SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

October 10 - 18 2020
9 Day Tour from Barcelona to Lisbon, Hosted by Tony

$2209 per person plus air and insurance - early booking discount $221=$1988 if booking now

This marvelous vacation offers two-night-stays each in Spain’s and Portugal’s most famous cities: Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and Lisbon, with guided sightseeing including the most popular sights.

Fans of art and architecture are sure to be delighted by the visits to Barcelona's Sagrada Familia Basilica, architect Gaudi's masterpiece. Begun in 1882, it is still not completed. In Madrid, visit the famous Prado Museum, which houses 8,000 pieces of Western painting and is one of the world's most prestigious art museums. In Cordoba, visit the magnificent 8th-century Mosque of the Caliphs. In Seville, visit the Casa de Pilatos, with a splendid collection of Roman sculptures; and in Azeitão visit a traditional tile workshop.

Those interested in trying the local specialties and wines will be thrilled by the special treats Globus has arranged. In Seville, you'll enjoy a dinner with local specialties and Flamenco entertainment, and in Portugal, visit a traditional tile workshop in Azeitāo. Throughout this Spain and Portugal tour, you'll be accompanied by an expert Tour Director and Local Guides who will bring these destinations to life with in-depth, first-hand knowledge of the cities' histories, sights, cultures, and insider secrets. Add magnificent churches and cathedrals, local specialties and wine, plus fantastic art and architecture with a flourish of Iberian flamboyance, and… you have a dream vacation to Spain's most famous cities and Lisbon!

To join any of Tony's escorted groups contact the main office at 918-339-4805 or email the agency owner Joy Crutchfield, Joy@thejoyoftravel.net

Day by Day

DAY 1 ARRIVE IN BARCELONA, SPAIN

Welcome to Barcelona! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.

Dinner

DAY 2 BARCELONA

Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Columbus Monument, Plaza de Cataluña, and Paseo de Gràcia. Today's highlight is a visit to the spectacular SAGRADA FAMILIA BASILICA, Gaudi’s masterpiece. Also enjoy a panoramic view of the city and harbor from Montjuïc Hill. This afternoon, an optional excursion to Montserrat can be arranged.

Breakfast

DAY 3 BARCELONA–MADRID

Admire rustic Catalonian and Aragonian landscapes on your journey to Madrid, the capital of Spain since 1561.

Breakfast

DAY 4 MADRID

Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely turned towards the future. Your Local Guide takes you to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Highlight is a visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM, founded in 1819, and considered to have one of the finest collections of European art of the last 8 centuries, with the works of Goya, El Greco, Rubens, Titian, and more. To make the most of your stay, optional excursions are available.

Breakfast

DAY 5 MADRID–CORDOBA–SEVILLE

Drive south through the arid landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha to Cordoba, where sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the medieval Jewish Quarter, the MOSQUE OF THE CALIPHS, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry, marble, and jasper, the Roman Bridge, and the remains of the Alcazar. Your next destination is Seville, the vibrant, festive capital of Andalusia.

Breakfast

DAY 6 SEVILLE

During your guided sightseeing tour, hear about the city’s role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712 AD, and its contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire Maria Luisa Park, the Golden Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the university that was once the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Also visit the magnificent CASA DE PILATOS, a mixture of Moorish and Roman architecture with a splendid collection of Roman sculptures. Then, stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER. For those interested, an optional extended guided visit to the cathedral is available. This evening,  dinner has been prepared at El Palacio Andaluz restaurant with Flamenco entertainment.

Breakfast

Dinner

DAY 7 SEVILLE–SETUBAL–AZEITÃO, PORTUGAL–LISBON

A scenic drive today takes you to Portugal. Stop in Setubal for the colorful food market, and visit a traditional  TILE WORKSHOP in Azeitão, before arriving in Lisbon, proud capital of Portugal.

Breakfast

DAY 8 LISBON

Lisbon was the center of Europe’s longest-lived overseas empire. Portugal’s imperial ambitions date back to Prince Henry the Navigator’s 15th-century discoveries in West Africa. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features a drive through the Baixa quarter’s main squares and a walk along the cobblestone alleys of quaint ALFAMA, the popular quarter of the seamen and Fado singers. Drive along the grand Avenida da Liberdade up to Pombal Square, and stop for pictures of Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. Also visit the CHURCH with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Tonight, farewell dinner has been prepared at a local restaurant.

Breakfast

Dinner

DAY 9 LISBON

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast