Expat Explore - Version: Sun Oct 03 2021 16:25:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 1/11
Itinerary for Highlights of Spain & Portugal • Expat Explore
Start Point: End Point:
Hotel Elba Madrid Alcala, Madrid,
Calle de Alcalá, 476, 28027 Madrid, Spain Central Train Station
10:00 hrs 13:00 hrs (traffic dependent) Hotel Elba
Madrid Alcala,
Calle de Alcalá, 476, 28027 Madrid, Spain
14:00 hrs (traffic dependent)
DAY 1: Start of tour in Madrid
Welcome to the start of your 9 day tour of Spain and Portugal! On arrival in Madrid, make your way
to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore Madrid, or alternatively
relax in the comforts of the hotel. This evening, you will get your first taste of Spain during the
included dinner, giving you a great opportunity to meet your tour leader and the other travellers in
the group. Expat Explore - Version: Sun Oct 03 2021 16:25:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 2/11
A complimentary airport shuttle from the airport to the start hotel in Madrid is available to travellers
on this tour.
Experiences
Traditional dinner in Madrid: Join the tour in Madrid and, if you arrive early, explore the Spanish
capital before meeting up with the tour in the evening for an included dinner.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Elba Madrid
Sercotel Madrid Aeropuerto
DAY 2: Toledo - Granada
This morning, we leave Madrid and head to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Toledo. You are sure
to fall in love with this charming medieval town, with its Gothic architecture and its impressive
Cathedral. The tour continues south to the Moorish city of Granada. This afternoon, your tour leader
will take you on an orientation tour to give you a great insight into this beautiful region of Spain.
Experiences
Visit Toledo: Experience the Gothic architecture found throughout this UNESCO World Heritage Site
city. The history of this region goes all the way back to the Bronze Age! Expat Explore - Version: Sun Oct 03 2021 16:25:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 3/11
Orientation tour of Granada: Learn more about the Moorish influence in southern Spain. Granada
is often called "Damascus of the West." First an Iberian settlement, it came under the influence of
the Moors in the 8th century. The neighbourhood of Albaicin offers original narrow winding streets
and many fine examples of Moorish and Morisco architecture. Granada is also home to the famous
Alhambra.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Macia Condor Hotel
DAY 3: Ronda - Seville
The journey through Andalusia continues! Spend the morning exploring the city of Granada, or join
our optional excursion to the Alhambra Palace (please note: this excursion must be pre-booked). In
addition to a rich Moorish and Medieval history, Granada is a fascinating city packed with street art,
culture and the best restaurants. After a morning of exploring find your way to Ronda, a town
located on both sides of the El Tajo gorge. The most iconic site here is the ‘Puente Nuevo’ (New
Bridge). Take in the spectacular views from the bridge before taking a leisurely lunch. The final
stretch of the day takes you to the enchanting city of Seville. Sit down this evening for a traditional
tapas dinner followed by a driving and walking tour accompanied with a local guide. This is the ideal
way to take to the streets of Seville to soak up the culture, tastes, sights and sounds of the city. Expat Explore - Version: Sun Oct 03 2021 16:25:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 4/11
Experiences
Ronda: Stop over in Ronda and see the towering ‘Puente Nuevo’ (New Bridge). Found on top of the
El Tajo gorge, Ronda is a unique little town. Here, you’ll catch a glimpse of some truly breathtaking
views!
Seville: Explore Seville on a guided walking tour and learn more about its history, culture and
architecture. Seville is where some famous scenes for TV series and films were shot. These include
Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Lawrence of Arabia.
Tapas dinner: Tapas are small plates of hot and cold dishes, and Seville is known to have more
than 3,000 tapas bars. At the included dinner this evening you'll be able to try some of these
famous dishes, including ham croquette, fried cuttlefish, shrimp omelette, ratatouille and goat
cheese with pepper jam.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Virgen de los Reyes
Optional Excursions
Alhambra Palace & Gardens: € 80
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.
DAY 4: Seville: Free Day Expat Explore - Version: Sun Oct 03 2021 16:25:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 5/11
Legend has it that Seville was founded by Hercules, and it has certainly had a colourful history it
was named Hispalis by the Romans and Isbiliya by the Moors. With a full free day, you will have all
the time in the world to explore this beautiful and pleasingly compact city. Seville is famous for its
flamenco, tapas bars and orange bars. The cobbled streets of the old town make for a pleasing
morning stroll, while in the afternoon you may wish to visit the Metropol Parasol for amazing views,
the palaces of Alcázar Casa de Pilatos or the Museum of Flamenco.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Virgen de los Reyes
Optional Excursions
Flamenco Dinner Show: € 60
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.
DAY 5: Algarve - Lisbon Expat Explore - Version: Sun Oct 03 2021 16:25:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 6/11
Today we travel to Lisbon, Portugal! Along the way we'll visit the Algarve, the stunning southern
coastal region of Portugal that features golden beaches and limestone cliffs. We'll make a comfort
stop at one of these beautiful beaches so you can top up your tan or take a dip in the ocean. Upon
arrival in Lisbon we take you on an orientation tour of the capital, from the imposing Sao Jorge
Castle to the pastel colours of the old town, Lisbon has it all.
Experiences
Visit the Algarve: Enjoy a scenic drive through the Algarve. This is definitely one of Portugal's
most spectacular regions - complete with rugged cliffs, golden beaches and crashing waves! Spend
some time on one of the stunning Algarve beaches.
Lisbon driving tour: Drive alongside the Tagus river and along some of Lisbon's most famous
streets and learn about the history, the culture and Portuguese lifestyle. Sights like the Sao Jorge
Castle and the colours of the Old Town are not to be missed. There are seven miradouros
(viewpoints) dotted around the city - all offering glorious views of the city and its surrounds!
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Roma Lisboa
DAY 6: Lisbon: Free Day Expat Explore - Version: Sun Oct 03 2021 16:25:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 7/11
Today is your free day to explore Lisbon on your own. See Lisbon's landmarks, including the
Monument to the Discoveries and the Belém Tower or discover the hill top district of Bairro Alto, with
dozens of restaurants and bars lining the narrow streets and lots to see and do. Alternatively, join an
optional excursion to Sintra, a charming UNESCO World Heritage Site village and the capital of the
Romanticism in Portugal, known for its striking monuments. This evening enjoy one of Portugal's
cultural highlights; Fado music. Unique to Portugal, it is arguably the oldest urban folk music in the
world - you are sure to discover bars in this area playing this type of music.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel Roma Lisboa
Optional Excursions
Sintra Half-Day Trip: € 50
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.
DAY 7: Obidos - Porto Expat Explore - Version: Sun Oct 03 2021 16:25:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 8/11
On our way to Porto this morning we’ll stop off in Obidos, a classic fortified town with narrow
cobbled streets, picturesque houses and an imposing hilltop castle. We continue our tour of Portugal
and enter into Porto - the second largest city and one of the oldest European centres. Your tour
leader will take you on a walking tour of Porto, where you will see Ponte de'Luis - a stunning bridge
which crosses the River Douro, the Clerigos Tower and many other famous landmarks. One of
Portugal’s famous exports is port wine, which is named after Porto, and you will have the
opportunity to taste it this afternoon at the included Port tasting.
Experiences
Obidos: Enjoy some free time to explore the picturesque medieval streets of this charming town.
The main gate into Obidos, Porta de Vila, contains a beautiful tiled chapel depicting the passion of
Christ, and the walls of the town can be walked in around one hour.
Porto driving and walking tour: See picturesque Porto from the coach and on foot. Learn about
the history of the architecture, sights and the culture of this city and its UNESCO World Heritage Site
historical centre.
Port tasting: Try Portugal's most famous drink - Port! It's a sweet, fortified red wine, often served
as a dessert wine in dry, semi-dry and white varieties.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Hotel ibis Porto Gaia Expat Explore - Version: Sun Oct 03 2021 16:25:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 9/11
Optional Excursions
Douro River Cruise: € 12
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.
DAY 8: Guarda - Salamanca
It is time to depart Portugal and travel back to Spain, as our journey today takes us through the
countryside. This morning we make one more stop in Portugal before we arrive back in Spain.
Guarda was founded in the 12th Century by King Sancho I, and much of the fortified towers and
defensive walls he built survive to this day. Once we arrive into Salamanca, you will have time to
freshen up at the hotel and enjoy some free time. We recommend you visit the old town and go up
the Cathedral Bell Tower, which offers amazing panoramic views of the town and its surroundings. To
cap off the evening we'll enjoy an included farewell dinner, offering three courses of delicious food
from around the province of Salamanca.
Experiences
Visit Guarda: Enjoy free time to explore the highest city in Portugal. Guarda is a historic city home
to fortified towers and walls built during King Sancho I’s reign that survive to this day. At its heart is
a Cathedral built in a mix of Gothic and Manueline styles. Other highlights include the Guarda Expat Explore - Version: Sun Oct 03 2021 16:25:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 10/11
Museum, Jewish Quarters and the Corgas da Matança Dolmen, a portal tomb that provides a window
into the lives of the people who lived across the Iberian Peninsula during the Neolithic Period.
Orientation tour of Salamanca: Join your tour leader for a tour of this Spanish city that was
founded nearly one thousand years ago! Salamanca boasts incredible architecture, impressive
cathedrals, plazas and palaces.
Included Meals Accommodation
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Gran Hotel Corona Sol
DAY 9: Avila - Madrid
After nine fun-filled days on the road, today is the last day of your Spanish & Portuguese tour. This
morning, depart Salamanca and travel to the stunning city of Avila, which is notable for its many
Romanesque and Gothic churches, and the famous and incredibly well preserved medieval walls. We
then continue onto the capital Madrid. Arrive in Madrid and the tour concludes this afternoon. Make
sure to swap contact details with your newly-made travel friends! Travellers can opt in for a
complimentary airport shuttle at the end of the tour. We hope you had a wonderful trip! Adios!
Experiences Expat Explore - Version: Sun Oct 03 2021 16:25:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Page: 11/11
Avila: Visit this beautiful medieval town en route to Madrid. This walled town and its Cathedral are a
UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll have some free time to explore the main sights in the historic
centre, such as San Vicente de Ávila, a church that is one of the best examples of Romanesque
architecture in the whole of Spain.
Included Meals
Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: