Travel Talk Social

Essential Spain and Portugal-Xmas

Day 1 Madrid

MadridWelcome to Mardrid, the heart of culture, history, football and art. Gather round in the hotel lobby at 6:00pm as we meet both the other tour members and the guide. Listen up for a fast and informal meeting with the leader including registration and a short brief about the adventures ahead and some country info. Optional dinner in the evening to get to know your travel mates.

Day 2 Madrid City Tour

After breakfast we'll start discover this amazing city. Full day to visit some of the Museums which are most representative of the city, such as the Prado Museum, one of the best Classics Museum of Painting and Sculpture of the World. Today we'll also visit Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real, Cathedral and the Plaza de Oriente. Afterwards we will walk by the Paseo del Arte we reach our second visit that will be the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, where we can find a significant representation of the main figures in contemporary art, such as Piccaso and Dali.

Day 3 Madrid, Toledo, Granada

We leave in the early hours to Granada, but first we will stop to visit the city of Toledo, known as "city of three cultures," because of coexistence for centuries of Christians, Arabs and Jews, after Toledo retains its walls, a artistic and cultural legacy in the form of churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques and synagogues. We will visit the Church of Santo Tome, with tower Mudejar Church of the fourteenth century, where El Greco's famous painting "The Burial of Count Orgaz" is kept. Late in the afternoon we arrive in Granada.

Day 4 Granada, Cordoba

After breakfast we visit the Alhambra and Generalife, conceived as a military zone at the beginning, the Alhambra became a royal residence and the court of Granada, in mid-s XIII. The monumental palace also has a separate front of the Alhambra, surrounded by orchards and gardens, which was solace of kings from Granada: the Generalife. In the afternoon we depart for Cordoba.

Day 5 Cordoba, Sevilla

This morning we will get to know the city of Cordoba, a city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where the famous Mosque, Synagogue, the Alcazar de los Reyes Christian and Jewish neighbourhood (Jewish quarter). In the afternoon we leave Cordova to continue our journey to Sevilla.

Day 6 Sevilla

We have the full day to discover the city of Sevilla, which is full of symbolic monuments, including the Cathedral of St. Mary of Headquarters; which is the largest Cathedral in Spain and where the real remains of Christopher Columbus are kept, the Giralda tower, the Reales Alcázares and the romantic neighbourhood of Santa Cruz. Moreover we visit the Parque de Maria Luisa and la Plaza de América, where we can find the Mudejar Pavilion.

Day 7 Sevilla, Lagos, Lisbon

After breakfast we leave Sevilla for Lagos, the backpackers paradise in Portugal. Today you can soak up the sun, swim or SPSnd lazy hours by the beach before we depart for Lisbon where we will stay overnight.

Day 8 Lisbon

An exciting day is awaiting us in this amazing city. Our day starts with a visit in the Plaza del Rosio: the real heart of the city where we can see the National Theatre Mary II (neoclassical), Train Station Sintra (neo-Manueline style) and the high Santa Justa, among others. We will continue our visit to the Barrio de Alfama (overlook the Rio Tejo, which was the first to be populated and therefore the oldest. It is worth noting here that: Sao Jorge Castle, The Cathedral or the Cathedral of Lisbon twelfth century and Mirador de Santa Lucia), then we willto Barrio de Belem, this landmark and historic district is located fairly distant from the city centre, in what was the old port where the departure and arrival of Portuguese navigators caravels. Monastery of Jeronimos, Tower of Belem, Monument to the discoverers, Belem Cultural Center, Rose Palace (residence of the President of the Republic) are all located here in Barrio de Belem.

Day 9 Lisbon

Our trip will end after we say goodbye to our new friends over breakfast, bid you safe travels, and check-out of the hotel (11:00am)


Sights Visited

 

  • Madrid including Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real, Cathedral and the Plaza de Oriente,Prado Museum, Paseo del Arte, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia 
  • Toledo including Church of Santo Tome and Mudejar Church 
  • Granada including The Alhambra and Generalife
  • Cordoba including  Alcazar de los Reyes, Christian and Jewish neighbourhood
  • Sevilla including Cathedral of St. Mary (the largest Cathedral in Spain where the real remains of Christopher Columbus are kept), Giralda tower, Reales Alcázares, neighbourhood of Santa Cruz, Parque de Maria Luisa, La Plaza de América, Mudejar Pavilion
  • Lagos
  • Lisbon including  Plaza del Rosio, National Theatre Mary II, Santa Justa, Barrio de Alfama, Barrio de Belem including Monastery of Jeronimos, Tower of Belem, Belem Cultural Center, Rose Palace.

Tour Map


General Info

Tour Code:SPS
Duration:9 Days
Starts In:Madrid
Ends In:Lisbon
Departs On:Saturdays
Group Size:Avg. 25-30 People
Hotels Rating:4 star