Highlights of Spain and Portugal 10 Days $2,999

(BSTNEX)

~~$3,499.00~~ down to $2,999.00

Madrid, Caceres, Evora, Lisbon, Fatima, Porto, Bom Jesus Sanctuary, Cambados, Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, O Cebreiro & Leon

Gaze upon 5000 skeletons in the Chapel of Bones in Evora
Relax and explore with two nights in Lisbon, including a half-day guided city tour
Take a city tour of Madrid, and visit the Plaza de Toros de las Ventas bullring
Take a ride on the world’s oldest cable car to go up to the Santuário do Bom Jesus

The Kingdoms of Leon, Castile, Aragon and Navarre took seven centuries to overturn Islamic rule, and in 1491 the Catholic Monarchs of northern Iberia, Ferdinand and Isabella, were able to claim the ‘Reconquest’ of the entire peninsula. The following year, Christopher Columbus got lost while looking for Japan, and discovered the Americas.

Spain and Portugal expanded into the world’s first global empires. Navigation, trade, and bold combat expanded their power and wealth over centuries. Both ruled territories in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Oceania. The gold of West Africa, the silver of South America, and a global trade in slaves drove ambitious architectural works at home and abroad. Potatoes, sugar, corn, coffee, and spices transformed both the European diet and international trade. After a decline in power through ongoing European wars, the rise of the Ottoman Turks, cruel civil wars and decades of authoritarian rule, Spain and Portugal have emerged as stable and democratic nations with a cosmopolitan outlook and proud history.

Day 1: Depart Australia

Take an international flight from Australia to Madrid, Spain.
NOTE: Some flights may depart one day later, and may involve up to two transits.

Day 2: Arrive Madrid

Welcome to Madrid! Upon arrival at the airport,our driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.Towards the end of the day, we provide evening transfers to the Egyptian Debod temple, Plaza de España and Gran Via; a vibrant district where you can dine at your preferred restaurant: Indian, Chinese, Spanish and Middle Eastern are some of the options.

Note: Please check the informative panels in the hotel reception area for the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers to receive information about the circuit.

Day 3: Madrid (B)

The day starts a comprehensive tour of Madrid including Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, the Gate of Alcalá, Gran Via, Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor. Visit Retiro Park, an oasis in the city centre, where we will see the lake and the Glass Palace. Admission to Las Ventas Bullring is included. This is one of the most famous bullrings in the world, where we will learn about the tradition of corridas in the Bullfighting Museum. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon free at leisure. At sunset, transfer to Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace, an elegant and bustling area with many restaurants in which to enjoy a pleasant dinner.

Day 4: Madrid Caceres Evora Lisbon (B)

We leave Madrid and travel towards the Extremadura region. In Caceres you can have lunch and stroll in the historic centre, one of the best-preserved Medieval and Renaissance open complexes in the world. Once in Portugal, we will stop in Evora, a World Heritage city with its white streets, Renaissance palaces, and cathedral. We will include entry to the impressive Chapel of Bones, built using 5,000 skeletons! Arrive in Lisbon in late afternoon.

Day 5: Lisbon (B)

This morning we take a sightseeing tour of Lisbon. We visit traditional neighbourhoods, and take in the Belem district, closely associated with great Portuguese navigators of the fifteenth century (and resting place of the renowned explorer-pirate, Vasco da Gama). Look around the Monument to the Discoveries. Erected in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator, the monument is sculpted in the form of a ship’s prow, with dozens of figures from Portuguese history. View Belem Tower, a military outpost built to protect the Tagus Estuary from pirates and enemy attacks, and enter the beautiful Jeronimos Monastery. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is where Vasco da Gama and his men spent the night in prayer before departing towards the Orient in 1497. In the Belem neighbourhood, we invite our travellers to try a ‘Belem cake’, an exquisite local delicacy otherwise known as a Portuguese egg tart. The afternoon is free at leisure, so that you can explore this great city independently. In the evening, transfer to Restauradores Square, full of atmosphere with its bars and cafes from where we suggest you to take the Elevador da Gloria that brings you to the Upper District and its stunning view of the city.

Day 6: Lisbon Fatima Porto (B)

We travel to the north of Portugal and visit Fatima, an important sanctuary. We will continue on our way through Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Time for lunch and sightseeing tour of this city on the bank of Duero River and its historic centre included. We also include a visit to the city’s famed old cellars, then enjoy free time at leisure.

Day 7: Porto Bom Jesus Sanctuary Cambados Santiago de Compostela (B)

On this day we will travel through beautiful landscapes. In the city of Braga we will get on the world’s oldest cable car to go up to the Santuário do Bom Jesus, where we will enjoy its gorgeous views. We recommend trekking back down in order to admire its beautiful stairway. We will resume our trip to Galicia. We will visit the historic town of Cambados in Rías Baixas. We include a glass bottom boat trip where we will learn about the production of mussels and oysters. Wine and mussel tasting included. We will arrive in Santiago De Compostela, a famous pilgrimage destination in the Middle Ages, at lunchtime. An afternoon tour of this town with a local guide is included.

Day 8: Santiago de Compostela Lugo O Cebreiro León Madrid (B)

We will travel along Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) to Castile. We will take some time in Lugo to visit its historic centre and Roman walls which ware a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will make a stop on route in O Cebreiro, a small Galician stone village. Arrival in Leon at lunchtime. We will have time visit the Gothic cathedral with its stained glass windows and stroll through the historic centre. At around 5pm, we leave León for Madrid, arriving at around 9pm.

Day 9: Depart Madrid (B)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight/s.

Day 10: Arrive Australia

Arrive back in Australia.

Departure Dates

2019			Price Per Person	Single Supplement
~~13 May~~	05 Aug	14 Oct	From ~~$3,499~~ $2,999 Book by 30 Jun 2019	$899
~~03 Jun~~	19 Aug	04 Nov
17 Jun*	02 Sep	02 Dec
01 Jul*	16 Sep
15 Jul*	30 Sep
* = School Holiday Surcharge: $1,000

Inclusions:

Return economy class international airfares and taxes flying Etihad or a European Airline (subject to availability), departing Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Please Note: Flight itineraries are not available until approximately 2 weeks before departure. Some flights may depart one day later and may involve up to 2 transits per leg
7 nights accommodation in comfortable hotels in twin rooms with private facilities. Please Note: Hotels will vary depending on group size and hence hotel information can only be ascertained within 5-7 days prior to departure. Double rooms and Triple share are not guaranteed and are subject to availability
English speaking tour guide(s)
City entrance fees + taxes
Return airport-hotel transfers
Dedicated coach transportation
Meals as detailed in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Ticket admission: Las Ventas bullring in Madrid, Chapel of Bones in Evora, and Old cellars in Porto
Insurance: Basic insurance cover is provided for our clients during the land component of this tour. See below for details
Evening Transfer: Debod Temple and Plaza de Espana/Gran Via in Madrid, Plaza de Oriente in Madrid, Praça dos Restauradores in Lisbon
City tours: Madrid, Lisbon, Oporto (Porto), Santiago De Compostela
Cruise: Wine and mussel tasting in a boat trip in Cambados
Cablecar/Funicular: To Bom Jesus Sanctuary in Braga

Exclusions:

All optional activities, tours and attraction tickets not included in the itinerary
Tipping is not mandatory on this tour. Please tip guides, drivers etc. at your discretion
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Visas (if applicable)
Personal expenses

Price Guide

Seasonal Surcharge: * = School Holiday Surcharge: $1,000
Interstate Surcharge: Brisbane or Adelaide from $350. For other cities, please contact us for a quotation.
Early Arrival/Stay Behind/Stopover Surcharge: From $250 subject to availability and applicable fare difference (accommodation and transfer not included, contact us for a quotation on accommodation)
Upgrade to other airlines: From $500 subject to availability and applicable fare difference (Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific)
Child price: Same as adult

All prices, itineraries, airlines, hotels and cruise ships are subject to availability and change without prior notice. Nexus Holidays reserves the right to provide substitutes of similar standard and adjust the itinerary as we see fit to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Passengers must remain with the tour group at all times and must not deviate from the set itinerary. The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land. Please check all information before booking.

Highlights of Spain and Portugal 10 Days $2,999

Departure Dates

Inclusions:

Exclusions:

Price Guide

Author: Bright Star Travel

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