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THE BEST OF SPAIN & PORTUGAL - 2010
14 days incl. air, or 13 days from Madrid to Madrid
(CO-6820)
Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours
Vacation Overview
Discover the best of Spain and Portugal, two colorful countries,
on this exciting vacation covering the Spanish regions of Castile, La
Mancha, Andalusia, Costa del Sol, and Oporto. Among the tour’s
highlights: a visit of the walled city of Toledo and of the royal
Alhambra palace and fortress in Granada. With architectural beauty and
magnificent gardens, the Alhambra is a summer complex built by the
Moorish kings. In Costa del Sol, a day at leisure offers you time to
relax, enjoy the sandy beaches, browse through the trendy boutiques, and
sample the fancy restaurants. Also experience the sunny town of Malaga
and its surrounding resort villages, the British-owned Rock of Gibraltar,
spectacular Seville, enchanting Evora, delightful Lisbon, and the famed
Fatima sanctuary. Enjoy an optional guided tour of Oporto, Portugal’s
second-largest city, rich in culture and history and known for its Port
wine production. Visit Salamanca and Avila, where you have a sightseeing
tour. On your way to Madrid, Spain’s capital, stop in Segovia and visit
the medieval town picturesquely set on a rocky hill. Salamanca, Avila,
and Segovia are precious jewels situated in the heart of Spain. Spend the
last two overnights of your trip in Madrid with an included sightseeing
tour of this dynamic capital city.
Itinerary
Day 1 Mon. BOARD YOUR
OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day 2 Tue. ARRIVAL IN
MADRID, SPAIN
Check into your hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director
and fellow travelers. (D)
Day 3 Wed.
MADRID-TOLEDO-GRANADA
A short morning drive south to Toledo. Spectacularly situated
on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River, the ancient
Castilian capital attracts more sightseers from all over the world than
any other Spanish town. Time to visit the old walled city, which was made
famous in El Greco’s paintings. Even now it’s like a great open-air
museum of Spanish history and art. Cross the Guadalquivir River and head
for the olive and orange groves of the rolling Andalusian hills.
Overnight in history-steeped Granada at the foot of the Sierra Nevada.
(B,D)
Day 4 Thu.
GRANADA-COSTA DEL SOL
Take advantage of the included visit with a Local Guide of
the Alhambra a summer complex built by the Moorish kings. You’ll treasure
the memory of its architectural beauty, and magnificent gardens. This
afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive along the Costa del Sol via Malaga to
your overnight hotel. (B)
Day 5 Fri. COSTA DEL
SOL
A day at leisure to enjoy the sandy beaches, browse
through the trendy boutiques, or sample the many fancy restaurants. Don’t
miss out on the optional excursion to Mijas, a typical Andalusian market
town with some enchanting views of the coast from its upper terraces.
(B,D)
Day 6 Sat. COSTA DEL
SOL-SEVILLE
Seville
First today a visit to the strategic rock fortress of
Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704. Then, on through the sunny sherry
wine region on the Costa de la Luz to vibrant, festive Seville. (B,D)
Day 7 Sun. SEVILLE
One of Spain’s most colorful cities. Perhaps you’d like to
spend this morning enjoying an optional sightseeing tour including the
main highlights of the vibrant city. (B,D)
Day 8 Mon.
SEVILLE-EVORA, PORTUGAL-LISBON
This morning, enjoy the scenery of the Sierra de Aracena
before crossing into Portugal and the fertile plains of the Alentejo.
Admire the forest of cork trees and make a stop in Evora, a delightfully
attractive Moorish city with arches, alleys, flower-decked balconies, and
brilliant white houses. Take the motorway for the drive into Lisbon for
two overnights. (B)
Day 9 Tue. 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 10 Wed.
LISBON-OPORTO
Oporto
North this morning by way of Santarém, using the motorway
to reach Fatima for a visit of its world-famous sanctuary. Later, Oporto
on the northern bank of the River Douro. Optional sightseeing with a
Local Guide takes in many of the city’s highlights. (B)
Day 11 Thu.
OPORTO-SALAMANCA, SPAIN
A profusion of woodlands and mountains on your way to
Spain by way of Fuentes de Onoro and Ciudad Rodrigo, located high above
the Rio Agueda. Reach the ancient and beautiful university town of
Salamanca in the early evening. (B,D)
Day 12 Fri.
SALAMANCA-MADRID
Leave Salamanca this morning, still visualizing its
charming Plaza Mayor. Journey to fortified Avila with its many towers for
an orientation tour. Visit St. Theresa’s convent before continuing to
Segovia for a visit of this medieval town picturesquely set on a rocky
hill. Cross the boundary between new and old Castile to arrive in Madrid.
(B)
Day 13 Sat. 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. (B)
Day 14 Sun. 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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|
Popular Departure
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4/5/2010
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4/6/2010
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4/18/2010
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$1,439.00
|
Available
|
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4/19/2010
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4/20/2010
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5/2/2010
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$1,535.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular Departure
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5/3/2010
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5/4/2010
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5/16/2010
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$1,439.00
|
Available
|
|
5/17/2010
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5/18/2010
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5/30/2010
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$1,525.00
|
Available
|
|
5/31/2010
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6/1/2010
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6/13/2010
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$1,525.00
|
Available
|
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6/14/2010
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6/15/2010
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6/27/2010
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$1,525.00
|
Available
|
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6/28/2010
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6/29/2010
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7/11/2010
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$1,555.00
|
Available
|
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7/12/2010
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7/13/2010
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7/25/2010
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$1,555.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular Departure
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7/26/2010
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7/27/2010
|
8/8/2010
|
$1,555.00
|
Available
|
|
8/9/2010
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8/10/2010
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8/22/2010
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$1,555.00
|
Available
|
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8/23/2010
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8/24/2010
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9/5/2010
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$1,555.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular Departure
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9/6/2010
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9/7/2010
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9/19/2010
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$1,519.00
|
Available
|
|
9/13/2010
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9/14/2010
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9/26/2010
|
$1,519.00
|
Available
|
|
9/20/2010
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9/21/2010
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10/3/2010
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$1,519.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular Departure
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9/27/2010
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9/28/2010
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10/10/2010
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$1,519.00
|
Available
|
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10/4/2010
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10/5/2010
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10/17/2010
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$1,499.00
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Available
|
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10/4/2010
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10/5/2010
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10/17/2010
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$1,499.00
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Sold Out
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10/11/2010
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10/12/2010
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10/24/2010
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$1,499.00
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Available
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|
10/18/2010
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10/19/2010
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10/31/2010
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$1,499.00
|
Available
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10/25/2010
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10/26/2010
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11/7/2010
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$1,365.00
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Available
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11/1/2010
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11/2/2010
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11/14/2010
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$1,365.00
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Available
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11/8/2010
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11/9/2010
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11/21/2010
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$1,365.00
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Available
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12/13/2010
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12/14/2010
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12/26/2010
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$1,395.00
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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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