Spain Portugal Escorted Tour Departure Dates: 

2009
January 11,25/Feb 8,22/Mar 8,22,
April 5,19;   May 3,17,31;   June 14,28;  July 12,26;   Aug 9,22;   Sep 6,20;  Oct 4,18;
Nov.1,15,29,  Dec 13,27

2010 Departures
January 10,24;  Feb 7,21;   Mar 7,21,

Spain Portugal Escorted Tour 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 España 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. Depatutr to Island of La Toja and Vigo in our way  to Portugal. Cross the border to Braga and Guimaraes, before arriving to Oporto, the beautiful and rich city, noted for its namesake Port wines. Accomodation.

Day 6, Friday: OPORTO
Buffet breakfast. local guided city visiting one 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. Lunch is included in PREMIUM PACKAGE.  Continue to Seville.  Accommodations.  Dinner in Seville included in the PREMIUN PACKAGE

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. 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-MADRID
Buffet breakfast.  This morning, enjoy an escorted tour of the magnificent Alhambra and the verdant Gardens of the Generalife.  Departure to Madrid, crossing the Plains of La Mancha, land of Don Quixote.  Arrival in Madrid.  Accommodations.

Day 13 Friday: 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.

*Supplement for April 19/2009 departure is EURO 90

* US$ price varies depending on the exchange rate

 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

Hotels used or similar
Madrid                Tryp Atocha Catalonia Gaudi ****
Salamanca            Artheus / Monterrey ****
Santiago             Torres Compostela****
Oporto                Tiara Park Oporto*****
Lisboa                 Tiara Park Lisboa*****
Seville                     Novotel Sevilla ****
Granada              Abades Nevada Palace ****
Madrid                Ctalonia Gaudi / Tryp Atocha ****