Madrid, Portugal & Andalusia (ENGLISH ONLY - SMALL GROUP) 16 Days
16 Days : Barcelona - Madrid - Porto - Coimbra - Lisbon - Cordoba - Seville - Ronda - Granada
Tour overview:
Your amazing 16-day trip begins in Madrid to see the medieval origins of the city and the many historical buildings. You will drive to Avila, a city still preserved with its medieval walls. Next you will head over to see amazing views of Porto and end the day in a wine cellar for a wine tasting. Visit Fatima, the center of the Christian Faith and World Pilgrimage Sanctuary. In Lisbon, drive through its main squares and avenues. Explore Cordoba, once the capital of the Caliphate with its impressive Mosque and Jewish Quarter. You will find yourself in Seville for you to discover wonderful views and flavors of this light city.
Day 1 - Arrive Barcelona
Arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2 - Barcelona
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Barcelona. Drive along the main avenues with its impressive Gaudi modernist buildings such as La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. The Montjuïc Park with spectacular views of the city and harbor, Olympic Ring, monument to Columbus and the Olympic Port. Visit the most important landmark in the city of Barcelona, Sagrada Familia. Admire Gaudi’s masterwork by the hand of your expert local guide. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 3 - Barcelona - Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the train station to take the high-speed train to Madrid. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.
Join your fellow travelers for an authentic Welcome Tapas Dinner. (B,D)
Day 4 - Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the beauties of the city with a guided city tour. Barrio de la Morería, the Hapsburgs District, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. The contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. During the visit, we will taste the typical chocolate with churros, the most Madrid-style snack. Afternoon at leisure to continue exploring the wonders that the city has to offer. (B)
Day 5 - Madrid - Salamanca - Porto
Breakfast at the hotel. Bound for Portugal, we will drive towards Salamanca. Enjoy some free time in this University City and World Heritage Site of great architectural and artistic wealth. Continue to the Portuguese border to reach Porto. Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European towns, and proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. (B)
Day 6 - Porto
Breakfast at the hotel. Guided sightseeing tour of Porto. Admire the Cathedral, Stock Exchange building and Santa Clara church. Afterwards, enjoy a Douro River Cruise and discover famous Port Wine Cellars with a wine tasting experience included. Rest of the day at leisure. Tonight, you will have the opportunity to share a typical fado show with dinner with your fellow travelers. (B,D)
Day 7 - Porto - Aveiro - Coimbra
After breakfast, we depart to Aveiro, known for its picturesque canals, which have earned it the nickname “The Venice of Portugal”. We will enjoy a ride on a moliceiro, a traditional colorful boat used for navigating the canals of Aveiro, before heading to Coimbra. We will meet the local guide for a tour of Coimbra, a historic city known for its prestigious university (one of the oldest in Europe), charming medieval streets, and beautiful riverfront. (B)
Day 8 - Coimbra - Batalha Nazare - Lisbon
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline style considered a World Heritage place by UNESCO. Continue to the picturesque fishing town of Nazaré. Free time and continue to Lisbon.
In Lisbon, we will cross the Tagus River to Cacilhas and enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant featuring seafood. (B,D)
Day 9 - Lisbon
After breakfast, join a morning city sightseeing of the ancient Olissipo. Drive through its main squares and avenues, Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square & Liberty Avenue. Afternoon at leisure for you to catch the nostalgic corners of Alfama Quarter, the old city gathered next to its Castle, with old buildings nested in narrow twisting “Ruas” full of color housing the genuine “tabernas”. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy this magnificent city. (B)
Day 10 - Lisbon - Merida - Cordoba
Breakfast at the hotel. Bound for Andalusian soils, back in Spain, we drive to Merida, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved Roman ruins, including the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre. Explore its rich historical heritage before continuing to Cordoba, once the capital of the Caliphate. (B)
Day 11 - Cordoba - Seville
Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the impressive tour of Cordoba´s Mosque (entrance included) and other sites that will ease our mind and spirit strolling through its narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, continue your journey towards Seville. Tonight, you will have the opportunity to discover Andalusian cuisine at a local restaurant with your fellow travelers. (B,D)
Day 12 - Seville
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of the Andalusian Capital, Seville. Visit the Cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peters in Rome. Continue to Santa Cruz quarter, the natural scenario of Carmen as well as the myth of Don Juan; continue to Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España. Afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy the city of light. (B)
Day 13 - Seville - Jerez - Ronda
After breakfast, travel south through Andalusian villages to Jerez, where you will be captivated by two of the essential elements of the Andalusian soul: wine and horses. We will visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, and will enjoy a wine tasting in one of the famous local wineries. Continue to Ronda. Visit an olive oil production facility at LA Organic and taste their organic olive oil. Rest of the day at leisure to discover the secrets of Ronda. (B)
Day 14 - Ronda - Malaga - Granda
After breakfast, depart for Malaga. Visit the city and explore its historical and cultural attractions. Malaga is a city full of corners that look back on several centuries of history, from the time of the Romans (with its magnificent theatre) to the Arab, with the Alcazaba or the Castle of Gibralfaro. Continue to Granada. This city, located at the foot of Sierra Nevada, between the Darro and Genil rivers, is one of the jewels of Andalusia. Here, the impressive Andalusian legacy, represented by the Alhambra, is complemented by Renaissance architectural gems. We will have the chance to learn how to dance flamenco before attending a dinner with a flamenco show in one of the most typical venues in Granada. After dinner, we invite you to take the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful views of Granada from one of the city's viewpoints. (B,D)
Day 15 - Granda - Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. We will visit the world famous Alhambra complex with a Local Expert (entrance included) and Generalife Gardens. Then, depart to Madrid. In Madrid, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner. (B,D)
Day 16 - Depart Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport. (B)