| Best of Spain & Portugal - Itinerary
|
DAY 1 – SAT – UK –
MADRID
Welcome to Madrid,
Europe’s highest capital, occupying the centre of the Iberian
peninsula. After your scheduled flight to Madrid airport there
are complimentary transfers to the tour hotel at 09.00, 11.00,
13.00 & 15.00 hours. 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
9 – 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 2 – 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
10 – 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
3 – 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
11 – 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
4 – 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
12 – WED – VALENCIA - BARCELONA
Follow the coast to
Peñìscola 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 5 – 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
13 – THUR – 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
6 – THUR – 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
14 – 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:
NH Abascal. (BB) |
DAY
7 – 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
15 – 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
8 – 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
16 – SUN – MADRID - UK
The tour ends after breakfast
with transfers to the airport at 07.00, 09.00 & 11.00 hours.
(BB) |
