Highlights of Spain & Portugal (Winter 2008/2009)
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Madrid.
Day 2 - Arrive Madrid Trafalgar greets you and accompanies you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax. Perhaps stroll along wide tree-lined boulevards or shop in elegant boutiques. Tonight we will enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and travelling companions.
Day 3 - Madrid - Toledo - Cordoba We enjoy a morning drive to the old capital of Castile — Toledo. Here sightseeing features the Church of Santo Tomé, El Greco masterpiece and a Toledo steel workshop. Then we continue south to Roman-founded Cordoba in the heart of Andalusia. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 4 - Cordoba — Granada The 'Mezquita' which was the Mosque of the Caliphs — today housed in a Catholic Cathedral — forms part of our guided sightseeing tour, which also includes a visit to the remains of the 14th century 'mudejar' style synagogue. Then we drive in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to hilltop Granada — Spain's most beautiful Moorish city. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Granada — Costa del Sol (2 nights) This morning's sightseeing highlight is a guided visit of the exquisite Alhambra Palace, former residence of the Moorish kings. Admire the incredible lace-like carvings and the quiet courtyards filled with the refreshing sound of playing fountains, before we head south to the famous Costa del Sol and its relaxed resort atmosphere. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 6 - Costa del Sol at leisure A full day to relax. Perhaps lounge on glorious sandy beaches, enjoy a shopping spree or people-watch from an open-air café. This afternoon, maybe take an optional excursion to the pretty hilltop village of Mijas. At cocktail hour, why not savour the atmosphere of a tapas bar" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 7 - Costa del Sol — Gibraltar — (2 nights) Today our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure! But first we drive to La Linea to cross to the Rock of Gibraltar with time for duty-free shopping. Later, on to the sun-drenched sherry wine region of Jerez and to the capital of Andalusia, Seville, for our two-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Seville sightseeing and at leisure Our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide is dominated by the Bell Tower and weather vane of Giralda, and includes the pools and fountains of the Maria Luisa Park, where we see the elegant pavilions built for the Hispano-American exhibition of 1929. Admire the world's largest Gothic Cathedral before an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps take a horse and carriage through the narrow streets of the old city and later tonight after dinner, enjoy a fiery Flamenco show — the best in Spain! (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 9 - Seville — Lisbon (2 nights) Via the best 'Jabugo' (ham) producing area of Spain, and past the castles of Estremadura we travel to the Portuguese border and to Lisbon for two nights. Tonight, maybe sample Portuguese specialties in a local restaurant whilst listeningto haunting Fado melodies" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 10 - Lisbon sightseeing and at leisure We'll see the Monument to the Great Explorers, the beautiful suspension bridge, and admire the magnificent Belem Tower on our guided morning sightseeing tour. Your afternoon is at leisure. You may wish to visit nearby Cascais fishing village and shop for pottery, cork and fishermen's sweaters. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 11 - Lisbon — Oporto We continue on a scenic drive through the magnificent Serra d'Aire Mountains to visit the Shrine at Fatima, scene of celebrated religious miracles. Then we continue to Oporto, Portugal's second largest city and the capital of the North. Here, after crossing the Douro River we see the multi-coloured houses of the Ribeira quarter and the church of St. Francis before continuing to a port cellar for wine tasting. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 12 - Oporto — Salamanca — Madrid (2 nights) We return to Spain and visit Salamanca, Spain's oldest university city, en route to Madrid on the Castilian plateau. This evening, why not try some traditional paella at one of the city's many restaurants" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 13 - Madrid sightseeing and at leisure Our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide includes a visit of the Prado museum with its magnificent Velazquez paintings, as well as views of the Royal Palace, the Puerta del Sol and the Cervantes Memorial in the Plaza de Espana. We will also drive along the Gran Via and the elegant Paseo del Prado where we will see the impressive Cibeles fountain. Later, why not take an optional excursion to visit the austere monastery-Palace of Philip II at El Escorial and admire the moving monument to those who died in the Spanish Civil War at the Valley of the Fallen" Tonight, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions. (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Day 14 - Madrid — USA This morning time to say farewell to Spain and new-found friends as you are transferred to the airport for your return flight to the USA. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 15 - Christmas & New Year's Eve Highlights Tour departures 13 Dec will be accommodated in Madrid over Christmas. Tour departures 20 Dec will be accommodated in the Costa del Sol over Christmas and Madrid on New Year's Eve. Tour departures 27 Dec will be accommodated in the Costa de Sol for New Year's Eve giving you the opportunity celebrate in true Spanish style.
Day 16 - Important Visa Information The visit to Gibraltar is subject to British and Spanish visa requirements. Visas can be obtained from your Travel Agent for a fee, prior to leaving home.
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