Spain and Portugal

Lisbon Portugal – Madrid Spain

There’s a lot of history to be rediscovered in Lisbon at places such as Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, the Discoveries Monument and the Tower of Belém, and in the World Heritage Site towns of Sintra and medieval Évora where rich cultural landmarks chronicle royal Middle Ages lifestyles. Neighboring Spain entices with landscapes dressed in romance, from storybook villages in Andalucía, flower- decked streets in Seville, fine sherry and horses in Jerez de la Frontera and sun-kissed beaches in Marbella. The Moors lingered in Granada and Córdoba the longest, and the royals set up palaces, elegant city squares and the treasured El Prado in Madrid. Rediscover them all, in depth, for two glorious weeks…

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

TAUCK’S YELLOW ROADS – Enjoy breathtaking vistas as you climb from seaside Marbella to cliff-top Ronda, and into the Sierra Nevada mountains to Moorish Granada.

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation from Lisbon’s Lisboa Airport or Santa Apolonia Train Station to the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is included, regardless of
the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight information at least three weeks prior to the start of your tour. If you are arriving into another local train station please retain a receipt for your transfer and submit it to your Tour Director for reimbursement. Transportation from The Westin Palace, Madrid to Madrid Barajas International Airport or Atocha Train Station is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.

Rates and schedules are not guaranteed until booked and will vary based on departure date.

ITINERARY

INCLUDED

INCLUDED HOTELS

Day 01 :

Tauck's Spain and Portugal tours start in Lisbon

Tour begins: 2:00 PM, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon. A transfer is included from Lisboa Airport to your hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon. The afternoon’s guided sightseeing tour in Lisbon provides an introduction to this intriguing city and its most famous landmarks. Visit the famous monastery Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the National Coach Museum, and view the nearby Tower of Belém, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites from the mid-16th century; and see the Discoveries Monument commemorating Portugal’s “Age of Exploration” of the 15th and 16th centuries. Meet your traveling companions this evening at a welcome reception and dinner.

MEALS – Dinner

LODGING – Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

Day 02 :

Sintra & Cascais on the Portuguese Riviera

An excursion from Lisbon today takes you to Sintra – once a favored summer retreat for Portugal’s monarchs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – for a visit to the 14th-century Royal Palace of Sintra, a highlight of every Portugal tour, and time to explore on your own. Continue to the fishing village of Cascais, its bay dotted with brightly colored boats, before returning to Lisbon to spend the rest of the day and evening as you please.

MEALS – Breakfast

LODGING – Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

Day 03 :

A mix of Roman, Moorish & more in Évora

Cross one of Europe’s longest bridges – the Vasco da Gama Bridge over the Tagus River – en route to the medieval, walled city of Évora, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A city tour with your local guide reveals how Évora’s Roman ruins, Moorish arcades, and a score of churches and monasteries create a fascinating cultural tapestry; see the Capela dos Ossos in the 15th-century Church of São Francisco, and the Cathedral of St. Mary. Spend this night of your Spain and Portugal tours at a 15th-century convent-turned-luxury hotel and spa in a picturesque location in Évora.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 04 :

On to storied Andalucía & Seville in Spain

As your Portugal tour concludes, your exploration of Spain heats up! Spain’s famous southern province of Andalucía is as famous for gypsies and flamenco dancing as it is for its seaside resorts and small, whitewashed villages; see the Roman ruins of Mérida, some of the best-preserved in Europe, on a guided visit. The provincial capital of Seville blends the vibrant Spain of today with centuries of history and old-world charm. Spend the next two nights in the heart of the city at one of Europe’s most luxurious hotels, commissioned by the king of Spain for the famous Exposition of 1929.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner LODGING Hotel Alfonso XIII

Day 05 :

A carriage ride & a Gothic cathedral in Seville

After taking in many of Seville’s historic and cultural attractions on a sightseeing tour with your local guide, ride a horse-drawn carriage through the city’s historic heart. Visit Seville’s impressive Gothic cathedral, one of the world’s most beautiful; see its renowned Giralda bell tower (once the minaret of a mosque during Seville’s Moorish days), and the tomb of explorer Christopher Columbus. Enjoy a walking tour of fascinating Barrio de Santa Cruz, the city’s Jewish Quarter, prior to exploring Seville as you wish for the remainder of the day, with lunch and dinner on your own.

MEALS – Breakfast LODGING Hotel Alfonso XIII

Day 06 :

Jerez de la Frontera, Gibraltar & Marbella

Depart Seville for Jerez de la Frontera, known for its fine horses, sweet wines, and sherry (whose name is derived from the town’s). Visit the palatial Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestre (Royal Andalucían School of Equestrian Art) – where you may watch the famous Andalucían horses that are bred here in a training session – and its renowned Carriage Museum (subject to availability due to holidays or other closures; alternative sightseeing may include a visit to the Royal Alcázar of Seville). Enjoy a true taste of the region during a tapas lunch at a sherry bodega; then it’s on to Gibraltar, where you’ll view the fabled Rock (weather permitting) and see the famed Barbary Macaques in the Apes’ Den. Your final destination today is the glamorous coastal resort town of Marbella on the Costa del Sol, for a two-night stay.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 07 :

A day by the beautiful sea in Marbella

The entire day is yours to enjoy the pleasures of your elegant resort hotel, Grand Meliá Don Pepe, a paradise for the senses in the heart of the Costa del Sol. On one side is the famous Port of Marbella; on the other, gleaming white boats anchored at the exclusive Puerto Banús. And on the horizon, you can see Gibraltar and the North African coast, majestic in the distance, against the magnificent backdrop of the mountain peak La Concha de Marbella. Long a favorite of celebrities in Marbella’s privileged enclave of Sierra Blanca, the resort’s guest list has included Sean Connery, Julio Iglesias, Prince, Maximillian Schell, Arthur Rubinstein, Begun Aga Khan, Alain Delon, H.R.M. Prince Edward, Bob Hope and many more… and you, spending a perfect day as you please.

MEALS – Breakfast

Day 08 :

Moorish influences in Ronda & Granada

As your tour continues, journey from the Spanish coast into the mountains to visit scenic Ronda, perched on a cliff overlooking the spectacular El Tajo gorge. Ronda is synonymous with the evolution of the art of bullfighting; along with revealing the town’s Moorish heritage and remains, a guided walking tour includes a visit to one of Spain’s oldest bullrings, the Plaza de Toros. Continue on to Granada, situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. The city boasts extraordinary architecture from over 250 years as the capital of a Moorish kingdom; your hotel is steps away from Granada’s celebrated Moorish palace, the Alhambra. Enjoy a private flamenco show tonight, followed by dinner at your hotel.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 09 :

Treasures of the Alhambra & the Generalife

A highlight of your Spain and Portugal tour is today’s guided visit to Granada’s famed Moorish palace, the Alhambra, constructed to be a “paradise on Earth” by caliphs who ruled here in the 13th century. Tour the palace itself, considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful, and stroll through the Generalife, the grounds of the summer palace of former sultans. Enjoy free time to explore on your own and join us for an à la carte dinner at a popular local restaurant this evening.

MEALS – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 :

Córdoba, La Mezquita & on to Madrid

Travel from Granada to Córdoba today for a visit that begins with a guided walking tour through the cobblestone streets of the Judería, Córdoba’s former Jewish Quarter; from its alleyways, you can see the walls and decorative details of the candy-striped La Mezquita (Spanish for “mosque.”) Your visit to this masterpiece of architecture and art reveals its nearly 1,200-year history as an early Christian church, a Moorish mosque, and, since the 16th century, a Roman Catholic cathedral. Late this afternoon, board the AVE train in Preferente class for a rail journey to Spain’s amazing capital city. Arrive in Madrid for four nights at The Westin Palace, Madrid – a Belle Époque landmark in the heart of the city, a short walk from the tapas bars that American novelist Ernest Hemingway made famous.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch

LODGING – The Westin Palace, Madrid

Day 11 :

Discovering Madrid, Spain's capital city

On your first full day in the Spanish capital, join a local guide for an orientation tour of landmark sights that includes a walking tour of the city’s vast Plaza Mayor and the Mercado San Miguel, and a guided visit to the Royal Palace. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring more of Madrid as you please; enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Madrid this evening.

MEALS – Breakfast, Dinner

LODGING – The Westin Palace, Madrid

Day 12 :

An excursion to Toledo then back to Madrid

An excursion today from Madrid to Toledo features guided sightseeing of this monument-filled city. Join your local guide for a walking tour that includes the 12th-century Synagogue Santa Maria La Blanca, the Church of Santo Tome and a visit inside the 13th-century High Gothic-style Cathedral of St. Mary of Toledo. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Toledo before returning to your hotel in Madrid for an evening spent as you wish in Spain’s storied capital city.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch

LODGING – The Westin Palace, Madrid

Day 13 :

The Prado & more museums of Madrid

This morning, view the art treasures of the celebrated Museo del Prado, one of the best-known museums on Earth – and just a block away from your hotel – with a local expert. The rest of the day is free to spend as you please in one of the world’s most popular cities. Tauck includes admission to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, illustrating the history of Western art through its collection of masterpieces by Titian, Goya, van Gogh and Picasso, which you can visit at your leisure. Please join us for a farewell reception followed by dinner with Castilian entertainment at your hotel, as we celebrate this most memorable of Spain and Portugal tours.

MEALS – Breakfast, Dinner

LODGING – The Westin Palace, Madrid

Day 14 :

Journey home

Tour ends: Madrid. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Westin Palace, Madrid to Madrid Barajas Airport or Madrid Atocha train station. Allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check- in at the airport.

MEALS – Breakfast

NIGHTS 1 – 2 LISBON, PORTUGAL

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

Regally set atop one of Lisbon’s seven hills, the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon has long reigned as the city’s finest hotel. Welcoming guest rooms offer a private terrace, refrigerated private bar, in- room safe, plasma/LCD television with DVD/CD player, working desk, dual-line telephone, and a full marble bathroom with twin basins, a separate glass-enclosed shower, and plush cotton towels warmed on heated racks. The rooftop Ritz Spa Fitness Center, with three floor-to-ceiling glass walls providing extraordinary views of the city, is comprised of an exercise room with state-of-the-art equipment, two studios, an outdoor running track and a solarium. Guests can enjoy a spa treatment or take a dip in the swimming pool while gazing out over the hotel garden and Eduardo VII Park. The Varanda Restaurant is a popular venue for enjoying Mediterranean cuisine and lovely views among sophisticated local residents and discerning hotel guests.

NIGHT 3
ÉVORA, PORTUGAL

Convento do Espinheiro

Convento do Espinheiro, located conveniently close to the charming World Heritage Site of Évora, dates back to the 15th century when, during the reign of King Alfonso V, a church and convent were built. Today, Convento do Espinheiro is a luxurious 59-room hotel set amid eight hectares of beautiful gardens. Sumptuously decorated guest rooms offer air conditioning, international direct- dial telephone, LCD TV, in-room safe, minibar, luxury bathroom amenities, bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer. The Health Club, overlooking the outdoor pool, features the latest technology in exercise equipment – and the Diana Spa has a heated indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, Turkish bath and a variety of treatments. The Cisterna, located in the Gothic water depository, and Pulpitus, set in the old kitchen once used by the monks, are delightful places to indulge in a nightcap. Convento do Espinheiro is a proud member of Starwood’s The Luxury Collection.

NIGHTS 4 – 5 SEVILLE, SPAIN

Hotel Alfonso XIII

The elegant Hotel Alfonso XIII enjoys an enviable location in the heart of Seville near many notable attractions. Seville’s most majestic hotel, the Hotel Alfonso XIII was built in 1929 for the Expo that took place in Seville during that year. Since then, it has proudly hosted royalty, heads of state and countless celebrities with considerable grace and charm. Dining options include a fine restaurant offering Spanish cuisine with an Andalucían flair and international cuisine. Both Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler include the Hotel Alfonso XIII on their prestigious lists of the world’s best hotels.

NIGHTS 6 – 7 MARBELLA, SPAIN

Gran Meliá Don Pepe

Avant-garde touches wrapped in elegance define a stay at the chic Gran Meliá Don Pepe, located in the privileged enclave of Sierra Blanca in the center of the famed Costa del Sol in Marbella. You’ll know that you’ve arrived somewhere special when you settle into your well-appointed guest room with its luxury bathrobes and slippers and exclusive ETRO bath products in the twin-sinked marble bathroom, 37-inch plasma TV with more than 70 international channels, in-room electronic safe, extensive minibar selection, pillow menu and more. Outdoor and indoor swimming pools, two tennis courts and a paddle tennis court, jet skis, water skis and wake boards for hire and the Sports Club with its fully equipped gym offer lots of enjoyable options during leisure time. Or, there’s always the Wellness & Spa Area if a little personal pampering is in order. Sample the traditional tastes of Andalucía, from paella to the special local gazpacho, in the hotel’s many distinctive restaurants or simply relax at this resort overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

NIGHTS 8 – 9 GRANADA, SPAIN

Hotel Alhambra Palace

Granada’s most famous hotel, the gracious Hotel Alhambra Palace enjoys a prime location adjacent to the grounds of the Alhambra itself. Built high on a hill overlooking the city in 1912, the hotel resembles a Moorish castle in its architectural design. Its public terraces offer panoramic views of the city and the mountains beyond. Great care has been taken to maintain the unique ambiance and aristocratic atmosphere of this historic hotel, inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII in 1910.

NIGHTS 10 – 13 MADRID, SPAIN

The Westin Palace, Madrid

This lovely Belle Époque landmark lies in the most elegant part of Madrid and close to many of the city’s must-see sights, such as the famous Museo del Prado. Commissioned by King Alfonso XIII in 1912, The Westin Palace, Madrid has been surrounding travelers with opulent luxury for a century. Today, the exquisitely decorated guest rooms feature the Westin Heavenly Bed® and offer luxury amenities. Indulge in the WestinWORKOUT® in the beautiful new fitness center located on the roof overlooking the splendors of Madrid. Two delightful restaurants, the Asia Gallery and La Rotunda, named for the hotel’s famed stained glass dome, await your pleasure.