Description
DAY 1 ARRIVE IN BARCELONA, SPAIN
Welcome to Barcelona! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Dinner included
DAY 2 BARCELONA
Gaudi’s Masterpiece BARCELONA Guided sightseeing includes the Palau de La Musica and panoramic views of the city and harbor from Montjuïc Hill. Stop at Sagrada Familia Basilica, Columbus Monument, Plaza de Cataluna, and Paseo de Gracia.
Tour Highlight:
The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia stands in Barcelona as a monument to the Holy Family and a testament to the masterwork of Antoni Gaudi. Built on the reliance of donations since the first stone was laid more than 130 years ago, the iconic church remains an unfinished masterpiece and the world’s longest-running construction project – slated for completion in 2026 on the 100th anniversary of the architect’s death.
Breakfast included
DAY 3 BARCELONA–MADRID
Splendid Spain Scenic drive through the Catalonian and Aragonian countryside en route to Madrid.
Bus distance covered:
385 mi / 620 km
Free time tips:
The the city of Madrid is filled with intriguing stories and hidden secrets. Stroll around the streets and take pictures of “El Osoy el Madrono”(The Bear and the Strawberry Tree), the biggest symbol of the city. See the Statue of the Fallen Angel, depicting Lucifer’s expulsion from Heaven.
Breakfast included
DAY 4 MADRID
Day 4 Madrid guided sightseeing includes the Prado Museum and sights of the Cibeles Fountain and Calle Alcala.
Tour Highlight:
The Prado Museum houses one of the world’s largest art collections, including its amazing assortment of masterpieces by historic artists like Velasquez, Goya, and El Greco. The famous museum also displays the works of renowned European masters, including Rubens and Rembrandt, along with a stunning collection of Greco-Roman statues.
Breakfast included
DAY 5 MADRID–CORDOBA–SEVILLE
Cordoba guided walking tour includes the Mosque of the Caliphs. Free time to browse before departing for Seville.
Bus distance covered:
354 mi / 570 km
Tour Highlight:
The Mosque of Córdoba (Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba in Spanish) today is a Catholic cathedral but was originally a mosque built for Muslim prayer by Abd ar-Rahman I in the 8th century. The mosque’s architecture is rich in dazzling detail, with over 800 granite and marble pillars supporting its beautiful brick and stone arches - a major focal point in the mosque along with the soaring bell tower – the tallest structure in the city.
Breakfast included
DAY 6 SEVILLE
Dance Steps in Seville SEVILLE Visit Plaza de España. Guided sightseeing includes the Casa de Pilatos and a walk through the Santa Cruz quarter. Enjoy dinner with local specialties at El Palacio Andaluz restaurant with Flamenco entertainment.
Tour Highlight:
You will be moved by the soulful sounds and steps of the Flamenco. You’ll see the very best display of this passionate Flemish dance performed by award-winning dancers who’ll add some spice to your dinner at El Palacio Andaluz restaurant in Seville. Ole!
Breakfast and dinner included
DAY 7 SEVILLE–SETUBAL–AZEITÃO, PORTUGAL–LISBON
Stops in:
Setubal - Free time for lunch in the vibrant food market.
Azeitao - Visit a traditional tile workshop.
Enjoy free time in Lisbon late afternoon and evening.
Bus distance covered:
273 mi / 440 km
Tour Highlight:
Enter a world of authentically handmade Portuguese tiles at the São Simão Arte workshop and gallery in Azeitão. It is here that distinguished antique collector Antonio Soares Franco creates his ceramic masterpieces by hand in the style of his ancestors.
Breakfast included
DAY 8 LISBON
Lovely Lisbon LISBON Guided sightseeing includes Jeronimos Monastery and cloister with a photo stop at Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. Join a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Tour Highlight:
The stunning capital city of Portugal is a treasure trove of historic and architectural masterpieces. Lisbon is home to the 16th-century Monastery of Jerónimos, adorned with its 100-foot façade featuring images of St. Michael the Archangel and Our Lady of Belém. See the 16th-century Belém Tower, which served as a fortress but also as an embarkation point for sailors and was their last sight of land before the start of their journey. Lisbon’s Monument to the Discoveries pays homage to great Portuguese explorers with a spectacular carved prow of an ancient ship.
Breakfast and dinner included
DAY 9 LISBON – PONTA DELGADA
Fly to Ponta Delgada, capital city of Sao Miguel island, the biggest and arguably most beautifull island of the Azores. Orientation walk. Free time.
Tour Highlight:
Mother Nature has created a land full of natural beauty, ready to be explored, in the blue immensity of the Atlantic. Waterfalls tumble down basalt cliffs, rainforest-covered hills are topped by spectacular crater lakes and pale-green pastures are hedged by a kaleidoscope of hydrangeas. Dive into the rich cultural heritage as well with warm welcomes by local residents who graciously share stories of proud history and traditions.
Breakfast included
DAY 10 PONTA DELGADA. EXCURSION TO THE CENTER OF THE ISLAND
Tour Highlights:
Fire Lake (Lagoa do Fogo): Take in majestic views of the volcano’s crater lake and the ocean.
Maia Village: Visit the oldest (and currently the only) tea plantation in Europe. Today the Tea Factory produces 40 tons of tea every year from 37 hectares of plantations without the use of chemicals products. Savor the a local cup of tea.
Furnas village: Visit Furnas lake and witness the geothermal activity in the area. Free time for lunch. Visit the world renowned botanical gardens of Terra Nostra park.
EUROPE’S CUP OF TEA
Breakfast and dinner included
DAY 11 PONTA DELGADA
Enjoy the morning at leisure before an afternoon drive. In the afternoon visit a typical pineapple plantation. Continue then drive to Pico do Carvao viewpoint and take in the region’s belvedere houses. Next drive to the bridge of Sete Cidades.
Tour Highlight:
NATURAL WONDERS Sete Cidades Lake is located in a volcanic crater about 4 kilometers long by 2 kilometers wide with a depth of 30 metres. The lake is one of the seven Natural Wonders of Portugal and the largest natural freshwater reservoir in the Azores. The lake is actually two lagoons, called Green Lake (Lagoa Verde) and Blue Lake (Lagoa Azul), linked by a shallow channel. The differing hues each lake are the natural result of varying reflected light, or it could be the legend of a blue-eyed shepherd and a green-eyed princess whose tears filled each lake with tears of forbidden love. You decide!
DAY 12 PONTA DELGADA–LISBON
Leisure Time in Ponta Delgada and fly to Lisbon.
free time in Lisbon.
Breakfast included
DAY 13 LISBON
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast included