JEWELS OF SPAIN & PORTUGAL  6790

9 days from Madrid to Madrid

Vacation Overview


  
This exciting adventure introduces you to the fascinating major cities of the Iberian Peninsula, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Begin with an overnight and free time in the Spanish capital of Madrid. Then, visit fortified Avila and pretty Salamanca, pearls of the Castille region, and cross the Sierra da Estrela into Portugal to reach Coimbra, a charming hillside town that overlooks the Mondego River. Stop in Fatima to see its famous sanctuary, then on to the awesome walled city of Obidos with its towers and bastions. Spend two nights in Lisbon and discover explorer Henry the Navigator’s exquisite city. Back into Spain via the Sierra de Aracena for two overnights in Seville, a lively city on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. The vibrant city center boasts many stunning highlights, including the Cathedral, the Alcazar, and the Plaza d’España. Admire the Andalusian landscapes on the way to Cordoba with its Alcazar and lovely Mezquita. Travel across Don Quixote’s La Mancha, known for its castles and windmills, and return to Madrid for the final two nights of your vacation.

Special Departures:
Mar 25th Departure - Holy Week in Seville
Apr 15th Departure - Feria in Seville

Itinerary


  
Day 1 Fri. ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN.
 Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring lively Madrid. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)
Day 2 Sat. MADRID–AVILA–SALAMANCA–COIMBRA, PORTUGAL.
 Journey west to fortified Avila, then on to Salamanca, just six miles from the spot where Wellington routed Napoleon’s army in 1812. Make sure you spend some time wandering around Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor, the most beautiful square in Spain. Leave Salamanca and head westwards to the fortress town of Ciudad Rodrigo, perched high above the Rio Agueda. A profusion of woodlands and mountains awaits you as you journey into the valley of the Sierra da Estrela on your way for an overnight in Coimbra. (B,D)
Day 3 Sun. COIMBRA–FATIMA–OBIDOS–LISBON.
 This morning, enjoy an orientation tour of Coimbra, strategically situated on a hill overlooking the Mondego River. Next, Fatima. Stop here to see the sanctuary, made famous by the Virgin’s apparition to three shepherd children, Francisco, Jacinth, and Lucia, on May 13, 1917. A few more miles for a stop in Obidos, a fortified city still flanked by towers and bastions overlooking the countryside dotted with windmills. Overnight in Lisbon. (B)
Day 4 Mon. LISBON.
 Henry the Navigator made Lisbon the 15th-century mistress of the seas. You’ll see his monument, the Belem Tower, the Moorish Citadel, the impressive Black Horse Square, and other highlights on the guided sightseeing excursion. Spend the afternoon in the Alfama’s tile-decorated streets, or take an optional excursion along the Estoril Coast to Cascais and Sintra. (B)
Day 5 Tue. LISBON–SEVILLE, SPAIN.
 Drive southeast this morning into the Alentejo through the countryside famous for its production of cork. Then, on to the border at Vila Verde and cross into Spain for the journey into Andalusia, enjoying quite different scenery as you skirt the Sierra de Aracena before reaching delightful Seville for two overnights. (B,D)
Day 6 Wed. SEVILLE.
 One of Spain’s most colorful cities. Perhaps you’d like to spend the morning enjoying an optional sightseeing tour including the main highlights of this vibrant city. (B)
Day 7 Thu. SEVILLE–CORDOBA–MADRID.
 Drive north towards Carmona, an Old World country town dominated by an ancient Alcazar, to Cordoba. This is Spain’s most Moorish city with its great mosque, which is rightly known as one of Islam’s greatest pieces of architecture outside the Arab world and now a Catholic cathedral since 1236. Later, into the very heart of La Mancha, famed for its castles and windmills. Overnight in Madrid. (B)
Day 8 Fri. MADRID.
 Not only is it the capital of Spain, but because it is situated 2,180 feet above sea level, the Spaniards rightly say Madrid is the nearest thing to heaven. Enjoy the main highlights on the included guided sightseeing excursion. The optional trip to Toledo is rewarding in more ways than one; the splendid setting of this old walled city above the Tagus was made famous in El Greco’s painting, and even now it’s like a great open-air museum of Spanish history and art. (B)
Day 9  Sat. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Map


  
Use this map as an overview for your Globus vacation. It will provide you with a visual guide on where your vacation will begin and end as well as the number of nights you spend in at each location. Once you have booked your vacation, a more comprehensive map will be provided.

Vacation Highlights

  
 
Visits to Avila, Salamanca, Coimbra, Fatima, Obidos, Seville.
 

INSIDE VISITS
 
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges when applicable, including admission charges when applicable.
 

STANDARD INCLUDED FEATURES
Learn about Standard Included Features.

Accommodations

  

MEALS
Buffet breakfasts (B), 3 dinners (D)

HOTELS
Madrid Abba (F), Coimbra Dom Luis (ST), Lisbon Roma (ST), Seville Don Paco (ST), Madrid Praga (F)
Tour Start DateReturn DateLand/Cruise PriceStatus
10-Sep-201018-Sep-2010$1109Not Available
17-Sep-201025-Sep-2010$1109Please Call
24-Sep-201002-Oct-2010$1109Send Enquiry
01-Oct-201009-Oct-2010$1065Send Enquiry
08-Oct-201016-Oct-2010$1065Send Enquiry
15-Oct-201023-Oct-2010$1009Please Call
22-Oct-201030-Oct-2010$1009Please Call
04-Mar-201112-Mar-2011$989Send Enquiry
18-Mar-201126-Mar-2011$989Send Enquiry
25-Mar-201102-Apr-2011$1105Send Enquiry
01-Apr-201109-Apr-2011$1105Send Enquiry
15-Apr-201123-Apr-2011$1105Send Enquiry
26-Apr-201104-May-2011$1105Send Enquiry
13-May-201121-May-2011$1105Send Enquiry
27-May-201104-Jun-2011$1105Send Enquiry
10-Jun-201118-Jun-2011$1105Send Enquiry
24-Jun-201102-Jul-2011$1045Send Enquiry
08-Jul-201116-Jul-2011$1045Send Enquiry
22-Jul-201130-Jul-2011$1045Send Enquiry
05-Aug-201113-Aug-2011$1045Send Enquiry
19-Aug-201127-Aug-2011$1045Send Enquiry
02-Sep-201110-Sep-2011$1109Send Enquiry
09-Sep-201117-Sep-2011$1109Send Enquiry
16-Sep-201124-Sep-2011$1109Send Enquiry
23-Sep-201101-Oct-2011$1109Send Enquiry
30-Sep-201108-Oct-2011$1065Send Enquiry
07-Oct-201115-Oct-2011$1065Send Enquiry
14-Oct-201122-Oct-2011$1009Send Enquiry
21-Oct-201129-Oct-2011$1009Send Enquiry

Single room supplement:
$400

No triple room reduction.

Our volume buying power saves you money!
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.

Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.

Price Guarantee: All vacation prices are based on rates (including foreign exchange rates) expected to be in effect at the time of departure. Prices are subject to increase without notice if such rates change prior to departure. The current price will be confirmed at the time of reservation. However, once Cosmos has received your deposit for any vacation departing during the current year, that land price is guaranteed, and any subsequent land cost increases are at our expense, not including any government tax increases.Vacation prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single room supplements and triple room reductions may be applicable.

Not included in the tour price: International and Domestic airfares are not included; Federal Inspection Fees for the U.S. Customs and immigration; International Air Transportation Tax; agricultural tax; any other taxes; security fee; airport taxes and fees; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your tour director; tour host; tour driver; local city guides; gratuities on ferries, trains and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; mini bar; alcohol; beverages and food not on the regular table d'hôte menu (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel or restaurant); optional excursions; porterage at airports; travel protection; excess baggage fees; all other items of a personal nature.