Spain's Costa del Sol & 's Riviera Starting Price: $1,849 Tour Length:12 Days Countries Visited: , Portugal,

Tour Description:

Enjoy a true taste of the Iberian Peninsula. In Madrid, join a local expert to explore the world famous Prado Museum. Travel by high speed train to the Moorish city of Cordoba. Relax on the Costa del Sol. Tour Granada’s Alhambra Palace. Visit a centuries-old wine maker. Marvel at the architecture of the Cathedral of Seville and see Columbus’ tomb. Tour , including the Moorish Quarter. Enjoy a 4 night stay on Portugal’s Riviera. Visit Cadiz, the oldest inhabited city on the peninsula. See the Monument to the Discoveries, honoring intrepid Portuguese explorers. Travel the Silver Coast and visit Fatima, the world-famous pilgrimage site.

Madrid, Prado Museum, High Speed Train, Cordoba, Costa del Sol, Granada, Alhambra, Cadiz, Seville, , , Lisbon, Obidos, Fatima

Visit 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Enjoy "fun in the sun" with 3 nights in Costa del Sol and 4 nights in Portugal’s Riviera. Sip on regional wines with every dinner! Enjoy the benefits of whisper headsets throughout your tour. All aboard! Journey on the thrilling AVE High Speed Train.

13 days, 16 meals Air 1: Overnight Flight

Day 2: Arrive Madrid, Spain Welcome to Madrid, Spain’s dynamic capital city. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner.

Today dinner will be included. Day 3: Madrid - Prado Museum Enjoy a locally guided tour of Madrid’s historic center. See the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. Join a local expert to explore the priceless masterpieces of the Prado Museum which opened in 1819 and boasts the world's finest collection of art by masters including Velazquez and Goya. Your afternoon is at leisure.

Today breakfast will be included. Day 4: Madrid - High Speed Train - Cordoba - Costa del Sol Sit back and enjoy stunning landscapes as you travel by high speed train to the Moorish city of Cordoba. Embark on a walking tour of the Mezquita. This UNESCO site, originally built as a mosque, was converted into the city’s cathedral when the Christians conquered the region in 1236. Stroll the streets of the historic Jewish quarter. Arrive in Spain’s Costa del Sol for a three night stay.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. Day 5: Costa del Sol Enjoy a day at leisure to relax and experience the best of this cosmopolitan coastal region. Stroll the sandy beaches and promenades or linger at a traditional café. Your Tour Manager will be on hand to help you plan your day.

Today breakfast will be included. Day 6: Costa del Sol - Granada - Costa del Sol Take a day trip to Granada, the last great capital of the Moors in Spain. Travel past rolling hills dotted with olive groves, capturing Spain’s classic beauty. Upon arrival, join a local expert for a tour of the world-famous Alhambra, a hilltop palace and UNESCO site. Tour the Generalife, “garden of the architect,” and behold waterfalls, courtyards and secret gardens upon its grounds.

Today breakfast will be included. Day 7: Costa Del Sol - Cadiz - Seville Visit Cadiz, the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the Iberian Peninsula – founded in 1104 BC. Enjoy a walking tour through the ancient port city. Continue to Spain’s “cultural capital” – Seville.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. Day 8: Seville In Seville, see Columbus’ tomb; the ornate cathedral – a UNESCO site; and Giralda Bell Tower. Take a walking tour of the quaint Santa Cruz Quarter with its cascading bright flowers, white- washed buildings and winding streets. Continue to Plaza D’Espana and the beautiful Maria Luisa Park – one of the loveliest parks in all of .

Today breakfast will be included. Day 9: Seville - Azeitao, Portugal - Cascais After a short introduction to the origin and history of the , depart Spain and travel through the Portuguese countryside to Azeitao – an agricultural village known for red wine, olive trees and country estates. Visit a family-run shop that illustrates how azulejos – hand-painted Portuguese tiles – are made. Afterward, enjoy a tour and tasting of local wines when you visit a centuries-old wine maker. Arrive in Cascais, the famous coastal resort on the Portuguese Riviera.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. Day 10: Cascais - - Estoril - Cascais Visit Mafra to see the magnificent baroque Palacio de Mafra – an adorned palace, basilica and monastery. Visit the town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site and favorite summer residence of Portuguese kings for six centuries. Continue on to Estoril and Cascais, finding coastal villas on a sheltered bay. Peruse specialty shops filled with Portuguese handicrafts.

Today breakfast will be included. Day 11: Cascais - Lisbon - Cascais Tour Lisbon, including the Moorish Alfama Quarter. See the 16th century Jeronimo’s Monastery, a UNESCO site; the Monument to the Discoveries, honoring intrepid Portuguese explorers and their patrons; and the impressive Belem Tower. Enjoy leisure time in Cascais; perhaps walk the beach promenade or shop for ceramics, hand woven works and tapestries.

Today breakfast will be included. Day 12: Cascais - Obidos - Nazare - Fatima - Cascais Travel Portugal’s Silver Coast, a region filled with sleepy villages, rich vineyards and castles. Stop in Obidos, protected by medieval city walls. Continue to Nazare, a coastal fishing village. Later, visit Fatima, the world-famous Marian pilgrimage site. This evening join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. Day 13: Estoril - Tour Ends

Optional Excursions for Spain's Costa del sol & Portugal's Riviera Plan Ahead, Reserve Now! Add a touch of personalization to your vacation by selecting from our well-researched list of options. While Collette is known for our many inclusions, we also want to be sure you have adequate free time and options to enhance your vacation your way. And now, you can reserve your options in advance of your tour!

Availability is limited and reservations are on a first come, first serve basis. Payment must be received no later than 15 days prior to departure. Prices are subject to change. Children under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult. & Puerto Banus $90

City: Costa del Sol Enjoy a leisurely coastal drive to Gibraltar, a British territory. Upon arrival, enjoy a tour of the rock with breathtaking views of the Spanish and Moroccan coastlines. While on the rock you will visit the Saint Michael caves, a dramatic natural grotto sometimes used as a venue for concerts and classical music performances. There will also be time to meet the locals - the semi wild troop of Barbary "Apes". It is said the British will not leave Gibraltar until the apes have left. Afterwards, enjoy duty free shopping opportunities in the main street where everything is sold. Later, stop in charming Puerto Banús, an indispensable standard for luxury . Enjoy some free time to view some of the most spectacular yachts in the world which often dock here or explore the nearby streets, plazas and promenades frequented by the rich and famous. Your transportation is included. Please note a minimum of 25 passengers is required. Duration: approximately 9 hour(s). Toledo $90

City: Madrid The ancient, medieval city of Toledo, is a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE city with more than 100 monuments. This former capital of Spain (until 1560) has always been regarded as the city of three cultures (Christian, Jew and Islamic). Toledo offers one of the most genuine collections of architecture in Spain: Arabian, Jewish, Mudejar, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. You'll discover a glorious city filled with amazing medieval architecture. Join a local expert on a walking tour into the past along Toledo’s cobblestone alleyways, exploring the historic city center, one of the largest in Spain. See the magnificent gothic Cathedral and the 13th century Synagogue, a testament to Toledo’s Jewish heritage. A highlight of any visit to Toledo is seeing the famous paintings by the 16th-century master, El Greco. Toledo was the setting for many of El Greco's artworks, and a tour highlight is a stop at the Church of Santo Tome to view El Greco’s masterpiece painting, The Burial of Count Orgaz. Private transportation, local guide and entrance fees are included. Your transportation is included. Please note a minimum of 20 passengers is required. Duration: approximately 5 hour(s). Flamenco Show $60

City: Seville The lively music and dancing known as "flamenco" results from the mix of Jewish, Arab, Christian and Gypsy cultures. Enjoy a delightful evening at El Patio Sevillano, one of Seville’s most popular flamenco halls. Established in 1950 as the first tablao in Seville, El Patio Sevillano is known for performances which feature a variety of flamenco styles as well as classical Spanish dance and music. Enjoy a drink of your choice and follow the rhythmic tapping of a dancers feet, the energy and passion of the performers who will introduce you to this world of precise foot, hand and arm movements. The guitar and hand-clapping accompany the heel-tapping and the flamenco dancers' movements. The tap dancing, steps using both the sole and heel, is characteristic of the men's dancing while the women's is made up of gracious body and hand movements. Enjoy watching these professional artists with their own choreography of the different songs and dances of the difficult art of Flamenco. In additional to the traditional flamenco there are also regional dances and music from around Spain. Please note: Times of performance are subject to change.

Your transportation is included. Please note a minimum of 20 passengers is required. Duration: approximately 2 hour(s). Dinner in Pueblo $99

City: Costa del Sol Mijas Pueblo is rated as one of the prettiest villages in all of Spain. The village is a typical Andalusian village of old world charm with whitewashed buildings perched high on the mountainside, with spectacular views to the Mediterranean coastline and a scenic backdrop of endless pine forests. Mijas is a delightful maze of narrow cobbled streets and picture postcard houses with archways, red tile roofs and balconies ablaze with brightly colored geraniums. A major attraction for visitors is the tradition of donkey taxis. Local arts and crafts include hand made linen and wicker items. The village is also noted for its local bread, honey and almond cakes. Enjoy free time exploring this charming town before enjoying a wonderful dinner at the Alcazaba Restaurant, beautifully situated on a hillside with spectacular views of the coastline. The restaurant’s moorish décor, food, service and breathtaking views make it a memorable experience you will surely enjoy. Your transportation is included. Please note a minimum of 20 passengers is required. Duration: approximately 3.5 hour(s). Lisbon by night $80

City: Estoril Fado: the perfect blend of voice and guitar. A shawl, a guitar, a voice and heartfelt emotion--- these are the ingredients of Fado, the celebrated form of world music that captures what it is to be Portuguese. Fado is the song that harnesses the Portuguese soul. The word Fado comes from the Latin fatum, which means fate or destiny. It is a style of music that is all about deep feelings: the disappointments of love, the ups and downs of life, the sadness and longing felt for someone who has gone away, the everyday life of the neighborhood and the conquests of the local inhabitants. No one knows quite how Fado first came into being, but to this day Portugal's traditional music remains at the very heart of the country's culture. At Café Luso, the most renowned Fado and Folklore restaurant in Portugal, professional performers entertain you while you enjoy a wonderful, three course, candlelit dinner of regional and wine. A fado dinner and show is an experience that you simply have to include when visiting Portugal. Your transportation is included. Please note a minimum of 25 passengers is required. Duration: approximately 4 hour(s). Madrid by Night with Dinner $90

City: Madrid Madrid is a city that never sleeps and a trip to Spain would not be complete without experiencing a Tapas dinner at the popular Restaurant Meson Rincon de la Cava, located in the heart of Madrid. Enjoy old world ambiance and traditional castillian “tapas” including croquetes of Iberian ham, Spanish tortilla, mushrooms with garlic, and fried chorizo sausage, along with unlimited Rioja wine. Later, view Madrid’s major sights and avenues illuminated at night. Take a stroll through nearby San Miguel Market, Plaza Mayor and Puerta Del Sol. Next, travel by coach viewing Plaza d’Espana, known for its statue dedicated to Cervantes, author of Don Quijote de laMancha; the Royal Palace, the illuminated buildings along Gran Via, Paseo Castellano and Velazquez Avenue. In addition, marvel at the beautiful Poseidon and Cibeles Fountains and Plaza Colon. Your transportation is included. Please note a minimum of 15 passengers is required. Duration: approximately 3.5 hour(s).

Tour Dates and Rates

S/No Departure Date Tour Rate 1 05/19/2011 $2199 2 06/16/2011 $2199 3 07/07/2011 $2199 4 08/11/2011 $2199 5 09/22/2011 $2099 6 10/06/2011 $2099 7 10/13/2011 $1899 8 11/03/2011 $1899 9 11/10/2011 $1849 10 12/01/2011 $1849 11 02/09/2012 $1899 12 03/08/2012 $1899 13 03/15/2012 $1899 14 03/22/2012 $2099 15 04/12/2012 $2099 16 04/19/2012 $2099 17 04/26/2012 $2099

...... NOTE: Tour prices are Land Only rates based on per person double occupancy. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Taxes and fees are additional for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not included in the prices shown. Some dates may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. Airfare is additional and is available through Collette Vacations.

2011- 2012 e-Brochures available Online

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