Highlights of Spain and Portugal (Winter 2011/2012)

13 day tour from A$2165.00*

Tour Style: Regional Tours

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Overview

Stroll along tree-lined boulevards of Spain’s capital, Madrid. Explore the Church of Santo Tomé in Toledo and view the mighty Rock of Gibraltar. Unearth centuries of history in the cathedrals, shrines and architecture of Lisbon, Cordoba and Seville. Discover local delicacies as you travel through the Iberian peninsula in grand style!

Highlights

Toledo, Cordoba, Granada, Gibraltar, Seville, Lisbon, Fatima, Oporto, Madrid

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Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE MADRID

Welcome to Madrid, the capital of Spain! Relax or take a stroll along tree-lined boulevards. This evening, meet for a Welcome Drink with your travelling companions and Tour Director.

Hotel: Rafael Atocha (F)

Day 2

MADRID – TOLEDO – CORDOBA

Explore the Church of Santo Tomé during your expert guided sightseeing in Toledo and marvel at El Greco’s masterpiece. Admire the breathtaking landscape during your drive south through the heart of Andalusia to Cordoba.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Ayre Cordoba (SF)

Day 3

CORDOBA – GRANADA

Accompanied by your Local Guide, tour the Cathedral-Mosque of Cordoba, the former Mosque of the Caliphs, a jewel of Hispano-Islamic art featuring striking arches and Byzantine mosaics. See the remains of the 14th century mudejar-style synagogue. After a drive in the shadow of the dramatic Sierra Nevada Mountains, you arrive in Granada. Dine with your travelling companions at a Highlight Dinner tonight.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Hotel: Carmen (F)

Day 4

GRANADA – COSTA DEL SOL (TORREMOLINOS) (2 nights)

On your expert guided tour, marvel at the incredible Alhambra Palace, built in the 14th century and a magnificent example of Moorish architecture. Admire the ancient filigree, quiet courtyards and colossal walls! In the afternoon arrive on the famous Costa del Sol. You might take the opportunity to visit the pretty hilltop village of Mijas, and finish with a typical Mediterranean dinner.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Melia Costa Del Sol (SF)

Day 5

COSTA DEL SOL – DAY TO EXPLORE

Spend the day as you wish. Consider strolling along miles of perfect sandy beaches. Or you might like to go shopping. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for a day excursion to Morocco!

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 6

COSTA DEL SOL – GIBRALTAR* – JEREZ – SEVILLE (2 nights)

Cross to the Rock of Gibraltar and stock up on duty-free! See the limestone promontory, ceded to the British in 1713 and a point of contention ever since. Admire the sun-drenched region of Jerez – world capital of sherry – on your way to Seville. Join your companions this evening for an authentic Andalusian Be My Guest dinner experience. Afterwards, you might like to experience a fiery flamenco show!

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

Hotel: Melia Lebreros (SF)

Day 7

SEVILLE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

See the Giralda Bell Tower during your guided sightseeing tour of Seville, the home of bullfighting and flamenco. Visit the Maria Luisa Park, the piece of the 1929 World’s Fair, built in a Moorish style and featuring half a mile of fountains, ponds, pavilions and lush plantings. Visit the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, where the explorer Christopher Columbus is buried. Tonight, you might like to try some typical Andalusian cuisine at a local restaurant.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 8

SEVILLE – LISBON (2 nights)

Across the beautiful province of Huelva, famous for Jabugo ham and copper mines, past the castles of Extremadura and over the Portuguese border to Lisbon, your journey is spectacular. Dine this evening on Portuguese specialities at a restaurant of your choice.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Real Parque (F)

Day 9

LISBON SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

Your expert Local Guide gives you a fascinating insight into the city’s rich history during your included sightseeing tour. Discover the Monument to the Great Explorers on the Tagus River. See the beautiful suspension bridge linking the city with Almada. Admire the magnificent Belem Tower. The rest of the day is yours. You may wish to visit nearby Cascais fishing village and shop for pottery, cork and fishermen’s sweaters before going to fairy-tale Sintra and visiting its palace.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 10

LISBON – FATIMA – OPORTO

A short drive through the magnificent Serra d’Aire Mountains brings you to Fatima. Visit the Shrine, a scene of celebrated religious miracles. In Oporto, Portugal’s second-largest city, see the multi- houses of the Ribeira quarter and the Church of St. Francis. Experience a wine tasting at a port cellar.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Vila Gale Porto (F)

Day 11

OPORTO – SALAMANCA – MADRID (2 nights)

Through Portugal and back across the Spanish border, visit Salamanca, home of the country’s oldest university. After crossing the Castilian plateau arrive in Madrid, where you might like to try some of the local specialities for dinner.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Rafael Atocha (F)

Day 12

MADRID SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

Visit the Prado Museum, featuring the largest collection of European art in the world including the works of Velazquez. Your expert Local Guide will also show you the Royal Palace, official residence of the King of Spain. View the Puerta del Sol and the Cervantes Memorial in the Plaza de España. On the elegant Paseo del Prado, admire the impressive Cibeles Fountain. Consider an optional trip to Segovia, where you can see the Roman aqueduct and medieval palaces and castles. Tonight, join your companions and your Tour Director for a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Day 13

DEPART MADRID

Say ‘adios’ to your companions, Tour Director and these beautiful countries at the end of a memorable holiday. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. *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.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

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2011/2012 Rates

Departs On Returns On Twin Land Only Single Land Only
Sun, Oct 30, 2011 Fri, Nov 11, 2011 A$2165.00 A$2725.00
Sun, Nov 06, 2011 Fri, Nov 18, 2011 A$2165.00 A$2725.00
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 Fri, Dec 02, 2011 A$2165.00 A$2725.00
Sun, Dec 04, 2011 Fri, Dec 16, 2011 A$2165.00 A$2725.00
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 Fri, Dec 30, 2011 A$2275.00 A$2835.00
Tue, Dec 27, 2011 Sun, Jan 08, 2012 A$2475.00 A$3035.00
Sun, Jan 08, 2012 Sun, Jan 22, 2012 Fri, Feb 03, 2012 A$2165.00
Sun, Feb 05, 2012 Fri, Feb 17, 2012 A$2165.00 A$2725.00
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 Fri, Mar 02, 2012 A$2165.00 A$2725.00
Sun, Mar 04, 2012 Fri, Mar 16, 2012 A$2195.00 A$2755.00
Sun, Mar 11, 2012 Fri, Mar 23, 2012 A$2195.00 A$2755.00
Sun, Mar 18, 2012 Fri, Mar 30, 2012 A$2195.00 A$2755.00
Sun, Mar 25, 2012 Fri, Apr 06, 2012 A$2195.00 A$2755.00
Sun, Apr 01, 2012 Fri, Apr 13, 2012 A$2385.00 A$3165.00
Sun, Apr 08, 2012 Fri, Apr 20, 2012 A$2225.00 A$2785.00
Sun, Apr 15, 2012 Fri, Apr 27, 2012 A$2225.00 A$2785.00

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Child Prices: a 25% discount will apply to children under the age of 16 at time of travel. (Optionals for American tours are already discounted.)

Details for our Optional Excursions are not available at this time