Day 1. (Thursday) LISBON

Olá! Bem Vindo a Portugal! Welcome to Europe! You’ll have the entire day at your disposal to get acquainted with this cosmopolitan city, the capital and largest city of Portugal. Please check the informative panels in the hotel reception area for the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers, and to receive information about the circuit. We recommend you to leave your luggages at the hotel and start exploring at your own pace this magnificent city. As you’ll enjoy a complete sightseeing tour of Lisbon on the next day of the tour, we recommend you to get away from the touristic routes and experience, feel and taste the genuine Lisbon. It’s worth going for the tram ride! These vintage restored streetcars, wooden and painted yellow, are a throwback to another era. That retro feel, perched on a bench as the tram clatters its way through the city’s narrow streets and blares its horn, is priceless. You should taste the pastel de nata (cinnamon-dusted egg custard tart), Portugal’s signature confection any of the pastry shops in Lisbon. And then, feast your eyes on displays of tiles spanning 500 years of feverish creativity at the Museu do Azulejo, housed in convent cloisters. And finally, from imposing São Jorge Castle, take a memorable picture of the old city’s pastel-colored buildings, Tagus Estuary and Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge. Accommodation in hotel.

Day 2. (Friday) LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. We’ll have a full day to explore each corner of Lisbon. We’ll start the day with an in-depth sightseeing tour of Lisbon. We’ll visit Lisbon’s traditional neighbourhoods, which take us into the Belem district, on the northern bank of the Tagus River estuary, the birthplace of many great Portuguese navigators who sailed the oceans in the Fifteenth Century to explore and trade with India and the Orient. We will walk around the Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), a monument that celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery, we’ll see the Belem Tower, a medieval defensive fortification and a prominent example of the Portuguese Manueline style. We will finally see the beautiful gothic style Jeronimos Monastery, Vasco da Gama’s resting place, classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the nearby Tower of Belen. Enjoy some free time at leisure to explore Lisbon at your own pace, to discover the nostalgic corners of the Barrio de Alfama, the old city grouped next to its Castle with its old buildings in narrow and twisted “ruas” full of color and housing the genuine “taverns” where Fado music sounds like a lost past. Late in the afternoon, we’ll include a transfer to the Restauradores Square, a public square with lots of restaurants. We suggest you to take the Elevador Da Gloria, a cable-car that climb the steep hill into the Bairro Alto district, from the viewpoint of San Pedro you can enjoy the best views over Lisbon. Return to the hotel.

Day 3. (Saturday) LISBON – FATIMA – PORTO

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure northbound to Fatima. We will visit this important sacred center of the Christendom, known worldwide for its sanctuary, a place of Christian pilgrimage since the beginning of the 20^th century. We continue our route through the green lands of the center regions of Portugal. Arrival in Porto, the second-largest city of Portugal. You’ll enjoy some free time for lunch and then we’ll board a rabelo boat, a typical Portuguese vessel on the Douro River, which traditionally transported barrels of port wine from the vineyards in the Alto Douro to the port wine cellars. We’ll enjoy a unique experience, a boat trip along the Douro River, viewing the city at sunset from the river. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure, exploring the historical and nostalgic atmosphere of this port city, with its elegant neighborhoods and stately villas contrasting with the narrow streets and old alleys. You can visit the Sé Cathedral, Porto’s most important religious monument, as well as the Stock Exchange Palace, one of Porto’s most beautiful buildings. Stroll along the Ribeira de Porto on the banks of the Douro River and admire the Dom Luis I Bridge, Porto’s most famous bridge. Climb the Clérigos Tower, the best viewpoint in Porto, from where you’ll have fabulous panoramic views of the city’s historic center. Hotel accommodation.

Day 4. (Sunday) PORTO – BOM JESUS SANCTUARY – CAMBADOS – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

After breakfast, we start our trip to the northern Portugal. We travel among beautiful landscapes. At Braga, we go up in the oldest funicular in the world, an impressive piece of 19^th century engineering, to discover the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from where we will appreciate beautiful views of the city of Braga. We suggest walking down to admire its beautiful Stairway of the Five Senses, a monumental Baroque stairway of 381 feet. We continue our trip to Galicia, with its landscapes of lush valleys and stunning beaches, spectacular cliffs, charming fishing villages and incredible cities. At Rias Bajas (Lower Estuaries of Galicia) we will stop in the historic city of Cambados, and we will board for a glass bottom boat trip in which we will explain how mussels and oysters are produced, with a wine and mussels tasting included. After lunch time we arrive at Santiago de Compostela, whose old town is a World Heritage Site, one of the most important monumental centers of Spain, one of the sacred cities of Christendom and end of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route. Upon arrival we’ll enjoy a city tour visiting amongst others, the Plaza del Obradoiro, the point at which all roads into the city converge, where we can find Santiago’s Highlight, the Cathedral dedicated to the Apostle James the Elder, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ and brother of John, the Evangelist. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation. We recommend you to take a night walk to discover at your pace this historic city, its university atmosphere of joy and vitality, try the delicious cuisine that Galician tradition has preserved and its regional products, especially seafood, fish and beef.

Day 5. (Monday) SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – LUGO – O CEBREIRO – LEON – OVIEDO

Breakfast. We travel along the Saint James Route towards Castilla. We stop in Lugo (Lucus Augusti during the Roman Period) to get to know its historic center, an urban network of quiet pedestrian streets and the grand Roman walls encircling old Lugo, considered the best preserved of their kind in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue our route in Galicia travelling through O Cebreiro, a small Galician stone village and Leon, a historic enclave on the Pilgrim’s Road to Santiago de Compostela. Free time to visit some of the most emblematic buildings such as the Gothic cathedral, with the most beautiful stained-glass windows in Europe, the Collegiate Church of San Isidoro and the facade of the San Marcos Hostel in Plateresque style. Later we will cross the Cantabrian Mountains traveling to Asturias. Arrival in Oviedo, a city of an unquestionable medieval flavour. Lead by a licensed local guide, we’ll do an in-depth city tour of Oviedo to discover its beautiful 9^th century cathedral, the Calatrava Palace, the Campoamor theater, the Rua street. After the visit, we’ll enjoy a traditional dinner, where we can taste the authentic Asturian cider. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 6. (Tuesday) OVIEDO – COVADONGA – SANTILLANA – SANTANDER

After breakfast we travel to the Picos de Europa National Park & UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Driving a twisty road that will slowly reveal a beautiful countryside made up of calm waters, unimaginable green carpets and mountain peaks which all seem to be almost within reach, we will arrive to Covadonga, where you will have free time to visit the Shrine, a place of worship and pilgrimage for the people of Asturias, where you will see the Patroness of Asturias our Lady of Covadonga. We continue the route towards Santillana del Mar, one of the most important historical artistic towns in Spain. It contains architectural treasures such as the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, a Jewel of the Romanesque Architecture in Cantabria. We will visit the Museum of the Caves of Altamira, that will give us a closer look at the prehistoric era of the Iberian Peninsula. Later we travel to Santander, capital of Cantabria Region, one of the most elegant and beautiful cities of the North Coast of Spain. Santander is a port city located between the sea and the mountains, well known for its Sardinero Beach, one of the best-known beaches in Spain. With a local guide we’ll do a sightseeing tour of Santander to discover the highlights of this elegant coastal city and its beautiful bay. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation. Note: From July to mid-October, due to high occupancy some groups will be accommodated in Bilbao.

Day 7. (Wednesday) SANTANDER – BILBAO – LA RIOJA – ZARAGOZA

Breakfast. Following the highway along the Cantabrian Coast, with beautiful landscapes between the mountains and the sea we arrive to Bilbao, capital of the province of Vizcaya, and the largest city of the Basque Country. Accompanied by an expert local guide, we will visit Bilbao, where design and architecture permeate this entire city: the avant-garde building of the Guggenheim Museum, the old town of Bilbao, the Cathedral … Then you will have free time to take some “pintxos” – bite-sized pieces, miniature culinary works of art. Our route continues to La Rioja Region, internationally famous for the quality of its wines. We will visit the Wine Culture Museum that will take us on a journey through the history of wine, with an explanation of its production methods and cultural significance. By the end of the day we’ll arrive to Zaragoza, located on the banks of the Ebro River, one of Spain’s major cities and capital of the Region of Aragon. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 8. (Thursday) ZARAGOZA – POBLET – BARCELONA

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we will do a panoramic tour of Zaragoza with a local guide. During the visit of Saragossa we will discover Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar, Patroness of Hispanity. We will learn about Goya, the famous painter, and see some of his works. We will also see a Roman theatre, a Renaissance palace and we will and walk by the Aljaferia Moorish Palace. After lunch time we continue to the Monastery of Poblet, one of the best examples of religious architecture in Catalonia and considered one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world (entrance and guided tour included). We travel later to Barcelona, arrival at the hotel and accommodation. Note: In the winter months, from November to March, as days are shorter, the Poblet Monastery will not be visited (in order to arrive in Montserrat during the daylight hours).

Day 9. (Friday) BARCELONA

We wake up in Barcelona. After breakfast, we get on the bus to visit Barcelona with a local guide, discovering its main avenues decorated with impressive modernist buildings of Antoni Gaudí. We’ll make a short stop to see the impotent Gaudí’s Great Basilica of Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) from outside, a unique creation that has become Barcelona’s most universal symbol. We’ll take a walk into the city’s historic central area with its Gothic neighbourhood dating back to the Middle Ages. Next destination is Montjuic and the Olympic Ring, a legacy of the 1992 Olympics Games that took place in Barcelona. From this moment you’ll have free time to explore in depth what you couldn’t see before. We recommend you to book in advance your tickets to see the Sagrada Familia from inside if it is of your interest, or if you prefer, you may explore other parts of the Gothic Quarter… there are many options: visit the Cathedral of Barcelona, Plaça del Pi, the Plaza Real or take a walk on the famous Rambla de los Capuchinos, an emblematic street and a must-see for any visitor to Barcelona. In the evening we provide transfers to Las Ramblas and Plaza Catalunya area for dinner, where you can select from a great variety of restaurants. Return to the hotel and accommodation.

Day 10. (Saturday) BARCELONA – PEÑISCOLA – VALENCIA

Breakfast. We leave behind us the capital of Catalonia and travel south along the Mediterranean Coast. Our first stop will be at Peñiscola, a medieval walled town that stands as a delightful balcony over the Mediterranean. You’ll enjoy some free time to have a walk through its old town, which enters the Mediterranean Sea forming a small peninsula, crowned by the imperial Castle of Papa Luna.The route along the Mediterranean continues to reach Valencia, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean coast, that harmoniously combine the remnants of its farthest past, with the most innovative and avant-garde buildings from the new millennium. Free time for lunch, we recommend you to taste the paella, Valencia’s most well-known dish world-wide. Return to hotel and overnight in Valencia. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a guided tour of Valencia to explore the breath-taking avant-garde architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences, one of the largest scientific and cultural complexes in Europe, then we’ll make a time jump and discover the old town of Valencia strolling through its historic center, full of fascinating monuments, as the Valencia’s Gothic Cathedral, the World Heritage Silk Exchange Building, its beautiful Central Market, Serranos and Quart Towers… At night we’ll include the dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Valencia.

Day 11. (Sunday) VALENCIA – ALICANTE – CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ – GRANADA

After breakfast, we continue exploring the highlights of the Region of Valencia. Arrival to Alicante, located in the middle of the Costa Blanca, a beautiful harbour city, which sits at the foot of the Castle of Santa Barbara, a silent witness to the numerous civilisations to have settled here. We’ll have some time to stroll in this active and very pleasant city to discover its religious and civil architectural legacy and to enjoy its exquisite gastronomy. We continue our route southward to reach the Region of Murcia, home of the fertile garden of the Segura River. Our next destination will be Caravaca de la Cruz, a town considered by the Catholic Church as one of the 5 holy cities, its church holds a Relic of Christ’s Cross. We include a ride up to the historic area on the tourist train. After this we will carry on along an attractive scenic road to Andalusia, a region with a huge heritage from a splendorous past. Arrival in Granada, an incredible and amazing monumental environment, the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdom up to 1492. Transfer to the hotel, dinner included and accommodation.

Day 12. (Monday) GRANADA

Breakfast. We’ll start our full day in Granada with a guided tour of the world-famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens (entrance ticket and local guide included). Its fountains, gardens and patios (courtyards) have inspired several authors with their sounds and sights, such as the “Tales of the Alhambra” by W. Irving. After knowing this architectural wonder, you will enjoy free time for lunch. We recommend you in the afternoon to take a walk through the Monumental area of ​​Granada, strolling through the origins of this city that still retains all the magic of its Arab past. There are some must-see places: the Royal Chapel of Granada, the place chosen by the Catholic Monarchs for their last rest, the Cathedral, with its impressive facade of Spanish Baroque style and also the Alcaiceria, the old Silk Market in the Nasrid era, a network of narrow streets filled with shops selling handicrafts from Granada. Optionally you can see a Gipsy Flamenco Show held in a cave-house at Sacromonte Quarter. Accommodation at the hotel. Note: Within the Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces allow the entry of a limited number of people. In case of not being able to visit this area of the Alhambra, a visit with a local guide of the city of Granada would be included and also the Real Alcazar of Seville with similar characteristics will be visited.

Day 13. (Tuesday) GRANADA – MALAGA – MARBELLA – RONDA – SEVILLE

Breakfast at the hotel. Our next destination is the famous Costa del Sol, one of the most modern and important international tourist areas. Arrival in Malaga, capital city of Costa del Sol and hometown of Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas, among its most famous citizens. You’ll enjoy some free time for a stroll in the historic centre of Malaga with its cathedral, Moorish Fortress and the Picasso Museum. We will continue along the coastal motorway with beautiful views of the Mediterranean and passing through Puerto Banus, in Marbella, an exclusive high-level marina. In the afternoon we will continue along the Route of the White Washed Villages to reach Ronda, one of the most beautiful towns in Andalusia, situated on the gorge of the Guadalevin River (locally known as Tajo de Ronda). Free time to admire this town of Celtic origin and the marvellous views of the valley and mountain range. Continuation to Sevilla, capital city of Andalusia. Arrival at the hotel, dinner included and accommodation.

Day 14. (Wednesday) SEVILLE

After breakfast, we’ll do a monumental and panoramic visit of Seville. Lead by an expert guide you will discover the Cathedral of Seville, the second largest in the Catholic world after San Pedro in Rome and its famous Giralda Tower, the old seminar of the Arab mosque, also the popular neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz, the natural setting of “Carmen” as well as the place where the myth of “Don Juan” developed and Triana, of deep popular flavour and cradle of bullfighters and artists. After the visit, we will include a boat trip on the Guadalquivir River to enjoy the panoramic views that exist from the boat. We recommend you to take a nice walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, the “great king of Andalusia”, as the poet Luis de Góngora y Argote called it. Afternoon free to discover different perspectives and specific flavours of this active city full of lights. At night, we recommend you to go out for Tapa-hopping, an unbeatable way to experience Andalusian culture and savour the charms of its bars and taverns. Tapas are an exquisite, varied and choice example of popular gastronomy which allows you to share a variety of dishes and try a wide range of different products for reasonable prices. Optionally, you may also enjoy an exquisite flamenco show.

Day 15. (Thursday) SEVILLE – CORDOBA – CONSUEGRA – MADRID

After breakfast at the hotel we leave Seville following the valley of the Guadalquivir River to Cordoba, once the capital of the Moorish Caliphate. Lead by a local guide, you’ll visit Cordoba’s fabulous Cathedral-Mosque, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and also the ancient Synagogue (entrances included). Later you’ll do a stroll in the old district, the Jewish Quarter of Cordoba, with its famous “patios” of flowers and its narrow winding streets. Free time to enjoy the last moments in Andalusia and if you prefer, to buy some souvenirs in one of many shops that can be found in Cordoba. After lunch, we continue towards the Castilian lands, where Miguel de Cervantes imagined the most famous knight of Spanish literature, Don Quixote de la Mancha and stop at Consuegra, where 12 giant windmills together with an impressive castle, contemplate the plain fields of La Mancha. We’ll visit Venta Rucio windmill. Continuation to Madrid. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation. Note: Depending on the number of passengers, the Valencia / Madrid route may be made by high speed train.

Day 16. (Friday) MADRID – LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time at your disposal to explore Madrid at your own pace, diplomatic capital, economic centre and most populous city in Spain, headquarters of the Spanish government and city where the Spanish monarchy resides. You can take a walk through the courtly Madrid de los Austrias Neighborhood with its Renaissance and Baroque buildings in Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa, continue to the Royal Palace located in the elegant Plaza de Oriente, get to know the Cibeles Fountain, Fountain of Neptune, Puerta de Alcala, Gran Vía or Paseo de la Castellana. At the indicated time, transfer on you own to the bus station to take the regular bus service Madrid to Lisbon (ticket included). Pleasant journey to Portugal, crossing the Region of Extremadura, land of the best cured ham, good wines and tasty cheeses and travelling along large meadows of evergreen oaks and cork oaks groves where the Iberian pig roams freely. Arrival at Lisbon and end of the services.