Spain | Tour Code: 11947
With this 15 days private tour, you will be learning the traditions, customs and history of the main Portuguese and Spanish cities.
Highlights
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Travel in the comfort of a Private Luxury Mini Van equipped with air conditioning, panoramic windows and reclining seats. Guided throughout by an experienced driver-guide with safety and comfort in mind!
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Stay in handpicked boutique accommodation throughout your itinerary
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Visit Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic Cathedral in Europe!
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Enjoy a traditional Flamenco show in a cave in Granada
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Taste the classical tapas of Madrid
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Take a boat ride along the river Douro
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Experience an intimate interpretation of Fado in Lisbon
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Try an authentic Valencian paella
Overview
Depart from Madrid and stop by the medieval city of Salamanca before crossing the Portuguese border to reach Porto. Travel to Coimbra, a medieval old town famed for its historic university, and explore the city at your own pace before continuing to Fatima. The city’s Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima is a renowned pilgrimage site where apparitions of the Virgin Mary appeared a long time ago. Continue your journey to the remarkable Monastery of Batalha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then move on to Nazare and Alcobaca for more historical wonders. Reach Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, and join a day tour around the ancient Olisipo.
Discover the beautiful southern region of Andalusia by exploring the Unesco Heritage Citiy of Cordoba, the capital of the region Seville with its Gothic Cathedral, Granada with its stunning Alhambra complex. Travel east towards the mordenist Valencia, also well known as birthplace of the popular "Paella". Complete your journey by visiting Barcelona, homeland of the famous architect Gaudí symbol of the Catalonian modernism.
Inclusions
- 2 nights in Madrid at Catalonia Gran Via- 4*
- 2 nights in Porto at NH Collection Porto Batalha - 4* Hotel
- 1 night in Fatima at Santa Maria Hotel - 4*
- 2 nights in Lisbon at Hotel Tivoli Avenida Liberdade - 4* Hotel
- 1 night in Cordoba at H10 Palacio Colomera - 4*
- 2 nights in Seville at H10 Casa de la Plata - 4*
- 1 night in Granada at NH Victoria - 4*
- 1 night in Valencia at Hospes Palau de la Mar - 4*
- 2 nights in Barcelona at Catalonia Ramblas - 4*
- Private transfer from Madrid Airport to Madrid
- Departure private transfer from Barcelona to Airport
- Air conditioned deluxe minibus or car
- Daily Breakfast
- Guided visits in Madrid, Porto, Lisbon, Cordoba, Seville, Valencia & Barcelona.
- Tapas tour Historical, gastronomic experience in Madrid
- Fado show with dinner in Lisbon
- Seville Cathedral and Boat Trip on the Guadalquivir
- Guided visit of the Alhambra & Generalife Gardens in Granada
- Flamenco Zambra in Granada
- Modernist Valencia plus dinner with Paella
- Driver-guide throughout the itinerary
Itinerary
Meet and greet at the airport. Take a transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight stay in Madrid at Catalonia Gran Via.
Morning guided city tour of Madrid; discover the medieval origins of the city, like the Arabic fortress, at the Barrio de la Morería, famous for its historical buildings. Drive through the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs characterised by Phillip II and its Renaissance and Baroque style buildings, Puerta del Sol, 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. Admire the 19th Century works such as Prado Museum. The contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. Free time for Lunch.
In the late afternoon, take a Tapas Tour- Historical, gastronomic experience: Stroll through the Madrid of the Austrias and discover its most curious legends and stories, we will visit several typical Madrid establishments where you can taste the most classical tapas of the capital. Taverns full of flavour and history, a living memory of traditional Madrid. In each of them we will try some of its most characteristic tapas, accompanied by local wines (our suggestion, you can request any another type of drink).
In the evening, strolling through the Madrid of the Austrias and discovering its most curious legends and stories, we will visit several typical Madrid establishments where you can taste the most classical tapas of the capital. Taverns full of flavor and history, a living memory of traditional Madrid. In each of them we will try some of its most characteristic tapas, accompanied by local wines, pairing with the lid (our suggestion, you can request any another type of drink).
Overnight stay in Madrid at Catalonia Gran Via.
After breakfast, drive to Salamanca. You will have some free time to explore Salamanca, a University City and World Heritage of great architectural and artistic wealth. In the afternoon, travel to the Portuguese border and reach the opulent city of Porto.
Overnight stay in Porto at NH Collection Porto Batalha.
Breakfast at the hotel, then take a 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 River Douro aboard the BlueBoats Cruise and discover the historic heritage visiting one wellknown Port Wine Cellars with a wine tasting included. Rest of day at leisure.
Overnight stay in Porto at NH Collection Porto Batalha.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Travel to Coimbra. City seat of one of the oldest universities in Europe and the birthplace of Fado. Free time for lunch and then proceed to Fatima. Centre of the Christian Faith and World Pilgrimage Sanctuary with its impressive Basilica and the Cova da Iria place where the Virgin Mary appeared. The Chapel of the Apparitions, heart of the sanctuary, with the tombs of the three shepherds, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. At night you may have the chance to attend the procession of the candles.
Overnight stay in Fatima at Sainte-Marie Hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline style considered a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Continue to the picturesque fishing town of Nazaré. Free time to relax and continue to Alcobaça (World Heritage) with its Gothic church and Cistercian Monastery, whose origins date back to the 12th Century. Last stop for the day is Lisbon where you will stay for the next 2 nights.
Overnight stay in Lisbon at Hotel Tivoli Avenida Liberdade.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning sightseeing tour of the ancient Olissipo, driving through its main squares and avenues, Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Coach Museum, 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 colour, housing the genuine “tabernas” where Fado sounds.
In the evening, enjoy a typical Portuguese dinner visiting one of the oldest Fado venues in the city and located in one of the most interesting cultural neighborhoods in the area.
Overnight stay in Lisbon at Hotel Tivoli Avenida Liberdade.
Breakfast at the hotel. Early departure to Caceres considered a World Heritage Site because of the city’s blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. Walk through its Plaza Mayor and the Old Town with its famous Medieval Quarter. Afterwards, continue on towards Cordoba, once the capital of the Caliphate.
Overnight stay in Cordoba at H10 Palacio Colomera.
Breakfast at the hotel. Take an impressive tour of its Mosque and other sites that will ease our mind and spirit strolling through its narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, after a short two hours deive, you reach Seville.
Overnight stay in Seville at H10 Casa de la Plata.
After breakfast, you will join a panoramic city tour of the stunning Seville, where you will visit the Gothic Cathedral with the largest area in the world; declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO is 1987. Its construction dates back to 1401 on the site where the old Aljama Mosque was located, of which the “La Giralda” Minaret symbol of Seville is preserved. Climb its 104-metre bell tower with the best views of the city. You will also visit the Patio de los Naranjos and the Tomb on the pedestal of Christopher Columbus. Then, continue to Santa Cruz quarter, Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España.
In the afternoon, you will take a one-hour boat ride on the Guadalquivir River, the river of the great waters and main Port of Spain in the Indian Campaign, which will allow us to contemplate and admire the fine silhouette of this magical city.
Overnight stay in Seville at H10 Casa de la Plata.
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 , the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms up to 1492. Visit the world famous Alhambra complex and Generalife Gardens that have inspired several authors with its sound and sights, such as the “Tales of the Alhambra” by W. Irving.
Stop at the Flamenco Temple, that is an imposing cave divided into three sheds, creating a cruising shape, leading to a large central area where the stage is located, elevated one metre above the ground, to promote visibility from any point of the cave. You will enjoy a typical Flamenco show in the cave of Albaicín, full of strength and beauty. Then, take a tour of the most rhythmic sticks of this art, such as: flamenco tangos, bulerías, alegrías, guajira, soleá or bulerías or segurilla, alternating the dance moments with some contemporary flamenco singing and guitar playing.
Overnight stay in Granada at NH Victoria .
After breakfast, drive towards the Mediterranean Coast. Via Murcia, capital of the fertile garden of the Segura River, continue north via Alicante, the second largest city within the region of Valencia. Reach Valencia one of the main capitals of the Mediterranean Coast with its modern Arts and Sciences Architectural Complex integrated by six elements: Hemispheric, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanographic, Palau de les Arts and Ágora. Valencia is also the home of the internationally well renowned and delicious “Paella”.
In the late afternoon, we will discover the Paseo de la Alameda, the Ensanche, with significant buildings such as the Casa Chapa or the Ortega house, to continue to the neighbourhood of Colón, from which we will start a walking tour that will reveal an eclectic and original city: the Casa de los Dragones, and its commercial area, the Plaza del Patriarca and the Palace of the Marquis de dos Aguas, the street of La Paz, the most modernist city and entry point of medieval Valencia. Our tour will end at a local restaurant where we will enjoy the original and authentic Valencian paella. The menu consists of starters, Valencian paella, dessert, coffee and a drink.
Overnight stay in Valencia at Hospes Palau de la Mar.
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 river bed of the Turia to the most avant-garde complex “Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias” to see the emblematic exteriors of the six buildings.
Early afternoon departure northward along the Mediterranean Coast to Catalunya, via Tarragona, the Roman Tarraco. Reach Barcelona, the homeland of the famous architect Gaudí, symbol of Catalonian modernism.
Overnight stay in Barcelona at Catalonia Ramblas.
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 (Casa Milá), – declared a World Heritage building. – The Montjuïc Park with spectacular views of the city, Olympic Ring, monument to Columbus and the Olympic Port. Afternoon at leisure for you to keep on discovering this attractive cit, as well as its exquisite and varied gastronomy.
Overnight stay in Barcelona at Catalonia Ramblas.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport.
Additional Information
- We work with a selection of hotels in each location. All bookings are subject to availability, which means our team will confirm your specific hotels upon confirmation and payment of deposit. The package price is based on 4-star accommodation.
Blackout dates may apply during festive season.
Excluded
- International airfares and taxes
- Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
- Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
- Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
- Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.),
- Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
- Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package
