Tour Duration: 17 days
DAY 1 – FRI – DEPART
USA
Overnight flight to Madrid.
DAY 2 – SAT – MADRID
AT LEISURE
Welcome to Madrid! There are
complimentary transfers
from Madrid Airport to your tour
hotel. The afternoon
is yours to relax or to begin
exploring this vibrant city.
Enjoy a Welcome Drink
with your fellow passengers and
Tour Director as night falls.
Hotel: Melia Galgos.
DAY 3 – SUN – MADRID
– SALAMANCA
Drive to Toledo, former capital
of Spain, to see the
13th century Cathedral and one of
Europe’s oldest
synagogues, as well as the El Greco
masterpiece in the
chapel of Santo Tomé.
Later, pass the ancient walls of St
Teresa’s town of Avila
en route to the
‘golden’ city of
Salamanca. Before
reaching your hotel, see the
handsome arcaded Plaza Mayor
and honey–coloured
cathedral. Hotel: Alameda Palace.
(BB,D)
DAY 4 – MON –
SALAMANCA – OPORTO
Cross the Portuguese border to reach
Oporto, celebrated
internationally as the Port wine
capital. With your
Tour Director, see the Vila Nova
de Gaia wine stores which house
the famous port wines. Also admire the
multi–coloured houses and churches
covered in glazed
tiles. Hotel: Le Meridien Park
Atlantic. (BB,D)
DAY 5 – TUE – OPORTO
– LISBON
Head south to Fatima to
join the pilgrims flocking into
the great Basilica. Continue to
Batalha to visit the
Royal Chapel in the Gothic monastery
before driving to
the old walled town of Obidos
to explore the medieval
streets. Later, continue to Lisbon.
Hotel: Marriott. (BB)
DAY 6 – WED – LISBON
SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide,
visit the cobbled
streets of the
‘Alfama’ quarter,
and see Sao Jorge
Castle, the Monument to
the Discoveries and the
Belem Tower. Visit
Jeronimo’s Monastery with its
superbly ornate
cloister. The afternoon is
at leisure. (BB)
DAY 7 – THU – LISBON
– SEVILLE
Leave Lisbon via the modern
Tagus Bridge and cross the
border to reach Seville. A tour
with a local guide includes
the immense 15th century Cathedral,
burial place of
Christopher Columbus, and
the slender Giralda Tower.
Tour the fashionable Santa
Cruz Quarter with its flower–
decked wrought iron balconies and see
the Alcazar. Enjoy
a Highlight Dinner and entertainment
featuring a fiery
Flamenco show. Hotel: Melia
Lebreros. (BB,HD)
DAY 8 – FRI – SEVILLE
AT LEISURE
The day is yours to relax, explore or
continue sightseeing.
Why not take an optional excursion to
Cordoba to visit
the magnificent Mezquita? Afterwards,
consider enjoying
a typical Sevilliano dinner at a local
restaurant. (BB)
DAY 9 – SAT – SEVILLE
– COSTA DEL SOL
Head south to
Gibraltar, attached to
Spain, yet an
independent colony under British
control since 1704.
There’s time to explore the
shops or take a trip to the top
of the Rock to see St
Michael’s Cave. Later,
take the
scenic route along the Costa del
Sol to your hotel. Hotel:
Melia Costa del Sol. (BB,D)
DAY 10 – SUN – MIJAS
EXCURSION
A leisurely drive through green
hills above the Costa del
Sol leads to the white–washed
village of Mijas. There is
time to stroll through the old
streets and pleasant gardens
and take in the views of the
Mediterranean coast. The
rest of the day is yours to enjoy the
Costa del Sol. (BB,D)
DAY 11 – MON – COSTA
DEL SOL – GRANADA
See some of Spain’s most
exclusive resorts before turning
inland to Granada,
capital of the Moorish Kingdom of
Spain until the Moors’ defeat in
1492. Visit the Alhambra
Palace, a complex of magnificent
buildings begun by the
Moors and built over the centuries.
Sightseeing includes
the famous Lion Court as well
as the exotic water
gardens of the Generalife, the royal
summer residence,
where you can relax in the sun and
enjoy the fine views
over the town. Hotel: Saray.
(BB,D)
DAY 12 – TUE – GRANADA
– VALENCIA
Drive over the Mora Pass,
enjoying views over the Sierra
Nevada en route. Pass through
palm forests and lemon
groves as you travel to
Valencia. On an
orientation tour, see the
Generalidad Palace, El Miguelete
Cathedral,
gates of Serranos, Cuarte
and the modern Centre for
Arts and Sciences before
checking into your hotel. Hotel:
Reina Victoria. (BB,D)
DAY 13 – WED –
VALENCIA – BARCELONA
Follow the coast to
Peñíscola to
view the sea–lapped
castle used in the film El
Cid. Continue along the Costa
Dorada (Gold Coast) to
Barcelona. A local
guide will
show you the Gothic Quarter,
where you will visit the
cathedral and view the
lively Ramblas. Tour the
modern Eixample District
to see Gaudi’s famed
Sagrada Familia
church. As night falls,
why not dine out ‘Catalan
style’? Hotel: Melia.
(BB)
DAY 14 – THU –
BARCELONA AT LEISURE
The day is free for you to explore
this vibrant city. Take an
optional excursion to the great
Monastery of Montserrat
to see the Black Madonna and enjoy the
fine views. (BB)
DAY 15 – FRI –
BARCELONA – MADRID
Pass the city of Zaragoza
in the province of Aragón
as you
make your way along the Jalón
Valley, past Guadalajara
and back to Madrid. Hotel: Melia
Galgos. (BB)
DAY 16 – SAT – MADRID
SIGHTSEEING
A guided sightseeing tour
takes you along the Gran Via
and Paseo de la Castellana.
See the Cervantes Monument
in the Plaza España, the
Puerta del Sol and Madrid’s
most famous fountain in the Plaza de
la Cibeles. Visit the
Prado Museum to admire the paintings
of Velázquez and
Goya. Perhaps spend the
evening enjoying a farewell
dinner with your fellow passengers.
(BB)
DAY 17 – SUN – RETURN
TO USA
The tour ends after breakfast
with transfers to the
airport. (BB)
