| Tour Dates | Flight Itinerary from/to Australia to suit tour dates | ||
| Start: End: |
Madrid, 03 May 2008 Madrid, 22 May 2008 |
Depart from Australia: Return to Australia: |
02 May 2008 23 May 2008 |
| Download Itinerary * Download Holiday Flyer See end of page for flight itinerary included with the full package (tour + international airfares) |
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| Tour Operator: |  |
TOUR ITINERARY
03 - 22 May 2008
Refer to flight details at end of page
Day 1 Sat 3 May Madrid Holiday Inn Hotel
Welcome to Madrid - built by Philip II in the 16th century, the city is Europe's highest capital! The day is at your leisure. As evening falls, get to know your fellow passengers over a Welcome Drink. If you have taken the full package (tour with international airfare*), you will be met after you clear customs and immigration by your Tour Director and transferred to your hotel. * see 'inclusions' in the terms and conditions.
Day 2 Sun 4 May Salamanca Alameda Palace Hotel
Visit Toledo, former capital of Spain, to see the 13th century Cathedral and one of Europe’s oldest synagogues, and admire El Greco’s masterpiece in the chapel of Santo Tome. Continue on past the mighty walls of St Theresa’s Avila en route to Salamanca. An orientation tour goes via the Plaza Mayor, the New and Old Cathedrals and the university buildings in the Plaza de Anaya. (B,D)
Day 3 Mon 5 May Lisbon Marriott Hotel
From Salamanca, drive across the Portuguese frontier to Fatima to visit the great white Basilica before continuing to the capital, Lisbon. for our two night stay. (B)
Day 4 Tue 6 May Lisbon Marriott Hotel
Now the capital of a small country on the western fringe of the Iberian Peninsula, Lisbon was once the center of Europe's longest-lived overseas empire. Morning sightseeing includes two Manueline jewels: Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Drive past the Bull Ring to Pombal Statue and along the grand Avenida da Liberdade. Enjoy a walk through the cobbled alleys of Alfama, the quarter of the seamen. Afternoon and evening at leisure. An optional excursion to Sintra and optional dinner with Fado-style entertainment are available. (B)
Day 5 Wed 7 May Algarve Vila Gale Cerro Alagoa
Today, we leave Lisbon via the Tagus Bridge and travel south to the Algarve district for a two night stay. (B)
Day 6 Thu 8 May Algarve Vila Gale Cerro Alagoa
A day at leisure, to explore the beaches of the area. Crystal clear waters, caves, rocks, brightly coloured cliffs and coves. Perfect for swimming, or perhaps enjoy a game of golf and the nearby courses Palmares and Boavista, or visit the fancy boutiques. (B)
Day 7 Fri 9 May Seville Hotel Tryp Macarena
Leaving the coast, we head inland and down into Spain. On arrival into Seville, we are joined with a local guide and admire Maria Luisa Park. Drive to the Plaza de Espana, the Gold Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the fine Baroque building which is now the university but used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Visit the cathedral with Columbus' tomb, the world's largest Gothic edifice and an undertaking considered sheer madness by its very planners. Finally stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming Santa Cruz quarter. Tonight we enjoy a Highlight dinner and ‘Flamenco’ show! (B,HD)
Day 8 Sat 10 May Seville Hotel Tryp Macarena
The day is free to take in more sights of your choice. Don’t miss the chance to take an optional excursion to Cordoba, or perhaps enjoy a typical Sevilliano dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a cruise on the Guadalquivir? (B)
Day 9 Sun 11 May Tangier Hotel Rif
Cross into Gibraltar, a British territory since 1704. There is time to explore the town and take a trip to the top of the Rock to see the fortifications, St Michael’s Cave and the Barbary Apes. Then sail from Algeciras to exotic Morocco. (B,D)
Day 10 Mon 12 May Fez Crown Palace
On a sightseeing tour of Tangier, see the Medina and the Casbah before continuing to Fez, the most ancient of Morocco’s cities. Enjoy a superb Moroccan Dinner and a Folklore Show with drums and belly dancing. (B,HD)
Day 11 Tue 13 May Fez Crown Palace
During a guided tour of this ‘City of the Mind’, visit the Medina and the walled city of hidden courtyards, mosques and tiny workshops, the ancient bazaar and a carpet co-operative. Afterwards, consider visiting the fascinating Berber village of Meknes. (B,D)
Day 12 Wed 14 May Marrakesh Royal Mirage Hotel
The road passes through the rugged Atlas Mountains, past mud-walled villages to Marrakesh, your base for two nights. (B,D)
Day 13 Thu 15 May Marrakesh Royal Mirage Hotel
On a guided tour, see the Koutobia Minaret, visit the Saadi Tombs, and explore the Medina with its many souks. The tour ends in Jemaa el Fna Square where acrobats, dancers and fortune tellers entertain you. When night falls, you may wish to enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants to try a traditional Tajine dish? (B)
Day 14 Fri 16 May Rabat Farah Siaha Hotel
Leave Marrakesh and head south to Casablanca. Did Humphrey Bogart really say ‘Play it again Sam’? Find out on your orientation tour. Continue to the modern capital of Rabat where you see the Royal Palace and Hassan Tower. (B,D)
Day 15 Sat 17 May Costa Del Sol Nh Marbella
Sail back across the Straits of Gibraltar to Spain. Disembark at the port of Algeciras and travel along the sun drenched Costa del Sol past exclusive resorts to your hotel. (B)
Day 16 Sun 18 May Costa Del Sol Nh Marbella
A day of leisure, for you to explore the Malaga coast. The area is more than just the sun, the whitewashed villages are impressive historical monuments in themselves, some have become fashionable resorts, while some conserve their ancient charm, lost in the highlands and remain rough and ready olive farming towns. Tonight, perhaps enjoy an evening meal in a local restaurant? (B)
Day 17 Mon 19 May Granada Saray Hotel
Drive along the coast and over the Sierra Nevada to hilltop Granada. A local guide will take you on a tour of the fabulous Alhambra Palace – a magnificent example of Moorish architecture. Also visit the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence, where you can enjoy the fine views over the town and its hills. (B,D)
Day 18 Tue 20 May Madrid Holiday Inn Hotel
Travel through La Mancha where Don Quixote tilted at windmills as his faithful Sancho Panza looked on, and pass through the wine centre of Valdepeñas, its roads lined with ‘bodegas’ (wine cellars). Upon reaching Madrid, why not try a restaurant on the Plaza Mayor? (B)
Day 19 Wed 21 May Madrid Holiday Inn Hotel
Take a guided tour down the wide tree-lined avenues to see the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Paseo de la Castellana, Cibeles Fountain and the Cervantes Monument in the Plaza de España. Make a Highlight visit inside the state apartments of the Royal Palace. In the afternoon, consider a visit to the Prado museum. (B)
Day 20 Thu 22 May Depart
The tour ends with transfers to Madrid Airport. (B)
Meal Key: (B) = Breakfast (D) = Hotel Dinner (HD) = Highlight Dinner
Please note: Hotels listed are to be used as a guide only and are subject to change should circumstances dictate
Please Note: We reserve the right to alter or deviate from the tour itinerary should circumstances dictate
(>) Coach use is subject to EU Regulations
EX SYDNEY |
RETURN TO SYDNEY |
| EX MELBOURNE Ex Melbourne to Madrid TG 982 02 MAY MELBKK 16:05 22:55 TG 948 03 MAY BKKMAD 00:05 08:00 MEL-BKK 9.20 hrs BKK-MAD 12.55 hrs |
RETURN TO MELBOURNE Ex Madird to Melbourne TG 949 22 MAY MADBKK 13:50 06:30 23MAY TG 999 23 MAY BKKMEL 08:10 20:00 MAD-BKK 11.40 hrs BKK-MEL 8.50 hrs |
EX BRISBANE |
RETURN TO BRISBANE Ex Madrid to Brisbane TG 949 22 MAY MAD BKK 13:50 06:30 23MAY TG 991 23 MAY BKK BNE 08:00 22:45 MAD-BKK 11.40 hrs BKK-BNE 10.35 hrs with 1.10hr transit in Sydney |
EX PERTH
|
RETURN TO PERTH |
EX ADELAIDE |
RETURN TO ADELAIDE Ex Madrid to Melbourne Add-on fare to Melbourne required (additional cost) |
