Iberian Vacation

2012 Season
Departs From: Madrid

From 1,555EUR

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

Overview

This fantastic trip covers three countries—Spain, Morocco, and Portugal—concentrating on the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula. On this tour, there is ample time for in-depth sightseeing and you’ll see many of the area’s historic sights, including the Alcazar in Seville, founded in the 11th century as a Moorish fortress, and the Alhambra Complex in Granada. The Alhambra was a palace, citadel, and fortress for the Nasrid sultans and their servants, elite soldiers, and high officials from the 13th to 14th centuries.

If you’re interested in religious sights, this tour is not to be missed. Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fatima, where pilgrims from all over the world visit; Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon, built to thank the Virgin Mary for Portugal’s success in its voyages around the world; the Church of Santo Tomé in Toledo, which has one of El Greco’s most famous paintings; and more.

Ferry crossings over the Strait of Gibraltar afford you spectacular views of the Rock. There’s a full day at leisure at the Costa del Sol, so you can enjoy the sandy beaches, browse the shops, or join an optional excursion to the Rock of Gibraltar. An overnight in Tangier gives you a nice taste of Morocco and features a panoramic drive to Cap Spartel and a guided visit to the colorful Grand Socco square.

These are just a few of the many highlights on this wonderful trip to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco—a trip of a lifetime!

Duration:  13 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
09 June, 2012	21 June, 2012
23 June, 2012	05 July, 2012
07 July, 2012	19 July, 2012
21 July, 2012	02 August, 2012
04 August, 2012	16 August, 2012
01 September, 2012	13 September, 2012
08 September, 2012	20 September, 2012
15 September, 2012	27 September, 2012
22 September, 2012	04 October, 2012
29 September, 2012	11 October, 2012
06 October, 2012	18 October, 2012
13 October, 2012	25 October, 2012
20 October, 2012	01 November, 2012
27 October, 2012	08 November, 2012

City Highlights

Madrid
Welcome and farewell dinners; guided sightseeing, visit the Prado Museum

Segovia
Take pictures of the Roman Aqueduct

Avila
Visit the walled town

Salamanca
Dinner at a local restaurant

Fatima
Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary

Lisbon
Guided sightseeing, visit the Alfama quarter and Jeronimos Monastery

Seville
Guided sightseeing, walk through the Santa Cruz quarter, and visit the Alcazar

Algeciras-Tangier
By ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar

Tangier
Guided sightseeing, panoramic drive to Cap Spartel; visit the Grand Socco square

Granada
Guided walking tour, visit the Alhambra complex and the Water Gardens of the Generalife

Toledo
Guided walking tour, visit an early synagogue, the gothic cathedral, and Santo Tomé Church with one of El Greco’s masterpieces; visit a Damascene steel workshop

Headsets throughout the tour

Note:

If you intend to join the optional excursion to Gibraltar, please check visa requirements with your local consulate (s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler. For Gibraltar, a special visa is required; a UK or Schengen visa will not gain entrance.

Day 1   Arrive in Madrid, Spain. Time to rest or to start exploring the Spanish capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 2   Madrid. The capital of Spain since 1561, Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely turned towards the future. Your Local Guide takes you to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Then, the highlight: a visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. In the afternoon an optional excursion to El Escorial can be arranged. (B)

Day 3   Madrid–Segovia–Avila–Salamanca. A day in beautiful Castile. Cross the rugged Sierra de Guadarrama on the way to Segovia, famous for the 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct. Next, enjoy a walk through the walled town of Avila, where St. Theresa founded the Order of Carmelites. Overnight in Salamanca, whose baroque Plaza Mayor is one of the country’s grandest squares. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 4   Salamanca–Fatima–Lisbon, Portugal. The majestic scenery of the Serra da Estrela mountain range forms the backdrop of your morning drive into Portugal. Before heading for Lisbon, melt into the stream of pilgrims from all over the world as you visit the SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY in Fatima. This evening, why not sign up for an optional dinner with Fado-style entertainment? (B)

Day 5   Lisbon. Lisbon was the center of Europe’s longest-lived overseas empire. Portugal’s imperial ambitions date back to Prince Henry the Navigator’s 15th-century discoveries in West Africa. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features a drive through the Baixa quarter’s main squares. Then, enjoy a walk through the cobblestone alleys of quaint ALFAMA, the popular quarter of the seamen and Fado singers. Drive along the grand Avenida da Liberdade up to Pombal Square. Stop for pictures of Belem Tower, guarding the mouth of the Tagus, and visit JERONIMOS MONASTERY with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Afternoon and evening at leisure. An exciting optional excursion to Sintra and the royal palace of Queluz is available. (B)

Day 6   Lisbon–Seville, Spain. Today, enjoy a comfortable drive back into Spain and to the vibrant capital of Andalusia, Seville. (B,D)

Day 7   Seville. During your sightseeing tour with a Local Guide, hear about the city’s role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712 AD, and its contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire Maria Luisa Park, the Golden Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Then, stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER. Highlight is a visit to the ALCAZAR, founded in the 11th century as a Moorish fortress, with its Palacio de Don Pedro. For those interested, an optional extended guided visit to the cathedral is available. Tonight, for a truly Andalusian night out, reserve a seat at our optional Flamenco show (B)

Day 8   Seville–Tangier, Morocco. Through the sunny sherry wine region of Jerez to Algeciras. Board your FERRY and sail across the Straits of Gibraltar to Africa. Continue to Tangier, jumping-off point for the Moorish conquest of Spain and home town of legendary medieval traveler Ibn Batuta. Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a panoramic drive to CAP SPARTEL, where you will quench your thirst Bedouin-style with a glass of hot mint tea. (B,D)

Day 9   Tangier–Costa del Sol, Spain. Visit Tangier’s colorful GRAND SOCCO square and explore the narrow streets of the Kasbah. Return across the Straits and back in Spain, drive to your hotel in Torremolinos at the elegant Costa del Sol. (B)

Day 10   At Leisure on the Costa del Sol. Enjoy the sandy beaches, browse through the trendy boutiques, or join an optional excursion to the Rock of Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704. (B)

Day 11   Costa del Sol–Granada. Into the mountains to history-steeped Granada. Enjoy a walking tour with a Local Guide and visit its main attraction, the ALHAMBRA COMPLEX. A fantasy of “lace in stone” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, it affords superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by Gypsy cave dwellers. Also admire the magnificent WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE, the royal summer residence. (B,D)

Day 12   Granada–Toledo–Madrid. The olive and orange groves of the rolling Andalusian hills and, later, the more barren landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha unfold before your eyes on the way north to Toledo, spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River. Your walking tour with a Local Guide features the Moorish bridge and visits to an early SYNAGOGUE, the 13th-century gothic CATHEDRAL, and the CHURCH OF SANTO TOMÉ with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Time to visit a DAMASCENE STEEL WORKSHOP before returning to Madrid. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D)

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

Meals:  Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 6 three-course dinners (D), including welcome and farewell dinners in Madrid and a special dinner with wine in Salamanca

Hotel Information:  MADRID Agumar (F), SALAMANCA Alameda Palace (SF), LISBON Mundial (F), SEVILLE Ayre Sevilla (SF),
TANGIER El Minzah (F), TORREMOLINOS Melia Costa del Sol (SF), GRANADA Saray (SF)


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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