Easy Pace Spain & Portugal 13 Day tour from $2248     an Insight Vacations luxury tour

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Tour Highlights

Hotels

The four hotels on this tour are all modern and well equipped, ranging from the  Lisbon Marriott with its outdoor swimming pool, to the Gran Hotel Renacimiento which was built in 1992 for the World Exhibition held in Seville.

Fellow Passengers

This tour appeals to both the first time traveller who wishes to discover Iberia at a relaxed pace, and also to the experienced traveller who wishes to return to  the major cities with time to explore in depth.

Highlights

The peaceful cloisters of Lisbon's Jeronimos monastery, contrasting with the fiery Flamenco evening in Seville! Also add the magnificent Mezquita in Cordoba, the works of Goya and Velazquez in the Prado, and the final Catalan celebration  dinner in Barcelona .

 Excursions & Sights

• In Lisbon see the Monument to the Discoveries & Belem Tower
• Visit Columbus's tomb in Seville Cathedral & see the Santa Cruz Quarter, Alcazar & Giralda Tower
• See Madrid's Cibeles Fountain, Puerta del Sol, Royal Palace & Cervantes Monument in the Plaza Espana
• Visit Barcelona's old Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter
• See the Sagrada Familia and Modernist architecture of the Eixample District

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 13

Guided City Tours

In depth sightseeing tours in Lisbon, Seville, Madrid and  Barcelona

Quality Dining

Highlight Dinner and Flamenco show in Seville

Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant, Madrid

Highlight Dinner of Catalan specialities in Barcelona

12 buffet breakfasts and 4 three course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee

Tour Itinerary

Tour Pace

A relaxed tour with three night stays in the major cities of Lisbon, Seville,  Madrid, & Barcelona. This allows you to get acquainted with each destination on your included city sightseeing tour but still leaves time for you to revisit  any places of interest on your own.

DAY 1 SAT - LISBON AT LEISURE

On arrival at Lisbon airport there are complimentary transfers to the tour hotel.  Then time to relax or explore. Tonight, before dinner, join your fellow travellers  for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Marriott. (D)

DAY 2 SUN - LISBON SIGHTSEEING

Our guided tour takes us along the avenues of the Lower Town and across the tree-shaded  squares. We pass beneath hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco, finest square  in the city. Now we visit Jeronimos Monastery with its superbly ornate cloister.  Nearby we see the modern 'Monument to the Discoveries' and ancient Belem Tower.  This afternoon we are at leisure. Tonight, why not enjoy dinner to the haunting sound of 'Fado' music? (BB)

DAY 3 MON - LISBON AT LEISURE

A day in the Portuguese capital to spend as we wish! Perhaps take the funicular  up to the steep alleyways of the old town, or explore the terraces of the Alfama district? Or maybe join an optional tour to Sintra and its royal summer palace?  (BB)

DAY 4 TUE - LISBON - SEVILLE

Leaving Lisbon this morning we travel over the modern Tagus Bridge and cross the wide Alentejo plateau to the Spanish border. Then we continue through the green slopes of the Sierra Morena to Seville, exquisite capital of Andalusia. This evening,  we enjoy a highlight dinner and entertainment featuring a fiery Flamenco show! Hotel: Gran Hotel Renacimiento. (BB,HD)

DAY 5 WED - SEVILLE SIGHTSEEING

Our sightseeing tour this morning shows us the immense 15th century cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus, the Alcazar and the slender Giralda Tower. We then tour the Santa Cruz Quarter, with its flower decked wrought iron balconies before time at leisure. Perhaps explore Maria Luisa park with its archaeological museum? (BB)

DAY 6 THU - SEVILLE AT LEISURE

A day to relax or perhaps enjoy an optional day trip to the sandy beaches of Portugal's Algarve region? (BB)

DAY 7 FRI - SEVILLE - MADRID

We set off early this morning, driving along the Guadalquivir valley, to stop  in the perfectly preserved Moorish city of Cordoba. We see the famous 2000 year  old bridge before a guided visit to the magnificent Mezquita, an 8th century mosque with a Christian church built inside it. Then across the Sierra Morena mountains  and the plains of La Mancha to Madrid. This evening we transfer to a local restaurant  for a Highlight Dinner. Hotel: NH Eurobuilding. (BB,HD)

DAY 8 SAT - MADRID SIGHTSEEING

A guided tour this morning takes us along the leafy avenues of the city, seeing  the Plaza Espana with its Cervantes Monument, the grandiose Cibeles Fountain and Puerta del Sol. We also see the Parliament and Royal Palace. Our highlight visit is to the magnificent Prado museum, one of the great art galleries of Europe! This afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 9 SUN - MADRID AT LEISURE

Another day to enjoy as we please! Perhaps take an optional excursion into the Guadarrama Mountains to visit the austere Escorial Palace and amazing Valley of  the Fallen? (BB)

DAY 10 MON - MADRID - BARCELONA

An early start takes us through Castille where the legendary Don Quixote 'tilted at windmills'. We reach the Ebro River at Zaragosa where, the Virgin appeared to St. James the Apostle. Then we enter Catalunya, a land that retains its own distinctive  language and traditions. We stay tonight in the vibrant Mediterranean port of Barcelona. Hotel: Melia Barcelona. (BB)

DAY 11 TUE - BARCELONA SIGHTSEEING

Today a local guide takes us to the Gothic Quarter where amongst the narrow streets  we visit the ancient Cathedral. In complete contrast, we drive out to the Eixample District to see some of Gaudi's extraordinary architecture, including the unfinished Sagrada Familia Cathedral. In the afternoon, stroll along the leafy Ramblas with its market stalls and buskers, or perhaps, take an optional excursion to the ancient  Monastery of Montserrat, dedicated to the 'Black Madonna'? (BB)

DAY 12 WED - BARCELONA AT LEISURE

Today we are free to explore this amazing city, visit the shops, or perhaps you  may wish to stroll in the streets of the Spanish Village and visit the Bullfighters museum? Tonight we enjoy a highlight Catalan dinner at a local restaurant. (BB,HD)

DAY 13 THU - BARCELONA

Our tour ends today after breakfast with a transfer to the airport. (BB)