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Home > Winter Europe and Eastern Mediterranean
Amazing Spain and Portugal
Highlights range from the cobbled medieval streets of Toledo to the arabesque design of the Alhambra. Add to this list; the massive Seville Cathedral, Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon and the walled town of Avila.
| Summary |
Highlights |
Itinerary |
Prices & Dates |
Savings & Discounts |
Optionals |
Conditions |
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~ SPAIN ~ PORTUGAL
From the cobbled streets of Toledo to the arabesque Alhambra and Manueline Lisbon,
this well planned itinerary highlights the culture, art and landscapes of these two
'amazing' countries.
Tour Pace
A well paced tour of Spain and Portugal with two
night stays in the cities of Seville and Lisbon, allowing plenty of time for indepth
sightseeing. Other driving days are comfortable, interspersed with sightseeing en
route.
Hotels
Hotels on this tour are mostly modern, and comfortable
with first class facilities. They are centrally located, close to amenities and shops,
except for the scenically located and comfortable Lisbon Marriott, which has splendid
views.
Fellow Passengers
This popular tour attracts those who wish
to take advantage of the pleasant milder climate of Spain and Portugal. Passengers are
also always fascinated by the Moorish heritage and architecture of Spain.
Insight Fact
Fado: The unique and haunting Fado is
undoubtedly Portugal's most famous music. Mainly performed in Lisbon and Coimbra, the
intensely melancholic songs often express a bittersweet longing, about unrequited love
or deep seated sadness. Even without speaking the language, you'll relate to the music,
and accompanied by a candlelit dinner, you are in for a truly memorable and rewarding
experience that captures the essence of the Portuguese people.
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Included Premium Highlights
- Visit the unique city of Toledo, to admire the Cathedral, as well as El Greco's
masterpiece in the chapel of Santo Tomé
- Visit the elaborately carved courtyards and golden mosaics of the Alhambra Palace
in Granada
- Visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus in Seville's Gothic Cathedral
- Visit the Monument to the Discoveries & Belem Tower in Lisbon
- Visit Jeronimo's Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline art
Included Personal Insights
- Learn about Toledo- where four religions meet
Included Additional Excursions & Sights
- See the Alcazar, Giralda Tower & Santa Cruz Quarter in Seville
- Visit the great Basilica in Fatima
- See the Plaza Mayor and Puente Romano bridge in Salamanca
- Visit the walled town of Avila
- See the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Royal Palace and Cibeles Fountain in
Madrid
Included First Class Services
- Escorted by a professional Tour Director
- Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and onboard
restroom
- First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
- Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
- Airport Shuttle arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and
Day 9. (Should your flights not coincide with these arrival and departure transfers,
please make your own way to/from the airport or you can purchase a
transfer)
Included Quality Dining
- Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant from our selection in
Lisbon (DA)
- Highlight Dinner in Madrid at a local restaurant (HD)
- 8 buffet breakfasts (BB), 2 three course table d'hôte dinners, or buffets,
plus tea or coffee (D)
- Departures on tour for Christmas & New Year's Eve, enjoy a festive
celebration dinner
Festive highlights
- New Year's Eve celebration dinner included
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Day 1 - ARRIVE MADRID
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Welcome to Madrid, Europe's highest capital, occupying the very centre of the Iberian Peninsula. The airport shuttle departs from Madrid Airport to the tour hotel at 09.30, 11.30, 14.00 & 17.00 hours. The rest of the day is at leisure to begin to get to know this stylish city. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director.
Hotel: NH Alcala.
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Day 2 - MADRID- TOLEDO- GRANADA
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Set off southwards this morning to the city of Toledo, situated high above the River Tagus, and famous for its burnished steel swords, which have been crafted here for centuries. Walk through the cobbled streets to the great Gothic Cathedral and visit the Church of Santo Tomé, housing El Greco's famous painting, 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz'. Continue on through the dry plains of Don Quixote's La Mancha, before crossing the Sierra Nevada to reach Granada, capital of the Moorish Kingdom of Spain till the Moors' defeat in 1492.
Hotel: Macia Condor. (BB,D)
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Day 3 - GRANADA- SEVILLE
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'There is no pain in life so cruel as to be blind in Granada', cries the inscription on the walls of the Alhambra. Bathed in morning light, the Alhambra Palace awaits: a fantasy of stone cut lace, arabesque gardens and fountains, built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century. You also visit the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence. Relax here in the sunshine, and enjoy the fine views over the town and its three verdant hills before embarking on a scenic drive to Seville.
Hotel: Melia Lebreros. (BB)
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Day 4 - SEVILLE SIGHTSEEING
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Your guided sightseeing tour of Seville reveals the city in all its glory! Enter the immense 15C cathedral, to see the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Back outside, see the fabulous Alcazar and slender Giralda Tower. Soak up the atmosphere in the fashionable Santa Cruz Quarter, with its flower decked wrought iron balconies. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, why not enjoy dinner and a flamenco show? (BB)
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Day 5 - SEVILLE- LISBON
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Bid 'adiós' to Seville and head for the green slopes of the Sierra Morena. After crossing the Portuguese border, continue through the infinite horizons of the Alentejo Plateau. Once over the amazing Tagus Bridge, you arrive in Lisbon, historic capital of Portugal- according to the poet Camoes, "the princess of the world...before whom even the ocean bows"! Tonight, enjoy a selection of local restaurants to choose from on your Dine-around evening.
Hotel: Marriott Lisbon. (BB,DA)
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Day 6 - LISBON SIGHTSEEING
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A panoramic guided tour takes you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco, finest square in the city. Visit the Belem Quarter from where sailing ships set forth to discover unknown lands. See the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the more ancient Belem Tower, a masterpiece of Manueline style. It was erected to protect Jeronimo's Monastery which you visit next. Take some time to admire the fabulous double tiered cloisters. Then you are at leisure. Perhaps join a tour to the beautiful town of Sintra which was the summer residence of the Kings of Portugal? (BB)
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Day 7 - LISBON- FATIMA- SALAMANCA
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Drive into the green hills north of Lisbon to visit Fatima the most celebrated place of pilgrimage in Portugal. Visit the Basilica commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three children in 1917. Then cross the border back into Spain and continue to Salamanca, famous for its golden stone buildings. During your stay see the handsome arcaded Plaza Mayor, 16th century University Buildings and Puente Romano bridge across the river Tormes- 15 of its 26 arches still date from the time of the ancient Romans!
Hotel: Alameda Palace. (BB,D)
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Day 8 - SALAMANCA- AVILA- MADRID
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Cross the rock strewn hills of La Morana, towards St. Theresa's city of Avila, still entirely enclosed within perfect 11th century walls, and unique in Europe. Walk awhile within the ancient city, before returning to Madrid for a sightseeing tour. Here, your local guide introduces you to the Plaza de España and the statue of Cervantes, the Royal Palace, Cibeles Fountain and Parliament. This evening, bid farewell to your new found friends with a lively Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant.
Hotel: NH Alcala. (BB,HD)
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Day 9 - MADRID
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After breakfast, the airport shuttle service from the tour hotel arrives Madrid Airport at 07.00, 09.00 & 11.00 hours. (BB)
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OPTIONAL SIGHTSEEING
& EXCURSIONS The list of Optional Excursions is not available at this time.
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