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
This lovely town is closely linked to the Ntra. Sra. de Guadalupe Shrine. The welcoming town has been declared a national monument, and has the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the thousands of visitors and pilgrims who come to this part of Extremadura throughout the year. The area around the monastery is notable for its traditional vernacular architecture. Highlights include the Guadalupe Royal Monastery, San Juan Bautista Hospital, Infantes and Gramática schools and the interesting traditional architecture which can be found along every street and square.
Plasencia: Second day
Plasencia is the next stop on our journey along this stretch of the Ruta de Plata, and a gift for our final hours in Extremadura, a gift to be enjoyed by visiting such sights as the two cathedrals: New and Old. Around the cathedrals you will find many lovely spots. The Main Square (Plaza Mayor), with its bustling activity, the Episcopal Palace, the palace of the Marquises of Mirabel, Carvajal-Girón Palace and Las Torres Palace, and the convent of San Vicente Ferrer are other highlights of the city.
Ciudad Rodrigo: Third day
A lovely town filled with history, a history to be discovered through the 12th-century cathedral, town walls, on which construction began under King Fernando II of León, 16th-century City Hall building, palaces of the Castro and Águila families, Vázquez family house, 16th- and 17th-century Cerralbo Chapel, San Francisco Convent, San Andrés Church, convent of the Claras, and more. Ciudad Rodrigo is a town which will take you back in time.
Salamanca: Fourth day
Stroll to the center of the baroque 18th-century Main Square (Plaza Mayor), look around and allow yourself to be seduced by its beauty and harmony. The living heart of the city is the starting point for our tour. Among the many monuments you will discover the 15th-century House of Shells (Casa de las Conchas), the Old Cathedral (13th-century), New Cathedral (16th-18th centuries), and the university (16th-century), as well as many churches, palaces and the archives. The provincial capital is a treasure house of monuments, a city in which the hustle and bustle of the university throbs with unceasing cultural activity. Nearby lies the Armuña region (Castellanos de Villiquera, Monterrubio, Gomecello, La Velles), famous for its legumes, and crossed by the Ruta de la Plata as it wends its way towards Zamora. To the south are Arapiles and Mozarbez. Ledesma is another town of historic interest and monuments, framed by the pastureland of Salamanca province.
Zamora: Fifth day
Zamora is located right in the heart of the Ruta del Plata, and is known as the capital of the Romanesque style due to the great many monuments lining its streets and squares, including the lovely cathedral. Very close to the city you will find towns of great historical value, such as La Hiniesta. Places of interest include the cathedral, the medieval quarter, San Isidro Church, San Pedro y San Ildefonso Church, Encarnación Hospital, and Los Momos Palace. Churches, palaces, ancient noble homes, convents and monasteries and medieval streets all await your discovery.
Benavente: Sixth day
Benavente is our next stop along this route. This is a strategic location, as the town sits where the fertile Esla, Órbigo and Tera valleys come together. Mota Castle is home to the Parador, and by all accounts, it appears that the castle was built during the repopulation of the city by Fernando II in the 12th century. There is much to see and enjoy here, including Sta. María de Azogue Chruch, San Juan del Mercado Church, and La Piedad Hospital, built in the 16th century for pilgrims on the route to Santiago de Compostela.
León: Seventh day
León is a city of incomparable beauty, closely linked to the Camino de Santiago (the Way of Saint James, a pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela). Its offers any number of places of interest, including Sta. María Cathedral, San Isidoro Basilica and Hostal de San Marcos itself. The palace of the Guzman family, Botines House, San Marcelo Church, Sta. Ana Church, the Main Square (Plaza Mayor), and Roman walls are just a sample of the important sights in the city.
Rates
Route with bed and breakfast (full route price. VAT included):
Per person in standard double room: 408 euros.
Per child in extra bed (children up to 12): 38.70 euros.
Per adult in extra bed: 308.70 euros.
Double room for single occupancy: 606.60 euros.
Route with half board (full route price. VAT included):
Per person in standard double room: 611 euros.
Per child in extra bed (children up to 12): 140 euros.
Per adult in extra bed: 511.70 euros.
Double room for single occupancy: 809.60 euros.
The route includes:
Seven nights’ stay in a standard double room with the meal option of your choice (Bed and Breakfast or Half Board)
The route does not include:
Transport, which is the responsibility of the guest(s)
Tours or tickets to monuments or places of interest (details provided for informational purposes only)
Terms and Conditions
General Terms and Conditions
The route begins on Sunday and ends on Sunday.
Neither the dates of your stay, nor the hotels, may be altered or changed during the route.
This route is valid for visits starting January 1-July 8 (inclusive) and August 26-December 16, 2012 (inclusive). Except visits starting April 1 and December 2, 2012.
This route and rates are not valid for groups.
The client must carry a valued voucher up to the total amount of the Route indicating the name of the Route. This voucher will be given to the first Parador of the Route.
Cancellations
Cancellations made less than 48 hours 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 on the first day 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.
Once the route has begun, failure to keep your reservation at any Parador without giving prior notice will result in automatic cancellation of the reservation at that Parador, as well as at the remaining Paradors on the route.