OCTOBER 2 - 15, 2022
Follow the fortunes of the Spanish, Portuguese and Moorish Kingdoms as evidenced in their grand castles,
stupendous religious buildings and incredible works of art.
stupendous religious buildings and incredible works of art.
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14 Days
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2 Countries
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18 Meals
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Your Itinerary
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Day 1: June 15, 2022
Depart USA Today your group is picked up from designated locations in Sioux Center and Sioux City, Iowa and taken to the Omaha airport (OMA) for your flight to Barcelona. Contact Extra Touch Tours for flight arrangements from other locations. |
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Day 2: Oct. 3, 2022
Welcome to Barcelona (2 Nights) Trace the treasures of the north on this grand expedition from Barcelona to Madrid, easing yourself into la buena vida as only the Spaniards can. On arrival, you are transferred to your hotel. With the rest of the day free, delve into centuries of history and the cosmopolitan culture of Barcelona, rambling up Las Ramblas, people watching in Plaça de Catalunya and admiring the whimsical architecture of Gaudí. Later, you'll meet with your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner and evening drive to see the city's iconic sights. Included Meal: Welcome Dinner Hotel: Barcelona Condal Mar Hotel or similar |
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Day 3: Oct. 4, 2022
Discover Vibrant Barcelona Our first stop this morning is to view the unfinished La Sagrada Família. We join a Local Specialist to see the Plaça de Catalunya and pay tribute to Christopher Columbus at the monument that bears his name. Later, spend the rest of the day on your own to explore the city's enchanting barrios. Consider joining an Optional Experience to the mountain-top monastery of Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna - affectionately known in Catalonia as La Moreneta. Included Meal: Breakfast Hotel: Barcelona Condal Mar Hotel or similar |
Day 4: Oct. 5, 2022
Journey to Valencia (1 Night) Your journey continues to Valencia, renowned for its modern verve and spirit of innovation. An orientation drive will include views of the 14th-century Towers of Serrano and Quart, and the City of Arts and Sciences, a large-scale urban recreation center for culture and science and designed by Santiago Calatrava. This evening, consider indulging in Valencia's fragrant flavors and aromas of paella. Included Meal: Breakfast Hotel: Ocean Hotel Valencia or similar |
Córdoba
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Day 5: Oct. 6, 2022
Off to Unique Gaudix and on to Granada (1 Night) We travel through the Sierra Nevadas bound for Guadix. We'll view the troglodyte cave dwellings that blend effortlessly into the surrounding ochre landscape. Witness how generations of Guadix locals have carved cozy abodes into their rocky surrounds, then travel through the jagged Mora Pass to Granada, the last stronghold of the Moors in Europe. This evening, sample the hearty flavors of Andalusia during a special Regional Dinner at a local restaurant. Included Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner Hotel: Occidental Hotel Granada or similar Day 6: Oct. 7, 2022
Onwards to Córdoba and Seville (3 Nights) Tread in the footsteps of Spain's last emirs, joining your Local Specialist for a visit to the incredible Alhambra, with its amazing palaces, gardens and fountains (tickets subject to availability). Inspired by poetry, the architecture is said to be a reflection of paradise as described in Islamic verse. Immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere in quiet courtyards, follow its colossal ancient walls and admire the ornate stone carvings. We leave Granada behind for Córdoba where we'll join a Local Specialist to visit the mesmerizing Cathedral of Córdoba, the former mosque of the caliphs and a jewel of Hispano-Islamic art featuring striking arches and Byzantine mosaics. Our final stop for the day is alluring Seville, our home for the next three nights. Included Meals: Breakfast, Hotel Dinner Hotel: Melia Lebreros Hotel Seville or similar |
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Day 9: Oct. 10, 2022
Venture to Évora (1 Night) Leaving the zesty scents of Seville behind, we head to the golden landscapes of the Alentejo, where the Brito Paes family await our arrival for a special Connect With Locals lunch on their traditional stud ranch, which has been rearing Lusitano horses since the 18th century (subject to availability). Enjoy a Be My Guest experience in the home of their ancestor before continuing to Évora for a guided sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist to visit its cathedral, Roman temple and Chapel of Bones. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel. Included Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest Lunch, Hotel Dinner Hotel: M'ar De Ar Muralhas Hotel or similar Day 10: Oct. 11, 2022
On to Lively Lisbon (2 Nights) We arrive in the seafaring Portuguese capital of Lisbon this afternoon, where we'll join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of the city's highlights. A particular highlight of this afternoon is an opportunity to Dive Into Culture at the UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery, an exquisite testament to 16th-century Manueline architecture and art. Included Meal: Breakfast Hotel: VIP Grand Lisbon Hotel or similar |
Évora
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Day 11: Oct. 12, 2022
The Golden Triangle: Sintra, Cascais & The Estoril Coast Today we venture outside of Lisbon. After passing through the fashionable resort of Estoril, we'll explore the picturesque fishing village of Cascais, with its beautiful array of mansions and exclusive residences. To complete the Golden Triangle, we'll visit the impressive Royal Palace in Sintra. Included Meal: Breakfast Hotel: VIP Grand Lisbon Hotel or similar Day 12: Oct. 13, 2022
On to Salamanca (1 Night) We leave Portugal, traveling to the historic Spanish city of Salamanca with its golden-hued façades and ancient university heritage, where we will visit its 18th-century Plaza Mayor during our orientation tour. Included Meal: Breakfast Hotel: Gran Corona Sol Hotel or similar |
Seville
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Day 13: Oct. 14, 2022
Continue to Toledo and Madrid (1 Night) See the walled city of Ávila, the 'Town of Stones and Saints', so named for its vast collection of Romanesque and Gothic churches. We arrive in the clifftop city of Toledo and join a Local Specialist for a guided walk through its streets. We'll visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to one of El Greco's most famous paintings - 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz' and the former Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca. Later, Dive Into Culture and witness local craftsmen at work creating inlaid steel the traditional way. We arrive in Madrid this evening and mark the end of our memorable journey through the Iberian Peninsula as we join our fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner. Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner Hotel: Malia Castilla Hotel or similar Day 14: Oct. 15, 2022
Adiós Madrid For now it's time to say a fond farewell to our traveling companions, your Travel Director and the beauty of Spain and Portugal at the end of a memorable holiday. Take your group transfer to the airport for your onward flight. On arrival in the US, your group is dropped off at designated locations in Sioux Center and Sioux City, Iowa. Included Meal: Breakfast |
Trip Details
INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS |
SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS |
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CONNECT WITH LOCALS Saddle up for a superb stud farm visit, the tragic story of unrequited love and a traditional home-cooked Be My Guest lunch with Tiago and Vera in Portugal's beautiful Alentejo.
DIVE INTO CULTURE Sample the famous sherry tradition in the southern Spanish city of Jerez, which has been making wine since ancient times. Visit the Hieronymite Monastery, a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome and exquisite example of Manueline architecture. The invincible swords of Toledo have defended cities for centuries. Visit an inlaid steel factory in Toledo to see local craftsmen forging the highest quality steel. |
Explore Barcelona, Córdoba, Seville, Évora, Lisbon, Toledo with a Local Specialist.
Visit the Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Cathedral Mosque in Córdoba, Seville Cathedral, the Cathedral of Évora, the Hieronomyte Monastery in Lisbon, Plaza Mayor in Salamanca and the Church of Santo Tomé and the Synagogue in Toledo. Discover Valencia, Cádiz and Salamanca. View the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Towers of Serrano and Quart, the City of Arts and Sciences complex in Valencia and the Cave Houses of Guadix. |
TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS
- 12 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 5 Dinners.
- Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing.
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wifi in most countries.
- 12-nights accommodations in hand-picked hotels.
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities.
- All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes.
- An expert Travel Director and a professional Driver.
- Roundtrip air from Omaha (OMA). Contact Extra Touch Tours for flight arrangements from other locations.
- Roundtrip hometown transfers from designated locations in Sioux Center and Sioux City, Iowa to the Omaha airport.
Seville
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$4,645 per person
land and air, double occupancy $855 single supplement
For more information, contact:
todd@extratouchtours.com rhonda@extratouchtours.com 712.276.1564 www.extratouchtours.com Terms and Conditions |
