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.