Itinerary:

Day 1 -

Board Your Overnight Transatlantic Flight

Day 2 - Arrival in Lisbon

Time to rest or start exploring. At 6 p.m. meet your traveling companions for a "welcome dinner at your hotel hosted by your tour director'.

Day 3- Lisbon

Now the capital of a small country on the western fringe of the Iberian Peninsula, Lisbon was once the center of Europe's longest-lived overseas empire. Morning sightseeing includes two Manueline jewels: Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Drive past the Bull Ring to Pombal Statue and along the grand Avenida da Liberdade. Enjoy a walk through the cobbled alleys of Alfama, the quarter of the seamen. Afternoon and evening at leisure. An optional excursion to Sintra and optional dinner with Fado-style entertainment are available. (BB)

Day 4 - Lisbon-Fatima-Porto

Take a scenic detour into the vineyards and olive groves of the Serra do Aire hills. Step back in time as you pass through the main gate in the medieval perimeter wall of Obidos and stroll along narrow streets. Next visit the magnificent Dominican Bathalha Monastery, commemorating a 14th-century victory in Portugal's fight for independence from Castile. In nearby Fatima, join the pilgrims at the country's hallowed national shrine. In the afternoon, drive to the valley of the Douro River. At Vila Nova de Gaia on the southern bank, visit the prestigious House of Sandeman Port Wine Cellars. Hear how the country's premier export product is made and taste the strong, sweet wine. Overnight in Porto, on the northern bank of the river. (BB,D)

Day 5 - Porto do Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Sightseeing in Porto includes a visit to the lavish 19th-century stock exchange, whose claim to fame is an Arabian Hall inspired by Granada's Alhambra. Then a change of scenery. Drive towards the northern border through an area where the rural population still lives off small patches of land tended with traditional farming methods. Enjoy a leisurely break in the Costa Verde resort and fishing port of Viana do Castelo before crossing the Rio Mino into Spain's wild northwestern province. The highway to Santiago de Compostela offers spectacular views of the Rias Bajas, the deep fjords of Galicia. (BB,D)

Day 6 - Santiago de Compostela

Santiago grew around the tomb of St. James, the Apostle who converted Spain to Christianity, and, according to legend, delivered the country from Moorish occupation. Today, visitors still pray at St. James'tomb in the huge 11th-century Romanesque Cathedral Vieja with its ornate Baroque facade. They also come for the unspoiled beauty of the Old Town centering on Plaza de la Quintana with the Holy Door and Plaza Obradoiro with its Hospital of the Catholic Monarchs. Afternoon free. Tonight your tour director will help you find typical Galician fare: lamb, cured ham, seafood, and cheese. (BB)

Day 7 - Santiago de Compostela to Leon

Look forward to two days of scenic eastbound travel along the ancient "Way of St.James." Morning break today is in Lugo. A perfectly preserved massive schist wall, dating back to Roman times, did not protect it from conquest by Moors, Norsemen, and Napoleon's revolutionary troops. Enter the province of Leon and head for Ponferrada, where Knights Templars gave shelter to medieval pilgrims. Their massive castle now lies in ruins, except for the superb main gate. Early afternoon arrival in Leon, the capital of Christian Spain at the start of the Reconquest. Guided sightseeing here focuses on the gothic cathedral. Daylight filters through no less than 12,917 square feet of stained glass windows. Also visit the museum with priceless works of art from two millennia and a complete 17th-century chemist's shop. (BB,D)

Day 8 - Leon-Salamanca-Avila-Madrid

Drive through the Tierra de Campos, Spain's rich granary. Midday arrival in the university town of Salamanca. Time for a stroll in its Baroque Plaza Mayor, one of the country's grandest squares. On the way to Madrid, take a break in walled and turreted Avila, where St. Theresa founded the Order of Carmelites. (BB)

Day 9 - Madrid (Sat)

Morning sightseeing with a local guide takes you to the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Espana with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Then the highlight: a visit to the palatial Prado Museum with its extraordinary collection of masterpieces, including the best of Goya and Velazquez. Afternoon at leisure, with the possibility of joining an optional excursion to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen. (BB)

Day 10 - Madrid-Cordoba-Seville

South to Cordoba, where your Local Guide will take you for a walking tour thorugh the magnificen 8th-century Mosque of the Caliphs before continuing to Seville. Overnight Seville(BB,D)

Day 11 -Seville

Admire Maria Luisa Park with a Local Guide,:driver to the Plaza de Espana, the Gold Tower on the Guadalquivir River and the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Visit the Cathedral with Columbus' tomb and stroll through the narrow lanes of the cahraming Santa Cruise Quarter. (BB,D)
Day 12 - Seville to Algarve, Portugal A comfortabel drive across the border into Porgugal. Then arrive at your beachfront hotel lin the Algarve. Balance of the day is at leisure. Stroll to the marina or shop in the fancy boutiques. Tonight perhaps try a local sea food restaurant(BB)

Day 13 - At leisure in Algarve

Enjoy a leisurely day at your beachfront hotel or join an opotional excursion to the Promontory of Sagres, where Henry the Navigator lived and planned his overseas espansion. (BB,D)

Day 14 - Algarve to Lisbon

Head north to Setubal, a major port and industrial center on the north bank of the Sado Estuary. From here take the scenic route over the Serra da Arrábida and savor sweeping views of the Troia Peninsula. Catch glimpses of the castle of Sesimbra, which recall fierce medieval battles between Christians and Moors. After crossing the Bridge of April 25th you’re back in Lisbon for a last evening with the companions of an exciting touring adventure. (BB)

Day 15 -Tour ends

Your Homebound Flight Arrives The Same Day.

Accommodations:

LISBON; Lisbon Marriott (SF), OPORTO; Dom Henrique (F), SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA; Hesperia Peregrino (F), LEON; Conde Luna (F), MADRID; Husa Moncloa (F), SEVILLE; Tryp Macarena (F), ALGARVE Vilamoura Beach (F) at Vilamoura

2009 Prices and Dates

- Per Person, double occupancy

Departure Date (air)	Tour Start Date	Return Date	Land Prices
4/17/2009	4/18/2009	5/1/2009	$2,479.00
4/24/2009	4/25/2009	5/8/2009	$2,489.00
5/1/2009	5/2/2009	5/15/2009	$2,489.00
5/8/2009	5/9/2009	5/22/2009	$2,489.00
5/15/2009	5/16/2009	5/29/2009	$2,489.00
5/22/2009	5/23/2009	6/5/2009	$2,489.00
5/29/2009	5/30/2009	6/12/2009	$2,489.00
6/5/2009	6/6/2009	6/19/2009	$2,499.00
6/12/2009	6/13/2009	6/26/2009	$2,499.00
6/19/2009	6/20/2009	7/3/2009	$2,499.00
6/26/2009	6/27/2009	7/10/2009	$2,499.00
7/3/2009	7/4/2009	7/17/2009	$2,499.00
7/10/2009	7/11/2009	7/24/2009	$2,499.00
7/17/2009	7/18/2009	7/31/2009	$2,489.00
7/24/2009	7/25/2009	8/7/2009	$2,489.00
7/31/2009	8/1/2009	8/14/2009	$2,479.00
8/7/2009	8/8/2009	8/21/2009	$2,479.00
8/14/2009	8/15/2009	8/28/2009	$2,479.00
8/21/2009	8/22/2009	9/4/2009	$2,479.00
8/28/2009	8/29/2009	9/11/2009	$2,489.00
9/4/2009	9/5/2009	9/18/2009	$2,499.00
9/11/2009	9/12/2009	9/25/2009	$2,499.00
9/18/2009	9/19/2009	10/2/2009	$2,499.00
9/25/2009	9/26/2009	10/9/2009	$2,499.00
10/2/2009	10/3/2009	10/16/2009	$2,489.00
10/9/2009	10/10/2009	10/23/2009	$2,489.00
10/16/2009	10/17/2009	10/30/2009	$2,479.00

Due to itinerary and time of year, this departure historically sells out quickly.
Early booking is encouraged.

Pricing details

• Airfare from your home city available with this tour. Please inquire about fares.
• Single Supplement: $846.00
• Triple room deduction: $72.00 per person
• Extra nights in Lisbon: $98.00 per person if sharing a twin room, $88.00 per person if sharing a triple room, $178.00 for single.

Abbreviations

Hotels:

• (D) = Deluxe
• (SF) = Superior First Class
• (F) = First Class
• (ST) = Superior Tourist Class
• (NP) = National Park Lodges

Meals:

• (B) = Breakfast
• (L) = Lunch
• (D) = Dinner

For reservation and information click here to submit a request

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