The Best Of Spain And Portugal

2012 Season
Departs From: Madrid

From 942EUR

Length: 13 days from Madrid to Madrid, or 14 days incl. travel

Overview

Discover the best of these two colorful countries on this exciting vacation to the regions of Castile, La Mancha, Andalusia, Costa del Sol, and Oporto. Among the highlights: visit the walled city of Toledo and Granada’s royal Alhambra complex. Also experience sunny Malaga and its surrounding resort villages, the British-owned Rock of Gibraltar, spectacular Seville, enchanting Evora, delightful Lisbon, and the famed Fatima sanctuary. Stop in Oporto, rich in culture and history and known for its Port wine production; and Salamanca, Avila, and Segovia, precious jewels in the heart of Spain. Spend your last two nights in Madrid, with an included sightseeing tour of this dynamic capital city.

Notes:

April 23 Departure - Feria in Seville
December 13 Departure - Christmas lunch in Madrid

Duration: 13 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
29 May, 2012	10 June, 2012
12 June, 2012	24 June, 2012
19 June, 2012	01 July, 2012
26 June, 2012	08 July, 2012
10 July, 2012	22 July, 2012
24 July, 2012	05 August, 2012
04 September, 2012	16 September, 2012
11 September, 2012	23 September, 2012
25 September, 2012	07 October, 2012
02 October, 2012	14 October, 2012
09 October, 2012	21 October, 2012
16 October, 2012	28 October, 2012
23 October, 2012	04 November, 2012
30 October, 2012	11 November, 2012
06 November, 2012	18 November, 2012
14 December, 2012	26 December, 2012

City Highlights

Headsets throughout the tour

Visits to Malaga, Gibraltar, Seville, Evora, Fatima, Oporto, Salamanca, Avila, Segovia

Scenic Highlights

Costa del Sol, Andalusia

Day 1   Arrive in Madrid, Spain. Check into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)

Day 2   Madrid–Toledo–Granada. A short morning drive south to Toledo. Spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River, the ancient Castilian capital attracts more sightseers from all over the world than any other Spanish town. Time to visit the old walled city, which was made famous in El Greco’s paintings. Even now it’s like a great open-air museum of Spanish history and art. Cross the Guadalquivir River and head for the olive and orange groves of the rolling Andalusian hills. Overnight in history-steeped Granada at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. (B,D)

Day 3   Granada–Malaga–Costa del Sol. Take advantage of the included visit with a Local Guide of the Alhambra, a summer complex built by the Moorish kings. You’ll treasure the memory of its architectural beauty, and magnificent gardens. This afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive along the Costa del Sol via Malaga to your overnight hotel. (B)

Day 4   Costa del Sol. A day at leisure to enjoy the sandy beaches, browse through the trendy boutiques, or sample the many fancy restaurants. Don’t miss out on the optional excursion to Mijas, a typical Andalusian market town with some enchanting views of the coast from its upper terraces. (B,D)

Day 5   Costa del Sol–Gibraltar–Seville. First today, a visit to the strategic rock fortress of Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704. Then, on through the sunny sherry wine region on the Costa de la Luz to vibrant, festive Seville. (B)

Day 6   Seville. One of Spain’s most colorful cities. Perhaps you’d like to spend this morning enjoying an optional sightseeing tour including the main highlights of the vibrant city. (B,D)

Day 7   Seville–Evora, Portugal–Lisbon. This morning, enjoy the scenery of the Sierra de Aracena before crossing into Portugal and the fertile plains of the Alentejo. Admire the forest of cork trees and make a stop in Evora, a delightfully attractive Moorish city with arches, alleys, flower-decked balconies, and brilliant white houses. Take the motorway for the drive into Lisbon for two overnights. (B)

Day 8   Lisbon. Henry the Navigator made Lisbon the 15th-century “Mistress of the Seas.” You’ll see his monument, the Belem Tower, the Moorish Citadel, the impressive Black Horse Square, and other highlights on the guided sightseeing excursion. Spend the afternoon in the Alfama’s tile-decorated streets, or take an optional excursion along the Estoril Coast to Cascais and Sintra. (B)

Day 9   Lisbon–Fatima–Oporto. North this morning by way of Santarém, using the motorway to reach Fatima for a visit of its world-famous sanctuary. Later, Oporto on the northern bank of the River Douro. Optional sightseeing with a Local Guide takes in many of the city’s highlights. (B)

Day 10   Oporto–Salamanca, Spain. A profusion of woodlands and mountains on your way to Spain by way of Fuentes de Onoro and Ciudad Rodrigo, located high above the Rio Agueda. Reach the ancient and beautiful university town of Salamanca in the early evening. (B,D)

Day 11   Salamanca–Avila–Segovia–Madrid. Leave Salamanca this morning, still visualizing its charming Plaza Mayor. Journey to fortified Avila with its many towers for an orientation tour. Visit St. Theresa’s convent before continuing to Segovia for a visit of this medieval town picturesquely set on a rocky hill. Cross the boundary between new and old Castile to arrive in Madrid. (B)

Day 12   Madrid. Not only is it the capital of Spain, but because it is situated 2,180 feet above sea level, the Spaniards rightly say Madrid is the nearest thing to heaven. Enjoy the main highlights on the included guided sightseeing excursion. (B)

Day 13   Madrid. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Buffet breakfasts (B); 5 dinners (D)

Hotel Information:  MADRID Praga (F), GRANADA Don Juan (ST), COSTA DEL SOL Las Piramides (F) at Fuengirola, SEVILLE Don Paco (ST), LISBON Roma (ST), OPORTO Quality Portus Cale (F), SALAMANCA Catalonia Salamanca Plaza (F), MADRID NH Ribera de Manzanares (F)

Guides

Local Guides for city sightseeing in Toledo, Lisbon, Madrid, Granada-Alhambra. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring

Transportation

If transport to or from airport is required, please let us know. Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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