14D13N PORTUGAL & SPAIN ~ Essence of Portugal and Spain
Departure: open date
ITINERARY:
D01 ARRIVE LISBON
Upon arrival at Lisbon Airport, transfer to Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal that was once a major hub of the Roman Empire and is today a vibrant and charming metropolis. Go on a tour of Lisbon that takes you to (1) the historic Alfama district characterized by narrow streets and colourful houses and where the Sao Jorge Castle and Lisbon Cathedral are located; and, (2) the water-fronting district of Belem where two of Portugal’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower – are located. Not to be missed while at Belem are the delicious Portuguese custard tarts! In the evening, and at your own leisure, you may wish to check out the Bairro Alto district known for its lively nightlife thanks to its central location and numerous bars and eateries.
D02 LISBON [B]
Enjoy another day in Lisbon at your own leisure. (If the tour of Lisbon could not be done on your day of arrival in Lisbon due to time constraint, it would be conducted today.) You may wish to take a ride on Tram 28 to discover more of Lisbon.
D03 LISBON: SINTRA [B]
Today, we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra, a picturesque town in the nearby Sintra Mountains renowned for its beautiful cultural landscape and in particular its fairytale castles and lush gardens. Key attractions at Sintra are the Moorish Castle, Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira.
D04 LISBON – PORTO [B]
Today, you will board a high-speed train and head to Porto, the second largest city in Portugal whose historic centre, Ribeira, renowned for its narrow cobblestone streets, medieval architecture and picturesque waterfront, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other top attractions in Porto include (1) the Dom Luís I Bridge, the double-decker bridge that is probably Porto’s most iconic feature; (2) the Livraria Lello, a bookstore that ranks among the most beautiful bookstores in the world thanks to its neo-Gothic architecture; and (3) the Port Wine cellars. Not surprisingly, Porto’s old world charm has earned it the reputation of being one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful city!
D05 PORTO: DUORO VALLEY [B]
Today, you will visit the Douro River Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning scenery of winding terraces and vineyards that produce the country’s beloved port wine. Enjoy a boat tour along the Douro River, a Portuguese meal and wine tastings at vineyards.
D06 PORTO [B]
Enjoy Porto at your own leisure.
D07 PORTO – LISBON [B]
Today, we head back to Lisbon. Enjoy the rest of the day in Lisbon at your own leisure.
D08 LISBON – MADRID [B]
Today, you will take a flight to Madrid, the political, economic and financial centre of Spain and also its largest city. Apart from its renowned rich repositories of art and cultural gems, Madrid, as a modern metropolis, offers a taste of the everyday life and lifestyle of the Spanish people. Spend the rest of the day in Madrid at your own leisure. Ranking high among the most-compelling attractions in Madrid are the Prado National Museum that houses one of the largest and finest art collections in the world and the city’s two very popular and historic public squares – Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol.
D09 MADRID: TOLEDO [B]
Today, you will go on a city tour of Madrid before heading out to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Toledo, an ancient town that was once the capital of Spain. Topping its long list of historic gems in Toledo is probably the imposing 13th century Toledo Cathedral considered by many as one of the most important Gothic structures in Europe. The town itself has often been described as an open-air museum encapsulating the history of Spain.
D10 MADRID: AVILA and SEGOVIA [B]
Today, we will go on a guided day trip to Avila and Segovia, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The ancient town of Avila is characterized by its well-preserved walls and historical and exceptional monuments both within and outside the walls. The most iconic symbol of the ancient town of Segovia is probably its Roman Aqueduct, a 16km elevated water conveyance structure built in the 1st century that is still in use today.
D11 MADRID – BARCELONA [B]
Today, you will board a high-speed train and head to Barcelona. The seaside city of Barcelona, the capital of the region of Catalonia, is the second largest city in Spain. Almost synonymous with Barcelona is one of Spain’s most celebrated architect and designer, Antoni Gaudi, whose avant-garde surrealist buildings and structures include the world-renowned Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. There are 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in or near Barcelona and 7 of them were works of Gaudi. The most historic part of Barcelona that dates back over 2 millennia is its Gothic Quarter, known for its unique and well-preserved gothic architecture. And standing tall in the Gothic Quarter is the impressive gothic Barcelona Cathedral. La Rambla – the “social hub” of Barcelona – is a tree-shaded pedestrian street lined with shops, restaurants and outdoor cafes that is popular with both locals and visitors. Enjoy the rest of the day in Barcelona at your own leisure.
D12 BARCELONA: MONTSERRAT / GIRONA [B]
Today, you will go a guided day trip to Montserrat, a multi-peaked mountain range about 45km northwest of Barcelona, where the Benedictine monastery Santa Maria de Montserrat is located. The summit of Montserrat offers spectacular views of the region of Catalonia.
Alternatively, you can go on a guided day trip to Girona, a medieval walled city considered by many as the jewel of Catalonia. Rivalling Barcelona in terms of historical importance in Catalonia, Girona’s historic structures and ambience earned the city the privilege of being the Game of Thrones filming locations of the Kings Landing, Braavos and the Citadel of Oldtown. Remember the scene of Queen Marjorie’s walk of shame? The steps she descended on are the steps of the Girona Cathedral.
D13 BARCELONA [B]
Today is an endless day of shopping at the very popular La Roca Village, an outlet-style luxury shopping destination with over 140 leading brands!
D14 BARCELONA: SAGRADA FAMILIA | DEPART BARCELONA [B]
Visit Sagrada Familia with an express entry pass at your own pace. Thereafter, free time until your transfer to Barcelona Airport for your departure flight (if your flight back home is in the evening). Otherwise, spend another night in Barcelona before your transfer to the airport.
Price:
S$4,620 per person, for twin/triple sharing
Minimum 4pax to go
S$4,890 per person, for twin/triple sharing
For group of 2-3pax
