Description
Description
13 Days/12 Nights. Discover the splendor of Spain and Portugal with a great escorted tour. Acquaint yourself with the elegant towns and cities of Madrid, Segovia, Avila, Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, Merida, Seville, Cordoba and Granada. In Portugal enjoy Viana do Castelo, Porto, Aveiro, Fatima and the capital city of Lisbon.
Please note
This is a bi-lingual tour operated by a local Spanish company and therefore has a larger contingent of Spanish speaking passengers. Since it caters to the Hispanic visitor it has a propensity to have groups from Hispanic countries. The tour is narrated in both Spanish and English therefore making it suitable to English speaking visitors. If you mind having to listen to the tour in both Spanish and English this tour may not suite your needs. This tour also leans, in some of its sections, leans towards a religious theme due to the inclusion of places such as Avila, Santiago de Compostela and Fatima.
For English language only please check the following tours:
- 13 Night South Iberian Tour with Tangier
- 12 Night Highlights of Portugal and Spain
- 8 Night Lisbon to Barcelona with Madrid and Seville
- 12 Night Budget Friendly Portugal and Spain
Itinerary
Day 1 - Madrid
Arrival at Madrid airport. After clearing simple immigration and customs formalities, you will be transferred to your hotel. Balance of the day is free. We suggest you take advantage of the free time to get to know one of Europe's most dynamic capital cities. In the early evening, enjoy an “Illuminated Madrid” drive through the bustling streets of the old city, ending at the historical and impressive Plaza Mayor. This area is home to some of the most typical restaurants and taverns, which serve the delicious "tapas". Value package include s a Tapas Dinner tonight. Return to your hotel at your own convenience. Overnight in Madrid.
Day 2 - Madrid
Buffet breakfast. This morning's escorted sightseeing tour will allow you to get a glimpse of some of Madrid's most outstanding attractions, like the Puerta del Sol, the magnificent fountains of Neptune and Cibeles, the stately Alcala Gate, the busy Gran Via, the Plaza de España and the Plaza de Oriente. Time for lunch on your own. Highly recommended this afternoon, is an optional tour to the Imperial former capital city of Toledo, where you will be escorted through its narrow cobblestone streets, soaking up the medieval atmosphere. Touring will include the interior of the magnificent Gothic cathedral and a visit to St. Tome Church, where El Greco's masterpiece painting is displayed. There will also be some time for shopping for the unique typical local artisanry. Return to Madrid for accommodations.
Day 3- Madrid - Segovia - Avila - Salamanca
Buffet breakfast. Departure into old Castile and the magnificent medieval city of Segovia, with its 2000 year old Roman aqueduct and impressive Alcazar Castle. Pause in Avila to admire the perfectly preserved 11th century city walls before continuing to the charming old university city of Salamanca. Afternoon city tour. Value package includes a dinner. Tonight a walk through the beautiful main plaza, always lively with activity, is recommended. Overnight in Salamanca.
Day 4 - Salamanca - Santiago de Compostela
Buffet Breakfast and departure to the mystical pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela. Check into your hotel. This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the old city of Santiago and its beautiful Cathedral on Obradoiro square. Tonight there is an optional traditional dinner at your hotel. Value Package includes dinner. Accommodations. (Accommodations the nights of May 04 and June 01 will be in Vigo and not in Santiago de Compostela).
Day 5 - Santiago de Compostela - Viana do Castelo - Porto
Buffet breakfast. Depart south along the coastal "Rias Baixas" to the port city of Vigo and continue into northern Portugal. We will visit the town of Viana do Castelo, at the mouth of the Rio Lima with its historic old town and castle. We finalize our journey in the charming city of Porto, famous for its namesake Port wines. Overnight in Porto.
Day 6 - Porto
Buffet breakfast.This morning enjoy a guided tour of this city on the banks of the Douro river including a visit to a local Port winery. Premium Package includes a typical lunch. Afternoon free. Overnight in Porto.
Day 7 - Porto - Aveiro - Fatima - Lisbon
Buffet breakfast and departure to Aveiro "city of canals", the Venice of Portugal. Continue to Fatima, one of the pilgrimage centers of Christianity. Free time to visit the basilica and enjoy lunchbefore continuing to Lisbon. Value package includes lunch. In the evening enjoy an optional opportunity to listen to the hauntingly beautiful Fado music while enjoying a delicious dinner. Value package includes Fado show and dinner. Overnight in Lisbon.
Day 8 - Lisbon
Buffet breakfast. Morning tour of this ancient and lovely city overlooking the Tagus River. Admire its splendid avenues and monuments like the Tower of Belem and the Jeronimos Monastery. Afternoon free, with a strong recommendation to visit the graceful hilltop village of Sintra and the vibrant seaside resort town of Cascais this tour included in Value Package. Accommodations.
Day 9 - Lisbon - Merida - Sevilla
Buffet breakfast. Departure toward the Spanish border, and pause in the Roman city of Merida, founded in 25 BC as “Emerita Augusta”, to admire the impressive Roman Amphitheatre archeological site. Lunch is included in Value Package. Continue to Seville. Overnight in Seville.
Day 10 - Seville
Buffet breakfast. This morning’s tour of the “Pearl of Andalucia” will explore this gracious city, Spain's third largest. See the Tower of Gold, the tranquil and extensive Maria Luisa Park, the quaint Santa Cruz Quarter, and finally the huge cathedral (one of the worlds largest) with its Giralda Tower (a former minaret). Time for lunch on your own. Lunch Included in the Value Package. The afternoon is free to continue to explore and/or shop. In the evening an optional Flamenco Show is suggested, with the enjoyment of local wine. Premium package includes Flamenco Show. Overnight in Seville.
Day 11 - Seville - Cordoba - Granada
Buffet breakfast. Depart to Cordoba. Visit one of the world’s marvels, the former Great Mosque (now a cathedral). Time for lunch on your own. Continue to Granada, passing thousands of acres of olive groves. Value package includes dinner. In the evening, an excellent suggestion would be to visit (optional) the quaint and typical Albaicin Quarter for a night view of an illuminated Alhambra and where Andalusian customs, music and wine join to create an enchanting atmosphere. Value Package includes this visit and Zambra show.
Day 12 - GRANADA - Madrid
Buffet breakfast. This morning, enjoy an escorted tour of the amazing Moorish palace and fortress complex of the Alhambra and the verdant Gardens of the Generalife. Afternoon departure to Madrid, crossing the Plains of La Mancha, land of Don Quixote. Arrival in Madrid. Accommodations.
Day 13 - En route
Buffet breakfast. Pre-arranged transfer to Madrid airport at the proper time to check-in for your return flight home. Arrival later the same day.