Coach holiday Mediterranean Coast & Portugal from Madrid
PEPE TOURS
Coach holiday Mediterranean Coast & Portugal from Madrid
PEPE TOURS
MADRID, BARCELONA, ANDALUSIA & LISBON – 12 DAYS TOUR PACKAGE
Madrid, Barcelona, Andalusia & Portugal – 12 days from Madrid
Escorted 12 days tour package departing from Madrid. Get to know Barcelona, the largest city of Catalonia and one of the world’s leading tourist centres, Valencia and its breathtaking architectural complex City of Arts and Sciences, visit the one and only Alhambra Palace in Granada, with its Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Gardens, residence of the moorish sultans from the Nasrid Dynasty, Seville, the capital city of Andalusia and travel to Portugal to get to know Lisbon, a nest of history and culture and Fatima the most famous pilgrimage site in Portugal.
Departure days of the tour
Departures: Tuesday
Coach holiday Mediterranean Coast & Portugal from Madrid includes:
Transfer to hotel in Madrid / City tour in Madrid, Poblet, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada (Alhambra Palace & Generalife Gardens), Seville and Lisbon / Boat along the Guadalquivir River in Seville / Evening transfer to Debod Temple and Plaza de Espana – Gran Via in Madrid, Plaza de Oriente in Madrid, Ramblas and Plaza de Catalunya in Barcelona, Bullring square in Valencia, Albaicin in Granada, Historic center of Seville and Restauradores Square in Lisbon / Ticket admission to Las Ventas bullring in Madrid, Poblet Monastery, Poble Espanyol in Barcelona, Alhambra Palace in Granada, Chapel of Bones in Evora / Train ride to Montserrat Monastery & Caravaca de la Cruz / Englisk speaking tour escort throughout the whole holiday / Air conditioned modern motor-coach / Accommodation at 4* hotels / Daily breakfast buffet and 1 meal / Travel insurance.
Price details
PRICE PER PERSON IN EUROS (SEASON 2023 - 2024) | ||
IN DOUBLE ROOM | from 1205 € | |
IN SINGLE ROOM | from 1800 € |
Day 1. (Tuesday) MADRID
Hola! Welcome to Europe! Welcome to Spain! Arrival at the International Airport of Madrid – Barajas. Assistance and transfer to your hotel in Madrid. You’ll enjoy some free time at your disposal to get acquainted with this cosmopolitan city, capital of Spain. 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. Towards the end of the day, we’ll do a transfer to the Egyptian Debod temple, Plaza de España and Gran Via, a vibrant district where you’ll find a great variety of restaurants for dinner. Accommodation in hotel.
Day 2. (Wednesday) MADRID
Breakfast at the hotel. Escorted by a local guide, we’ll start a guided tour of Madrid discovering Paseo del Prado, one of the main boulevards in Madrid, Cibeles Square, the most emblematic square in Madrid with the fountain of the Greek goddess Cibeles, place where Real Madrid and Spain national team fans celebrate their victories, the Neptuno Square, the Gate of Alcala, one of the old royal gates that gave access to the city, Cristofor Columbus Square and the Plaza Mayor, once the centre of Old Madrid, is one of the prettiest open spaces in Spain. Our city tour of Madrid continues with the visit to Retiro Park, an oasis in the city centre, where we will see its lake and the Glass Palace. You’ll have the chance then to visit Las Ventas Bullring, one of the most famous bullrings in the world where we will learn about the tradition of “corridas” in the Bullfighting Museum. The afternoon will be at your disposal to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of Spain Capital. At sunset we’ll take you to Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace, an elegant and bustling area with many restaurants serving different exquisite cuisines (Indian, Middle Eastern, Muslim, Spanish, International) in which to enjoy a pleasant dinner. Return to hotel and accommodation.
Day 3. (Thursday) MADRID – ZARAGOZA – POBLET – MONTSERRAT – BARCELONA
Breakfast. We depart early in the morning from Madrid. Heading towards the Region of Aragon, we pause our journey in Zaragoza, located on the banks of the Ebro River, one of Spain’s major cities. You’ll enjoy free time to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar, Patroness of Hispanity and take a stroll into the old town, to discover its impressive monumental legacy, as Romans, Muslims, Jews and Christians left their mark on this place. 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 the Monastery of Montserrat where we include a ride on the rack railway to enjoy fantastic landscapes. We will resume our journey 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 4. (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. Our city tour of Barcelona takes us to visit the Poble Español (Spanish Village), an open-air architectural museum where you’ll enjoy Spanish craftsmanship and discover the architectural styles, traditions and folklore of the different communities in Spain. 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 5. (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 for lunch and 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. We’ll enjoy 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 part of Valencia strolling through its historic center, full of fascinating monuments. You’ll enjoy some free time to visit if you wish Valencia’s Gothic Cathedral, the World Heritage Silk Exchange Building, its beautiful Central Market, Serranos and Quart Towers… At night we’ll take you close to Valencia’s Bullring, an area with lots of restaurants where you can taste the paella, Valencia’s most well-known dish world-wide. Return to hotel and overnight in Valencia.
Day 6. (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 and accommodation.
Day 7. (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. Later, enjoy an evening transfer to Albaicín Quarter, a World Heritage Site along with the Alhambra, where you can enjoy dinner in a restaurant and take a stroll in the narrow winding streets of this captivating Medieval Moorish quarter. 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 8. (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 and accommodation.
Day 9. (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 neighborhoods 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 flavor 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 flavors of this active city full of lights. At night, optionally you may enjoy an exquisite flamenco show.
Day 10. (Thursday) SEVILLE – JEREZ DE LOS CABALLEROS – MONSARAZ – EVORA – LISBOA
Breakfast at the hotel. We leave for Portugal, crossing the Region of Extremadura, land of the best cured ham, good wines and tasty cheeses. Travelling along large meadows of evergreen oaks and cork oaks groves where the Iberian pig roams freely, we arrive to Jerez de los Caballeros, a magnificent city dotted with historical and monumental buildings. We continue to Monsaraz, one of the most picturesque towns in Portugal, with its walls, castle, white streets full of flowers and beautiful views. Latern on, between white whashed villages we arrive at Evora, a city declared a World Heritage Site with its white streets, its Renaissance palaces and its cathedral. We will visit the impressive Bone Chapel (ticket included), built using 5,000 skeletons. Traveling among beautiful landscapes of Alentejo Region, we’ll arrive to Lisbon, the capital and largest city of Portugal. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.
Day 11. (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 12. (Saturday) LISBON – FATIMA – MADRID
Our last breakfast in Portugal. 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 20th century. We continue our route through the green lands of the center regions of 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. Stop for a lunch of regional food (included)on our route. Continuation to Madrid. Arrival and of our services.
Summary
- Departure city: SPAIN, Madrid
- Returning city: SPAIN, Madrid
- Cities where we will travel through: Alicante, Caravaca de la Cruz, Barcelona, Evora, Fatima, Granada, Jerez de los Caballeros, Lisbon, Madrid, Malaga, Marbella, Montserrat, Poblet, Ronda, Seville, Valencia, Zaragoza
- Countries where the tour goes: SPAIN, PORTUGAL
- Nº days of the tour: 12
- Departure day of the tour: Tuesday
- Price: from 1205 €
- Tour code: 11923-120000000-04-MADMAD-G
Please note that
Exceptionally, the itinerary and the order of the excursions could be altered and modified for organizational reasons. Depending on hotel availability or in case of last minute reservations, the provided hotels may be replaced by others of the same category (see list of planned hotels at Scheduled Hotels).