Spain & Portugal Tour

Refer to the “Arrival Instructions” for directions on where and when to meet your Tour Manager for the transfer to your Madrid hotel. This evening, meet your fellow tour members during the “Welcome to Europe” dinner.

To initiate your sightseeing, a local guide will provide an orientation of Madrid and an explanation of the masterpieces inside the Prado Art Museum. Three popular choices for your afternoon are the Old Town of Madrid (referred to as Puerta del Sol), EI Retiro Park (where you can rent a row boat on its Great Lake), or the Reina Sofía Museum (home to Picasso’s Guernica). Tonight’s independent dinner allows you to choose between the hotel, an outdoor café, or the optional Madrid Dinner excursion.

Spend the morning exploring the impressive Renaissance buildings and courtyards at the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. After an independent guided walking tour of the old town and historic university. The evening glow of the main square provides an enchanting ambiance for your independent dinner.

Cross the border from Spain into Portugal and head toward the west coast. Reach Aveiro in time to have your independent lunch along one of the lively canals lined with colorful buildings. You may like to join the optional Aveiro Moliceiro Boat Ride excursion before transferring to the Aveiro hotel.

A local guide will take you on a walking tour of Porto. Visit a Port Wine bodega with an explanation on the history and production, as well as a tasting. While sampling the local cuisine this afternoon, observe the activity along the Douro River. Your Tour Manager will offer a Porto Boat Ride & Dinner excursion before returning to your hotel in Aveiro.

Travel through central Portugal to the Catholic pilgrimage site of Fátima. Following an independent lunch, continue to the hotel in Lisbon. After check-in, a local guide shows you the highlights, including the Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries honoring Prince Henry the Navigator. Admire the broad boulevards and mosaic sidewalks before returning to your hotel for dinner.

A great way to spend your day in Lisbon is to ride a street car up to São Jorge Castle. Alluring shops offer fine Portuguese products such as hand painted ceramic tiles, pottery and figurines. Another consideration is to join the optional Sintra Palace & Cascais excursion. This evening during your independent dinner in Lisbon, explore the narrow, winding alleys of the Moorish Alfama District.

During your travels today, keep in mind that more than fifty percent of the world’s cork is supplied by Portugal’s forests. Cross the Sado River at Alcácer do Sal and make a mid-day stop in the Algarve Region. Continue through southwestern Spain, also known as Andalusia, and travel through the province of Huelva. Your hotel for the next two nights is located in Seville, one of the largest historic Old Towns of Europe.

During the city tour of Seville, a local guide will introduce you to the Plaza de España, the cathedral housing Columbus’ tomb, Giralda Tower, City Hall, and the tobacco factory of “Carmen” fame. The afternoon allows time to pursue your personal interests. Explore the Alcazar Palace (admission fee), the Flamenco Museum (admission fee), or the intriguing alleys and courtyards in the former Jewish Quarter of Barrio de Santa Cruz. The friendly neighborhoods of this delightful city invite people to relax and socialize outdoors well into the evening. Tonight, dinner is on your own to experience the regional specialties, or join the optional Flamenco Show with Tapas excursion.

Wind your way past thrilling mountain vistas to Ronda, a village whose unique location creates dramatic views over the Tajo Ravine. After an independent lunch, a local guide will share the history of this special place and point out photo opportunities. Today’s final destination is Spain’s Sun Coast, the Costa del Sol, in the province of Malaga. Your seaside resort, in the town of Torremolinos, awaits you with an included dinner upon arrival.

Spend the first day of a three-night stay becoming familiar with your Andalusian paradise along the Mediterranean coast. If you join the optional morning Malaga excursion, a local guide will introduce you to the port, castle and city center of the provincial capital. Those desiring additional exploration of the Andalusian countryside are invited to join the optional Mijas & Country Dinner excursion.

This day focuses on the city of Granada, elegantly enrobed by the surrounding Sierra Navada mountains and crowned by the astounding Alhambra. In Arabic, Alhambra means “Red Castle.” Granada’s Alhambra was in fact a fortified compound, complete with protective walls, lookout towers, two palaces, a garden, and a village for the families of the nobles. Your local guide will share the fascinating stories of this area and reveal the history leading to the interwoven Arabic and Christian influences. After exploring the center of Granada, return to your Torremolinos hotel for an included dinner.

Travel to Córdoba, where a local guide will explain the cultural landmarks, including the Old Jewish Quarter, La Mezquita (built as an immense mosque in the 8th century and currently used as a cathedral), Viana Palace and the Roman bridge. Take a stroll through the Old Town where splashing fountains decorate the patios and floral aromas fill the air. Depart Córdoba to travel among the infinite olive groves of Jaén Province and through the region of La Mancha. Along the way, catch a glimpse of the windmills made famous by Cervantes’ story of Don Quixote. Your final destination today is the ancient town of Toledo. Due to your hotel’s unique location in the pedestrian-only center of the Old Town, you will be required to self-porter your luggage for the 200 meters between the motor coach and the hotel.

Within the fortified walls of this UNESCO World Heritage Site lie treasured museums, churches, synagogues and mosques representing the combination of cultures that have thrived. The guided walking tour in Toledo includes interior visits of the cathedral and synagogue. Afterwards, you will have time to explore the narrow streets of this charming ancient village built on a hill. Stop to make a photo overlooking Toledo before transferring to your Madrid Airport Area hotel for a “Farewell Dinner.”

Transfer to the Madrid Airport for your return flight home.