15D/14N- 2020 Iberian Landscapes of the South

day 1 Sun Lisbon

Meet & greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day and dinner is at leisure.

day 2 Mon Lisbon

Nominated World's leading city destination in 2018, Lisbon is a city full of authenticity where old customs and ancient history intermix with cultural entertainment and hi-tech innovation. Visit Barrio Alto, La Alfama, Placa do Comercio, the Port & Belem. Take a private traditional Tram to discover Lisbon hidden coners like a local. Afternoon will be at leisure. Join your fellow travellers to taste Portuguese delights in a welcome dinner. (BD)

day 3 Tue Lisbon-Experience

Today, you choose your preferred experience:

• Visit Sintra….. a delightful Portuguese town that is situated within the hills of the Serra de Sintra. Hidden within these pine covered hills are extravagant palaces, opulent mansions and the ruins of an ancient castle.
• Petiscos, cod dishes….extend your culinary experience in Lisbon by visiting its local markets and joining a Portuguese cooking class

The rest of the day is at leisure for you to discover Lisbon secrets. (BL)

day 4 Wed Lisbon-Evora-Alentejo

We farewell Lisbon bound for Alentejo. An undiscovered Portuguese region rich on medieval citadels, incredible wine and dramatic landscapes. Our first stop is Evora. In the heart of Alentejo, halfway between Lisbon and the Estremadura region of Spain, lays this UNESCO sight beauty. We continue our discovery deep into the Alentejo with a farm-hotel as our final destination close to Beja Town. A unique location where we´ll be staying the next 2 nights. Taste their own wine and olive oil production before cooking your own dinner with products just taken from their garden. A real farm-to-table experience you will not forget. (BD)

day 5 Thur Alentejo-Monsaraz

We have selected the best views into infinity over the Alentejo plains and the Alqueva reservoir for you. The graceful medieval village of Monsaraz, maintains the magic from ancient times like few others in the world. Suspended in time, the historic village, one of the oldest in Portugal, is a mandatory destination while in Alentejo. Once back at our farm-hotel, take a 4x4 trip across the property. Olive Oil groves, endless vineyards, fruit trees & horses. Join your fellow travellers for a picnic dinner. (BD)

day 6 Fri Sevilla-Jabugo

Welcome to Spain! Sure you´ve heard of Jamon Iberico. Well, we´re bond today for Jamon Iberico Spanish capital, Jabugo. We´ll visit Cinco Jotas, Jamon Iberico Farm, located inside the Natural Park of the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, region of Huelva, Andalusia. The 3,000 inhabitants of Jabugo have a distinct connection with Iberian ham. The profound history behind the 100-year old curing cellars, the unique environment, and the artisan process that goes into creating our indulgent acorn-fed 100% Jamon Ibérico. Carve and taste the Jamon before continuing to Seville, capital of Andalusia. (BL)

day 7 Sat Sevilla

A journey across 5 civilizations. Seville and Andalusia have always been a land desired by different civilisations. Lands loved by Phoenicians, Tartessians, Romans, Arabs, & Christians. It is true that there are places in the world that seem to exert a special force of attraction, Seville is one of them. Afternoon is at leisure. Join your fellow travellers for an authentic tapas dinner at traditional taverns. (BD)

day 8 Sun Sevilla-Cordoba-Sevilla

Visit Cordoba – Not many places in the world can say they have been the capital of Hispania Ulterior (Further Spain) under the Roman Empire, and capital of the Umayyad Caliphate. This splendour can also be seen because of the intellectualism of this city of knowledge, where figures like Seneca, Averroes or Maimonides were born. Rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

day 9 Mon Sevilla-Ronda-Sierra Grazalema whitewashed villages

We farewell Seville to explore Andalusia in depth. Visit Andalusian whitewashed villages of Algodonares, Zahara and Grazalema. The ‘Pueblos Blancos’ of Andalusia preserve a cultural heritage like no other. Each village displays its individual history and continues to pass on artisan crafts through the generations. Continue to Ronda, famous worldwide for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge that carries the rio Guadalevín through its centre. (B)

day 10 Tue Ronda

Ronda is the third most-visited destination in southern Spain. Its two halves lie either side of the El Tajo gorge and are connected by the spectacular “New Bridge”. After the visit and free time for lunch, we will discover the innovative side of Andalusia, LA Organic olive oil farm. Located in the Serranía of Ronda, at an altitude of 800 metres, these olive groves, which are not artificially irrigated or treated with pesticides, produce seven different varieties of olives on hundred-year old trees. Become an olive oil expert after an educational tasting masterclass. (B)

day 11 Wed Ronda-Granada-Antequera

We continue our explorations across southern Spain. Bound for magical Granada, we stop in Antequera. A visit to this historical Andalucían town is a journey almost 5,000 years back in time, beginning with the Bronze Age and the native Iberians. The timeline is there to be followed in this fascinating city's profusion of burial mounds, dolmens, Roman baths, a Moorish Castle, Gothic churches, Renaissance fountains and baroque bell towers. Arrive in Granada. Join your fellow travellers for dinner at an spectacular setting just in front of the Alhambra, Juan Ranas. (BD)

day 12 Thu Granada

Visit La Alhambra - The name Alhambra comes from an Arabic root which means "red or crimson castle", perhaps due to the hue of the towers and walls that surround the entire hill of La Sabica which by starlight is silver but by sunlight is transformed into gold. A unique architectural beauty considered the 8^th wonder of the World. The afternoon will be at your leisure. Join your fellow travellers in the early evening for a walking tour of the Albaicin quarter, a rich repository of Moorish vernacular architecture, into which the traditional Andalusian architecture blends harmoniously. Finish the walk at Templo Flamenco. Local legend describes the cave as a former temple, which explains the larger dimensions as well as the three main chambers forming the shape of a cross. (BD)

day 13 Fri Granada-Madrid

We farewell Granada and Andalusia today bound for Spanish exciting capital, Madrid. Join a night walking tour around the old quarter, Austrias, and taste a tapas dinner in traditional taverns. (BD)

day 14 Sat Madrid

We discover Madrid big metropolitan area and pay a visit to the Royal Palace. Afternoon is for you to enjoy this vibrant city. Join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner. (BD)

day 15 Depart Madrid

This morning your tour comes to an end, ceratin that you´ve enjoyed the Southern Iberian landscapes.

After breakfast you´ll be transferred to the airport. (B)

Inclusions: arrival and departure transfers, 4* luxury hotels, breakfast daily, 2 lunches, 8 dinners, (drinks not included), porterage service in all hotels , professional local tour guides for city tours and experiences, Wine tasting and farm-to-table dinner experience at Alentejo´s farm, 4x4 experience across Portuguese Olive groves, Jamon Iberico ham carving and tasting, all entrance fees included as per itinerary, English speaking tour director, luxury mini coach, local taxes. Maximum 18 participants
Hotels: Lisbon: Bessa Liberdade, Alentejo: Vila Gale Beja, Sevill: Hospes Casas del Rey de Baeza,

Ronda: Catalonia Ronda, Granada: Melia Granada, Madrid: Riu Plaza España (or similar)