Best of Spain, Morocco and Portugal Duration: 17 nights, 19 days Start in Barcelona, finish in Madrid Included: - Non-stop airfare from JFK Airport - All airport taxes and fees - Group airport transfers in Barcelona and Madrid - 17 nights in four star hotels in all three countries (Spain, Morocco, Portugal). - Buffet breakfasts daily at the hotels - All lunches and dinners (full board) - All transfers on a comfortable, modern and air-conditioned bus - Tours and excursions as described, always with a local guide - Tickets included where necessary (to the most famous sights) - 2 American sign language interpreters - Accompanying tour leader from Flo Tours Spain office, travelling with the group at all times
ITINERARY: Day 1 Departure from JFK 10/10/2017 Overnight flight from JFK to Barcelona. Day 2 - Arrive Barcelona 10/11/2017 Welcome to Barcelona! Arrive and transfer to your hotel in Spain s second most important city with its unending choice of museums, galleries, and cafes. After time to rest and relax, perhaps stroll along Las Ramblas, Barcelona s famous pedestrian walkway with its life size animators, stalls and people watchers. Tonight, meet your Tour Manager and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner and briefing on the sensational journey that awaits you in Spain Overnight in Barcelona. Meals: Dinner Day 3- Barcelona 10/12/2017 Begin the day in this artistic city with a drive along the harbor to Plaza Catalunya, the city's bustling main square and Plaza de España home to the old bullfighting ring. Pass some of Gaudi's famous works including the "skull and bones" Casa Batllo on the way to Park Guell, one of the city's largest urban parks, another colorful and playful Gaudi creation. Then, visit the beautiful Santa Maria del Mar basilica in the Ribera district. Stand in awe at the iconic symbol of Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's masterpiece; a colossal church that is legendary and still unfinished after over a hundred years. Ascend Montjuic Hill, home to the Olympic Stadium built for the 1992 Olympics. Later, travel to nearby Penedes, one of the most exciting wine regions in Spain that produces many wine styles including traditional (sparkling) white and rosé Cava. Stop at one of the wine cellars for a tasting before returning to Barcelona. Dinner and overnight in Barcelona.
Day 4 -Barcelona Zarazoga - Madrid 10/13/2017 Today, you visit the vibrant city of Zaragoza on the banks of the mighty Río Ebro. Your introduction to the city includes the Basilica of El Pilar, a jewel of Baroque art, where the faithful believe the Virgin Mary appeared atop a marble pillar. The Basilica, declared a National Monument, is one of the most spiritual destinations in Spain. After a stop at the City Hall housed in a Renaissance palace, and the old currency exchange building, known as the Lonja, depart to the wine region of La Rioja. This area, with endless views of flourishing vineyards, produces internationally renowned Spanish wines. Here, linger at a typical Bodega where you re invited to tour the cellar and savor a tasting of fine Rioja wines. Then continue north to the Basque city of Bilbao, arriving in time for dinner together in this exciting city. Dinner and overnight in Madrid. Day 5 Madrid 10/14/2017 After breakfast, explore Madrid with local tour guide. Drive along the elegant, tree-lined avenues to the grandiose Cibeles Fountain. Turn down the Gran Vía to see the monument to Cervantes in the Plaza de España and the Royal Palace, then continue through the Puerta del Sol. Today's highlight is a visit of the magnificent Prado Museum housing works by Titian, Botticelli, Rubens and many others. Enjoy a free afternoon. Lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Madrid. Day 6- Madrid Toledo Cordoba 10/15/2017 Travel to nearby Toledo, the former capital city of Spain that still retains its medieval atmosphere and charm. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, Toledo is known for its extensive monumental heritage and historical coexistence of Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures. Walk through the ancient Jewish Quarter before the panoramic drive to the Alcazar of Toledo, a stone fortification located in the highest part of the city and the 13th century cathedral. Continue to the Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue with its beautiful Moorish architecture, the oldest synagogue in Europe still standing, and the St. Tome Church, with its El Greco masterpieces. Then, drive
south to Andalusia via La Mancha, legendary home of Don Quixote, featuring views of its famous windmills. Arrive in the former Roman city of Córdoba for dinner and overnight. Day 7 Cordoba Granada Costa Del Sol 10/16/2017 your sightseeing of Moorish Granada is highlighted by a visit to the magnificent 13th century Alhambra Palace, one of Spain s most celebrated monuments, dramatically perched atop Assabica Hill overlooking the entire city. This imposing hilltop fortress, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world s finest examples of Moorish art and architecture. During the reign of the Moors, the Alhambra served as the summer residence of the royal family. Walk along the lanes of the serene Generalife Gardens with its beautifully designed courtyards, waterfalls and ponds and views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Continue to Costa Del Sol for dinner and overnight. Day 8 Costa Del Sol Gibraltar Tangier 10/17/2017 Travel to Gibraltar by air-conditioned coach, and discover its main attractions, including the legendary Rock of Gibraltar. Continuation to Algeciras to take a ferry to Morocco. Ferry to Tangier. Lunch boxes or lunch in Tangier. Accommodation and a free time. Dinner and overnight in Tangier. Day 9 Tangier Fez 10/18/2017 Tangier will give you a taste of Northern Africa s exotic culture. Morocco has been described as "a land of Arab culture, situated in Africa with its roots in Europe." Tangier became part of the Kingdom of Morocco in 1956 and has a diverse mix of Muslim, African, French and Spanish influences. One highlight of your visit is the Cape Spartel, a colorful kasbah (ancient quarter) filled with a mishmash of narrow streets, where artisans create handicrafts and traders sell their wares. You ll also visit the city s ancient medina (the old section of the city) and the Royal Palace. Continue to Fez. Dinner and overnight in Fez. Day 10 - Fez Meknes Marrakesh 10/19/2017 Breakfast. In the morning you will visit the city center and stroll through its narrow tiny streets, many of those dated back to 9th century. This city has two Medinas (Old Cities), the larger of which is Fes el Bali. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the world's largest car-free urban areas. With its exotic corners, mosques, madrasas, fountains and handicraft shops, this place never get boring.
After lunch continue to Meknes, the formal capital of Morocco. It is a marvelous city surrounded by 40 kilometers of town walls and with a huge gate called Bab el-mansour, the grandest of all imperial Moroccan gateways. After a panoramic tour of Meknes you will continue to Marrakesh. Dinner and overnight in Marrakesh. Day 11 Marrakesh 10/20/2017 After breakfast you will go on a sight-seeing tour around the imperial city and southern capital Marrakesh. Main highlights: Saadian Tombs, that due to its beauty is considered the main attraction of the city; the Palace of Bahia ( Bahia translates as excellence ) with few beautiful gardens around it, the Tower of Koutoubia main minaret tower in town. The rest of the day will be free so you can discover the Medinah with its various colorful craft shops. Dinner and overnight in Marrakesh. Day 12- Marrakesh Casablanca Rabat 10/21/2017 Breakfast. Departure towards the largest and probably most famous city of Morocco, Casablanca. It is a legendary and cosmopolitan city that, with its many uncountable architectural and cultural monuments, has something to offer for everyone. After taking in the beauty of this city you will continue to Rabat. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 13 Rabat -Tangier Seville 10/22/2017 Breakfast. In the morning you will do a short panoramic tour around Rabat on which you will visit the outside of the palace Palacio Real, the Mausoleum Mohamed and the Towers of Hassan. After the tour you will continue to Tangier, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Spartel. Here you will also do a short tour around the city to see its most impressive sights and monuments. Continue to Seville. Dinner and overnight in Seville. Day 14 Seville 10/23/2017 Breakfast, then a city tour with a local guide to see Seville s most beautiful places and notorious sights: Park of Maria Luisa Sevilles s main public park and the largest green area that stretches along Guadalquivir river; the Plaza de Espana most famous square in Seville and one of the largest in Spain; the Cathedral of Saint Mary; the Minaret of Giralda; as well as the typical Quarter of Santa Cruz (former Jewish Quarter) with its white houses and tiny narrow streets. After the city tour you will have the afternoon off to rest or to explore further more on your own. Dinner and overnight in Seville. Day 15- Seville Lisbon 10/24/2017 Say adios to Spain! Travel through beautiful countryside, across Alentejo s limitless plains and vineyards to historic Evora, Portugal (UNESCO). Known as the Museum City of Portugal, a leisurely paced walking tour reveals a true open-air museum inside Evora s medieval walls. A 2nd-century Roman temple to Diana and well-preserved monuments set the scene. Your day comes to a close in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal and one of Europe's most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities. Renowned for its warm and sunny disposition, Lisbon is home to a wealth of historic monuments and world-class museums. (Lunch boxes on the way). Dinner and overnight in Lisbon. Day 16 Lisbon 10/25/2017 After breakfast you will enjoy a sightseeing tour in the morning to discover the beauty of this city, located at the mouth of the River Tagus. You will see the oldest district of Lisbon - Alfama Quarter; the Tower of Belem, that was built to commemorate Vasco da Gama s expedition; and the Jeronimos Monastery, which was classified as UNESCO World Heritage Site; also many other impressive sights. In the afternoon you will have free time to stroll through the city by yourself. Optional excursions to beautiful suburbs of Lisbon - to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril are possible. Dinner and overnight in Lisbon. Day 17 Lisbon Fatima Coimbra - Salamanca 10/26/2017 Continuation to Fatima, an important pilgrimage center known for its Marian apparitions that occurred in Cova da Iria in 1917 and which were later recognized by the Catholic Church. After some free time to visit the Basilica you will continue Coimbra: Ancient capital of Portugal and home of the country's oldest University (founded in 1290). Coimbra played an important role in Portuguese history, and now it is important cultural center. Its atmospheric, beautiful historic core cascades down a hillside in a lovely setting on the east bank of the Rio Mondeg. It is a multicolored collage of buildings spanning nearly a millennium. Drive to Salamanca. Dinner and overnight in Salamanca.
Day 18 -Salamanca Avila -Madrid 10/27/2017 After breakfast, departure towards beautiful Avila, an old city, surrounded by imposing city walls comprising eight monumental gates, 88 watchtowers and more than 2500 turrets. It is one of the best-preserved medieval bastions in Spain. In Avila you will have some free time to explore the monumental city walls or the ancient part of the town. Continue on to Madrid. Dinner and overnight in Madrid. Day 19- Departure from Madrid 10/28/2017 Transfer to the airport. End of our services. Meals: Breakfast Prices: Per person in double room: $5,655 Single supplement: $ 1,148 Payment Schedule: Deposit: $1500 per person Second payment: $ 1500 per person due by Sep 16, 2016 Third payment: $1500 due by March 17, 2017 Final payment: due by June 16, 2017 Early payment discount: If paid in full by check by June 30, 2016 - $300 early payment discount per person.
Cancellation Terms: Deposit is refundable less $500 administrative fee until Sep 16, 2016. Sep 17, 2016-March 17, 2017: $1500 penalty March 18, 2017 June 16, 2017: $2500 penalty June 17, 2017 Tour departure date: 100% penalty no refund