Julia Travel Gray Line Spain
11 Day Tour to Portugal and Andalusia from Madrid
Portugal has written its history in Lisbon, the city of colours. Art, flamenco and old times mark are alive in every Andalusia's city. Castle of Sao Jorge shows the nature of the old fishermen's neighbourhood. Its picturesque tiny streets are wonderful to get lost in and to discover the charm of the city. Fatima, built in the 20th century after the apparitions of the Virgin, is the destination of an inner journey of Christian faith. It is one of the main Marian shrines of the world. Also, visit Seville and see the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world. It is a sign of its wide cultural and artistic past. Andalusia is one of the most visited states in South Western European country of Spain, Having been known for being a traditional agricultural region, it entraps greenery, farmlands and large beautiful canyons which wide known and recognized for the beauty that it portrays. The region is rich in its cultural diversity which includes flamenco, bullfighting and Hispano Moorish styles of architecture, all of which are known to have their origin from Spain. Among major cities in Andalusia, Cordoba is known for its spectacular Mosque cum Cathedral and Jewish Quarter, also known as Mezquita is a remarkable Islamic architecture with all luminous and wonderful decoration. The beauty of the Cathedral can be seen as an amalgamation of Islamic, Jews and Christian diversity, defining an era when these religions lived side by side. The insides of the Mezquita determine the religious severity of Islamic and Christianity from medieval Spain. The Jewish Quarter is another landmark which describes a dark history of deceit and destruction which has its presence on the walls of the Jewish Quarter in Cordoba.
Highlights
Visit the Alfama district Visit the Sanctuary of Fatima Visit the Cathedral of SevillaItinerary
Day 1: Madrid to Avila to Salamanca to Porto Your departure will be from the Julia Travel bus terminal, located in the underground parking of the Plaza de Oriente at 08:30. Enjoy your drive to Avila, a city that preserves its medieval wall. Then we will drive to Salamanca. Enjoy your free time in this University City Heritage of Humanity of great architectural and artistic wealth. After this, we depart to the Portuguese border until you reach Porto. Days 2: Porto Have your breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy your panoramic sightseeing tour of Porto, which is considered the World Heritage city. We will admire the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange building and the Santa Clara church. In the afternoon, we may have an optional visit to a famous winery with tasting of its world famous port wine. Days 3: Porto to Coimbra to Fatima Have your breakfast a hotel and departure to Coimbra, city seat of one of the oldest universities in Europe and the birthplace of Fado. Spend your free time here and then depart to Fatima, which is the centre of the Christian Faith and World Pilgrimage Sanctuary with its impressive Basilica and the Cova da Iria place where the Virgin Mary appeared. The Chapel of the Apparitions, the heart of the sanctuary, with the tombs of the three shepherds, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. At night, there is a possibility to attend the procession of the candles. Days 4: Fatima to Batalha to Nazare to Alcobaca to Lisbon After your breakfast at the hotel, depart to the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline style considered a World Heritage place by UNESCO. Continue your trip to the picturesque fishing town of Nazare. Continue to Alcobaca, and visit the XII Century church and admire the tombs of Pedro and Ines de Castro and then to Lisbon. You can have an optional night tour to attend a show of Fado, a typical Portuguese song and music. Days 5: Lisbon Have your breakfast at the hotel after which we start our morning sightseeing tour of the ancient Olissipo and drive through its main squares and avenues, Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Coach Museum, Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square, Liberty Avenue. Spend your afternoon at leisure and catch the nostalgic corners of Alfama Quarter, the old city gathered next to its Castle, with old buildings nested in narrow twisting Ruas full of colour housing the genuine tavernas where Fado sounds like a missing past. Days 6: Lisbon to Caceres to Cordoba Have your breakfast at the hotel and depart at 07:30 hours to Caceres, which is considered as World Heritage place because of the city’s blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. Walk through its Plaza Mayor and the Old Town with its famous Medieval Quarter. Afterwards continue towards Cordoba, which once was the capital of the Caliphate. Days 7: Cordoba to Seville After your breakfast at the hotel, embark upon to an impressive tour of its Mosque and other sites that will ease our mind and spirit strolling through its narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, after a short two hours ride, reach Seville. Days 8: Seville Have your breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a morning panoramic city tour by visiting the exterior of the Cathedral (the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peters in Rome) and Santa Cruz quarter (which is a natural scenario of Carmen as well as a precisely where the myth of Don Juan developed, Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de Espana. Then we spend our afternoon at leisure to discover exclusive views, specific flavours of this active full of the light city. Days 9: Seville to Ronda to Costa del Sol After your breakfast at the hotel, drive south passing typical villages and reach Ronda where you can spend free time to admire this town of Celtic origin and the marvellous view of the valley and mountain range. In the afternoon continue on to the Costa del Sol, which is one of the most modern and important international tourist areas. Days 10: Costa del Sol to Granada After your breakfast, depart to the city of Granada and its incredible and amazing monumental environment, which was also the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms up to 1492. Visit the world famous Alhambra complex and Generalife Gardens that have inspired several authors with its sound and sights, such as the Tales of the Alhambra by W. Irving. Days 11: Granada to Toledo to Madrid After your breakfast at the hotel, drive northwards towards Castilla which is known to be surrounded by the Tagus river, the impressive Imperial city of Toledo, known as the World Heritage City, where the three cultures Christians, Moorish and Jewish, have lived together. Resume your trip with the city of the Spanish art, history, and spirituality the whole town is a National Monument. Short guided tour of this historic old town through its narrow streets. Then proceed with a visit to a famous Damasquinado gold and silver inlaying iron factory. Continue your trip back to Madrid.Includes
10 nights accommodation: Porto (2 nights), Fatima (1 night), Lisbon (2 nights), Cordoba (1 night), Seville (2 nights), Costa del Sol (1 night), Granada (1 night) 11 breakfast and 5 dinner Air-conditioned deluxe motor coach Guided visits in Porto, Lisbon, Cordoba, Seville, Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, Toledo Tour Escort during the tour Travel insuranceRecently viewed
