Escorted Tours Spain and Portugal
 in 16 days

Grand Tour of Spain and Portugal

Itinerary:

1ST DAY (Tuesday) – MADRID – ASTORGA – LUGO
Departure from our bus Terminal located in the underground parking of Orient Square, at 09.00AM., towards Villacastin and Medina del Campo, where we will admire the impressive Castillian Castle of La Mota. Continue to Astorga, brief stop to admire the Episcopal Palace of Antonio Gaudi. Depart to Lugo, which holds one of the most impressive roman ramparts with a permiter of 2266 metres in circumference declared World Heritage. Overnight.

2ND DAY (Wednesday) – LUGO – A CORUÑA
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to La Coruña. Brief panoramic driver through the main avenues of this fabulous town driving by the Marine Avenue to admire the elegance of this city with the typical Galician arquitecture of glass house galleries. Brief stop in one of the wonders of the world the oldest working lighthouse the “ Tower of Hercules” dating back from the roman period. Afternoon at leisure where you can assist an optional tour to the Rias Altas. Overnight.

3RD DAY (Thursday) – A CORUÑA – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Santiago de Compostela declared World Heritage as it is one of the most important centre of Christian Pilgrimages in Spain as the end of the Camino de Santiago route built during the Roman Empire. City tour where we will see the main square called Obradoiro and also the Cathedral ( entrance included ) dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. Afternoon free at leisure to explore the narrow cobblestone streets and get the feel of the student atmosphere. Overnight.

4TH DAY (Friday) – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – RIAS BAJAS – LA TOJA – VIGO
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards one of the most pictureque areas of Galicia, the Rias Bajas. Driving through this magnificent landscape we will arrive to la Toja Island, universally know for its spa. Free time and continue to the Ria de Arosa, passing through Pontevedra to arrive to Vigo, situated in the middle of the Rias Baixas. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy this lively city or an optional tour to Bayona and Santa Tecla to see the old celtic remains situated on the hill of Santa Tecla and the impressive views of the Miño River and of Portugal. Overnight.

5TH DAY (Saturday) – VIGO - SALAMANCA
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Salamanca following The Old Silver Route built during the roman times. On arrival free time in this world renowned city with one of the oldest universities in Europe, the magnificent Plaza Mayor, the Shells House, old and new Cathedral. Overnight.

6TH DAY (Sunday) – SALAMANCA – CIUDAD RODRIGO – COIMBRA
Breakfast at hotel. Departure towards the border town of Ciudad Rodrigo with Portugal to continue via Guarda until we reach the University city of Coimbra, one of the oldest in Europe and once the capital of Portugal. Free time to admire their narrow streets, hanging houses, palaces, chapels and churches, which is a must to see. Overnight.
.
7TH DAY (Monday) – COIMBRA – FATIMA – OBIDOS – LISBON
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Fatima, well know for the Santuary of our Lady of Fatima, patroness of Portugal. Free time to visit the Basilica and continue our trip to the beautiful medieval city of Obidos, where we can explore the cobblestone streets and red roofed white houses, sheltered by the impressive city walls. Our next stop will be in Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, located on the right bank of the Tagus River. Night optional tour dinner fado show, the national song of Portugal and a must to see. Overnight.

8TH DAY (Tuesday) – LISBON
Breakfast and overnight, In the morning included a panoramic city tour of Lisbon, passing through the Alfama district, birthplace of St. Anthonyand once the old Moorish Quarters, the Belem Tower symbol of Lisbon and the Jeronimous Monastery. Afternoon at leisure. Possibility of an optional tour to see the 3 most visited towns on the outskirts of Lisbon, Sintra world Heritage Town, Cascais and Estoril.

9TH DAY (Wednesday) – LISBON – CÁCERES - SEVILLA
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards the Spanish border to arrive to the World Heritage city of Caceres, with uncalculatable historic buildings dating back from the 14th and 16th century. The old quarters is one of the 3 best conserved medieval quarters in Europe. Tour on foot to see the Plaza Mayor and the old medival district. After our tour continue to Sevilla. Overnight.

10TH DAY (Thursday) – SEVILLE
Breakfast and overnight. Morning panoramic and monumental city tour, where we will come in contact with this magnificent city, driving through Maria Luisas Park, The University, Americas Square and The Pavillions built in 1929 for the Iberoamerican Fair. Following the panoramic tour we will continue on foot from the Murillo Gardens towards the old “Santa Cruz” quarters. Brief stop. We will then proceed to the Cathedral (entrance included) where we will also see the symbol of Seville, The Giralda Tower once the minaret of the Mosque and today the belfry of the Cathedral. Afternoon at leisure where you can attend an optional artistic tour. In the late afternoon, possibility of attending the finest Flamenco Show in Spain.

11TH DAY (Friday) – SEVILLE – RONDA – COSTA DEL SOL
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Ronda, passing through the Route of the n White Villages in order for us to arrive to Ronda. Ronda is one of the oldest cities in Spain, whose origins date back to the Neolithic Period. Free time to explore the main sites of Ronda, from the Tajo Gorge to enjoy an unforgetable view of the city to the oldest bullring in Spain, considered the symbol and soul of Ronda. In the afternoon departure to the international beachside resort La Costa del Sol. Dinner and overnight.

12TH DAY (Saturday) – COSTA DEL SOL – GRANADA
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time till midmorning to then proceed to Granada which is located on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Tour of the most visited monument in Spain declared World Heritage,The Alhambra where we will be seeing the Nazarite Palaces and the Generalife Gardens (entrance included). Overnight.

13TH DAY (Sunday) – GRANADA – ALICANTE – VALENCIA
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Alicante. Panoramic drive through Alicante to admire the unique location between the mountains and the sea which has an unforgetable enclavement of this beautiful lively city. Continue to Valencia. Overnight.

14TH DAY (Monday) – VALENCIA – BARCELONA
Breakfast at the hotel and possibility of signing up for the optional city tour of Valencia, a town renown for the international Fallas Festival and of the works of the valencian arquitect Santiago Calatrava, who designed The Arts and Science Complex, unique in its gendre. Departure to Barcelona. Overnight.

15TH DAY (Tuesday) – BARCELONA
Breakfast and overnight. In the morning, panoramic city tour of Barcelona, visiting Spain Square, Montjuic, where we will have a brief stop to contemplate a magnificent view of the city and its port, after which we will continue towards Columbus Avenue and then to the Historical Gothic Quarters. Walking tour through St. Jaume square, the town hall and the Gothic Cathedral. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy this cosmopolitan city or sign up for the Gaudi artistic tour, truly a must!.

16TH DAY (Wednesday) – BARCELONA – ZARAGOZA – MADRID
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Zaragoza. Free time to see on your own the Basilica of our Lady of The Pilar, patroness of the Hispanic Culture and also stroll through the old town to discover the quaint streets of Zaragoza. In the afternoon departure to Madrid to our bus Terminal. END OF OUR SERVICES.

Currency Conversion

* US$ rate varies depending the exchange rate
 

Included in the price: Tour is bilingual conducted in English and Spanish •Guided visit / panoramic tour as per itinerary in Santiago, Lisboa, Caceres, Sevilla, Granada, Barcelona - panoramic tour of Alicante and Coruna • Escorted tour with English and Spanish  speaking guide (tour is bilingual and conducted in two languages) • Air conditioned deluxe motor coach. • Daily breakfast and one dinner as per itinerary • Entrance fees. • Porters. • Travel Insurance & travel bag.

Pre or post tour stay in Madrid 

Including : 1night with breakfast and taxes - Valid Nov 2011 - March 2013 - during holidays , fairs and conventions supplement may apply!

Price per person in EUROS ($ rate varies depending the exchange rate)

Transfer prices from Madrid airport to hotel or v.v.:
Euro 26 per person based on two passengers
Euro 17 per person based on three passengers
Euro 51 per person based on one passenger