| Day 1 – Madrid at
Leisure Welcome
to Madrid, capital of Spain. Though an historic city founded in the 10th
century, it has become a 20th century capital built round a 17th century
core. On arrival at Madrid Airport you are transferred to your hotel. Then
relax and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before a Welcome Meeting with
your Tour Director. Hotel: Abba Madrid.
Day 2 – Madrid –
Granada
Leave Madrid and head south to
the town of Toledo, where you will walk the ancient cobbled streets to see
the Gothic cathedral. Afterwards, continue through the mountains to Granada,
the former capital of the Moorish Kingdom of Spain. Hotel: Corona.
(Full Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3 – Granada –
Seville
Spend the morning sightseeing.
You can also join an optional excursion to the Alhambra Palace and the
gardens of the Generalife, known as the gardens of Paradise. A beautiful
drive through white villages and brilliant fields of golden sunflowers
brings you to Seville, the capital of Andalucía and one of Spain’s most
charming cities. Consider spending the evening enjoying a Flamenco show
after dinner. Hotel: Alcora.
(Full Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4 – Seville
Sightseeing
On a guided sightseeing tour of
Seville, you will see the massive Cathedral, burial place of Christopher
Columbus and enriched with the spoils of the New World. Pass the Moorish
Giralda Tower and the Santa Cruz quarter with its flower-decked balconies,
before seeing the Alcazar. Later, see the Expo site where the World
Exhibition was held in 1992. The rest of the day is yours to relax or
sightsee. (Full Breakfast,
Dinner)
Day 5 – Seville –
Lisbon
Travel into the heart of
Portugal, across the modern Tagus Bridge to the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.
Hotel: VIP Arts. (Full
Breakfast)
Day 6 – Lisbon
Sightseeing
A panoramic guided tour takes
you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and across the tree-shaded
squares. Pass beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco,
finest square in the city. See the modern Monument to the Discoveries and
ancient Belem Tower – a fortress originally set in the middle of the river,
but now high and dry on the riverbank. Spend the afternoon at leisure: shop
for pottery or join an optional excursion to Sintra, once the summer
residence of the Kings of Portugal.
(Full Breakfast)
Day 7 – Lisbon –
Salamanca
Head north this morning to
visit the Basilica at Fatima, which commemorates the Virgin Mary’s
appearance before three children in 1917; it is one of the most important
centres for Roman Catholics worldwide. Cross the border back into Spain and
continue to the ‘Golden City’ of Salamanca. Hotel: Vincci Ciudad de
Salamanca. (Full Breakfast,
Dinner)
Day 8 – Salamanca –
Madrid
Your Tour Director shows you
the Plaza Mayor and the ancient Puente Romano bridge across the river Tormes.
Take a photo-stop at Avila to view the mighty walls and fortified cathedral.
Return to Madrid in the afternoon for a guided tour to show you the Royal
Palace, Plaza de Espana and Cervantes statue. Pass the Cibeles Fountain,
Parliament and cross the Puerta del Sol. Why not spend the evening in a
local restaurant on Plaza Mayor? Hotel: Abba Madrid.
(Full Breakfast) |
