Memories of Spain & Portugal | 11 Days

Day 1 – Friday:                              MADRID – SALAMANCA – VIGO

Depart from selected Madrid hotels at approximately 08:15, or the bus terminal located at, Calle Ferraz 3, Madrid, at 08:00a.m. (Check your voucher for exact information regarding your pickup or if you need to make your way to the terminal. Please be at the terminal no later than 07:45). Depart to Salamanca. Time at leisure to walk through this monumental city and its famous Plaza Mayor. Continue to Vigo. Dinner and overnight in Vigo. (D)

Day 2 – Saturday:                          VIGO – VIANA DO CASTELO – BRAGA – PORTO

After breakfast, cross the Portuguese border and arrive in Viana do Castelo, city located between the mouth of the river Miño and Porto. Free time to visit the old town with cobbled streets and emblazoned buildings. We continue to Braga known as the city of the archbishops and the third most populated city in Portugal. Free time. Proceed to Porto for overnight. (B)

Day 3 – Sunday:                            PORTO

Panoramic tour of Porto to admire the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange Building, and Santa Clara Church. Visit a local wine cellar to taste the famous Port wine. Overnight Porto. (B)

Day 4 – Monday:                           PORTO – COIMBRA

After breakfast, depart for Coimbra, site of one of the oldest universities in Europe and the birthplace of Fado, the music of Portugal. Time at leisure. Overnight Coimbra. (B, L)

Day 5 – Tuesday:                           COIMBRA – FATIMA – LISBON

After breakfast, travel to Fatima, an important pilgrimage centre. Free time to visit the Shrine and afterwards continue to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal located at the mouth of the Tagus River. Overnight Lisbon. (B)

Day 6 – Wednesday:                    LISBON

Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Lisbon including the old Alfama Quarter, Tower of Belem, and Monastery of Los Jeronimos. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight Lisbon. (B)

Day 7 – Thursday:                         LISBON – CACERES – SEVILLE

Morning departure to the border with Spain before continuing to Cáceres. Free time at leisure to explore its Plaza Mayor and to walk through the old city and its famous medieval quarter, very well preserved and considered a World Heritage place. Continue south to Seville in Andalucia. Overnight Seville. (B, D)

Day 8 – Friday:                               SEVILLE

Morning city sightseeing tour, including María Luisa Park, Plaza de España, the exterior of the city’s stunning Cathedral and its bell tower, called Giralda and the typical neighbourhood of Santa Cruz with its streets, squares, and narrow alleys. If you wish, you can optionally navigate the Guadalquivir River, during which you will enjoy a panoramic view of the Gold Tower and Expo 92 or visit to the Maestranza bullring. Lunch at a restaurant. Overnight Seville. (B, L)

Day 9 – Saturday:                          SEVILLE – RONDA – COSTA DEL SOL

After breakfast, depart along the Route of the White Villages for Ronda. You will have some free time before continuing to Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol where you have the afternoon at leisure. Overnight Torremolinos, Costa del Sol. (B, D)

Day 10 – Sunday:                          COSTA DEL SOL – GRANADA

Departure to Granada. Visit to the spectacular group of monuments of the Alhambra and Generalife, former residence of the Moorish kings, with its magnificent fountains, gardens, and arches. Overnight Granada. (B, D)

*Note: If the Patronato of the Alhambra and Generalife do not grant tickets for participants to visit the Alhambra and Generalife, a tour of the city of Granada will be provided instead. Visit to the Palace of Carlos V, the Archaeological Museum, Church of Santa María de la Alhambra, Royal Chapel, and a walk through the city Alcaiceria (silk market) and the Cathedral Square.

Day 11 – Monday:                        GRANADA – TOLEDO – MADRID
Breakfast and departure towards the Imperial City of Toledo, full of history and monuments. Lunch and panoramic view from Mirador del Valle and walk through its old town. End of our services upon arrival into Madrid city centre. No hotel drop off. You will need to make your own way to the hotel. (B, L)

Accommodation (or similar):

VIGO: Hesperia Vigo Hotel

PORTO: Holiday Inn Porto Gaia, or Rubens Hotel Gaia

COIMBRA: Hotel Coimbra Affiliated By Meliá

LISBON: Lutecia Smart Design Hotel

SEVILLE: Silken Al-Andalus Palace

COSTA DEL SOL (TORREMOLINOS): Sol Principe

GRANADA: Los Angeles Hotel

Includes:

• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with free WI-FI onboard
• Accommodation as listed below or similar
• Meals as per itinerary
• Touring with Multilingual speaking guide
• Sightseeing tour with local guide in Porto, Lisbon, Seville, Granada, and Toledo
• Visit to a wine cellar with a tasting of Porto wine
• Entrance fees and local taxes

Things to Note:

–          Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes, but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.

–          Itinerary is subject to change at any time without notice.

–          Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m. Service charges and tips for baggage handling are not included in the tour price.

–          Tour can be a combination of regular tours, therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.

–          In the unusual event that group number is less than 12 people, the Tour Operator reserves the right to operate the tour by minibus or private car with an expert bilingual driver. Local visits to monumental cities will be by official local guides.