Tour Duration: 15 days Tour Code: 68302012 Tour Type: Panorama Prices From: A$1919 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring lively Madrid. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers. (D)
2
MADRID. Of the Spanish capital, situated 664 metres (2,180 feet) above sea level, the Spaniards say it's the nearest thing to heaven. You've only a day here and it's certainly worth making the most of it by joining the included guided sightseeing tour: a full panoramic drive by way of the Avenida Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Parliament Square, and a picture stop outside the Royal Palace. The optional trip to Toledo is most rewarding, too. The splendid setting of this old walled city above the Tagus was made famous in El Greco's painting, and even now it's like a great open-air museum of Spanish history and art. (B)
3
MADRID-AVILA-SALAMANCA-COIMBRA, PORTUGAL. West for a visit to fortified Avila with its many towers. Next is Salamanca, just ten kilometres (six miles) from the spot where Wellington routed Napoleon's army in 1812. Make sure you spend some time wandering around Plaza Mayor, the grandest square in Spain. Across the frontier to Guarda, the highest town in Portugal. From here, descend to the valleys of the Serra da Estrela to Coimbra for an overnight. (B,D)
4
COIMBRA-BATALHA-FATIMA-LISBON This morning, enjoy your orientation tour of Coimbra, celebrated for its beauty and ancient university. Later, travel southwards to Batalha with a visit to its beautifully sited monastery. Today's penultimate highlight is a visit to the Sanctuary of Fatima. A sterner and more desolate landscape accompanies you to Lisbon for your overnight in Portugal's capital. A stop en route includes a wine bodega and some wine tasting. (B)
5
LISBON. Henry the Navigator made Lisbon the 15th-century "Mistress of the Seas". On the included tour, see his monument, the Belem Tower, the Moorish Citadel, and the impressive Black Horse Square. Spend the afternoon in the Alfama's tile-decorated streets, or take an optional excursion to coastal Estoril and Cascais. (B)
6
LISBON-SEVILLE, SPAIN From the rolling plains of the Alentejo with its woodlands of cork and eucalyptus trees, southwards all the way to the brilliant light of Andalusia. Admire its neat white-painted villages and sun-drenched plantations of olives, figs, and almonds, while travelling by way of Beja into magnificent Seville. (B)
7
SEVILLE. At leisure in one of Spain's most colourful cities. Perhaps you'd like to spend this morning enjoying an optional sightseeing tour including the main highlights of this vibrant city. (B,D)
8
SEVILLE-FERRY TO MOROCCO-FEZ An interesting drive today starts with views of the sherry wine region before reaching the coast for embarkation on the ferry to Morocco. Next, motor south along what was once northern Africa's infamous Barbary Coast. Join the new motorway for the drive southwards, then west, bypassing Meknes for two overnights in Fez. (B,D)
9
FEZ. At leisure in ancient Fez, which occupies a position of outstanding scenic beauty. This morning, visit the Medina on the included sightseeing and enjoy the maze of narrow streets through the colourful bazaars and the exotic atmosphere. (B)
10
FEZ-MIDDLE ATLAS-MARRAKESH While motoring through the Middle Atlas on your way to Marrakesh, enjoy glimpses of North African village life reminiscent of Beau Geste. (B,D)
11
MARRAKESH. The highlight of this morning is the included city sightseeing. You'll really feel as if you've stopped the march of time. Marrakesh has always been a meeting place-first just a group of nomad tents, now a bustling city. An optional evening excursion will be a fitting choice to end the day. (B)
12
MARRAKESH-CASABLANCA-RABAT This morning, drive northwest from the heartland of Morocco by way of Settat to reach the most western of all Moroccan cities- Casablanca. Stop here awhile. Later in the afternoon, continue by way of the motorway northwards to Rabat, Morocco's capital for city sightseeing and an overnight. (B,D)
13
RABAT-FERRY CROSSING TO SPAIN-GRANADA Today an early departure retraces your steps northwards for the ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar to mainland Spain, and drive directly to the heart of Andalusia to reach Granada for an overnight. (B,D)
14
GRANADA-MADRID Take advantage of the included visit with a Local Guide of the Alhambra, a summer complex built by the Moorish kings. This afternoon, drive into the very heart of La Mancha, famed for its castle and windmills. Overnight in Madrid. (B)
15
MADRID. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS: Serra da Estrela, Andalusia, Guadalquivir Valley, Costa del Sol, La Mancha, Middle Atlas
GUIDES: Local Guides for city sightseeing in Madrid, Lisbon, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat, Granada-Alhambra. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring
TRANSPORTATION: Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar
HOTELS: Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
MEALS: Buffet breakfasts (B); 7 dinners (D)
OPTIONALS: Choice of optional excursions available at reasonable prices to customise your own experience
Meals Breakfast - 14 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 7
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
35
EUR
Name:MADRID BY NIGHT & TAPAS Location:MADRID Details:An authentic Spanish food experience in a tapas restaurant situated in the centre of the capital: typical gourmet food such as "pisto manchego" (vegetables) with egg, Iberian ham & cheese, Spanish omelette and many other specialities. After dinner, an orientation drive of Madrid to admire the city with its splendid avenues, illuminated fountains and beautiful promenades.
45
EUR
Name:THE MAJESTIC CITY OF TOLEDO Location:MADRID Details:The panoramic view of the city is an awesome experience, and visiting Spain's main Cathedral is truly unforgettable. See one of El Greco's most famous paintings, the "Burial of Count Orgaz", in the church of Santo Tome. Drive through Castilian landscapes to the old capital on the Tagus River. Time for a visit to a Damascene steel workshop.
45
EUR
Name:SINTRA & PORTUGUESE RIVIERA Location:LISBON Details:Drive along the scenic ocean road -- the Portuguese Riviera -- past the cosmopolitan town of Estoril. Stop in Cascais, a small but bustling fishing port and resort, for optional lunch. Then to Sintra, favourite resort area of Portuguese royalty through the centuries. Highlight is a visit to the 15th-century Royal Palace decorated with the most important collection of 16th-century tiles in Europe. Free time to shop or sightsee before returning to Lisbon.
50
EUR
Name:A REAL PORTUGUESE EVENING Location:LISBON Details:Treat yourself to a tasty dinner at Cafe Luso, the most renowned Fado and folklore restaurant in Portugal, located in the former wine cellars within the arched vaults of the 17th century palace of Saint Roque. Then sit back and enjoy the after-dinner entertainment. On the way back to your hotel, enjoy unforgettable views of the illuminated city.
35
EUR
Name:SPLENDOURS OF SEVILLE Location:SEVILLE Details:A panoramic drive through the centre of Seville to the outskirts of the city for a visit to Italica, a Roman city founded by Scipio. The Roman ruins include an amphitheatre, baths, theatre and various buildings containing mosaics. The 2,200 year old city is the birthplace of emperors such as Trajan and Hadrian. Return to the city centre and after a walk through the Santa Cruz Quarter enjoy a visit to the magnificent Cathedral, which is the third largest Christian temple in the world. (For Tour 6820 visit will be made to Casa de Pilatos, as the Cathedral is closed on Sunday mornings for mass).
60
EUR
Name:DINNER & FLAMENCO SHOW Location:SEVILLE Details:A typical dinner to discover the Sevillian cuisine. After the meal, enjoy a flamenco show with professional artists, some of whom are national prize winners.
45
EUR
Name:TRADITIONAL MOROCCAN EVENING Location:FEZ Details:Your programme gets under way with an illuminated tour of this Imperial city. The evening continues with a typical four-course Moroccan dinner at the "Al Fassia" restaurant located in the old part of the town - an ideal setting to soak up the exotic atmosphere. The dinner includes wine and local mint tea. Arabian and Berber entertainers will complete your "Moorish" experience.
25
EUR
Name:DISCOVER THE BERBERS OF ATLAS Location:MARRAKESH Details:Your picturesque drive from Marrakech takes you through the Gorge of Oued Orika, following the River Ourika banks through mountain foothills dotted with red clay villages. Experience the Berber way of life by visiting a true Berber home giving you the opportunity to learn more of their daily life. During the excursion you will have tea and cake or home made bread.
40
EUR
Name:"1001 NIGHTS" Location:MARRAKESH Details:An illumination drive of Marrakech, a four-course dinner with delicious Moroccan specialities and wine and a spectacular oriental folklore show with music and dancing.
Optional Excursions
