April 28th - May 11th, 2025
Day 1 | Mon, Apr 28 | Arrive in Chicago | Transportation to Chicago
Day 2 | Tues, Apr 29 | Arrive in Madrid, Spain | Welcome to Madrid! At 6 pm, meet your tour director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Day 3 | Wed, Apr 30 | Masterpieces in Madrid | Guided sightseeing includes the Prado Museum and sights of Cibeles Fountain and Calle Alcala. The Prado Museum houses one of the world's largest art collections, including its amazing assortment of masterpieces by historic artists like Velasquez, Goya, and El Greco. The famous museum also displays the works of renowned European masters, including Rubens and Rembrandt, along with a stunning collection of Greco-Roman statues. (B)
Day 4 | Thurs, May 1 | Spectacular Spain | In Segovia, see the Roman aqueduct. In Avila, visit the medieval walled town. In Salamanca, take an orientation walk to Plaza Mayor. Enjoy a wine tasting with dinner at Hacienda Zorita, which once hosted Christopher Columbus. A former monastery overlooking the River Tormes, Hacienda Zorita is a magnificent wine resort with an impressive history dating back to the 14th century. Experience culinary delights and a wine tasting in the cellars of this blissful vineyard retreat in the Duero Valley. (B, D)
Day 5 | Fri, May 2 | The Legends of Portugal | Enjoy a scenic drive through the Serra da Estrela mountain range en route to Fátima. Visit the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary with free time for lunch before departing for Lisbon. Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, one of the Catholic faith's most visited pilgrimage sites for its legend of apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in 1917. (B)
Day 6 | Sat, May 3 | Lovely Lisbon | Guided sightseeing includes the Monastery of Jerónimos and Cloister, a photo stop at Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. Travelers have free time this afternoon and evening. The stunning capital city of Portugal is a treasure trove of historic and architectural masterpieces. Lisbon is home to the 16th-century Monastery of Jerónimos, adorned with its 100-foot façade featuring images of St. Michael the Archangel and Our Lady of Belém. See the 16th-century Belém Tower, which served as a fortress but also as an embarkation point for sailors and was their last sight of land before the start of their journey. Lisbon's Monument to the Discoveries pays monumental homage to great Portuguese explorers with a spectacular carved prow of an ancient ship. (B)
Day 7 | Sun, May 4 | Timeless Traditions | Visit a cork factory in Azaruja and take a scenic drive into the Andalusia region to Seville. Did you know that Portugal produces half of the world's cork? Harvested from its bounty of cork trees, this spongy natural resource is used to create bottle corks, flooring, and even cricket balls. Visit a cork factory in Évora to learn about this traditional artisanship of generations in Azaruja. (B, D)
Day 8 | Mon, May 5 | The Squares of Seville | Visit Plaza de España. Guided sightseeing includes Casa de Pilatos, and a walk through the Santa Cruz quarter. Walk through Seville's picturesque Plaza de España, originally built for Seville's Ibero-American Expo at the 1929 World's Fair, the 540,000-square-foot plaza features a sprawling mosaic patio. Explore the historic Santa Cruz quarter and its magical maze of tapas, flamenco, and cafés. (B)
Day 9 | Tues, May 6 | Strait to Morocco | Cross the Strait of Gibraltar via ferry to Morocco. Guided sightseeing in Tangier includes a panoramic drive to Cap Spartel while savoring mint tea with biscuits. This lofty promontory sits at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, with sweeping views of the sea. Join your travel companions for a dinner with Moroccan entertainment at your hotel. (B, D)
Day 10 | Wed, May 7 | Cobblestones & Kasbah Streets | An orientation walk includes Grand Socco Square. Guests enjoy free time to explore the narrow streets of the Kasbah before boarding a ferry back to Spain. Explore Tangiers and stroll around the Grand Socco - the historic circular roundabout separating the old Médina with its vibrant markets and blue and white buildings from the modern downtown area. (B)
Day 11 | Thurs, May 8 | Sea & Sun | Enjoy a free day at Costa del Sol. Enjoy endless beaches to stroll along, hidden caves, white villages scattered in the mountains, historical landmarks with centuries of culture, evenings spent sipping cocktails by the sea, pleasant temperatures all year round, and happy, friendly people who make you feel at home. These are some of the many ingredients that make up the charming, ancient area. (B)
Day 12 | Fri, May 9 | Splendid Spain | Guided walking tour includes the Alhambra complex and the Water Gardens of the Generalife. Guests will have lunch at a local restaurant and a free afternoon. Granada's Alhambra Complex stands as one of the largest ancient aristocratic sites of Western Muslim culture. Its leafy lanes and streams enhance the grand water gardens of Generalife, at the once summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid rulers. Note: entrance to the Nasrid Palace is not guaranteed. (B, L)
Day 13 | Sat, May 10 | City of Three Cultures | Join a walking tour with a local guide. Visit a Damascene steel workshop. Known as the "City of Three Cultures," Toledo gets its nickname from the ancient influences of the Romans, Visigoths, and North African Moors - evident in the city's well-preserved synagogues, mosques, and cathedrals. See the Gothic cathedral, Santo Tomé Church with one of El Greco's masterpieces, and Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue on a walk through this dynamic city. Enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B, D)
Day 14 | Sun, May 11 | Safe Travels from Spain | Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast, followed by a flight home. (B)
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
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