Spain and Portugal Tour from Madrid – ES243

Individual arrival at Madrid airport. transfer to the hotel. rest of the day free to recover from jet lag and discover the city on your own. In the early evening, we will embark on a drive of the illuminated city 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 serving excellent finger food, the “tapas”. The Premium Package includes a Tapas Dinner tonight. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Madrid.

We start the day after breakfast with a guided sightseeing tour of the city to all major sights of Madrid, 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 lunch on your own.

Afternoon at leisure when you will have the chance to visit museums or stroll around. We will also offer you an optional tour to Toledo. The former capital city of Toledo was famous for its forward thinking and religious tolerance during the ages. On the Toledo tour we will walk through its narrow cobblestone streets, in Medieval atmosphere. We will visit the interior of the magnificent Gothic cathedral and St. Tome Church, where El Greco’s masterpiece painting is displayed. There will also be some time for shopping for the unique typical local artisan products. Return to Madrid by coach. Overnight.

Castile is the very heart of Spain and the magnificent medieval city of Segovia, with its 2000 year old Roman aqueduct and impressive Alcazar Castle. Stop at Avila, city of St. Teresa to admire the perfectly preserved 11th century city walls before continuing to the charming old university city of Salamanca.

Afternoon tour of the city boasting one of Europe’s oldest universities dating back to 1217. Tonight, we suggest a walk through the beautiful arcaded main plaza, always lively with activity. The Premium Package includes dinner today. Overnight in Salamanca

Enter Galicia and the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela, a famous pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages. In the afternoon guided tour of the old city of Santiago de Compostela and its magnificent Cathedral. Evening free. Those who booked the Premium Package will have dinner tonight at the hotel. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Today we drive south along the Galician coast to the city of Vigo and Rias Bajas with a great view over the river delta in Portugal. We cross the border to Portugal and drive towards Viana do Castelo to visit the historical center and view the castle. Continue our trip to Porto, the Queen of the North with its world renowned center and caves where the famous port wines produced. Overnight in Porto.

Sightseeing this morning is in Porto with its authentic old town center, a designated World Heritage site with a local guide followed by visit to one of the wine caves. THE PREMIUM PACKAGE includes a typical lunch. Afternoon free. Overnight in Porto.

Aveiro, Portugal’s Venice with its many canals, bridges and painted boats that look like Venetian gondolas. Continue to Fatima, the popular pilgrimage site where you will have free time for lunch on your own and to visit the cathedral. THE PREMIUM PACKAGE includes lunch. Proceed to Lisbon, Portugal’s charming capital.

Tonight, enjoy an optional opportunity to listen to the hauntingly beautiful Fado music of Lisbon, the typical musical genre of Portugal that dates back to the Era of Overseas Discoveries. Enjoying a typical dinner during the show. THE PREMIUM PACKAGE includes Fado show and dinner. Accommodations.

After breakfast a morning tour of this lovely city overlooking the Tagus River. Admire its shaded avenues and monuments like the Tower of Belem and the Jeronimos Monastery world heritage buildings that look like as if they were carved like lace. Afternoon free, or optional tour to Sintra with its castle and the Cascais, the elegant seaside resort. (this tour is included in THE PREMIUM PACKAGE).

Departure toward the Spanish border and stop at Merida to admire the impressive Roman Amphitheatre archeological site. Free time. Lunch is included in THE PREMIUM PACKAGE. Continue to Seville. Overnight in Seville, Andalucía’s largest city, “home” of Carmen.

After breakfast tour of Seville to get acquainted with Andalucía’s main 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 housing Columbus Christopher’s tomb. Admire also the Giralda Tower, a former minaret resembling the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh. Free time for lunch on your own. The Premium Package includes lunch today. The afternoon is free to continue to explore the old town with its orange trees, white-washed alleys and many patios. You can also visit the Alcazar (on your own), one of the most beautiful royal palaces in the world with its stalactite carved rooms and lovely gardens. (advance booking for the palace entrance is recommended). This evening we suggest an optional Flamenco Show with local wine. The Premium Package include Flamenco Show and drink. Accommodations.

We head for Cordoba this morning. Visit the famous Mesquita, the former Great Mosque, a World Heritage monument (now a cathedral) with its hundreds of columns collected from different parts of the world.

Free time for lunch on your own or stroll around the little alleys with hidden patios. Continue to Granada, passing thousands of acres of olive groves. The Premium Package includes dinner tonight. This evening, our suggestion would be to visit (optional) the quaint and typical Albaicin quarter, the former Moorish area where of enchanting atmosphere. (The Premium Package includes this visit).

Enjoy an escorted tour of the magnificent Alhambra and the lovely Gardens of the Generalife extensions of the royal Moorish quarters. At midday departure to Madrid for overnight.

This is the end of the Spain and Portugal Tour From Madrid. A buffet breakfast is followed by transfer to the airport.