Routes
Culture Trails | 7 nights
The Ruta de La Plata Silver Route has been the natural route linking the Bay of Biscay with the Andalusian Atlantic coastline from olden times. Romans took advantage to build a road to transport precious silver, leaving behind the base of a major legacy taking you through history.
The route includes the following Paradores:
Guadalupe: First day
Declared a National Monument, this welcoming town has an infrastructure to cope with thousands of visitors and pilgrims who come here throughout the year to visit this beautiful Extremadura town with its typical popular architecture surrounding the Monastery. The Royal Guadalupe Monastery, San Juan Bautista Hospital and the Infantes or Gramática School, as well as the fascinating architecture found in every street and square, are worth exploring.
Plasencia: Second day
Plasencia is the last stage on our route along this section of La Ruta de Plata and a true gift for those last hours in Extremadura to enjoy visits to places such as the New and Old Cathedrals. The area surrounding the Cathedrals houses beautiful spots. The bustling Plaza Mayor, the Bishop's Palace, the Palaces of the Marquesses of Mirabel, Carvajal-Girón, Las Torres and the convent of San Vicente Ferrer are further areas of particular interest in the city.
Ciudad Rodrigo: Third day
A pretty town full of history waiting to be explored at the 12th-cnetury Cathedral, the Walls - initially started by King Fernando II -, the 16th-century Town Hall, Los Castro Palace, Los Águila Palace, the home of Los Vázquez, the 16th-17th-century Cerralbo Chapel, San Francisco convent, San Andrés church, Las Claras convent, etc. A place to travel through time...
Salamanca: Fourth day
Head to the Baroque 18th-century Plaza Mayor, open your eyes and be seduced by its harmonious beauty. The journey around the city starts from this lively spot. Discover the many monuments such as the 15th-century Casa de las Conchas, the 13th-century Old Cathedral, the New Cathedral dating from the 16th to the 18th centuries or the 16th-century University, as well as the many churches, palaces and archives. The city of Salamanca is a treasure trove of monuments, where the bustle of the university beats in non-stop cultural activity. The surrounding region of Armuña (Castellanos de Villiquera, Monterrubio, Gomecello, La Velles) is famous for its vegetables with the La Plata Route towards Saragossa passing through. To the south lie Arapiles and Mozarbez.
Zamora: Fifth day
Zamora is right at the heart of the Ruta de la Plata and is known as the Romanesque capital thanks to the amount of monuments marking out the streets and squares, including the beautiful Cathedral. There are nearby towns with great monumental visits such as La Hiniesta in the areas surrounding the city. Some interesting places to see are: the Cathedral, the mediaeval centre, San Isidro church, San Pedro and San Idelfonso church, La Encarnación hospital, Los Momos palace... There are churches, palaces, old noble houses, convents, mediaeval streets just waiting to be explored.
Benavente: Sixth day
Benavente is the next stop on the Route. It is located in a strategic area where the fertile Esla, Órbigo and Tera valleys converge. The Parador is located in La Mota Castle, which seems to have been built at the time the city was repopulated by Fernando II in the 12th century. There is a lot to see and enjoy in the town such as the church of Santa María de Azogue, San Juan del Mercado church and La Piedad Hospital - built in the 16th century for pilgrims on their way to Santiago.
León: Seventh day
León is a uniquely beautiful city linked to the Camino de Santiago and with many interesting places to see such as the Cathedral of Santa María, San Isidoro Basilica and the Hostal de San Marcos itself. Other areas and monuments worth a visit are the Palace of Los Guzmanes, the Casa de Botines, San Marcelo church, the church of Santa Ana, the Plaza Mayor, the Roman walls...
Rates
Route with bed and breakfast (full route price. VAT included):
Per person in standard double room: 368 euros.
Per child in extra bed (children up to 12): 280 euros.
Per adult in extra bed: 368 euros.
Double room for single occupancy: 736 euros.
Route with half board (full route price. VAT included):
Per person in standard double room: 564 euros.
Per child in extra bed (children up to 12): 378 euros.
Per adult in extra bed: 564 euros.
Double room for single occupancy: 932 euros.
The route includes:
Seven nights stay in a standard double room in selected board type (bed and breakfast or half board).
The route does not include:
Transport is down to guest/s as are trips or tickets to monuments and places of interest (information provided is merely a guide).
Terms and Conditions
General Terms and Conditions:
Starting on Sunday and finishing on Wednesday.
Dates of the stay and establishments may not be changed or modified en route.
The Route and rates are not valid for groups.
Credit card required for booking guarantee.
Validity dates:
This route is valid for routes starting between 3 January and 11 July 2010 (inclusive). Routes starting between 22 August and 19 December 2010 (inclusive). Except routes starting on: 28 March and 21 November 2010.
PLEASE NOTE: Once en route, failure to check-in at any Parador on the Route without prior notice leads to automatic cancellation at that Parador as well as the others on the Route.
Cancellations and no-shows:
Cancellations made less than 5 working days prior to the date of arrival will be subject to a cancellation fee equal to the cost of the first night's stay on the route.
Cancellations made during the course of the route will not be entitled to any refund of the price paid.
No-shows: Failure to keep your reservation for the first night of the route will result in cancellation of the entire route, and will be subject to a cancellation fee equal to the cost of the first night's stay.