Day 1– Depart USA
Overnight flight to Madrid.

Day 2 – Arrive Madrid
Welcome to Madrid, the spanish capital! The rest of your day is free perhaps to visit one of the museums or take an excursion to Segovia. Tonight, we will enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow traveling companions. 

Hotel: Rafael Orense

Day 3 – Madrid – Toledo – Cordoba
This morning we make our way to the ancient capital of Castile, Toledo.
On arrival our walking tour with a local guide and audio system includes visits to the ancient synagogue, the Church of Santo Tomé, a steel workshop and views of the cathedral. We continue to Roman–founded Cordoba for dinner and our overnight stay. (Buffet breakfast Dinner) 

Hotel: Occidental

Day 4 – Cordoba – Granada
Highlights of our morning sightseeing tour using our audio system include the Mosque of the Caliphs and medieval synagogue. Then we drive past the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the grandeur of hilltop Granada, Spain's most beautiful Moorish–influenced city. This evening, we will enjoy an included Highlight Dinner of local specialities whilst being serenaded. (Buffet breakfast Highlight Dinner)

Hotel: Gran Luna



Day 5 – Granada – Costa del Sol (2 nights)
Morning sightseeing features a visit to the exquisite Alhambra Palace, former residence of Moorish Kings, using our audio system. From here we will continue towards Torremolinos, the most popular Mediterranean resort on the Costa del Sol for two relaxing nights. This afternoon, perhaps take an optional excursion to the pretty hilltop village of Mijas, and later why not enjoy a delicious fish dinner in the oldest part of town? (Buffet breakfast) 

Hotel: Melia Costa Del Sol (2 nights)


Day 6 – Costa del Sol at leisure
After breakfast this morning you can enjoy a full day to relax. You may wish to lounge on the glorious beaches, go on a shopping spree, maybe visit Malaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso? At cocktail hour, why not savour the atmosphere of one of the many open air bars? (Buffet breakfast)

Day 7 – Costa del Sol – Gibraltar – Seville (2 nights)
Today our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure! But first we drive to La Linea to cross to the Rock of Gibraltar with time for duty free shopping. Next, our journey takes us through the sherry wine region of Jerez to Seville where we spend the next two nights. Tonight, why not enjoy a fiery Flamenco show after our tapas dinner with sherry in a typical bodega restaurant. (Buffet breakfast 'Be my guest' Dinner) 

Hotel: Tryp Macarena (2 nights)

Day 8 – Seville sightseeing & at leisure
Today's morning sightseeing tour with our local guide and audio system is dominated by the Bell Tower and weather vane of Giralda. We will also see the pools and fountains of Maria Luisa Park, Christopher Columbus' tomb and the cathedral, and walk through the Jewish quarter. Afterwards enjoy some time on your own in this city steeped in Moorish history and culture. (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: NH Parque De Lisboa (2 nights)

Day 9 – Seville – Lisbon (2 nights)
Our journey today takes us via the 'Jabugo' (ham centre) of Spain and past mighty castles. Later, we enter the Alentejo region of Portugal with its many cork forests. We continue from here to Lisbon, the capital, for the next two nights. You may wish to dine on local specialities this evening. (Buffet breakfast) 


Hotel: Marriott (2 nights)

Day 10 – Lisbon sightseeing & at leisure
After breakfast, we will see the Monument to the Discoveries, the beautiful suspension bridge across the Tagus and admire views of the Belem Tower on our guided morning sightseeing tour including our audio system. A highlight of our tour will be a leisurely walk around the quaint Alfama district. Later time at leisure perhaps to shop for pottery, cork and fisherman's sweaters in the nearby fishing villages of Cascais and Sintra. Tonight why not enjoy a typical meal in the old quarter watching Portuguese folk dancing and listening to heart–wrenching and melancholic Fado melodies? (Buffet breakfast)

Day 11 – Lisbon – Fatima – Salamanca
We continue on a scenic drive through the magnificent Serra d'Aire Mountains to visit the Shrine at Fatima, scene of celebrated religious miracles. Then we continue to Oporto, Portugal’s second largest city and the capital of the North. Here, after crossing the Douro River, we see the multi–coloured houses of the Ribeira quarter and the Church of St. Francis before continuing to a port cellar for wine tasting. (Buffet breakfast Dinner) 

Hotel: Villa Gale Porto

Day 12 – Salamanca – Madrid (2 nights)
We return to Spain and visit Salamanca, Spain’s oldest university city, en route to Madrid on the Castilian plateau. This evening, why not try some traditional paella at one of the city’s many restaurants? (Buffet breakfast) 

Hotel: Agumar (2 nights)


Day 13 – Madrid sightseeing & at leisure
Our morning sightseeing tour includes views of the Royal Palace, the Puerta del Sol and the Cervantes Memorial in the Plaza de España followed by a guided visit of the Prado Museum with its fine paintings by Velazquez and Goya among others. The remainder of your day is at leisure perhaps to shop for leather, lace or porcelain – Lladro is half the price of anywhere back home! Tonight, join your fellow travelers and Tour Director for a Farewell Dinner. (Buffet breakfast Farewell Dinner)

Day 14 – Madrid – USA
This morning it is time to bid farewell to our Tour Director and touring friends as our vacation comes to an end. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. (Buffet Breakfast)

Free airport transfers:
Transfers on Day 2 at Madrid Airport will operate at 09.30, 12.30, 15.00 and 17.30. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Madrid Airport at 07.00, 09.00 and 11.00.