AMAZING SPAIN & PORTUGAL (CLASSIC GROUP)
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Duration
Min People
Tour Type
Tour Code
INSIGHT-ES
Overview
From walking the cobblestone streets of a former Roman colony to tasting a decadent ‘Pastel de Nata’ tart made from a 200-year-old secret recipe, this 9-day guided tour allows you to embrace the best of old-world Spain and Portugal. Listen as metal sizzles in a master artisan’s hands as he teaches you the craft of Damascene. In Granada, wander the fragrant and arabesque gardens of the Alhambra Palace. Learn the art of flamenco dancing, stomping your feet to the sounds of an acoustic guitar, in a private lesson with professionals in Seville. Then, cross the Portuguese border to scale a 16th-century fortress in Lisbon and visit Fátima, Portugal’s most holy site. Finally, raise a glass and say ¡salud! to these ancient wonders during a celebration feast in Madrid.
Included/Excluded
Day 1: Welcome to Madrid (Dinner with Wine)
- Explore the elegant boulevards, expansive parks, and varied architectural styles in Madrid.
- Join your Travel Director for your Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
- Enjoy the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers over a delightful evening of good food and wine.
Day 2: The old capital of Toledo and on to Granada (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Visit the fascinating city of Toledo, situated high above the River Tagus.
- Toledo was Spain’s capital during the golden era, where Arab, Jewish, and Christian cultures flourished side-by-side through the Middle Ages.
- Venture south to meet a local artisan in a Damascene workshop for a personal insight into this ancient craft.
- The craft was handed down by the Moors centuries ago.
- Enjoy a walk within the city walls of Toledo, through the narrow cobbled streets, led by your Local Expert.
- Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, housing El Greco’s famous painting, ‘The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.’
- Your journey continues to Granada.
Day 3: The Alhambra Palace and Seville, City of Carmen (Breakfast)
- Explore the Alhambra Palace with your Local Expert, bathed in the morning light.
- The Alhambra Palace is a fantasy of arabesque gardens, fountains, and stone cut like lace.
- Visit the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the summer residence of the Spanish royals.
- Take a moment to relax in the sunshine and enjoy the fine views over the town and its three verdant hills.
- Continue on to Seville.
- Visit the Seville Cathedral, the burial place of Christopher Columbus.
- Explore the city with Insight Choice.
- Choose to embark on a walk through the old Jewish quarter.
- Alternatively, enjoy a drive with panoramic views.
Day 4: Free Time and Flamenco in Seville (Breakfast)
- This day is yours to completely relax or continue exploring the fascinating city of Seville.
- Optionally, join an Optional Experience to Córdoba and visit the magnificent Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it.
- Visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant, for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
- This private dance school is dedicated to promoting the conservation of flamenco and supports young enthusiasts from all over the world with a special focus on new talent from the Andalusian region.
- Feel the passion behind the choreography as you put your rhythm to the test during a dance lesson.
- Witness emotions come to life in a flamenco performance.
Day 5: Évora and onto Lisbon (Breakfast)
- Continue to the lively university town of Évora, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Portugal, with architectural styles dating back to Roman Times.
- Visit the fascinating Capela dos Ossos, a chapel decorated with 5000 bones.
- Make your way to Lisbon.
Day 6: Lisbon and the Age of the Discoveries (Breakfast)
- Travel into the green hills north of Lisbon to visit Fátima, the most celebrated place of pilgrimage in Portugal.
- Visit the chapel commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three children in 1917.
- Cross the border, returning to Spain.
- Continue to Salamanca, famous for its golden stone buildings and the handsome arcades of the Plaza Mayor.
- Across the River Tormes, see the Puente Romano with 15 of its 26 arches dating from the time of the ancient Romans.
Day 7: Holy Fátima and Salamanca (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Travel into the green hills north of Lisbon to visit Fátima, the most celebrated place of pilgrimage in Portugal.
- Visit the chapel commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three children in 1917.
- Cross the border, returning to Spain.
- Continue to Salamanca, famous for its golden stone buildings and the handsome arcades of the Plaza Mayor.
- Across the River Tormes, see the Puente Romano with 15 of its 26 arches dating from the time of the ancient Romans.
Day 8: Ávila and Madrid (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Cross the rock-strewn hills of the Castile, to arrive at Ávila.
- Admire the impressive city still entirely enclosed within its 11th-century walls, a unique occurrence in Europe.
- Return to Madrid to explore more of the capital with your Local Expert.
- At a local restaurant, join your Travel Director and newfound friends for a lively Celebration Dinner.
Day 9: Depart Madrid (Breakfast)
- Today bid farewell to your journey along Spain and Morocco as you transfer to the airport.
Departure Transfer: Arrive at Madrid-Barajas airport at 07:00, 09:00, 11:00
- Day 1: Barceló Emperatriz
- Day 2: Vincci Albayzín
- Day 3 – Day 4: Meliá Sevilla
- Day 5 – Day 6: Turim Saldanha Hotel/Corinthia Hotel Lisbon (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
- Day 7: Hotel Alameda Palace
- Day 8: Barceló Emperatriz