Paradores & Pousadas of Portugal & Spain

Depart U.S. for Lisbon, Portugal

Arrive Lisbon We arrive in the Portuguese capital and transfer to our hotel. As guests’ arrival times vary, we have no group activities planned during the day. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner.

Lisbon/Queluz

This morning’s city tour includes the Jeronimos Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture; iconic Belém Tower; and the Monument to the Discoveries commemorating Portugal’s storied explorers. Return to the city center for a guided walk around Figueira Square, the center of the Baixa district.  This tour will end at the bottom of the Alfama District. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore as we wish.

Lisbon/Evora

Evora

Our morning walking tour of Evora introduces us to the many charms of this architectural gem – a university town, prosperous regional capital, and UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the many relics of its Roman and Moorish heritage. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this “Golden Age” city as we wish.

Evora/Mérida, Spain/Carmona

Today we travel east through countryside peppered with the ruins of fortresses and castles to the Spanish border town of Mérida. Once the capital of ancient Lusitania (Latin for the kingdoms of Spain and Portugal), Mérida boasts outstanding Roman ruins. There’s time to explore and eat lunch on our own before we continue on to Carmona and our parador, a restored 14th-century Arab fortress.

Carmona/Seville

This morning we visit splendid Seville, Moorish capital of Spain’s Andalusia region and city of beauty and romance. This is theplace that inspired Carmen and Don Giovanni; where fragrant orange trees and flower-bedecked balconies delight the senses; and home of the renowned Catédral, Vthe world’s largest Gothic building. After a tour that includes the Alcazar palace and the Arab quarter, the afternoon is free to explore independently. We return to Carmona late afternoon and dine at our parador this evening.

Carmona/Cordoba

Today’s visit to this cultural gem promises to be special indeed. First the capital of Roman Spain, then of Moorish Spain, Cordoba features some of the country’s most important monuments, including the Old Quarter built around the magnificent Mezquita mosque. It was here that the Moors ruled from the 8th to the 11th centuries and fostered a culture of learning and religious harmony known the world over. Cordoba also is home to Andalusia’s only synagogue to survive the expulsion of Spain’s Jews in the 15th century. After touring these and other highlights we have free time to explore on our own. Late this afternoon we return to our parador, where we dine tonight.

Carmona/Ronda

Leaving Carmona this morning we travel south to tiny Ronda, one of Spain’s oldest and most aristocratic towns. It’s set high in the mountains with whitewashed houses clinging improb-ably to the edge of El Tajo Gorge – 500 feet deep and 300 feet wide.

Ronda

This morning we take a walking tour of Ronda. We return to our parador, Ronda’s original town hall, for a special tapas lunch, then the rest of the day is free for independent exploration.

Ronda/Granada/Úbeda

Continuing our journey, we travel today to Granada, the former stronghold of Moorish Spain set in the foothills of the snowcapped Sierra Nevada. The city’s undisputed highlight is the Alhambra, the extraordinary palace of Spain’s last Moorish rulers. Sprawled across a hilltop above the Darro River, the Alhambra commands breathtaking views of the city below, as we see on our afternoon tour of this splendid citadel. We also visit the Granadian-style Generalife, the palace’s acclaimed gardens. Late afternoon we travel north to Úbeda and our next parador, where we dine tonight.

Úbeda/Toledo/Madrid

A highlight is in store today as we visit Toledo, capital of medieval Spain. Declared a Spanish National Landmark, the city is little changed visually from its 16th-century days as a subject for the artist El Greco. Toledo boasts an incomparable hilltop setting overlooking the Castillian plains and is surrounded on three sides by the Tagus River. After lunch on our own, we see Toledo’s most important sights on our guided tour, including the massive Gothic Cathedral. Then we continue on to Madrid, arriving late afternoon. Dinner tonight is on our own.

Madrid

Our morning tour of this monumental and dignified capital city includes vast Plaza Mayor; the Moorish medieval district; and opulent 18th-century Palacio Real (Royal Palace). Then we sample some of Madrid’s specialties over a lunch of tapas. Our tour ends at the Prado, one of the world’s greatest museums, displaying treasures by Spanish masters Goya, El Greco, and Velazquez. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. Well known for its “foodie” culture, Madrid offers a bounty of restaurants for dinner on our own tonight.

Madrid

A free day to enjoy the Spanish capital as we wish. Tonight we bid “Adios” to Spain and our fellow travelers at a farewell dinner.

Depart for U.S

We transfer to the airport this morning for our connecting flight to the U.S.