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Itinerary
for Spain, Portugal & Morocco Tour - October 2010 |
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Included meals are indicated as B =
Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner |
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11.10.10
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Depart Sydney at
11:00am on TG 456, arriving in Bangkok at 4:25pm.
Depart Brisbane at 2:20pm on TG 474, arriving in Bangkok at 8:40pm.
Depart Melbourne at 5:05pm on TG 466, arriving in Bangkok at 10:35pm.
All flights will be met at Bangkok Airport and transferred to the
Manhattan Hotel, centrally situated in the Sukhumvit shopping and
entertainment area and within easy walking distance to a Skyrail
station & an underground station.
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12.10.10
(B)
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Bangkok
Morning free. Early in the afternoon we depart our hotel
for the three hour trip to Cha'am on the Gulf of Siam, staying in the
beach front Methavali Hotel Cha'am.
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13.10.10
(B, D)
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Cha'am
Evening tour of Hua Hin by night. We leave the
hotel mid afternoon and travel to inspect the interesting teak wood
palace of King Rama VI. We then travel to Hua Hin for a short stop at
the central shopping area. After this there will be time for shopping
at Hua Hin's night market. Next we travel by foot-pedalled tri-shaws
(the tri-shaw operators do the pedalling!) to a harbour side restaurant
for a lovely seafood and chicken dinner.
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14.10.10
(B)
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Cha'am
Optional tour to Petch Dam and Lake. Morning scenic drive
to Petch Dam. First stop is at a meditation centre with a huge lady
Buddha statue. Then we board a long tail boat for a two and a half hour
boat tour on the lake created by the dam, viewing beautiful national
park country with small scattered Karen hill-tribe settlements. We stop
on a small island and inspect its interesting temple. We then do a
short walking circumvention of the island to see its interesting
statues. We next have lunch (included) at a lovely restaurant
overlooking the lake, before returning to Cha'am.
Price $42.00
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15.10.10
(B, D)
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Cha'am - Bangkok
Morning free. Early afternoon depart hotel to transfer to
Bangkok Airport. We stop in Petchaburi to see the mountain top palace
of King Rama IV (of 'The King and I' fame). This is a fascinating place
set in a garden of frangipani's. We visit a large temple set in a
natural cave. After this we drive through to Bangkok, where we have
dinner (included) and then onto Bangkok Airport. |
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16.10.10
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Depart Bangkok at 12:05am on TG 948, arriving in Madrid at
8:00am. Transfer to the Praga Hotel for a three night stay. |
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17.10.10
(B, D)
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Today there will be a tour to the Escorial monastery &
the Valley of the Fallen.
Experience the grandeur of the El Escorial monastery on a guided
half-day trip from Madrid. Afterwards, visit the poignant Valley of the
Fallen monument erected in memory of the millions who died in the
Spanish Civil War. Gain insights into Spain's intriguing history at
these symbolic monuments reflecting the Spanish monarchy, church and
20th Century conflict.
The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo El Real was built by King Phillip II
to house the remains of his parents, Charles I and Isabella of
Portugal. The austere Renaissance complex combines a palace and
monastery, and features a wonderful collection of art. On your visit,
an experienced guide will take you for a tour of the complex, including
the Pantheon of Kings and basilica.
Located six miles (9.5 Kilometres) north of El Escorial lies the Valley
of the Fallen, a vast basilica built into the side of a mountain and
topped by a gigantic granite cross. The monument was built by the
Spanish dictator General Franco to remember the dead of Spain's Civil
War. You take a guided tour inside the Basilica, and admire the
spectacular valley landscape surrounding the complex.
Tonight you will meet your European tour director. |
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18.10.10
(B) |
Madrid
Madrid is the Spanish capital and is situated 2,180 feet above sea
level, the Spaniards say it's the nearest thing to heaven. You've only
a day here and it's certainly worth making the most of it by joining
the included guided sightseeing tour; a full panoramic drive by way of
the Avenida Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Parliament Square, and a picture
stop outside the Royal Palace. The optional trip to Toledo is most
rewarding, too! The splendid setting of this old walled city above the
Tagus was made famous in El Greco's painting, and even now it's like a
great open-air museum of Spanish history and art. |
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19.10.10
(B, D) |
Madrid - Avila - Coimbra, Portugal
Today we travel west for a visit to fortified Avila with its many
towers. Next is Salamanca, just six miles from the spot where
Wellington routed Napoleon's army in 1812. Make sure you spend some
time wandering around Plaza Mayor, the grandest square in Spain. Across
the frontier to Guarda, the highest town in Portugal. From here,
descend to the valleys of the Serra da Estrela to Coimbra for
your overnight stay. |
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20.10.10
(B) |
Coimbra - Fatima - Lisbon
This morning, enjoy your orientation tour of Coimbra, celebrated for
its beauty and ancient university. Later, travel southwards to Batalha
with a visit to its beautifully sited monastery. Today's penultimate
highlight is a visit to the Sanctuary of Fatima.
A sterner and more desolate landscape accompanies you to Lisbon for
your overnight stay in Portugal's capital. A stop en route includes a
wine bodega and some wine tasting. |
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21.10.10
(B) |
Lisbon
Henry the Navigator made Lisbon the 15th century mistress of the seas.
On the included tour, see his monument, the Belem Tower, the Moorish
Citadel, and the impressive Black Horse Square. Spend the afternoon in
the Alfama's tile-decorated streets, or take an optional excursion to
coastal Estoril and Cascais. |
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22.10.10
(B, D) |
Lisbon - Seville, Spain
From the rolling plains of the Alentejo with its woodlands of cork and
eucalyptus trees, southwards all the way to the brilliant light of
Andalucia. Admire its neat white-painted villages and sun-drenced
plantations of olives, figs, and almonds, while travelling by way of
Beja into magnificent Seville. |
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23.10.10
(B) |
Seville
A day at leisure in one of Spain's most colourful cities. |
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24.10.10
(B, D) |
Seville-Ferry to Morocco-Fez
An interesting drive today which starts with views of the sherry wine
region before reaching the coast for embarkation on the ferry to
Morocco. Next, motor south along what was once northern Africa's
infamous Barbary Coast. Join the new motorway for the drive southwards,
then west, bypassing Meknes for your two overnight stays in Fez. |
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25.10.10
(B) |
Fez
At leisure in ancient Fez, which occupies a position of outstanding
scenic beauty. This morning, visit the Medina on the included
sightseeing and enjoy the maze of narrow streets through the colourful
bazaars and the exotic atmosphere. |
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26.10.10
(B, D) |
Fez - Middle Atlas - Marrakesh
Enjoy glimpses of North African village life reminiscent of Beau Geste
while motoring through the Middle Atlas on our way to Marrakesh. |
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27.10.10
(B) |
Marrakesh
The highlight of this morning is the included city sightseeing. You'll
really feel as if you've stopped the march of time. Marrakesh has
always been a meeting place - first just a group of nomad tents, now a
bustling city. An optional evening excursion will be a fitting choice
to end the day. |
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28.10.10
(B, D) |
Marrakesh - Casablanca - Rabat
This morning, drive northwest from the heartland of Morocco by way of
Settat to reach the most western of all Moroccan cities - Casablanca.
Stop here awhile. Later in the afternoon, continue by way of the
motorway northwards to Rabat, Morocco's capital, for city sightseeing
and your overnight stay. |
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29.10.10
(B, D) |
Rabat - Ferry Crossing to Spain- Granada
Today an early departure retraces your steps northwards for the
ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar to mainland Spain, and drive
directly to the heart of Andalucia to reach Granada for you overnight
stay. |
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30.10.10
(B) |
Granada - Madrid
Take advantage of the included visit with a local guide of the
Alhambra, a summer complex built by the Moorish kings. This afternoon,
drive by the Moorish kings. This afternoon, drive into the very heart
of La Mancha, famed for its castle and windmills. Overnight in Madrid. |
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31.10.10
(B) |
Avila & Segovia
Soak up Spain's sensational history on a day trip to Avila and Segovia.
On your day trip from Madrid, you'll stop at hilltop Los Cuatro Postes
to amire superb panoramic views before visiting Avila's San Vicente
Basilica. The tour also includes a visit to Avila's cathedral.
Ancient hill-top Avila has been declared a Unesco "Hertiage of Mankind"
city, and is famous for its intact city walls and 90 towers dating back
to the 11th century. The city was the birthplace of the mystic writer
Saint Teresa of Jesus (1515-82) and is an important pilgrimage site.
Next it's on to Segovia to see one of the best Roman-era monuments on
the Iberian Peninsula - Segovia's incredible aqueduct. Built in the
time of Augustus, the aqueduct has 118 arches and is 10 miles (16
Kilometres) long, although just a fraction of its length remains
visible today.
Segovia is also famous for its Alcazar, a beautiful 11th century
medieval fort that inspired the design of the Disney castle. Step back
in time and imagine the medieval tournaments that once took place and
the heroic knights who fought here. |
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01.11.10
(B, D)
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Madrid
Free day in Madrid. Tonight our farewell dinner will
include a spectacular Flamenco Show. Tonight you will feel the heat of
Spain's traditional dance while enjoying a great Spanish meal.
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02.11.10
(B) |
Transfer to Madrid
Airport, departing at 1:25pm TG 949, arriving in Bangkok at 6:30am the
next morning (03.11.10). |
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03.11.10
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Brisbane passengers will be transferred to the Manhattan
Hotel for a one night stay.
Sydney passengers depart Bangkok at 8:00am on TG 451, arriving in
Sydney at 9:00pm.
Melbourne passengers depart Bangkok at 8:10am on TG 461, arriving in
Melbourne at 9:00pm. |
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04.11.10
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Brisbane passengers have a free day in Bangkok. Transfer to
Bangkok Airport departing at 11:59pm on TG 473, arriving in Brisbane at
12:05pm (05.11.10). |
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Note:
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The extra cost for the Brisbane passengers for return
transfers & one night's accommodation with Breakfast is $90 per
person twin share and $125 single room.
Sydney & Brisbane passengers can also do this if they wish. |
