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Spain and Portugal 12 Days |
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Visit: Madrid - Salamanca - Fatima - Lisbon - Cascais - Seville - Granada - Valencia - Barcelona
Tour Code: RTESP12 |
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| Detailed Itinerary |
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Day
01 |
USA - Madrid, Spain |
| Our 12-days Spain and Portugal vacation begins as we board the flight bound for Madrid, the Europe's highest capital. |
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| Day 02 |
Madrid
(D) |
| Spain, one of the great holiday countries of the world, has seemingly endless beaches, spectacular castles and plazas with proud heritages. After check in to the hotel, we are free for leisure activities. Perhaps check with the tour director for an optional visit to the world famous Prado Museum before the dinner. |
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| Day 03 |
Madrid
(B) |
| After breakfast, our sightseeing tour of Madrid begins. It shows us Plaza Espana, Puerta Del Sol and Columbus Fountain and with a visit to the Bourbon's Royal Palace, a bustling architecture with 2800 rooms, built in the 18th century and one of the best-preserved palaces in Europe. The afternoon is free for your own exploring and Madrid's fabulous shopping. Why not enjoy an optional bullfight show tonight? |
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| Day 04 |
Madrid - Salamanca - Coimbra, Portugal - Fatima
(B,D) |
| Drive up to the ancient university city of Salamanca where we will visit the fabulous Plaza Mayor, and the University, one of the oldest in Europe and a notable example of Renaissance and Plateresque architecture. Continue drive through the beautiful countryside into Portugal and on to Coimbra. The city tour takes us to the University Town built in 12th century on a hill. Arrive at Fatima in the evening for overnight accommodation. |
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| Day 05 |
Fatima - Lisbon
(B,D) |
| Fatima is the noted shrine city of the holiest sites for Roman Catholics where the Virgin Mary appeared. Some free time will be given to us for visiting the Shrine and to enjoy our lunch. In the afternoon we proceed to Lisbon, a city built on hills overlooking the Tagus River, and the capital city of Portugal. Travelers are amazed to see the enchanting tile works of the city. |
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| Day 06 |
Lisbon - Cascais - Sintra - Lisbon
(B) |
| A panoramic city tour shows us main squares and avenues and visits to the Discovery Monument, 16th century's Belem Tower, and Jeromino Monastery. Afterwards, an unforgettable scenic drive takes us through the Sunny Coast and its beaches, villages, oak forests, cork tree groves, and the colorful bay of Cascais, for Sintra where we are amazed to see the charming Palace and Gardens. Return to Lisbon later in the afternoon. For optional activity tonight, why not take in the traditional Fado performance with dinner? |
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| Day 07 |
Lisbon - Seville, Spain
(B) |
| Depart Lisbon and cross the border for the Moorish city of Seville located in the valley of the Guadalquivir. Upon arrival our sightseeing tour starts with visits to the dramatic Seville Cathedral, Plaza Espana, Murillo Park, the Jewish Quarter of Santa Cruz, the colorful Maria Luisa Park, and the Giralda Tower. Tonight, you may experience the excitement of the traditional Flamenco Dance by taking the optional activity. |
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| Day 08 |
Seville - Granada
(B,D) |
| Proceed south through the typical Andalusia landscapes of olive groves and cornfields amidst mountains to the 14th century Nazari Kingdom of Granada, the last Islamic Kingdom inhabited jointly by Jews, Christians and Muslims. You may see the unforgettable view of gypsy cave dwellings on the hills along the drive. The highlight of today's tour is the Moorish Palace Alhambra, and the Generalife Garden. After dinner, an optional activity "Journey of Cave Culture" is arranged for you to experience. |
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| Day 09 |
Granada - Alicante
(B,D) |
| Today we depart Granada towards the Mediterranean coast through the breathtaking mountains landscapes along the picturesque villages to Alicante, a city which is famous for its beaches and year round sun-shine. |
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| Day 10 |
Alicante - Valencia - Barcelona
(B,D) |
| Valencia is not only a sizable industrial city but its surrounding areas are also the vegetable and fruit gardens of Spain. An orientation tour of Valencia shows us the Silk Exchange and the Indoor Food Market. Afternoon continue driving along the coast to Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain in both size and population and a vital Mediterranean port. Barcelona is renowned as the city of Gaudi and the capital of Catalonia. |
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| Day 11 |
Barcelona
(B) |
| A panoramic drive takes us to all the most important sights of the city: the Rambla Street, Catalonian Square, Columbus Monument at the pier, the 1992 Summer Olympic Site, Gaudi's stunningly unique and still unfinished Holy Family Church (outside visit), in addition to the world renowned Guell Park. In the afternoon we have an opportunity to visit the world famous Picasso Museum. |
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| Day 12 |
Barcelona - USA
(B) |
| Our tour ends as we are transferred to the airport for our homebound flight. |
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