Business Class + First Class Airfares – Luxury Travel Tours + Cruises – Your Holidays.com.au

16 Day

Spain & Portugal Tour

Madrid to Barcelona (SPBO.1)

.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Madrid

Welcome to Spain. You will be met at Madrid’s International airport by your Scenic Tours Representative and transferred* to your centrally located hotel. Meet up this evening over a welcome drink with your fellow travellers and Tour Director.

Two Night Stay: Madrid

Day 2: Madrid (FB,HD)

This morning our tour includes Madrid’s ‘must-sees’; the parkland entertainment centre of Casa de Campo, the arcaded square Plaza Mayor, the bustling Puerta del Sol and the Plaza de Espana. We then visit one of the world’s greatest art galleries, The Prado. Our art guide is an expert in his field and specially selected by the Prado to offer tours of this amazing collection. This afternoon, Madrid with all its mystic is yours to explore at your own pace.

Day 3: Madrid – Salamanca (FB)

A short drive takes us to the Valley of the Fallen – a memorial built in honour of the fallen from the Spanish Civil War. We continue to Avila and enjoy a tour of this fortified town with its mighty medieval walls before we depart for the ancient town of Salamanca. The town is home to possibly the oldest university in Europe, founded in 1218. Admire the architecture of the Plaza Mayor, the Casa de las Conchas and the university.

Overnight Stay: Salamanca

Day 4: Salamanca – Lisbon (FB)

Today we cross into Portugal and drive through rugged mountain ranges before arriving in Fatima, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three shepherd children 6 times, initially on May 13, 1917. We continue on to Nazare, one of Portugal’s pretty fishing villages with long, sandy beaches for you to stroll on before we continue south along the coast to the nation’s capital, Lisbon.

Two Night Stay: Lisbon

Day 5: Lisbon (FB,HL)

We enjoy an in-depth tour of the city this morning with our local guide. We visit the bustling port area and see the Monument to the Explorers and Belem Tower before a guided inspection of the Hieronymite Monastery. We drive via Estoril and its casino to the nearby fishing village of Cascais, where we enjoy the freshest of catches for lunch at O Pipas. Afterwards, we journey to the gorgeous village of Sintra and visit the 500 year old Palacio Nacional – a former royal summer residence.

Day 6: Lisbon – Seville (FB,HD)

Today we return to Spain and Andalusia’s most evocative city, Seville. Our highlight dinner this evening is at an excellent flamenco restaurant where you’ll enjoy a traditional meal and be entertained by flamboyant dancers and singers.

Two Night Stay: Seville

Day 7: Seville (FB)

A former Roman town, Seville was under the authority of the Muslim Umayyad, Almoravid and Almohad dynasties for 500 years until 1248. The city retains many Moorish features, including large sections of the city wall. A golden age ensued through trade with the Spanish Territories of the New World. We join our local guide this morning and are shown the enormous cathedral which houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus and visit the Alcazar of Seville, originally a Moorish fort and now a palace still used by the royal family. Then you’ll step aboard a horse-drawn carriage which will wind its way through the city’s streets and alleyways. This afternoon we take a river cruise along the Guadalquivir past the island of La Cartjua where Expo’92 was held. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy this well preserved historical city.

Day 8: Seville – Ronda (FB,D)

Our first stop today is to a bodega in the town of Jerez de la Frontera where we will sample some of the world’s finest Sherries and visit the equestrian training centre. We enjoy some time to wander the streets of the old town before we continue to Ronda, dramatically divided into two by a deep canyon and linked by three bridges. Tonight we dine in our historic hotel which features stunning views of the gorge.

Overnight Special Stay: Ronda

Day 9: Ronda – Marbella (FB,D)

On our tour of Ronda this morning you’ll enjoy breathtaking views from the Puente Nueno and a guided visit to the oldest operating bullring in Spain, built in 1785. Then it’s off to the chic seaside resort of Marbella, famous as a playground for Europe’s super-rich. Admire the palm lined promenades and beaches before checking into your seaview room at a resort hotel for a relaxing stay by the Spanish seaside.

Two Night Stay: Marbella

Day 10: Marbella (FB)

SCENIC FREE CHOICE choose from: (1) a relaxing cruise on the Mediterranean waters with the opportunity to observe the local dolphins at play; or (2) an excursion to the historically strategic British enclave of Gibraltar, where a minibus will be provided to take you to the top of the ‘Rock’ for breathtaking views and to see the famous resident apes.

Day 11: Marbella – Granada (FB,HD)

We drive through the world renowned playground of the Costa del Sol before heading inland towards the Sierra Nevada mountain range, arriving in the magnificent Andalucian town of Granada. The 3,000 year old town has a melting pot of influences including Roman, Visigothic, Jewish and Muslim. The highlight of our tour this afternoon is a guided visit to the amazing Moorish Alhambra Palace, built in medieval times by the longest lasting Islamic dynasty on the Iberian Peninsula. We’ll be entertained and mesmerised by colourful ‘Zambra’ and Flamenco dances performed by gypsies who live in the caves around Sacromonte, as they have for centuries.

Overnight Special Stay: Granada

Day 12: Granada – Cordoba (FB)

Today we travel to the Moorish town of Cordoba, which in the 10th century was among the largest cities in Europe with around 250,000 inhabitants. With our guide this afternoon we explore the old town, which features impressive architectural reminders of Cordoba’s golden age as the capital of the Caliphate, including the incredible Mezquita – a Gothic Christian cathedral housed inside a large Moorish Mosque.

Overnight Stay: Cordoba

Day 13: Cordoba – Madrid (FB,D)

Our return to Madrid today is via Toledo, known as the “city of three cultures’, where Christians, Arabs and Jews lived together for centuries. The old quarter of this walled city is a World Heritage Site and a remarkable open-air museum. Take part in a guided tour which includes the cathedral, Santo Tome Church and the synagogue. Before we leave Toledo, visit a sword factory to witness the fine craftsmanship that goes into production of these decorative pieces.

Overnight Stay: Madrid

Day 14: Madrid – Barcelona (FB)

This morning we fly to the Catalonian capital, Barcelona. On arrival, our guided tour highlights the major attractions of this ancient Roman town, where old meets new in pleasing contrast. We visit the memorable Gothic quarter and admire the art-nouveau and zany freeform architecture of Gaudi, including his still-to-be completed Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia, commenced in 1882. We then visit Park Guell, a spectacular garden adorned with architectural structures designed by Gaudi.

Two Night Stay: Barcelona

Day 15: Barcelona (FB,HD)

SCENIC FREE CHOICE choose from: (1) On your guided tour of the Picasso Museum witness the works and genius mind of the young artist as it is presented to you in over 3,800 artistic art forms which make up the permanent collection; or (2) Follow in the footsteps of the players who have made history and feel the passion of the FC Barcelona as your guided tour shows you through the 3rd largest stadium in the world and the Club Museum where sporting artifacts dating back 100 years are on display. This afternoon is free to explore Barcelona on your own, to savour the atmosphere of this vibrant Olympic city. Tonight join your fellow travellers and farewell Spain as we dine on Catalan cuisine at Can Cortada restaurant, set in a stately mansion beneath an 11th century watchtower.

Day 16: Barcelona (FB)

After breakfast, transfer* to Barcelona airport for your onward or homebound flight.

.

Departure Dates: