Escorted Tour Spain and Portugal Sep 2011 - Mar 2013 15 DAYS/14 NIGHTS Madrid / Barcelona or  IBERIAN EXPLORER Tour#41

2011 departure dates on Mondays: Sept 5, 12, 19, 26, Oct 3, 10, 24, Nov 7, 21, Dec 5, 19 2011
2012 departure dates on Mondays: Jan 2, 16, 30, Feb 13, 28, Mar 12, 26 2012 
2012 departure dates on Mondays: Apr 2, 16, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28, Jun 11, 25, Jul 9, 23, Aug 6, 20, Sep 3, 10, 17, 24, Oct 1 , 15, 29, Nov 12, 26, Dec 10, 17, 24 2012
2013 departure dates on Mondays:  Jan 7, 21, Feb 4, 18, Mar 4, 11, 18 2013

MADRID - SEGOVIA - AVILA - SALAMANCA- PORTO - COIMBRA - FATIMA - OBIDOS- LISBON - MERIDA -SEVILLE - CORDOBA- -GRANADA -VALENCIA -BARCELONA - MADRID

Spain Tour Itinerary - Monday departures - 14 nights :  

Day 1, 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 2, 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 time for luncheon on your own. Free afternoon to explore Madrid’s famous Art Museums or perhaps take an optional tour to the Imperial former capital city of Toledo (Euro 45 per person extra - payable locally to the guide)  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. There will also be some time for shopping for the unique typical local artisanry.  Accommodations.

Day 3, 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 4, 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 5, Friday:  SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – VIGO – GUIMARAES – BRAGA - PORTO
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 6 Saturday: PORTO 
Buffet breakfast. local guided city visiting one local winery. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes a typical lunch. Afternoon free. Accommodations.

Day 7  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 8, 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).

Day 9, 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 10 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. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes luncheon today. 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 11, 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 n customs, music and wine join to create an enchanting atmosphere. (PREMIUM PACKAGE includes this visit).

Day 12, 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 arriving to Valencia for accommodation.

Day 13, Saturday: VALENCIA - BARCELONA
Buffet breakfast and morning city tour of the city and the new area of Museums. In the early afternoon 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 14, Sunday: BARCELONA
Buffet breakfast. This morning enjoy a guided city 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 15 Monday: BARCELONA - DEPARTURE
Buffet breakfast transfer to the airport.

PRICE 2011 APRIL - 2012 MARCH:

PRICE 2012 APRIL - 2013 MARCH:

* US$ price varies depending on the exchange rate

Discount for 3rd person in a room: 10%

Discount for one child 3-11 years sharing room with 2 adults: 25%
Discount for one child 0-2 years (if sharing seat on the bus with parents) and sharing room with 2adults: 90%

In case a family is traveling together - 2 adult and 2 children (less than 12 years old) each of the two child will have 10% discount (two separate double room) - discount on request and it is subject to availability at the time of booking

 Optional PREMIUM PACKAGE includes:
“Tapas” dinner in Madrid
Dinner in Salamanca
Dinner in Santiago
Lunch in Oporto
Lunch in Fatima
Dinner and Fados Show in Lisbon
Tour of Sintra and Cascais
Lunch in Merida
Lunch in Seville
Flamenco Show in Seville
Dinner in Granada
Albaicin tour and Show in Granada
Dinner in Barcelona’s Pueblo Español
Typical lunch in the Olympic Port of Barcelona

Hotels used or similar:

Category Confort Hotels
Madrid Florida Norte / Convencion ****
Salamanca Catalonia Plaza ****
Santiago Torres de Compostela / Tryp Santiago (from Apr 2012)****
Porto Ipanema / Vila Gale ****
Lisbon Alif Avenidas / Sana Metropolitan ****
Seville Novotel Bervion / Catalonia Giralda / Novotel Sevilla ****
Granada Condor/ Carmen****
Valencia Confortel Aqua / Primus (from Apr 2012)  ****
Barcelona Catalonia Suite / NH Les Corts ***+ / Rafael Diagonal (from 2012 apr)

Category Plus Hotels
Madrid Catalonia Centro / Tryp Atocha / Rafael Atocha****
Salamanca Catalonia Plaza ****
Santiago NH Obradoiro *****
Oporto Tiara Park Atlantic Porto*****
Lisbon Tiara Park Atlantic Lisboa*****
Seville Tryp Macarena / Aires Sevilla ****
Granada Abades Nevada Palace / Real Alhambra ****
Valencia Confortel Aqua **** / Primus (from 2012 apr)
Barcelona Tryp Apolo ****

 

EXTRA NIGHTS BEFORE AND AFTER THE TOUR
(maximum stay 2nights for this special rate - price for additional nights on request)

EXTRA NIGHTS IN MADRID BEFORE OR AFTER THE TOUR (FOR TOURS STARTING OR ENDING IN MADRID)
rates Jan 2011 - 14 Mar 2012
Prices in Euro per person:
CATALONIA CENTRO/TRYP ATOCHA (CATEGORY PLUS)
73 EUR Per person based on double occupancy
66 EUR Per person based on triple occupancy
138 EUR Per person based on single occupancy
 
NH PARQUE AVENIDAS/FLORIDA NORTE (CATEGORY CONFORT)
69 EUR Per person based on double occupancy
66 EUR per person based on triple occupancy
131 EUR per person based on single occupancy
 
AH MURALTO/ TRYP GRAN VIA (CATEGORY CONFORT)
55 EUR Per person based on double occupancy
51 EUR Per person based on triple occupancy
102 EUR Per person based on single occupancy
 

EXTRA NIGHTS IN BARCELONA BEFORE OR AFTER THE TOUR (FOR TOURS STARTING OR ENDING IN BARCELONA) rates Jan 2011 - 14 Mar 2012
Prices in Euro per person: 
CATEGORY PLUS
73 EUR Per person based on double occupancy
69 EUR Per person based on triple occupancy
138 EUR Per person based on triple occupancy
 
CATEGORY CONFORT
66 EUR Per person based on double occupancy
 59 EUR Per person based on triple occupancy
109 EUR Per person based on single occupancy

EXTRA NIGHTS IN MADRID BEFORE OR AFTER THE TOUR (FOR TOURS STARTING OR ENDING IN MADRID)
rates 15 Mar 2012 - March 2013
Prices in Euro per person:
CATALONIA CENTRO/Rafael Atocha (CATEGORY PLUS) -
15Mar'12 - 31Oct'12
80 EUR Per person based on double occupancy / 145 EUR Per person based on single occupancy/ Triple 78 EUR per person
1Nov'12 - 15Mar'13
70 EUR per person based on double occupancy / 130 EUR per person based on single occupancy ./ Triple 67 Eur per person
 
FLORIDA NORTE (CATEGORY CONFORT)
15Mar'12- 31Oct'12
70 EUR Per person based on double occupancy / 120 EUR per person based on single occupancy/ Triple 68 EUR per person
1Nov'12-15Mar'13
60 EUR per person based on double occupancy / 105 EUR per person based on single occupancy / triple 58 EUR per person
 

EXTRA NIGHTS IN BARCELONA BEFORE OR AFTER THE TOUR (FOR TOURS STARTING OR ENDING IN BARCELONA)
rates 15 Mar 2012 - March 2013
Prices in Euro per person: 
CATEGORY PLUS - Hotel Tryp Apolo
15Mar-31Oct'12
85 EUR Per person based on double occupancy/ 165 EUR Per person based on single / triple EUR 83 per person
1Nov'12 - 15Mar'13
75 EUR per person based on double occupancy / EUR 145 per person based on single / triple EUR 73 per person 
 
CATEGORY CONFORT - Hotel NH Les Corts
15Mar'12-31Oct'12
70 EUR Per person based on double occupancy / 130 EUR Per person based on single occupancy / triple Eur 68 per person
1Nov'12-15Mar'13
60 EUR per person based on double occupancy / 110 EUR per person based on single occupancy / triple EUR 58 per person
 

EXTRA NIGHTS IN COSTA DEL SOL AFTER THE TOUR (FOR TOURS ENDING IN COSTA DEL SOL)
rates 15 Mar 2012 - March 2013
Prices in Euro per person: 
CATEGORY PLUS AND CATEGORY CONFORT- Melia Costa Del Sol
15 Mar 2012 - 30Jun'12/1Oct - 30Nov'12
75 EUR Per person based on double occupancy/ 140 EUR Per person based on single / triple EUR 73 per person
1Jul-30Sep'12
125 EUR Per person based on double occupancy/ 185 EUR Per person based on single / triple EUR 121 per person
1Nov'12 - 15Mar'13
65 EUR per person based on double occupancy / EUR 120 per person based on single / triple EUR 63 per person