Best Of Spain and Portugal Canada Special

Welcome to Madrid! Upon arrival at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel to check-in.
Overnight in Madrid

This morning after breakfast, head on a tour of Madrid. On this panoramic tour, you will discover the medieval origins of the city with its Arabic fortress at the Barrio de la Morería, famous for its historic buildings. Drive through the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs, characterized by Phillip II and its Renaissance and Baroque style buildings, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains, and the Puerta de Alcalá. Admire the 19th-century work such as the Prado Museum. Then explore contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla, and Parque del Oeste, as well as the commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bull Ring, and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. The afternoon will be spent at leisure to continue exploring the wonders this city has to offer.
Overnight in Madrid

After breakfast, depart the hotel heading to Salamanca in Northwestern Spain, classified as a UNESCO Patrimony of Humanity. Salamanca dates to the Celtic era when ornate sandstone architecture flourished. You will have free time to explore the town and the University of Salamanca, one of the oldest universities in Spain; founded in 1134. Salamanca was given the Royal Charter of Foundation by King Alfonso IX in 1218. Later, cross the border between Spain and Portugal; you will reach Porto late in the afternoon.
Overnight in Porto

Today you will explore Porto with a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city. Escorted by your guide, you will discover the best Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque, and Neo-classical style monuments of the city. From there, see the city from a different perspective onboard a cruise on the River Douro. Then, visit a well-known Port Cellar with wine tasting included. Dont forget to try the Pastel de Nata: the most widely known Portuguese pastry, made with delicious custard baked inside of a thin multi-layer, flaky crust, which should be eaten with powdered cinnamon sprinkled on top.
Overnight in Porto

After breakfast, you will depart for Coimbra. This town served as Portugals medieval capital for more than a century and is home to the countrys oldest and most prestigious universities. It also happens to be the origin of Fado, a popular musical style from the 1820s. Enjoy some free time to explore the city. Your next stop will be Fatima, in central Portugal, where 5 million visitors come to visit one of the largest Catholic pilgrimage centers in the world each year. It is home to an impressive Basilica and the Cova da Iria, where the Virgin Mary appeared and the Chapel of the Apparitions, the heart of the sanctuary, with the tombs of the three shepherds, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. In the evenings around 10 PM during the months of April until November, there are impressive torch-lit processions which are often led by Cardinals and Bishops.
Overnight in Fatima

Today you will depart for Batalha and visit the famous monastery classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was erected in commemoration of the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota and served as the burial church of the 15th-Century Aviz dynasty of Portuguese royalty. It is considered to be one of the best examples of late Gothic architecture in Portugal. Then continue to the picturesque fishing town of Nazare, known as the most popular seaside resort in the Silver Coast region of Portugal. Popular attractions include its lighthouse and funicular. Enjoy some free time before continuing to Alcobaça, another World Heritage Site. Alcobaca is known for its 12th-century monastery and a Museum of Wine. It has a collection of more than 8,500 items from across Portugal, including portable presses, barrels, historic labels, bottles, farming tools, and copper stills. After visiting the city on your own, you will be transferred to Lisbon.
Overnight in Lisbon

In the morning you will tour the ancient Olissipo driving through its main squares and avenues, the Tower of Belem, a fortified tower in Santa Maria de Belém and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Monastery of Los Jeronimos, one of the most prominent symbols of Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline styles of architecture in the city. Discover the Coach Museum, the Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square, and Liberty Avenue. Spend the afternoon at leisure — perhaps explore the Alfama Quarter with old buildings nested in the narrow twisting “Ruas” full of colorful buildings housing genuine “tabernas” where Fado can be heard.
Overnight in Lisbon

Depart early this morning for Cáceres in Spain. Founded by the ancient Romans, the city now boasts a blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic, and Italian Renaissance architecture with its with fortified houses, cobblestone streets, and magnificent palaces. Walkthrough the Plaza Mayor and the Old Town with its famous Medieval Quarter. Afterwards, continue to Córdoba, once the capital of the Caliphate, situated in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Upon arrival in Cordoba, you may enjoy time at leisure before dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Cordoba

Cordoba is known for its beautiful Mosque-Cathedral, the greatest dual-identity monument in Spain and a powerful symbol of the two cultures that have shaped Andalusia. After the Moors captured Córdoba in 711, what had previously been a Visigoth Christian Church was split in two and used by Christians and Muslims as a place of worship. But in 784, on the orders of the Emir Abd al-Rahman, the church was destroyed and work on the great mosque began. Construction lasted for over two centuries and the building was eventually completed in 987, by which point Córdoba became the most important city in the Islamic Kingdom. This morning, you will visit the emblematic monument, before continuing your journey to Seville. Upon arrival, you will have time at leisure before dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Seville

This morning you will head on a panoramic city tour of Seville. You will see the exterior of the Cathedral (the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peters in Rome), the Santa Cruz Quarter, Maria Luisa Park, and Plaza de España. You may enjoy a free afternoon at leisure to see the incredible views and flavors of the city. We recommend visiting the Royal Palace, known as the Alcazar Royal Palace, and its breathtaking gardens.
Overnight in Seville

After breakfast head south to the dramatic cliffside city of Ronda, considered to be the birthplace of modern bullfighting. Enjoy free time to explore this town of Celtic origin and the magnificent view of the valley and mountain range. In the afternoon you will continue to the Costa del Sol, famous for its breathtaking landscapes, fabulous beaches, delicious food, and fascinating customs and traditions. This is undoubtedly one of the most modern and important international tourist areas.
Overnight on the Costa del Sol

This morning you will depart for Granada where you will visit one of the finest monuments of Islamic architecture in Spain. Granadas most popular tourist attraction consists of a gathering of Moorish palaces and landscaped gardens. The city is well known for its medieval architecture from the Moorish occupation — particularly the beautiful Alhambra. Set against a backdrop of Sierra Nevada peaks, it was originally formed as a small fortress in 889 AD on the remains of a Roman fortification. Along with the visit to the Alhambra, you will see the magnificent Generalife Gardens. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure with time to explore this beautiful city.
Overnight in Granada

After breakfast, you will head north to the World Heritage City of Toledo surrounded by the Tagus River. It is here where three cultures coexist: Christian, Moorish, and Jewish. The entire town is a national monument. The city tour will include the most important monuments, narrow streets, and a demonstration of the famous “Damasquinado” which is a Moorish art of inlaying gold or silver threads into black steel. From there you will return to Madrid.
Overnight in Madrid

Today you will be transferred back to Madrid Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas International Airport for your flight home.