Incredible Itinerary - SPAIN & PORTUGAL Tour - June 2017 - Information Session

Spain will steal your heart...but it won't steal your wallet. This warm, passionate country is remarkably affordable. In fact, it is the best bargain in Europe today.

From the balmy Mediterranean coast to cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Granada and Seville, all bursting with character, Spain has so much to choose from.

OVERVIEW

Spain’s remarkable history makes it a compelling destination for travellers. Its origins go back to at least the 11th century BC, when Greek and Phoenician settlers first encountered indigenous Iberian tribes. As the Roman province of Iberica, Spain was the birthplace of the emperors Trajan and Hadrian, before becoming a substantial Visigoth kingdom. Seven centuries of Moorish Islamic civilization – unique in Europe – created an artistic legacy of glittering palaces and mosques. By the early 16th century Spanish rulers controlled most of Europe and the New World, heralding a period of unprecedented wealth, and an explosion of building and artistic patronage. In the 19th and early 20th centuries a new dynamism and independent spirit emerged, expressed in exuberant modernist art and architecture. Many of Spain’s historical cities can be explored on foot.

Date for Trip : June 1 to June 20 next year 2017– Expressions of interest please email George at admin@afterwork.com.au

Tour Cost : 20 days of touring for $6995.00 twin share plus air and singles supplement $1495.00 which presents you with quality 4* Accommodation, Full Driving Tour on a Mercedes Sprinter all the way, All Breakfasts, Fully Guided Tours at each destination, all tips, all transfers, and a Professional Tour Director who will video the whole trip, edit the best parts, then give you a USB stick to download onto your computer back home.

7 Reasons why to choose a Small Group Tour.

1. Travelling with only 16 people or less equates to a huge amount of time saved getting on/off the 18 seater Mercedes, baggage unloading, grabbing the keys to your room compared to a 53 seater bus full of people at each and every stop.

2. No stress, no problems, just 20 to 30 hours saved in the overall 20 day trip.

3. The biggest advantage is that we can stop wherever we like, whenever we like for photo shoots, coffee & loo breaks, as our driver “ Laci” will do whatever we like. Big Bus no way!

4. It’s friendlier and far more exciting with less people as we can personally look after you far better.

5. We can manoeuvre into narrow streets and see far more. We guarantee you will see much more travelling with us than any other similar tour.

6. With a private tour like this, it’s easier to have a one on one conversation with tour guides in each city to ask questions, which is practically impossible when competing with 53 people tours.

7. Last but very important, we plan each stop longer so you are not arriving at night and out the next morning missing the essence of that particular city or town.

Itinerary

DAY 1 - Barcelona - We arrive in Barcelona today. To jump start our taste buds I have planned a Barcelona Chocolate tour to fit into our schedule, Yum Yum for anyone who wants to go? Tour includes a visit to the Chocolate Museum, visits to the 3 famous Chocolate shops boasting the best chocolate in Barcelona, tasters of 9 different chocolates per person and discover the hidden corners of Barcelona’s Old Town! Comes with a complimentary glass of Champagne, coffee or tea. If you arrive into Barcelona during the day then you may like to visit the Picasso Museum, A fabulous artist deserves a fabulous museum! This museum is a great reminder of this citizen of Barcelona (he was not from Barcelona!!!), heavily influenced by the Catalan atmosphere. You will learn about the influence of Barcelona in Picasso. With time permitting, visit the Maritime museum or the museum of the History of the City, or go shopping at the colourful market la Boquería. (Overnight in Barcelona)

DAY 2 - Barcelona / Catalonia – This morning you will explore some of Barcelona's wonders. First we must check out the city with a wonderful relaxing walking tour and also a bus tour. Visit one of Antoni Gaudi’s architectural icons, the Sagrada Familia. Marvel at his unique architectural style that includes a mix of Gothic and modern influences, evident in the curvilinear columns and arches. Gaudi dedicated most of his life to this project before his death in 1926. This extraordinary building is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your tour also takes you into the narrow medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter, home to the city’s impressive cathedral. It's also where you'll find La Boqueria, a colourful public market that dates back to 1217. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure. (Overnight in Barcelona)

DAY 3 - Barcelona Today – While visiting the Barri Gotic, Barcelona’s Gothic quarter, you cannot avoid Plaza del Pi. Indeed, this plaza is one of the most beautiful you will find in the city. On this plaza, you will see Santa Maria del Pi, a church with a wonderful rosette, which happens to be one of the biggest in the world. The plaza is not just a pleasant place to have a walk in Barcelona, it is also a must see if you want to enjoy artists performing (singing, acting, playing music). The night life is particularly lively around this area thanks to the bars which are open all year long and which makes the plaza a dynamic place in Barcelona, day or night. (Overnight in Barcelona)

Note: ‘A Homage to Catalonia’ focuses on George Orwell’s wartime experiences in the Catalan capital of Barcelona. For a short period this was the front between communists and fascists and Orwell was caught in the midst of it. He is struck by a bullet that goes through his neck and is lucky to survive.

DAY 4 - Barcelona to Zaragoza via one of the highlights of this Spanish tour. Visiting the magnificent Montserrat, A Monastery, A Madonna, A Mountain // Montserrat, in Catalonia, Spain which is a multi-peaked mountain located near the city of Barcelona will take your breath away. Remember that I said this after we head to Madrid on the same afternoon. (The Madonna is Mary the Christian Symbol “Black Madonna”) learn more when we are there. (Overnight in Zaragoza)

DAY 5 - Zaragoza is the capital of North Eastern Spain's Aragon region. Overlooking the Ebro River in the city center is baroque Nuestra Señora del Pilar basilica, a famous pilgrimage site with a shrine to the Virgin Mary and multiple domes. Mudéjar-style landmarks, combining Islamic and Gothic architecture, include the Aljafería, an 11th-century Moorish palace, and the Cathedral of the Savior, begun in the 12th century. Walking tour of this lovely city is our morning adventure, this city Zaragoza was only a feel good stopover for us on our way to Madrid but really well worth the overnight stop. On the way to Madrid we stop for a coffee or tea In the afternoon, then later check into our Madrid hotel. Tonight let’s go out and paint the town red, maybe!! Let’s enjoy the night life! So much to do, so much to see. We will find yummy eating places, walk the unique pathways and enjoy the bright lights of the city. Maybe go to a show if preferable, but basically enjoy our first night in the capital of Spain, Madrid. (Overnight in Madrid)

Famous Foot Note: Ernest Hemingway was sent to Spain to cover the Civil War as a journalist in 1936. His novel, ‘For Whom A Bell Tolls’ and his manifesto on bullfighting ‘Death in the afternoon’, is more than this, it reveals a deep connection to a place. He writes of his beloved Madrid.

DAY 6 – Madrid and Surrounds - Our full-day excursion takes us out of Madrid to the ancient city of Ávila which sits on a hilltop and is famous for its well-preserved city walls and 90 towers that date back to the 11th century. As part of your guided tour, you’ll learn about the striking medieval walls, towers and gates that dramatically surround Ávila. Segovia next to visit the monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial. Commissioned by Phillip II, this vast structure of over 4,000 rooms was both monastery and austere royal residence. We have lunch in a historic restaurant in Segovia, overlooking the impressive Roman aqueduct before a walking tour exploring Segovia’s cathedral and the extraordinary Alcázar, a beautiful turreted fantasy which reputedly inspired Walt Disney (Overnight in Madrid)

DAY 7 – Madrid – An exciting walking tour on Madrid is always the best way to get up close and personal, and the outskirts by bus to view the outstanding sites for your memories. Later we can head to a wealth of art galleries, two of Madrid’s greatest art galleries. The Reina Sofía is an outstanding museum of contemporary art whose permanent collection includes works by Juan Gris, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso, including his powerful work, Guernica, painted in response to atrocities committed during the Spanish Civil War. The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza is an exceptional private collection with over 800 works dating from the 13th century to the present day. The collection includes magnificent works by Raphael, Titian, and the Impressionists. Another option, you might like to go to the celebrated Prado Museum, first opened in 1819, collection of masterpieces by such artists as Velazquez, Goya and El Greco. (Overnight in Madrid)

Day 8 - We Leave Madrid and head to Toledo, Our Local Specialist Guide takes us on a walking tour of Toledo. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to one of El Greco's most famous paintings – The Burial of Count Orgaz. Visit the synagogue during your guided walk through the narrow streets. Visit a traditional steel factory for a Cultural Insight and see local craftsmen at work. Admire the breathtaking landscape during your drive south, stopping at Carmona, a small picturesque town with many heritage buildings. We visit the Roman necropolis, where more than 300 tombs can be found in subterranean, rock-hewn chambers and climb the Puerta de Sevilla, a fortified Roman gateway for wonderful views. We continue our journey to the city of Cordoba, where Muslim, Jewish and Christian influences are present in the architecture, culture and cuisine. (Overnight in Cordoba)

DAY 9 - Cordoba is also home to the Mezquita, a rare site which has served as both a mosque and a cathedral throughout the centuries. Today a cathedral stands within the centre of this amazing mosque, an interesting example of the interplay of Christian and Muslim cultures in Spain. Discover this supreme example of Islamic architecture on a comprehensive guided tour which continues outside of the Mezquita and explores the charming quarters and hidden corners of Cordoba. Today you will learn more about the importance of olive oil production in the Andalucia region by visiting an oil mill. (Overnight in Cordoba)

DAY 10 - We Leave Cordoba for Granada (wow! what a lovely ring to this famous name Granada) We get to Granada by lunch time, check in, then study the beauty of the city with a walking tour and then free to shop the rest of the day. Maybe Experience a unique cultural tradition in southern Spain at a flamenco show in a Sacromonte cave in Granada. (Overnight in Granada)

Day 11 - Granada - After breakfast, take a guided tour through the incredible Alhambra Palace, one of the world’s great architectural masterpieces. Dating back to the 11th century and taking its name from the Arabic word for 'red castle', Alhambra represents Muslim art in its final European stages. The dominating red fortress towers, sumptuous palace decor, multitude of architectural styles and magnificent gardens of the 'Generalife' (literally meaning ‘architect's garden’) are all set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains. With soothing pathways, fountains, impeccably-maintained hedges, pools, centuriesold defensive walls, turrets, and views overlooking Granada, Alhambra is certainly very memorable. The afternoon is free for you to discover the other highlights of Granada, such as the cathedral and the Albaicin Quarter. (Overnight in Granada)

Day 12 - We leave Granada today on an interesting drive stop drive stop day, visiting all the hidden sites that NO OTHER tour operator will take you to. You will absolutely love this day! Heading south for an hour we stop for morning tea at Motril on the Mediteranian coast. In Motril’s history, there was a Moorish uprising in 1596 that finished in 1570 with the Christians’ victory. This made a recession of sugar production but this finished 5 years later with the repopulation of old Christians. Let’s do a quick 15 minute walk through town, check out the historical buildings then head west to Malaga for a Lunch Break. We then head to Marbella and up to Ronda to see “The Puerta Nuevo” or New Bridge in the town of “Ronda” which is said to be one of the most photographed sites in the world. Then head to our hotel in Gibraltar. (Overnight in Gibraltar)

Day 13 - Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory on the south coast of Spain known for the Rock of Gibraltar, a 426m limestone ridge at its centre. Gibraltar occupies 7 sq. km of the peninsula border. First settled by Moors in the Middle Ages and later ruled by Spain, the outpost was joined to Britain in 1713. You will love the feeling of being in LONDON, well not exactly but a Licensed tour guide will walk the streets and you will discover Gibraltar’s past and its history during the Moorish, Spanish and British periods. Look for the red letterboxes. We go to the “Rock of Gibraltar:” a must on your bucket list of travels. (Overnight in Gibraltar)

Day 14 - A full-day excursion from Gibraltar to the city of Jerez de la Frontera. With its ancient Alcazar (Moorish fortress), eclectic cathedral and huge selection of excellent tapas bars, Jerez is an undiscovered gem in the heart of Andalucia. In these region, this town is synonymous with sherry. Take the opportunity to sample the famous local drop at one of the city’s bodegas. Then it's time to visit Cadiz on the Atlantic coast on our way to the beautiful Seville. (Overnight in Seville)

Day 15 - Seville Explore - If heaven really does exist, then let's hope it looks a little bit like the inside of Seville's Alcázar. In the 12th-century Almohad rulers added another palace east of this. The alcázar and barrio de santA cruz Vibrant and theatrical Seville, the city of Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro, is regarded as the quintessential Andalusian city. Real Alcázar, a palace dating from the 12th to 14th centuries, and an excellent example of pure Mudéjar style, a symbiosis of Christian and Islamic influences. The afternoon is free to explore the maze of cobbled streets of the Barrio de Santa Cruz or visit Seville’s magnificent cathedral, the largest Gothic church in the world. Work commenced on the cathedral in 1402 and was completed in just over a century, a monumental achievement. Little remains of the original 12th-century mosque on the site, apart from the Patio de los Naranjos, but the 12thcentury Giralda, a beautiful 98-metre-high minaret whose summit offers excellent views. (Overnight in Seville)

Day 16 - From Seville we leave Spain and head West to our first Portugal destination, the city of Albufeira in the Algarve region. The Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, is known for its sunny Mediterranean climate and its beach and golf resorts. Whitewashed fishing villages on low cliffs overlooking sandy coves were transformed in the 1960s tourism boom, and nowadays its central coast between Lagos and Faro is lined with villas, hotels, bars and restaurants. Today we explore this beautiful resort at your own pace, or join the tour with our exclusive driver “Laci” along the enchanting southern coastline. History comes alive as you reach the wind-swept Promontory of Sagres, where Henry the Navigator lived and planned his overseas expansion. Only a few miles away is Cape St. Vincent, the southwestern corner of continental Europe, a dramatic cliff defying the waves of an ever-angry Atlantic Ocean. We spend some time in pretty Lagos before returning to your hotel. (Overnight in Albufeira)

Day 17 - Algarve - Lisbon We take the scenic route over the Serra da Arrábida and savor sweeping views of the Tróia Peninsula. Catch glimpses of the castle at Sesimbra, which recall fierce medieval battles between Christians and Moors. After crossing the Bridge of April 25th, you're in Lisbon the capital of Portugal and our final destination. In the afternoon we can walk the streets and absorb the beauty of the city. Also we can do some shopping at our final stop. ( Hop on Hop off bus tickets will be invaluable for 48 hours. ) (Overnight in Lisbon)

Day 18 - Lisbon – We enjoy a walk through the cobblestone alleys of quaint Alfama, the popular quarter of the seamen and Fado singers. We take a bus tour of the city to check out the local scenery. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features a drive through the Baixa quarter's main squares. The history of Lisbon is interesting, it was the centre of Europe's longest-lived overseas empire. Portugal's imperial ambitions date back to Prince Henry the Navigator's 15th-century discoveries in West Africa. We drive along the grand Avenida da Liberdade up to Pombal Square. Stop for pictures of Belem Tower, guarding the mouth of the Tejo River, and visit Jeronimos Monastery with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Exciting optional excursions to Sintra and the royal palace of Queluz, and dinner at a typical taverna with Fado-style entertainment are available for all the group. Spare time for shopping is available today. (Overnight in Lisbon)

Day 19 - Lisbon - Obidos - Alcobaça - Nazaré - Fatima - Tomar – We travel to some of the most amazing historical places today, our last full day of touring. Obidos - Possibly one of the prettiest towns in Portugal, medieval Óbidos has existed for centuries tucked inside its fortified walls; a gleaming white-washed spider’s web of alleyways lined with squat houses, all adorned with flower-smothered balconies, vivid blue azulejo tiles and Gothic doorways. Known as the ‘Wedding Present Town’ due to the tradition of Portuguese kings giving Óbidos to their wives as part of their dowry, the town has benefited from its royal patronage down the centuries. At its heart lies the cobbled main square of Praça de Santa Maria, home to the old town pillory, a majestic fountain and a tiny museum in the town hall. The cluster of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches around Santa Maria square were all founded by various monarchs, as was the Amoreira Aqueduct outside the town walls. Fátima - A central Portuguese town that's home to the Sanctuary of Fátima, a Catholic pilgrimage site. The Capelinha das Apariçoes marks the spot where the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared in 1917. Other sacred sites include the Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário, with its golden angels, and the modern church of Igreja da Santíssima Trindade. The Museu de Arte Sacra e Etnologia exhibits religious artifacts. Tomar – This town in Portugal is one of the jewels in the crown of the country. It is the magical city bursting with handsome architecture and historical significance. The Templar Castle in Tomar was part of the defence system created by the Templar Knights to secure the border of the Christian Kingdom against the Moors and remained a major stronghold for nearly two centuries during the Middle Ages. Later it played a significant part in the New World explorations of the 15th Century, led by one of the Order’s most famous grand masters, Henry the Navigator. (Overnight in Lisbon)

Day 20 - Lisbon to Sydney - We leave Lisbon today (so sad) and say farewell to members of the group heading to other parts of Europe or other parts of the world to continue touring. The rest of us will jump on a flight back to Sydney to continue our “Ground Hog” days,,,!!! That’s Life !! I sincerely hope this tour will be the best in your life and that if would help you decide to one day join me again to travel to another parts of the world.

Warmly and with great friendship I hope you join this amazing unique trip, best regards from George. Please RSVP if interested, we will contact you.

Mobile : 0435 801 602 or Email : admin@afterwork.com.au for more info.