Best of Spain & Portugal 16 Day tour from $2309     an Insight Vacations luxury tour

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Tour Highlights

Hotels

An excellent mixture of both modern and traditional hotels; with the modern and  luxurious Lisbon Marriott and Melia Costa del Sol, the Saray in Granada designed in the style of the Alhambra, and the more traditional Cuzco in Madrid.

Fellow Passengers

This tour is popular with both the first time visitor, as well as experienced  travellers, as it is a classic tour of the Iberian peninsular, visiting the major centres of both Spain and Portugal.

Highlights

The visit to the Palace & Gardens of the Alhambra in Granada and the stunning  scenery of the Costa del Sol are always impressive; but the beauty, culture, and discovery of the lesser known delights of Portugal, make this tour even more memorable.

Excursions & Sights

• See the Plaza Mayor and cathedral in the university town of Salamanca
• See the walled town of Avila
• See the wine stores of the Vila Nova de Gaia in Oporto
• Visit the neo-classical Basilica in the pilgrimage town of Fatima
• Visit the ancient fortified city of Obidos
• Visit the Royal Chapel in Batalha's Monastery
• View the modern Monument to the Discoveries and ancient Belem Tower in Lisbon
• Visit Christopher Columbus' tomb in the Cathedral of Seville
• View the Alcazar, Giralda Tower, and the fashionable Santa Cruz quarter in Seville
• Visit Gibraltar to see the famous Rock
• See Valencia's Gothic Generalidad Palace, octagonal El Miguelete Tower & Cathedral
• See  the City Gates and the Church of Our Lady of the Forsaken in Valencia
• See the white walled cottages and stone castle of Peniscola
• Drive through Barcelona's  modern Eixample District to view Gaudi's Sagrada Familia
• Visit the Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter & Barcelona's most famous street, Las Ramblas
• See Madrid's Cervantes Monument, Cibeles Fountain & Puerta del Sol
• Scenic drives across the Guadarrama Mountains, Mora Pass and along the Costa del Sol

Guided City Tours

In depth sightseeing tours in Lisbon, Seville, Barcelona,  Toledo & Madrid

Orientation tours in Salamanca, Oporto, Mijas, Granada,  Gibraltar & Valencia

Insight's First Class Services

Escorted by a professional Tour Director

Luxury air-conditioned coach with onboard toilet

First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage

Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 1 and departure transfer on Day 16

Quality Dining

Highlight Dinner featuring a Flamenco Show in Seville
15 buffet breakfasts and 7 three course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee

Tour Itinerary

Tour Pace

This tour moves at a comfortable leisurely pace with five two night stays in Lisbon, Seville, the Costa del Sol, Barcelona & Madrid and overnight stays in  the four other cities. Driving days are not too long and with frequent stops.

 DAY 1 SAT - MADRID AT LEISURE

Welcome to Madrid, Europe's highest capital, occupying the very centre of the  Iberian peninsula! There are complimentary transfers from Madrid Airport to your  tour hotel. This afternoon is at leisure to relax, or perhaps to begin exploring  this vibrant city. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your fellow passengers  and Tour Director. Hotel: Cuzco.

DAY 2 SUN - MADRID - SALAMANCA

This morning we drive to Toledo, former capital of Spain, where we see the 13th  century Cathedral and one of europe's oldest synagogues. We also see the El Greco masterpiece in the chapel of Santo Tome. Later, we pass the ancient walls of St.Teresa's town of Avila, on our way to the 'golden' city of Salamanca. Before reaching our hotel we see the handsome arcaded Plaza Mayor and honey-coloured cathedral. Hotel: Plaza. (BB,D)

DAY 3 MON - SALAMANCA - OPORTO

Today we cross the Portuguese border to reach Oporto, celebrated internationally as the Port wine capital. With our Tour Director we see the Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores which house the famous port wines. We also admire the multi-coloured houses and churches covered in glazed tiles. Hotel: Sheraton Porto. (BB,D)

DAY 4 TUE - OPORTO - LISBON

Today we head south to miraculous Fatima, where we join the pilgrims flocking  into the great Basilica. We continue to Batalha to visit the Royal Chapel in the Gothic monastery. Then we drive to the old walled town of Obidos, where we explore the medieval streets. Later, we continue to Lisbon. Hotel: Marriott. (BB)

DAY 5 WED - LISBON SIGHTSEEING

With our local guide, we visit the cobbled streets of the 'Alfama' quarter and see Sao Jorge Castle. Now on to the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belem Tower. We then visit Jeronimo's Monastery with its superbly ornate cloister. This afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 6 THU - LISBON - SEVILLE

We leave Lisbon via the modern Tagus Bridge, and cross the border to reach Seville.  A tour with a local guide includes the immense 15th century Cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus, and the slender Giralda Tower. We also tour the fashionable  Santa Cruz Quarter with its flower decked wrought iron balconies and we see the Alcazar. This evening, we enjoy a highlight dinner and entertainment featuring a fiery Flamenco show! Hotel: Melia Lebreros. (BB,HD)

DAY 7 FRI - SEVILLE AT LEISURE

A day at leisure to relax, explore or continue sightseeing! Why not take an optional excursion to Cordoba to visit the magnificent Mezquita? Tonight, perhaps enjoy a typical Sevilliano dinner at a local restaurant? (BB)

DAY 8 SAT - SEVILLE - COSTA DEL SOL

We head south to Gibraltar, attached to Spain, yet an independent colony under British control since 1704. There's time at leisure to explore the shops, or perhaps take a trip to the top of the Rock to see St Michael's Cave? Later, we take the  scenic route along the Costa del Sol to our hotel. Hotel: Melia Costa del Sol. (BB,D)

DAY 9 SUN - MIJAS EXCURSION

Today a leisurely drive through green hills above the Costa del Sol takes us to the white-washed village of Mijas. There is time to stroll through the old streets and pleasant gardens with views of the Mediterranean coast. The rest of the day  is at leisure on the Costa del Sol. (BB,D)

DAY 10 MON - COSTA DEL SOL - GRANADA

We see some of Spain's most exclusive resorts as we make our way to Granada, capital of the Moorish Kingdom of Spain till the Moors' defeat in 1492. We visit  the fabulous Alhambra Palace with its famous Lion Court. We also visit the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence, where we can relax  in the sunshine, and enjoy the fine views over the town. Hotel: Saray. (BB,D)

DAY 11 TUE - GRANADA - VALENCIA

We drive over the Mora Pass with views over the Sierra Nevada. We pass through palm forests and lemon groves as we travel to Valencia, the favourite city of 'El  Cid'. Our orientation tour shows us the Generalidad Palace, El Miguelete Cathedral, gates of Serranos and Cuarte and the Church of Our Lady of the Forsaken, before we check into our hotel. Hotel: Husa Reina Victoria. (BB,D)

DAY 12 WED - VALENCIA - BARCELONA

We follow the coast to Peniscola to view the sea-lapped castle used  in the film 'El Cid'. We continue along the Costa Dorada (Gold Coast) to Barcelona. Here, our local guide shows us the Gothic Quarter, where we visit the cathedral  and we view the lively Ramblas. Now we tour the modern Eixample District to see Gaudi's famed Sagrada Familia church. Why not dine out 'Catalan style' tonight?  Hotel: Melia Barcelona. (BB)

DAY 13 THU - BARCELONA AT LEISURE

Today is at leisure in this vibrant city. Why not take an optional excursion to the great Monastery of Montserrat to see the Black Madonna and enjoy the fine views? (BB)

DAY 14 FRI - BARCELONA - MADRID

This morning we pass the city of Zaragoza in the province of Aragon. Then we drive along the Jalon Valley, past Guadalajara on our way back to Madrid. Hotel: Cuzco. (BB)

DAY 15 SAT - MADRID SIGHTSEEING

Our guided sightseeing tour takes us to the Gran Via and Paseo de la Castellana. We see the Cervantes Monument on the Plaza Espana, the Puerta del Sol and Cibeles Fountain. Then we visit the Prado Museum to admire the paintings of Velezquez. Maybe join your new found friends for a celebration dinner tonight? (BB)

DAY 16 - SUN - MADRID

Our memorable tour ends this morning after breakfast with a transfer to the airport. (BB)