Guided Tour: Porto, Tapas, and Flamenco

This coach tour surely brings out the best of the Iberian Peninsula. The first part of your journey is dedicated to the beauty of Portugal, from its cities such as Lisbon, Fatima, and Porto, to its valleys and majestic rivers. Then, if you were not in love already, you are sure to fall under Spain’s spell! As you criss cross Cervantes’s land, you will visit some of its most impressive landmarks, savour its delicacies, and experience its culture first hand. Flamenco, anyone?

Day 1: Montreal to Lisbon
Overnight transatlantic flight including meals and entertainment.

Day 2: Lisbon
Meet your guide upon your arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. In the evening, join the group for a welcome dinner while listening to Fado music in a local restaurant in Alfama, the city’s oldest neighborhood.
Dinner

Day 3: Lisbon (75 km)
In the morning, enjoy a panoramic tour of Lisbon. Pass by the Liberty Avenue, Rossio Square and the old historic districts of Alfama and Bairro Alto before visiting the Monastery of the Hieronymites (admission included). Nearby, admire the elegant tower of Belem, built to commemorate the expedition of Vasco de Gama. In the afternoon, visit Sintra, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Finally, admire some of the country’s finest tile collections in the Royal Palace.
Breakfast

Day 4: Lisbon – Fatima – Porto (326 km)
Morning departure to Fatima, where you will visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima Basilica and the Chapel of the Apparitions. Continue on to Porto, Portugal’s second city, located right at the mouth of the Douro. Visit a winery and get to taste the region’s famous Port wine.
Breakfast

Day 5: Porto – Vila Real (Douro Valley) (96 km)
This morning, your explorations include the street of the Allies, the Freedom Square, Central Station and its beautiful tiles, the Clérigos and the cathedral. In the afternoon, enjoy a panoramic journey across the Douro Valley and visit to the Quinta da Pacheca area. You will have the chance to discover its vineyards, its wine presses and cellars, and taste the different wines produced in the region. Continue on to the very tip of Norther Portugal to enjoy some free time in Vila Real.
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Vila Real – Ribera del Duero – Quintanilla de Onésimo, Penafiel (419 km)
Today, the Spanish part of your journey begins as you cross the Ribera del Duero, one of the most famous wine regions of Spain noted for its red wines made from tempranillo. In Quintanilla de Onésimo, visit the Finca Villacreces, one of the most prestigious wine cellars of the Ribera del Duero region, and sample three wines: Ribera, Rioja and Toro, paired with three cheeses of each of these regions. Continue to the historic village of Penafiel. Time at leisure.
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Penafiel – Segovia – Madrid – Avila (145 km)
In the morning depart for Segovia and enjoy a guided tour of the Alcazar, an Arabic word meaning “fortress”. Afterwards, head to Avila and stand in awe in front on ifs spectacular Gothic cathedral and fortifications that count 82 semi-circular towers. You will get a guided tour of the walls, the symbol of the city before making your way to Madrid.
Breakfast

Day 8: Madrid
Begin your time in Madrid with a panoramic city tour. All the most important landmarks will be covered: the main avenues such as the Gran Via and the beautiful squares and fountains Madrid is praised for such as the Puerta del Sol, Neptune and Plaza de Cibeles. Continue to the Retiro Park, the football stadium of Real Madrid and the University of Madrid. Last but not least, you will visit the magnificent Royal Palace (admission included). Afternoon at leisure. In the evening, savor a typical tapas dinner at a restaurant in old Madrid.
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: Madrid – Toledo – Madrid (74 km)
Today is all about Toledo! Among other highlights, discover the Cathedral (entrance included), the Church of Santo Tomé, which houses the famous painting by El Greco and the Synagogue Santa Maria la Blanca.
Breakfast

Day 10: Madrid – Consuegra – Sevilla (526 km)
Early morning departure to Consuegra. Guided tour of the imposing castle and its chilling dungeon, as well as one of the twelve windmills typical of the region and carefully preserved since the sixteenth century – the same celebrated by Cervantes in his Don Quixote classic story! After exploring the old part of town, enjoy a typical dinner at the “Venta del Quijote” (Quixote hostel). In the afternoon, departure to Sevilla. Overnight in Sevilla.
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Sevilla
Today, take a panoramic city tour during which you can admire the Alcázar, the Cartuja Island, the Guadalquivir river, the Tower of Gold, the Maestranza bullring, Maria Luisa Park, Plaza de España and Plaza de America. The second part of today’s adventure includes a visit the cathedral, the Giralda tower and a walk through the beautiful Santa Cruz district (old Jewish quarter). Spend this afternoon at leisure. This evening, listen to live flamenco as dinner is served at a renowned Andalusian tablao.
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: Sevilla – Cordoba – Granada (354 km)
Time to make your way to Cordoba. Upon arrival, your city tour includes the city’s main landmarks such as the historic center and the Mezquita (Great Mosque), a superb example of Islamic art in Spain converted into a cathedral in the fourteenth century. Finish with a walking tour of the old Jewish quarter, during which you will visit the synagogue. After lunch (at leisure), it will be time to head towards Granada. This afternoon, explore the many remnants of the city’s Arab heritage: the Madraza (Islamic school), the Alcaiceria (originally the silk market), the old Arab university, the Corral del Carbon (former Arab market), the cathedral Renaissance and the Royal Chapel of late Gothic style.
Breakfast

Day 13: Granada
This morning, visit the Alhambra, an Arabic palace and undeniable masterpiece of Islamic architecture, as well as the wonderful gardens of Generalife. The rest of the day is free.
Breakfast

Day 14: Granada – Alfarnatejo – Costa del Sol (162 km)
Morning at leisure, then on to Alfarnatejo, a tiny Andalusian village of 500 inhabitants located in the province of Malaga. In the afternoon, drive to Malaga and enjoy a short sightseeing tour before reaching your hotel on the Costa del Sol.
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15: Costa del Sol (Torremolinos)
Spend the next two days relaxing along the beautiful Costa del Sol or taking care of last minute shopping. Better yet, an optional excursion ($) to Gibraltar may be the better choice for some spectacular duty free finds!
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 16: Costa del Sol (Torremolinos)
Enjoy the day at leisure, then join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 17: Malaga to Montreal
Transfer to the airport and return flight.
Breakfast

Not included:

• Drinks
• Meals not mentioned
• Entrance fees to sites not mentioned
• Optional excursions
• Tips
• Expenditures on site
• Travel insurance
• The price does not include: travel insurance, administration fees, client contribution to the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents of $ 1 CAD per $ 1,000 CAD.
• Fees