Lisbon, Fatima, Oporto, Viana Do Castelo, Santiago De Compostela, Lugo, Ponferrada Area, Leon, Madrid, Toledo, Tomé, Granada, Cordoba, Seville
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Day 1
(Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight. |
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Day 2
Arrival in Lisbon, Portugal. (Sat.) Free time to rest or start exploring the Portuguese capital. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and have a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D) |
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Day 3
Lisbon. (Sun.) Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide of Portugal’s capital features Belem Tower guarding the estuary of the Tagus River and JERONIMOS MONASTERY with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Drive past the bull ring to Pombal Statue and along the grand Avenida da Liberdade. Then enjoy a walk through the cobbled alleys of the ALFAMA, the quarter of the seamen. An optional excursion to Sintra and optional dinner with Fado-style entertainment are available. (BB) |
 Day 4
Lisbon-Fatima-Oporto. (Mon.) A scenic drive through the Serra do Aire hills. Step back in time as you pass through the main gate in the medieval perimeter wall of Obidos. Next visit the magnificent Dominican BATALHA MONASTERY, before arriving in Fatima. Of course there is time to join the pilgrims to visit the SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY. In the afternoon, drive to the valley of the Douro River and visit the prestigious HOUSE OF SANDEMAN at Vila Nova de Gaia. Hear how port, the country’s premier export, is made and taste the strong, sweet wine. Overnight in Oporto. (BB,D) |
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Day 5
Oporto-Santiago de Compostela, Spain. (Tue.) Orientation of Oporto includes a panoramic drive and a visit to the lavish 19th-century STOCK EXCHANGE, whose claim to fame is an ARABIAN HALL inspired by Granada’s Alhambra. Then drive through an area where the rural population still lives off small patches of land tended with traditional farming methods. Enjoy a leisurely lunch break in Viana do Castelo before crossing the Rio Miño towards Santiago de Compostela. (BB,D) |
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Day 6
Santiago de Compostela. (Wed.) Santiago grew around the tomb of St. James, the apostle who converted Spain to Christianity and, according to legend, delivered the country from Moorish occupation. Today’s pilgrims still pray at St. James’ tomb in the huge 11th-century CATHEDRAL VIEJA. Sightseeing with a Local Guide focuses on the beautiful Old Town with its Plaza de la Quintana with the Holy Door and Plaza Obradoiro with its Hospital of the Catholic Monarchs. The afternoon is free, and tonight you may wish to try typical Galician fare. (BB) |
 Day 7
Santiago de Compostela-Leon. (Thu.) Two days of scenic eastbound travel along the ancient “Way of St. James.” First stop is in Lugo, whose perfectly preserved massive schist wall, dating back to Roman times, did not protect it from conquest by Moors, Norsemen, and Napoleon’s revolutionary troops. Then head for Ponferrada where Knights Templars gave shelter to medieval pilgrims. Their massive castle now lies in ruins, except for the superb gate where you stop for pictures. Guided sightseeing in Leon focuses on the GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, with its no less than 12,017 square feet of stained glass windows. Also visit the MUSEUM with priceless works of art and a complete 17th-century chemist’s shop. (BB,D) |
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Day 8
Leon-Madrid. (Fri.) Drive through the Tierra de Campos to the university town of Salamanca. Time for lunch and a stroll in its baroque Plaza Mayor. On the way to Madrid, stop for pictures of the walled town of Avila where St. Theresa founded the Order of the Carmelites. (BB) |
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Day 9
Madrid. (Sat.) A Local Guide takes you to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, and a highlight visit to the PRADO MUSEUM. In the afternoon an optional excursion to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen is available. (BB) |
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Day 10
Madrid-Toledo-Granada. (Sun.) Toledo, the ancient Castilian capital, is spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features an early SYNAGOGUE, the Church of SANTO TOMÉ with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings, and the Moorish bridge. Visit a DAMASCENE STEEL WORKSHOP before continuing through Don Quixote’s La Mancha and the Andalusian hills to history-steeped Granada at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. (BB,D) |
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Day 11
Granada-Cordoba-Seville. (Mon.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide focuses on its main attraction, the ALHAMBRA. The mighty yet graceful citadel was planned by the 13th-century Moorish ruler Al Ahamar. Also amble through the exotic WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE, the royal summer residence. Later drive to Cordoba and join your Local Guide for a walk through the magnificent 8th-century MOSQUE OF THE CALIPHS, before continuing to Seville. (BB,D) |
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Day 12
Seville. (Tue.) Admire MARIA LUISA PARK with a Local Guide; drive to the Plaza de España, the Gold Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Visit the CATHEDRAL with Columbus’ tomb and stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER. For a truly Andalusian night out, reserve a seat at our optional flamenco show. (BB) |
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Day 13
Seville-Algarve, Portugal. (Wed.) Across the Guadiana River to Lagos for a lunch break. History comes alive as you reach the PROMONTORY OF SAGRES where Henry the Navigator lived and planned his overseas expansion. Then on to Cape St. Vincent, the southernmost corner of continental Europe, and to your hotel. Tonight you may wish to try a local seafood restaurant. (BB) |
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Day 14
At Leisure at the Algarve. (Thu.) Enjoy a leisurely day at your beachfront hotel. Stroll to the marina or shop in the fancy boutiques. (BB,D) |
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Day 15
Algarve-Lisbon. (Fri.) Head north to Setúbal, a major port and industrial center, and continue over the Serra da Arrábida with sweeping views of the Tróia Peninsula. After crossing the Bridge of April 25th, you’re back in Lisbon and end your exciting touring adventure. (BB) |
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Day 16
(Sat.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB) |
16 days incl. air, or 15 days Lisbon/Lisbon
Starting at: $2,029.00
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INCLUDED FEATURES
LISBON Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit Jeronimos Monastery and the Alfama OBIDOS Visit the ancient Celtic town BATALHA Visit the Dominican Monastery FATIMA Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary VILA NOVA DE GAIA (OPORTO) Port wine tasting at Sandeman cellars OPORTO Orientation; visit the Arabian Hall in the Stock Exchange VIANA DO CASTELO Lunch stop SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA Guided sightseeing; visit the Cathedral Vieja LUGO Picture stop at the Roman walls PONFERRADA AREA Picture stop at the Knights Templars Castle ruins LEON Guided sightseeing; visit the cathedral and museum MADRID Guided sightseeing; visit the Prado Museum TOLEDO Guided sightseeing; visit the synagogue, Santo TOMÉ Church with one of El Greco's masterpieces, the cathedral; a Damascene steel workshop GRANADA Guided sightseeing; visit the Alhambra and the Gardens of the Generalife CORDOBA Guided sightseeing; visit the Mosque of the Caliphs SEVILLE Guided sightseeing; visit Maria Luisa Park, the cathedral, and the Santa Cruz Quarter SEVILLE-ALGARVE Visit the Promontory of Sagres |
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INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges when applicable. |
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MEALS
14 buffet breakfasts (BB); 7 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Lisbon |
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QUALITY HOTELS
LISBON Lisbon Marriott (SF), OPORTO Dom Henrique (F), SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA Hesperia Peregrino (F), LEON Conde Luna (F), MADRID Husa Moncloa (F), GRANADA Carmen (F), SEVILLE Tryp Macarena (F), ALGARVE Atlantis (F) at Vilamoura |
