March 14-29, 2011
May 16-31, 2011
July 1-16, 2011
October 10-25, 2011

2879 Euros per person
Land Only - Based on Double Occupancy
650 Euros - Single Supplement

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive Lisbon

Welcome to Lisbon! You´ll have a transfer waiting for you from Lisbon Airport to hotel (included in the price). Free time to explore Lisbon, depending on your arrival time.

Day 2: Óbidos, Fátima, Coimbra

Breakfast at the hotel.

During the first day of our tour, we will depart from the hotel towards the West of Portugal. When in Óbidos, we will visit what this medieval village has to offer us. With a vast fortified core and an impressive castle, this village has managed to keep its original features dating back from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period; these are visible in its picturesque streets framed by windows that follow a medieval or manueline style. The commercial activity is reflected in local handicraft items such as the ‘Ginginha', a traditional liquor which is a mandatory presence in our tour. During this tour we will also visit the village's historical centre. You'll enjoy some free time to taste the ‘Ginginha' or, who knows, to buy some of Óbidos incomparable items.

We will proceed towards Fátima where we will see its world renowned sanctuary, which today is one of the greatest pilgrimage shrines of the entire world. Nowadays, on the 13th of every month from May to October, Fátima welcomes millions of pilgrims who go there to pay their promises or to pray and feel the mystical strength emanated by this holy place. The Sanctuary's Square, which is twice the size of St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, can receive over 300 thousand visitors. On the 2nd of December 2007, a new church was opened to the public within grounds of the sanctuary, the Church of Santíssima Trindade.

Our last stop of the day will be Coimbra. The city is undoubtedly connected to the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, who was born in 1109 and died in 1185. At the Monastery of Santa Cruz, you may visit the tomb of this glorious king and that of his son, King D. Sancho I. Throughout the Portuguese historical records, Comibra - the first capital of what once was the Kingdom of Portugal - has always played the role of an important landmark for the Portuguese people, due to its historical centre as well as to the University, one of the most ancient educational edifices in the world. Originally built in 1290, in Lisbon, and transferred to Coimbra in 1308, the University is still an international reference and its library gathers one of the most remarkable collections of the world.

Accommodation at a hotel, in Coimbra.

Day 3: Coimbra, Porto

Breakfast at the hotel.

Before departing towards Oporto by the end of the morning, we will visit Coimbra 's central area by taking a stroll through its medieval streets.

Oporto, the second largest Portuguese city and the urban centre of the northern region, plays a very important role in the economy of our country. It's the city of granite, that is also known for its fascinating bridges and for its world renowned Vinho do Porto, a liquorish alcoholic drink typical of the region. All these features create an undeniable charm in a city whose growth was witnessed by the mighty river Douro.

Considered to be a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the area surrounding the river is embellished by a sometimes confusing map of medieval streets framed by the ancient doors of past fortifications and Roman arches. UNESCO, having been quite impressed with Oporto's relevant artistic and cultural patrimony, affirmed that this city's historical centre, built along the slopes that rest on the estuary of the River Douro, draws a very interesting urban pattern of exceptional characteristics with over than two thousand years of history. Its growth is testified by its monuments such as the Roman cathedral or the neoclassical Stock Exchange Palace.

Accommodation at a hotel in Oporto.

Day 4: Oporto

Breakfast at the hotel.

We will continue our tour by paying a visit to Oporto's monuments and most charismatic places that give this city the reputation of being one of the most romantic European cities. Afterwards, you will enjoy of some free time to shop in Oporto's traditional streets or to have a snack at the Majestic café, located in the street Santa Catarina. You will not regret your choice!

We will also take a stroll along the river area surrounding Gaia. After having crossed the emblematic Bridge D. Luís, we will visit one of Oporto's wine cellars where we will have the opportunity of exploring this wonderful place and tasting its wines.

Accommodation at a hotel in Oporto.

Day 5: Oporto, Guarda, Salamanca

Breakfast at the hotel.

We depart from Oporto in the morning towards Guarda where we will make a stop to visit its historical centre. In the afternoon, we will depart towards Salamanca.

Accommodation at a hotel in Salamanca.

Day 6: Salamanca, Ávila, Madrid

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, we will visit Salamanca's historical centre with a mandatory stop at Plaza Mayor, the very core of the city. Surrounded by arcades, it holds a capacity for 20 million people. At the beginning, it was used as a plaza for bullfights; however, its current uses are mainly those of the social and cultural fields.

When speaking about cultural enterprise, Salamanca is one of the world's most famous places. Its university is the most ancient in all the Iberian Peninsula and one of the oldest in the world. In the 13th century, it was considered to be one of the four beacons of Humanity, alongside Oxford, Bologna and Paris.

On the way from Salamanca to Madrid we will stop briefly at Avila where we will enjoy the scenery where Saint Teresa was born; this is a small town completely surrounded by a strong wall. This is a place to remember.

Accommodation at a hotel in Madrid.

Day 7: Madrid

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, we will visit the Royal Palace and take a quick stroll through Madrid's historical centre where we will contemplate the emblematic Puertas del Sol and Gran Vía.

The capital of Spain has a population of 3 million inhabitants and is located in the central area of the plain Castilla-la-Mancha - where Don Quijote fought against windmills. Being a sophisticated city, a business centre, the headquarters of the Public Administration and of the Government and the house of the Royal Family, Madrid holds an important place in the stock and industrial sectors.

This city is characterized by an intense cultural and artistic production and its nights are long and festive. In the city, we will see the beauty of the 17th and 18th centuries preserved in the unique features of Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace, among others.

You'll have some free time to enjoy in the manner you deem most fit.

Accommodation at a hotel in Madrid.

Day 8: Madrid, Toledo

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, we will leave Madrid towards Toledo, one of the most important centres of medieval European history. The Visigoths had chosen Toledo as their capital and, until the reign of Filipe II, so it was. The importance this city held during the medieval period explains the quality and style of its architecture which we may observe nowadays. Walking in the city's streets is like revisiting a medieval Toledo. The painter El Greco was born here and his best works may be found at the Toledo cathedral, a mandatory stop on our tour.

Accommodation at a hotel in Toledo.

Day 9: Toledo, Córdoba

Breakfast at the hotel.

You'll enjoy a free morning where you may either rest or explore what the city has to offer you. After lunch, we will depart southwards towards Córdoba where we will spend the night.

Accommodation at a hotel in Córdoba.

Day 10: Córdoba, Sevilla

Breakfast at the hotel.

The amazement you will feel when arriving at Córdoba is the same the travelers of the 11th century felt when this city was only a caliphate and one of the most significant European capitals.

A place not to miss is the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, one of the largest mosques ever built. The interior of the mosque is so imposing that, sometimes, one forgets to notice the also grandiose cathedral.

Córdoba is famous not only for its flamenco dances and bullfights, but also for its tireless and passionate nightlife.

Late in the afternoon, we will depart towards Seville.

Accommodation at a hotel in Seville.

Day 11: Sevilha

Breakfast at Seville.

At Seville, after paying a visit to the city's core, we will visit its cathedral and the Torre de Giralda.

Located in the southern Spanish region, Seville is home to the headquarters of the Parliament and of the Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía. Seville is inhabited by 700 thousand people, half of the population of the whole province. The city is located in the plains of the River Guadalquivir, which runs through it form north to south. The river is navigable all the way to the ocean area of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, in the Atlantic coast.

Seville, as well as Lisbon, played a major role during the maritime discoveries period as both acted as decisive centres for the construction of naval material and strategic harbours for the arrival and departure of armadas. Currently, even though the city has lost much of its past importance, it still continues to be one of the most active river harbours of the Iberian Peninsula.

The prolonged Arab occupation of the Peninsula, from 711 to 1492, has left visible marks in Seville and all over the Al-Andaluz. One of the best known examples is the Giralda, which was converted from a mosque minaret to the tower of a cathedral. In 1492, Christopher Columbus departed from Sevilha with the unquenchable desire to reach India by taking a West route.

At the end of the day, it is possible to attend a Sevillanas show, a typical Spanish dance.

Accommodation at a hotel, in Seville.

Day 12: Sevilla, Faro, Lagoa

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, we will depart from Seville towards Portugal where we will visit the photogenic city of Faro. The Romans have called it Ossónoba and played a critical role in its shaping as an important city. The Arab occupation saw it grow and become a vital commercial link in the interactions between North Africa and Portugal. The decisive conquest of the city, which took place on March 12th, 1249, and the consequent collapse of the defenses of the adjoining cities at the hands of the King D. Afonso III, acts a milestone for the end of the Muslim occupation of Portugal.

Today, Faro is the gateway for millions of tourists who come to Portugal to enjoy its beaches of golden sand and the exotic, inebriating flavours its gastronomy has to offer. This city is located in a fertile plain of luxurious trees full of alluring fruits: oranges, olives, figs, almonds, among others.

From Faro, we will depart towards Lagoa where we will spend the night.

Accommodation at a hotel in Lagoa.

Day 13: Lagoa

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a completely free day at your leisure. Accommodation at a hotel in Lagoa.

Day 14: Lagoa, Lisbon

Breakfast at the hotel.

We will depart from Lagoa, in the morning, towards Lisbon where we will arrive late in the afternoon.

On the way, we will visit the historical centre of Alcácer do Sal. The city's castle is one of the few Arab fortifications that have survived until our days. Following a construction plan of natural lines, the castle is located in the same place where once a megalithic citadel and a Roman castelum were. The annals refer that, in the year 966, a Viking group prepared an attacked to the castle. However, it was vehemently repelled by the castle's strong defenses.

Accommodation at a hotel in Lisbon.

Day 15: Lisbon

Breakfast at the hotel.

We begin our tour in the morning with a visit throughout Lisbon. Lisbon, capital of Portugal and city of the seven hills, was once the centre of the maritime discoveries of the 15th and 16th centuries, from where ancient ships and caravels set sail towards the unknown thus discovering and laying the foundations of the modern world. This is eternalized in the architectural craftsmanship of the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery, both considered to be World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Lisbon's charm lies in the strong links it maintains with the past: palaces, majestic churches and an imposing castle that rests on the city's highest hill. The city's rich artistic and cultural productions mirror the modern world where several cultures influence and are influenced by Portugal.

We will take a stroll through the city's downtown area. This particular zone was rebuilt after the famous 1755 Lisbon earthquake. We will also visit Belém and Parque das Nações, the place where Expo 98 was held.

Accommodation at a hotel, in Lisbon.

Day 16: Free day and departure Home

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer back to Lisbon Airport with wonderful lifelong memories!