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- Lisbon to Madrid…The Northern Coastal Route
Lisbon to Madrid…The Northern Coastal Route
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Highlights:
Why fly from Lisbon to Madrid when you can take a leisurely journey through some of the best of the Iberian countryside? Enjoy all that Lisbon has to offer then move on to the beautiful Douro Valley before crossing the border into Spain and the noted city of Santiago de Compostela.
Take a break on the Bay of Biscay and then taste the vintages of the Rioja wine Region. Finish up in Madrid with a tour of the Prado with its great artists like Goya, Velasquez and El Greco. Granted it is a tad longer than flying but oh, the memories.
Why fly from Lisbon to Madrid when you can take a leisurely journey through some of the best of the Iberian countryside? Enjoy all that Lisbon has to offer then move on to the beautiful Douro Valley before crossing the border into Spain and the noted city of Santiago de Compostela.
Take a break on the Bay of Biscay and then taste the vintages of the Rioja wine Region. Finish up in Madrid with a tour of the Prado with its great artists like Goya, Velasquez and El Greco. Granted it is a tad longer than flying but oh, the memories.
SKU:
Explore: Lisbon to Madrid
Customizable Itinerary - 13 Days (from $9,386 / person)
Day 1: Depart USA
This evening you head to the airport to board your overnight flight to Lisbon and an adventure that will take you along the scenic coasts of both Portugal and Spain.
Day 2: Welcome to Lisbon
You arrive in the morning and one of our drivers will take you to your hotel which is in one of the trendiest parts of the city. Take that day to relax and unwind. Have dinner at the hotel and then enjoy a nightcap at the elegant rooftop bar and lounge.
Dinner
Day 3: Exploring Lisbon and the Surrounding Area
In the morning your guide will take you on a walking tour of some of the best known food stores and local favorite’s accompanied by beer and wine. Your tastings will vary but could include Biftanas (sautéed Pork on a bun), Portuguese Sardines and delicious desserts like custard tarts. After freshening up at your hotel you will drive along the Estoril Coast, passed the Casino and the trendy village of Cascais until you arrive at the hilltop town of Sintra which was the summer playground of the Royal family. You will visit one of the palaces which have, like many other edifices in the area, an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ quality. After touring the palace you return to Lisbon.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Porto and the Fado Tradition
A morning transfer will bring you to Lisbon station where first class seats are reserved for the journey to Porto. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and taken to your hotel. In the afternoon you will visit the wine lodges which are actually large warehouses where large barrels are used to store Port as it ages to perfection. You will get to sample some. In the evening you will have dinner and then enjoy a performance of Fado which is the evocative music unique to Portugal.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: The Scenic Douro Valley
Today you will follow the Douro River into the interior and the delightful Douro Valley. This is where the wine comes from to create Port but the wines are also excellent on a standalone basis. You will visit some vineyards and then board a boat for leisurely luncheon cruise through the valley as you admire the vineyards rising up from the hillsides on either side of the river.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6: Crossing the Border to Spain
After breakfast your guide will be taking you north, along the coast and in to Spain. You will pass through the Spanish town of Vigo before arriving at the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela where you check into “The oldest hotel in the world”. Built in the 15th Century, to provide shelter to pilgrims, it still provides shelter if in a more contemporary and elegant way. In the afternoon you take a walking tour of the old town which is conveniently located by your hotel. Return to enjoy dinner and then walk off dinner in one of the atmospheric cloisters.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: From the Atlantic to the Bay of Biscay
Your journey today will take you from the Atlantic Ocean to the Bay of Biscay as you change from traveling north to east. Enjoy some coastal scenery before stopping in the city of Oviedo which was, at one time, the capital of the Kingdom of Asturias. Today it is noted for its sculptures of humans that seem to emerge from the pavement. You then arrive at the Bay of Santander and the town of the same name. Take a walk on the grounds or on the promenade before dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: A Day of Options
We have left this day open for you to explore on your own. You can walk into town and enjoy a Pintxos lunch (the Basque version of Tapas). If you like we can set up a trip to nearby Bilbao where you can visit the Guggenheim Museum or travel a little farther to try Basque cuisine in San Sebastian. Just let us know when we are curating the program for you.
Breakfast
Day 9: The Gehry Legacy
After breakfast you will turn inland as you begin your final stage to Madrid. You will drive to Bilbao where you get a chance to view the Guggenheim Museum with its noted design by the American architect Frank Gehry. You then continue to the town of Fuenmayor and the vineyards of Marques de Riscal. In addition to its vineyards the area hosts a hotel which was also designed by Frank Gehry. We will stop to let you walk around and have lunch along with a glass of Rioja? After your stop you continue on to the town of LaGuardia in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa wine area. After you check in you might want to try out the spa before dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: Laguardia and Selected Vineyards
Laguardia is a charming walled city with narrow cobblestone streets and quaint plazas. Your guide will help you explore the area and visit four local vineyards, each rated above 90 points by Parker and including sparkling wines. You will also have lunch accompanied by the appropriate wines. You have the option of selecting wine for shipment back home.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11: Highlights of Madrid
Today you make your way to Madrid stopping for lunch along the way. Upon arrival in Madrid your guide will take you on an orientation tour of the city including Plaza de Espana, and Plaza Castilla and well known avenues like Castellana and Gran Via. Upon completion of your tour you will be delivered to your hotel where your room will be ready for occupancy.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 12: The Royal Palace and the Prado Museum
Today, your guide will meet you in the lobby and take you to the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum. The Royal Palace is the largest in Europe and was built by Philip V in the 18th Century. You will get fast track access and inside you will view a rare collection of ceramics, tapestry and clocks along with the magnificence of the rooms. After the palace, your guide will take you to the Prado Museum, one of the most important art galleries in the world. Here you will find the Spanish masters including Goya, Velasquez, el Greco (actually Greek) and Ribera. They are joined by Raphael, Rubens and Titian among others. After an initial tour, your guide will leave you and you can continue to explore on your own. In the evening you will be taken to a restaurant for dinner followed by a performance of authentic flamenco dancing.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 13: Return to USA
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for a return flight to the USA arriving back the same afternoon.
This evening you head to the airport to board your overnight flight to Lisbon and an adventure that will take you along the scenic coasts of both Portugal and Spain.
Day 2: Welcome to Lisbon
You arrive in the morning and one of our drivers will take you to your hotel which is in one of the trendiest parts of the city. Take that day to relax and unwind. Have dinner at the hotel and then enjoy a nightcap at the elegant rooftop bar and lounge.
Dinner
Day 3: Exploring Lisbon and the Surrounding Area
In the morning your guide will take you on a walking tour of some of the best known food stores and local favorite’s accompanied by beer and wine. Your tastings will vary but could include Biftanas (sautéed Pork on a bun), Portuguese Sardines and delicious desserts like custard tarts. After freshening up at your hotel you will drive along the Estoril Coast, passed the Casino and the trendy village of Cascais until you arrive at the hilltop town of Sintra which was the summer playground of the Royal family. You will visit one of the palaces which have, like many other edifices in the area, an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ quality. After touring the palace you return to Lisbon.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Porto and the Fado Tradition
A morning transfer will bring you to Lisbon station where first class seats are reserved for the journey to Porto. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and taken to your hotel. In the afternoon you will visit the wine lodges which are actually large warehouses where large barrels are used to store Port as it ages to perfection. You will get to sample some. In the evening you will have dinner and then enjoy a performance of Fado which is the evocative music unique to Portugal.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: The Scenic Douro Valley
Today you will follow the Douro River into the interior and the delightful Douro Valley. This is where the wine comes from to create Port but the wines are also excellent on a standalone basis. You will visit some vineyards and then board a boat for leisurely luncheon cruise through the valley as you admire the vineyards rising up from the hillsides on either side of the river.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6: Crossing the Border to Spain
After breakfast your guide will be taking you north, along the coast and in to Spain. You will pass through the Spanish town of Vigo before arriving at the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela where you check into “The oldest hotel in the world”. Built in the 15th Century, to provide shelter to pilgrims, it still provides shelter if in a more contemporary and elegant way. In the afternoon you take a walking tour of the old town which is conveniently located by your hotel. Return to enjoy dinner and then walk off dinner in one of the atmospheric cloisters.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: From the Atlantic to the Bay of Biscay
Your journey today will take you from the Atlantic Ocean to the Bay of Biscay as you change from traveling north to east. Enjoy some coastal scenery before stopping in the city of Oviedo which was, at one time, the capital of the Kingdom of Asturias. Today it is noted for its sculptures of humans that seem to emerge from the pavement. You then arrive at the Bay of Santander and the town of the same name. Take a walk on the grounds or on the promenade before dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: A Day of Options
We have left this day open for you to explore on your own. You can walk into town and enjoy a Pintxos lunch (the Basque version of Tapas). If you like we can set up a trip to nearby Bilbao where you can visit the Guggenheim Museum or travel a little farther to try Basque cuisine in San Sebastian. Just let us know when we are curating the program for you.
Breakfast
Day 9: The Gehry Legacy
After breakfast you will turn inland as you begin your final stage to Madrid. You will drive to Bilbao where you get a chance to view the Guggenheim Museum with its noted design by the American architect Frank Gehry. You then continue to the town of Fuenmayor and the vineyards of Marques de Riscal. In addition to its vineyards the area hosts a hotel which was also designed by Frank Gehry. We will stop to let you walk around and have lunch along with a glass of Rioja? After your stop you continue on to the town of LaGuardia in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa wine area. After you check in you might want to try out the spa before dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: Laguardia and Selected Vineyards
Laguardia is a charming walled city with narrow cobblestone streets and quaint plazas. Your guide will help you explore the area and visit four local vineyards, each rated above 90 points by Parker and including sparkling wines. You will also have lunch accompanied by the appropriate wines. You have the option of selecting wine for shipment back home.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11: Highlights of Madrid
Today you make your way to Madrid stopping for lunch along the way. Upon arrival in Madrid your guide will take you on an orientation tour of the city including Plaza de Espana, and Plaza Castilla and well known avenues like Castellana and Gran Via. Upon completion of your tour you will be delivered to your hotel where your room will be ready for occupancy.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 12: The Royal Palace and the Prado Museum
Today, your guide will meet you in the lobby and take you to the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum. The Royal Palace is the largest in Europe and was built by Philip V in the 18th Century. You will get fast track access and inside you will view a rare collection of ceramics, tapestry and clocks along with the magnificence of the rooms. After the palace, your guide will take you to the Prado Museum, one of the most important art galleries in the world. Here you will find the Spanish masters including Goya, Velasquez, el Greco (actually Greek) and Ribera. They are joined by Raphael, Rubens and Titian among others. After an initial tour, your guide will leave you and you can continue to explore on your own. In the evening you will be taken to a restaurant for dinner followed by a performance of authentic flamenco dancing.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 13: Return to USA
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for a return flight to the USA arriving back the same afternoon.