New Tauck Itinerary in Northern Spain Features Stays in Ultra-Modern Hotel, Ultra-Historic Parador

WILTON, CT (November 20, 2020) Tauck is introducing a new tour of northern Spain that features Barcelona and Madrid, traverses the Pyrenees Mountains, explores the La Rioja wine region and the seaside town of San Sebastian, and is highlighted by a memorable seven-course meal inside a 9th-century castle.  However, the sheer diversity of the new 14-day itinerary is perhaps best exemplified by two of the accommodations that guests will enjoy during their travels; the ultra-modern Hotel Marques de Riscal and the centuries-old Parador de Santiago de Compostela.

Featured on Nights 5 and 6 of Tauck's new "Northern Spain, the Rioja Valley and Madrid" tour, the Marques de Riscal was envisioned as a 21st-century chateau by its world-famous architect Frank Gehry.  Located in Elciego and set amidst the vineyards of the Marques de Riscal winery, the hotel reflects Ghery's unique style with a design informed by its surroundings.  As described by The New York Times, "inspired by the vines growing all around, the building sprouts from the soil; three columns support the metal canopies that spread out like grape leaves at harvest time. The titanium of the canopies is tinted to symbolize the bodega: pink for red wine, gold for the wire netting around the bottle, and silver for the capsule."  During their stay at the hotel, Tauck guests will enjoy a tour and tasting at the winery and visit the nearby 1,000-year-old town of Haro, home to a celebrated wine festival each year. 

Four nights later, Tauck's guests will begin a two-night stay at what is widely viewed as the world's oldest hotel, the Parador de Santiago de Compostela, in the pilgrimage town of Santiago de Compostela.  Originally constructed in 1486 by Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel, the hotel is located at the terminus of the Camino de Santiago or Way of St. James pilgrimage route, near the town's cathedral.  The remains of St. James are said to be housed in the cathedral, and a visit there has inspired religious pilgrims since the 9th century.  Today the parador is a luxury property that has been called "the most beautiful hotel in Europe."

DINNER IN A 9TH-CENTURY CASTLE
Local history and culture will also be revealed throughout the rest of the itinerary, particularly when Tauck's guests enjoy dinner inside Castell de Ciutat, a 9th-century castle fortress in La Seu d'Urgell.  Guests will be served a seven-course wine-tasting dinner inside the castle that highlights local culinary traditions and showcases regional wines.  The castle itself was the historic home of the Counts of Urgell, and it still bears the scars from past military conflicts with the French.

Other itinerary highlights include visits to the renowned Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (also designed by Frank Gehry), walking tours in Barcelona, La Seu d'Urgell and San Sebastian, and the chance to walk along both the "running of the bulls" route in Pamplona and the final lengths of the Way of St. James in Santiago de Compostela.  Following a flight to Madrid, the tour concludes with a guided exploration of the city during a two-night hotel stay at the Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques.

Included in the price (from $6,290 USD / $8,170 CAD per person, double occupancy, plus airfare) are all sightseeing and other activities, 29 meals, the on-tour flight to Madrid, most gratuities, airport transfers, luggage handling, taxes and much more.  Special small group departures averaging just 24 Tauck guests are also available (from $7,190 USD / $10,380 CAD), and certain dates offer solo traveler savings of $400 on the single room price.

Those interested in more information can contact their local travel professional, call Tauck at 800 468 2825, or visit the company's website at www.tauck.com (www.tauck.ca in Canada).

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