Day 1. (Tuesday) MADRID – SALAMANCA – PORTO

Departure from Madrid westbound heading to the Atlantic Coast of Portugal. Our first stop will be in 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 to Porto, the capital of Northern Portugal. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 2. (Wednesday) PORTO

Breakfast at the hotel. We have a whole day to enjoy this authentic city, declared a World Heritage Site. 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”. After the visit we will include a boat trip on the Douro river to enjoy the panoramic views that exist from the boat. 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. Hotel accommodation.

Day 3. (Thursday) PORTO – COIMBRA – FATIMA

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 lanes, visit Coimbra’s monuments: the monumental 12^th century Romanesque cathedral Sé Velha, the historic University of Coimbra, Portugal’s oldest and most prestigious university, the gothic Igreja de Santa Cruz, Coimbra’s most historically important church or enjoy a relaxed coffee and sweet pastry in the Café Santa Cruz. We continue our route southward to Fatima. We will discover this important sacred center 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 Fátima. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation. At night, you’ll have the the possibility of attending the candlelight procession.

Day 4. (Friday) FATIMA – BATALHA – NAZARE – ALCOBAÇA – LISBON

After breakfast, we will depart to the Monastery of Batalha (Monastery of the Battle in English), an artwork of the Gothic and Manueline styles, built in commemoration of the Battle of Aljubarrota, when the Portuguese troupes managed to rule out Castilian ambitions to the Portuguese throne. Our route continues to Nazare, the most picturesque and colorful fishing village in Portugal located on the Silver Coast (Costa da Prata). If we have enough time, we will drive till O Sitio (the old town) to enjoy a panoramic view of the town and its beaches. We will continue our trip to Alcobaça where we will visit its 12th century Monastery, one of the most magnificent gothic monuments in Portugal with the tombs of the King Peter I of Portugal and his mistress, Ines de Castro. At the end of the day we will continue to Lisbon, the capital and the largest city in Portugal. Arrival and accommodation in the hotel. In the evening, optionally you can enjoy a Fado music show (typical Portuguese folklore).

Day 5. (Saturday) 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. Optionally you can do a beautiful coach trip to visit Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with Cabo da Roca and admire Cascais and Estoril. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 6. (Sunday) LISBON – CACERES – CORDOBA

Our last breakfast in Portugal. Departure towards Spain travelling along beautiful green plains that extend as far as the eye can see dotted with cork oaks and olive trees that withstand time. Back in Spain, we enjoy the beautiful landscape of Region of Extremadura, the typical wooded pasture known as the “dehesa” where the iberian pigs forage freely for acorns. Arrival in Cáceres, a magical medieval city, capital of the province, in the west of Spain. Free time to walk through the old town with its walls and watchtowers and its well-known medieval quarter, considered World Heritage. We recommend that you follow the narrow paths that will transport you to another century and captivate you with its ancient charm. You will discover the main square of Cáceres: the Plaza Mayor and the Bujaco Tower, known locally as the Clock Tower, the Arco de la Estrella, which is one of the five access gates of Cáceres, the beautiful Palacio de los Golfines… Later, we set off to Córdoba, former capital of the Muslim Caliphate of Al-Andalus, with its impressive cultural and monumental heritage. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 7. (Monday) CÓRDOBA – SEVILLE

Breakfast at the hotel. Accompanied by an expert local guide, we will visit the most notable places in Córdoba: the narrow and winding streets of the Jewish Quarter, the synagogue and the fantastic Great Mosque of Córdoba, one of the largest works of Islamic architecture in the world, which is still preserved from the time when the Muslims ruled Al-Ándalus, which will relax our mind and spirit. Free time at your disposal to stroll through the historic centre of Córdoba, with its medieval streets or visit the Royal Palace “Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos” and its beautiful gardens. In the afternoon, after a short drive, arrival in Seville, the capital of Andalusia. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 8. (Tuesday) SEVILLE

After breakfast, we will take a monumental and panoramic tour of Seville. You will visit the Seville Cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world after Saint Peter’s in Rome and its famous Giralda, the old minaret of the Arab mosque, then you will walk through the popular neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz, natural setting of “Carmen” as well like where he developed the myth of “Don Juan” and also Triana, with a deep popular flavour and cradle of bullfighters and artists. After the visit, you will enjoy free time to discover different perspectives and flavours specific to this active, light-filled city. How about a boat ride along the Guadalquivir River to enjoy the panoramic views that exist from the boat? Next, you can walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, the “great king of Andalusia” as the poet Luis de Góngora y Argote called him. Accommodation. At night, you can optionally enjoy a flamenco show.

Day 9. (Wednesday) SEVILLE – RONDA – COSTA DEL SOL

Breakfast. Departure along the White Villages route towards Ronda. Free time to admire this city of Celtic origin and its wonderful views of the valley and mountain range. Continuation towards the Costa del Sol. Arrival and afternoon free. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 10. (Thursday) COSTA DEL SOL – GRANADA

Breakfast. Departure to Granada and its incredible and astonishing monumental surroundings, the last bastion of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada until 1492. Visit of the world-famous complex of the Alhambra with its beautiful palaces, fountains, gardens, patios that with their views and sounds have inspired authors such as Washington Irving in his “Tales of the Alhambra”. Rest of the afternoon at leisure, during which we recommend taking a walk through the monumental area of Granada, strolling through the origins of this city that still preserves 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 Spanish baroque style façade and also the Alcaiceria, the old silk market in the Nasrid era, a network of alleys full of Granada crafts shops. Accommodation at the hotel. At night, optionally, you can enjoy a Zambra Gitana show in the Sacromonte neighbourhood.

Day 11. (Friday) GRANADA – TOLEDO – MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure heading north where the impressive imperial city of Toledo rises, under the sky of Castilla and surrounded by the Tajo River. – World Heritage and cradle of civilizations – where the three cultures, Christians, Muslims and Jews, coexisted. Extracting the art, history and spirituality of the country, the entire city is a national monument. Interesting visit of the most important monuments, its narrow streets and the damascene technique (inlaying precious metals in steel). Continuation towards Madrid. End of services.