8- Days,
9 Days Spain, Madrid & Portugal
Day 1, Sunday
Madrid - Arrival Day
Welcome to Madrid! Meet and greet at the airport. Take a transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 2, Monday
Madrid
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 has to offer. Join your fellow travelers for an authentic Welcome Tapas Dinner at a local restaurant (B, D)
Day 3, Tuesday
Madrid - Salamanca - Porto
Bound 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 proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. (B)
Day 4, Wednesday
Porto
Breakfast at the hotel. Guided sightseeing tour of Porto. Admire the Cathedral, Stock Exchange building and Santa Clara church. Afterwards, enjoy a Douro River Cruise and discover famous Port Wine Cellars with a wine tasting experience included. Rest of day at leisure. (B)
Day 5, Thursday
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, 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. (B)
Day 6, Friday
Fatima - Batalha - Nazare - Alcobaça - Lisbon
Departure to the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline style considered a World Heritage 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, which dates back to the XII C. Continue to Lisbon. (B)
Day 7, Saturday
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. (B, D)
Day 8, Sunday
Lisbon - Caceres - Madrid
Departure to Caceres, considered World Heritage site because of the city’s blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. Walk through its Plaza Mayor and the Old Town with its famous Medieval Quarter. We continue towards Madrid. (B)
Day 9, Monday
Depart Madrid
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and depending on your flight schedule take a free day sightseeing on your own before transferring to the airport for your departure back home.