Bienvenido! Welcome to Madrid! You will be collected at the airport and transferred to our hotel. There is time to freshen up and relax before our included Welcome Tapas Dinner this evening.
2024 departures: In 2024, the welcome Tapas dinner is offered on day 2 instead.
Today we take an all-encompassing coach tour of Madrid. Highlights of the excursion include the historic Barrio de la Morería region, Habsburgs District, Puerta del Sol central square, Plaza Mayor and the Neptuno Fountains. These are dedicated to Neptune, a Roman water god. In the more modern part of the city we see the Salamanca district, Plaza Castilla and Parque del ste. We also see the Santiago Bernabeu, the football stadium of Real Madrid, the most successful European club.
During our tour, enjoy the chance to taste typical chocolate and churros, a popular sweet treat in Spain. The rest of the day is at leisure.
2024 departures: In 2024, chocolate and churros tasting is not included.
Madrid - Salamanca - Porto (Portugal). Departing Madrid after breakfast, we make a stop in the university city of Salamanca, with free time to enjoy a stroll around. After our visit, we cross the border into Portugal and complete our drive to Porto. One of the oldest cities in Europe, Porto is located along the Douro River estuary and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Today is spent exploring Porto with a number of included activities. We enjoy a guided city tour, taking in highlights such as the Cathedral, Stock Exchange and Santa Clara Church. We also take a cruise on the Douro River, which runs through the heart of Porto. And we visit one of the riverfront Port Wine Cellars, with included tasting of this local drink. This evening, enjoy an included dinner and Fado show at one of the oldest Fado venues in the whole of Porto.
2024 departures: In 2024, the included Fado show and dinner will instead take place in Lisbon.
Porto - Aveiro - Coimbra. Departing Porto after breakfast, our first stop today is in Aveiro. Here we enjoy a ride on a moliceiro, a traditional boat used for navigating the canals of the town. Aveiro is known as the "Venice of Portugal", and rightly so! Our next stop is Coimbra. This riverfront city is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, which was established in 1290. It was also the birthplace of Fado music. We are spending the night in Coimbra and there's free time to explore.
2024 departures: After breakfast, we depart to Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and the birthplace of Fado. Time at leisure. Continue to Fatima, centre of the Christian Faith and a World Pilgrimage Sanctuary with its impressive Basilica and the Cova da Iria, where the Virgin Mary appeared. We can see the Chapel of the Apparitions at the heart of the
sanctuary, where the tombs of the three shepherds, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta are located. At night we may be able to attend the procession of the candles. Overnight - Fatima.
Coimbra - Batalha - Nazare - Lisbon. This morning we visit the UNESCO-listed Batalha Monastery, a 14th Century Gothic masterpiece, built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. We then enjoy some free time in the quaint fishing village of Nazare before arriving in Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. We enjoy an included seafood dinner at a local restaurant.
2024 departures: Please note in 2024 our departure will be from Fatima instead of Coimbra and dinner is not included this evening.
Our day starts with a city sightseeing tour, taking in many of Lisbon's highlights. We see the city's main plazas, the fortified Belem Tower, Jeronimo's Monastery, the Monument to the Discoverers and the Marquis of Pombal Square roundabout.
The rest of today is free, and we recommend you head into the Alfama Quarter, the oldest part of Lisbon. Crowned by the Sao Jorge Castle, this part of the city features narrow alleyways and colourful 'tabernas'.
2024 departures: Please note that in 2024, the included Fado show and dinner takes place tonight.
Lisbon - Merida (Spain) - Cordoba. Departing Lisbon, we cross back into Spain and make a stop in Merida. We have time to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is known for its incredible Roman ruins. We can see the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre before we continue to Cordoba for the night..
2024 departures: Please note in 2024 we will visit Caceres instead of Merida. Here we will explore the Old Town and the Plaza Mayor main square.
Cordoba - Seville. This morning we tour Cordoba, an important Roman city that was also an Islamic centre during the Middle Ages. The most important landmark here is the sprawling La Mezquita mosque-cathedral, which dates back to 988 AD. Entrance to the mosque is included on our tour and we also take a stroll through the Jewish Quarter before departing the city and travelling south-west to Seville, capital of Andalusia. Tonight, we enjoy an included dinner of typical Andalusian cuisine.
2024 departures: Please note that in 2024, dinner is not included tonight.
Today we explore Seville on a guided tour. Entrance to the city's cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world, is included. We also visit the Santa Cruz Quarter, where the famous opera 'Carmen' is largely set. Wander through Maria Luisa Park and the picturesque Plaza Espana. After our tour, the afternoon is free for you to further explore Seville at your own pace.
Seville - Jerez - Ronda. Leaving Seville after breakfast, we pass through quaint Andalusian villages to Jerez. Here we will visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and enjoy an included wine tasting at one of the region's renowned wineries. We continue our journey towards Ronda, stopping along the way to visit an olive oil production facility. Arriving in Ronda, the rest of the day is at leisure.
2024 departures: Please note that in 2024, we make a stop in Ronda before heading to the Costa del Sol, where we stay in Malaga or Torremolinos.
Ronda - Malaga - Granada. After breakfast, we head to the coastal city of Malaga. We can spend some time exploring the city's Roman and Arab past before continuing to Granada, located at the foot of Sierra Nevada. We will enjoy an included Flamenco dance masterclass before attending an included dinner and Flamenco show. After dinner, we will head to one of the city viewpoints to take in our surroundings.
2024 departures: In 2024, we travel from the Costa del Sol to Granada and visit the Alhambra Complex today. There is an included Flamenco show and dinner.
Granada - Madrid. This morning we visit the world-famous Alhambra. This stunning palace and fortress complex was built during the Nasrid Dynasty in the 13th and 14th centuries. Originally constructed as a small fortress in 889 AD on Roman remains, it was later transformed into a royal palace by the Moors. The Alhambra showcases exquisite Islamic architecture, with intricate carvings, stunning tilework, and tranquil gardens, reflecting the cultural zenith of Islamic Spain before the Christian Reconquista in 1492, when the Alhambra was surrendered to Ferdinand and Isabella.
After our included visit to the Alhmabra, we make our way back to Madrid, and there is an included farewell dinner this evening.
2024 departures: In 2024 we will visit the hilltop city of Toledo today on our way back to Madrid. There is no included dinner in the evening.
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before our tour comes to an end. There is an included transfer to the airport.
