Highlights of Spain & Portugal

We depart for Madrid, via Montreal.

We arrive in Madrid and transfer to our hotel. This evening is our Welcome Dinner.

On our morning city sightseeing tour we start at the Puerto Del Sol old quarter, with its narrow winding streets, numerous bars and cafes, colourful squares, churches and historic monuments. We will also see the Royal Palace and the Cervantes Monument. Afternoon at leisure to further explore this lively capital. Tonight we enjoy a Tapas dinner - a specialty of Spain.

Today we travel to the walled city of Toledo. Here we see the Gothic cathedral, centuries old synagogue and the Church of Saint Tome with its El Greco paintings. This small charming city is delightful for strolling.

We proceed to Cordoba. After arrival, the balance of the day is at leisure.

On our tour of Cordoba we see the magnificent 8th century mosque supported by hundreds of columns of marble and onyx, and illuminated by 4,000 bronze and copper lamps. Around the mosque are the tiny shops and historic buildings of the old Jewish quarter. After our tour we drive through the Andalusian countryside, enjoying the spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, to Granada.

In Granada this morning we visit the famous Alhambra Palace, Spain's most beautiful Moorish building and former residence of Moorish Kings. It has imposing towers and halls, rooms decorated with lace-like carvings, coloured tiles and gold mosaics. The exterior has courtyards with fountains and lush gardens. It is unparalleled in Europe. After our tour we continue on to the lively resort town of Torremolinos.

At leisure to enjoy the sun, beach and the lively boardwalk along the Mediterranean Sea.

We take an excursion to Gibraltar. “The Rock”, as it is commonly called, remains very British. We will see St. Michael’s Cave, the Ape’s Cave and more. During our free time you may want to enjoy a pint in a typical English pub before returning to Torremolinos.

This morning we visit Ronda, which has an unforgettable setting - perched over a rocky 300’ deep ravine spanned by three bridges. We see the oldest bullring in Spain, the gardens and the church, which was once a mosque. We continue to the beautiful and lively city of Seville.

The romantic city of Seville was influenced by the Moors who occupied the area for 700 years. A fine example of their heritage is the Giralda Tower. We also see the Alcazar, Gothic Cathedral and the fountains of Maria Lusia Park. Later we enter Portugal and head for the country's famed coastal area, the Algarve, which features sandy beaches that stretch for miles, impressive cliffs and rock formations. We will stay 4 nights in the lively resort of Albufeira. During our stay here we will enjoy 3 half-day excursions.

We begin in Lagos where we see the beautiful church and castle walls. Then we proceed to Sagres, where Portuguese explorers learned their navigational skills. We finish off in Cape St. Vincent - the westernmost point in Europe.

Our first stop today is Alte - considered the Algarve’s most picturesque village. We will stroll the narrow flowery streets and see the 16th-century church. There are several natural hot springs here. Later we will stop at some other quiet hill towns and villages in the region.

We proceed to Evora (a UNESCO World Heritage City) - a beautiful city where Portugal’s Golden Age lives on. Our walking tour takes in the Roman Temple and wall, the Gothic Cathedral, the Aqueduct and its fountains and more. After our tour we continue to Lisbon.

On our morning city tour we see the old quarter, Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower and the monument to Henry the Navigator. Afternoon at leisure, followed by our Farewell Dinner.

We fly home, via Montreal.