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    Grand Spain and Portugal
    18 days | 17 nights
    From $5,975* pp
    Exclusive $775*pp discount^
    The local people of Spain and Portugal are known to enlighten the senses with their cultural heritage. This trip includes adventuring in Santander, San Sebastián and Barcelona where you can enjoy an in-depth portrait of some of the best of Spain and Portugal over 18 days, with Insight Vacations.
    Your package includes: Your package highlights:

    Your package includes:

    Your package highlights:

    Your package includes:

    Your package includes:

    • 17 nights accommodation in hand-picked centrally located hotels
    • Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 5 deliciously authentic dinners
    • Travel with an experienced travel director
    • Travel throughout via coach with double the legroom
    • Airport transfers
    Your package highlights:

    Your package highlights:

    • Seville – get ready for colourful dancers and the rhythmic stomp of flamenco as you experience a fiery evening of Spanish dance and cuisine
    • Lisbon – delight in a taste of the famous Portuguese delicacy, Pasteis de Belem
    • Barcelona – at a typical Catalan restaurant, savour a delicious celebration dinner that incorporates classic cooking with the freshest produce
    • Jabago – in a small village dotted with chestnut trees and holm oaks, experience the lingering aroma and incomparable taste of pure Jamon Iberico
    Valid for travel
    17 Oct 2020 departure, subject to availability.
    Offer expires
    31 Oct 2019 unless sold prior

    Itinerary

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    Day 1

    Welcome to Madrid, Spain

    Your airport transfer departs Madrid airport for your hotel at 9:00, 11:30, 13:30 or 16:00. The rest of the day is at leisure to begin to get to know this stylish city. At 18:00, join your travel director for your welcome dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers over a delightful evening of good food and wine. During your time in Madrid you will travel along the main historical areas in the Capital of Spain known as Madrid of the Bourbons. Your drive will take you through the Old Quarter discovering the origins of the city.

    Day 2

    Toledo and on to Granada, Spain

    Venture south to meet a master craftsperson in a Damascene workshop for a personal insight into this ancient craft handed down by the Moors centuries ago. Continue to the fascinating city of Toledo, situated high above the River Tagus. This was Spain’s capital during the golden era, where Arab, Jewish and Christian cultures flourished side-by-side through the Middle Ages. Walk within the city walls, through the narrow cobbled streets, led by your local expert. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, housing El Greco’s famous painting, ‘The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.’ Your journey continues to Granada.

    Day 3

    The Alhambra Palace, Spain

    ‘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 arabesque gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace. Explore with your local expert and also visit the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence. Take a moment to relax in the sunshine as you enjoy the fine views over the town and its three verdant hills. Embark on a scenic drive to Seville where a local Expert will guide you through the maze of narrow lanes and shady squares of the Santa Cruz Quarter. Emerge by the huge walls of the fabulous Alcazar to see La Giralda, the former minaret of the Great Mosque, but now the cathedral bell tower. Enter the immense 15th-century cathedral, the final resting place of Christopher Columbus and see his tomb enriched with the spoils of the New World.

    Day 4

    Free time in Seville, Spain

    This is a free day, so take your time to bask in the city’s romantic aura and explore as you wish. You can join an optional experience to the ancient city of Córdoba, where you will visit the magnificent Mezquita, see the old Jewish Quarter, and enjoy some free time to shop or explore as you wish. Visit Cristina Heeren Foundation, a beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant. This private dance school is dedicated to promoting the conservation of flamenco and supports young enthusiasts from all over the world with a special focus on new talent from the Andalusian region. Feel the passion behind the choreography as you put your rhythm to the test during a dance lesson before witnessing emotions come to life in a flamenco performance. With some free time for dinner, head next door to Triana market and stroll through the many colourful stalls where vendors are selling tapas made from fresh, local produce. Why not grab yourself a refreshing sangria for a cheers to your new found dancing feet?

    Day 5

    Lisbon, Portugal

    Pass through the oak forests where black Iberian pigs are bred for the famous Spanish hams. Stop in Huelva for a demonstration of ham cutting and a tasting of fresh jamón ibérico.

    Day 6

    Lisbon, Portugal

    During your stay, a guided orientation of the city with your local expert takes you along the avenues of the Lower Town and beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco, the finest square in the city. Visit the Belém Quarter and enjoy a taste of Pastéis de Belém from the patisserie that has been using the same, secret recipe for almost 200 years. View the Monument to the Discoveries and the more ancient Belém Tower. This fortress was originally set in the middle of the river, but is now left high and dry on the riverbank. Visit the 500-year-old Jerónimos Monastery with its beautiful Manueline architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps join an Optional Experience to the beautiful Portuguese Riviera?

    Day 7

    Holy Fátima and Salamanca, Portugal

    Travel into the green hills north of Lisbon to visit Fátima, the most celebrated place of pilgrimage in Portugal. Visit the Basilica commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three children in 1917. Cross the border, returning to Spain and continue to Salamanca, famous for its golden stone buildings and the handsome arcades of the Plaza Mayor. Across the River Tormes, see the Puente Romano with 15 of its 26 arches dating from the time of the ancient Romans.

    Day 8

    Ávila and Madrid, Spain

    Cross the rock-strewn hills of the Castile, to arrive at Ávila. Walk within the ancient city that is still entirely enclosed within 11th-century walls, a unique occurrence in Europe. Return to Madrid to explore more of the capital with your local expert. At a local restaurant, join your travel director and newfound friends for a lively Highlight Dinner.

    Day 9

    Madrid of the Bourbons, Spain

    Enjoy sightseeing with your local expert as they take you along the main historical areas in the capital of Spain known as Madrid of the Bourbons. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter discovering the origins of the city. A highlight of your escorted journey will be a visit to the Prado Museum. Discover countless works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and others as you are guided by a local art historian. The afternoon is free for you to relax at a cafe or shop in the boutiques.

    Day 10

    Through Rueda to Santiago, Spain

    Journey through the Guadarrama Mountains to the infinite horizons of Old Castile and continues past the impressive Castillo de la Mota, conquered by Queen Isabella. Some of Spain’s most fashionable white wines are produced in Rueda and this morning we have the opportunity to learn how they are made and sample the delights of the Verdejo grape. Travel on to Santiago de Compostela, where the tomb of the Apostle St. James was miraculously discovered in the Middle Ages.

    Day 11

    Santiago De Compostela, Spain

    Explore Santiago de Compostela with Insight Choice. Choose between joining a city tour with a local expert and visit Praza do Obradoiro to admire the cathedral facade festooned with architectural frills. Alternatively, embark on a scenic walk-on part of the Way of St James, through parks and gardens that transform with the seasons. Relax during your free time or explore the narrow streets and old squares of this city.

    Day 12

    The Costa Verde to Oviedo

    Pass through the ancient forests of Galicia and cross to the Green Coast of Asturias – one of Spain’s most beautiful, named after the colour of the sea and the pine and eucalyptus trees that line the shore. Meet a true local, Flor, who will invite you to join her for lunch. Hear about daily life as you enjoy a delicious meal, typical of the region, that Flor has freshly prepared from locally sourced ingredients, accompanied by delicious local cider. Your route reveals glorious coastal vistas before turning inland to travel through old villages and deep valleys en route to Oviedo. Continue on to Oviedo where a local expert will show you the 9th-century churches built when the city was the capital of Christian Spain. Visit the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour in the stately square of Plaza Alfonso II. Admire the incredible altarpiece, one of the finest in Europe.

    Day 13

    Santander, Spain

    See the unique Roman bridge in Cangas de Onís as you head into the foothills of the Picos de Europa, a national park encompassing spectacular mountain and gorge scenery. Visit the Holy Cave of Covadonga, a shrine to Pelayo, who achieved the first Christian victory over the Moors in 722. Enjoy views of the Costa de Cantabria while travelling to Santillana del Mar, arguably the most beautiful village in Spain. Stroll through the rustic cobblestone streets, admiring stone houses decorated with carved, heraldic symbols and reach the delightful church square. Continue on to the sophisticated beach resort of Santander where you have free time in the evening to enjoy this luxurious hotel. Why not take the time to explore the hotel terrace with stunning views of the bay below or relax with one of the many therapy treatments offered at the hotels spa?

    Day 14

    Bilbao and San Sebastián, Spain

    In nearby Bilbao, admire the striking modern architecture of the Guggenheim Museum, one of the world’s most spectacular buildings. Enjoy the views as you are driven along part of the Costa Vasca, dotted with small coastal fishing villages. Pause in Getaria, at the mouth of the Urola, to see El Ratón, the mouse-shaped rock. Continue to San Sebastián, pearl of the Cantabrian coast, set on its shell-shaped bay. Admire its beauty as you walk with your local expert through the Old Quarter. See the numbered balconies of the Plaza de la Constitución, a reminder of the days when bullfights were held in the square. Atop Monte Igueldo there are breathtaking views of the town and La Concha Bay.

    Day 15

    The Cantabrian Coast, Spain

    Enjoy a day at leisure to stroll along San Sebastián’s boardwalk and with the city harbour filled with fishing boats and pleasure crafts, you can enjoy a number of sporting activities on its large sandy beach. Perhaps you’ll want to explore the nearby French village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, also known as Little Paris? Maybe stroll the promenade of the famous La Concha bay or enjoy the boutiques of the Old Town?

    Day 16

    Pamplona and on to Barcelona, Spain

    Journey to the famed town of Pamplona, known for its Running of the Bulls festival. With time free for you to explore, perhaps take a stroll to the famous Estafeta Street or visit Café Iruña, immortalised by Ernest Hemingway in the ‘The Sun Also Rises.’ Your travels continue to Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia, a land that retains its own distinctive language, culture and traditions.

    Day 17

    Barcelona, city of Gaudí, Spain

    Wake up ready to embrace the city’s artistic heritage. Join a local expert in the heart of the Barri Gotic, the Gothic Quarter, and walk through the Roman Gate to see its narrow lanes and old squares. You are driven along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district to behold Gaudí’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família. As you venture inside, look above to see its giant, tree-like pillars and spectacular vaulting. Admire the wonderful rainbow of the incredible stained-glass windows. With the afternoon at leisure, you are free to relax or continue your exploration on your own. In the evening, join your travel director and newfound friends at a local restaurant. Raise your glass and toast your travels during your delightful celebration dinner.

    Day 18

    Depart Madrid, Spain

    After breakfast depart for Madrid. A stop is made at Madrid airport in the early evening, followed by the Madrid trip hotel.

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    * Conditions

    Advertised prices are per person twin share, correct at time of publication and are subject to availability and change at any time without notification due to fluctuations in charges, taxes and currency. Offer is valid on new bookings only. ^Exclusive discount is included in the advertised price. Other departure dates available however prices may differ. Single supplements apply. Deposit is due within five days of booking and final payment due by 18 Dec 2019. Other conditions apply. Please contact your personal travel manager for full terms and conditions.

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