Andalusia, Spain and Portugal

October 14 - 28, 2010

ITINERARY

Day 1-3
From our base in the enchanting town of Toledo, where we stay in a former archbishop’s palace turned elegant hotel, we visit the greatest sights of Toledo and also take a train ride into Madrid for a day to see the Palacio Real, the Prado Museum, and try some tapas at a local café.

Day 4-5
We take a scenic drive through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to spend the next two nights in a beautiful Parador hotel on a hillside above the fascinating old city of Córdoba. The Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral will take your breath away, as will the magnificent gardens of the royal palace (Alcázar). The Mezquita is a unique blend of Moorish and Christian architecture, begun by the Muslims in 780 and enlarged over the centuries by both faiths to its present state containing 850 majestic columns of colored stone. We have time to wander through the Judería (Old Jewish Quarter) with its narrow streets, picturesque courtyards (patios) and bright flowers.

Day 6
We take a short drive to another spectacular wonder, the Alhambra of Granada. Set high on a hill, this remarkable fortress is brimming with palaces and gardens dating from the 14th to the 16th centuries, many containing mosaics, sculptures, towers, and architectural masterpieces of unspeakable grandeur. From Granada we drive south to the Costa del Sol. This beautiful coast is punctuated by the ruins of Moorish towers that were built to defend the locals from Barbary pirates. We then settle into our seaside hotel in Nerja. This charming resort is built on a cliff above sandy coves and lies at the foot of the beautiful Sierra de Almijara. There are sweeping views up and down the coast. Every room has a balcony looking out over the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 7
We spend a relaxing day enjoying the Mediterranean vistas, great seafood, and for those who like nightlife, an evening flamenco show. We take an excursion into the mountains to explore the picturesque village of Frigiliana. This town stands on top of a mountain where there is an impressive panorama of the valley and coastal area. The shops are known for their unique ceramic objects. Of course we must try the local Muscatel wine. Nearby are the magnificent Nerja caves with 20,000 year old prehistoric wall paintings.

Day 8-9
Next we arrive in beautiful Seville, where we stay in the heart of this lively, friendly city of sidewalk cafés, monuments, parks, and of course, flamenco. Our hotel is in the charming Santa Cruz neighborhood, a perfect location from which to walk to the famous cathedral containing the tomb of Christopher Columbus, the Plaza de España with its stunning azulejo tiled bridges, beautiful palaces, parks, churches, and of course many irresistible tapas bars. Our local guide takes us through the magnificent royal palace and into some fascinating corners of the old city.

Day 10
Today we enter a different world as we cross the border into Portugal. In Evora we explore the sights with a charming Portuguese local guide, visiting the Roman Temple of Diana, the beautiful cathedral, and the infamous "Chapel of Bones". We have dinner in a wonderful local Portuguese restaurant where the seafood is the freshest you'll ever taste.

Day 11-13
We spend the next three days in beautiful Sintra, an enchanting hillside village of castles, quaint streets, and beautiful villas and palaces, all overlooking the ocean. From here we can explore the coast up to Nazare and Obidos. We also spend a day in Lisbon, where we visit the Castelo de São Jorge with its vista overlooking the entire city and port, the magnificent Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, the Torre de Belém and the wonderful neighborhoods of the Alfama and the Baixa.

Day 14
In the morning we drive to the Lisbon Airport for the flight home.