Highlights of Spain & Portugal from $2,605

Travel Team > Europe > Highlights of Spain & Portugal from $2,605

Day 1 Arrive Madrid

 

The fiery Spanish capital of Madrid paves the way for an unforgettable journey thru centuries of history and culture across the Iberian Peninsula. Embrace la Buena vida and soak up the passionate atmosphere of Madrid’s vibrant streets before joining your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation of the city’s glorious sights as the sun sets on the capital.

 

Hotel: Ayre Gran

 

Day 2: MADRID – CUENCA – VALENCIA

Witness the dramatic honey-coloured clifftop hanging houses of Cuenca during our first stop today before we journey to Valencia, renowned for its modern verve and spirit of innovation. An orientation drive will include views of the 15th century Towers of Serrano and Quart, and the City of Arts and Sciences, a large-scale urban recreation centre for culture and science and designed by Santiago Calatrava. This evening perhaps indulge in the fragrant flavours and aromas of paella for which Valencia is famous.

 

HOTEL: Silken Puerta

MEALS: Buffet Breakfast

 

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES

Paella Experience

 

Spain’s famous rice dish “The Paella” originated in Valencia. This evening, we’ll travel to a seafront restaurant where we’ll enjoy this iconic Spanish fare. We’ll also enjoy great beach views and a drive through the yachting marina, home of the America’s Cup 2007.

 

DAY 3: VALENCIA – GUADIX – GRANADA

Meandering through the sierra of Spain, we arrive in Guadix to view the troglodyte cave dwellings that blend effortlessly into the surrounding ochre landscape. Witness how generations of Guadix locals have carved cosy abodes into their rocky surrounds, then travel through the jagged Mora Pass to Granada, the last stronghold of the Moors in Europe. This evening, sample the hearty flavours of Andalusia during a special Regional Meal at a local restaurant.

 

HOTEL: Occidental

 

MEALS: Buffet Breakfast

Regional Meal: OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES

 

Gypsy Night Out in Old Granada

Enjoy an evening in Granada’s old quarter, which offers the finest views over the illuminated Alhambra Palace. We’ve organised tickets for you to see the Zambra dances by Sacromonte’s famous gypsies – a fiery, emotive performance unique to this part of Spain. And we’ve also included a drink, too.

 

 

DAY 4    GRANADA – CÓRDOBA – SEVILLE (3 NIGHTS)

Tread in the footsteps of Spain’s last emirs, joining your Local Specialist for a visit to the incredible Alhambra, it’s amazing palaces, gardens and fountains. Inspired by poetry, the architecture is said to be a reflection of paradise as described in Islamic verse. Soak up the tranquil atmosphere in quiet courtyards, follow its colossal ancient walls and admire the ornate stone carvings. We leave Granada behind for Córdoba where we’ll join a Local Specialist to visit the mesmerising Cathedral of Córdoba, the former mosque of the caliphs and a jewel of Hispano-Islamic art featuring striking arches and Byzantine mosaics. Our final stop for the day is beguiling Seville, our home for the next three nights.

 

HOTEL: Meliá Sevilla

MEALS: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with wine

 

 

DAY 5     SEVILLE SIGHTSEEING

Seville takes centre stage today as we spend the day exploring this charismatic city. We’ll see the symbolic Giralda Bell Tower in the company of a Local Specialist, then visit the Maria Luisa Park, the centrepiece of the 1929 Exposition, built in a Moorish style and featuring half a mile of fountains, ponds, pavilions and lush plantings. We’ll walk through the imposing Plaza de España and visit the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, where the explorer Christopher Columbus is entombed. Perhaps witness the twirling of colourful skirts and rhythmic clapping of castanets this evening at a fiery flamenco performance.

MEALS: Buffet Breakfast

 

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES

Discover The Origin Of “Tapas” & Evening In Old Seville

 

Join us for a dinner of mouth-watering tapas-style specialties. You’ll get the chance to taste different flavours and wines, before taking an atmospheric evening stroll through the charming old quarter of Seville.

 

Adult Price: €53.00

(Price is subject to change)

 

Flamenco: Experience the Best Show in Town

 

Discover the passion, rhythm and magic of an Andalusian flamenco show with us this evening. We’ve organised tickets to the best show in town, where you’ll experience 90 minutes of memorable entertainment with an included drink.

 

Adult Price: €40.00

(Price is subject to change)

 

The Moorish Alcazar And Plaza América

 

We’ll begin with a visit to the elegant 14th-century Moorish Alcazar, set in its own beautiful gardens. The gardens were recently used as the setting for the Water Gardens of Dorne in the Game Of Thrones series. Then, we’ll journey to the famous exhibition site of Plaza América – a must for any visitor to Seville.

 

Adult Price: €40.00

(Price is subject to change)

 

Flamenco, the best show in town with a three-course dinner

 

After a three-course dinner of Andalusian specialties with drinks included, you’ll discover the passion, rhythm and magic of flamenco this evening. We’ve organised tickets to the best show in town, where you’ll experience 90 minutes of memorable entertainment.

 

 

DAY 6:  SEVILLE – JEREZ AND CÁDIZ EXCURSION

We indulge in the aromatic flavours of Jerez today as we gain a Cultural Insight into the centuries-old tradition of Spanish sherry production. The leafy boulevards and quiet plazas of romantic Cádiz are our next stop. Tread in the footsteps of Columbus, who used this historic port city as his launchpad to the new world, and see the exotic plants and trees dotted throughout the city that are said to have been brought here by him upon his return.

 

MEALS: Buffet Breakfast

 

 

DAY 7   SEVILLE – ALGARVE REGION

We journey from Spain to the sun-kissed shores of southern Portugal’s Algarve, a retreat for sun-worshippers with its spectacular natural landscapes and fascinating heritage. Enjoy the delicious flavours of piri piri chicken and grilled sardines against the picture-perfect backdrop of the Atlantic, relax on its golden beaches or perhaps join an Optional Experience.

 

HOTEL: Agua Riverside

MEALS: Buffet Breakfast & Dinner with wine

 

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES

 

Wonders of the Algarve

 

Your opportunity to experience the coastal Algarve region, with wonderful photo opportunities at Ponta da Piedade. Next, we’ll walk around Lagos and then to photogenic Praia da Rocha before you’ll enjoy free time in one of the well-known yachting marinas. This is a fully-guided tour.

 

Adult Price: €34.00

(Price is subject to change)

 

 

DAY 8   ALGARVE – LISBON SIGHTSEEING (2 NIGHTS)

Travel north to the Serra da Arrábida mountains and the golden landscapes of the Alentejo where you’ll enjoy a delicious Be My Guest lunch at a traditional Stud Ranch where Lusitano horses have been reared since the 18th century. We arrive in the seafaring Portuguese capital of Lisbon this afternoon where we’ll join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of the spectacular 16th century Hieronymite Monastery, and Belém Tower, built as a tribute to Vasco da Gama’s journey of discovery. Consider an evening in the quaint hillside Bairro Alto enjoying traditional Portuguese flavours amidst the melancholic tunes of the fado.

 

HOTEL: Olissippo Marquês de Sá

MEALS: Buffet Breakfast

Be My Guest Dining

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES

 

Gourmet Dinner, Parliament, Exclusive Estrela and Evening Orientation

Your opportunity to enjoy the exclusive district of Estrela, its park, basilica and the Portuguese Parliament, on the way to a delicious gourmet dinner. You’ll finish the evening with a drive along the banks of the mighty River Tagus.

 

Adult Price: €53.00

(Price is subject to change)

 

Seafood Dinner By The Tagus River

 

Take a ferry across the mighty Tagus River and enjoy typical Portuguese seafood and fish specialities at a local restaurant. After dinner, we’ll cross the impressive Suspension Bridge for a sweeping view over the Portuguese capital.

Adult Price: €53.00

(Price is subject to change)

 

DAY 9  LISBON

Meander through the cobblestone lanes of old town Lisbon and the grand shopping boulevards that stretch from the shores of the Tagus and Lisbon Baixa to Rossio. Today is yours to embrace the charm of the Portuguese capital. Relax at a sidewalk café with a creamy pasteis de nata, venture to the Castle of São Jorge and admire the sea of pastel pinks, yellows and blues that clad Lisbon’s seven hills or perhaps join an Optional Experience to the historic towns of Cascais and Queluz.

MEALS: Buffet Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES

Portuguese Fado Evening Of Music & Song With Dinner

 

An evening’s entertainment Portuguese style. You’ll savour a typical meal with local aperitifs and wines and hear beautiful, traditional Fado singing.

 

Adult Price: €66.00

(Price is subject to change)

 

The Golden Triangle: Sintra, Cascais & The Estoril Coast

After passing through the fashionable resort of Estoril, we’ll explore the picturesque fishing village of Cascais, with its beautiful array of mansions and exclusive residences. To complete the Golden Triangle we’ll visit the impressive Royal Palace of Sintra. On occasions where Sintra is not available you will be offered a visit of the Palace of Queluz

Adult Price: €46.00

(Price is subject to change)

 

 

DAY 10:  LISBON – FÁTIMA – SALAMANCA

Follow the road taken by pilgrims over the last 100 years to the Shrine at Fátima, site of celebrated religious miracles. We leave Portugal, travelling to the historic Spanish city of Salamanca with its golden-hued façades and ancient university heritage where we will view its 18th century Plaza Mayor during our orientation tour.

HOTEL: Gran Corona Sol

MEALS: Buffet Breakfast

 

DAY 11   SALAMANCA – TOLEDO – MADRID (2 NIGHTS)

See the walled city of Ávila, the town of stones and saints, so named for its vast collection of Romanesque and Gothic churches. We arrive in the clifftop city of Toledo where we’ll visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to one of El Greco’s most famous paintings – The Burial of Count Orgaz. Join a Local Specialist for a guided walk through the quaint streets and see the oldest synagogue building still standing in Europe. Later enjoy a Cultural Insight into the historical steel industry while watching local craftsmen at work. We arrive in Madrid this evening, our home for the next two nights.

HOTEL: Rafael Atocha

MEALS: Buffet Breakfast

 

DAY 12: MADRID SIGHTSEEING

This morning we join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Madrid where you will see the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol and the Cervantes Monument with its stone representations of Don Quixote’s “true love”. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the city on your terms. Admire the world’s finest collection of Spanish art at the Prado Museum, indulge in some last-minute shopping on Gran Vía or perhaps consider an Optional Experience to the medieval UNESCO World Heritage City of Segovia. This evening marks the end of our memorable journey through the Iberian Peninsula. Join your fellow companions and Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner.

MEALS: Buffet Breakfast & Farewell Dinner

 

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES

Segovia World Heritage Site – Its Ancient Aqueduct & Fairy-tale Castle

Enjoy a visit to Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which sits on a rocky outcrop between two rivers. With your Local Specialist, you’ll visit the 13th-century castle, reputed to have inspired Walt Disney, as well as seeing the best-preserved Roman aqueduct which has remained intact for 2,000 years.

Adult Price: €45.00

(Price is subject to change)

 

DAY 13  DEPART MADRID

For now it’s time to say a fond adiós to our travelling companions, your Travel Director and the beauty of Spain and Portugal at the end of a memorable holiday. Airport transfers are available. Conditions apply.

 

MEALS

 

Buffet Breakfast