All our multiday tours are well balanced between time to spend on day tours and free time which you can use for yourself. The important sights are covered within excursions, which are included in the general itinerary. However, for those who d like to spend even more time exploring the beauty of Spanish and Portugal cities, we have below the list of optional excursions which we may offer during the tour. IMPORTANT NOTES: - The tours below may or may not be offered. We always try to give you the opportunity to visit even more places, but if a particular group is initially small, the guide will not offer the tours because he/she knows that minimum won t be reached. If tours are offered, that would be done on the way to relevant cities (extra tours for Seville will be offered on the way to Seville, etc). - Also, if the tour is offered, but a required minimum is not reached, the tour will not take place. - Payment: if a minimum is reached and the tour will take place, you can pay the guide in cash or with credit card. All prices are below the tour description, and are given per person. You can pay directly to the guide with a cash or credit card. OPCIONAL TOURS IN SEVILLA: FLAMENCO SHOW + DRINK (39 ) Departure from the hotel by bus to the Andaluz Palace (Palacio Andaluz), where you will enjoy a magnificent flamenco show. Drink in included. Approximate duration 1,5h. Once the show finishes we will return by bus to the hotel. FLAMENCO SHOW WITH DRINK + BOAT (50 ) Departure to the boat pier situated next to the famous Torre del Oro, to board and enjoy the panoramic Guadalquivir river tour. For many centuries, the galleons sailed this waters to start their way into the Americas. During the panoramic tour, you will receive info about of the main monuments along the river and the modern architecture of Expo 92. Later will be departure to the Andaluz Palace to attend a beautiful flamenco show with a drink of Sangria or beer (lasts 1,5h approximately). Once the show finishes you will return to the hotel, with the bus and guide. FLAMENCO SHOW WITH DRINK + TAPAS (60 ) Departure from the hotel by bus to the Andaluz Palace (Palacio Andaluz), to see a magnificent flamenco show. Drink + selection of Tapas are included. Approximate duration of show 1,5h. Once the show finishes you will return to the hotel with the bus.
FLAMENCO SHOW WITH DINNER (60 ) Departure from the hotel by bus to the Andaluz Palace (Palacio Andaluz), to see a magnificent flamenco show with a full meal course dinner with drinks. Show lasts for 1,5h. Once it finishes, you will return to the hotel with a bus. BOAT (15 ) Departure to the boat pier situated next to the famous Torre del Oro, to board and enjoy the panoramic Guadalquivir river tour. For many centuries, the galleons sailed this waters to start their way to the Americas. During the panoramic tour, you will receive info about of all the main monuments along the river and the modern architecture of Expo 92. Approximate duration: 1 hour. ARTISTIC CITY TOUR IN SEVILLE (40 ) The excursion begins with a guided tour of approx. 1,5h to the Alcazar - monumental complex of palace and gardens. After, the tour continues by waking to the Jewish neighborhood where the bus will pick you up and the guide provides full panoramic tour, visiting the EXPO 92, passing by the different pavilions and the Cartuja Monastery. You will also visit the bull ring, the famous Calatrava bridges, and the Royal Tower, finishing at the Macarena Cathedral. The guide will give a brief explanation at the main door of the Cathedral, and will allow some free time to visit it. Once the excursion is over, the passengers can decide whether to stay in the center or return by bus to the hotel. ARTISTIC VISIT, R. ALCAZARES AND CATEDAL (51 ) The tour starts with a guided excursion (about 1,5h) of the Alcázar, - a monumental complex of palace and gardens. Then we will enter the Cathedral, which is considered the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third largest amongst all type of temples. The cathedral was declared a World Heritage Site. The construction took place over several centuries, and different parts of it represent different architectural styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Academic and Neogothic. The visit will last about an hour, and those who want will have the possibility to climb the Giralda Tower (15 min walking up the stairs). The tour ends in the center of the city where you have free time to explore more of Seville s center on your own. OPCIONAL TOURS IN GRANADA: FLAMENCO SHOW ZAMBRA GITANA (32 ) We will go up by minibus to the Sacromonte area of Granada, to enjoy an hour of the Flamenco Show La Cueva de la Rocio, with one drink included. Once the show finishes, we will be walking by the Albaracin neighborhood, stopping at the San Nicolas viewpoint to take some pictures, as views there are magnificent. Later we ll proceed to San Cristobal str., where we ll wait for the bus that will take us back to the hotel.
ARTISTIC CITY TOUR (36 ) This excursion begins with a guided tour to the Cartuja Monastery (lasts approx. 45 min). Later we ll go by bus, passing thorough Gran Via street and Plaza del Triunfo, finishing with a guided tour around the Royal Chapel Mausoleum of the Catholic Kings. After the tour, we will walk through the Arab Silk Market, located downtown, until we reach the Puerta Real a historic area in the city center. There we ll wait for the bus which will bring us back to the hotel. Duration of the tour: 2,5h. ARABIAN GRANADA (30 ) The tour begins with walking to the Albaicin Hill. Albaicin is an ancient Moorish area of Granada, famous for its rich architectural and historical Arabian inherance. On our way up, we ll pass by the Alhambra s beer factory ( Cervezas Alhambra ), whose beer has been awarded numerous number of times. Once in Albaicin, we ll get off the bus to make a guided tour. Walking down its narrow streets, small squares, and fountains, we will arrive to the Plaza Larga ( Grand Square ), famous for large flower and vegetable market. Afterwards we will see the famous Carmenes (small courtyards, full of flowers) and surroundings of the new Mosque, where you can only enter to pray. The most impressive place of the Albaicin is the view point San Nicolás, from where you can see the palace of Alhambra, Sierra Nevada mountains and the whole city of Granada. There you will have 20 min free to walk around and take pictures. After we ll get back to the bus to make a small sightseeing tour, passing by the famous Cartuja Monastery ( Monasterio de la Cartuja ), and Granada s avenues, streets, squares and main monuments, until we reach the old part of the city where we ll do a small walking tour. We will check the entrance of the Royal Chapel where many of the Catholic Kings are buried (for those who want to visit it later entrance is 4 euro). The guide will lead the group to the Alcaiceria, - a place that is declared a National Monument and is the only Arabian Market in Europe. Afterwards we will go to the Plaza del Carmen and the guide will show us the Navas St., where you can find the best Tapas restaurants. Free time to walk around or to have lunch (not included). After lunch we will go the Alhambra to do the scheduled guided tour. If we visit the Alhambra in the morning, then this optional tour would be done in the afternoon with some more free time for lunch. OPTIONAL TOUR FROM OPORTO: CRUISE OF 6 BRIDGES (30 ) This is a boat tour down the river Duero. We will start it from the upper part of the river, to see the entire Old Town (Casco Antiguo) of Porto, one of the sites of World Heritage. Then we get off the boat and will walk to the mouth of the Duero river, passing through a typical fishing village. Later the excursion will continue in rabelos boats copies of traditional Portugese cargo boats, that for centuries was used to transfer people and goods along the Douro river. During this tour you can admire all the bridges of Porto: The Maria Pia Bridge, built by Gustavo Eiffell; the Luis I Bridge, which was built by Theophile Seyrig in the 19th century, Arrabida bridge with the one of the longest arches in the world, the newest Infante de Henrique bridge, the futuristic Sao Joao bridge and the most remoted Freixo bridge.
OPTIONAL TOUR FROM VALENCIA: CITY TOUR (37 ) A Panoramic bus tour of the port area and a beach of Valencia, - you ll see famous "Formula 1" circuit with a stop for photos in La Arvarrosa beach. Our next stop will be near one of the most famous arquitectal compositions of Valencia - "City of Arts and Sciences", designed by one of the most famous arquitects of our time Santiago Calatrava. After some time there, we ll continue to a panoramic tour, passing along the empty channel of the River Turia and touring around the main streets, squares and monuments of the city. We ll get off the bus in the historic center and do a walking tour, where, among other highlights, you ll see the Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange), - the former main market of silk. Tour finishes near the Valencia Cathedral, where the Holy Grail is hosted. OPCIONAL TOURS IN BARCELONA: LIGHTS OF BARCELONA (30 ) This bus excursion starts with a visit to Park Guell, where you can enjoy the fabulous and wicked architecture of Antonio Gaudi probably the most famous Spanish architect. You can also oversee whole Barcelona from the park s viewing point. In continuation, we ll stop by the Basilica of Sagrada Familia probably, the most visited church in Barcelona, - where you will hear the full story of this place. On this particular tour you will not enter Basilica itself, but you can always get back there later. Our next move is a panoramic tour around the city, visiting the most famous places and areas of town, including the center of Passeig de Gracia and L Exampole district with it s famous Art Nouveau style. The short stop near another highlight Casa Mila (La Pedrera) is foreseen. And finally we will pay a visit to Plaza España - area, where the Universal Exhibition in 1929 was celebrated. Performance of Magic Fountains - a mix of fountains, lights and music should definitely not be missed. This excursion finishes at the Olympic Port. MODERNIST BARCELONA IN 2 HOURS (22 ) This tour is dedicated to the Modernism of Barcelona which is a historiographic denomination given to an art, literature and architecture movement in this city. Tour starts by visiting the hall of Palau de la Música, followed by a short panoramic tour around places typical for Art Nouveau style. Two stops are foreseen near the famous Gaudi building Casa Mila (La Pedrera) and the Olimpic Port. After we ll stop by Sagrada Familia one of the most visited places in Spain, where our guide will tell the full story of this place. On this tour, you will not enter Basilica itself, but you can always get back there later. Last point to visit beautiful Park Güell, where you ll get to know a fabulous style of Antonio Gaudi, and, of course, will enjoy the magnificent views of Barcelona. MODERNIST BARCELONA + SAGRADA FAMILIA (40 ) We ll begin our tour in Plaza Catalunya, and will move along Paseo de Gracia - the main and most expensive boulevard of Barcelona. It is also a street, famous for many buildings, which belongs to the Modernism times. Amongst them - the "Mansana de la Discordia or Block of Discord, with three buildings next to each other, but built in a different architecture style. We ll stop at Casa Mila (a.k.a. La Pedrera), which is also a famous work of Antonio Gaudi the last apartment house, that he created. Some free time for photos there. We ll continue with an inside visit to the famous Sagrada Familia, - the pearl and principal work of Gaudi, which he was building for 30 years and still hasn t finished, when he died. Nowadays, the construction still continues
and the church is considered the world s longest under construction site of our days. During the visit to the Basilica, we ll also check the museum of Gaudi, that covers his entire professional life from the beginning until his death. Later we ll get back with a bus and finish the visit in the center, at Plaza Cataluña. OPCIONAL TOUR IN SANTANDER: SANTANDER (30 ) First, we ll conduct a short panoramic tour, passing through the most emblematic places of the city: the popular beach of Santander - Sardinero, the casino, the sculpture facade of the headquarters of the Santander bank one of the top banks in Spain and currently in a top 20 largest banks in the world. You ll see the area of old residential mansions, the golf park and a bay of Santander, then we ll arrive to the lighthouse where free time for walk around and photos will be given. Then we ll depart to the island of Magdalena, passing the football stadium of Racing Santander (El Sardinero) and the Palace of Congresses with unique whale-shaped architecture. On the Island we ll stop at the entrance of the Palace of Magdalena, - an early 20 th century building of an eclectic style, combining English, French, and regional styles. On a special tourist train we ll travel through gardens and surroundings of the palace, during which the story of the place will be given. After, we ll return to the center of the city to visit the Cathedral of Santander (Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Asuncion). OPCIONAL TOUR IN OVIEDO: PANORAMIC VISIT + CIDER DEGUSTATION (37 ) Tour through the capital of Asturias Oviedo, will get you to a most notable sights of this northern Spanish town. You ll climb Monte del Naranco hill, from where you can oversee the whole area, you ll visit the Pre- Romanesque Church of San Julián de los Prados one of Unesco World Heritage sites. On the way back to the old town you ll pay a visit of the Cathedral of Oviedo. Final part of the tour Cider tasting - typical low alcohol drink, based on apple distillation, and produced locally (taste reminds of champagne a bit). Duration of the tour - approximately two and a half hours. OPCIONAL TOUR IN SALAMANCA (27 ): City tour around the ancient and central area of Salamanca, - a city, proclaimed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1988, -it stands out for its monuments and especially the University, - which considered one of the oldest in the world. We will see it during our walking tour, as well as the central square Plaza Mayor, the Casa de las Conchas a historical building from 15 th century, now serving as a library, and the Cathedral of Salamanca. OPCIONAL TOURS IN SAN SEBASTIAN: CITY TOUR + MONTE IGELDO (50 ) We ll first start with passing through the most famous parts of the city - the beach, then the Cathedral of San Sebastian, and the so-called romantic area, where the big chain stores and Belle Epoque buildings are next
to leafy pedestrian precincts. You ll see the Hotel Maria Cristina and the Victoria Eugenia Theater, as well as Kursaal Congress Center and Auditorium - work of the famous architect Rafael Moneo. Upon arrival at the Town Hall, we will start the walking through the old part of the city, passing by the Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro (Baroque) and San Vicente (Gothic style). We will continue to the pedestrian area where you will find the largest concentration of pintxos bars famous type of tapas of Northern Spain, the main difference being that pintxos are usually 'spiked' with a skewer or toothpick, often to a piece of bread. Later we ll finish the tour in the Plaza de la Constitución - Old Town s hall square. TOUR TO FRENCH TOWNS SAN JUAN DE LUZ AND BIARRITZ (60 ) This is the tour to Southern France, to visit a couple of beautiful villages, that are located just 30 and 45km respectively, from San Sebastian. First stop San Juan de Luz a small fishermen s and corsairs (pirates!) settlement, that got converted to a touristic spot in the end of 19 th century. The most important monument here is the parish of San Juan Bautista, where the King of France Louis XIV got married, also Spanish Infanta Maria Teresa of Austria. We pass along the port, the beach and walk through some shopping streets. We will continue towards Biarritz, which is 15 km away. Arrival to the lighthouse of San Martin will give us some stunning views of the Great Beach as well as the whole French Landes coast. In Biarritz - a city with a bit more than 20,000 habitants, were having their holidays both Frensh and Spanish kings, dukes and many rich and aristocratic families. Some emblematic highlights of the town to see: an old port, the church of Santa Eugenia, the casino or the Rock of the Virgin and its footbridge. TOUR TO FRENCH TOWNS SAN JUAN DE LUZ Y HONDARRIBIA (60 ) First stop French town of San Juan de Luz a small fishermen s and corsairs (pirates!) settlement, that got converted to a touristic spot in the end of 19 th century. The most important monument here is the parish of San Juan Bautista, where the King of France Louis XIV got married, also Spanish Infanta Maria Teresa of Austria. We pass along the port, the beach and walk thru some shopping streets. Continuation to Hondarribia a Spanish coastal town, bordering with France. We will visit the famous arch of Santa Maria and its impressive walls. This arch in the 15 th century used to be is the main entrance of the town, giving access to Plaza de Armas and a castle, as well as the town hall. Walking through the streets of the old part, we will reach San Pedro Street, famous for its colorful houses and numerous pintxos bars.