Gardens of Portugal and Spain - GPS
THIS ITINERARY IS THE PROPERTY OF THE TOUR COMPANY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Explore the scenery and wonderful gardens in Spain and Portugal. This tour will include a real highlight travelling to the town of Cordoba where you will visit some of the patios that make up Cordoba’s annual Patio Festival. See private homes open up their proudly designed patios in a bid to take out the coveted award of best patio of the year. Breakfast daily and welcome and farewell dinners included.
Some of the highlights include:
- Prado Museum
- Fronteira Palace
- Parque de Pena
- Monte palace gardens
- Douro Valley
- Royal Palace Alcazar
- PLUS MORE
Includes
Meals included:B = continental breakfast, D = Welcome and other dinners as per final itinerary.
Dates
Starting May - $8,575. Single supplement $1,995.
Itinerary
On arrival transfer to our centrally located hotel. Later meet the rest of the group members and enjoy a welcome dinner (included). D Accommodation: 2 nights
Visit the palace and gardens of the Fronteira Palace. Travel to the beautiful town of Sintra. Visit Parque de Pena, built by King Consort Fernando II in a gothic style. Later, visit the house and garden at Quinta de Regaleira - a garden which exudes extravagance. B
This morning we visit Porto, where we have a town tour and some free time to explore. We visit Quinta do Alao Garden dating from 1684. This afternoon explore Porto’s Old Town at leisure. B
Enjoy a morning tour of World Heritage-listed Guimarães, often referred to as the ‘Birthplace of the Portuguese nationality’. This afternoon enjoy scenic cruising through the Douro Valley en route to Entre-Os-Rios. B
We spend this morning at Biscainhos Palace - a delight for any lover of baroque architecture, and enjoy a tour inside the palace and its tiered gardens with flower-beds and fountains. Arrive this afternoon town of Regua for overnight. B
Today we visit two wonderful gardens including the gardens of Casa de Santar, home to the Countess of Santar. With its parterre gardens, tightly clipped topiary and particularly interesting tile work this garden is sure to delight. Afterwards we continue to another garden of geometric design deep in the Beira Alta surrounded by hazelnut groves and orchards. B
Enjoy a trip to the Palacio de Mateus, just outside the city of Villa Real. Discover the fascinating story behind Mateus Rosé wine, which the palace has long been associated. Explore the gardens with their lovely topiary work and impressive cedar tunnel. B
Travel to Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small fortified 16th century village that offers lovely 360-degree views. Wander down very narrow medieval streets and visit the Chafariz dos Pretos fountain. B
This morning we explore the medieval city of Caceres - World Heritage listed and a blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance styles. We finish the day in the town of Zafra and spend the night in a majestic castle that dates from the year 1437 as a Palace for the Dukes of Feria. B Accommodation: Parador de Zafra or similar.
A real highlight today travelling to the town of Cordoba where you will visit some of the patios that make up Cordoba’s annual Patio Festival. See private homes open up their proudly designed patios in a bid to take out the coveted award of best patio of the year. B Accommodation: 2 nights
Spend a full day exploring Cordoba and the Patio Festival at leisure. B
Travel across to Seville this morning, the Andalusian capital. Visit the Royal Palace Alcazar with its gardens. Visit one of the most magnificent royal residences of Spain - from its construction in 913 under the Caliphate of Cordoba to the present day and the great moments of Spanish history with a diversity of architectural styles. See beautiful Mudéjar art dating from the mid-13th century. B Accommodation:
Make your way to Granada at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains that is renowned for its Moorish architecture and influences. Tour the Albaicin area that was the King’s residence in the 11th century, which has fantastic views over the Alhambra. B Accommodation: 2 nights Hotel Alhambra Palace Granada, or similar.
Visit the most impressive site in Granada, the Alhambra Palace. The pinnacle of Moorish art perched high above the city was not only a palace but also a fortress and home of the Nasrid Sultans. Continue to the Generalife Palace and its gardens, built as the summer paradise for the Sultans of Granada, to see beautiful terraces, grottoes and flower beds once enjoyed by its Moorish inhabitants. B
Travel to the historic city of Toledo, known to be Spain’s medieval capital, before arriving in the bustling city of Madrid. B
Enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Madrid as well as a visit to the principal art museum in Spain, the Prado Museum which houses the single best collection of Spanish art in the world. B
Today we visit El Escorial and La Granja de San Ildefonso gardens. El Escorial was commissioned by Phillip II of Spain in 1557 and became a Palace Monastery with an impressive formal garden, planted with flowers resembling Turkish carpets. La Granja de San Ildefonso was to be the Spanish Versailles. The gardens extend over 1,500 acres - one of the best examples of 18th century European garden design. Tonight enjoy our farewell dinner (included). B,D
Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. B
Meals included: B = continental breakfast, D = Welcome and other dinners as per final itinerary.