9D Spain & Italy

Itinerary
DAY 01: Arrival at Madrid
Welcome to Madrid, Europe’s highest capital, occupying the very centre of the Iberian Peninsula. The airport shuttle departs from Madrid Airport to the tour hotel at 09.30, 12.30, 15.00 & 17.30 hours. The rest of the day is at leisure to begin to get to know this stylish city. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director.
Hotel: NH Alcala

DAY 02 : Madrid - Granada (Breakfast / Dinner)
Set off southwards this morning to the city of Toledo, situated high above the River Tagus, and famous for its burnished steel swords, which have been crafted here for centuries. Walk through the cobbled streets to the great Gothic Cathedral and visit the Church of Santo Tomé, housing El Greco’s famous painting, ‘The Burial of the Count of Orgaz’. Continue on through the dry plains of Don Quixote’s La Mancha, before crossing the Sierra Nevada to reach Granada, capital of the Moorish Kingdom of Spain till the Moors’ defeat in 1492.
Hotel: Saray

DAY 03: Granada - Seville (Breakfast)
‘There is no pain in life so cruel as to be blind in Granada’, cries the inscription on the walls of the Alhambra. Bathed in morning light, the Alhambra Palace awaits: a fantasy of stone cut lace, arabesque gardens and fountains, built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century. You also visit the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence. Relax here in the sunshine, and enjoy the fine views over the town and its three verdant hills before embarking on a scenic drive to Seville.
Hotel: Melia Lebreros

DAY 04 : Seville Sightseeing (Breakfast)
Your guided sightseeing tour of Seville reveals the city in all its glory! Enter the immense 15C cathedral, to see the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Back outside, see fabulous Alcazar and the slender Giralda Tower. Soak up the atmosphere in the fashionable Santa Cruz Quarter, with its flower decked wrought iron balconies. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, why not enjoy dinner and a flamenco show?

DAY 05: Seville - Lisbon (Breakfast)
Bid ‘adiós’ to Seville and head for the green slopes of the Sierra Morena. After crossing the Portuguese border, continue through the infinite horizons of the Alentejo Plateau. Once over the amazing Tagus Bridge, you arrive in Lisbon, historic capital of Portugal - according to the poet Camoes, “the princess of the world...before whom even the ocean bows”!
Hotel: Marriott Lisbon

DAY 06 : Lisbon Sightseeing (Breakfast)
A panoramic guided tour takes you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco, finest square in the city. Visit the Belem Quarter from where sailing ships set forth to discover unknown lands. See the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the more ancient Belem Tower, a masterpiece of Manueline style. It was erected to protect Jeronimo’s Monastery which you visit next. Take some time to admire the fabulous double tiered cloisters. Then you are at leisure. Perhaps join a tour to the beautiful town of Sintra which was the summer residence of the Kings of Portugal?

DAY 07: Lisbon - Salamanca (Breakfast / Dinner)
Drive into the green hills north of Lisbon to visit Fatima the most celebrated place of pilgrimage in Portugal. Visit the Basilica commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three children in 1917. Then cross the border back into Spain and continue to Salamanca, famous for its golden stone buildings. During your stay see the handsome arcaded Plaza Mayor, 16th century University Buildings and Puente Romano bridge across the river Tormes - 15 of its26 arches still date from the time of the ancient Romans!
Hotel: Gran Hotel Spa Salamanca

DAY 08: Salamanca - Madrid (Breakfast / Dinner)
Cross the rock strewn hills of La Morana, towards St. Theresa’s city of Avila, still entirely enclosed within perfect 11th century walls, and unique in Europe. Walk awhile within the ancient city, before returning to Madrid for a sightseeing tour. Here, your local guide introduces you to the Plaza de España and the statue of Cervantes, the Royal Palace, Cibeles Fountain and Parliament. This evening, bid farewell to your new found friends with a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant.
Hotel: NH Alcala

DAY 09: Madrid (Breakfast)
After breakfast, the airport shuttle service from the tour hotel arrives Madrid
Airport at 07.00, 09.00 & 11.00 hours.