DAY 1 – THU – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Lisbon.
DAY 2 – FRI – LISBON
AT LEISURE
Welcome to Portugal! On arrival at Lisbon airport, there are complimentary transfers to the tour hotel. There is time to relax or explore before enjoying a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director. Hotel: Marriott.
DAY 3 – SAT – 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 Jeronimos Monastery with its superbly ornate cloister and vaulted church of Santa Maria. See also the modern Monument to the Discoveries and ancient Belem Tower, a fortress set originally in the middle of the river, but now left high and dry on the riverbank. Spend the afternoon at leisure: explore the terraces of the Alfama district or join a tour to exotic Sintra and its royal summer residence. (BB)
DAY 4 – SUN – LISBON – OPORTO
Head north to the fortified city of Obidos and walk inside its walls to explore the craft shops, art galleries and flower-decked houses that line the narrow, medieval streets. Continue to Batalha to visit the Royal Chapel in the ornate Gothic monastery before making your way to miraculous Fatima to join the pilgrims flocking into the great Basilica. It is here that a vision of Mary is reputed to have appeared before three local children. Stay the night in Portugal’s second largest city and the capital of the north, Oporto. Hotel: Le Meridien Park Atlantic. (BB,D)
DAY 5 – MON – OPORTO
– SANTIAGO
Join your Tour Director to see the Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores which house the famous port wines. Admire the multi-coloured houses and churches covered in glazed tiles before heading north to the old fishing town of Viana do Castelo. Wander the pedestrian streets of the old quarter and admire the 16th century buildings before crossing the Spanish border to Santiago de Compostela. One of Spain’s most remarkable cities, 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: NH Obradoiro. (BB,D)
DAY 6 – TUE – SANTIAGO AT LEISURE
Today is at leisure to do as you please! There is the option to take an excursion to the spectacular ‘Rias Altas’ which are green-clad, fjord-like estuaries and the fascinating coastal city of Corunna with its Roman lighthouse. On your return there is still time to explore Santiago’s charming little lanes, squares and shops. (BB)
DAY 7 – WED – SANTIAGO – OVIEDO
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Costa Verde, the ‘Green Coast’ of Asturias, with glorious coastal vistas, before reaching its historic capital, Oviedo. A local guide will show you a 9th century church which was 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 8 – THU – OVIEDO – SANTANDER
Explore the foothills of the Picos de Europa National Park and see the ivy clad ‘Roman Bridge’ in the lovely resort of Cangas de Onis. Visit the striking holy cave of Covadonga, shrine to Pelayo, in the place where this national hero achieved the first Christian victory over the Moors in 722. Later, sandy coves, green hills and snow-capped peaks will delight you on the way to Santander, where your hotel is in the elegant resort district of Sardinero. Hotel: Santemar. (BB,D)
DAY 9 – FRI – 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 10 – SAT – SANTANDER – MADRID
Cross the infinite horizons of the northern Meseta and stop to visit Segovia, perched on its triangular rock. See the Roman aqueduct, one of the finest in the world, and immerse yourself in the city’s 15th century golden age. Take time to explore the Old Town before continuing to the spanish capital of Madrid. Hotel: NH Eurobuilding. (BB)
DAY 11 – SUN – MADRID SIGHTSEEING
A guided sightseeing tour introduces you to the Gran Via and Paseo de la Castellana, the Cervantes Monument, the Puerta del Sol and the Cibeles Fountain. Make a Highlight visit inside the state apartments of the Royal Palace before enjoying a Highlight Dinner with wine at a local restaurant. (BB,HD)
DAY 12 – MON – RETURN TO USA
The tour ends with transfers to the airport. (BB)
Hotels
The hotels on this tour are all modern and well-equipped, including the Marriott in Lisbon which has an outdoor swimming pool, the NH Eurobuilding in Madrid in one of the newly developed areas of the city and the resort hotel, Santemar, in Santander..
Fellow Passengers
This tour particularly attracts passengers who wish to explore the lesser known area of northern Spain, noted for its remarkably green scenery, while affording the opportunity to revisit the capital cities of Lisbon and Madrid.
Highlights
Highlights include Jeronimo's Monastery in Lisbon, the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela, the wonderfully scenic Picos de Europa National Park, the 'Green coast' of Asturias and the guided visit to the state apartments of Madrid's Royal Palace.
Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features
Excursions & Sights
- View the modern Monument to the Discoveries and ancient Belem Tower in Lisbon
- Visit the ancient fortified city of Obidos
- Visit the neo-classical Basilica in the pilgrimage town of Fatima
- See the wine stores of the Vila Nova de Gaia in Oporto
- Visit the old fishing town of Viana do Castelo
- See the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
- See the stately Plaza Alfonso II and see the 9th century churches in Oviedo
- See the humped back Roman bridge across the Sella in Cangas de Onis
- Explore Segovia's Plaza Mayor in the Old Town, dominated by the impressive Cathedral
- See Madrid's Cervantes Monument in the Plaza España, Cibeles Fountain & Puerta del Sol
Scenic drive
- along the Costa Verde & Picos de Europa National Park
Guided City Tours
- Indepth sightseeing tours in Lisbon, Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo & Madrid
- Orientation tours in Oporto and Segovia
Insight's First Class Services
- Escorted by a professional Tour Director
- Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
- First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
- Travel bag, document wallet, map book journal and information pack
- Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 1 and departure transfer on Day 11
