13 days Spains Costa del Sol & The Portuguese Riviera ( 2017 )
Enjoy a true taste of the Iberian Peninsula. In Madrid, you choose your experience: a city tour and tour of the renowned Prado Museum with a local expert, or a walking tour of the city’s Hapsburg-era architectural treasures. Travel via high-speed train to the Moorish city of Cordoba. Relax in Malaga’s parador on the Costa del Sol. Tour Granada’s Alhambra Palace. Marvel at the architecture of the Cathedral of Seville, third largest in the world. Visit Ronda, an architectural marvel in Andalucía. Choose from a panoramic tour of Lisbon with a visit to the coach museum or a walking tour of the Moorish Alfama Quarter with a visit to Sao Jorge castle. Enjoy a 4-night stay on Portugal’s Riviera. Visit the Mafra Palace and Monastery, one of the most impressive Baroque buildings in Portugal. Travel the Silver Coast and visit Fatima, the world-famous pilgrimage site. Enjoy leisure time for independent explorations.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overnight Flight | Overnight Flight ( Not Included ) |
| 2 | Madrid, Spain - Tour Begins | Welcome to Madrid, Spain’s dynamic capital city. Tonight, enjoy a charming welcome dinner. Dinner. Nh Collection Madrid Abascal |
| 3 | Madrid | Today, it’s your choice! Join a local expert who introduces you to Madrid’s architectural treasures on a panoramic tour; then, explore the priceless masterpieces of the Prado Museum which boasts the world's finest collection of art by masters such as Velazquez and Goya. Or, take a walking tour of Madrid featuring sites of the Hapsburg era: discover the Puerta Del Sol, Plaza Mayor and the famous Andalusian Tavern “La Torre del Oro;” the Mercado San Miguel, the last remaining market constructed in forged iron; Arco de los Cuchilleros (the Arch of the Knifemakers); and Plaza de la Villa with its historic Baroque and Mudéjar-style buildings. The remainder of your day is at leisure. Breakfast. Nh Collection Madrid Abascal |
| 4 | Madrid - High-Speed Train - Cordoba - Costa del Sol | Sit back and enjoy stunning landscapes as you travel via high-speed train to the Moorish city of Cordoba. Embark on a walking tour of the Mezquita (UNESCO World Heritage site). Originally built as a mosque, it was converted into the city’s cathedral when the Christians conquered the region in 1236. Stroll through the streets of the historic Jewish Quarter. Continue on to Spain’s Costa del Sol and enjoy a 3-night stay by the sea at Parador Málaga Golf. Breakfast & Dinner. Parador Malaga Golf |
| 5 | Costa del Sol | Enjoy a day at leisure to relax and experience your hotel’s direct beach access or pristine 18-hole golf course. Your Tour Manager will be on hand to help you plan your day. Breakfast & Dinner. Parador Malaga Golf |
| 6 | Costa del Sol - Granada - Costa del Sol | Take a day trip to Granada, the last great capital of the Moors in Spain. Travel past rolling hills dotted with olive groves, capturing the country’s classic beauty. Upon arrival, join a local expert for a tour of the world-famous Alhambra,* a hilltop palace and UNESCO site. Tour the Generalife, “Garden of the Architect,” and behold the waterfalls, courtyards and secret gardens on its grounds. Breakfast Parador Malaga Golf |
| 7 | Costa del Sol - Ronda - Seville | Head to Ronda, one of the loveliest and most historic towns in Andalucía. Join a local expert exploring Ronda’s old town full of twisting narrow streets, the 18th-century Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) over the El Tajo gorge, and La Alameda Park with its wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and mountains. Then, continue to Spain’s “cultural capital” – Seville. Breakfast & Dinner Melia Sevilla |
| 8 | Seville | In Seville, see Columbus’ tomb, the ornate cathedral (UNESCO), and Giralda Bell Tower. Take a walking tour of the quaint Santa Cruz Quarter with its cascading bright flowers, whitewashed buildings and winding streets. Continue to Plaza de España and Maria Luisa Park – one of the loveliest parks in all of Europe. Breakfast Melia Sevilla |
| 9 | Seville - Azeitao, Portugal - Cascais | Depart Spain and travel through the Portuguese countryside to Azeitao – an agricultural village known for red wine, olive trees and country estates. Explore the tradition of azulejos (Portuguese tiles), and see how they are created at a local workshop. Enjoy a tour and tasting of local wines when we visit a centuries-old winemaker. Later, arrive in Cascais, the famous and picturesque coastal resort on the Portuguese Riviera. Breakfast & Dinner Vila Gale Cascais Hotel |
| 10 | Cascais - Lisbon - Cascais | It’s your choice! Join a panoramic Lisbon city tour – via coach - featuring Jeronimo’s Monastery (UNESCO), Belem Tower (UNESCO), and the Monument to the Discoveries, capped off with a visit to the National Museum of Coaches. Or, select a walking tour** of the Alfama District, Lisbon's most symbolic quarter; step back in time as you explore this residential neighborhood which is considered a village within a city; stroll through its medieval alleys, narrow streets, tiny squares, past beautiful churches and whitewashed houses with tile panels and wrought-iron balconies adorned with pots of flowers; then, climb the hill to explore the castle that has the most breathtaking panorama of the city. Your afternoon is at leisure in Cascais to relax on the beach, walk the promenade, or sit in an outdoor café. Breakfast Vila Gale Cascais Hotel |
| 11 | Cascais - Ericeira - Sintra - Cascais | Visit the impressive Mafra Palace and Monastery, one of Portugal’s largest Baroque buildings. A guided tour takes you through the domed basilica, the royal apartments decorated in 18th-century furniture and paintings, and the magnificent Baroque library, one of the finest in Europe. Enjoy some free time to explore the fishing village of Ericeira, perched on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic. Continue on to the town of Sintra (UNESCO), a favorite summer residence of Portuguese kings for six centuries. Here, peruse specialty shops filled with Portuguese handicrafts. Breakfast Vila Gale Cascais Hotel |
| 12 | Cascais - Obidos - Nazare - Fatima - Cascais | Travel Portugal’s Silver Coast, a region filled with sleepy villages, rich vineyards and centuries-old castles. Stop in charming Obidos, protected by medieval city walls. Continue to Nazare, a coastal fishing village. Then, visit Fatima, the world-famous Marian pilgrimage site. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a wonderful farewell dinner. Breakfast & Dinner Vila Gale Cascais Hotel |
| 13 | 13 Cascais - Tour Ends | Tour Ends. Breakfast |