Amazing Spain and Portugal - Winter departures

From the cobbled streets of Toledo to the arabesque Alhambra and Manueline Lisbon, this well planned itinerary highlights the culture, art and landscapes of these two 'amazing' countries.

Included Premium Highlights

    * Visit the unique city of Toledo, to admire the Cathedral, and to view El Greco's famous painting in the chapel of Santo Tomé
    * Visit the elaborately carved courtyards and golden mosaics of the Alhambra Palace in Granada
    * Visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus in Seville's Gothic Cathedral
    * Visit Jeronimo's Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline art

Included Personal Insights

    * Learn about the former capital of Toledo - where four religions meet

Included Other Excursions & Sights

    * See the Alcazar, Giralda Towerand Santa Cruz Quarter in Seville
    * Tour the spacious avenues and elegant squares of Lisbon
    * Visit the Monument to the Discoveries and Belem Tower in Lisbon
    * Visit the great Basilica in Fatima
    * See the Plaza Mayor and Puente Romano bridge in Salamanca
    * Visit the unique walled town of Avila
    * See the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Royal Palace and Cibeles Fountain in Madrid

Included First Class Services

    * Escorted by a professional Tour Director
    * Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
    * Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
    * First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
    * Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
    * Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 9
    * (Should your flights not coincide with these arrival and departure transfers, please make our own way to/from the airport)

Included Quality Dining

    * There is a selection of local restaurants on your Dine-Around evening in Lisbon (DA)
    * Highlight Dinner in Madrid at a local restaurant (HD)
    * 8 buffet breakfasts (BB), 2 three course table d'hôte dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
    * Departures on tour for Christmas & New Year's Eve, enjoy a festive celebration dinner
 

Tour details based on Nov 2011 - Apr 2012 departures.

Day 1 - MADRID AT LEISURE

Welcome to Madrid, Europe's highest capital, occupying the very centre of the Iberian Peninsula. Your airport transfers depart from Madrid Airport to the tour hotel at 09:00, 11:00, 13:30 & 16:00 hours. The rest of the day is at leisure to begin to get to know this stylish city. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director.

Hotel: Mellia Galgos

Day 2 - MADRID - TOLEDO - GRANADA

Set off southwards this morning to the city of Toledo, situated high above the River Tagus, and famous for its burnished steel swords, which have been crafted here for centuries. Walk through the cobbled streets to the great Gothic Cathedral and visit the Church of Santo Tomé, housing El Greco's famous painting, 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz'. Continue on through the dry plains of Don Quixote's La Mancha, before crossing the Sierra Nevada to reach Granada, capital of the Moorish Kingdom of Spain till the Moors' defeat in 1492.

Hotel: Saray (BB,D)

Day 3 - GRANADA - SEVILLE

'There is no pain in life so cruel as to be blind in Granada', cries the inscription on the walls of the Alhambra. Bathed in morning light, the Alhambra Palace awaits: a fantasy of stone cut lace, arabesque gardens and fountains, built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century. You also visit the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence. Relax here in the sunshine, and enjoy the fine views over the town and its three verdant hills before embarking on a scenic drive to Seville.

Hotel: Melia Lebreros (BB)

Day 4 - SEVILLE SIGHTSEEING

Your guided sightseeing tour of Seville reveals the city in all its glory! Enter the immense 15C cathedral, to see the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Back outside, see the fabulous Alcazar and slender Giralda Tower. Soak up the atmosphere in the fashionable Santa Cruz Quarter, with its flower decked wrought iron balconies. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, why not enjoy dinner and a flamenco show? (BB)

Day 5 - SEVILLE - LISBON

Bid 'adiós' to Seville and head for the green slopes of the Sierra Morena. After crossing the Portuguese border, continue through the infinite horizons of the Alentejo Plateau. Once over the amazing Tagus Bridge, you arrive in Lisbon, historic capital of Portugal- according to the poet Camoes, "the princess of the world ... before whom even the ocean bows"! Tonight, there are a selection of local restaurants to choose from for your Dine-around evening.

Hotel: Marriott (BB,DA)

Day 6 - LISBON SIGHTSEEING

A panoramic guided tour takes you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco, finest square in the city. Visit the Belem Quarter from where sailing ships set forth to discover unknown lands. See the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the more ancient Belem Tower, a masterpiece of Manueline style. It was erected to protect Jeronimo's Monastery which you visit next. Take some time to admire the fabulous double tiered cloisters. Then you are at leisure. Perhaps join a tour to the beautiful town of Sintra which was the summer residence of the Kings of Portugal? (BB)

Day 7 - LISBON - FATIMA - SALAMANCA

Drive into the green hills north of Lisbon to visit Fatima the most celebrated place of pilgrimage in Portugal. Visit the Basilica commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three children in 1917. Then cross the border back into Spain and continue to Salamanca, famous for its golden stone buildings. During your stay see the handsome arcaded Plaza Mayor, 16th century University Buildings and Puente Romano bridge across the river Tormes- 15 of its 26 arches still date from the time of the ancient Romans!

Hotel: Alameda Palace (BB,D)

Day 8 - SALAMANCA - AVILA - MADRID

Cross the rock strewn hills of La Morana, towards St. Theresa's city of Avila, still entirely enclosed within 11th century walls, and unique in Europe. Walk awhile within the ancient city, before returning to Madrid for a sightseeing tour. Here, your local guide introduces you to the statue of Cervantes in the Plaza de Espana, the Royal Palace, Cibeles Fountain and Parliament. This evening, bid farewell to your new found friends with a lively Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel: Melia Galgos(BB,HD)

Day 9 - DEPART MADRID

After breakfast, the airport shuttle service from the tour hotel arrives Madrid Airport at 07.00, 09.00 & 11.00 hours. (BB)

The optional excursions for this tour are not available at this time.