Portugal, Spain & Gibraltar 14 Day Tour

* Spain & Portugal: Two colorful countries located in Iberian Peninsula. Their history and culture were greatly influenced by Catholic & Islamic culture
* Sample local cuisine: Grilled chicken piri piri in Portugal, Roast suckling piglet, Ox Tail Cuisine and Seafood Paella in Spain
* Hand-on Valencia paella cooking class and learn how to make one of Spain’s most famous dishes
* Madrid: Royal Palace that showcase royal arts & prosperity of ancient kingdom of Spain
* Toledo: Walk around the medieval town, full of history and great paintings of El Greco
* Avila: UNESCO World Heritage Site 1985
* Cabo Da Roca: the westernmost extent of continental Europe
* Sintra: English poet Lord Byron described Sintra as “Glorious Eden”. Sintra Palace–summer retreat for Portugal’s monarchs
* Evora: Chapel of Bones decorated with human skulls and bones
* Cordoba, Seville, Granada: Three impressive cities in Andalusia region with strong influence by Islamic culture
* Mijas: a popular tourist destination in the Costa del Sol of southern Spain.

UNESCO World Heritage Site:

* Barcelona: One of top tourist destinations that full of artistic architectural masterpieces by Gaudi
* Segovia: visit ancient Roman Aqueduct & Alcazar, a fairy-tale castle
* Seville: The origin of world famous opera “Carmen” and departure port of the explorer, Christopher Columbus
* Toledo: Medieval town that has one of the largest Catholic cathedrals
* Cordoba: An old town full of medieval charm, major attraction is its beautiful mosque-La Mezquita
* Granada: The city that represents Islamic culture, visit the magnificent Alhambra
* Provide one bottle of mineral of water per person per day on the bus
* Provide headset service for group size of 15 and more people for better sightseeing experience

★ Entrance Fee & Transportation Included

Today, we will take overnight flight to Lisbon, arrive the next day.

Upon arrival, transfer to hotel & check-in.

Meal: Dinner at hotel
Hotel: Marriott Hotel Lisbon or similar

After breakfast, depart for Sintra, we will visit ★Royal Palace & Garden, which inherited Moorish, Gothic, Portuguese-style architecture. Continue to Cabo Da Roca, a well-known site for Portugal’s golden age of discoveries, you will obtain a ★ certificate for your visit to the western tip of Europe. City tour will follow in the afternoon: Belem Tower, Padrao dos Descobrimentos, a monument celebrates Portuguese Age of Discovery during 15^th &16^th century. Then, to Jeronimos Monastery, a prominent example of Portuguese late Gothic Manueline style of architecture in Lisbon. The greatest Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was buried here.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel                         Dinner / Grilled chicken with piri piri
Hotel: Marriott Hotel Lisbon or similar

After breakfast, depart for Evora–a well preserved ancient town, still partially enclosed by medieval walls and monuments (UNESCO World Heritage Site 1986). We will visit Giraldo Square, the central plaza of the city, the Temple of Diana & ★Chapel of Bones–the interior walls are covered and decorated with human skulls and bones. Shortly after, crossing the border and arrive Merida, Spain. City tour will follow: to ★Amphitheater, Roman Theater, Spanish Square & Roman Bridge.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel                         Dinner / Local Cuisine
Hotel: Tryp Medea Hotel Merida or similar

After breakfast, depart for Seville – the capital of Andalusia and World Expo1992. We will visit ★The Cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic cathedral & the 3^rd largest church in the world. The cathedral is also the burial site of Christopher Columbus. Continue to ★Giralda Tower & ★Alcazar, ★Maria Luisa Park, The Barrio Santa Cruz (old Jewish quarter) and Plaza de Espaňa.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel                         Dinner / Local Cuisine
Hotel: Melia Lebreros Hotel Seville or similar

After breakfast, depart for ★Gibraltar, an overseas territory of the UK. In Greek mythology, Tariq ibn Ziyad, the Muslim governor of Tangier landed at Gibraltar in 711 to launch the Islamic invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. Gibraltar is only 6.543 sq km, bordered by Spain to the north. We will visit ★St. Michael’s Cave, an impressive natural grotto used by the Neolithic inhabitants of the Rock. Then to Siege Tunnels, a system of tunnels dug during the Great Siege for defense purpose. Later, depart for Mijas in the afternoon, located in the Costa del Sol in southern Spain. Mijas is famous for Andalusian white-washed villages. Continue to Malaga, a city full of sunshine, Palm tree with pleasant Mediterranean climate that attract many tourists. Malaga is also known as the birthplace of famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. We will overnight in Malaga.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel                         Dinner / Local Cuisine
Hotel: Sercotel Malaga or similar

After breakfast, depart for Granada. Upon arrival, city tour will follow: To ★Alhambra, a Moorish palace & fortress complex located in Granada. We will visit ★Lion courtyard, ★Generalife–former summer palace of sultans. Later, depart for Cordoba. Upon arrival, we will visit ★La Mezquita–a medieval Islamic mosque with Moorish architecture. The interior is decorated with 850 columns of marble and granite.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel                         Dinner / Ox Tail Cuisine
Hotel: Cordoba Center Hotel or similar

After breakfast, depart for Consuegra; a town became famous due to its windmills when Don Quixote was first published. Later, continue north to Toledo, a historical medieval town. Upon arrival, city tour will follow: ★Toledo Cathedral & ★Church of Santo Tome, where you will find most famous work” El Entierro del Senor de Orgaz” by El Greco.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel                         Dinner / Lamb Cuisine
Hotel: AC Hotel Ciudad de Toledo by Marriott or similar

After breakfast, depart for Avila, a city surrounded by medieval town walls, built in 11^th century. Avila is one of the most popular destinations for Catholic pilgrims due to Avila is the birthplace of Saint Teresa. We will visit Cathedral of Avila & Gate Alcazar. Later, depart for Segovia and visit The Aqueduct, built by Romans in late 1^st Century AD to supply water for military uses. To Cathedral and ★The Alcazar, built around 11^th Century. This fairy-tale-like castle was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Shortly after, we will depart for Madrid-the capital of Spain.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel     Lunch / Roast Suckling Piglet Menu at MESON DE CANDIDO RESTAURANT     Dinner / On Your Own
Hotel: Occidental Madrid Este or similar

After breakfast, city tour will follow: Passing through Opera district, Plaza de Colón (Columbus Square) & Fountain of Columbus onto ★Royal Palace with magnificent interior décor and luxurious furniture showcases the prosperity of ancient kingdom of Spain. Continue to visit ★Prado Museum, it features one of the world’s finest collections of European art. Later, to Puerta del Sol—the heart of Madrid. You will see Bear & the Madronö Tree Statue, & Kilometer Zero, a plaque showing the point where the measuring of national highway system begins. To Columbus Square & its fountain that commemorate the explorer Christopher Columbus.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel           Dinner /Tapa with Sangria wine
Hotel: Occidental Madrid Este or similar

After breakfast, depart for Valencia on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Its natural attractions include over 100 kilometers of coastline, with golden sand beaches. Upon arrival, city tour will follow: ★La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange), a UNESCO landmark of ancient local silk trade. The Cathedral, Miguelete Tower, Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados, Serrano Towers & The City of Arts & Science. Tonight, a unique cooking experience and enjoy Paella meal.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel               Dinner / Seafood Paella cooking class & Sangria wine
Hotel: NH Centre Hotel Valencia or similar

After breakfast, depart for Santa Maria Montserrat, located on the mountain of Montserrat northwest of Barcelona. This Benedictine sanctuary is the religious center and attract thousands of pilgrims every year. Later, to Barcelona, you can explore this wonderful city on your own pace.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel               Dinner / Seafood Paella
Hotel: H10 Marina Hotel Baecelona or similar

After breakfast, we will visit ★Guell Park, world’s wonders created by Gaudi. Continue to ★Picasso Museum, which has Europe’s best collection of Picasso paintings. Later, to ★La Sagrada Familia, an architectural masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel              Dinner / Farewell Buffet
Hotel: H10 Marina Hotel Baecelonaor similar

Today, transfer to airport for home bound flight to US and ends this unforgettable journey.

Meal: American Breakfast at hotel