15 Day Northern Spain, Portugal & France from $4999 no single supplement Book by 30 November 2016 Departs weekly 29 April to 14 October 2016

Escorted Package Includes 

Return economy airfares from All Australian Capital Cities to Madrid and Barcelona. Airline taxes & fuel surcharges

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13 nights First Class accommodations o 2 nights Madrid o 1 night Salamanca o 1 night Porto o 2 nights Santiago de Compostela o 1 night Oviedo o 2 nights San Sebastian o 2 nights Toulouse o 2 nights Barcelona Hotel taxes, fees & service charges including Barcelona city taxes Hotel porterage All transfers 18 meals: 13 breakfasts, 5 dinners with wine & mineral water Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout Services of local guides in all major cities Entrance fees per itinerary Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring

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Special Features            

Visit the Prado Museum in Madrid and view an astonishing collection of Spanish masterpieces View the Alcazar in Segovia with its soaring turrets, moats and magical towers Visit the Stock Exchange, renowned for its exquisite facade and ornate gilded Arabian Hall in Porto Enjoy a Port Wine tasting in Porto Visit the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, one of the most popular pilgrim destinations in the world Enjoy a traditional cider pouring demonstration in Oviedo Explore the Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry in Bilbao Visit the stunning seaside resort of San Sebastian, called the “Pearl” of northern Spain Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, a major Roman Catholic pilgrimage site Admire the Saint-Sernin Basilica in Toulouse, a major stop on the route of St. James Visit the impressive fortified walled city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Tour the Santa Maria del Mar Basilica in Barcelona

DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Spain Depart for Spain DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in Madrid Arrive in Madrid, Spain's energetic capital and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Manager and fellow travellers followed by an orientation on the upcoming journey through Spain, Portugal and France. Overnight: Madrid DAY 3, Monday - Madrid City Tour This morning begin with a sightseeing tour of Madrid. Drive along the Gran Via through the Opera District, Plaza de Colon and view the Royal Palace. Pass through Puerta del Sol Plaza and Plaza de España with its monument to the author Cervantes. The tour will end at the world-renowned Prado Museum, where you will be able to view works of art by famous artists such as El Greco, Velázquez, and Ribera. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or, join the optional tour to Toledo, former capital of Spain and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Visit St. Tome Church with its El Greco masterpiece and Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue with its beautiful Moorish architecture. Optional: Half Day Toledo (PM) Overnight: Madrid Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Tuesday – Segovia and Avila en Route to Salamanca Travel across the rugged Sierra de Guadarrama to the historic city of Segovia. View the best preserved 1st century AD Roman Aqueduct, symbol of the city, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the fairy-tale Alcazar with its soaring turrets, moats and magical towers (inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle). On to the powerful Gothic Cathedral that took almost 200 years to complete. Walk through the Jewish Quarter, with its remains of a synagogue, palaces and museums. Then, to stunning Avila, surrounded by imposing city walls, one of Spain's best preserved bastions with its convent that pays homage to St. Theresa, founder of the Order of the Carmelites. Drive to the lively university town of Salamanca; view the 12th century Old Cathedral, the Salina and Monterrey Palaces and the historic centre of the city. Arrive at Plaza Mayor, considered Spain's most beautiful central plaza, exceptionally memorable when illuminated at dusk. Dinner together tonight in Salamanca. Overnight: Salamanca Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 5, Wednesday – Regua, Delightful Porto Depart for Portugal and make your way to Regua. Travel the scenic port wine road and visit Quinta do Seixo, one of the biggest estates of Sogrape, producing both Porto & Douro wines. Enjoy a wine tasting before you return to Regua for leisure time. Then, continue to the delightful Northern city of Porto with a dramatic setting on the banks of the Douro river. Tonight, participate in the optional Douro River Cruise with dinner. Cruise along the colorful river valley, viewing the city from a new perspective. Pass by the numerous port wine cellars and under the magnificent bridges crossing the valley. Afterwards, enjoy a meal of local specialities in a typical restaurant with drinks included Optional: Douro River Cruise with Dinner (PM) Overnight: Porto Meals: Breakfast DAY 6, Thursday – Porto City Tour, Santiago de Compostela Start your morning with a sightseeing tour of Porto. Take a panoramic drive to the mouth of the Douro river, and visit the 14th century Gothic Church of Sao Francisco with its gilded baroque columns and the Stock Exchange, renowned for its exquisite neoclassical façade and ornate Arabian Hall. Finish the tour with a visit to a Port Wine Cellar for a tasting of the famous Port wine. This afternoon leisurely drive to Santiago, the legendary destination for Pilgrims who walked the “Saint James Road” to visit the shrine here. Overnight: Santiago de Compostela Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 7, Friday – Explore Santiago de Compostela This morning, take a guided tour of Santiago de Compostela, one of the most popular pilgrim destinations since the Middle Ages, and where the remains of the Apostle St. James are laid to rest. Visit the city’s world-famous Romanesque cathedral and Praça do Obradoiro, a monumental square surrounded by magnificent buildings in various styles. Balance of the day is at leisure for individual pursuits.

Overnight: Santiago de Compostela Meals: Breakfast DAY 8, Saturday – Ribadeo en Route to Oviedo Depart for Oviedo, a treasure trove of Spanish religious architecture. En route stop in the lovely port town of Ribadeo. View the church of Santa Maria do Campo and the ruins of an ancient Franciscan convent. Arrive in Oviedo in the afternoon with balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy a traditional cider pouring demonstration during your dinner of local delicacies Overnight: Oviedo Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 9, Sunday – Covadonga, Bilbao, Travel to San Sebastian Depart Oviedo and stop in Cangas de Onis to view the Shrine of our Lady of Covadonga, located in the Picos de Europa mountain range. Continue to culture rich Bilbao to visit the gleaming Guggenheim Museum. Designed by Frank Gehry, the inspirational design utilizes flowing canopies, ship shapes, towers and flying fins. The museum houses an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art. Later this afternoon, arrive in San Sebastian for dinner and overnight. Overnight: San Sebastian Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 10, Monday – Full Day in San Sebastian Today, a full day at leisure to enjoy this stunning seaside resort, with its charming harbor and beaches. Perhaps, join the optional St. Jean de Luz & Biarritz Tour. Drive along the scenic coastline at the foot of the Pyrenees mountains, towards the French border. Arrive at the resort town of St. Jean de Luz, renowned for its vast beaches, famous crescent-shaped bay and the Church of Saint John the Baptist. Continue to glamorous Biarritz, buffered by the Atlantic surf. See the lighthouse and the Hotel du Palais, originally built for the Empress Eugénie around 1855 as a summer villa, refurbished to a stunning luxury hotel. Enjoy some free time exploring this fashionable resort before returning to Spain. Optional: Half Day St. Jean de Luz & Biarritz Tour (AM) Overnight: San Sebastian Meals: Breakfast DAY 11, Tuesday – Lourdes, Travel to Toulouse Your journey continues to Lourdes, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, that rose to international fame in 1858 when visions of the Virgin Mary were described at the Grotto of Massabielle. The town is now a major site of Roman Catholic pilgrimage and of reported miraculous healings. Visit the sacred church, sanctuary and grotto where the apparitions took place and behold the healing water spring from the grotto, believed to possess healing properties. Time to reflect on your own before departing this holy city for Toulouse. Explore the lively Capitole Square with its myriad of shops and restaurants. Overnight: Toulouse Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Wednesday – Toulouse Sightseeing After breakfast, you will begin with an orientation of this regional capital. Known as the Pink City, on the river Garonne, Toulouse is known latterly for its modern aircraft and space rocket manufacturing. View the Capitole square and City Hall, which is organized around the Henry the fourth courtyard, adorned with the French king’s statue. Visit the Saint-Sernin Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built from the 11th to the 14th centuries, and a major stop on the pilgrimage route of St. James. It is one of the largest Romanesque churches in Europe. Afternoon is at leisure for individual pursuits or, join the optional Albi Tour. Travel to the historic city of Albi and visit the ancient center of the city, adorned with brick houses, and the former home of famous painter Toulouse-Lautrec. Discover the imposing SainteCécile Cathedral, with its lavish interior and Berbie Palace, now a museum devoted to painter Toulouse Lautrec. Optional: Half Day Albi Tour (PM) Overnight: Toulouse Meals: Breakfast DAY 13, Thursday – Medieval Carcassonne, Barcelona The first stop today is at the fairy-tale medieval town of Carcassonne. Your guided walking tour takes you around Europe's best restored ancient fortified city with its over fifty towers and turrets, still standing today. Stroll along the cobbled streets to the St. Nazaire Basilica, adorned with magnificent stained glass and intricate carvings. Browse the shops selling medieval wares, and perhaps taste some of the local peasant stews at a café in the fortified town. Later, continue towards the Mediterranean Sea and back into Spain and the city of Barcelona Overnight: Barcelona Meals: Breakfast DAY 14, Friday - Barcelona City Tour This morning’s tour of Barcelona begins with a panoramic drive of the old Harbor, Plaza de España and Plaza Catalunya. In the charming Ribera district, visit the beautiful Santa Maria del Mar Basilica. You will also have a chance to pass by Gaudi's iconic La Sagrada Familia, a colossal church that is legendary and still unfinished. Ascend Montjuic Hill, home to the Olympic Complex, a number of sports facilities built for the 1992 Olympics and at its center is the impressive Olympic Stadium. The sleek Olympic Tower was built as the main communications tower for the games. Tonight, share wonderful memories with your Tour Manager and newfound friends at the Farewell Dinner in this fascinating city Overnight: Barcelona Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 15, Saturday - Depart Spain Transfer to the Barcelona airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast