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JEWELS OF SPAIN & PORTUGAL - 2010
10 days incl. air, or 9 days from Paris to Paris (CO-6790)
Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours
Vacation Overview
Immerse yourself in the spirit of both Spain and Portugal,
one of the liveliest regions on the European Continent. This exciting
adventure vacation is an introduction to the fascinating major cities of
the Iberian Peninsula, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Begin your trip in the Spanish capital of Madrid. Visit fortified Avila
and picturesque Salamanca, pearls of the Castille region, and see the mot
beautiful square in Spain. Then cross the Sierra da Estrela into Portugal
to reach Coimbra, a charming hillside town that overlooks the Mondego
River. Enjoy your orientation tour before heading to Fatima to see its
sanctuary, made famous by the Virgin’s apparition to three shepherd
children. Then on to the awesome walled city of Obidos with its towers
and bastions overlooking the countryside dotted with windmills.
Spend two nights in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, and
discover the exquisite city of explorer Henry the Navigator on your
sightseeing tour. Back into Spain via the Sierra de Aracena for two
overnights in Seville, a lively city on the banks of the Guadalquivir
River. The vibrant city center boasts many stunning highlights, including
the Cathedral, the Alcazar, and the Plaza d’España. Admire the Andalusian
landscapes on the way to Cordoba, Spain’s most Moorish city, with its
Alcazar and lovely Mezquita. Travel across La Mancha of Don Quixote fame,
known for its castles and windmills, and arrive in Madrid to spend the
final two nights of your vacation. Finish your vacation with a
sightseeing tour of Madrid, Spain’s capital, and time to take an optional
trip to Toledo or explore Madrid on your own. This tour of Spain and
Portugal offers spirit, fun, and historic places—a vacation not to be
missed!
Itinerary
Day 1 Thu. BOARD YOUR
OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day 2 Fri. ARRIVAL IN
MADRID, SPAIN
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you
to start exploring lively Madrid. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and
fellow travelers. (D)
Day 3 Sat.
MADRID-SALAMANCA-COIMBRA, PORTUGAL
Journey west to fortified Avila, then on to Salamanca, just
six miles from the spot where Wellington routed Napoleon’s army in 1812.
Make sure you spend some time wandering around Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor,
the most beautiful square in Spain. Leave Salamanca and head westwards to
the fortress town of Ciudad Rodrigo, perched high above the Rio Agueda. A
profusion of woodlands and mountains awaits you as you journey into the
valley of the Sierra da Estrela on your way for an overnight in Coimbra.
(B,D)
Day 4 Sun.
COIMBRA-FATIMA-LISBON
This morning, enjoy an orientation tour of Coimbra,
strategically situated on a hill overlooking the Mondego River. Next,
Fatima. Stop here to see the sanctuary, made famous by the Virgin’s
apparition to three shepherd children, Francisco, Jacinth, and Lucia, on
May 13, 1917. A few more miles for a stop in Obidos, a fortified city
still flanked by towers and bastions overlooking the countryside dotted
with windmills. Overnight in Lisbon. (B)
Day 5 Mon. LISBON
Henry the Navigator made Lisbon the 15th-century mistress
of the seas. You’ll see his monument, the Belem Tower, the Moorish
Citadel, the impressive Black Horse Square, and other highlights on the
guided sightseeing excursion. Spend the afternoon in the Alfama’s
tile-decorated streets, or take an optional excursion along the Estoril Coast
to Cascais and Sintra. (B)
Day 6 Tue.
LISBON-SEVILLE, SPAIN
Seville
Drive southeast this morning into the Alentejo through the
countryside famous for its production of cork. Then, on to the border at
Vila Verde and cross into Spain for the journey into Andalusia, enjoying
quite different scenery as you skirt the Sierra de Aracena before
reaching delightful Seville for two overnights. (B,D)
Day 7 Wed. SEVILLE
One of Spain’s most colorful cities. Perhaps you’d like to
spend the morning enjoying an optional sightseeing tour including the
main highlights of this vibrant city. (B,D)
Day 8 Thu.
SEVILLE-CORDOBA-MADRID
Drive north towards Carmona, an Old-World country town
dominated by an ancient Alcazar,
to Cordoba. This is Spain’s most Moorish city with its great mosque,
which is rightly known as one of Islam’s greatest pieces of architecture
outside the Arab world and now a Catholic cathedral since 1236. Later,
into the very heart of La Mancha, famed for its castles and windmills.
Overnight in Madrid. (B)
Day 9 Fri. MADRID
Not only is it the capital of Spain, but because it is situated
2,180 feet above sea level, the Spaniards rightly say Madrid is the
nearest thing to heaven. Enjoy the main highlights on the included guided
sightseeing excursion. The optional trip to Toledo is rewarding in more
ways than one; the splendid setting of this old walled city above the
Tagus was made famous in El Greco’s painting, and even now it’s like a
great open-air museum of Spanish history and art. (B)
Day 10 Sat. YOUR
HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Airport transfers may be included when you make your
international flights arrangements.
Dates and Prices
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Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
|
Tour
Start Date
|
Return
Date
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Land/Cruise
Price Only
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Status
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3/4/2010
|
3/5/2010
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3/13/2010
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$989.00
|
Sold Out
|
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3/18/2010
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3/19/2010
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3/27/2010
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$989.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular Departure
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3/25/2010
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3/26/2010
|
4/3/2010
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$1,105.00
|
Available
|
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4/1/2010
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4/2/2010
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4/10/2010
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$1,105.00
|
Available
|
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4/15/2010
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4/16/2010
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4/24/2010
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$1,105.00
|
Available
|
|
4/29/2010
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4/30/2010
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5/8/2010
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$1,105.00
|
Sold Out
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|
Popular Departure
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5/13/2010
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5/14/2010
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5/22/2010
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$1,105.00
|
Available
|
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5/27/2010
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5/28/2010
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6/5/2010
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$1,105.00
|
Available
|
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6/10/2010
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6/11/2010
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6/19/2010
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$1,105.00
|
Available
|
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6/24/2010
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6/25/2010
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7/3/2010
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$1,045.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular Departure
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7/8/2010
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7/9/2010
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7/17/2010
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$1,045.00
|
Available
|
|
7/22/2010
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7/23/2010
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7/31/2010
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$1,045.00
|
Available
|
|
8/5/2010
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8/6/2010
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8/14/2010
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$1,045.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular Departure
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8/19/2010
|
8/20/2010
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8/28/2010
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$1,045.00
|
Available
|
|
9/2/2010
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9/3/2010
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9/11/2010
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$1,109.00
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Available
|
|
9/9/2010
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9/10/2010
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9/18/2010
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$1,109.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular Departure
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9/16/2010
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9/17/2010
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9/25/2010
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$1,109.00
|
Available
|
|
9/23/2010
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9/24/2010
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10/2/2010
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$1,109.00
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Available
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9/30/2010
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10/1/2010
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10/9/2010
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$1,065.00
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Available
|
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10/7/2010
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10/8/2010
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10/16/2010
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$1,065.00
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Available
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10/14/2010
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10/15/2010
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10/23/2010
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$1,009.00
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Available
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10/21/2010
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10/22/2010
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10/30/2010
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$1,009.00
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Available
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Popular Departure - due to itinerary and time of year,
this departure historically sells out quickly. Early booking is
encouraged.
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