Day 1. (Thursday) LISBON – MERIDA – SEVILLE

Departure from Lisbon to the Spanish border to reach Extremadura, homeland of various New World discoverers. We arrive in ancient Augusta Emerita, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have free time to explore the archaeological site of Mérida at your leisure (entrance not included), where the imposing Roman Theatre of Merida stands out. This iconic theatre, a symbol of the city, continues to operate after 2,000 years and hosts the International Classical Theatre Festival during the summer months. After lunch, we depart via the Silver Highway (Autovia de la Plata) towards Andalusia, a region with a huge heritage from a splendorous past, to arrive at Seville, Andalusia’s capital. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2. (Friday) SEVILLE

After breakfast, we’ll do a monumental and panoramic visit of Seville. You will visit from outside the Cathedral of Seville, the second largest in the Catholic world after San Pedro in Rome and its famous Giralda, the old minaret of the Arab mosque, then stroll through the popular neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz, natural scenery of Carmen as well as where it developed the myth of Don Juan. In the afternoon you’ll have some free to discover different perspectives and specific flavours of this active city full of light. May we recommend you an optional boat trip on the Guadalquivir River to enjoy the panoramic views that exist from the boat? Then you can walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, the great king of Andalusia as the local poet Luis de Góngora y Argote called it. At night, optionally you can enjoy a flamenco show. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 3. (Saturday) SEVILLE – RONDA – COSTA DEL SOL

After breakfast at the hotel we’ll drive south along the Route of the White Washed Villages, listening to stories of bandits while arriving at Ronda, one of the most beautiful towns in Andalusia, situated on the gorge of the Guadalevin River (locally known as Tajo de Ronda) that cuts the city in half. You’ll enjoy some free time to admire this town of Celtic origin and the marvellous views of the valley and mountain range. In the afternoon continue on to the Costa del Sol, one of the most modern and important international tourist areas of Spain. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4. (Sunday) COSTA DEL SOL – GRANADA

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Granada, with its incredible and amazing monumental environment, the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdom up to 1492. We’ll visit the world-famous Alhambra complex with its imposing Alcazaba fortress, the Palace of Charles V, and the Generalife Gardens, fountains, gardens, and courtyards that with their sights and sounds have inspired authors such as Washington Irving in his “Tales of the Alhambra“. Free time in the afternoon. We recommend you to visit the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel that houses the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs or stroll through the Albaicin neighborhood and enjoy the beautiful views of the Alhambra from the Mirador de San Nicolas. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. Optionally you can see a Gipsy Flamenco Show held in a cave-house at Sacromonte Quarter.

Day 5. (Monday) GRANADA – TOLEDO – MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure north to Toledo, where, under the Castilian sky and surrounded by the Tagus River, rises the impressive Imperial City of Toledo – a World Heritage Site and cradle of civilizations – where three cultures coexisted: Christian, Muslim, and Jewish. Upon arrival, we’ll take a panoramic bus tour to enjoy the magnificent view of the city from the other side of the Tagus River, a must-see for Toledo’s most iconic photo. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy an included lunch, and then, accompanied by an expert local guide, we’ll take a walk through Toledo’s historic centre to familiarize ourselves with this imposing medieval city. We’ll visit Zocodover Square, Toledo’s most emblematic square, surrounded by buildings of different architectural styles, from Renaissance to Baroque. Next, we’ll pass by the Alcázar of Toledo, an imposing fortress that now houses the Army Museum. Wandering through the streets of Toledo, we’ll arrive at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square), where we’ll admire the façade of Toledo Cathedral, officially known as the Primate Cathedral of Spain. This imposing building blends Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles and was built on the foundations of a former mosque. We’ll also learn about the damascening technique (inlaying precious metals into steel) at a local artisan workshop. In the afternoon, we’ll continue our journey to Madrid. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 6. (Tuesday) MADRID – SALAMANCA – PORTO

Departure from Madrid to Salamanca, the university city par excellence. Free time to explore at your own pace this World Heritage Site of great artistic wealth. A stroll around the pedestrian streets in its historic centre will take you to Plaza Mayor, one of the most beautiful squares in Spain, you may visit Salamanca’s two cathedrals (the old cathedral dating from the 12^th-13^th centuries of Romanesque style, and the new one from the 16^th century), the House of Shells, the Baroque style Clerecia church and the University with its beautiful Plateresque façade. Later we’ll continue northwest towards Porto, city declared a World Heritage Site. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 7. (Wednesday) PORTO

Breakfast at the hotel. We have a whole day to enjoy this authentic city, capital of Northern Portugal. We begin with a panoramic visit of Porto to discover the Cathedral of Sé, the most important religious monument in Porto, a mixture of styles and influences, also the Palacio de la Bolsa, one of the most beautiful buildings in Porto, Santa Clara Church and ending in a local winery where we will taste the world-famous Porto wine. Afternoon free at your disposal to continue exploring the corners of Porto, stroll along the Avenida dos Aliados, the Ribeira de Porto on the banks of the Duero and admire the Don Luis I Bridge, the most famous bridge in Porto, climb to the Clérigos Tower, the best viewpoint of Porto, from where you will have panoramic views of the historic city center or take an optional cruise on the Duero River. Hotel accommodation.

Day 8. (Thursday) PORTO – COIMBRA – FATIMA – LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. We leave Porto heading south to reach Coimbra, a riverfront city rising scenically from the Rio Mondego and the country’s former capital during the Middle Ages. Arrival and free time at your disposal to explore its preserved medieval old town with its dark cobbled streets. We continue our route southward to Fatima. We will discover this important sacred centre of the Christian Faith, known worldwide for its sanctuary, a place of Christian pilgrimage since the beginning of the 20^th century. Free time at your disposal to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima consisting of an impressive Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Chapel of the Apparitions, heart of the sanctuary and place where according to the Roman Catholic Church, three visionary children Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta Marto received several apparitions and heavenly messages by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. You can visit the tombs of the three little shepherds, the precious statue of Our Lady of Fátima, the great oak tree, and also the monument dedicated to the three little shepherds (the seers) of Fatima. At the end of the day we will continue to Lisbon. Arrival and end of the services.