Save up to $526* per person

Amazing Spain and Portugal

   
Destination:
Madrid, Spain
Duration:
8 Nights
Offer ends:
18 October 2024
Valid for travel:
Departs Madrid 5 July 2025. Other departures available, seasonal surcharges apply.

Details

From walking the cobblestone streets of a former Roman colony to tasting a decadent 'Pastel de Nata' tart made from a 200-year-old secret recipe, this 9-day guided tour allows you to embrace the best of old-world Spain and Portugal. Listen as metal sizzles in a master artisan’s hands as he teaches you the craft of Damascene. In Granada, wander the fragrant and arabesque gardens of the Alhambra Palace. Learn the art of flamenco dancing, stomping your feet to the sounds of an acoustic guitar, in a private lesson with professionals in Seville. Then, cross the Portuguese border to scale a 16th-century fortress in Lisbon and visit Fátima, Portugal's most holy site. Finally, raise a glass and say ¡salud! to these ancient wonders during a celebration feast in Madrid.

In partnership with:

Inclusions

  • 8 nights in highly rated centrally located accommodation
  • Includes 8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners with Wine
  • Expert service of Insight Tour Directors and Local Guides

Itinerary

Your airport transfer departs Madrid airport for your hotel at 09:00, 11:30, 13:30 or 16:00. The rest of the day is at leisure to begin to get to know this stylish city. While in Madrid, explore the elegant boulevards, expansive parks and varied architectural styles. At 18:00, join your Travel Director for your Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers over a delightful evening of good food and wine. 

Venture south to meet a master artisan in a Damascene workshop for a personal insight into this ancient craft, handed down by the Moors centuries ago. Continue to the fascinating city of Toledo, situated high above the River Tagus. This was Spain's capital during the golden era, where Arab, Jewish and Christian cultures flourished side-by-side through the Middle Ages. Walk within the city walls, through the narrow cobbled streets, led by your Local Expert. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, housing El Greco's famous painting, ‘The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.' Your journey continues to Granada. 

There is no pain in life so cruel as to be blind in Granada', cries the inscription on the walls of the Alhambra. Bathed in the morning light, the Alhambra Palace awaits—a fantasy of arabesque gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace. Explore with your Local Expert before visiting the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the summer residence of the Spanish royals. Take a moment to relax in the sunshine as you enjoy the fine views over the town and its three verdant hills. Explore Seville with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the cathedral, the burial place of Christopher Columbus, and walk through the old Jewish Quarter. Alternatively, enjoy a drive around the city with panoramic views and stop in a café for a refreshing beverage. 
Explore Normandy with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the D-Day Museum in Arromanches and see the remnants of the artificial port in the bay. Alternatively, visit Bayeux Cathedral in the heart of Old Bayeux and a jewel of Norman Medieval architecture. This evening you are treated to a delightful dinner, which promises creative cuisine, seasonal ingredients and delicious wines.

This day is yours to completely relax or continue exploring this fascinating city. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to Córdoba and visit the magnificent Mezquita, an 8th century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it? Visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant, for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This private dance school is dedicated to promoting the conservation of flamenco and supports young enthusiasts from all over the world with a special focus on new talent from the Andalusian region. Feel the passion behind the choreography as you put your rhythm to the test during a dance lesson before witnessing emotions come to life in a flamenco performance. With some free time for dinner, wander the restaurants in Triana or try the local night market Lonja Del Barranco selling tapas made from fresh, local produce. Why not grab yourself a refreshing sangria for a cheers to your new found dancing feet? 

Continue to the lively university town of Évora, one of the best preserved towns in Portugal, with architectural styles dating back to Roman Times. Visit the fascinating Capela dos Ossos, a chapel decorated with 5000 bones, before making your way to Lisbon. 

During your stay, a guided orientation of the city with your Local Expert takes you along the avenues of the Lower Town and beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco, the finest square in the city. Visit the Belém Quarter and enjoy a taste of Pastéis de Belém from the patisserie that has been using the same, secret recipe for almost 200 years. View the Monument to the Discoveries and the historic Belém Tower. This fortress was originally set in the middle of the river, but is now left high and dry on the riverbank. Visit the 500-year-old Jerónimos Monastery with its beautiful Manueline architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps join an Optional Experience to the beautiful Portuguese Riviera? 

Travel into the green hills north of Lisbon to visit Fátima, the most celebrated place of pilgrimage in Portugal. Visit the chapel commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three children in 1917. Cross the border, returning to Spain and continue to Salamanca, famous for its golden stone buildings and the handsome arcades of the Plaza Mayor. Across the River Tormes, see the Puente Romano with 15 of its 26 arches dating from the time of the ancient Romans. introduces you to the fabulous sights of Paris, including the vast Place de la Concorde, where the guillotine once stood. Travel up the Champs Élysées to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe. After dark, the City of Light really lives up to its name, when the monuments, buildings and bridges are lit up in all their glory.
For that special touch of excitement and glamour, don't miss the chance to experience a world-famous cabaret show.

Cross the rock-strewn hills of the Castile, to arrive at Ávila. Walk within the ancient city, still entirely enclosed within 11th century walls, a unique occurrence in Europe. Return to Madrid to explore more of the capital with your Local Expert. At a local restaurant, join your Travel Director and newfound friends for a lively Celebration Dinner.

After breakfast, transfers arrive at Madrid airport at 07:00, 09:00 and 11:00. 

Terms & Conditions

*Conditions apply. Prices correct as at 20 Sep 2024 but may fluctuate if surcharges, fees, taxes or currency change. Offers subject to availability. Agents may charge service fees, rates vary. Payments by credit card will incur a surcharge.  Airfare not included unless otherwise stated. All savings and bonus nights (if applicable) are included in the advertised price. Offers may be withdrawn without notice and are not combinable with any other offers unless stated. Please check all prices, availability and other information before booking. Insight Vacations and Helloworld Travel booking terms and conditions apply, see in store for details.

*Terms and conditions apply. Save an additional 2.5% off per person on any European Trafalgar and Costsaver trip.  Offer exclusive to Helloworld valid for bookings made in Australia. Quote: PPHLOEURO2025. Offer applies to new bookings only, made between 19th September 2024- 25th October 2024 . Prices are per person twin share and are land only. Single supplements apply. Standard Payment Terms apply, unless combined with another promotional offer whereby stricter payment conditions may apply.  If guests change to another tour or date not on sale, they are responsible to pay the difference and adhere to different payment conditions. Discounts are subject to availability and may be amended or withdrawn at any time without notice. Savings are combinable with all Ongoing Deals (I.e. Global Tour Rewards, Multiple Trip Discount, etc.). Further restrictions apply, for full details, please check with your Helloworld Travel Expert at time of booking.

From

$3,769* | per person twin share
Save up to $526* per person
Destination:
Madrid, Spain
Duration:
8 Nights
Offer ends:
18 October 2024
Valid for travel:
Departs Madrid 5 July 2025. Other departures available, seasonal surcharges apply.

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