Highlights of Spain and Portugal
June 11 - 19, 2011 $3140 + air
Small Group - Less Walking - More Sigthseeing
Join David on this small group and stress-free highlight tour of the Iberian Peninsula. This tour is specifically designed for the “young at heart” who don’t want to wear themselves out with lots of walking and standing in museums. Experience all the sights with minimal physical exertion!
This tour is designed for nine or fewer passengers.
Saturday, June 11, 2011: Arrival at Lisbon Portela International Airport -- Beyond airport security and customs meet your Exploring Europe tour leader. Enjoy a comfortable and private ride to Lisbon’s Belém District where you will explore Portugal’s Golden Age of Discovery. Here, enjoy visiting the Monastery of Jerónimos, the Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries on a guided walking and driving tour. Later, transfer to your comfortable and quiet hotel. After a little relaxation, enjoy dinner at the hotel. Sleep 2 nights in Lisbon at IBIS Hotel Lisboa José Malmoe.
Hotel notes: The IBIS Lisboa José Malhoa has been specifically chosen for this tour to offer stress-free accommodations with minimal city center walking. It offers quiet and clean accommodations, easy access to parking and nearby access to the subway system.
Physical exertion for today’s itinerary is low. In order to see the sights you must walk from the parking lot to visit the cathedral, the Belém Tower and the Monument of Discoveries (about ½ mile all total). Independent walking in the village center is on flat and paved sidewalks.
Sunday, June 12: Lisbon – Today will be devoted to exploring Lisbon’s bustling city center. We will concentrate our sightseeing on the three distinct neighborhoods of formal Baixa, the laid-back Baírro Alto and the tangled medieval section known as the Alfma. Dinner is on your own tonight either at the hotel or in the city center.
Physical exertion for today’s itinerary is heavy. We will try to keep our walking to a minimum today by using the subway, cable cars, trams and taxis. However, Lisbon is a city of many hills and steep steps. You will walk up to 2 miles today on hilly and cobbled streets. We will take frequent breaks and offer to secure taxi service (at your cost) to the most challenging places. .
Monday, June 13: The Algarve – After breakfast, we will leave the big city of Lisbon behind and head south to the Algarve. Enroute, enjoy a scenic ride on a super-highway traversing the vast countryside of western Portugal. Our destination is Salema, a quiet fishing village on the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy strolling on the sandy beach, walking the narrow lanes of the whitewashed village, basking in the sun at the beach or just sitting at a café and enjoying life. Tonight, enjoy dinner of fresh seafood at a local restaurant. Sleep 1 night in Salema at Hotel Residencial .
Hotel notes: The Hotel Residencial is located on the town’s main square 100 meters from the ocean and shopping.
Physical exertion for today’s itinerary is very low. The drive from Lisbon to Salema is about 3.5 hours. Walking is Salema is necessary, but the village is small and relatively level. The hotel is on the main square within a 10 minute walk to anywhere in the village.
Tuesday, June 14: The route of the White Villages – Today, we will leave Portugal and head to Spain. Enjoy a stress-free ride, first on super-highways and later on small two-laned rural roads lacing together the whitewashed villages of Andalucía. We will make the village of Arcos de la Frontera our hilltop home for the evening. After a brief orientation, enjoy free time to explore a little on your own followed by a traditional group dinner. Sleep 1 night in Arcos at the Hotel El Convento.
Physical exertion for today’s itinerary is very low. The drive from Salema to Arcos is about 4 hours in length. We will make several stops along the way for sightseeing. Arcos de la Frontera is located at the top of a mountain; however, the villages’ main sights and our hotel are at the top of town. All attractions are within a five-minute walk of the hotel.
Wednesday, June 15: Andalucía and Sevilla – Today we will drive through the scenic Andalucía countryside on our way to Sevilla, Spain’s most characteristic city for us Americans. Upon arrival, join an orientation walk lacing together the Cathedral square, the town center and the Giralda Tower. After a little free time we will meet for dinner at a local restaurant. Sleep in Sevilla 2 nights at hotel Maestranza.
Physical exertion for today’s itinerary is medium. The drive from Arcos to Sevilla is about 2 hours without sightseeing stops. The terrain of Sevilla is flat and level. Our hotel is located in the heart of the historic district, about 500 meters to the shopping and Cathedral. However, Sevilla is a “walking” city and we cannot use our bus or van for sightseeing. Once is Sevilla, you will walk about 1 mile to visit the sights on our itinerary for today.
Thursday, June 16: Sevilla – We will start today with a tour of the beautiful Moorish-influenced Alcázar palace. This has been the Andalucía home of Spain’s Royal Family for over 500 years. Later, join your guide for a walk through the ancient and tangled streets of the Barrio de Santa Cruz district. After lunch, you will have the remainder of the day to do some exploring on your own. Lunch and dinner are on your own today. After dinner, we will meet for an evening of traditional Flamenco music and dance.
Physical exertion for today’s itinerary is medium to heavy. The Alcázar is about ½ mile from our hotel. While touring the palace you will do quite a bit of standing in place seeing the sights. The Barrio de Santa Cruz district consists of flat and level cobble streets winding their way through shops, cafes and public squares. Over all you will do a minimum of 2 miles of walking today with in the four hours of the morning tour program.
Friday, June 17: Fast Train to Madrid – After breakfast we will hop on the AVE, one of Europe’s speediest trains heading to Madrid. Once in Madrid, we will take a panoramic bus tour highlighting Madrid’s best sights. You will have the afternoon free to do some exploring on your own or join a walking tour beginning at the bustling Puerta del Sol and winding to the elegant Plaza Major. Sleep 2 nights in Madrid.
Hotel notes: The All Season Madrid Prado is located in the city center near the Prado Museum. It is close to a Metro Station with easy access to all our sightseeing destinations.
Physical exertion for today’s itinerary is light to medium. The optional walking tour is about 1.5 miles in length. It will give an up-close look at some of the sights you have seen on the bus tour.
Saturday, June 18: Toledo – Today we will hop on the train and take an excursion to the medieval town of Toledo. After a short orientation, you will have a few hours to visit this charming town on your own. You may want to visit the Cathedral, view some of El Greco’s famous artwork, get in some shopping, wander the small pedestrian-friendly streets or take the scenic (and panoramic) bus excursion around the outskirts of the town. We will return to Madrid late this afternoon and meet for a traditional tapas dinner to cap off our Iberian tour experience.
Physical exertion for today’s itinerary is medium to heavy (you decide). Toledo is pedestrian-friendly but many of the streets are cobbled and wander up and down hills. Take it slow and easy, rest often and enjoy the laid-back life of Toledo.
Sunday, June 19: Tour is over after breakfast – Madrid’s airport and train station is a short subway, taxi or bus ride away. Although we will not travel together to the airport or train station, your guide will be available to help you make stress-free connections.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST?
-Small-Small Group of only nine passengers or less.
-Tour designed to mimimize walking and standing.
-Double/Twin accommodations each night in clean and safe European-style hotels with private bath.
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All breakfasts and five (5) dinners.
- Amazing dining experiences at some of David's personal favorite restaurants. You can expect fine regional fare, and plenty of it, at all our dining experiences.
- Group transportation from the airport in Lisbon to the departure hotel in Madrid.
- All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
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Full time services of a travel-savvy Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of Europe.
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Emergency medical insurance, trip delay insurance, baggage loss or damage insurance, and limited tour cancellation insurance.
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Credit card payments accepted.
-David McGuffin's Exploring Europe Tour Handbook covering the major sights and destinations visited on this tour itinerary.
- Tours and admissions to the following attractions, experiences, and sights: Belém walking tour ▪ Monument to the Discoveries ▪ Belém Tower ▪ Monastery of Jerónimos ▪ Lisbon walking and riding tour of the town's best sights ▪ Salema beach town relaxation ▪ Salema Dining Experience ▪ Arcos Dining Experience ▪ Sevilla Cathedral entrance ▪ Alcázar entrance ▪ Flamenco Music/Dance Experience ▪ AVE Train from Sevilla to Madrid ▪ Madrid Panoramic Bus Tour ▪ Madrid walking tour ▪ Toledo walking tour and orientation ▪ Tapas Dining Experience ▪ and much more (itinerary specifics are subject to change).
- Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee that will not change for any reason.
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance offered at affordable rates.
