Itinerary

This itinerary is preliminary and is subject to change.

Day One
Wednesday, May 14
Our flight departs Philadelphia International Airport in the early evening and heads non-stop to Madrid.

Day Two
Thursday, May 15
We arrive early this morning in Madrid. Once we’ve cleared customs and picked up our baggage, we take a panoramic bus tour of Madrid seeing its major monuments and beautiful streets. After lunch we check into our hotel and enjoy a restful siesta after a long journey. We stay in Madrid for four nights (D)

Day Three
Friday, May 16
After breakfast, we visit the Prado Museum with its outstanding collection of Spanish masters. Following free time for lunch, we go to the 20 acre Madrid Botanic Gardens which were founded in the 18th century. If you like you can enjoy a guided tour of the interior of the nearby Royal Palace. (B)

Day Four
Saturday, May 17
Today you have the entire day free in Madrid. You should take time to stroll though the Parque del Buen Retiro, visit nearby shops, or just relax and enjoy this extraordinary city. (B)

Day Five
Sunday, May 18
This morning we embark on a day trip out from Madrid to visit the World Heritage city of Segovia, famous for its Roman Aqueduct that is still working today. We also tour Segovia Alcazar, a fairy-tale 14th century turreted castle. This afternoon we visit La Granja Gardens, the Spanish version of Versailles before returning to Madrid. (B)

Day Six
Monday, May 19
As we depart Madrid to head south, our first stop is Aranjuez, a patch of green in sun-drenched Central Spain. Aranjuez, formerly a royal summer residence is the home of the extensive Palace Gardens. As we visit these gardens, the haunting tune of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez will ring in your ears as we stroll the royal gardens. After lunch we continue on to Toledo, which was once the main city of Muslim Spain and home of El Greco (1577). Toledo’s twisting lanes and blind alleys, beautifully decorated internal patios, steep cobbled streets and architectural diversity make it a must to visit. Lodging in Toledo. (B)

Day Seven
Tuesday, May 20
After a free morning in Toledo, we head south through the windswept La Mancha landscape as we drive to Granada. We stay in Granada for the next two nights. (B)

Day Eight
Wednesday, May 21
This morning following breakfast we visit the famous Alhambra Palace with its Generalife Gardens. The Alhambra is one of the most spectacular sites in the world. East of Granada, it rises steeply on a tree-covered slope, commanding exceptional views - down towards the old city, the Albaicin, and to the south the great mountain range of the Sierra Nevada which is usually fringed with snow. Alhambra means "red castle", and the buildings are of a seductive pink stone. We will also visit the gardens of the Generalife which was the summer palace of the Sultans of Granada in the 14th Century. In the afternoon there will be free time for the remainder of the day. (B)

Day Nine
Thursday, May 22
As we travel to Seville we stop on the way in Ronda.  This spectacular town is set on a cliff 270 feet above the gorges of the River Tajo. Here we will see the Alameda del Tajo gardens set on the edge of the spectacular gorge along with the old palace of the Moorish King of the Ronda with its narrow terrace over-hanging the gorge. Here the views are stunning. We arrive late in Seville where we stay for three nights. (B)

Day Ten
Friday, May 23
After breakfast the whole day is spent in Seville. We begin by visiting the Maria-Luisa Park and also the Plaza de España, laid out in 1929 for a “Fair of the Americas” which never took place. This is among the most impressive public spaces in Spain. Nearby is the Tobacco Factory where Carmen - in Bizet’s opera - worked as a cigar maker. Now part of the university, this is the second largest building in Spain. Later you will see the Gardens of Murillo, planted in honor of the famous painter from Seville along with Seville’s majestic Cathedral. In the afternoon we will visit Seville’s Orange Tree Courtyard that belonged to the old mosque and the gardens of the Royal Palaces of the Alcazar. There is an “English Garden” unlike any garden in this country as the trees and plants are much larger! There is a huge 500 year old magnolia tree brought by Columbus from the New World. The gardens are rambling and a leisurely walk here shows orange trees, eucalyptus, palms and more. (B)

Day Eleven
Saturday, May 24
Early this morning we depart for Cordoba, passing through a landscape with millions of olive trees. We will visit the Great Mosque with its Orange Grove, which was first laid out in the late 8th Century. Outside is a huge patio covered in orange trees - Patio de los Naranjos - which was originally covered with fountains used for bathing before entering the mosque. On entering you are struck by the vast number of pillars supporting the arches with their distinctive red and white tiles that are a symbol of the whole design. The mosque is a mixture of Moorish and Christian with chapels incorporated into the building. It is stunning in both its appearance and atmosphere. The gardens of The Royal Palaces of the Alcázar are Moorish in style, laid out in rows around long pools with numerous fountains. The sound of the water and the smells of the garden make it an experience for all the senses. Following our visit we will have some free time to discover the charms of this most Spanish of towns before returning to Seville. (B)

Day Twelve
Sunday, May 25
After breakfast, we depart for Lisbon, stopping along the way in Merida, once the third largest city in ancient Rome. Before getting to Lisbon we’ll visit the World Heritage City of Evora. We stay in Lisbon for the next three nights. (B)

Day Thirteen
Monday, May 26
In the morning we have an orientation tour including visits to Jeronimos Monastery, the 15th century Belem Tower, and a short visit to the Alfama Quarter--the oldest part of Lisbon. Later we have an exclusive visit to the private gardens of Marques de Fronteira Palace - the ancient tile work in the palace grounds is one of the most magnificent of Portugal’s treasures. (B)

Day Fourteen
Tuesday, May 27
Our last day on the Iberian peninsula includes a visit to the romantic Pena Palace and the Royal Palace of Queluz in Sintra, a UNESCO world heritage site and once the summer retreat of Portuguese kings. We’ll also visit the gardens at Seteais Palace now a luxury hotel overlooking Sintra’s Castle. Returning to Lisbon via Cabo da Roca, we are at Europe’s most westerly point, the fishing port of Cascais and the bustling beach resort of Estoril. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner together before packing for our journey tomorrow. (B)(D)

Day Fifteen
Wednesday, May 28
Regrettably, today is our last day in Portugal as we board our flight back to Philadelphia. (B)

B - Breakfast included
L - Lunch included
D - Dinner included