Spanish Superbreaks Cruise-tours 5 days
This year we are offering a series of short holidays to Spain which embody the cruise from Plymouth to Santander and back and two nights in one of our comfortable hotels on the coast. You'll enjoy a relaxing sail across the ocean then some good food and wine and excellent leisurely excursions at our chosen destination.
The format for each tour is exactly the same, only the destination differs.
We set off from Bristol on a Sunday and pick up as indicated below en route to Plymouth. Here we catch the 1530 sailing to Santander. The cruise is very much part of the holiday and we recommend that you make full use of the ship's facilities such as the swimming pool, piano bar, shops, cinemas and live entertainment shows.
We have dinner together in Le Flora Restaurant during the evening.
Next morning, take breakfast (included) at your leisure and watch out for the dolphins as we approach Spain. We land at 1200.
The return sailing leaves Santander at 2100 on Wednesday. Dinner is not included tonight because of the late departure and also because you may wish to sample some local cuisine at your leisure in Santander.
Next morning we continue cruising homewards taking advantage of the ship's amenities. Breakfast and lunch is included. We arrive in Plymouth at 1600 and after disembarkation, the coach returns to the original pick up points.
Asturias sand, sea and mountains - 5 Days
This Province is undoubtedly one of the most scenic regions in all Spain. Golden beaches are backed by meadows and orchards, criss-crossed by tumbling streams and rivers which bring down fresh , clear waters from the mountain range behind the coast known as the Picos de Europa. Dairy farming and fishing are major industries resulting in superfresh produce at all times.
When we land in Spain on Monday at 1200 we drive out of the city and westwards to the Province of Asturias. Our first sightseeing stop will be in the pretty port and resort of San Vicente de la Barquera. We resume our drive in the mid-afternoon and will reach the Hotel Mirador de la Franca after about 30 minutes and will check in for two nights on half-board terms. A buffet breakfast starts the day and dinner with wine ends it. The hotel overlooks a marvellous secluded beach which gives out to the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Rooms are comfortable and well equipped and the standard of cuisine is always first class. There are pleasant walks in the surrounding woods.
On Tuesday we set off for the stunning Picos de Europa mountain range and we travel through the Hermida Gorge on our way to the little mountain town of Potes. We'll stop here and you can wander around its cobbled back streets or enjoy refreshment by the river. For those who are interested in a cable car ride, the coach will continue up the mountain to Fuente Dé where the cable car takes them to the plateau above.
We leave on Wednesday and travel to Santillana del Mar, an important heritage site. We continue into Santander, stopping at the Hypermarket and then by the town centre. You'll have loads of time for sightseeing in this very attractive city and in the early evening you may wish to try one of the excellent local restaurants before we catch the 2100 sailing to England.
Enjoy the cabaret and the other ship's activities during the crossing. Before we reach Plymouth at 1600 you'll take breakfast and lunch in your own time in the main restaurant.
After disembarkation the coach then returns to the original pick up points.
The cost includes: travel by executive coach; ferry crossing with cabin; breakfast on both crossing, one dinner and one lunch; two nights 3* hotel accommodation with buffet breakfast and dinner each day at the hotel with wine; tapas lunch; excursions as detailed.
Details of cabin upgrades can be viewed under Information – the Santander sailing
Departure dates
| Dates 2012 | Prices |
|---|---|
| May 27th | £305 |
| September 9th | £335 |
Single room and cabin - £80
Children under 16 - £235
Online Booking click here
Isla, sand,sea and the coast - 5 Days
This region is another stunningly scenic part of Green Spain between The Basque Country and Asturias and looming behind the coast is the Cantabrican Cordillera on which sits the Picos de Europa range , the first sighting of Europe for the returning Spanish explorers of years gone by. All along the coast are rugged outcrops and little rivers coming down from the mountains dividing the golden beaches.
Our base is the 4* Hotel Olimpo which overlooks a sandy beach giving out to the Atlantic Ocean. The rooms are quite spacious and equipped with bath/shower and WC, flat screen TV, telephone and balcony with the seaview rooms. There's a small outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, nice gardens to the beach and a boutique. The food is excellent and is not recommended for weight watchers!! The picture is completed by the friendly staff and occasional evening entertainment.
The small, but rapidly expanding village/small town, has its centre about 200m from the hotel and there's a promenade and several bars, restaurants and cafes vying for your patronage.
When we land in Spain on Monday at 1200 we drive out of the city and we will reach the hotel after about 30/45 minutes and will check in for two nights . After checking in, lunch will be served. The rest of the day is then free to explore the small village of Isla.
In the late afternoon we make the short drive to nearby Santoña to observe the customary "paseo". We return to the hotel for a welcome sangria before dinner.
Next day we will head westwards and start to climb up the Besaya Valley to Reinosa, a mountain town at the entrance to the ski slopes where we will stop for a while. We now cross the Ebro Dam to the summit of the Pas Valley and make a descent admiring its stunning scenery. Our final halt is at Puente Viesgo, a small spa village. Returning to the hotel we have dinner.
On Wednesday morning you'll have time to relax on the beach and explore Isla . We have lunch at the hotel. In the early afternoon we drive to Santander along the coast , stopping at the Hypermarket for essential shopping before continuing to the town centre. You'll then have time for sightseeing in this very attractive city and in the early evening you may wish to try one of the excellent local restaurants before we catch the 2100 sailing to England.
Enjoy the cabaret and the other ship's activities during the crossing. Before we reach Plymouth at 1600 you'll take breakfast and lunch in your own time in the main restaurant.
After disembarkation the coach then returns to the original pick up points.
The cost includes: travel by executive coach; ferry crossing with cabin; breakfast on both crossings, one dinner and one lunch; two nights 4* hotel accommodation with buffet breakfast and dinner each day at the hotel with wine; two lunches; excursions as detailed.
Details of cabin upgrades can be viewed under Information – the Santander sailing
Departure dates
| Dates 2012 | Prices |
|---|---|
| June 24th | £309 |
| September 23rd | £309 |
Single supplement £75
Children under 16 - £235
Online Booking click here
San Sebastian , sand , sea and culture - 5 Days
The Basque Country is yet another extremely scenic region with the now customary superb golden beaches, rocky outcrops and extensive woodlands inland. It boasts one of Spain's largest cities, Bilbao, which has achieved fame in recent years due to its massive regeneration centred around the world famous Guggenheim Museum of modern Art. The Old Quarter with its impressive covered market is a mecca for tourists and locals alike.
Our destination is the elegant seaside resort of San Sebastian renowned for its upmarket hotels and restaurants and shopping. On one side of the bay Monte Igueldo looks down on two fine beaches, Ondaretta and La Concha, and our 4* Hotel San Sebastian is located about 300m from the former.
When we land in Spain on Monday at 1200 we drive out of the city and travel eastwards to the outskirts of Bilbao. Passing the city we are now heading for France but just before the border we turn off to San Sebastian and our hotel where we check in for two nights. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to start exploring this lovely resort.
Next day we will head inland through the wooded countryside somewhat reminiscent of Austria to Pamplona where the famous Running of the Bulls Festival takes place. Ernest Hemingway loved Pamplona and wrote fondly of the city and his legacy lives on in the bar he used to frequent in one of the tree lined squares near the Old Quarter known now simply as "Hemingways".
We leave on Wednesday and travel to Bilbao to visit the world famous Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art. In the early afternoon we drive to Santander, stopping at the Hypermarket for essential shopping before continuing to the town centre. You'll then have time for sightseeing in this very attractive city and in the early evening you may wish to try one of the excellent local restaurants before we catch the 2100 sailing to England.
Enjoy the cabaret and the other ship's activities during the crossing. Before we reach Plymouth at 1600 you'll take breakfast and lunch in your own time in the main restaurant.
After disembarkation the coach then returns to the original pick up points.
The cost includes: travel by executive coach; ferry crossing with cabin; breakfast on both crossing, one dinner and one lunch; two nights 4* hotel accommodation with buffet breakfast and dinner each day at the hotel with wine; entrance to Guggenheim; excursions as detailed.
Details of cabin upgrades can be viewed under Information – the Santander sailing
Departure dates
| Dates 2012 | Prices |
|---|---|
| June 17th | £345 |
| October 7th | £345 |
Single supplement (Room and Cabin)
£85 Children under 16 - £255
Online Booking click here
Pick up points :
Bristol(Colston Hall) – Gordano Services – Taunton – Exeter – Newton Abbot - Plymouth
