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15 days Best of Spain & Portugal



Follow the fortunes of the Spanish, Portuguese and Moorish Kingdoms as evidenced in their grand castles, stupendous religious buildings and incredible works of art.

Day Location Description
1 Welcome to Madrid At Madrid Airport, transfers depart for your hotel at 09:00, 11:00, 13:30 & 16:00. Later, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception and a beautiful evening of dinner and wine. Hotel: Barcelo Torre, Madrid Welcome Reception and Dinner
2 Madrid of the Bourbons (Relaxed Start) A sightseeing tour takes you along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana past Madrid's most famous fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles. Drive down the Gran Vía to the Royal Palace and Cervantes Monument before crossing the Puerta del Sol. The highlight of your tour is a visit to the magnificent Prado Museum to admire the paintings of Velázquez, Goya and many others. Hotel: Barcelo Torre, Madrid Buffet Breakfast
3 Toledo and Golden Salamanca The morning is devoted to Toledo. With your Local Expert, walk through the maze of narrow, cobbled streets. See El Greco's paintings in the Church of Santo Tomé. Join a master craftsman in a Damascene workshop for a personal insight into this ancient craft handed down by the Moors centuries ago. Later, pass the ancient walls of Ávila, en route to Salamanca, with its handsome arcaded Plaza Mayor, honey-coloured cathedral and 16th century university buildings. Hotel: Hotel Alameda Palace, Salamanca Meals: Buffet Breakfast
4 Porto, Grande Dame on the Douro (Relaxed Start) Cross the Portuguese border to reach Porto, situated on the River Douro and celebrated internationally as the capital of Port wine. Visit the Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores that house the famous wines. Walk along corridors of casks and get to know your tawnys and vintages during a tasting. Admire the multi-coloured houses and churches covered in glazed tiles, as well as the iconic bridges (or ‘Eiffel Towers on end’ according to one Frenchman). Hotel: NH Colection Porto Batalha, Porto Buffet Breakfast, Three-course Dinner with wine, plus tea or coffee
5 Holy Fatima, Obidos and Lisbon Head south for a visit to miraculous Fatima. See the basilica or visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, which commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three young shepherds in 1917. Then continue to the fortified town of Obidos, where you'll walk inside the walls to explore the flower-bedecked houses and narrow, medieval streets. Your destination is the Portuguese capital. Hotel: Dom Pedro Palace, Lisbon Buffet Breakfast
6 Lisbon & the Age of the Great Discoveries (Relaxed Start) Sightseeing with a Local Expert takes you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to reach the Terreiro do Paço, finest square in the city. Visit the Belém Quarter, from where sailing ships set forth to discover unknown lands. Stop by an old patisserie that has managed to hold on to the secret recipe of Portugal's finest pastry for almost 200 years and enjoy a tasting of the famous 'Pasteis de Belem'. See the Monument to the Discoveries and the more ancient Belem Tower - a fortress originally set in the middle of the river, but now left high and dry on the riverbank. Next, visit Jeronimos Monastery with its beautiful Manueline architecture. The afternoon is free, perhaps join us for an optional experience to the Portuguese Riviera, visited by surfers, royalty, and even James Bond?’ Hotel: Dom Pedro Palace, Lisbon Meals: Buffet Breakfast
7 Seville, the City of Carmen Leave Lisbon via a modern Tagus Bridge and cross the border to reach Seville. With a Local Expert, tour the immense cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus, and the slender Giralda Tower. Explore the labyrinthine Santa Cruz Quarter and see the Alcazar. At night, settle back for a Signature Evening with dinner and entertainment featuring a fiery flamenco show. Hotel: Ayre Hotel Sevilla, Seville (Executive Rooms) Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Signature Evening
8 Free Time in Seville (Relaxed Start) The following day is completely yours to relax, explore, or continue sightseeing in this fascinating city. One suggestion is an optional experience to Cordoba to visit the magnificent Mezquita, see the old Jewish Quarter, and enjoy some free time to shop. Hotel: Ayre Sevilla, Seville (Executive Rooms) Meals: Buffet Breakfast
9 Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol Head south to Gibraltar, attached to Spain yet an overseas territory under British... along the Costa del Sol through exclusive resorts where the rich and famous holiday. Hotel: Melia Costa Del Sol, Torremolinos Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Three-course Dinner with wine, plus tea or coffee
10 At Leisure on the Costa del Sol (Relaxed Start) Enjoy the day at leisure on the sun-drenched Costa del Sol. Relax by the blue Mediterranean waters, stroll along the promenade or savour the specialities in the local restaurants or consider exploring Malaga, the birth city of Picasso. Hotel: Melia Costa Del Sol, Torremolinos Buffet Breakfast
11 Granada and the Alhambra (Relaxed Start) Drive through the green hills above the Costa del Sol to the white-washed village of Mijas. Stroll through the old streets and gardens and take in the views of the coast. Continue to Granada to visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace. With a Local Expert, see the Lion Court, as well as the water gardens of the royal summer residence. In the evening, choose your own personal ambience and cuisine from our Dine-Around selection of restaurants. Hotel: Vincci Albayzin, Granada Buffet Breakfast, Dine-Around
12 On to Valencia. Journey to Valencia the 'City of Arts and Sciences'.Circumnavigate the old town, past the City Gates of Serranos to reach your hotel. In your free time perhaps take a stroll to the Cathedral and El Miguelete? Valencia is home to one of the world's greatest dishes, paella. Learn the authentic recipe in a fun cookery demonstration with a local chef and savour the flavours of this classic dish, washed down with a glass of sangria. Hotel: Barcelo Valencia Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Signature Evening
13 Peñíscola and on to Barcelona Follow the coast to Peñíscola to view the sea-lapped castle used in the film El Cid.Continue along the Costa Dorada, to your hotel in Barcelona. Hotel: Hilton Barcelona Meals: Buffet Breakfast
14 Barcelona Sightseeing (Relaxed Start) Join a Local Expert to drive along the Passeig de Gràcia. Continue through the Eixample district for a visit inside Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família Basilica. In the afternoon, maybe experience the great Monastery of Montserrat and see the Black Madonna? In the evening, enjoy a Celebration Dinner with wine. Hotel: Hilton Barcelona Buffet Breakfast, Celebration Dinner
15 Depart Barcelona Your journey ends after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Barcelona Airport at 07:00, 09:00 & 11:00. Buffet Breakfast