TourCrafters Offers 7-Night Self-Drive Northern Spain Tour with Stays in Deluxe, Historic Paradores for $1180

For an affordable, enjoyable fall trip to Europe, consider TourCrafters’ “Northern Spain in Paradores” package.  The 8-day/7-night self-drive package costs $1,180 per person (land only) and includes accommodation in seven of Spain’s deluxe, historic paradores, seven breakfasts and an 8-day (automatic) car rental with pickup and drop off in Madrid.  The price is valid—with Sunday departures–from August 25 to November 24.

Starting out from the exciting city of Madrid, you’ll first visit Guadalupe, a charming and historic village of cobbled streets and traditional houses that also boasts a World Heritage Site.  Here you’ll overnight at the Parador of Guadalupe, a 15^th-century palace-turned-hotel famed for its Extremaduran cuisine.  Then it’s on to Plasencia  on the ancient Silver Route, where palaces, ancestral homes and  religious buildings make up a unique old quarter.  In the Parador de Plasencia, a Gothic-style former convent, you’ll sleep and dine well. 

The next stop is Ciudad Rodrigo, a famous fortified town, whose walls enclose a cathedral, castle and other historic buildings.  Here you will stay in the Parador de Ciudad Rodrigo, an ivy-covered 14^th-century castle.  In Salamanca, a provincial capital that’s a treasure house of monuments, you’ll see two cathedrals and the famous 15^th-century university and sleep in the Parador de Salamanca, which has a wonderful view of the historic center.  In Zamora, another Silver Route city, you’ll visit an old town full of Romanesque art  and overnight in the Parador de Zamora, a Renaissance palace with swimming pool.  And in Benavente, another historic town,  you’ll stay at the Parador de Benavente,  another Renaissance castle, this one with beautiful gardens. 

Finish up in Leon, a city of incomparable beauty, which offers many places of historic interest: churches, palaces, houses and even Roman walls.  Here you will enjoy staying in the Parador de Leon, a regal 16^th-century monastery-hospital.  And then it’s time to return the car to Madrid.

All prices quoted are per person, double occupancy, and are subject to availability. For additional information about this package, visit http://sales.tourcrafters.com/tour.lasso?ID=202

For information or reservations, call 800-482-5995, tourcrafters.com.

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Virgin Vacations’ Barcelona Flash Sale through May 16: $999 with Air for 6 Days

Through May 16, travelers booking Virgin Vacations’ 6-day/4 night “Barcelona Escape” independent vacation package can save $50 per person, bringing Sept. 26 – Oct. 10 departures to $999, including air fare from New York.

Price includes four nights’ hotel accommodations at the Hotel Aranea with breakfast and round trip air fare including taxes and fuel charges. Virgin Vacations’ travelers can upgrade hotel accommodations, beginning at $20 per person for the four nights, as well as choose from four different optional activities, starting at $62 for a half-day Classic Barcelona sightseeing tour.

Depending on departure date, per person prices for the 6-day/4 night Barcelona package range up to $1,359 (May 23), with the $50 discount. The $50 discount is valid for all departures through October 24, 2012. Low-cost add-on air fares are available from gateways throughout the U.S. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.

To take advantage of the $50 discount, travelers are invited to visit www.virgin-vacations.com and enter Promo Code VVCVIB50 at checkout, or phone (888) 937-8474. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To join Virgin Vacations’ Exclusive Deals email list, visit www.virgin-vacations.com

Other Barcelona Options

While the $50 per person discount applies only to the 6 day/4 night “Barcelona Escape” package, travelers with slightly more time can select from other air-inclusive Virgin Vacations’ choices:

8 Day Madrid & Barcelona by Rail, from $1459, including rail tickets

8 Day Affordable Spain, from $1739, including meals and sightseeing

7 day Crown of Spain, from $2,009, including meals and excursions

Travelers can also create their own custom-vacation to Spain by using Virgin Vacations’ online Vacation Builder platform.

Five Fun Things to Do in Barcelona

Virgin Vacations suggests the following five fun things to do in Barcelona:

• · Take the metro
• · Visit the Gaudi museum
• · See Sagrada Familia Cathedral, still in construction after 125 years
• · Feast on small plates at a pintxo bar
• · Enjoy a flamenco show.

Virgin Vacations offers a selection of independent packages available with or without air fare on Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia and Virgin America, as well as other international airline partners. As a member of the U.S. Tour Operators Association, Virgin Vacations protects travelers’ payments up to $1 Million through the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program.

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