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THE NORTH OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL |
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Friday departures from Barcelona
2009
May 1,15,29/ June 12,26/ July 10,24/ August 7,21/ Sept 4,18 /
October 2
Itinerary:
Day 1, Friday: BARCELONA
Arrival at Barcelona airport. You will be transferred to your First Class hotel. It is suggested that you take advantage of the free time to get to know 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 2, 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 3, Sunday: BARCELONA-ZARAGOZA-SAN SEBASTIAN-BILBAO
Buffet breakfast. Departure 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 to the north coast and
tHe beautiful vasque country, arriving to San Sebastian called “the pearl of the cantabrique see”.
Free time and continuation to Bilbao . Accommodations.
Day 4, Monday: BILBAO-SANTANDER
Buffet Breakfast. .Free time in the city in the afternoon,following the coast we arrive to Santander with beautifull beaches and fantastic food. (PREMIUN PACKAGE INCLUDES TONIGHT THE DINNER AND A RESTAURANT IN THE OLD CITY).Accommodations.
Day 5 Tuesday: SANTANDER – SANTILLANA DEL MAR – COVADONGA – OVIEDO OR
GIJON
Buffet Breakfast, Departure to the small town of Santillana del Mar, very well preserved with an unique medieval ambiance.PREMIUN PACKAGE INCLUDES LUNCH IN SANTILLANA Free time in Santillana before leaving to los Picos de Europa, one of the most spectacular landscapes of Spain, to visit the shrine of Covadonga. This evening we will be accomodated in Oviedo, the capital of Asturias.
Day 6 Wednesday: OVIEDO OR GIJON-RIBADEO--SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA.
Buffet Breakfast and following the north coast departure to Ribadeo and Santiago de Compostela. Tonight we can have in the Hotel a nice dinner with the typical “Queimada”. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes dinner. Accommodations.
Day 7, 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 8, 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 9, 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 10, 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 11, Monday: LISBON – MERIDA - MADRID
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 Madrid for late afternoon arrival.
Day 12,Tuesday: MADRID
Buffet Breakfast.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 13,Wednesday: 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 14, Thursday: EN ROUTE
Buffet breakfast. Pre-arranged transfer to Madrid airport at the proper time to check-in for your trans-Atlantic flight.
| Price per person based on double occupancy | in Euro or US$* |
| May /June | 1439 |
| July / August | 1469 |
| Sept / October | 1439 |
| Supplement for Single Room May/ October |
579 |
| PREMIUM PACKAGE PRICE | 379 |
* US$ price varies depending on the exchange rate
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Optional PREMIUM PACKAGE includes:
Dinner in Barcelona’s Pueblo Español
Typical Lunch in Barcelona
Tapas Dinner in San Sebastian
Entrance to Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
Dinner in Santander
Lunch in Santillana del Mar
Dinner with Queimada in Santiago
Dinner in Oporto
Lunch in Fatima
Dinner and Fados Show in Lisbon
Tour of Sintra and Cascais
Paella Lunch in Merida
“Tapas” dinner in Madrid
Tipical lunch in Madrid
Tour to Toledo
Hotels used or similar
Hotels Used or similar:
Barcelona Barcelona Plaza Catalonia****
Bilbao NH Villa Bilbao****
Santander Santemar****
Oviedo Regente****
Santiago Torres Compostela****
Oporto Tiara park Oporto****
Lisboa Tiara park Lisboa****
Madrid Tryp Atocha/Catalonia Gaudi****