Highlights of Spain & Portugal
Active pace with longer touring days. Expect intermittent walking at a moderate pace for 2–3 hours over a variety of terrain, including cobblestones, hills and uneven pavements. Must be able to negotiate stairs of varying heights, sometimes without handrails. Can tolerate periods of standing during guided tours and be able to climb in/out of various modes of transportation. Some days may include 5–7 km of walking over the course of the day.
We depart for Madrid, with a stop in Montreal enroute.
Settle into your hotel in Madrid before a delicious Paella Welcome Dinner.
Discover Madrid’s heart among Puerto del Sol’s winding streets, bustling city centre and colourful architecture. Visit the Royal Palace and Cervantes Monument before an afternoon at leisure. Enjoy a lovely dinner of tapas, the Spanish staple.
Explore the walled city of Toledo’s medieval architecture, including a visit to its Gothic cathedral, ancient synagogue, and the Church of Saint Tome’s El Greco paintings.
Journey to Cordoba via the picturesque “Windmill City” of Consuegra, made famous in the novel “Don Quixote”. Spend your afternoon at leisure in Cordoba.
Tour Cordoba’s stunning 8th-century mosque, with marble and onyx columns illuminated by 4,000 bronze and copper lamps. The mosque is surrounded by the Jewish quarter’s tiny shops and historic buildings. Next, drive to Granada while taking in the scenic beauty of the Sierra Nevada.
Today 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 ecorated with lace-like carvings, coloured tiles and gold mosaics. The exterior has courtyards with fountains and lush gardens. It is unparalleled in Europe.
We proceed to the lively resort town of Torremolinos for a 4-night stay.
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.
Visit Ronda, famed for the incredible views created by its dramatic landscape. Explore the oldest bullring in Spain, nearby gardens and historic church before continuing to Seville. This evening we enjoy an Andalusian Tapas Dinner at a local restaurant that specializes in Tapas.
Another day at leisure in Torremolinos.
Our tour of the monumental city of Seville includes a visit to the Gothic Cathedral—a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Barrio de Santa Cruz (the Jewish Quarter), and the Alcazar. Later we enter Portugal and head for the Algarve, which features sandy beaches that stretch for miles, and impressive cliffs. We will stay 3 nights in the lively resort of Albufeira. Proceed to Algarve, Portugal’s beautiful coastal resort with vast beaches and impressive rock formations, for 3 nights.
Explore Lagos’ rich history through its church and castle walls. Next, visit Sagres, where Portuguese explorers learned their legendary navigational skills. Finish off in Cape St. Vincent, the westernmost point in Europe.
Discover the charming village of Alte, wander its flower-decked streets, visit the 16th-century church, and immerse yourself in the tranquility of its natural hot springs. Later, stop at other quiet regional hill towns.
We travel to Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage City where Portugal’s Golden Age lives on, for a guided panoramic walking tour. See the Roman temple, Gothic cathedral, aqueduct and more. We then proceed to Lisbon.
Today we explore Lisbon, a city rich in history and culture, incredible architecture and amazing food. Our tour takes us through the winding streets and staircases of Arab-influenced lfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood, and Belém, where we will glimpse Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and the imposing Monument to the Discoveries (exterior)—and taste the delicious “Pasteis de Belem” at the bakery where the famous custard tarts were first invented.
Fly directly home to Toronto.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
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