MADRID & PORTUGAL FOR 9 DAYS AND 8 NIGHTS

English Only – Small Group

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES ON SUNDAYS:
April. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
May 7, 14, 21 & 28
June 4, 11, 18 & 25
July 9 & 16
August 6 & 13
September 3, 10, 17 & 24
October 1, 8, 15 & 22

Day 1: MADRID
Meet & greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure—accommodation at the hotel.

Day 2: MADRID
Breakfast at the hotel.

Discover the beauties of the city with a guided city tour. Barrio de la Morería, the Hapsburgs District, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. The contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium.

Afternoon at leisure to continue exploring the wonders that the city offers.

Join your fellow travelers for an authentic Welcome Tapas Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 3: MADRID – SALAMANCA – PORTO
Breakfast at the hotel. Bond for Portugal, we will drive towards Salamanca. Enjoy some free time in this University City World Heritage of great architectural and artistic wealth. Continue to the Portuguese border to reach Porto. Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European towns and was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.

Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 4: PORTO
Breakfast at the hotel. Guided sightseeing tour of Porto. Admire the Cathedral, Stock Exchange building, and Santa Clara church. Afterward, enjoy a Douro River Cruise and discover famous Port Wine Cellars with a wine tasting experience. Rest of day at leisure.

Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 5: PORTO – COIMBRA – FATIMA
After breakfast, we depart to Coimbra, one of the oldest universities in Europe and the birthplace of Fado. Free time. Continue to Fatima. Center of the Christian Faith and World Pilgrimage Sanctuary with its impressive Basilica and the Cova da Iria place where the Virgin Mary appeared. The Chapel of the Apparitions, the heart of the sanctuary, with the tombs of the three shepherds, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. At night possibility to attend the procession of the candles.

Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 6: FATIMA – BATALHA – NAZARE – ALCOBAÇA – LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline style considered a World Heritage place by UNESCO. Continue to the picturesque fishing town of Nazaré. Free time and continue to Alcobaça (World Heritage) with its Gothic church and Cistercian monastery, whose origins date back to the XII C. We continue to Lisbon.

Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 7: LISBON
After breakfast, join a morning city sightseeing of the ancient Olissipo. Drive through its main squares and avenues, Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Coach Museum, Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square & Liberty Avenue. Afternoon at leisure for you to catch the nostalgic corners of Alfama Quarter, the old city gathered next to its Castle, with old buildings nested in narrow twisting “Ruas” full of color housing the genuine “tabernas.”

Join your fellow travelers and enjoy a typical Portuguese dinner visiting one of the oldest Fado venues in the city and located in one of the most interesting cultural neighborhoods in the area.

Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 8: LISBON – CACERES – MADRID
Departure to Caceres is considered a World Heritage place because of the city’s blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic, and Italian Renaissance architecture. Walk through it’s Plaza Mayor and the Old Town with its famous Medieval Quarter. Continue to Madrid.

Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 9: MADRID
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport.

INCLUSIONS: Guided visits in Madrid, Porto (including Douro River Cruise and Port wine tasting), Lisbon / English speaking Tour Director throughout the journey / Daily breakfast / Welcome Tapas Experience dinner / Fado show and dinner in Lisbon / Transportation by luxury coach / Accommodation at selected class / Private transfers to/from the airport as per itinerary.

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:

PORTO

Visit Guimaraes:
Guimaraes is one of the oldest cities in Portugal, the cradle of the Portuguese nation, whose historic center is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In this city, we will have the opportunity to learn about Portuguese history and visit, among other monuments, the Castle (Castelo de Guimaraes) dating from the 10th century and the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança. Built-in the fifteenth century, it was the residence of the royal family. Here we will pay tribute to the first king of Portugal, Mr. Alfonso Henriques. We can also walk the streets of the historic center and hear a little more about its secrets and stories, and visit the typical local art and craft stores.

LISBON

Monument of Cristo Rey, Calcilhas, and ferry through the Tagus:
We propose you discover a different Lisbon. We will cross the emblematic April 25 Bridge over the Tagus to go to the National Sanctuary of Cristo Rey. At the height of 113 meters above the river level, from Cristo’s viewpoint, the work of the sculptor Francisco Franco de Soussa, one of the fabulous views of the Portuguese capital, is contemplated. We will continue on this side of the river visiting Calcilhas, a picturesque residential village in front of Lisbon, which retains its flavor as a fishing port. There, we will take the ferry that, crossing the Tagus estuary, will return us to Lisbon. From the boat, we will discover a different and original Lisbon, seen from a new point of view: quite an experience.

Sintra & Estoril Coast Tour:
We will leave in the direction of the romantic town of Sintra. We will visit the outside of its wonderful Royal Palace on our walking tour.

Then we will go to Cabo de Roca, the easternmost point of the European continent, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. We will return to Lisbon through the coastal town of Cascais and the cosmopolitan city of Estoril, known for its famous Casino (the largest in Europe).

*Package descriptions and pricing are subject to change without notice.