Portugal & Andalucia & Mediterranean Capitals 15 D

1st Day (Sun.) MADRID
Arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Accommodation at the hotel.

2nd Day (Mon.) MADRID
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, a panoramic city tour will take us through its medieval origins, including the Arab fortress and the Barrio de la Moreria, known for its ancient buildings and traditional taverns. We will explore the district of the Hapsburgs, characterized by Phillip II and its Renaissance and Baroque buildings at Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa. We will see the Madrid of the Bourbons and the urban planning of Charles III, including the Royal Palace, the Cibeles Fountain, the Neptune Fountain, and the Puerta de Alcalá. We will admire 19th-century landmarks such as the elegant Plaza de Oriente and the Prado Museum. We will also get to know contemporary Madrid with avenues like Gran Vía, Paseo de la Castellana, the Salamanca neighborhood, Parque del Oeste, commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Afternoon at your leisure. Accommodation at the hotel.

3rd Day (Tue.) MADRID – SALAMANCA – PORTO
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Salamanca. Free time in this University and World Heritage City of great architectural and artistic wealth. Departure to the Portuguese border until you reach Porto. Accommodation.

4th Day (Wed.) PORTO
Breakfast at the hotel. Panoramic sightseeing tour of Porto, considered a World Heritage city. We admire the Cathedral, Stock Exchange building and Santa Clara church. Afterwards, enjoy a different perspective of the city along the Douro River and discover the historic heritage visiting one well-known Port Wine Cellars with a wine tasting included. Rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation.

5th Day (Thu.) PORTO – COIMBRA – FATIMA
Breakfast. Departure towards Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and cradle of Fado. Free time. Continuation to Fátima, center of the Christian Faith and a World Pilgrimage Sanctuary, with its impressive Basilica and the Cova da Iria, where the Virgin Mary appeared. We recommend visiting the Chapel of the Apparitions, the heart of the sanctuary, with the tombs of the three little shepherds: Lucía, Francisco, and Jacinta. In the evening, possibility to attend the candlelight procession. Accommodation.

6th Day (Fri.) FATIMA – BATALHA - NAZARE – ALCOBAÇA – LISBON
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline architecture, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the picturesque fishing town of Nazaré. Free time, then proceed to Alcobaça (also a World Heritage Site), with its Gothic church and Cistercian monastery, whose origins date back to the 12th century. Continue on to Lisbon. Arrival in the Portuguese capital and accommodation.

7th Day (Sat.) LISBON
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, enjoy a city tour of Lisbon, formerly known as Olissipo, covering its main squares and avenues, the Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery (exterior), and the Monument to the Discoveries. The afternoon is free to explore the city’s charming corners, such as the Alfama district, or to join the optional excursion to Sintra and Cascais (both World Heritage Sites). Accommodation at the hotel.

8th Day (Sun.) LISBON – MERIDA – CORDOBA
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards Mérida, the capital of Extremadura. Declared a World Heritage Site, Mérida is renowned for its rich historical heritage, including its well-preserved Roman ruins: the theater, the amphitheater, the Roman bridge, and more. Free time and then continue to Cordoba, once the capital of the Caliphate. Accommodation at the hotel.

9th Day (Mon.) CORDOBA – SEVILLE
Breakfast at the hotel. Impressive tour of the Mosque, today a Cathedral, that will ease our mind and spirit strolling through its narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, after a short two-hour ride reach Seville. Accommodation at the hotel.

10th Day (Tue.) SEVILLE
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, monumental and panoramic city tour, including entrance to the Cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peter’s in Rome. We will also visit the typical Barrio de Santa Cruz, the natural setting of “Carmen” and the place where the myth of “Don Juan” developed, as well as María Luisa Park and Plaza de España. Afternoon at leisure to explore different perspectives and local flavors of this vibrant, sun-filled city. Accommodation at the hotel.

11th Day (Wed.) SEVILLE – GRANADA
After breakfast at the hotel, drive east through the Caliphate road to the heart of Andalusia observing an endless number of olive trees on the way to Granada and its incredible and amazing monumental environment, last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms up to 1492. Visit the world-renowned Alhambra complex and Generalife Gardens that have inspired several authors with its sound and sights, such as the “Tales of the Alhambra” by Washington Irving. Accommodation at the hotel. In the evening, optional Flamenco Zambra show.

12th Day (Thu.) GRANADA – VALENCIA
After breakfast at the hotel, departure towards the east to arrive in Valencia, one of the main capitals of the Mediterranean coast, featuring its modern City of Arts and Sciences complex, which includes six buildings: the Hemispheric, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanogràfic, Palau de les Arts, and Ágora. Valencia is also the birthplace of the internationally renowned “Paella”. Accommodation at the hotel.

13th Day (Fri.) VALENCIA – BARCELONA
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of this bright city including a drive through the old city showing the most prominent buildings, we will then be driven past the old riverbed of the Turia to the most avant-garde complex “Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias” to watch the emblematic exteriors of the six buildings. Early afternoon departure northward all along the Mediterranean coast to Catalonia, via Tarragona, the Roman Tarraco. Reach Barcelona, a major Mediterranean city and homeland of the famous architect Gaudí, symbol of the Catalan modernism. Accommodation at the hotel.

14th Day (Sat.) BARCELONA
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Barcelona, well known worldwide for the Olympic Games during 1992, drive along the main avenues with impressive modernist buildings by Gaudí such as La Pedrera or Casa Milá and Casa Batlló – declared World Heritage buildings. The Montjuic Park with spectacular views of the city, Olympic Ring and monument to Columbus. The afternoon is for you to keep on discovering this city full of attractive offers as well as exquisite and varied gastronomy. Accommodation at the hotel.

15th Day (Sun.) BARCELONA
Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the airport. END OF OUR SERVICES