best-preserved Roman ruins , including a 6,000-seat Roman theater and amphitheater . |
Spain ’ s artistic history . After some free time in the afternoon , return to Toledo . |
|||||
Mosque-Cathedral , Córdoba , Spain |
Meals : B , D | Parador de Carmona
DAY 8 • Carmona • Optional Seville tour Explore Carmona on your own , or join an optional tour to Seville , the Spanish city renowned for bullfighting , flamenco , and Don Juan . During the optional tour , we ’ ll discover Seville ’ s whitewashed homes , 2,000-year-old plazas , cobblestone streets , and the massive Seville Cathedral .
|
Meals : B | Sercotel Alfonso VI or similar
DAY 15 • Toledo • Flamenco demonstration Enjoy a flamenco demonstration this morning , followed by free time to explore Toledo on your own . This evening , gather for a Farewell Dinner and toast to this adventure .
Meals : B , D | Sercotel Alfonso VI or similar
|
WESTERN EUROPE |
|||
Meals : B , D | Parador de Carmona |
DAY 16 • Return to U . S . After breakfast , we depart for the airport for our return flights home , or fly to Bilbao to begin our post-trip extension to Northern Spain : Bilbao , San Sebastian & Medieval Villages . |
|||||
|
Vineyard , Alentejo , Portugal
DAY 3 • Lisbon Discover Baixa , an area in Lisbon that was rebuilt after the Great Earthquake of 1755 . Tonight , walk to a local restaurant to enjoy a Welcome Dinner together .
Meals : B , D | Hotel Marquês de Pombal or similar
|
DAY 9 • Ronda • Controversial Topic : Bullfighting Journey to Ronda , admiring views of Andalusia ’ s “ white villages ” on the way . Stop at La Cobatilla , a bull ranch , and tour the grounds before enjoying lunch on the property . Then , we ’ ll join the ranch owner for a conversation about a Controversial Topic : bullfighting in Spain . Bullfighting is a tradition , but the country ’ s younger generations view it as animal cruelty .
Meals : B , L | Parador de Ronda
DAY 10 • Ronda Old Town Explore Ronda ’ s walled Old Town , and wander the labyrinth of medieval streets , flanked by Moorish homes . We ’ ll also enjoy views of the canyon from atop the Puente Nuevo Bridge .
Meals : B , L | Parador de Ronda
|
Meals : B
For departure dates & prices , visit www . oattravel . com / wps2024pricing
|
PERSONALIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
|
|||
|
DAY 4 • Sintra National Palace • Cascais • Home- Hosted Dinner
Leave the city to visit Sintra and seaside Cascais , and explore Sintra National Palace , a 15th-century palace where the royal family resided until 1910 . Then , return to Lisbon and visit the Tower of Belém . After , we ’ ll join a local family for a Home-Hosted Dinner .
|
Meals : B , L , D | Hotel Marquês de Pombal or similar |
DAY 11 • Córdoba • Journey to Úbeda Journey to Úbeda , and en route , visit Córdoba . Once an Islamic capital in the tenth century , it rose to become western Europe ’ s largest city . There , explore the Mezquita , its eighth-century mosque and one of the world ’ s greatest Islamic buildings .
Meals : B , D | Parador de Úbeda or similar
|
Northern Portugal : Porto & the Douro Valley
PRE-TRIP : 5 nights from $ 1,695
|
|||
|
DAY 5 • Rural Portugal • Évora Learn about azulejos , the ceramic tiles used to decorate church walls , palaces , and the façades of homes . We ’ ll also try painting some of these tiles ourselves . Then , visit a traditional artisanal cheese producer .
Meals : B , L , D | Pousada de Évora or similar
DAY 6 • Évora • Portuguese cooking lesson Enjoy a walking tour of Évora , an ancient hilltop town , where we ’ ll see the Roman ruins of the Temple of Diana . After , gather for a Portuguese cooking lesson . Then , enjoy time to explore independently .
|
Meals : B , L | Pousada de Évora or similar
DAY 7 • Roman ruins of Mérida • Carmona , Spain Head to Extremadura , Spain , an autonomous Spanish province known as the homeland of conquistadores Pizarro and Cortés . Stop in Mérida , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of Europe ’ s
|
DAY 12 • A Day in the Life of a family-run olive oil mill
Visit a family-owned olive oil mill during our A Day in the Life experience . We ’ ll meet with the owners and tour their olive fields . During our visit , we ’ ll also learn about olive-oil production and sample some extra virgin olive oil . Then , sit down and enjoy a traditional meal with the family .
Meals : B , L | Parador de Úbeda or similar
DAY 13 • Toledo Depart Úbeda for Toledo , stopping en route to visit Puerto Lapice . Upon arrival in Toledo , a local guide will take you on a tour of the city , pointing out ancient synagogues , churches , mosques , and impressive palaces .
Meals : B , L | Sercotel Alfonso VI or similar
DAY 14 • Toledo • Explore Madrid Explore Madrid during a walking tour with a local guide . You ’ ll visit the Prado Museum for a glimpse into
|
Northern Spain : Bilbao , San Sebastian & Medieval Villages
POST-TRIP : 7 nights from $ 2,695
ARRIVE EARLY
We recommend that you relax after a long flight or explore more in depth before your trip . Prices shown include accommodations and private airport transfer .
• Arrive early in Porto before your Northern Portugal pre-trip extension from $ 300 per room , per night
• Arrive early in Lisbon before your main adventure from $ 300 per room , per night
|