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Itinerary |
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Day 01 |
Sun. ARRIVAL IN
MADRID, SPAIN. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is
free to start exploring lively Madrid. Tonight, meet your Tour
Director and fellow travelers. (D) |
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Day 02 |
Mon. MADRID.
Of the Spanish capital, situated 2,180 feet above sea level,
the Spaniards say it’s the nearest thing to heaven. You’ve only a
day here and it’s certainly worth making the most of it by joining
the included guided sightseeing tour: a full panoramic drive by way
of the Avenida Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Parliament Square, and a
picture stop outside the Royal Palace. The optional trip to Toledo
is most rewarding, too. The splendid setting of this old walled city
above the Tagus was made famous in El Greco’s painting, and even now
it’s like a great open-air museum of Spanish history and art. (B)
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Day 03 |
Tue.
MADRID-AVILA-COIMBRA, PORTUGAL. West for a visit to fortified
Avila with its many towers. Next is Salamanca, just six miles from
the spot where Wellington routed Napoleon’s Army in 1812. Make sure
you spend some time wandering around Plaza Mayor, the grandest
square in Spain. Across the frontier to Guarda, the highest town in
Portugal. From here descend to the valleys of the Serra da Estrela
to Coimbra for overnight. (B,D) |
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Day 04 |
Wed. COIMBRA-FATIMA-LISBON.
This morning enjoy your orientation tour of Coimbra,
celebrated for its beauty and ancient university. Later travel
southwards to Batalha with a visit to its beautifully sited
monastery. Today’s penultimate highlight is a visit to the Sanctuary
of Fatima. A sterner and more desolate landscape accompanies you to
Lisbon for your overnight in Portugal’s capital. A stop en route
includes a wine bodega and some wine tasting. (B) |
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Day 05 |
Thu. LISBON.
Henry the Navigator made Lisbon the 15th-century mistress of the
seas. On the included tour see his monument, the Belem Tower, the
Moorish Citadel, and the impressive Black Horse Square. Spend the
afternoon in the Alfama’s tile-decorated streets, or take an
optional excursion to coastal Estoril and Cascais. (B) |
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Day 06 |
Fri.
LISBON-SEVILLE, SPAIN. From the rolling plains of the
Alentejo with its woodlands of cork and eucalyptus trees, southwards
all the way to the blinding light of Andalusia. Admire its neat
white-painted villages and sun-drenched plantations of olives, figs,
and almonds, while traveling by way of Beja into magnificent
Seville. (B,D) |
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Day 07 |
Sat. SEVILLE.
At leisure in one of Spain’s most colorful cities. Perhaps
you’d like to spend this morning enjoying an optional sightseeing
tour including the main highlights of the vibrant city. (B) |
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Day 08 |
Sun.
SEVILLE-FERRY TO MOROCCO-FEZ. An interesting drive today
which starts with views of the sherry wine region before reaching
the coast for embarkation on the ferry to Morocco. Next, motor south
along what was once North Africa’s infamous Barbary coast. Join the
new motorway for the drive southwards, then west bypassing Meknes
for overnight in Fez. (B,D) |
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Day 09 |
Mon. FEZ.
At leisure in ancient Fez, which occupies a position of
outstanding scenic beauty and is blessed with an ample supply of
water. This morning visit the Medina on the included sightseeing
tour and watch the crowds of Berbers in their flowing robes as they
buy and sell their goods, accompanied by veiled women. Take
advantage of an optional excursion for sightseeing in Meknes. (B)
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Day 10 |
Tue. FEZ-MIDDLE
ATLAS-MARRAKESH. Enjoy glimpses of North African village life
reminiscent of Beau Geste while motoring through the Middle Atlas on
your way to Marrakesh. (B,D) |
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Day 11 |
Wed. MARRAKESH.
The highlight of this morning is the included city
sightseeing. You’ll really feel as if you’ve stopped the march of
time. Marrakesh has always been a meeting place, first just a group
of nomad tents, now a bustling city. An optional evening excursion
will be a fitting choice to end the day. (B) |
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Day 12 |
Thu. MARRAKESH-CASABLANCA-RABAT.
This morning drive northwest from the heartland of Morocco by
way of Settat, to reach the most western of all Moroccan cities
Casablanca. Stop here awhile. Later in the afternoon continue by way
of the motorway northwards to Rabat, Morocco’s capital for city
sightseeing and overnight. (B,D) |
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Day 13 |
Fri.
RABAT-FERRY CROSSING TO SPAIN-GRANADA. Today an early
departure retraces your steps northwards for the ferry across the
Straits of Gibraltar to mainland Spain, and drive directly in the
heart of Andalucia to reach Granada for overnight. (B,D) |
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Day 14 |
Sat.
GRANADA-MADRID. Take advantage of the included visit with a
Local Guide of the Alhambra Palace, a summer palace built by the
Moorish kings. You’ll treasure the memory of its architectural
beauty, dazzling ceilings, and magnificent gardens. This afternoon
drive into the very heart of La Mancha, famed for its castle and
windmills. Overnight in Madrid. (B) |
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Day 15 |
Departure |
