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Escorted Tour Spain and Portugal IBERIAN EXPLORER |
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15 DAYS/14 NIGHTS Madrid / Barcelona or 2009
2010 Departures
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Itinerary:
Day 1, Sunday: 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, Monday: 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 Espaņa and the Plaza de Oriente. Free time for luncheon on your own. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes a tipical Lunch today. 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. There will also be some time for shopping for the unique typical local artisanry. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes the Tour to Toledo. Accommodations.
Day 3, Tuesday: 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 typical dinner. Tonight a walk through the beautiful main plaza, always lively with activity, is recommended. Accommodations.
Day 4, Wednesday: SALAMANCA-ASTORGA-SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Buffet breakfast. Departure toward the North os Spain. In Astorga we can admire some Gaudi´s Buildings before entering in Galicia. Arrival to the beaautiful city of Santiago de Compostela. Tonight we can have in the Hotel a nice dinner with the typical “Queimada”. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes dinner. Accommodations.
Day 5 Thursday: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – VIGO-BRAGA-OPORTO
Buffet Breakfast. Departure to island of La Toja, and the village ofVigo
in our way to Portugal.Cross the border, arriving to Oporto. Accomodation.
Day 6 Friday: OPORTO
Buffet breakfast. Local guided tour of the beautiful and rich city, noted
for its namesake Port wines with visit to local winery. PREMIUM
PACKAGE includes a typical Lunch. Afternoon free.. Accommodations.
Day 7 Saturday: 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. Accommodations.
Day 8, Sunday: 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). 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 – MERIDA - SEVILLE
Buffet breakfast. Departure toward the Spanish border, and pause in Merida to admire the impressive Roman Amphitheatre archeological site. Paella Luncheon is included in PREMIUM PACKAGE. Continue to Seville. Accommodations.
Day 10 Tuesday: 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, Wednesday: 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 12, Thursday: 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 13, Friday: 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 Espaņol, featuring architectural replicas from all of Spain’s regions. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes dinner tonight. Accommodations.
Day 14, Saturday: 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 15, Sunday: BARCELONA-ZARAGOZA-MADRID
Buffet breakfast. Departure by private, luxury air-conditioned motorcoach. Your knowledgeable and experienced accompanying guide will point out sights of interest as you cross Catalonia into old Aragon and into the proud city of Zaragoza. Pause downtown in a main plaza where you will have free time to visit the impressive Basilica of El Pilar and have lunch on your own. Continue on into Madrid. Accommodations.
NOTE: Passengers ending their tour in Barcelona will have a transfer included to Barcelona airport on Day
15(Sunday).
Day 16, Monday: EN ROUTE
Buffet breakfast. Pre-arranged transfer to Madrid airport at the proper time to check-in for your trans-Atlantic flight to your home city (usually via connection). Arrival later the same day.
| Price per person based on double occupancy in Euro or US$* | 15 DAYS/14 NIGHTS | 16 DAYS/15 NIGHTS |
| April /June | 1569 | 1669 |
| July / August | 1469 | 1559 |
| Sept / October | 1569 | 1669 |
| Novemb / March | 1449 | 1539 |
| Supplement for Single Room April / October |
639 | 689 |
| Novemb / March | 579 | 619 |
| PREMIUM PACKAGE PRICE | 379 | 409 |
*Supplement for April 19/2009 departure is EURO 90
* US$ price varies depending on the exchange rate
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Optional PREMIUM PACKAGE includes:
“Tapas” dinner in Madrid
Tipical lunch in Madrid
Dinner in Salamanca
Dinner in Santiago with Queimada
Dinner in Oporto
Lunch in Fatima
Dinner and Fados Show in Lisbon
Tour of Sintra and Cascais
Paella Lunch in Merida
Lunch in Seville
Flamenco Show in Seville
Dinner in Granada
Albaicin tour and Show in Granada
Dinner in Barcelona’s Pueblo Espaņol
Typical lunch in the Olympic Port of Barcelona
Hotels used or similar
Hotels used, or similar:
Madrid Tryp Atocha****
Salamanca Artheus/Monterrey****
Santiago Torres Compostela****
Oporto Tiara Park Atlantic Oporto****
Lisboa Tiara ParkAtlantic lisboa****
Seville Novotel Sevilla ****
Granada Abades Nevada Palace ****
Valencia NH Las Artes****
Barcelona Barcelona Plaza Catalonia****