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Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Lisbon, Portugal

 

Day 2: Arrive Lisbon We arrive in the Portuguese capital early this afternoon.  The remainder of the day is at leisure before dinner at our hotel. D

Day 3: Lisbon/Queluz This morning’s city tour includes the Jeronimos Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture; Belem Tower; and the Monument to the Discoveries commemorating Portugal’s storied explorers.  Then we visit the National Palace of Queluz, the former residence of Portuguese royalty now used for state occasions.  After returning to Lisbon, the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore as we wish, perhaps to visit a local club to hear Portuguese Fado music. B

Day 4: Lisbon/Evora Leaving Lisbon this morning, we travel through the rolling hills of the agricultural Alentejo district, with its bountiful fields of wheat, fra­grant vineyards, and stands of olive and cork trees.  After stopping for lunch in the fortified hilltop town of Monsaraz (pop. 150), late afternoon we arrive in Evora, capital of the Alen­tejo and site of our pousada, considered Portugal’s finest. B,L,D

Day 5: Evora Our morning walking tour of Evora introduces us to the many charms of this architectural gem – a university town, prosperous regional capital, and UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to the many relics of its Roman and Moorish heritage.  The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this “Golden Age” city as we wish. B,D

Day 6: Evora/Merida/Carmona Today we travel east through countryside peppered with the ruins of fortresses and castles to the Spanish border town of Merida.  Once the capital of ancient Lusitania (Latin for the kingdoms of Spain and Portugal), Merida boasts outstanding Roman ruins.  There’s time to ­explore and eat lunch on our own before we continue on to Carmona and our parador, a 14th-century
Arab fortress. B,D

Day 7: Carmona/Seville This morning we visit splendid Seville, Moorish capital of Spain’s Andalusia region and city of beauty and romance.  This is the place that inspired Carmen and Don Giovanni; where fragrant orange trees and flower-bedecked
balconies delight the senses; and home of the re­nownedCatédral, the world’s largest Gothic building.  After a tour that includes the palace and the Arab quarter, the afternoon is free to explore
in­dependently.  We return to Carmona late afternoon and dine at our parador this evening. B,D

Day 8: Carmona/Cordoba Today’s visit to this cultural gem promises to be special indeed.  First the capital of Roman Spain, then of Moorish Spain, Cordoba features some of the country’s most impor­tant monuments, including the Old Quarter built around the magnificent Mezquita mosque.  It was here that the Moors ruled from the 8th to the 11th centuries and fostered a culture of learning and relig­ious harmony known the world over.  Cordoba also is home to Andalusia’s only synagogue to survive the expulsion of Spain’s Jews in the 15th century.  After touring these and other highlights we have free time to explore on our own.  Late this afternoon we return to our parador, where we dine tonight. B,D

Day 9: Carmona/Ronda Leaving Carmona this morning we travel south to tiny Ronda, one of Spain’s oldest and most aristocratic towns.  It’s set high in the mountains with whitewashed houses clinging improb­ably to the edge of El Tajo Gorge – 500 feet deep and 300 feet wide.  After a brief walking tour, our after­noon is at leisure. B,D

Day 10: Ronda oday is at leisure to enjoy this charming and historic town on our own.  Tonight we dine on regional specialties at our parador, Ronda’s original town hall. B,D

Day 11: Ronda/Granada/Ubeda Continung our journey, we travel today to Granada, the former stronghold of Moorish Spain set in the foothills of the snowcapped Sierra Nevada.  The city’s undisputed highlight is the Alhambra, the extraordinary palace of Spain’s last Moorish rulers. Sprawled across a hilltop above the Darro River, the Alhambra commands breathtak­ing views of the city below, as we see on our afternoon tour of this splendid citadel.  We also visit the Granadian-style Generalife, the palace’s acclaimed gardens.  Late afternoon we travel north to Ubeda and our next parador, a former palace dating to the 16th century and where we dine tonight. B,D

Day 12: Ubeda/Toledo/Madrid A highlight is in store today as we visit Toledo, capital of medieval Spain. Declared a Spanish National Landmark, the city is little changed visually from its 16th-century days as a subject for the artist El Greco. Toledo boasts an incomparable hilltop setting overlooking the Castillian plains and surrounded on three sides by the Tagus River. After lunch on our own we see Toledo’s most important sights on our guided tour, including the massive Gothic Cathedral begun in 1226 and not finished until 1493.  Then we continue on to Madrid, arriving late afternoon. B

Day 13: Madrid  Our morning tour of this monu­mental and dignified capital city includes vast Plaza Mayor, in the heart of Old Madrid; the Moorish medieval district; and opulent 18th-century Palacio Real (Royal Palace), with its 2,800 rooms.  Our tour ends at the Prado, one of the world’s greatest museums, where we’re free to explore on our own.  Displaying treasures by Spanish masters Goya, El Greco, and Velazquez, the Prado also houses an impor­tant collection of Flemish and Italian master­pieces.  The remainder of the day is free for independ­ent exploration in this cosmopolitan city. B

Day 14: Madrid  A free day to enjoy the Spanish capital as we wish.  Tonight we bid “Adios” to Spain and our fellow travelers at a farewell dinner. B,D

Day 15: Depart for U.S. We transfer to the airport this morning for our connecting flights to the U.S. B

Please note:  This trip involves considerable walking on uneven or cobblestone streets.  In addition, several small hotels do not have elevators.  You should be in good physical condition to enjoy this tour to the fullest.

Included

Tour Price Includes

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities
• 13 nights’ accommodations: 5 nights in Deluxe hotels; 8 nights in First Class paradores and pousadas
• 24 meals: 13 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 10 dinners
• Regional wine with dinners
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
• $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after three tours)

Dates and Prices

2010 Tour Dates & Prices

	Mar 14 Mar 21 Oct 31 Nov 7	Apr 18 Apr 25 Oct 17 Oct 24	May 2, 9 May 12 Sep 12 Sep 19 Oct 3	May 23
Boston, New York, Philadelphia	$3,295	$3,595	$3,695	$3,995
Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, DC	$3,495	$3,795	$3,895	$4,195
Char, Cinc, Cleve, Detroit, Mia, Orlando, Tampa	$3,595	$3,895	$3,995	$4,295
Dallas, Den, Hou, Los Angeles, Minn, Phoenix, Port (OR), San Fran, Seattle	$3,695	$3,995	$4,095	$4,395

Please call if your city is not listed or for land only
prices.  Prices are per person based on double occu­pancy.  Single travelers please add $995 Nov, Mar; $1,295 all other dates.  Your $375 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days before departure.  All 2011 tour prices above are guaranteed.

Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight:  $3,195 per person.  Airline taxes and departure fees of $439 per person are subject to change and will be listed separately on your invoice.

Hotels

Hotels & Ratings

Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 1 Depart U.S. for Lisbon 2-3 Lisbon Tivoli Lisboa Deluxe 4-5 Evora Pousada dos Loios First Class 6-8 Carmona Parador de Carmona First Class 9-10 Ronda Parador de Ronda First Class 11 Ubeda Parador de Ubeda First Class 12-14 Madrid Wellington Hotel Deluxe 15 Depart Madrid for U.S.

Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.