Spain and Portugal at its Finest

Included Features

• Free parking with roundtrip transfers to a local international airport
• Roundtrip airfare to Madrid, Spain
• Roundtrip transfers airport/hotel
• 12 night hotel accommodations
• Sightseeing as stated in itinerary by luxury coach with WiFi (when available)
• Services of a Professional Trafalgar Travel Director and Driver
• Gratuities for the Trafalgar Tour Director, Driver and local guides
• Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
• Meals: 12 Breakfasts, 1 Be My Guest Lunch, and 4 Dinners
• Welcome Reception
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
• Services of a Discoveries Journey Manager

Highlights

• Madrid Highlights Tour
• Avila's Old Town
• Alhambra amazing palaces gardens and fountains
• Salamanca's golden Plaza Mayor
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Cádiz, Spain
• Seville with Local Guide
• Hieronymite Monastery (UNESCO)
• Castle of São Jorge
• Segovia (UNESCO)
• Royal Palace
• Cibeles Fountain
• Retiro Park

Itinerary

Saturday, August 10, 2024: Depart for Madrid, Spain

Motorcoach from Central, PA for an overnight flight to Madrid, Spain. 

Sunday, August 11, 2024: Welcome to Madrid

Welcome to Spain! The Spanish capital of Madrid paves the way for an unforgettable journey with centuries of history and cultural highlights across the Iberian Peninsula. Soak up the vibrant city atmosphere before joining fellow travelers and the Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation of the city's iconic sights. Hotel: NH Collection Eurobuilding (Welcome Reception)

Monday, August 12, 2024: Journey to Cuenca and Valencia

Witness the dramatic honey-covered clifftop hanging houses of Cuenca as you journey to Valencia, renowned for its modern verve and spirit of innovation. Enjoy an orientation drive as you view the 14th century Towers of Serrano and Quart, and the City of Arts and Sciences, a large-scale urban recreation center for culture and science and designed by Santiago Calatrava. This evening, consider indulging in Valencia's fragrant flavors and aromas of paella. Hotel:Silken Puerta (Breakfast)

Tuesday, August 13, 2024: Guadix - Granada

We travel though the Sierra Nevadas bound for Guadix, where we will witness how generations of locals have carved cozy abodes into their rocky surrounds. We will view the troglodyte cave dwellings that blend effortlessly into the surrounding ochre landscape. Then, journey though the jagged Mora Pass to Granada, the last stronghold of the Moors in Europe. This evening, sample the hearty flavors of Andalusia during a special reginal dinner at a local restaurant. Hotel: Catalonia  (Breakfast, Dinner)

Wednesday, August 14, 2024: Córdoba and Seville

Tread in the footsteps of Spain's last emirs, join your Local Specialist for a visit to the incredible Alhambra, with its amazing palaces, gardens and fountains inspired by poetry. The architecture is said to be a reflection of paradise. Immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere in quiet courtyards and admire ancient walls and stone carvings. As we leave Granada behind we are joined with a Local Specialist to visit Mosque of the Caliphs, the former mosque of the caliphs and a jewel of Hispano-Islamic art featuring striking arches and Byzantine mosaics. Our final stop for the day is alluring Seville, and will be our home for the next three nights. Hotel: Melia Lebreros (Breakfast, Dinner)

Thursday, August 15, 2024: Seville

Seville takes center stage today as explore this charismatic city. We will see the symbolic Giralda Bell Tower with a Local Specialist, then visit the Maria Luisa Park, home of the 1929 Exposition. The park was build in a Moorish style and features half a mile of fountains, ponds, pavilions and lush plantings. We will walk through the imposing Plaza de  España and visit the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, where the explorer Christopher Columbus is entombed. Consider an optional experience this evening to witness the twirling of colorful skirts and rhythmic clapping of castanets at a fiery flamenco performance.  (Breakfast)

Friday, August 16, 2024: Jerez - Cadiz 

We indulge in aromatic flavors of Jerez today as we dive into culture and into the centuries-old tradition of Spanish sherry production. The leafy boulevards and quiet plazas of romantic Cadiz are our next stop. Tread in the footsteps of Columbus, who used this historic port city as his launchpad to the 'New World', and see the exotic plants and trees dotted throughout the city, said to have been brought here by him upon his return. Hotel: Melia Lebreros (Breakfast)

Saturday, August 17, 2024: Evora and Connect with Locals

Leaving the zesty scents of Seville behind, we head to the golden landscape of the Alentejo, where the Brito Paes family await our arrival for a special Connect With Locals Lunch on their traditional stud ranch, which has been rearing Lusitano horses since the 18th century. Enjoy a Be My Guest experience in the home of their ancestors before continuing to Evora for a guided sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist of its cathedral, Roman temple and Chapel of Bones. Tonight enjoy dinner at your hotel. Hotel: M'ar de Ar Muralhas (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Sunday, August 18, 2024: Lisbon, Portugal

We arrive in the seafaring Portuguese capital of Lisbon this afternoon, where we will join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour. A particular highlight of this afternoon is an opportunity to dive into culture at the UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery, an exquisite testament to the 16th century Manueline architecture and art. Hotel: Olissippo Marquês de Sá (Breakfast)

Monday, August 19, 2024: Lisbon 

Today is yours to explore the Portuguese capital at your leisure. Relax at a sidewalk cafe, venture to the Castle of São Jorge and admire the sea of pastels, pinks, yellows and blue that clad Lisbon's seven hills. You may choose to join an optional experience to the historic towns of Cascais and Sintra. (Breakfast)

Tuesday, August 20, 2024: Fátima - Salamanca

Follow the road taken by pilgrims over the last 100 years to the Shrine at Fátima, a site of celebrated  religious miracles. We leave Portugal, traveling to the historic Spanish city of Salamanco with its golden-hued facades and ancient university hertiage, where we will visit its 18th century Plaza Mayor. Hotel: Gran Corona Sol (Breakfast)

Wednesday, August 21, 2024: Toledo - Madrid

See the walled city of Ávila, the city of Saint Teresa of Ávila. We arrive in the clifftop city of Toledo and join a Local Specialist for a guided walk through its streets. We'll visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to one of El Greco's most famous paintings- ' The Burial of the Count of Orgaz' and the former Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca. Later, Dive Into Culture and witness local craftsmen at work, creating inlaid steel the traditional way. We arrive in Madrid this evening, our home for the next two nights. Hotel: Ayre Gran Colón (Breakfast).

Thursday, August 22, 2024: Madrid

This morning we'll join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Madrid, where we we'll see the Royal Palace, Cibeles Fountain and Retiro Park. originally created as a retreat for the royal family. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the city own at your leisure. Admire the world's finest collection of Spanish art at the Prado Museum, indulge in last-minute shopping on Gran Vía or consider an optional experience to the medieval UNESCO-listed city of Segovia. This evening, join your fellow travelers and Tour Director for a farewell dinner to share the wonderful memories you will take from Spain and Portugal! (Breakfast, Dinner)

Friday, August 23, 2024: Depart for Central, PA

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight and transportation back to Central PA. (Breakfast).  

*Hotels and itinerary are subject to change at any time without notification and/or compensation.

Tour Activity Level 3:

This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, upstairs, or on uneven walking surfaces, should be expected. 

General Information

Travel Documents

Original, signed Passport valid for 6 months beyond stay, and at least one blank Visa page for Visa Stamp(s) is required for this trip. As of the printing of this brochure, all guests are required to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) travel authorization for travel to Europe's Schengen zone (not included in the price of the trip). Please see your Travel Advisor for additional information. 

As travel policies are rapidly changing as a result of COVID-19, the final requirements will be communicated prior to travel. Please see your travel advisor for additional information 

Payment

A deposit of $200 per person will confirm your reservations. Final Payment is due to AAA by  May 28, 2024

Cancelation Penalties

Deposit date to day of departure $ 25 per person, plus....

From January 2 -  May 28, 2024 - $200 per person, plus any additional suppliers' fees

From May 29 - July 25, 2024 - 30% per person, plus any additional suppliers' fees

From July 26 - August 2, 2024 - 50% per person, plus any additional suppliers' fees

From August 3 - August 9, 2024 - 90% per person, plus any additional suppliers' fees

After August 9, 2024 - NON-REFUNDABLE

*Airfare is non-refundable after final payment. 

Flight

Air arrangements are handled by the tour operator. Seat assignments cannot be confirmed until the tour operator releases names to the airline(s) 30 days prior to departure. Specific seat request cannot be guaranteed. Some flights may contain code share agreements. 

Insurance

For your protection, AAA recommends travel insurance. Pre-existing medical conditions may be waived with proper coverage if travel insurance is purchased within 14 days of initial deposit only. Other conditions may apply; ask your travel agent. AAA recommends Allianz. 

Clothing/Climate

Temperatures in Spain and Portugal in August average in the mid 70s and 80s with slightly cooler mornings and evenings. Pack for a variety of temperatures. Casual clothes that can be layered work best. Comfortable walking shoes and a small umbrella are recommended. 

Baggage

One suitcase per person will be allowed. You may also bring a carry-on bag small enough to fit under your seat. Baggage fees are not included in the price of the trip. Baggage fees and other charges may be directly assessed by airlines or airport.

Travel Assistance 

For personal comfort, group participants who need assistance are required to have a traveling companion who is capable of and totally responsible for providing needed assistance.

GRP11024

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