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SPAIN AND PORTUGAL HOLIDAY |
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Friday Departures from Barcelona
2008 Apr 4,11,18,25/May 2,9,16,23,30/Jun 6,13,20,27/Jul
4,11,18,25/Aug 1,8,15,22,29/Sep 5,12,19,26
Oct 3,10,17,24/November 1,14,28/December 12,26
2009
January 9,23 /February 6,20,
March 6,20,27
Itinerary:
Day 1, Friday: BARCELONA
Arrival at Barcelona airport. You will be transferred to your First Class hotel. It is suggested that you take advantage of the free time to get to know one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities. In the evening, it is suggested to dine at the Pueblo Español, featuring architectural replicas from all of Spain’s regions. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes dinner tonight. Accommodations.
Day 2, Saturday: BARCELONA
Buffet breakfast. This morning enjoy an escorted tour of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. See the ancient Gothic Quarter with its magnificent cathedral. Stop to admire the exterior of Gaudi’s masterwork, the Basilica of the Sacred Family (Sagrada Familia). Continue to Montjuich Hill (site of the Olympic Stadium), to enjoy a spectacular view of Barcelona and its port area. Free time for lunch on your own. Luncheon included today in PREMIUM PACKAGE. Afternoon free. Accommodations.
Day 3, Sunday: BARCELONA-ZARAGOZA-MADRID
Buffet breakfast. Departure by private, luxury air-conditioned motorcoach. Your knowledgeable and experienced accompanying guide will point out sights of interest as you cross Catalonia into old Aragon and into the proud city of Zaragoza. Pause downtown in a main plaza where you will have free time to visit the impressive Basilica of El Pilar and have lunch on your own. Continue into Madrid. In the early evening, enjoy an “Illuminated Madrid” drive through the bustling streets of the old city, ending at the historical and impressive Plaza Mayor. This area is home to some of the most typical restaurants and taverns, which serve the delicious "tapas". PREMIUM PACKAGE includes a Tapas Dinner tonight. Return to your hotel at your own convenience. Accommodations.
Day 4, Monday: MADRID
Buffet breakfast. This morning's escorted sightseeing tour will allow you to get a glimpse of some of Madrid's most outstanding attractions, like the Puerta del Sol, the magnificent fountains of Neptune and Cibeles, the stately Alcala Gate, the busy Gran Via, the Plaza de España and the Plaza de Oriente. Free time for luncheon on your own. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes a Buffet Lunch today. Free afternoon to explore Madrid’s famous Art Museums or perhaps take an optional tour to the Imperial former capital city of Toledo, where you will be escorted through its narrow cobblestone streets, soaking up the medieval atmosphere. Touring will include the interior of the magnificent Gothic cathedral and a visit to St. Tome Church, where El Greco's masterpiece painting is displayed. There will also be some time for shopping for the unique typical local artisanry. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes the Tour to Toledo. Accommodations.
Day 5, Tuesday: MADRID-SEGOVIA-AVILA-SALAMANCA
Buffet breakfast. Departure into old Castile and the magnificent medieval city of Segovia, with its 2000 year old Roman aqueduct and impressive Alcazar Castle. Pause in Avila to admire the perfectly preserved 11th century city walls before continuing to the charming old university city of Salamanca. Afternoon city tour. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes a typical dinner. Tonight a walk through the beautiful main plaza, always lively with activity, is recommended. Accommodations.
Day 6, Wednesday: SALAMANCA-ASTORGA-SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Buffet breakfast. Departure toward the North os Spain. In Astorga we can admire some Gaudi´s Buildings before entering in Galicia. Arrival to the beaautiful city of Santiago de Compostela. Tonight we can have in the Hotel a nice dinner with the typical “Queimada”. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes dinner. Accommodations.
Day 7, Thursday: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – Rias Baixas
Buffet Breakfast. In the morning guided tour of the old city of Santiago de Compostela and its beautifull Cathedral. In the afternoon departure to the area of las “rias baixas”, Island of La Toja, and the villages of Sanxenxo and Cambados. Return to hotel in Santiago for accomodation.
Day 8, Friday: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – VIGO – BRAGA - OPORTO
Buffet breakfast. Departure tu Vigo in our way to Portugal. Cross the border to Braga, before arriving to Oporto, the beautiful and rich city, noted for its namesake Port wines. In the afternoon, local guided city visiting one local winery. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes a typical dinner. Accommodations.
Day 9, Saturday: OPORTO – COIMBRA - FATIMA – OBIDOS - LISBON
Buffet breakfast. Departure to the quaint university city of Coimbra and the famous shrine of Fatima. Frre time for lunch (PREMIUM PACKAGE includes luncheon) On to the charming medieval walled village of Obidos, with some time for a stroll around before continuing to Lisbon. Accommodations.
Day 10, Sunday: LISBON
Buffet breakfast. Morning tour of this ancient and lovely city overlooking the Tagus River. Admire its splendid avenues and monuments like the Tower of Belem and the Jeronimos Monastery. Afternoon free, with a strong recommendation to visit the charming villages of Sintra and Cascais (this tour included in PREMIUM PACKAGE). Tonight enjoy an optional opportunity to listen to the hauntingly beautiful Fado music while enjoying a delicious dinner. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes Fado show and dinner. Accommodations.
Day 11, Monday: LISBON – MERIDA - MADRID
Buffet breakfast. Departure toward the Spanish border, and pause in Merida to admire the impressive Roman Amphitheatre archeological site. Paella Luncheon is included in PREMIUM PACKAGE. Continue to Madrid for late afternoon arrival.
Passengers taking the 11 day tour will have a transfer out to Lisbon airport after breakfast on Day 10.
Day 12, Tuesday: MADRID
Buffet breakfast and transfer at the appropriate time to Madrid airport.
| Price per person based on double occupancy in Euro or US$* | 11 days/10nights tour | 12 days/11nights tour |
| April /June | 1069 | 1119 |
| July / August | 1019 | 1069 |
| Sept / October | 1099 | 1149 |
| Nov`08/Mar`09 | 999 | 1049 |
| Supplement for Single Room April/ October |
399 | 449 |
| Nov`08/Mar`09 | 359 | 399 |
| PREMIUM PACKAGE PRICE | 289 | 309 |
* US$ price varies depending on the exchange rate
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Optional PREMIUM PACKAGE includes:
Dinner in Barcelona’s Pueblo Español
Typical lunch in the Olympic Port of Barcelona
“Tapas” dinner in Madrid
Tipical lunch in Madrid
Tour to Toledo
Dinner in Salamanca
Dinner in Santiago with Queimada
Dinner in Oporto
Lunch in Fatima
Dinner and Fados Show in Lisbon
Tour of Sintra and Cascais
Paella Lunch in Merida (only with the 13 days tour)
Hotels used or similar
Hotels used or similar (First Cat)
Barcelona Barcelona Plaza Catalonia****
Madrid Tryp Atocha****
Salamanca Catalonia Plaza ****
Santiago Torres Compostela****
Oporto Mercure Batalha ****
Lisboa Dom Manuel ****
Madrid Tryp Atocha****