Day 1. (Monday) BARCELONA – MADRID (by train)

Call at Barcelona “Sants” train station, and departure by high-speed train to Madrid. Enjoy a pleasant and short journey with the comfort and speed of the AVE train. Arrival in Madrid. Transfer to the hotel on your own. Free time at your disposal to discover Madrid, the diplomatic capital, the economic centre, and the most populous city in Spain, where the government is located and the Spanish monarchy resides. We recommend taking a walk through the courtly Madrid of the Austrias with its Renaissance and Baroque buildings at Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa. Continue to the Royal Palace located in the elegant Plaza de Oriente, visit the Fountain of Cibeles, Fountain of Neptune, Puerta de Alcalá, Gran Vía, or Paseo de la Castellana. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 2. (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 3. (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 4. (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 5. (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 6. (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 7. (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 Caceres, a magical medieval city, capital of the Extremadura region in western Spain. Free time to stroll through the old town with its city walls and watchtowers and its well-known medieval neighborhood, considered a World Heritage Site. 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 8. (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 center 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 9. (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 neighborhoods 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 flavor and cradle of bullfighters and artists. After the visit, you will enjoy free time to discover different perspectives and flavors 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 10. (Wednesday) SEVILLE – 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 Palace (Red Palace) and Generalife Gardens. Its fountains, gardens and patios (courtyards) have inspired several authors with their sounds and sights, such as the “Tales of the Alhambra” by Washington Irving. Free time in the afternoon. We recommend you to take 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 unmissable places: the Royal Chapel of Granada, the place chosen by the Catholic Monarchs for their last rest, the Cathedral, with its impressive facade in the Spanish Baroque style and also the Alcaiceria, the Old Silk Market during the Nasrid time, a network of alleys full of craft shops. Accommodation at the hotel. Optionally you can see a Gipsy Flamenco Show held in a cave-house at Sacromonte Quarter.

Day 11. (Thursday) GRANADA – VALENCIA

After our breakfast at the hotel we drive eastwards heading to the Mediterranean Coast. We’ll pass Murcia, capital of the fertile garden of the Segura River, and continue north via Alicante, the second largest city within the autonomous Region of Valencia. Arrive to 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. Valencia’s landmark is the modern Arts and Sciences Architectural Complex integrated by six elements: Hemispheric, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanographic, Palau de les Arts and Agora. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation. We recommend you to take a night walk to enjoy the breath-taking avant-garde architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences under the nocturnal ornamental lighting. And of course, you must taste the paella, this colorful mixture of saffron-flavored rice and various meats, Valencia’s most well-known dish world-wide in one of the local restaurants.

Day 12. (Friday) VALENCIA – BARCELONA

Breakfast at the hotel. Lead by a knowledgeable English speaking guide we’ll do an in-depth guided visit of Valencia to discover its beautiful old town with the most prominent buildings: Valencia’s Gothic Cathedral and the famous Micalet Bell Tower, Virgin Mary Square, Valencia Townhall and Post Office – 2 impressive buildings, the World Heritage Silk Exchange Building, its beautiful Central Market, Serranos and Quart Towers… We’ll depart northward along the Mediterranean Coast to Catalonia, passing through Tarragona, the ancient roman city of Tarraco. Arrival to Barcelona, main city of the Spanisn Mediterranean Coast, homeland of the famous architect Gaudí, symbol of the Catalonian modernism. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 13. (Saturday) 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. Our next destination is Montjuic and the Olympic Ring, a legacy of the 1992 Olympics Games that took place in Barcelona. The city tour of Barcelona ends with a walk into the city’s historic central area with its Gothic neighbourhood dating back to the Middle Ages. 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. Accommodation in Barcelona.

Day 14. (Sunday) BARCELONA

Breakfast at the hotel and end of services. You can extend your stay in Spain or participate in a coach holiday to Morocco or a tour package through Europe.