Over eleven fascinating days you will discover the cultural riches of Andalusia, from Phoenician times all the way through the Roman, Muslim, Jewish and Christian periods. Visit spellbinding World Heritage sites such as Seville’s Alcazar and Cathedral, Cordoba’s Great Mosque and Granada’s Alhambra. Then explore Portugal’s most enchanting cities, beginning with a religious pilgrimage. See the first Portuguese Gothic-style church in Alcobaca, admire the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria, and attend the candle-lit procession at the Marian Shrine in Fatima. Explore one of the world’s oldest universities in Coimbra, stroll through the alleys of Alveiro, and make a stopover in Oporto, an acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage site.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Seville: Discover the charming capital of Andalusia, admire its interesting architecture and learn about its glorious past while visiting the world-famous Plaza de España, the former royal palace, the imposing cathedral, and the lively old Jewish quarter.
Cordoba: Visit a real Spanish treasure with an enchanting past and an inspiring present. Wander around Cordoba’s former Jewish district, explore the old town, and get closer to the spirit of this medieval marvel.
Granada: Enjoy a fascinating tour of the historical city of Granada. Admire its architecture, learn about its rich history, and let its mesmerising beauty dazzle you.
Fatima: This impressive religious pilgrimage spot welcomes up to six million visitors a year.
Oporto: Portugal’s second largest city greets you with unforgettable landmarks and delicious local wine.
Nazare: Considered one of the most typical villages in the country, Nazare is a lovely place facing a beautiful sandy beach.
Day 1: MADRID – SALAMANCA – PORTO (570 km – 6 Hrs)
Join the group at the meeting point at 8:30 in the morning (Departure from established hotels in Madrid. Please refer to your documentation for detailed departure information). From there, drive to Salamanca. Here you can spend some free time wandering around this World Heritage University City of great architectural and artistic value. Afterwards, drive across the Portuguese border until reaching Porto, where you will check in to your hotel for the night.
Overnight in Porto
Day 2: PORTO
Breakfast at the hotel. Panoramic sightseeing tour of Porto, considered 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 cruise and discover the historic heritage by visiting one well known Port Wine Cellars with a wine tasting included. Rest of day at leisure.
Overnight in Porto
Day 3: PORTO – COIMBRA – FATIMA (215 Km – 2,5 Hrs)
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and then depart to your next destination: Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and the birthplace of Fado. After some free time wandering around the city, continue to Fatima, a world-renowned centre for the Christian Faith and a World Pilgrimage Sanctuary. Contemplate its impressive Basilica and the Cova da Iria, the legendary place where the Virgin Mary miraculously appeared. The Chapel of the Apparitions, heart of the sanctuary, contains the tombs of the three shepherds who witnessed the miracle, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. At night, conditions permitting, you have the option to attend the procession of the candles.
Overnight in Fatima.
Day 4: FATIMA – BATALHA – NAZARÉ – ALCOBAÇA – LISBON (190 Km – 3 Hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, hit the road and drive to the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of the Gothic and Manueline styles, listed as a World Heritage place by UNESCO. Continue then to the picturesque fishing town of Nazaré, where you’ll spend some free time absorbing its quint atmosphere. Continue later to Alcobaça, yet another World Heritage site, and visit its famous 12th-century church and the tombs of Pedro and Inés de Castro. Then one last drive takes you all the way to Lisbon, where you’ll check in and spend the night.
Overnight in Lisbon.
Day 5: LISBON
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a morning sightseeing tour of the ancient Olissipo, as Lisbon was known in Roman times. Drive through its main squares and avenues, and see renowned landmarks like the Belem Tower, the Jeronimos Monastery, the Coach Museum, the Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square and Liberty Avenue. Spend the afternoon at leisure wandering through the nostalgic corners of the Alfama Quarter, the old city gathered next to the city castle, with old buildings nested in narrow twisting “Ruas” of coloured houses and genuine tabernas playing Fado late into the night.
Overnight in Lisbon.
Day 6: LISBON – MERIDA – CORDOBA (585 Km – 7 hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel depart towards Merida, the capital of Extremadura. Declared a World Heritage Site, Merida 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.
Overnight in Cordoba
Day 7: CORDOBA – SEVILLE (145 Km – 2 hrs)
Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel before hitting the streets to join a tour of this fascinating historical city. Admire its impressive “Mosque” – today reconverted into a Cathedral – and a great many other interesting sites. Ease your mind and spirit by strolling through the narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, after a short two-hour ride, reach Seville, where you’ll check in.
Overnight in Seville
Day 8: SEVILLE
After breakfast at the hotel, head out on a morning panoramic tour of the city. Marvel at the exterior of the second largest cathedral in the Catholic world after St. Peters in Rome, before continuing to explore the Santa Cruz quarter. This charming neighbourhood is a natural setting for “Carmen” and where the myth of “Don Juan” developed. Later visit Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España. The afternoon is free for you to spend at leisure discovering exclusive views or specific flavours of this lively city.
Overnight in Seville
Day 9: SEVILLE – RONDA – COSTA DEL SOL (235 Km – 3,5 hrs)
Recharge your batteries with breakfast at the hotel and then drive south passing by a number of charming typical villages. Reach Ronda and enjoy some free time admiring this town of Celtic origin and the marvelous view it offers of the valley and surrounding mountain range. In the afternoon, continue to the Costa del Sol, one of the most modern and important international tourist areas in this part of Spain.
Overnight in Costa del Sol
Day 10: COSTA DEL SOL – GRANADA (140 Km – 2 hrs)
Wake up to breakfast in the hotel before departing towards Granada and its incredible monumental environment, the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms up to 1492. Once you set foot in this historical city, visit the world-famous Generalife Gardens that have inspired several authors with its sound and sights, such as the well-known “Tales of the Alhambra” by W. Irving.
Overnight in Granada
Day 11: GRANADA – TOLEDO – MADRID (445 Km – 4,5 hrs)
Enjoy one last breakfast at the hotel and then drive northward to the impressive Imperial city of Toledo. See it emerge from the horizon and reach for the sky of Castile. Enveloped in the embrace of the Tagus River, this UNESCO-listed World Heritage City was once the home of members of the three Abrahamic religions: Christians, Muslims and Jews. A mélange of Spanish art, history and spirituality, the whole town is a National Monument. Join a guided tour of this historical town and lose yourself in the beauty of its narrow streets. Continue then to Madrid, where the tour reaches its conclusion.
Breakfast included.
