Spains Costa del Sol and Portugals Riviera

br />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 Lisbon, including the Moorish Alfama 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.

Day 1: Overnight Flight


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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Europe.

Day 9: Seville - Azeitao, Portugal - Cascais
After a short introduction to the origin and history of the Portuguese language, 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.

Day 10: 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.

Day 11: Cascais - Sintra - 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.

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.

Day 13: Estoril - Tour Ends

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
7/12/2012 - 7/24/2012	$2,399
9/27/2012 - 10/9/2012	$2,399
10/18/2012 - 10/30/2012	$2,299
11/1/2012 - 11/13/2012	$2,199
2/14/2013 - 2/26/2013	$2,099
3/3/2013 - 3/15/2013	$2,199
3/14/2013 - 3/26/2013	$2,199
4/7/2013 - 4/19/2013	$2,299
4/18/2013 - 4/30/2013	$2,299
5/16/2013 - 5/28/2013	$2,449
7/11/2013 - 7/23/2013	$2,549
9/12/2013 - 9/24/2013	$2,549
9/26/2013 - 10/8/2013	$2,549
10/3/2013 - 10/15/2013	$2,449
10/10/2013 - 10/22/2013	$2,449
10/24/2013 - 11/5/2013	$2,449
10/31/2013 - 11/12/2013	$2,349
11/7/2013 - 11/19/2013	$2,349
2/20/2014 - 3/4/2014	$2,299
3/6/2014 - 3/18/2014	$2,349
3/20/2014 - 4/1/2014	$2,349
4/24/2014 - 5/6/2014	$2,449
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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