DAY 1: USA/MADRID
Depart New York via overnight transatlantic flight with
meals on board.
DAY 2: MADRID
Early morning arrival at Madrid's Barajas International
Airport where you will be met by your local host. Transfer
to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.
DAY 3: MADRID (B)
Your morning begins with a tour of Madrid featuring the
Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, the Puerta del Sol and Retiro
Park. Afternoon is at leisure.
DAY 4: MADRID/CORDOBA/SEVILLE (B, L, D)
Departure in the morning to Cordoba through the La Mancha
country. After lunch you will begin a sightseeing tour that
will include the Arab Mosque the Cathedral and the Jewish
Quarters. After the visit you will continue to Seville.
Dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: SEVILLE (B, D)
After breakfast depart on a panoramic tour of this charming
city. You will visit the well cared for gardens of Maria
Luisa Park, walk through the typical district of Santa Cruz
and visit the Cathedral (15th C.), the largest Gothic Cathedral
in Christendom, with a magnificent chapel with paintings
from Murillo, Zurbaran and Goya. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner
and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 6: SEVILLE/GRANADA (B, D)
After breakfast depart to Granada. Built in the foothills
of Sierra Nevada mountain range, it was the stronghold of
the Nazeri Dynasty and the last Moorish Kingdom of Spain.
Sightseeing includes the Alhambra, famous fortress and the
supreme monument of the Moorish architecture, the Palace
of Charles V and the gardens of Generalife. Dinner and overnight
at the hotel.
DAY 7: GRANADA/TOLEDO/MADRID (B L)
After breakfast you will depart to Toledo where you will
have lunch followed by sightseeing of this historical town.
After the visit of Toledo you will continue to Madrid. Overnight.
DAY 8: MADRID/LISBON (B)
Morning transfer to Madrid airport for your short flight
to Lisbon. Upon arrival at Lisbon's International Airport
you will be met by your local host and transferred to your
hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.
DAY 9: LISBON/NAZARE/FATIMA/LEIRIA (B, D)
Today you will travel northward to Obidos, a medieval symbol
of narrow streets surrounded by walls. Further on, you will
visit the fishing village of Nazare, typical for old customs
from its people and a beautiful panoramic view from Sitio.
An architectural landmark, the Monasteries of Batalha and
Alcobasa reflect the faith that brings thousands of pilgrims
to Fatima. Visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. Continue
to Leiria for dinner and overnight.
DAY 10: LEIRIA/CONIMBRIGA/COIMBRA/BUSSACO/ESPINHO (B,
D)
After breakfast you will depart from Leiria for a visit
to the famous Roman ruins of Conimbriga, then continue to
Coimbra which invites you to discover its old traditions
and University. In the afternoon enjoy the exuberance of
the forest of Busaco, visit the Venice of Portugal the city
of Aveiro with its canals. You will arrive in Espinho by
late afternoon. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 11: ESPINHO/PORTO (B, D)
This morning you will take a short ride to the city of Porto
- a living amphitheater and start a morning visit to discover
the riverside area, old houses, old palaces and churches
that history has made eternal. Porto is also the capital
of the world famous Porto Wine. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner
and overnight.
DAY 12: PORTO/MINHO/PORTO (B, D)
After breakfast you will start your visit to the Green Minho
region, the cradle of Portugal. In the Green Wine area,
Guimaraes is the symbol of Portuguese nationality, and Braga,
the ancient bulwark of the Christian Faith. Luxuriant greenery
surrounds us on our way to Barcelos with its wealth of belvederes,
handicrafts and art. Return to Porto for dinner and overnight.
DAY 13: PORTO/VILA REAL/URGEIRICA (B, D)
Today you will travel through a landscape speckled with
granite houses with wooden or wrought-iron balconies. Enter
the Port Wine region in the Douro Valley via Amarante and
Vila Real, two very typical small country towns in the wine
region. In the afternoon you will arrive to Viseu in the
mountainous hinterland, a city of warriors and painters.
Continue to Urgeirica for dinner and overnight.
DAY 14: URGEIRICA/CASTELO DE VIDE (B, D)
After breakfast you will be taken to the heart of Portugal.
You will see the beauty of the Estrela Mountain Range, the
highest point of the country, a world of shepherds and their
flocks, famous for its cheese, snow and harsh, irregular
landscape. Continue south to Castelo Branco, with its lovely
gardens and embroidered quilts. You will arrive in Castelo
de Vide in the late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight.
DAY 15: CASTELO DE VIDE/EVORA/LISBON (B)
After breakfast start a short visit to beautiful Castelo
de Vide, proud of its Jewish quarter of whitewashed houses.
Continue to the city of Evora, a living museum of tradition
and history and visit the Roman Temple of Diana. You will
be arriving in Lisbon by mid afternoon. Overnight.
DAY 16: LISBON (B)
After breakfast you will depart on a tour of Lisbon. Visit
The Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, Rossio Square and
the old quarters of Alfama.
Balance of the day at leisure or you may wish to enjoy
an optional tour to Sintra and Estoril.
DAY 17: LISBON/USA (B)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for
your departure flight.
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