Spain & Portugal Explorer

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1 15 days Starts/Ends: Madrid Explore the rich culture of southern Spain and Portugal on this twoweek tour. From Madrid, discover historic cities including Seville, Granada, Lisbon and Porto. Visit World Heritage sites such as the sprawling Alhambra fortress and magical Pena Palace, while indulging in wine tasting, tapas and custard tarts along the way. HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Small group tour, with maximum group size of 16, and unique hotels Madrid - see Madrid's Grand Palace on a tour of Spain's vibrant capital Jaen Region- visit an Olive Oil farm and sample their produce in this famous Olive Oil Region, explore Ubeda, Jaen and spend the night in a former 16th century palace which is now a parador Granada - tour the spectacular Alhambra palace, with its exquisite Moorish architecture Jerez - go wine tasting at a famous vineyard in Jerez, famed for its sherry production Ronda - roam around one of Spain's oldest towns, set on a mountain top Toledo - Monumental Gothic cathedral and roam around the gardens of the Alcazar palace-fortress Seville - wander the streets of Andalucia's enchanting capital and be sure to sample the array of tapas bars Cordoba - marvel at the mesmerizing La Mezquita, one of the world's greatest mosques Jabugo - discover what makes Iberico Ham so special on a tour of an authentic Iberico Ham farm Obidos - take in this delightful medieval walled town Lisbon - explore Portugal's charming coastal capital - currently voted as Europes No 1 hot spot to visit Sintra - gaze in wonder at the whimsical, hill top Pena Place, with its gothic turrets and gargoyles Cascais - admire the views in Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, and watch Portugal's famous custard tarts being hand made Fatima - visit the Shrine of our Lady, an important destination in the world of Catholic pilgrims Nazare - wander around this charming Portuguese fishing village Coimbra - explore the oldest Portuguese university with its beautiful baroque library Porto - enjoy wine tasting at one of the famous wine bodegas Douro Valley - see the famous castle in Guimaraes and enjoy wine tasting at one of the most historic and renowned vineyards in the region Viseu - spend a night in a beautiful Portuguese pousada [a historical Portuguese hotel] Salamanca - wander through the city's beautiful Plaza Mayor and see Spain's oldest University, with its stunning architecture What's Included 14 breakfasts and 3 dinners 14 nights 3-4 star hotels (including 1 night in a Pousada, a historic Portuguese hotel) Madrid Airport arrival transfer on day 1 Guided sightseeing in Toledo, Granada, Ronda, Jerez, Seville and Cordoba, Lisbon, Sintra, Coimbra, Fatima, Porto, Guimaraes & Doura Valley, Salamanca and Madrid Olive Oil farm visit and tasting in the Jaen Region Vineyard visit and wine tasting in Jerez Vineyard visit and wine tasting in the Duoro Valley Wine tasting in Porto Escorted by English speaking Spanish and Portuguese tour leaders (or driver guides for groups of 2 6) Specialist local guides for scheduled sightseeing All private transportation in air conditioned vehicles -1-

2 What's Not Included Entrance Fees: Euro (paid locally) Departure transfer - can be booked upon request International flights and visas Tipping - an entirely personal gesture DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : Madrid spaces, castles and fortresses in Spain. Known as the "Olive Oil Capital of the World", Jaen is surrounded by olive groves and is a leading olive oil producer. We'll take time to visit a Olive Oil producer & sample some of the produce before hotel check in. Then there's time to wander at your leisure through the old town. Tonight our overnight stay is The Parador Castillo with its vaulted ceilings and spectacular views over the city. Overnight - Jaen (B) Day 3 : Granada walking tour of the historic quarter, which dates back to Islamic times when it was an important cultural hub, with many mosques and palaces. Continuing our scenic journey we pass through whitewashed villages including Arcos de Frontera, which sits on a spectacular sheer cliff. After a break for lunch we travel on to Jerez, a vibrant and chic Andalucian city, which is part of the famed Sherry Triangle. The rest of the day is free to wander around the enchanting old town, find a local Tabanco and enjoy the local wine, sherry and tapas. Overnight - Jerez (B) Days 5-6 : Seville & Cordoba Saturday. Welcome to Spain. Upon arrival at Madrid Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or independently explore the capital before a welcome meal this evening with your tour leader and the rest of the group. Note: if you'd like to spend more time in Madrid, we can arrange pre tour accommodation for you, upon request. Overnight - Madrid (D) Day 2 : Toledo to Jaen Jaen - Granada. Today we travel to Granada, the land of a 1000 castles, which is nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains and is one of Andalusia's most interesting cities. We enjoy a guided walk around the UNESCO Listed areas of Albaicin, which is the old Moorish quarter of the city and the scenic Generalife gardens. Today's highlight is a tour of the lavish Alhambra palace, which is part palace and part fortress, with exquisite Moorish architecture. This afternoon is free to explore this beautiful city on your own. We recommend you visit the cathedral or spend more time in the Albaicin Quarter. Overnight Granada (B) Day 4 : Ronda & Jerez Madrid - Jaen. After breakfast we bid farewell to Madrid and head out to our first stop of the day, Toledo, which is known as the 'city of three cultures', because of the Christians, Arabs and Jews who lived here together for centuries. We enjoy a guided tour of the cathedral, Sto Tome Church and the magnificent synagogue, as we learn about the history of the town. In the afternoon we continue on to Jaen, which boasts the largest number of protected Granada - Jerez. This morning we travel to Ronda, our first stop of the day. Surrounded by mountains and dramatically perched upon an inland plateau, Ronda is one of Spain's oldest towns, established in 9th century BC. We enjoy a Jerez - Seville. We start day 5 with a visit to one of the city's famous wine cellars where gain an understanding of the traditions of wine making in this area and of course, enjoy some wine tasting. Leaving Jerez, we travel on to the beautiful city of Seville. Located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, Seville has a rich Moorish heritage and our walking tour includes a visit to the cathedral and Alcazar Gardens. The streets and squares are lively and busy and Seville is credited with the invention of the tapa, and the choices are limitless, join the locals moving from bar to bar trying one at a time. The following morning we visit Cordoba, a thousand year old city which is a living legacy of the different cultures that have settled here throughout its history. Our local guide will guide us around the white-washed courtyards surrounding the exquisite and iconic Mezquita, which is one of the world's greatest Islamic buildings. In the afternoon we drive back to Seville, where the rest of the day is free to explore or perhaps enjoy some retail therapy. Overnight - Seville (2) (B:1) -2-

3 Days 7-8 : Jabugo to Lisbon Seville - Lisbon. After breakfast we depart Seville and make our way towards Lisbon. We head north toward Aracena and then onto the village of Jabugo, famous for its Iberica ham. We will enjoy a short tour and of course some tasting. We then head west across the border and a short lunch stop in Beja before our departure to Lisbon. After check in there is time to relax, and tonight we will gather for a group dinner in a local restaurant. Bidding farewell to our Spanish tour leader and anyone leaving the tour the following day. Day 8 is free for you to wander around the city neighbourhoods. Discover the Chiado and Bairro Alto areas, and perhaps try one of the famous Pasteis de nata or admire the views from the landscaped terraces of Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara. You can take a ride on the Electrico tram and visit the Alfama district to glimpse the more traditional side of Lisbon. In the evening, we meet our Portuguese tour leader and any new members of the group who join the tour today, for welcome drinks and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight - Lisbon (2) (B:2, D:2) Day 9 : Sintra & Pena Palace a hillside. Brightly coloured Pena, with its gothic turrets, watchtowers and gargoyles is the ultimate fairytale castle and with our guide we'll explore and learn all about its history. From Sintra we travel to the coast to visit the lovely beach town of Cascais and admire the views in Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. Then we tickle our tastebuds at a "pasteis de nata" shop, where we see how these delicious Portuguese custard tarts are made and sample one, before returning to Lisbon for the night. Overnight - Lisbon (B) Day 10 : Obidos & Fatima Lisbon - Fatima. Today we bid farewell to Lisbon and travel north to Obidos, a delightful Medieval Portuguese town, just one hour's drive from Lisbon. There's free time to wander around the town which is encircled by an imposing wall and see its impressive Medieval castle before we continue our journey to Nazare, a typical Portuguese fishing town. From Nazare we head inland to the town of Fatima, our final port of call. Fatima is home to one of world's most important Catholic pilgrimage sites, the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, which we visit on a guided tour of the town. Overnight - Fatima (B) Days : Coimbra & Porto After breakfast we travel to the beautiful town of Sintra, in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains. On the outskirts of town we discover one of Portugal's Seven Wonders, the whimsical, 19th century Pena Palace, which stands atop Fatima - Porto. After breakfast, we continue our journey north passing through charming town of Tomar and on to Coimbra, which was the Medieval capital of Portugal for more than a 100 years. Here we visit Portugal's oldest university, founded in 1290, which is renowned for its amazing baroque library, built at the beginning of the 16th century. Then we continue our journey to Porto, Portugal's second largest city. After hotel check in, there's free time to wander the narrow cobbled streets and later, try some tasty local cuisine at one of the many wonderful restaurants and cafes along Porto s vibrant waterfront known as the Ribeira. The following day we spend the morning with our local guide sightseeing in Porto, with its winding Medieval lanes, Baroque churches, Neo Classical buildings and small squares. Then we visit one of the most famous wine bodegas of Porto and of course sample the local tipple. This afternoon we have free time for shopping, wandering through the alley-woven Ribeira or taking a leisurely stroll along the riverside promenade. Overnight - Porto (B:2) Day 13 : Douro Valley Wine Tasting Porto - Viseu. Today we leave the coast and head inland to Guimaraes with its famous castle, labyrinth of narrow streets and picturesque squares, surrounded by Medieval buildings. We enjoy a leisurely walk around the town before continuing on through the picturesque Douro wine region, with its prestigious wine caves, historical fortress, medieval stone houses and vineyards, located on high sloping terraces. We stop to enjoy wine tasting at one of the Duoro Valley's oldest and most renowned vineyards before travelling on to city of Viseu, located on the banks of the Paiva River. This charming city has lovely stone paved streets and -3-

4 alleys, public gardens and a beautiful central square. We spend the night in a Pousada, (a historic Portuguese hotel) in Viseu, where we'll be served dinner this evening. Overnight Viseu (B) Day 14 : Salamanca & Madrid for by you. The total cost of the entrance fees which need to be paid locally is noted under Exclusions on the first page of this document. Entrance fee amounts can change and as such upon arrival to Spain your tour leader will highlight the exact total entrance fee cost for the tour. Entrance fees are to be paid in Euros cash. On our tours which combine Spain/Portugal with Morocco, please note that entrance fees are included in Morocco. Tipping Viseu - Madrid (Spain). Today we bid farewell to Portugal as we head eastward, over the border into Spain. Our first stop is the beautiful and historic city of Salamanca, which is home of Spain's oldest University. The old town is an ensemble of monuments, with beautiful examples of different architectural styles, and we'll explore the back streets of this beautiful city with our local guide. After our guided tour we'll have time for lunch before continuing on to Madrid. This afternoon we enjoy a guided coach tour of Spain's vibrant capital city, where sights will include the grand Royal Palace of Madrid, Calle Mayor, Madrid's historic high street, Plaza Mayor, the grand arcaded central square, and the beautiful Plaza de la Villa with its baroque architecture. After we've seen the important sites of the city we check into our accommodation for the final night of our tour. Overnight - Madrid (B) Day 15 : Madrid Saturday. Our tour comes to an end after breakfast and hotel check out today. Post tour accommodation in Madrid and departure transfers can be booked upon request.(b) KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Entrance Fees In Spain and Portugal selected entrance fees are included, however all others must be budgeted There isn t one simple rule for tipping in Spain and Portugal. If you are happy with the service in restaurants then a 10% cash tip is common. However, you aren t likely to cause offence if you don t leave a tip. Hotel staff don t usually expect a tip but leaving 1-2 Euro if someone carries your bags or delivers food to your room is a nice gesture. With taxis, tips aren t expected but rounding up the total bill or leaving loose change is appreciated. It is customary to tip your tour leader and driver at the end of the tour, for a job well done. As a guideline we recommend that you budget the following: Tour leader euros per person per day Driver euros per person per day This information is given as a guide, as many travellers are unsure and uncomfortable about how much to tip. Tipping is an entirely personal gesture and the amount you tip is at your own discretion. Essential Packing A small daypack for your day-to-day needs Either a rucksack or suitcase is suitable Travel insurance documents A photocopy of your passport data pages Spare camera batteries & memory cards Mobile Phone and phone charger Lightweight clothing (check the forecast before you travel and pack appropriately) A lightweight water/windproof jacket A small umbrella Comfortable walking shoes Sandals or flip flops/thongs/jandals Electrical adaptor. Standard voltage is 220V, 50Hz AC. Sockets require a Continental or European style plug (two round pins) DEET based mosquito repellent and antihistamine cream Personal first aid kit including Dioralyte Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swimming costume A towel for swimming Antibacterial hand cleansing gel Pocket size phrasebook Arrival on day 1 Upon arrival in Barcelona/Madrid airport, after you have attended to customs and immigration formalities, please proceed to the arrival hall. An On The Go representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall, holding an On The Go Tours logo signboard, ready to transfer you to our start hotel. Please have your tour voucher handy and make it available to our representative. If, for any reason you have trouble locating our representative (after waiting 20 minutes in the arrival hall) or your flight to Spain has been delayed please call the emergency contact number as stated on your tour voucher. Please do not leave the airport or go to the hotel on your own. Call our emergency contact number and follow the advice given by our local team. Tours Starting in Madrid In the evening you will meet your tour leader and the rest of the group in the hotel lobby at 7.30pm, to walk to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner and briefing. Please have your tour voucher with you. Tours Starting in Barcelona Meet your tour leader and the rest of the group in the lobby of the hotel at 2pm for a city tour and in the evening you will go to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. If you flight does not arrive in time to join the city tour please let us know and you can meet your tour leader in the hotel lobby at 7.30pm to join the group for dinner. Alternatively, we can arrange pre tour accommodation for you upon request. -4-

5 Pre Tour Accommodation If you have booked pre-tour accommodation with us an airport arrival transfer will also be provided. If arriving prior to 9am on day 1 (essentially on a flight that arrives very, very early in the morning) consider purchasing a night of pre-tour accommodation to save you waiting until hotel check in time, which is generally from 2pm onwards. Departure Transfers Departure transfers are not included but can be booked upon request. -5-