Itinerary

Day 1 Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrival in Madrid
Time to rest or to start exploring the Spanish capital. At 6 p.m. meet your tour director and traveling companions and have a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 3 Madrid
The capital of Spain since 1561, Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely turned towards the future. Morning sightseeing takes you to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala,
and Paseo de Castellana. Then the highlight: a visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. The afternoon is at leisure. An optional excursion to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen can be arranged. (BB)

Day 4 Madrid-Segovia-Salamanca. A day in beautiful Castile. Cross the rugged Sierra de Guadarrama on the way to Segovia, famous for its Alcazar and the 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct. Next stop for pictures of the walled town of Avila where St. Theresa founded the Order of Carmelites. Overnight in Salamanca, whose baroque Plaza Mayor is one of the country’s grandest squares. (BB,D)

Day 5 Salamanca-Fatima-Lisbon, Portugal. The majestic scenery of the Serra da Estrela mountain range forms the backdrop of your morning drive into Portugal. Before heading for Lisbon, melt into the stream of pilgrims from all over the world as you visit the BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY in Fatima.. (BB)

Day 6 Lisbon. Portugal’s imperial ambitions date back to Prince Henry the Navigator’s 15th-century discoveries in West Africa and did not subside until the 1970s. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features Belem Tower, guarding the estuary of the Tagus River, and JERONIMOS’ MONASTERY with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Drive past the bull ring to Pombal Statue and on along the grand Avenida da Liberdade. Then enjoy a walk through the cobbled alleys of ALFAMA, the quarter of the seamen. Afternoon and evening at leisure. This evening why not sign up for an optional dinner with Fado-style entertainment? (BB)

Day 7 Lisbon-Seville, Spain. On the way back to Spain cross the Alentejo plains of cork tree forests to reach the vibrant capital of Andalusia in the early afternoon. (BB,D)

Day 8 Seville. Listen to your Local Guide’s account of the city’s role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712, and its contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire MARIA LUISA PARK. Drive to the Plaza de España, the Gold Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the university, that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Visit the CATHEDRAL with Columbus’ tomb, the world’s largest Gothic edifice (on Sundays visit the 12th-century ALCAZAR instead). Then stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming Santa Cruz quarter. For a truly Andalusian night out, reserve a seat at our optional flamenco show. (BB)

Day 9 Seville-Tangier, Morocco. Through the sunny sherry wine region of Jerez to Algeciras. From here a FERRY CROSSING across the Straits
of Gibraltar to Africa. Continue to Tangier, jumping off point for the Moorish conquest of Spain and home town of the legendary medieval traveler Ibn Batuta. Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a stop for pictures at the sultan’s palace and a panoramic drive to CAP SPARTEL, where you will quench your thirst Bedouin-style with a glass of hot mint tea. Later time to explore this fascinating city on your own. (BB,D)

Day 10  Tangier-Torremolinos, Spain. Visit Tangier’s colorful GRAND SOCCO market and explore the narrow streets of the Casbah. Then return across the Straits with cameras at the ready as you approach the Bay of Algeciras. The vistas of the Rock of Gibraltar are spectacular! Then a drive to your hotel in Torremolinos along the elegant Costa del Sol. (BB

Day 11 At Leisure in Torremolinos. A day at leisure to catch up on your postcards, enjoy the sandy beaches, browse through the trendy boutiques, sample the many fancy restaurants.… You may want to join an optional excursion to the Rock of Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704. (BB)

Day 12 Torremolinos-Granada. Into the mountains to history-steeped Granada. Visit its main attraction, the ALHAMBRA, with a Local Guide. A fantasy of “lace in stone” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, it affords superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by Gypsy cave dwellers. Also amble through the magnificent WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE, the royal summer residence. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB,D)

Day 13 Granada-Toledo-Madrid. The olive and orange groves of the rolling Andalusian hills and later the more barren landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha unfold before your eyes on the way north to Toledo, spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River. A Local Guide takes you to the Moorish bridge, an early SYNAGOGUE, the 13th-century GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, and the Church of SANTO TOMÉ with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Time to visit a DAMASCENE STEEL WORKSHOP before returning to Madrid. Tonight why not join an optional dinner outing to celebrate the success of your Iberian vacation? (BB)

Day 14 Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)

Hotels
MADRID Agumar (F), SALAMANCA Alameda Palace (SF), LISBON Lisbon Marriott (SF), SEVILLE Hesperia Sevilla (SF), TANGIER El Minzah (SF), TORREMOLINOS Melia Costa del Sol (SF), GRANADA Carmen (F)

Pricing: Please contact us for 2008 rates