Itinerary for Highlights of Spain & Portugal • Expat ... · DAY 5: Algarve - Lisbon Today we travel to Lisbon, Portugal! Along the way we'll visit the Algarve, the stunning southern

Expat Explore - Version: Mon Jul 13 2020 09:38:45 GMT+0200 (South Africa Standard Time) Page: 1/7

DAY 1: Madrid

Welcome to the start of your 9 day tour of Spain and Portugal! On arrival in Madrid, make your way to the hotel to meet up with your

tour leader and the other travellers in the tour group. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore Madrid, or

alternatively relax in the comforts of the hotel. This evening, you will get your first taste of Spain with dinner included, giving you a

great opportunity to meet the other travellers in the group.

Experiences

Madrid: Join the tour in Madrid and, if you arrive early, explore the Spanish capital before meeting up with the tour in the evening for

an included dinner.

DAY 2: Toledo - Granada

Itinerary for Highlights of Spain & Portugal • Expat Explore

Start Point:

Hotel in Madrid,

Please contact us

15:00-17:00 hrs

End Point:

Madrid,

Central Train Station

13:00 hrs (traffic dependent) Madrid hotel,

Please contact us

14:00 hrs (traffic dependent)

Included Meals

Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner:

Accommodation

Hotel Elba Madrid

Sercotel Madrid Aeropuerto


This morning, we leave Madrid and head to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Toledo. You are sure to fall in love with this charming

medieval town, with its Gothic architecture and its impressive Cathedral. The tour continues south to the Moorish city of Granada.

This afternoon, your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour to give you a great insight into this beautiful region of Spain.

Experiences

Visit Toledo: Experience the Gothic architecture found throughout this UNESCO World Heritage Site city. The history of this region

goes all the way back to the Bronze Age!

Orientation tour of Granada: Learn more about the Moorish influence in southern Spain. Granada is often called "Damascus of the

West." First an Iberian settlement, it came under the influence of the Moors in the 8th century. The neighbourhood of Albaicin offers

original narrow winding streets and many fine examples of Moorish and Morisco architecture. Granada is also home to the famous

Alhambra.

DAY 3: Ronda - Seville

The journey through Andalusia continues! Spend the morning exploring the city of Granada, or join our optional excursion to the

Alhambra Palace (please note: this excursion must be pre-booked). In addition to a rich Moorish and Medieval history, Granada is a

fascinating city packed with street art, culture and the best restaurants. After a morning of exploring find your way to Ronda, a town

Included Meals


Accommodation

Macia Condor Hotel


located on both sides of the El Tajo gorge. The most iconic site here is the ‘Puente Nuevo’ (New Bridge). Take in the spectacular views

from the bridge before taking a leisurely lunch. The final stretch of the day takes you to the enchanting city of Seville. Sit down this

evening for a traditional tapas dinner followed by a driving and walking tour accompanied with a local guide. This is the ideal way to

take to the streets of Seville to soak up the culture, tastes, sights and sounds of the city.

Experiences

Ronda: Stop over in Ronda and see the towering ‘Puente Nuevo’ (New Bridge). Found on top of the El Tajo gorge, Ronda is a unique

little town. Here, you’ll catch a glimpse of some truly breathtaking views!

Seville: Explore Seville on a guided walking tour and learn more about its history, culture and architecture. Seville is where some

famous scenes for TV series and films were shot. These include Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Lawrence of Arabia.

Tapas dinner: Tapas are small plates of hot and cold dishes, and Seville is known to have more than 3,000 tapas bars. At the included

dinner this evening you'll be able to try some of these famous dishes, including ham croquette, fried cuttlefish, shrimp omelette,

ratatouille and goat cheese with pepper jam.

Optional Excursions

Alhambra Palace & Gardens: € 80

* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.

DAY 4: Seville: Free Day

Legend has it that Seville was founded by Hercules, and it has certainly had a colourful history it was named Hispalis by the Romans

and Isbiliya by the Moors. With a full free day, you will have all the time in the world to explore this beautiful and pleasingly compact

city. Seville is famous for its flamenco, tapas bars and orange bars. The cobbled streets of the old town make for a pleasing morning

stroll, while in the afternoon you may wish to visit the Metropol Parasol for amazing views, the palaces of Alcázar Casa de Pilatos or

the Museum of Flamenco.

Included Meals


Accommodation

Hotel Virgen de los Reyes

Included Meals


Accommodation

Hotel Virgen de los Reyes


Optional Excursions

Flamenco Dinner Show: € 60


DAY 5: Algarve - Lisbon

Today we travel to Lisbon, Portugal! Along the way we'll visit the Algarve, the stunning southern coastal region of Portugal that

features golden beaches and limestone cliffs. We'll make a comfort stop at one of these beautiful beaches so you can top up your tan

or take a dip in the ocean. Upon arrival in Lisbon we take you on an orientation tour of the capital, from the imposing Sao Jorge Castle

to the pastel colours of the old town, Lisbon has it all.

Experiences

Visit the Algarve: Enjoy a scenic drive through the Algarve. This is definitely one of Portugal's most spectacular regions - complete

with rugged cliffs, golden beaches and crashing waves! Spend some time on one of the stunning Algarve beaches.

Lisbon driving tour: Drive alongside the Tagus river and along some of Lisbon's most famous streets and learn about the history, the

culture and Portuguese lifestyle. Sights like the Sao Jorge Castle and the colours of the Old Town are not to be missed. There are

seven miradouros (viewpoints) dotted around the city - all offering glorious views of the city and its surrounds!

DAY 6: Lisbon: Free Day

Included Meals


Accommodation

Hotel Roma Lisboa


Today is your free day to explore Lisbon on your own. See Lisbon's landmarks, including the Monument to the Discoveries and the

Belém Tower or discover the hill top district of Bairro Alto, with dozens of restaurants and bars lining the narrow streets and lots to

see and do. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Sintra, a charming UNESCO World Heritage Site village and the capital of the

Romanticism in Portugal, known for its striking monuments. This evening enjoy one of Portugal's cultural highlights; Fado music.

Unique to Portugal, it is arguably the oldest urban folk music in the world - you are sure to discover bars in this area playing this type

of music.

Optional Excursions

Sintra Half-Day Trip: € 50


DAY 7: Obidos - Porto

On our way to Porto this morning we’ll stop off in Obidos, a classic fortified town with narrow cobbled streets, picturesque houses and

an imposing hilltop castle. We continue our tour of Portugal and enter into Porto - the second largest city and one of the oldest

European centres. Your tour leader will take you on a walking tour of Porto, where you will see Ponte de'Luis - a stunning bridge which

Included Meals


Accommodation

Hotel Roma Lisboa


crosses the River Douro, the Clerigos Tower and many other famous landmarks. One of Portugal’s famous exports is port wine, which

is named after Porto, and you will have the opportunity to taste it this afternoon at the included Port tasting.

Experiences

Obidos: Enjoy some free time to explore the picturesque medieval streets of this charming town. The main gate into Obidos, Porta de

Vila, contains a beautiful tiled chapel depicting the passion of Christ, and the walls of the town can be walked in around one hour.

Porto driving and walking tour: See picturesque Porto from the coach and on foot. Learn about the history of the architecture, sights

and the culture of this city and its UNESCO World Heritage Site historical centre.

Port tasting: Try Portugal's most famous drink - Port! It's a sweet, fortified red wine, often served as a dessert wine in dry, semi-dry

and white varieties.

Optional Excursions

Douro River Cruise: € 12


DAY 8: Guarda - Salamanca

It is time to depart Portugal and travel back to Spain, as our journey today takes us through the countryside. This morning we make

one more stop in Portugal before we arrive back in Spain. Guarda was founded in the 12th Century by King Sancho I, and much of the

fortified towers and defensive walls he built survive to this day. Once we arrive into Salamanca, you will have time to freshen up at

the hotel and enjoy some free time. We recommend you visit the old town and go up the Cathedral Bell Tower, which offers amazing

panoramic views of the town and its surroundings. To cap off the evening we'll enjoy an included farewell dinner, offering three

courses of delicious food from around the province of Salamanca.

Experiences

Visit Guarda: Enjoy free time to explore the highest city in Portugal. Guarda is a historic city home to fortified towers and walls built

during King Sancho I’s reign that survive to this day. At its heart is a Cathedral built in a mix of Gothic and Manueline styles. Other

highlights include the Guarda Museum, Jewish Quarters and the Corgas da Matança Dolmen, a portal tomb that provides a window

into the lives of the people who lived across the Iberian Peninsula during the Neolithic Period.

Included Meals


Accommodation

Hotel ibis Porto Gaia


Orientation tour of Salamanca: Join your tour leader for a tour of this Spanish city that was founded nearly one thousand years ago!

Salamanca boasts incredible architecture, impressive cathedrals, plazas and palaces.

DAY 9: Avila - Madrid

Today is the last day of your Spanish & Portuguese tour. This morning we depart Salamanca and travel to Avila, where we take a

comfort stop. Avila is notable for its many Romanesque and Gothic churches, and the famous and incredibly well preserved medieval

walls. We then continue onto the capital Madrid, where the tour will conclude in the afternoon.

Experiences

Avila: Visit this beautiful medieval town en route to Madrid. This walled town and its Cathedral are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

You’ll have some free time to explore the main sights in the historic centre, such as San Vicente de Ávila, a church that is one of the

best examples of Romanesque architecture in the whole of Spain.

Included Meals


Accommodation

Gran Hotel Corona Sol

Included Meals


Documents

Itinerary for Highlights of Spain & Portugal • Expat ... · DAY 5: Algarve - Lisbon Today we travel to Lisbon, Portugal! Along the way we'll visit the Algarve, the stunning southern