Travel 'N' Tours, Inc.

5160 Tchulahoma Road

Southaven, Mississippi  38671

Phone:  (662) 349-2255

Toll Free:  (800) 528-6877

Fax:  (662) 349-9922

E-Mail:  info@travel-n-tours.com

Spain & Portugal In-Depth

Barcelona, Madrid, Cordoba, Granada, Estepona, Seville, & Lisbon

15-day tour, including 1 night of lodging in Cordoba & Granada, 2 nights lodging in Barcelona, Madrid, Estepona, & Seville, and 3 nights lodging in Lisbon

Peaceful landscapes and cosmopolitan cities, historic palaces and churches, and fascinating museums -- this is the Iberian Peninsula, home to Spain and Portugal, with their lovely traditions and warm hospitality. Arriving in Barcelona, tour historic sites: the Columbus Monument, the old quarter Gothic Cathedral, and Antonio Gaudi's masterpiece, “Church of La Sagrada Familia."  A scenic excursion to the mountainside Monastery of Monserrat will provide an opportunity to see the statue of the Black Madonna, “La Moreneta”.

A tour of Spain's capital, Madrid, features the world-famous Prado Museum, the Cathedral of La Almudena, and the splendid Royal Palace.  Visit the ancient city of Toledo to tour the splendid Cathedral, which dominates the city's skyline.  Continue to Cordoba, the Moor's “Mecca of the West.” In Granada, visit the Alhambra Palace and the Generalife (“garden of lofty paradise”).  On the Mediterranean coast, enjoy a relaxing day at the famous beach resort of Estepona and visit the nearby majestic Rock of Gibraltar.  Continue to Seville to see the tomb of Columbus and visit the ornate Gothic Cathedral dominated by the Giralda Bell Tower.  No tour to Seville would be complete without an evening of Flamenco, the traditional national dance of Spain. 

En route to Portugal, dramatic coastal views and charming fishing villages contrast with the urban sophistication of Lisbon.  The city tour features the Alfama Quarter, an ancient neighborhood of narrow, steep alleyways with a distinctly Moorish ambience.  Also visit the Monastery of San Jeronimo, the Tower of Belem, and the wondrous maritime Monument to the Discoveries.  Excursions along the Atlantic coast include a visit to Fatima and its inspiring Shrine dedicated to Our Lady, and visits to the charming towns of Nazare and Obidos.

<Photos:  Top, Plaza de Espana, Seville - Bottom Right, Fatima, Portugal> 

Copyright © Collette Travel Services, Inc.

Tour Code PS1A03-04

Detailed Daily Itinerary:

Day 1: Overnight Flight to Spain

Your tour to the Iberian Peninsula begins with an overnight flight to Barcelona, Spain.  Appropriate meals will be served in flight and a movie will be offered for your viewing pleasure.

Day 2: Arrive Barcelona, Spain

On arrival in Barcelona, your Tour Director will meet you at the airport and provide an orientation tour as you travel to your hotel in the Gothic Quarter of the city.  There will free time to relax and unwind before tonight's “Welcome to Spain” dinner.

Day 3: Barcelona

This morning’s tour will provide you with an in-depth look at fascinating and cosmopolitan Barcelona.  Sites to be seen include the Basilica Cathedral of Barcelona,  the bustling Ramblas Boulevard, the impressive seaside Columbus Monument, and Antonio Gaudi's "Church of La Sagrada Familia."  You will also see Gaudi’s Palace Guell and the Mila House, both unique examples of his unusual architecture.  This afternoon, journey outside the city to the mountainside Monastery of Montserrat to see the Black Madonna Statue.

Day 4: Barcelona – Madrid

Today you will enjoy a full day of traveling across the extraordinary landscape of central Spain from Barcelona to Madrid.  Spain’s rural countryside is resplendent with colorful and inspiring vistas.  This evening you will be treated to a traditional Spanish feast at one of Madrid’s popular local restaurants.

Day 5: Madrid

Touring in Madrid this morning will be highlighted by a visit to the world-famous Prado Museum, home to countless Spanish art treasures, especially works by Velazquez and Goya.  Continue to the city’s Cathedral of La Almudena and see the splendid Royal Palace.  The afternoon will be at leisure, allowing you time for shopping and personal sightseeing in this world capital.

Day 6: Toledo – Cordoba

Your visit to the ancient Visigoth capital of Toledo features a medley of sites including the Gothic Cathedral, the 13th century Synagogue, and the El Greco Museum.  Continue your tour of the "land of castles" and travel through Don Quixote's plains of "La Mancha" and the vineyards of Valdepenas to the city of Cordoba.

Day 7: Cordoba – Granada

In Cordoba, the Moor's Mecca of the West, take a walking tour through the old Jewish Quarter, and visit the Great Mosque and the tranquil Alcazar, palace-fortress of the Catholic Monarchs.  Traveling through the panoramic Sierra Nevada Mountains, your day will end in the glorious city of Granada.

Day 8: Granada – Estepona (Costa del Sol)

Today’s touring will include visits to both the Alhambra and the Generalife.  The mesmerizing Alhambra complex is composed of numerous terraces, gardens, and palace apartments.  The Generalife, “the gardens of lofty paradise,” are an extraordinary place of tranquility and beauty.   Travel south from Granada to the Costa del Sol (sun coast), to the charming seaside resort town of Estepona.

Day 9: Estepona

Today is yours to discover the beautiful resort of Estepona.  Swim in the Mediterranean Sea, stroll the quiet lanes of the village, or visit nearby Marbella, summer home of the international jet set.  An optional tour to the Moroccan city of Tangiers will be offered should you choose to want to experience a taste of North Africa.

Day 10: Gibraltar – Seville

Begin the day with a tour to the British Crown Colony of Gibraltar.  See the rocky headland and its 8^th century Moorish castle and keep (prison).  Continue your journey to the evocative city of Seville.

Day 11: Seville

Your guided tour of Seville will feature the tomb of Christopher Columbus, the ornate Seville Cathedral, and the centuries old Giralda Bell Tower.  After an informative walking tour of the quaint old Santa Cruz Quarter and the beautiful Maria Luisa Park, enjoy an afternoon of leisure.  This evening, enjoy an authentic flamenco show featuring some of Seville's top performers.  Flamenco is more than just song and dance – it is an artistic expression of both the sorrows and the joys of life.

Day 12: Seville – Lisbon, Portugal

Crossing the border into Portugal, you will pass charming farming villages, cork plantations, immense groves of olive trees.  The scenery in Portugal can be quite dramatic and pastoral at the same time.  On arrival in the capital of Lisbon, there will be time to relax before dinner is served.

Day 13: Fatima – Nazare – Obidos

Your full day along Portugal's "Silver Coast" begins in the pilgrimage town of Fatima.  Here you will see and tour the incredible Basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary.  Then, see the Batalha Monastery, a fine example of Manueline architecture.  This afternoon, visit the colorful and unique towns of Nazare and Obidos.

Day 14: Lisbon

The tour of Lisbon features the Moorish Alfama Quarter, Jeronimo's Monastery, Monument to the Discoveries, and the Tower of Belem.  Lisbon remains one of Europe’s best kept secrets.  The city is visually breathtaking and its people are known for the friendly and welcoming spirit.   Tonight, you can bid farewell to Portugal at the renowned restaurant, Adega do Machado, where local musicians will provide just the right blend of folkloric songs to round out the evening.

Day 15: Lisbon – Depart for Home

One last scrumptious buffet breakfast, and then your trans-Atlantic flight will carry you back home, arriving later this same day. 

Sacred Sites & Holy Places of Christendom

PORTUGAL:  Fatima & The Shrine of Our Lady - Monastery of Alcobaca -

Monastery of San Jeronimo

SPAIN:  Cathedral of Burgos - Monastery of Montserrat - Church of La Sagrada Familia - Gothic Cathedrals of Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo, & Seville

Special Notes: Pricing of a tour is always determined by three factors – 1) dates of travel; 2) number of participants and number of Tour Host Benefits required; 3) and, special features and sites that may be added to the itinerary at your request.  Generally, breakfast and dinner are included every day on “group exclusive” tours.  However, some dinners may not be included should you join a standard, regularly scheduled tour departure.

Please contact Travel ‘N’ Tours for further information regarding a “group exclusive” or regularly scheduled tour departure.  Masses, prayer services, lectures, and special events can be added to any itinerary.

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