|
Day
1- Depart USA
Overnight flight to Madrid.
Day 2 - Arrive Madrid
Welcome to Madrid, the spanish capital! The rest of your day is free
perhaps to visit one of the museums or take an excursion to Segovia.
Tonight, we will enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow
traveling companions.
Hotel:
Rafael Orense
Day 3 - Madrid - Toledo - Cordoba
This morning we make our way to the ancient capital of Castile,
Toledo. On arrival our walking tour with a local guide and audio system
includes visits to the ancient synagogue, the Church of Santo Tomé, a
steel workshop and views of the cathedral. We continue to Roman-founded
Cordoba for dinner and our overnight stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel:
Occidental
Day 4 - Cordoba - Granada
Highlights of our morning sightseeing tour using our audio system
include the Mosque of the Caliphs and medieval synagogue. Then we drive
past the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the grandeur of hilltop Granada,
Spain's most beautiful Moorish-influenced city. This evening, we will
enjoy an included Highlight Dinner of local specialities whilst being
serenaded. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Hotel:
Gran Luna
Day 5 - Granada - Costa del Sol (2 nights)
Morning sightseeing features a visit to the exquisite Alhambra Palace,
former residence of Moorish Kings, using our audio system. From here we
will continue towards Torremolinos, the most popular Mediterranean resort
on the Costa del Sol for two relaxing nights. This afternoon, perhaps take
an optional excursion to the pretty hilltop village of Mijas, and later
why not enjoy a delicious fish dinner in the oldest part of town (Buffet
breakfast)
Hotel:
Melia Costa Del Sol (2 nights)
Day 6 - Costa del Sol at leisure
After breakfast this morning you can enjoy a full day to relax. You
may wish to lounge on the glorious beaches, go on a shopping spree, maybe
visit Malaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso At cocktail hour, why not
savour the atmosphere of one of the many open air bars (Buffet breakfast)
Day 7 - Costa del Sol – Gibraltar – Seville (2 nights)
Today our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure! But first we
drive to La Linea to cross to the Rock of Gibraltar with time for duty
free shopping. Next, our journey takes us through the sherry wine region
of Jerez to Seville where we spend the next two nights. Tonight, why not
enjoy a fiery Flamenco show after our tapas dinner with sherry in a
typical bodega restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / 'Be my guest' Dinner)
Hotel:
Tryp Macarena (2 nights)
Day 8 - Seville sightseeing & at leisure
Today's morning sightseeing tour with our local guide and audio system
is dominated by the Bell Tower and weather vane of Giralda. We will also
see the pools and fountains of Maria Luisa Park, Christopher Columbus'
tomb and the cathedral, and walk through the Jewish quarter. Afterwards
enjoy some time on your own in this city steeped in Moorish history and
culture. (Buffet breakfast)
Hotel:
NH Parque De Lisboa (2 nights)
Day 9 - Seville – Lisbon (2 nights)
Our journey today takes us via the 'Jabugo' (ham centre) of Spain and
past mighty castles. Later, we enter the Alentejo region of Portugal with
its many cork forests. We continue from here to Lisbon, the capital, for
the next two nights. You may wish to dine on local specialities this
evening. (Buffet breakfast)
Hotel:
Marriott (2 nights)
Day 10 - Lisbon sightseeing & at leisure
After breakfast, we will see the Monument to the Discoveries, the
beautiful suspension bridge across the Tagus and admire views of the Belem
Tower on our guided morning sightseeing tour including our audio system. A
highlight of our tour will be a leisurely walk around the quaint Alfama
district. Later time at leisure perhaps to shop for pottery, cork and
fisherman's sweaters in the nearby fishing villages of Cascais and Sintra.
Tonight why not enjoy a typical meal in the old quarter watching
Portuguese folk dancing and listening to heart-wrenching and melancholic
Fado melodies (Buffet breakfast)
Day 11 - Lisbon – Fatima – Salamanca
We continue on a scenic drive through the magnificent Serra d'Aire
Mountains to visit the Shrine at Fatima, scene of celebrated religious
miracles. Then we continue to Oporto, Portugal’s second largest city and
the capital of the North. Here, after crossing the Douro River, we see the
multi-coloured houses of the Ribeira quarter and the Church of St. Francis
before continuing to a port cellar for wine tasting. (Buffet breakfast /
Dinner)
Hotel:
Villa Gale Porto
Day 12 - Salamanca - Madrid (2 nights)
We return to Spain and visit Salamanca, Spain’s oldest university
city, en route to Madrid on the Castilian plateau. This evening, why not
try some traditional paella at one of the city’s many restaurants
(Buffet breakfast)
Hotel:
Agumar (2 nights)
Day 13 - Madrid sightseeing & at leisure
Our morning sightseeing tour includes views of the Royal Palace, the
Puerta del Sol and the Cervantes Memorial in the Plaza de España followed
by a guided visit of the Prado Museum with its fine paintings by Velazquez
and Goya among others. The remainder of your day is at leisure perhaps to
shop for leather, lace or porcelain – Lladro is half the price of
anywhere back home! Tonight, join your fellow travelers and Tour Director
for a Farewell Dinner. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Day 14 - Madrid - USA
This morning it is time to bid farewell to our Tour Director and
touring friends as our vacation comes to an end. Airport transfers are
available, conditions apply. (Buffet Breakfast)
|