Compare Best of Southern Spain by G Adventures vs Treasures of Spain and Portugal - Eastbound 2023 by Tauck
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 13 days |
| Price From | $ 1,869 | $ 9,390 |
| Price Per Day | $ 234 | $ 722 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small ship cruise |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included | 7 breakfasts, 1 dinner | N/A |
| Description |
With some destinations, you always have to compromise on something, whether it's cuisine, history, or just things to do. Luckily, in southern Spain, there’s no such thing. This tour covers the major highlights of Andalucia (southern Spain): the ornate palace of Alhambra in Granada, Córdoba (an architectural mainstay of Islamic culture), and the Andalucian capital of Seville, home of flamenco dancing. Pair it all up with time in Madrid and Barcelona, and you’ll never run out of fun things to do, eat, or see. |
Set sail aboard your Windstar yacht as you chart a course across Spain and Portugal for a treasure trove of discoveries along the trade routes of the first Portuguese and Spanish explorers. Two-night stays in Lisbon and Barcelona bookend this Iberian adventure, which visits Palma de Mallorca, Granada, Seville, Gibraltar, Málaga and more. |
Day 1 Madrid
Arrive any time.
Day 2 Madrid
Take a brief orientation walk with your CEO, then enjoy a full day to explore this bustling capital. Discover Plaza Mayor or opt to visit the famous Royal Palace. Indulge in delicious Spanish tapas or get your art fix at the Prado Museum.
Day 3 Madrid/Granada
Journey south to Granada. Upon arrival enjoy an orientation walk. Wander through the whitewashed historic quarter of the Albaicin; with its narrow lanes and fantastic views, it's a great place to watch the sunset.
Day 4 Granada
Enjoy a guided visit to the architectural masterpiece, the Alhambra. In the evening, opt to go for a stroll and check out the local tapas and wine bars.
After visiting the Alhambra, opt to take a wander through this historic city. In the evening, opt for a night on the town. Granada is filled with trendy tapas bars and has a lively music scene.
Due to regulations for Alhambra's ticketing system, your passport information must be provided to G Adventures at least 60 days prior to departure in order to guarantee your guided tour of the Alhambra. See "Important notes" under Tour Details for more information.
Day 5 Granada/Cordoba/Seville
Travel to Seville via picturesque Cordoba. Go for a stroll through the historic Jewish quarter and visit the iconic Mezquita de Cordoba (mosque). In the early evening, continue towards Seville and end your day with free time to get to know the city.
Day 6 Seville
Spend a day enjoying this city and its Moorish influence. Opt to explore the district of Santa Cruz, the Alcázar palace or the world's largest Gothic cathedral. In the early evening, end your day with a dramatic flamenco performance.
Take the time to see all this great city has to offer. Opt to explore the interiors and gardens of the Alcázar, a magnificent palace dating from Moorish times, or the true heart of Seville, the Santa Cruz quarter— a charming area with winding alleys, picturesque lime-washed houses, flowery patios, and small squares. Seville is home to the world’s largest gothic cathedral — climb the adjoining tower for great views of the city. Other attractions include the Museo Arqueológico, the Casa de Pilates and the Parque de María Luisa, which has a maze of paths, garden beds, pretty little patios, fountains, and shaded lawns.
Please note that if you wish to visit popular sites and want to avoid waiting in line, it is advisable to reserve tickets in advance. We recommend pre-arranging your visit to the Alcázar of Seville.
Day 7 Seville/Barcelona
Hop on the train and get comfortable on the journey north to Barcelona. Take an orientation walk, including visits to the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas. In the evening participate in a G Adventures supported paella cooking class, followed by a group dinner to round out the day.
Day 8 Barcelona
Depart at any time.
We highly recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this lively city has to offer. Please speak to a G Adventures representative about booking accommodations in Barcelona after your tour ends. Please note that if you wish to visit popular sites and want to avoid waiting in line, it is advisable to reserve tickets in advance. We recommend pre-arranging your visit to La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà.
Day 1 Arrive Lisbon
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, InterContinental Lisbon. A transfer is included from Lisbon Airport or Santa Apolonia Train Station to the InterContinental Lisbon, located in the heart of the city overlooking the Tagus River. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight at the hotel.
MEALS : D
LODGING : InterContinental Lisbon
PORTOFCALL : Lisbon, Portugal
Day 2 Lisbon landmarks
A vision of carefully planned, elegant streets steeped in history, Lisbon's city center welcomes with an 18th-century ambiance that bears witness to its days of glory during the Discovery Age. A guided tour this morning showcases the downtown Baixa area, Trade Square and Edward VII Park, named in honor of the king of England who visited here in 1902, and includes visits to the Maritime Navy Museum; the Discoveries Monument; and Mosteiro dos Jeronimos. The monastery, commissioned in 1501 soon after Vasco da Gama's return from his historic voyage around the Cape of Good Hope, was built with "pepper money," profits made from the spice trade. Return to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure.
MEALS : B
LODGING : InterContinental Lisbon
PORTOFCALL : Lisbon, Portugal
Day 3 Sintra, Cascais & embark ship
You'll drive to Sintra early this morning for a tour of the eclectic Sintra National Palace. Considered Portugal's best preserved medieval Royal Palace, it was continuously inhabited by Portuguese royalty from roughly the early 15th to late 19th centuries, and is part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive to seaside Cascais, where you'll enjoy lunch before heading back to Lisbon to board your Windstar yacht for the start of your cruise; Dinner will be served aboard the ship tonight.
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : Wind Surf
Day 4 Pleasures of a day at sea
Today, you're free to enjoy all the amenities of Windstar's 5-masted flagship Wind Surf – the world's largest sailing yacht, and a sight to see with her tall sails billowing – fresh from a recent renovation, as you spend an entire day at sea, bound for Cádiz, Spain.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Wind Surf
Day 5 Sights of Seville
After your ship's morning arrival in Cádiz, Spain, drive to historic Seville, standing on the banks of the Rio Guadalquivir. Guided exploration includes visits to the Plaza de España and the pavilions of the 1929 World's Fair on the grounds of Maria Luisa Park; the Palacio de San Telmo, built as a university in 1682 to train ships' pilots, navigators and high ranking officers; the 13th-century Moorish Torre del Oro, towering over the port; the bullring; and the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. After an early tapas lunch, walk through Barrio Santa Cruz, Seville's old Jewish Quarter, followed by a special dance performance at the Museo del Baile Flamenco, where the passion of the dancers resonates with the soul of Andalusia. This afternoon, you'll have a choice of excursions in Seville; one option is a visit to the 15th-century Seville Cathedral – the largest Gothic church in the world – where you'll see Christopher Columbus' tomb. Or visit the royal palace complex, Real Alcázar. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. Dine aboard ship tonight as we chart a course toward Gibraltar.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Wind Surf
PORTOFCALL : Seville, Spain
Day 6 A day in Gibraltar
Just 2¼ square miles, Gibraltar is a town that is also a British ruled country and has a recorded history that dates from A.D. 711. The massive limestone Rock of Gibraltar rises out of the sea to a height of 1,396 feet and is often referred to as the gateway to the Mediterranean. In Greek mythology Gibraltar was the northern bastion of the two Pillars of Hercules. Hercules is said to have stood with a foot on each "pillar," pushed them apart, and formed a bridge across the straits. When the Phoenicians ruled here, the town that was called Calpe then, marked the end of the world, the point beyond which no trader should venture. Stay on "the Rock" today as you visit the storied sites of this legendary place, including streets steeped in British traditions. Dine onboard tonight and set sail for Málaga.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Wind Surf
Day 7 Horses & Picasso in coastal Málaga
The land of dancing Andalucían horses and sherry welcomes you ashore in Málaga and invites you inside a typical manor for a tapas tasting and a private horse show at an Andalucían manor. This afternoon, enjoy a panoramic tour of coastal Málaga highlighted by visions of 14th century Gibralfaro Castle; Plaza Merced; the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, where the painter spent his early years, today the headquarters of the Picasso Foundation, and the ruins of the vast 8th century Alcazaba (Moorish castle) followed by a visit to the famed Picasso Museum. You'll have a few hours to explore Málaga as you wish before returning to your ship.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Wind Surf
PORTOFCALL : Malaga, Spain
Day 8 Granada
Your ship arrives in Almeria this morning for a scenic drive to Granada, created to reflect the Moors' vision of paradise on Earth. Explore this wondrous city during a walking tour followed by lunch at the Alhambra Palace Hotel. Guitarist Andres Segovia described Granada, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, as a "place of dreams." Return to your ship late afternoon and enjoy dinner at leisure onboard.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Wind Surf
PORTOFCALL : Granada, Spain
Day 9 Day at Sea & Cartagena
After Wind Surf arrives in Cartagena early this morning, walk to the city's Roman Forum for a private visit of the 1st-century thermal baths, atrium and a temple dedicated to Isis and Serapys; then enjoy a wine tasting inside the Forum and a demonstration of the art of ham slicing. Set off again aboard Wind Surf around midday, and have more time to experience the onboard pleasures of your Windstar yacht on another full day at sea, bound for Palma de Mallorca.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Wind Surf
Day 10 Palma de Mallorca
Disembark this morning in Palma de Mallorca, for a guided walking tour of the beautiful city of Palma, located on an island exceedingly rich in cultural treasures. Visit Gothic-style Bellver Castle as well as the Gothic Cathedral, La Seu, built of golden limestone and standing in a dramatic location near the waterfront; its interior was remodeled by Antoni Gaudí and it's considered to be one of the most breathtaking buildings in all of Spain. This afternoon you have an opportunity to explore more of Palma as you please. Dine at leisure tonight aboard your Windstar ship as you sail to Barcelona.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Wind Surf
PORTOFCALL : Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Day 11 Explore Barcelona
Disembark ship in Barcelona where you'll spend the next two nights in the capital of Catalonia. In Barcelona, you will find a parade of historical monuments along with outstanding examples of the Modernisme period of art and architecture. Drive to the site of the 1992 Olympic Games on Montjuic, today towering over the harbor with art galleries and museums, an amusement park, nightclubs and a rose-studded open-air theatre.Your discoveries continue with visits to Gaudí's whimsical Parc Güell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of colorful buildings embellished with glass and ceramic mosaics, sculpted animals and creative furnishings, all set in a 50-acre garden city, and Gaudi's unconventional, unfinished la Sagrada Familía, begun by the architect in 1882. Sample classic tapas from Barcelona's history and learn to make Barcelona's favorite dish, pan con tomate under the tutelage of our expert guides, as you immerse in a true taste of Spanish life.
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona
PORTOFCALL : Barcelona, Spain
Day 12 Discover the best of Barcelona
Your day starts with a private visit to the Palau de la Musica Catalana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that truly is a palace of music. The only concert hall in Europe lit by natural light, it is a Modernista celebration of tile work, sculpture and stained glass which you will have an opportunity to view without crowds. A choice of sightseeing excursions includes a visit to the medieval quarter of Barri Gòtic, the historic heart of the city, or a walking tour of Passeig de Gràcia that includes a visit inside Gaudí's whimsical Casa Milá (La Pedrera). Settle into your hotel after lunch, ideally located near landmark sites, for time at leisure. Join us this evening for a memorable Barcelona culinary experience and enjoy a typical Catalan dinner in Barri Gòtic. Spend the rest of the day as you wish, before joining us tonight for a farewell dinner at an 18th-century Baroque-styled guild house recognized as a National Cultural Heritage Site.
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona
PORTOFCALL : Barcelona, Spain
Day 13 Journey Home
Tour ends: Barcelona. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included to Barcelona International Airport from Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona. Allow three hours for flight check-in.
MEALS : B
PORTOFCALL : Barcelona, Spain
