| DAY
1, THURSDAY: EN ROUTE
Depart your home city, possibly via connection,
on an overnight trans-Atlantic flight.
DAY
2, FRIDAY: BARCELONA
Arrival at Barcelona airport. You will
be transferred to your First Class hotel.
In the evening, Barcelona boasts a fine
selection of restaurants of all price
ranges, showcasing the excellent Catalan
cuisine. Premium
Package includes dinner tonight.
Accommodations.
DAY
3, SATURDAY: BARCELONA
Buffet breakfast. This morning enjoy an
escorted tour, see the ancient Gothic
Quarter with its magnificent cathedral.
Stop to admire the Basilica of the Sacred
Family (Sagrada Familia). Continue to
Montjuich, to enjoy a spectacular view.
Free time for lunch on your own. Luncheon
included today in Premium Package.
Afternoon free. Accommodations.
DAY
4, SUNDAY: BARCELONA-ZARAGOZA-MADRID
Buffet breakfast. Departure by private,
luxury air-conditioned motorcoach. Your
experienced guide will point out sights
of interest as you head 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
on 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.
DAY
5, 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, the magnificent fountains
of Neptune and Cibeles, the stately Alcala
Gate, the Plaza de Espaņa and the Plaza
de Oriente. Free time for luncheon on
your own. Premium
Package includes a Paella lunch today.
Highly recommended this afternoon,
is an optional (included
in Premium Package) tour
to the Imperial former capital city of
Toledo , where you will be escorted through
its narrow streets. 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. Return to Madrid .
DAY
6, TUESDAY: MADRID-SEGOVIA-AVILA-SALAMANCA
Buffet breakfast. Departure by private,
luxury air-conditioned motorcoach. Your
knowledgeable and experienced accompanying
guide will point out sights of interest
as you cross Guadarrama mountains into
old Castile. In Segovia, admire the 2000-year-old
Roman aqueduct and the spectacular Alcazar
Castle . Continue to Avila , completely
encircled by 11th century city walls.
Free time for luncheon on your own and
exploring its historical quarter. Premium
Package includes luncheon today.
Continue to Salamanca for overnight
accommodations.
DAY
7, WEDNESDAY: SALAMANCA-ZAMORA-LEON
Buffet breakfast. Morning walking tour
including the university and the House
of Shells. Depart to pre-Roman Zamora
, with free time in its historical quarter
for exploring and lunch on your own. Premium
Package includes luncheon today.
Later, continue to aristocratic Leon for
overnight accommodations.
DAY
8, THURSDAY: LEON-OURENSE-RIAS BAIXAS
Buffet breakfast. Departure westward into
Galicia , part of Green Spain. Continue
to the lower Rias. Overnight will be in
one of the picturesque towns typical of
the region. Accommodations. Premium
Package includes dinner tonight.
DAY
9, FRIDAY: RIAS BAIXAS-SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA-RIAS
BAIXAS
Buffet breakfast. Departure to Santiago
de Compostela, destination for pilgrims
since medieval times. Enjoy an escorted
tour of the old quarter. Free time to
explore its quaint arcaded streets and
have lunch on your own, enjoying the delicious
Galician cuisine (strong on seafood).
Premium
Package includes luncheon today.
Later, return to the hotel in the Rias
Baixas area. Accommodations.
DAY
10, SATURDAY: RIAS BAIXAS-GUIMARAES- PORTO
Buffet breakfast. Crossing the Miņo River
into Portugal for a brief visit to the
shrine town of Braga . Continue to historical
Guimaraes. Free time to explore. Later,
continue to Oporto , Portugal 's second
city, on the banks of the Douro River
. Free afternoon. Premium
Package includes dinner tonight.
DAY
11, SUNDAY: OPORTO - COIMBRA - FATIMA
- OBIDOS - LISBON
Buffet breakfast. Departure to Coimbra
, site of one of the world's oldest universities.
Free time and continue south to the famous
shrine, Fatima . Free time, perhaps to
visit the huge basilica and have lunch
on your own. Premium
Package includes luncheon in Fatima.
Later, visit the walled village
of Obidos , before continuing to Lisbon
. Accommodations.
DAY
12, MONDAY: LISBON
Buffet breakfast. Morning tour of beautiful
Lisbon , including the Tower of Belem
, the Monument to the Discoverers and
the inspiring Jeronimos Monastery. Afternoon
free, with an optional tour to the charming
villages of Sintra (in the hills) and
Cascais (seaside). Premium
Package includes this afternoon tour.
This evening, in Lisbon , there will be
an optional opportunity to visit a Fado
Restaurant and Show, where you will hear
the plaintive folk music sung. Fado
Show and dinner included in Premium Package.
Accommodations.
DAY
13, TUESDAY: LISBON - ELVAS - MADRID
Buffet breakfast. Departure eastward,
pausing in the medieval fortress city
of Elvas . Free time for exploring and
for lunch on your own. Premium
Package includes luncheon today.
Continue to Madrid . Accommodations.
*
NOTE: Passengers ending their tour in
Lisbon will have transfer to Lisbon airport
included on Day 13.
DAY
14, WEDNESDAY: EN ROUTE
Buffet breakfast. Transfer to Madrid airport
at the proper time for return flight home. |
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