Day 3
Madrid - Segovia - Avila - Salamanca (266 km)
After a buffet breakfast, we will depart Madrid for the old Castile region, visiting the medieval city of Segovia, with its 2000 year old Roman Aqueduct and the impressive Alcazar castle. Our next stop will be Avila, where we will admire the perfectly preserved defensive walls, before continuing to the old university city of Salamanca, where we will take a city tour in the afternoon. In the evening, we will walk through the city’s Plaza Mayor, always lively with activity. We will spend the night in Salamanca.
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Segovia, SPAIN
Alcazar of Segovia
Like the other Alcazars located throughout Spain, the one in Segovia was a renovated Arab fortress, converted to a magnificent castle after the Christian reconquest of Spain. It rests at the far-northern edge of town, atop a steep cliff.
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Avila, SPAIN
Avila is a small town in Castile and Leon, Spain. Not much has changed since the Middle Ages, as far as the architecture is concerned, as the town's original medieval defense walls still proudly stand.
Old Town
The medieval walls that surround the Castilian town of Avila, which boasts one of the highest numbers of Romanesque and Gothic churches in the whole of Spain, still stand, impressively guarding the city.
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Salamanca, SPAIN
Salamanca is a major city in Spain that mixes antiquated, medieval architecture with the atmosphere of a college town, with the University of Salamanca leading the way in the teaching of the Spanish language.
Plaza Mayor
Most Spanish cities have a Plaza Mayor, but few are comparable to that of Salamanca. Surrounded by baroque buildings, the centerpiece of this public square is the city hall, with arms of restaurants, cafes, and other shops lining the side.
Standard Hotel: Salamanca Plaza or similar
Day 4
Salamanca - Santiago de Compostela (427 km)
Today, we will depart for the mystical pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a guided tour of the old city and its beautiful cathedral in the Praza do Obradoiro. In the evening, we will have the option of enjoying a delicious, traditional dinner in our hotel. We will spend the night here.
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Santiago de Compostela, SPAIN
Santiago de Compostela has its origin in the shrine of Saint James the Great, now the city's cathedral, as destination of the Way of St. James, a leading Catholic pilgrimage route originated in the 9th century.
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
This grand cathedral northwestern Spain is supposedly the burial site of the apostle St. James, built in the Romanesque style of architecture. The exterior is covered with intricate designs of apostles and Biblical scenes.
Praza do Obradoiro
This open, public square in Santiago de Compostela is a great spot to stop for a rest or merely people watch. Once there, your eyes willbe drawn to the exquisite cathedral.
Standard Hotel: TRYP Santiago or similar
Day 5
Santiago de Compostela - Vigo - Viana Do Castelo - Porto (245 km)
After breakfast, we will make our way along the "Rias Baixas" region to the port city of Vigo, continuing into northern Portugal. We will visit the town of Viana do Castelo at the mouth of the Rio Limia with its historic old town and castle. We will end the day with our arrival in Porto, famous for its namesake Port wines.
Standard Hotel: Ipanema Porto or similar
Day 7
Porto - Aveiro - Fatima - Lisbon (348 km)
After breakfast, we will depart for Aveiro, the "City of Canals", regarded as the Portuguese Venice. Then we will continue on to Fatima, a Christian pilgrimage center, with free time to visit the Basilica and Sanctuary. Afterward, we will drive to Lisbon, where we can enjoy an optional excursion to hear live Fado music while eating a delicious dinner.
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Fatima, PORTUGAL
Fatima is a civil parish in the municipality of Ourem, in the Portuguese Santarem District.
Basilica of the Santissima Trinidade
One of the largest Christian church in the world, construction on this basilica was completed in 2007. With its thoroughly modern design, it looks completely unique from most other European churches.
Sanctuary of Fatima
The Sanctuary of Fatima is a large, open public facility dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The site features many buildings, including a minor basilica and two small chapels.
Standard Hotel: Sana Metropolitan Hotel or similar
Day 9
Lisbon - Merida - Seville (477 km)
Today, we will make our way back to Spain. After we cross the border, we will stop at the Roman ruins of Merida, founded in 25 BCE as "Emerita Augusta," to admire the impressive amphitheater. Afterward, we will continue to Sevilla for the evening.
Standard Hotel: Catalonia Giralda / Confortel Puerta de Triana or similar
Day 11
Seville - Cordoba - Granada (346 km)
After breakfast, we will depart Sevilla for Cordoba, visiting the Mosque-Cathedral, one of the most marvelous religious buildings in the world. Then, we will continue to Granada, passing thousands of acres of olive groves. It is suggested that we spend our evening visiting the quaint Albaicin Quarter, where we will see the city illuminated beautifully.
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Seville, SPAIN
Seville is the capital of Andalucia and the cultural and financial centre of southern Spain. A city of just over 700,000 inhabitants (1.6 million in the metropolitan area, making it Spain's 4th largest city), Seville is Andalucia's top destination, with much to offer the traveler.
Standard Hotel: Macia Gran Via / Alixares or similar
Day 12
Granada - Madrid (422 km)
Before we leave Granada, we will go on a guided tour of the amazing Moorish palacae and fortress complex, the Alhambra, seeing the verdant gardens of the Generalife. In the afternoon, we will return to Madrid, crossing the plains of La Mancha, land of Don Quixote.
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Granada, SPAIN
Granada is a mid-sized provincial capital in the Andalucia region of Spain. Rich in history and culture, Granada is arguably the single most worthwhile city in Spain for visitors. Spring and autumn are also both excellent times to visit.
Alhambra
The Alhambra is a massive complex consisting of multiple palaces and fortresses. It originated as a Spanish-Muslim fortress in the 9th century, but subsequent rulers, both Muslim and Christian, continually added additions and renovations.
Standard Hotel: NH Las Artes or similar
$1350 
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