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 - 15 days 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-
What's Not Included Entrance Fees: Euro 80-90 (paid locally) Departure transfer - can be booked upon request International flights and visas Tipping - an entirely personal gesture ITINERARY and fortresses in Spain, better known as "the olive oil capital of the world". We'll visit an olive oil producer for a taste of the olive groves surrounding the city. After check-in, enjoy time at leisure to explore the old town. Overnight Jaen (B) Days 5-6 : Seville & Cordoba Day 3 : Granada Day 1 : Madrid Saturday. Welcome to Spain. Upon arrival at Madrid Airport you will be met and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is free and you will be given a Madrid Hop On Hop Off tour bus pass so that you can explore the capital, if time permits. This evening meet your tour leader and the rest of the group for a welcome drink and tapas dinner. Jaen - Granada. After breakfast we travel to the Andalusian city of Granada. Here we enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO Listed areas of Albaicin, which is the old Moorish quarter of the Jerez - Seville. This morning in Jerez, we visit a wine cellar and learn about local wine making traditions and of course enjoy some wine tasting. We then depart for Seville, a river city with a rich history, where we will enjoy a walking tour including the cathedral and Alcazar Gardens. Tonight we can hit the streets for some tapas (a Sevillian invention), bar-hopping just like the locals. 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. The afternoon is free for you to discover this jewel on the doorstep of the Sierra Nevada. Overnight Granada (B) The following morning we take an excursion to Cordoba. Over a thousand years old, this World Heritage city stands at the crossroads between Moorish rule and European culture in Spain, as we'll see when we visit the iconic Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral). In the afternoon we return to Seville, and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight - Seville (2) (B:1) Day 4 : Ronda & Jerez Days 7-8 : Jabugo to Lisbon Granada - Jerez. Today we head for Jerez, with a stopover in Ronda, one of Spain's oldest Seville - Lisbon. On day 7 we cross into Portugal, heading for the capital city of Lisbon. Along the way, we stop briefly in the village of Jabugo to taste its delicious Iberica ham. After crossing the border, we'll have lunch in Beja before arriving in Lisbon. After checking in at our hotel, enjoy some free time before a group dinner in a local restaurant. Please 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 Madrid - Jaen. Our first stop of the day is the world heritage site of Toledo. Our local guide will walk us through the sights of this "city of three cultures", such as the Cathedral, Santo Tome Church and the Sinagoga del Transito. This afternoon we travel to Jaen, a medieval city with the most protected spaces, castles, - 15 days towns. Perched high on an inland plateau, the town was frequented by Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles among others, and our local guide will lead us on a short walking tour of the historic quarter. After lunch we continue to Jerez, part of the Cadiz 'triangle' of sherry production. Enjoy the evening at leisure in the old town. Overnight - Jerez (B) The following day you are free to explore Lisbon at leisure. Perhaps visit the Chiado -2-
neighbourhood for some shopping, try a pastel de nata (custard tart) at a local bakery, or ride the funicular up to the Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara garden. In the evening, we'll have drinks and dinner at a local restaurant with our guide. Overnight - Lisbon (2) (B:2, D:2) Mary, visited by millions of Catholic pilgrims each year. Overnight - Fatima (B) Days 11-12 : Coimbra & Porto Day 14 : Salamanca & Madrid Day 9 : Sintra & Pena Palace This morning we travel to the beautiful town of Sintra. On the outskirts of town we visit the spectacular 19th century Pena Palace, which stands atop a hillside. The colourful gothic turrets, watchtowers and gargoyles make this the ultimate fairytale castle, and with our guide we'll discover its history. From Sintra we travel to the coast to visit the beach town of Cascais and admire the views at Cabo da Roca, continental Europe's westernmost point. Then we pop into a "pasteis de nata" shop, where we see (and sample) how these delicious Portuguese custard tarts are made, before returning to Lisbon for the night. Overnight - Lisbon (B) of the Paiva River, with lovely stone paved streets, public gardens and a beautiful central square. Accommodation tonight is a pousada (historical hotel), where we'll have a group dinner. Overnight - Viseu (B) Fatima - Porto. We continue after breakfast to the Medieval capital of Coimbra, where we visit Portugal's oldest university, which was founded in 1290 and is renowned for its amazing baroque library. Then we continue our journey to Porto, Portugal's second largest city. After hotel check in the afternoon is free to explore the city. </br> 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 charming squares. Then we visit one of the most famous wine bodegas of Porto and of course, sample the local tipple. The afternoon is free to shop or perhaps take a leisurely stroll along the riverside promenade. Overnight - Porto (B:2) Day 13 : Douro Valley Wine Tasting Day 10 : Obidos & Fatima Viseu - Madrid. Today we say <i>tchau</i> to Portugal as we return to Spain. First we stop at Salamanca, home to Spain's oldest university and an architecturally outstanding city, with its unmissable Plaza Mayor and two Cathedrals. 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 include the grand Royal Palace of Madrid, Calle Mayor, Madrid's historic high street, Plaza Mayor, the grand 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) HOTELS Lisbon - Fatima. Today we drive north to Obidos, where you are free to explore the quaint walled town and its Medieval castle. We then head to the town of Fatima, where a local guide will show us around the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, the site of a reported vision of the Virgin - 15 days Porto - Viseu. Heading inland from Porto, we first visit Guimaraes, the hometown of Portugal's first king with a 1000 year old castle and a maze of Medieval streets. We continue through the Douro Valley and stop to enjoy wine tasting at one of the oldest and most renowned vineyards, before travelling on to Viseu. The charming city of Viseu is located on the banks The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard when necessary. Parador Castillo de Jaen -3-
The Parador castle hotel towers over the historic city of Jaen, on the peak of Santa Catalina hill. Its striking cross-vaulted ceilings and spectacular views combine to make this an unforgettable visitor experience. Soak in the large outdoor pool in the summer, or try the restaurant, which serves classic Andalusian cuisine. The guest rooms merge European and Arabic styles, creating a true sense of grandeur for your Spanish stay. This chic 4-star hotel is situated in the eastern city centre, just a few minutes from Sevilla Santa Justa. Rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and air-conditioning and heating. The bright vaulted restaurant serves a locallyinfluenced breakfast, and there is a small rooftop pool with lovely views for basking in the Spanish sun. Gaia is a short distance to the highlights of the city including some of the best port cellars and beaches in the city. The hotel offers bright spacious rooms with wifi throughout. For some rest and relaxation enjoy the hotel spa where guests can unwind with a massage. Pousada de Viseu Rooms at this well-located hotel include all basic facilities and ensuite bathrooms, while The Olissippo Marques de Sa is located on the edge of the lively Gulbenkian Park, where two art galleries and an open-air amphitheatre can be found. All rooms feature a private balcony Derived from the word for 'hostel', Portugal's pousadas merge local culture and comfort. The Pousada de Viseu is situated on the site of a 19th-century hospital with a rich past. Its cloistered atrium and spectacular architecture will allow you to immerse yourself in authentic some have balconies overlooking the Sierra Nevada mountains. A small restaurant, outdoor terrace, and gym are available. The sights of Granada are only a few minutes away, with the Albaicín area and Cathedral among the attractions within walking distance. and extra amenities such as a writing desk and soundproofing. Enjoy a sun-soaked breakfast from the dining room, or try some Portuguese cuisine in the restaurant open for lunch. For those that wish to explore central Lisbon, the nearest subway station is only 5 minutes away. Portuguese culture, from the two restaurants serving local cuisine to the wine room and cigar lounge. Make use of the spa facilities and outdoor pool or venture out to discover the city. The rooms are modern with Wi-Fi and cable television. Hipotels Sherry Park Hotel Fatima Hotel Puerta de Toledo The sherry may be the highlight of your trip to Jerez, but the Sherry Park hotel will make it taste that much better. The hotel boasts a large outdoor pool surrounded by sunbeds, a gym, and an award-winning restaurant. Let some light into your room with a furnished balcony and modern ensuite facilities. For intrepid Originally a boarding-house in the 1950s, Hotel Fatima has since developed into a modern destination. Its location - in the heart of town, steps from the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima makes it the perfect resting spot for spiritual visitors. The rooms are stylish and practical, some with balconies and views of the shrine. Named after a local monument marking the site of Madrid's 18th-century gates, the Hotel Puerta de Toledo is near a metro station and within walking distance of the city's many attractions. All rooms offer free Wi-Fi and bright, modern furnishings contributing to a clean and quiet stay. Olissippo Marquês de Sá Hotel Macia Condor explorers, Jerez city centre is only 15 minutes' walk away. Holiday Inn Porto Gaia Catalonia Santa Justa - 15 days Located in the Villa Nova de Gaia neighbourhood of Porto, Holiday Inn Porto PRICES / DATES INFO -4-
Departure dates noted with a 'G' are guaranteed to operate. All other departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 persons. Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'Single supplement' applies for single travellers who require their own room and needs to be added to the 'Twin/Double' price. If you are happy to share a room with another single traveller of the same sex on your tour, this can be arranged, thus avoiding the single person supplement. PRICES / DATES 2018 Date 19 May 09 Jun 07 Jul 28 Jul 01 Sep 22 Sep Twin Share Single - 15 days -5-