Spain and Portugal Holiday

Depart your home city on an overnight trans-Atlantic flight.

Arrival at Barcelona airport. you will be transferred to your 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. VALUE PACKAGE includes entrance and dinner tonight in Pueblo Español. Accommodations.

Buffet breakfast. This morning enjoy an escorted tour of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. See the old 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. Lunch included today in VALUE PACKAGE. Afternoon free. Accommodations.

Breakfast and departure to Zaragoza, where we will effect a stop. Then to Madrid. 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”. VALUE PACKAGE includes a Tapas Dinner tonight. Return to your hotel at your own convenience. Accommodations.

Passengers starting services in Madrid: arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free day. Late in the afternoon departure for the tour of the illuminated Madrid (during dates of spring and summer, due to the late evening, visits will be evening). Optionally you can, in one of the many Inns, taste the tasty tapas. VALUE PACKAGE includes a Tapas Dinner. Accommodations.

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. Time for lunch on your own. Highly recommended this afternoon, is 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. Return to Madrid for accommodations.

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. VALUE PACKAGE includes a typical dinner. Tonight a walk through the beautiful main plaza, always lively with activity, is recommended.
Accommodations

Passengers who take the 7-day Tour, presentation at the hotel indicated to start the Tour.

Buffet Breakfast and departure to the mystical pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela. Check into your hotel. This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the old city of Santiago and its beautiful Cathedral on Obradoiro square. Tonight there is an optional dinner at your hotel. VALUE PACKAGE includes dinner. Accommodations. (Accommodations the nights of May 09, 16, 23 and 30 and June 06 and 13 will be in Vigo and not in Santiago de Compostela).

Buffet breakfast. Depart south along the coastal “Rias Baixas” into northern Portugal. We will visit the town of Viana do Castelo, at the mouth of the Rio Limia with its historic old town and castle. We finalize our journey in the charming city of Porto, famous for its namesake Port wines. Accommodations.

Buffet breakfast. This morning enjoy a guided tour of this city on the banks of the Douro river including a visit to a local Port winery. VALUE PACKAGE includes lunch. Afternoon free. Accommodations.

Buffet breakfast and departure to Aveiro “city of canals”, the Venice of Portugal. Continue to Fatima, one of the pilgrimage centers of Christianity. Free time to visit the basilica and enjoy lunch before continuing to Lisbon. VALUE PACKAGE includes lunch. Tonight enjoy an optional opportunity to listen to the hauntingly beautiful Fado music while enjoying a delicious dinner. VALUE PACKAGE includes Fado show and dinner. Accommodations.

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 graceful hilltop village of Sintra and the vibrant seaside resort town of Cascais this tour included in VALUE PACKAGE. Accommodations.

Buffet breakfast. Departure toward the Spanish border, and pause in the Roman city of Merida, founded in 25 BC as “Emerita Augusta”, to admire the impressive Roman Amphitheatre archeological site. Lunch is included in VALUE PACKAGE. Continue to Madrid for late afternoon arrival.
Accommodations.

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. Time for lunch on your own. Free afternoon to explore Madrid’s famous Art Museums or perhaps take an optional tour to the Imperial former capital city of Toledo. Accommodations.