Itinerary Grand Tour of Spain & Portugal
Day 1, Sunday: En route
Depart your home city, possibly via connection, on an overnight trans-Atlantic flight.
Day 2, Monday: MADRID
Arrival at Madrid airport. After clearing simple immigration and customs formalities, you will be transferred to your First Class hotel. It is suggested you take advantage of the free time to get to know one of Europe's most dynamic capital cities. In the early evening, enjoy an "Illuminated Madrid" drive through the bustling streets of the old city, ending at the historical and impressive Plaza Mayor. This area is home to some of the most typical restaurants and taverns, which serve the delicious "tapas". PREMIUM PACKAGE includes a Tapas Dinner tonight. Return to your hotel at your own convenience. Accommodations.
Day 3, Tuesday: MADRID
Buffet breakfast. This morning's escorted sightseeing tour will allow you to get a glimpse of some of Madrid's most outstanding attractions, like the Puerta del Sol, the magnificent fountains of Neptune and Cibeles, the stately Alcala Gate, the busy Gran Via, the Plaza de España and the Plaza de Oriente Free afternoon to explore Madrid's famous Art Museums or perhaps take an optional tour to the Imperial former capital city of Toledo, where you will be escorted through its narrow cobblestone streets, soaking up the medieval atmosphere. Touring will include the interior of the magnificent Gothic cathedral and a visit to St. Tome Church, where El Greco's masterpiece painting is displayed. Accomodations
Day 4, Wednesday: MADRID-SEGOVIA-AVILA-SALAMANCA
Buffet breakfast. Departure into old Castile and the magnificent medieval city of Segovia, with its 2000 year old Roman aqueduct and impressive Alcazar Castle. Pause in Avila to admire the perfectly preserved 11th century city walls before continuing to the charming old university city of Salamanca. Afternoon city tour. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes a dinner. Tonight a walk through the beautiful main plaza, always lively with activity, is recommended. Accommodations
Day 5, Thursday: SALAMANCA-SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Buffet breakfast. Departure toward the North of Spain, entering in Galicia. Arrival to the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela. In the afternoon guided tour of the old city of Santiago de Compostela and its beautiful Cathedral Tonight we can have in the Hotel a nice dinner. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes dinner. Accommodations.
Day 6, Friday: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – VIGO – GUIMARAES – BRAGA - OPORTO
Buffet breakfast. Departure toward the galician south coast and the city of Vigo, then crossing the Portugal frontier we arrive to Guimaraes and Braga two nice and historic citys of the north of Portugal. Free time and continuation of our trip to Oporto the beautiful and rich city of the north Portugal, noted for its namesake Port wines. Accomodation.
Day 7, Saturday: OPORTO
Buffet breakfast. local guided city visiting one local winery. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes a typical lunch. Afternoon free. Accommodations.
Day 8, Sunday: OPORTO – COIMBRA - FATIMA – OBIDOS - LISBON
Buffet breakfast. Departure to the quaint university city of Coimbra and the famous shrine of Fatima. Frre time for lunch (PREMIUM PACKAGE includes luncheon) On to the charming medieval walled village of Obidos, with some time for a stroll around before continuing to Lisbon. Tonight enjoy an optional opportunity to listen to the hauntingly beautiful Fado music while enjoying a delicious dinner. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes Fado show and dinner. Accommodations.
Day 9, Monday: LISBON
Buffet breakfast. Morning tour of this ancient and lovely city overlooking the Tagus River. Admire its splendid avenues and monuments like the Tower of Belem and the Jeronimos Monastery. Afternoon free, with a strong recommendation to visit the charming villages of Sintra and Cascais (this tour included in PREMIUM PACKAGE). Accommodations.
Day 10,Tuesday: LISBON – MERIDA - SEVILLE
Buffet breakfast. Departure toward the Spanish border, and pause in Merida to admire the impressive Roman Amphitheatre archeological site. Lunch is included in PREMIUM PACKAGE. Continue to Seville. Accommodations.
Day 11, Wednesday: SEVILLE
Buffet breakfast. This morning's marvelous tour will explore this gracious and charming city, Spain's third largest. See the Tower of Gold, the tranquil and extensive Maria Luisa Park, the quaint Santa Cruz Quarter, and finally the huge cathedral (one of the world's largest) with its Giralda Tower (a former minaret). Free time for luncheon on your own. (Lunch Included in PREMIUN PACKAGE) The afternoon is free to continue to explore or shop. This evening an optional Flamenco Show is suggested, with the enjoyment of local wine. PREMIUM PACKAGE include Flamenco Show and drink. Accommodations.
Day 12,Thursday: SEVILLE-CORDOBA-GRANADA
Buffet breakfast. Depart to Cordoba. Visit one of the world's marvels, the former Great Mosque (now a cathedral). Free time for lunch on your own. Continue to Granada, passing thousands of acres of olive groves. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes dinner tonight. This evening, an excellent suggestion would be to visit (optional) the quaint and typical Albaicin quarter, where Andalusian customs, music and wine join to create an enchanting atmosphere. (PREMIUM PACKAGE includes this visit).
Day 13, Friday: GRANADA-VALENCIA
Buffet breakfast. This morning, enjoy an escorted tour of the magnificent Alhambra and the verdant Gardens of the Generalife. At mid-day departure to the east cost of Spain ariving to Valencia for accomodation.
Day 14, Saturday: VALENCIA - BARCELONA
Buffet breakfast and morning city tour of the city and the new area of Museums. In the early afternnon continuation north to Barcelona, one of Europe's most cosmopolitan cities. In the evening, it is suggested to dine at the Pueblo Español, featuring architectural replicas from all of Spain's regions. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes dinner tonight. Accommodations.
Day 15, Sunday: BARCELONA
Buffet breakfast. This morning enjoy an escorted tour of one of Europe's most beautiful cities. See the ancient Gothic Quarter with its magnificent cathedral. Stop to admire the exterior of Gaudi's masterwork, the Basilica of the Sacred Family (Sagrada Familia). Continue to Montjuich Hill (site of the Olympic Stadium), to enjoy a spectacular view of Barcelona and its port area. Free time for lunch, perhaps in the Olympic Port area. Luncheon included today in PREMIUM PACKAGE. Afternoon free. Accommodations.
Day 16, Monday: BARCELONA
Buffet breakfast. Transfer to the Aiport.
