Best of Spain and Portugal

Combining some of Spain’s most popular attractions with the lesser known delights of Portugal, allowing for an insightful exploration of the Iberian Peninsula.

16 days, Priced from A$3285

Premium Escorted, Departs from & returns to Madrid

Tour code E932

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Itinerary

Day 1 – MADRID AT LEISURE

Welcome to Madrid, Europe’s highest capital, occupying the centre of the Iberian peninsula. At Madrid Airport, transfers depart for the tour hotel at 09:00, 11:00, 13:30 & 16:00. Later meet your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: NH Abascal/Melia Galgos.

Day 2 – MADRID SIGHTSEEING

SA guided sightseeing tour takes you along the Gran Via & Paseo de la Castellana. See the Cervantes Monument in the Plaza España, the Puerta del Soland Madrid’s most famous fountain in the Plaza de la Cibeles. Your highlight is a visit to the Prado Museum to admire the paintings of Velázquez, Goya & many others. (BB)

Day 3 – MADRID – TOLEDO – SALAMANCA

Drive to Toledo, former capital of Spain. Walk through the maze of narrow cobbled streets to see the Cathedraland the El Greco masterpiece in the chapel of Santo Tomé. Later, pass the ancient walls of Avila en route to ‘golden’ Salamanca. Before reaching your hotel, see the honey-coloured cathedral.

Hotel: Alameda Palace (BB,D)

Day 4 – SALAMANCA – OPORTO

Cross the Portuguese border to reach Oporto. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the wines that make this region so famous. With your Tour Director, see the Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores which house thefamous port wines & admire the multi-coloured houses & churches covered in glazed tiles.

Hotel: Tiara Park (BB,D)

Day 5 – OPORTO – FATIMA – OBIDOS – LISBON

After breakfast, head south to miraculous Fatima to join the pilgrims flocking into the great Basilica. Continue to Batalha to visit the Royal Chapel in the Gothic monastery before driving to the old walled townof Obidos to explore the medieval streets. Later, continue to Lisbon.

Hotel: Marriott (BB)

Day 6 – LISBON SIGHTSEEING

Today’s sightseeing with a local guide shows you Sao Jorge Castle, the Monument to the Discoveries & the Belem Tower. Later, visit Jeronimo’s Monastery with its superbly ornate cloister. The afternoon is at leisure to explore at your own pace. (BB)

Day 7 – LISBON – SEVILLE

Leave Lisbon via the modern Tagus Bridge & cross the border to reach Seville. A tour with a local guide includes the immense Cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus, & the slender Giralda Tower. Tourthe Santa Cruz Quarter with its flower-decked wrought iron balconies & see the Alcazar. Tonight settle back for a Highlight Dinner & entertainment featuring a fiery Flamenco show.

Hotel: Melia Lebreros/Melia Sevilla (BB,HD)

Day 8 – SEVILLE AT LEISURE

The day is completely yours to relax, explore or continue sightseeing in this fascinating city. One suggestion is an optional excursion to Cordoba to visit the magnificent Mezquita? (BB)

Day 9 – SEVILLE – GIBRALTAR – COSTA DEL SOL

Head south to Gibraltar, attached to Spain, yet an independent colony under British control since 1704. Visit the Rock of Gibraltar, St. Michael’s Cave & see the Barbary Apes! Time to shop then later, take thescenic route along the Costa del Sol to your hotel.

Hotel: Melia Costa Del Sol (BB,D)

Day 10 – COSTA DEL SOL AT LEISURE

Enjoy a whole day at leisure on the Costa del Sol. Relax by the blue Mediterranean waters, stroll along the promenade or savour the specialities in the local restaurants. (BB)

Day 11 – COSTA DEL SOL – MIJAS – GRANADA

Drive through the green hills above the Costa del Sol to the white-washed village of Mijas. Stroll through the old streets & gardens & take in the views of the coast. Continue to Granada to visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace. See the Lion Court as well as the water gardens of the royal summer residence. For your dining pleasure tonight, choose from a selection of restaurants.

Hotel: Saray (DA)

Day 12 – GRANADA – VALENCIA

Cross the Mora Pass, enjoying superb views over the Sierra Nevada. Pass through palm forests & lemon groves as you travel to Valencia. On your orientation tour, see the Generalidad Palace, El Miguelete Cathedral, gates of Serranos, Cuarte & the modern Centre for Arts & Sciences.

Hotel: Husa Reina Victoria/NH Center (BB,D,DA)

Day 13 – VALENCIA – BARCELONA

Follow the coast to Peñíscola to view the sea-lapped castle used in the film El Cid. Continue along the Costa Dorada to Barcelona. In the Gothic Quarter, visit the cathedral with a local guide & then view the lively Rambla. Tour the modern Eixample District to see Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia church.

Hotel: Melia Barcelona (BB)

Day 14 – BARCELONA AT LEISURE

Today has been set aside as a free day to allow you to explore this vibrant city at your own pace. Options include an excursion to the great Monastery of Montserrat to see the Black Madonna. (BB)

Day 15 – BARCELONA – MADRID

Pass Zaragoza in the province of Aragón & make your way along the Jalón Valley back to Madrid.

Hotel: NH Nacional/Melia Galgos (BB)

Day 16 – MADRID

Sadly, your tour comes to an end today. Departure transfers arrive at Madrid Airport at 07:00, 09:00 and 11:00 (BB).

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Tour Dates & Total Prices 2012

Departs on Returns on Total Twin Share per person Total Single per person
Sat 17 Mar Sat 31 Mar A$3335 A$4270
Sat 24 Mar Sat 07 Apr A$3365 A$4300
Sat 31 Mar Sat 14 Apr A$3365 A$4300
Sat 07 Apr Sat 21 Apr A$3365 A$4300
Sat 14 Apr Sat 28 Apr A$3365 A$4300
Sat 21 Apr Sat 05 May A$3365 A$4300
Sat 28 AprDEF Sat 12 May A$3365 A$4300
Sat 05 MayDEF Sat 19 May A$3365 A$4300
Sat 12 May Sat 26 May A$3365 A$4300
Sat 19 MayDEF Sat 02 Jun A$3365 A$4300
Sat 26 May Sat 09 Jun A$3365 A$4300
Sat 02 Jun Sat 16 Jun A$3365 A$4300
Sat 09 Jun Sat 23 Jun A$3365 A$4300
Sat 16 JunDEF Sat 30 Jun A$3365 A$4300
Sat 23 Jun Sat 07 Jul A$3365 A$4300
Sat 30 Jun Sat 14 Jul A$3365 A$4300
Sat 07 Jul Sat 21 Jul A$3365 A$4300
Sat 14 Jul Sat 28 Jul A$3365 A$4300
Sat 21 JulDEF Sat 04 Aug A$3365 A$4300
Sat 28 Jul Sat 11 Aug A$3365 A$4300
Sat 04 Aug Sat 18 Aug A$3365 A$4300
Sat 11 Aug Sat 25 Aug A$3365 A$4300
Sat 18 Aug Sat 01 Sep A$3425 A$4360
Sat 25 AugDEF Sat 08 Sep A$3425 A$4360
Sat 01 Sep Sat 15 Sep A$3425 A$4360
Sat 08 SepDEF Sat 22 Sep A$3425 A$4360
Sat 15 Sep Sat 29 Sep A$3425 A$4360
Sat 22 SepDEF Sat 06 Oct A$3365 A$4300
Sat 29 Sep Sat 13 Oct A$3365 A$4300
Sat 06 OctDEF Sat 20 Oct A$3365 A$4300
Sat 13 Oct Sat 27 Oct A$3365 A$4300
Sat 20 Oct Sat 03 Nov A$3335 A$4270
Sat 27 Oct Sat 10 Nov A$3285 A$4220
Sat 03 Nov Sat 17 Nov A$3285 A$4220

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Early Payment Discount on Early Bookings

Insight’s most popular tours fill very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, and the earlier you pay, the more you SAVE! Here’s how …

* Pay in full 10 months prior to your tour departure date and SAVE UP TO 7.5%

* Pay in full 6 months prior to your tour departure date and SAVE UP TO 5%

Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. This discount only applies to tours that feature the “Early Payment Discount” in the price panel. Check the itinerary pages now to see how much you can SAVE.

Extra Tour Discount – ON YOUR 2ND TOUR

Book two Insight vacations, and you will receive a reduction of 5% off the cheaper of the two tours. Take three tours and save on two! Ask your Travel Agent for suggestions!

Exceptions 1, 2 & 3. All tours must be booked at the same time to qualify.

Young Traveller Savings – 5-17 Year-olds

Insight offers you the opportunity of sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren.

This discount applies only to tours featuring the “Young Traveller Discount” in the price panel. Check the itinerary pages now to see how much you can SAVE!

Young Travellers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date and accompanied by an adult, sharing a twin room (limit of one Young Traveller Discount per room). Children under 5 years old are not accepted on any escorted tour. This discount cannot be combined with our Small Group or Milestone Celebrations Discount.