|
Peaceful landscapes and
cosmopolitan cities, historic palaces and fascinating
museums, this is the Iberian Peninsula, home to Spain
and Portugal, with their lovely traditions and warm
hospitality. You're invited to explore this intriguing
region, on a journey that features 2-night stays in
Barcelona, Madrid, Estepona and Seville. Arriving in
Barcelona, Spain tour historic sites like Columbus
Monument, Mila House and Parc Montjuic and, in addition,
view Antonio Gaudi's masterpiece, "La Sagrada Familia."
A tour of the capital city of Madrid features the
world-famous Prado Museum and the splendid Royal Palace.
Relax in warm Mediterranean waters at the famous beach
resort of Estepona on the Costa del Sol and visit the
nearby, majestic Rock of Gibraltar. In Seville, you'll
see Columbus'' tomb and Giralda Bell Tower. En route to
Portugal, dramatic coastal views and charming fishing
villages contrast with the urban sophistication of
Lisbon, your home for three nights. You'll explore
Fatima, the world-famous pilgrimage center, as well as
the charming towns of Nazare and Obidos. Your tour of
Lisbon features the Alfama Quarter, a neighborhood of
narrow alleyways and steep streets with a Moorish
ambience, and ends with an exciting evening featuring
local cuisine and Fado music.
- Enjoy two nights in
cultural Barcelona, home of Antonio Gaudi's masterpieces.
- A tour of Toledo showcases
the culture and sights of this former Spanish capital and
world heritage sight.
- Absorb Cordoba’s rich
history while exploring the Jewish Quarter and its famous
cathedral.
- Meet the locals during a
home hosted lunch with a typical Andalusian family.
- Feel the rhythm and passion of the
flamenco with reserved seating at a performance in Seville.
- Visit Fatima, the world-famous pilgrimage
center.
- Explore the historic walled town of Obidos
and the traditional fishing village of Nazare.
 Day
1: Overnight Flight
Welcome to Collette’s grand tour of Spain and Portugal.
Your vacation begins with an overnight flight to
Barcelona, Spain.
Day 2: Arrive Barcelona, Spain - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Barcelona, where you have some free
time to relax before tonight's welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3: Barcelona
Get an in-depth look at Barcelona with a tour that
showcases Las Ramblas Boulevard, Columbus Monument, Parc
Montjuic, Antonio Gaudi's "La Sagrada Familia," Parc
Guell and Casa Mila. An optional tour to the quaint
mountain village of Montserrat will also be offered. (B)
Day 4: Barcelona - Madrid
Depart Barcelona for the capital city of Madrid, one of
the great cultural capitals of the world. (B, D)
Day 5: Madrid
Your tour of Madrid includes visits to the world-famous
Prado Museum as well as the treasure-filled Royal
Palace. The remainder of your day is at leisure. (B)
Day 6: Madrid - Toledo - Cordoba
A visit to the ancient capital of Toledo includes the
Gothic Cathedral, 13th century Synagogue, and El Greco's
masterpiece painting, "The Burial of Count Orgaz."
Later, you depart the "land of castles" and travel to
Don Quixote's "La Mancha," continuing through the wine
country of Valdepenas and into Cordoba. (B, D)
Day 7: Cordoba - Granada
In Cordoba, the Moor’s Mecca of the West, you will visit
the old Jewish Quarter, the 14th century Synagogue and
the Mezquita, one of the world’s largest mosques. Later,
depart for Granada, traveling along the panoramic Sierra
Nevada. (B, D)
Day 8: Granada - Alhambra - Estepona (Costa Del Sol)
Begin the day with a visit to Alhambra and Generalife,
and see the world-famous Arab Palaces. Next, you have a
unique opportunity to meet and interact with local
Spaniards at a home hosted lunch in a traditional
Andalusian village. Arrive in the tropical playground of
the Costa del Sol where you will enjoy a stay in
Estepona, one of the most famous resorts on the Costa
del Sol. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Estepona
The day is yours to discover this beautiful resort. Swim
in the Mediterranean, visit nearby fashionable Puerto
Banus or shop in downtown Marbella. (B, D)
Day 10: Estepona
The day is yours to discover this beautiful resort. Swim
in the Mediterranean, visit nearby fashionable Puerto
Banus, or shop in downtown Marbella. (B, D)
Day 11: Seville
Today you will see Columbus' tomb, the ornate cathedral
and Giralda Bell Tower. Enjoy a walking tour of the
quaint old Santa Cruz Quarter, Plaza D'Espana and the
beautiful Maria Luisa Park. A local flamenco dancer
joins you for a typical "tapas lunch", where you learn
about the history, culture and artistry of flamenco.
This evening, take your reserved seats for an authentic
flamenco show featuring Seville's top performers. (B, L)
Day 12: Seville - Lisbon, Portugal
Depart Seville and cross the border into Portugal, where
quaint farming villages and cork and olive tree
plantations dot the landscape. En route to Lisbon, a
winery tour and tasting introduce you to various
Portuguese wines. (B)
Day 13: Lisbon - Fatima - Nazare - Obidos - Lisbon
Your day on Portugal’s “Silver Coast” begins in the
pilgrimage town of Fatima. See the Batalha Monastery, an
example of Manueline architecture, and travel to the
quaint towns of Nazare and Obidos. (B)
Day 14: Lisbon
A tour of Lisbon features the Moorish Alfama Quarter,
Jeronimo’s Monastery, Monument to the Discoveries, and
the Tower of Belem. An optional trip to the Estoril
Coast will be offered. Tonight, join us for a farewell
dinner complete with local cuisine, wines and Fado music
at Adega Machado’s restaurant. (B, D)
Day 15: Lisbon - Tour Ends
(B)
Stay
Another Night - Add a
pre night stay in Barcelona or a post night stay in Lisbon.
Prices start at $90 per person, double.
|
Uniquely For You
The Flamenco |
| "El
cante," "el baile," and "la guitarria."
Combine the three into one romantic tour
de force, and you have the essence of
the flamenco... the song, the dance and
the guitar. The flamenco's roots began
in southern Spain as a 17th-century art
from created by Andalusian gypsies.
Similar to the blues that originated in
America's Deep South, the "cante," or
song, was a way for the gypsies to
express their sorrow and repression.
They sang their lyrics in the dark mines
where they worked, using verse to help
ease each other's personal grief. As the
19th-century approached, the gypsies
gained more legal rights and many were
able to purchase musical instruments.
Soon the "guitarria," or guitar, was
added to their repertoire. The "baile,"
or dance, quickly followed - and like
any great art form, the flamenco took
off. Soon performances in more
mainstream venues like local cafes and
dance halls combined with old-fashioned
commercialism to make the flamenco the
national dance of Spain. |
Base Rates Per Person
|
Departure Date |
Tour Rate – Twin |
Tour and Air Rate |
|
May 19 2006 |
$2499 |
$3089 from NYC |
|
Jul 14 2006 |
$2299 |
$3269 from NYC |
|
Aug 18 2006 |
$2299 |
$3269 from NYC |
|
Sep 08 2006 |
$2499 |
$3089 from NYC |
|
Oct 06 2006 |
$2499 |
$3089 from NYC |
|
Nov 03 2006 |
$2299 |
$2769 from NYC |
|
Feb 16 2007 |
$2249 |
$2719 from NYC |
|
Mar 16 2007 |
$2249 |
$2719 from NYC |
*Tour and air prices are lead-in rates from a
specific gateway based on twin occupancy and are subject to change. Rates do not
include inter-air flights. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates.
Tours departing BEFORE 4/30/06 may follow a different itinerary than what is
listed here. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. For
tours that feature a cruise, port taxes are not included in the prices above.
Additional tour dates
may be available, please call us for information.
15 days, 23 meals
13 Buffet Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 8 Dinners
Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Day 2, 3 - Hotel Avenida Palace, Barcelona
Day 4, 5 - Hotel Husa Princesa, Madrid
Day 6 - Hotel Las Adelfas, Cordoba
Day 7 - Melia Granada, Granada
Day 8, 9 - Hotel Andalucia Princess, Estepona
Day 10, 11 - Hotel Melia Colon, Seville
Day 12 - 14 - Hotel Altis, Lisbon
On some dates alternate hotels may be used
NOTES:
- Days of features are
interchangeable.
Back to Itinerary Page
|
