Highlights of Spain & Portugal
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Madrid.
Day 2 - Arrive Madrid You are met at Madrid Airport and transferred to your hotel. 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 dinner including tapas and drink with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions. (Welcome Dinner)
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. From here we continue to Roman-founded Cordoba for dinner and overnight stay. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
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 dinner of local specialities whilst being serenaded. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
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)
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 to visit Malaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso" At cocktail hour, why not savour the atmosphere of a 'tapas' bar" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 7 - Costa del Sol - Gibraltar - Seville (2 nights) After breakfast our day starts with a drive along the Costa del Sol past the millionaires' resort of Marbella and on to La Linea. From here we cross to the imposing 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 dinner of local Andalusian specialities in a downtown restaurant" (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
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 enjoy a walking tour of the Jewish quarter including the Casa de Pilatos. Afterwards enjoy some time on your own in this city steeped in Moorish history and culture. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 9 - Seville - Lisbon (2 nights) Our journey today takes us via the 'Jabugo' (ham centre) of Spain, 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 specialites this evening. (Buffet Breakfast)
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 'Fado' melodies" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 11 - Lisbon — Fatima — Salamanca We enjoy a morning scenic drive via the magnificent Serra d'Aire Mountains to visit the Shrine at Fatima, scene of celebrated religious miracles. From here we drive across the border and back into Spain to Salamanca for the night. On our arrival an orientation tour shows us the Plaza Mayor. We dine at our hotel this evening. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 12 - Salamanca - Madrid (2 nights) Our morning drive takes us through the Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains before we make our way back to Madrid, Europe's highest capital city. This afternoon you may wish to take an excursion to the monastery Palace of Philip ll at El Escorial. Then time is your own to perhaps try traditional paella or roast suckling pig specialities for dinner.Note: dining is late and nightlife carries on till dawn. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 13 - Madrid sightseeing & at leisure Morning sightseeing using our audio system includes a walking tour of the oldest quarters of the city as well as views of the Royal Palace and the Cervantes Memorial 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, why not join your fellow travellers in a farewell dinner" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 14 - Madrid - USA There's time to bid farewell to new-found friends as we transfer you to the airport for your return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
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