may be staying in an establishment built hundreds of years ago, these are luxury accommodations that have been renovated to include modern amenities*. There are also brand new hotels that have been built to further promote tourism in all areas of Spain. These establishments generate income for some of the more remote areas, such as smaller medieval towns that were first inhabited long ago. Although some Paradores are located in remote areas, as to not to compete with the private sector, they are remarkable areas with beautiful landscapes.

Each of the Paradores is well known for the exquisite restaurants and warm Spanish hospitality. Because the Paradores are state owned and operated, everything is local – from the furnishings to the food. The elegant dining rooms at each Parador serve traditional local cuisine and wines, and bring in about half of the hotel’s profits.

Booking a Parador in Spain is one of the best ways to immerse yourself into the local cuisine, culture and history.

Interested in staying in a luxurious Parador on your trip in Spain – such as the gorgeous Parador de Ronda located atop a whitewashed cliff:

Guests may call 1-800-724-5120 or email travel@palacetours.com for more information and Parador rates.

*Check individual Parador locations for information on elevators and WiFi

The Archaeological Dig Site of Atapuerca – Burgos, Spain

Located in the providence of Burgos in Spain, the archaeological dig site of Atapuerca was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000 and won the Prince of Asturias Award for Research in 1997. Since its exploration began in 1964, the dig site in the Sierra de Atapuerca, has gained much recognition for providing invaluable information about earlier hominids and how they lived. The earliest known fossils of hominids in Europe (dating back to somewhere between 780,000 and 1,000,000 years ago) have been uncovered at this location- as well as stone tools, cave wall paintings and ceramic remains from the Neolithic, Bronze and Roman Empire ages. Some of the most well preserved remains of the species Homo heidelbergensis have been recovered from this site and have given scientists better insight into the characteristics and lifestyle of this extinct group. 

Check out these pictures from our visit to the dig site of Atapuerca and the Museum of Human Evolution this past summer –>

Take a trip to Burgos and visit the archaeological dig site of Atapuerca and the Museum of Human Evolution for yourself! Our 2014 Signature Journey for San Fermin, departing in July, and the Iberico Route Special Departure, leaving in August, both journey though Burgos, stopping to tour this unforgettable landmark. Interested guests may visit our website at  palacetours.com or call our offices at 1-800-724-5120 for tour information and rates. 

Northern vs. Southern Spain

Debating whether to travel to northern or southern Spain? We’re going to breakdown the highlights of visiting both regions in easy to read lists, so you can make the decision for yourself…

Both Northern and Southern Spain are full of history, culture and great food and both regions deserve a visit, but we understand if you can only pick one (at the moment). Each region in Northern and Southern Spain is very different also. It as if Spain is made up of many different countries though out, so you are guaranteed a variety of culture, cuisine and sites wherever you venture.

Northern Spain Highlights:

• Greener landscapes with mountains, forests, parks and the purest beaches (does have a rainy season)
• The Most Michelin Starred restaurants and more sophisticated cuisine
• The most popular wine regions of Spain are located in the north of Spain (Rioja, Navarra, Galacia)
• Home of the Cathedral and ending point of the famous pilgrimage, the Way of St. James
• Trendy Film and cultural festivals
• Less touristy and more pristine landscapes
• The beautiful Galacia, Cantabria and Basque regions
• More languages spoken in the North
• Home to San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander and other gorgeous coastal cities

Northern Coast of Spain (Santander)

Southern Spain Highlights:

• Warmer temperatures and sunny all year long
• Larger beaches with more visitors
• Larger tourism industry and said to be ‘friendlier’ to tourists
• Home to the unique and lively Andalusia region
• Wonderful shows of Flamenco song and dance
• English is more widely spoken in the south
• Southern cuisine is delicious and known to be ‘comfort’ food
• Local Sherry wine is produced here

Traditional Flamenco dancer in Southern Spain (Seville)

Guests interested in exciting tour packages to Northern and Southern Spain may call 1-800-724-5120 or visit our website at www.palacetours.com for more information on our tested luxury and specialized packages offered in Spain.

The Food and Wine of Navarra

As is said about the majority of Spain, the cuisine of the Navarra  region is complex and diverse – in part because the climates and terrains of this area are extremely diverse. This variety results in many different ingredients and deliciously unique dishes. Popular dishes are made from the fresh vegetables of the Ebro Valley Plains, seafood from the fresh mountain streams of the Pyrenees and nearby Atlantic, a variety of meats, olives and olive oil, as well as locally made cheeses.

 

The popular vegetables grown in the region are white asparagus, artichoke, red paquillo peppers and pochas beans. Popular meat dishes include lamb, beef, duck, rabbit, quail, trout and shellfish. Arroniz and Arbeqiuna olives are used to make the local olive oil, used in almost everything, and the local Roncal and Idiazabal cheeses are made from sheep’s milk. The recipes for these amazing artisanal cheeses have continued to be tightly guarded by the locals to this day, and for understandable reason.

 

Examples of common dishes from the area are Chorizo, Duck with Peaches and Artichokes with Ham.

 

Although there is no denying the Navarran cuisine is delicious, the drinks from the region cannot go unnoticed. The dishes are best paired with a great Navarran wine or even the local spirit, Pacharan. The red, white and rose wines from Navarra are not only widely popular in Spain, but have gained international recognition for their flavors, quality and individual style. Pacharan is a fruity spirit that is very popular in the region and is made from pacharanes fruits that give the drink its red color and fruity aroma and flavor.

 

Have you tried the cuisine or wines from Navarra? Let us know what you thought in the comment section below. What was your favorite dish? Did you enjoy the fusion of flavors? What did you find most unique about the cuisine or wines?

 

Curious to explore Navarra? Visit our website or call 1-800-724-5120 for tour information and rates. As always we are dedicated to excellence and look forward to catering to your luxury travel needs.

Flamenco Style Song and Dance

Flamenco is the style of song and dance deeply rooted in Spain’s Andalusian region. The Spanish art form is made up of guitar (toque), song (cante), dance (baile) and sharp hand clapping (palmas) called staccato.  The dancing is emotional and expressive – conveying the emotions and telling the story of the song through movements, stomping and intense facial expressions.  The song and music set the mood for the dancer and emotions may range from sadness to joy or even passion. All together, each element of Flamenco comes together perfectly, telling a unique and captivating story to its audience. 

Although the exact roots of this dance are widely debated, it is most associated with those of Romani heritage in Spain and was declared one of the Masterpeices of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010.

Check out these pictures from a Flamenco style song and dance show in Granada this summer:

Curious to see a show of traditional Flamenco song and dance for yourself? Join us on an unforgettable journey through Southern Spain aboard the luxurious Al Andalus Interested guests may call 1-800-724-5120 or visit our website at www.palacetours.com for tour details and reservations.

Why Take a Luxury Train Cruise?

If you haven’t experienced the delights of luxury train travel, you might be surprised to find luxury train tours are actually more about practicality than the romantic feeling of traveling on rail. Although rail travel is elegant and absolutely exudes old-world charm, a “cruise on rail” is practical for making the most of your travel time by following a well planned itinerary, tight train scheduling and pre-booked tours and excursions.

Train cruise tours allow guests to explore multiple cities and dozens of sites in one trip. This allows travelers to experience more of an area’s history, culture and cuisine. Guests avoid checking in and out of hotels and packing and unpacking their suitcases in every city since their room travels with them. Patrons stay on board the train in lavishly decorated individual suites with private bathrooms, while enjoying the impeccable service and delectable cuisine.

The luxury trains include lounge cars, bar cars, restaurant cars and heating and air. Traveling on trains like the Al Andalus of Spain allow you to experience rail travel like a royal of the last century, but with modern day luxuries – such as running hot water. Learn more about the luxurious Al Andalus, Palace on Wheels of Spain here.

Highlights of rail cruises include:

• local cuisine and wines
• excursions and entry fees
• expert tour guides
• private coach
• professional 24 hour service
• security service
• Stationed in city centers for free time at night
• the chance to visit multiple cities/areas
• No packing/unpacking or checking in/out

The Bar Car aboard the luxurious Al Andalus

Interested guests may learn more about the Al Andalus and other luxury trains of Spain by visiting our website at www.spaintraintours.com or call our offices at 1-800-724-5120.

Roman Aqueduct of Spanish Segovia

There is no questioning why the Aqueduct in the old town of Segovia is the symbol of the Spanish city. Thought to be built in the 2nd half of the 1st century (around 50 A.D.) under the rule of the Roman Empire, the structure has been excellently preserved and is still running water from the Río Frío in the Sierra de Guadarrama today. In fact, the Aqueduct of Segovia is one of the most intact Roman Aqueducts in Europe.

Made entirely out solid blocks of stone fit tightly together with little or no mortar, it is from architecture and careful conservation alone that the Aqueduct is still standing. The structure is about 93 ft. tall at its highest point and spans about 2,950 ft. with single and double arches holding its immense weight. Although some restoration work has been needed in the past, the Aqueduct will continue to be used and  maintained.

Check out some of our photos from the 2013 San Fermin Tour visiting Segovia:

Aqueduct of Segovia

Old Town of Segovia

Interested in seeing this magnificent structure and unique city for yourself? Call 1-800-724-5120 or visit our website at www.palacetours.com for tour details and reservations.

The Famous Marques Riscal and La Rioja Wine!

The Marques Riscal is the oldest and most traditional winery dating back to 1858 in the Rioja region, an area known for its wine and vineyards. This winery is home to the famous Marques de Riscal Hotel completed in 2006 by the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao designer – Frank Gehry. The Hotel is a modern oxymoron with its contemporary architecture placed against a back drop of green rolling hills and vast mountain range.

Visitors from all over the globe visit this luxury retreat to tour its vintage cellars, learn about and taste the renowned La Rioja wine or experience the one of a kind Vinotherapie Spa by Caudalie. In the Hotel’s spa, guests may enjoy a variety of wine treatments utilizing the health and beauty properties of the grape, including a wine therapy bath, grape facial scrub or Merlot body wrap. Although nothing can top the La Rioja wine tastings and scenic grounds of the vineyard.

Here are some photos of our visit and wine tasting this past summer:

Join us in visiting this amazing winery and experience the delicious La Rioja Wine for yourself. Call 800-724-5120 or visit our website at www.palacetours.com for details.

Cheers to a great weekend!

-Palace Tours

Dia de los Muertos – A Halloween in Spain!

Halloween is not just an American tradition… Spain also seriously celebrates this spooky holiday!

In Spain – Halloween is not a commercial holiday as it is in the U.S., but a day to honor the dead and celebrate the continuity of life. El Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is acknowledged by lavishly decorating loved-one’s graves with gorgeous flower arrangements and is followed by religious holidays on November 1st and 2nd (All Saints Day and All Souls Day). Halloween festivities also include costume parties, bonfires, pumpkin carving and even ghostly rituals. In Sant Feliu Sasserra, a small municipal in Catalonia, a 2 day witch festival is held known as Fira de les Bruixes. This creepy celebration honors the 23 women accused of witchcraft and sentenced to death during the Spanish Inquisition with reenactment, dancing, music and other traditional events.

Want to experience a Spanish Halloween for yourself? Visit our website at http://www.palacetours.com/default.aspx?rid=11 to book your next unforgettable luxury travel experience to Spain.

Check out these pictures from when Palace Tours celebrated Halloween in downtown Malaga: