Cities of Light, Lisbon & Madrid

Day 2-5

Welcome to Lisbon

More Moments Activities Included

• 48-Hour Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing pass

  Upon your arrival at Lisbon Airport, you’ll take a private transfer to your hotel. After checking in, you’ll have plenty of time to explore this beautiful city at your own pace. Spend 4 nights in Lisbon and take advantage of your “More Moments” activities included.

• Full-day Sintra and Lisbon tour

  Enjoy a a full day of beauty and history as you tour Sintra, Cascais, Belém and Lisbon. Depart from Lisbon and head towards the charming town of Sintra (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), where you will commence a guided tour of the exterior of the stunning Pena Palace (ticket included), an architectural masterpiece set amongst lush gardens. This visit will include a walk through several of the corners of the Palace's exterior, exploring its enchanting gardens and marvelling at the panoramic views offered by the various courtyards and balconies. You’ll then visit Sintra´s historic centre and enjoy some free time strolling through winding streets to explore the traditional shops or enjoy a delicious lunch (not included) at one of the local restaurants. After lunch, you’ll continue to Cascais, a picturesque seaside town where you'll have free time to explore the beach or the historic center. Once you return to Lisbon, you’ll start with a panoramic tour of Belém, where you can admire the imposing Belém Tower and the symbolic Monument to the Discoveries. Stop off at the grand Jerónimos Monastery and walk to the famous Pastéis de Belém house, for a tasting (included). The tour ends with an exploration of Lisbon's city center, providing engaging explanations while taking in Lisbon's emblematic landmarks such as the Estrela neighbourhood, the São Pedro Alcântara viewpoint, Cais do Sodré, Avenida da Ribeira das Naus, Praça do Comércio, Largo Camões, Rossio and Restauradores.

• Lisbon Fado Dinner & Show

  Enjoy a night out for a farewell dinner and Fado show with drinks at one of Fado restaurants in Alfama or Bairro Alto quarters. Fado is known as the “musical expression of the Portuguese people.”  It is considered Lisbon’s version of the blues, marked by a heartfelt emotion and a Portuguese guitar. Each eruptive ballad evokes the Portuguese emotion of “saudade,” a longing for something lost.

Meal(s): Petit-déjeuner, 1 souper

Day 6-9

Lisbon to Madrid

More Moments Activities Included

• Madrid Panoramic Highlights Tour with afternoon Toledo tour

  Today, you’ll check-in at the departure point in central Madrid and leave Plaza de Oriente by air-conditioned coach and head to the magnificent Puerta de Toledo, whose construction dates back from the Napoleonic era. See the oldest bridge in Madrid and drive next to the Manzanares River, where you will have great views of the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral. Pass by Plaza Mayor, once the center of Old Madrid and now the oldest square in the city. Spot significant sights such as the Puerta de Sol on your way to Paseo del Prado and admire the most artistic street in the city and the Prado Museum. Drive by Cibeles Fountain, where Real Madrid fans celebrate the team’s victories. Do not miss Puerta de Alcalá, the most famous of the five ancient gates into the city. There will be a scenic stop for pictures at Las Ventas Bullring and your guide will share some fascinating local insights.

   

  Toledo afternoon tour - Check in again at the tour office in central Madrid and head towards Toledo. Relax and enjoy the scenery on the way to the city. Follow your local guide on a walking tour of the Historic City of Toledo, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986 and was once Spain’s capital. This city highlights a diverse mix of Arab, Jewish and Christian influences. Stroll amid the courtyard cloisters and royal coats of arms at the San Juan de los Reyes Monastery (entrance ticket included). Admire the building sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs to become a royal mausoleum and walk to the Synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca (entrance ticket included). Originally built as a synagogue, it was expropriated and became a Church only 211 years after it opened its doors and today it is a fantastic museum of Mudejar (Arabic) style. Admire the world-famous painting by El Greco – The Burial of the Count of Orgaz – at the Church of St. Tomé (entrance ticket included).  The walking tour continues until reaching the Toledo Cathedral, considered of the most important Gothic Cathedrals in Spain. You will see it from the outside before the guided tour finishes, with some free time to explore.

• Royal Palace and Prado Museum entrance and guided tour

  Start your visit to The Royal Palace of Madrid (entrance ticket included), built in the 18^th century in a classicist Baroque and Italian style, located at the same place where the Alcázar of the Habsburgs used to stand. It covers an area of 135,000 square meters, almost twice as large as Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Versailles, making it the largest palace in Western Europe, as well as one of the largest in the world. Although it is no longer the official residence of the Spanish monarchy, the most important receptions of the Royal Crown are currently held inside. During the guided tour, you will have the opportunity to see the Main Square, the Grand Staircase, the flats of King Charles III, the Queen's flats, the banqueting hall, the royal chapel, the throne room and the crown room. At the end of the visit to the Royal Palace, you’ll take a bus to the Prado Museum (entrance ticket included). The museum's current collection is made up of more than 1,000 works from four different centuries. Our guide will show you some of the most important works by artists such as Velázquez, Goya, Sorolla, El Greco and El Bosco.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 10

Return Home

Meal(s): Breakfast