Discover the best of these two colorful countries on this exciting vacation to the regions of Castile, La Mancha, Andalusia, Costa del Sol, and Oporto. Among the highlights: visit the walled city of Toledo and Granada’s royal Alhambra complex. Also experience sunny Malaga and its surrounding resort villages, the British-owned Rock of Gibraltar, spectacular Seville, enchanting Evora, delightful Lisbon, and the famed Fátima sanctuary. Stop in Oporto, rich in culture and history and known for its Port wine production, as well as Salamanca, Avila, and Segovia, precious jewels in the heart of Spain. Spend your last two nights in Madrid, with an included sightseeing tour of this dynamic capital city.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Madrid, Spain. Check into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)
Day #2 Madrid–Toledo–Granada. A short morning drive south to Toledo. Spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River, the ancient Castilian capital attracts more sightseers from all over the world than any other Spanish town. Time to visit the old walled city, which was made famous in El Greco’s paintings. Even now it’s like a great open-air museum of Spanish history and art. Cross the Guadalquivir River and head for the olive and orange groves of the rolling Andalusian hills. Overnight in history-steeped Granada at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. (B,D)
Day #3 Granada–Malaga–Costa del Sol. Take advantage of the included visit with a Local Guide of the Alhambra, a summer complex built by the Moorish kings. You’ll treasure the memory of its architectural beauty, and magnificent gardens. This afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive along the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) via Malaga to your overnight hotel. (B)
Day #4 Costa del Sol. A day at leisure to enjoy the sandy beaches, browse through the trendy boutiques, or sample the many fancy restaurants. Don’t miss out on the optional excursion to Mijas, a typical Andalusian market town with some enchanting views of the coast from its upper terraces. (B,D)
Day #5 Costa del Sol–Gibraltar–Seville. First today, a visit to the strategic rock fortress of Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704. Then, on through the sunny sherry wine region on the Costa de la Luz (Coast of the Light) to vibrant, festive Seville. (B)
Day #6 Seville. One of Spain’s most colorful cities. Perhaps you’d like to spend this morning enjoying an optional sightseeing tour including the main highlights of the vibrant city. (B,D)
Day #7 Seville–Evora, Portugal–Lisbon. This morning, enjoy the scenery of the Sierra de Aracena before crossing into Portugal and the fertile plains of the Alentejo. Admire the forest of cork trees and make a stop in Evora, a delightfully attractive Moorish city with arches, alleys, flower-decked balconies, and brilliant white houses. Take the motorway for the drive into Lisbon for two overnights. (B)
Day #8 Lisbon. Henry the Navigator made Lisbon the 15th-century “Mistress of the Seas.” You’ll see his monument, the Belem Tower, the Moorish Citadel, the impressive Black Horse Square, and other highlights on the guided sightseeing excursion. Spend the afternoon in the Alfama’s tile-decorated streets, or take an optional excursion along the Estoril Coast to Cascais and Sintra. (B)
Day #9 Lisbon–Fátima–Oporto. North this morning by way of Santarém, using the motorway to reach Fátima for a visit of its world-famous sanctuary. Later, Oporto on the northern bank of the River Douro. Optional sightseeing with a Local Guide takes in many of the city’s highlights. (B)
Day #10 Oporto–Salamanca, Spain. A profusion of woodlands and mountains on your way to Spain by way of Fuentes de Onoro and Ciudad Rodrigo, located high above the Rio Agueda. Reach the ancient and beautiful university town of Salamanca in the early evening. (B,D)
Day #11 Salamanca–Avila–Segovia–Madrid. Leave Salamanca this morning, still visualizing its charming Plaza Mayor. Journey to fortified Avila with its many towers for an orientation tour. Visit St. Theresa’s convent before continuing to Segovia for a visit of this medieval town picturesquely set on a rocky hill. Cross the boundary between new and old Castile to arrive in Madrid. (B)
Day #12 Madrid. Not only is it the capital of Spain, but because it is situated 2,180 feet above sea level, the Spaniards rightly say Madrid is the nearest thing to heaven. Enjoy the main highlights on the included guided sightseeing excursion. (B)
Day #13 Madrid. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Hotels:
MADRID Praga (F)
GRANADA Don Juan (ST)
COSTA DEL SOL Las Piramides (F) at Fuengirola
SEVILLE Don Paco (ST)
LISBON Roma (ST)
OPORTO Quality Portus Cale (F)
SALAMANCA Catalonia Salamanca Plaza (F)
MADRID NH Ribera de Manzanares (F)