16 DAYS ~ SPAIN ~ PORTUGAL


Tour Pace
This tour moves at a comfortable pace. It has been expertly planned with mostly two–nights stays throughout and touring days that are not too rushed. In Santiago de Compostella you have a full day to yourself; relax, shop, explore or indulge in an optional excursion if you wish.

Fellow Passengers – Combining the classic favourites of Madrid, Granada, Seville and Lisbon with the lesser known area of northern Spain, this tour has something for everybody. Appreciate the history, steeped in religion, as you gaze upon the monuments, art, architecture and diverse scenery.

DAY 1 – SAT – DEPART USA.
Board your overnight flight.

DAY 2 – SUN – MADRID AT LEISURE.
Welcome to Spain! On arrival at Madrid Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30, 15:00 & 17:30. There is time to relax or explore before enjoying a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director.

Hotel: NH Abascal.

DAY 3 – MON – MADRID SIGHTSEEING.
Join your local guide for a tour down the wide tree–lined avenues to see the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Paseo de la Castellana, Cibeles Fountain and the Cervantes Monument in the Plaza de España. Now a glittering visit to the state apartments of the Royal Palace, literally stuffed with art treasures and antiques. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 4 – TUE – MADRID – SANTANDER.
Drive north over the Sierra de Guadarrama to Burgos, whose huge cathedral boasts a ’Leonardo’ and the tomb of the famed warrior, El Cid. Continue over the Cantabrian Mountains to the sophisticated coastal port of Santander.

Hotel: Real. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – WED – SANTILLANA DEL MAR EXCURSION.
Drive along the ‘corniche road’, with views of the great bay of Santander, before a short drive leads to Santillana del Mar, which many writers have called the most beautiful village in Spain. Stroll through the cobblestone streets with stone houses decorated with carved heraldic symbols to reach the delightful church square. After time to explore, return to Santander where you will have the opportunity to visit Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum. (BB)

DAY 6 – THU – SANTANDER – OVIEDO.
Rejoice in delightful scenery you as you drive into the foothills of the Picos de Europa. Visit the holy cave of Covadonga, shrine to Pelayo, in the place where this national hero achieved the first Christian victory over the Moors in 722. Continue via the ivy clad ‘Roman Bridge’ in the lovely resort of Cangas de Onis to reach historic Oviedo. A local guide shows you the 9C church built when the city was the capital of Christian Spain; see also the stately square, Plaza Alfonso II, the cathedral and the nearby streets and their ‘cider bars’.

Hotel: Santa Domingo Plaza. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – FRI – OVIEDO – SANTIAGO.
Today embark on a scenic drive along the ‘Green Coast’ of Asturias, named after the colour of the sea and the trees that line the shore. Your route reveals glorious coastal vistas before turning inland to one of Spain’s most remarkable cities, Santiago de Compostela. A local guide will acquaint you with its buildings and heritage. See the impressive Cathedral, built upon the site of the original basilica erected over the tomb of Apostle St James.

Hotel: Palacio del Carmen. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – SAT – SANTIAGO AT LEISURE.
Today is at leisure to do as you please! There is the option to take an excursion to the fascinating coastal city of La Coruña with its Roman lighthouse. On your return there is still time to explore Santiago’s charming little lanes, squares and shops. (BB)

DAY 9 – SUN – SANTIAGO – OPORTO.
Cross the Portuguese border to reach the fishing town of Viana do Castelo where you can wander the pedestrian streets of the old quarter. Now on to Portugal’s second largest city, Oporto. Your orientation tour shows you the multi–coloured buildings and Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores which house the famous port wines.

Hotel: Tiara Park Atlantic. (BB,D)

DAY 10 – MON – OPORTO – LISBON.
First stop is miraculous Fatima where you join the pilgrims flocking into the great Basilica. Continue to Batalha to visit the Royal Chapel in the ornate Gothic monastery before making your way to the fortified city of Obidos. Walk inside its walls to explore the craft shops, art galleries and flower–decked houses that line the narrow, medieval streets. Your destination tonight is Lisbon, historic capital of Portugal.

Hotel: Marriott. (BB)

DAY 11 – TUE – LISBON SIGHTSEEING.
A local guide takes you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and across the tree–shaded squares. Pass beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco, the finest square in the city. The tour continues into the Belem Quarter to visit the 16th century Jeronimo’s Monastery with its superbly ornate cloister and vaulted church of Santa Maria. See also the modern Monument to the Discoveries and ancient Belem Tower. Spend the afternoon at leisure or perhaps join a tour to exotic Sintra and its royal summer residence? (BB)

DAY 12 – WED – LISBON – SEVILLE. (CARMONA)
Cross the amazing Tagus Bridge and take in the infinite horizons of the Alentejo Plateau on your way to the Spanish border. Continue through the green slopes of the Sierra Morena to Seville, exquisite capital of Andalusia.

Hotel: Casa de Carmone. (BB,D)

DAY 13 – THU – SEVILLE SIGHTSEEING.
A sightseeing tour introduces the immense 15th century cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus, the Alcazar and the slender Giralda Tower. Tour the Santa Cruz Quarter, with its flower–decked wrought iron balconies, before taking time to relax or explore on your own. Perhaps consider trying a typical Sevilliano tapas dinner tonight. (BB)

DAY 14 – FRI – SEVILLE – GRANADA.
A beautiful drive through gleaming white villages and brilliant fields of golden sunflowers leads to Granada, capital of the Moorish Kingdom of Spain till the Moors’ defeat in 1492. A specialist guide takes you around the Alhambra Palace, a complex of magnificent buildings begun by the Moors and built over the centuries, with its towers, pools, marble baths, elaborately carved courtyards, golden mosaics and whispering alcoves.

Hotel: Alhambra. (BB,D)

DAY 15 – SAT – GRANADA – MADRID.
Head north through the rugged sierras, climbing the Pass of Despenaperros, then descend to the flat plains of La Mancha immortalised in Cervantes’ Don Quixote. You pass through Aranjuez with its royal palace and gardens to return to Madrid. Tonight, celebrate the culmination of your tour with dinner and wine at a local restaurant. During the evening, enjoy a short informative presentation on the regional wines that compliment your meal.

Hotel: NH Abascal. (BB,HD)

DAY 16 – SUN – RETURN TO USA.
Sadly, your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Madrid Airport at 07:00, 09:00 & 11:00 for your onward flights. (BB)