10/17/2016
Greetings friends and fellow travelers:
Here is our group itinerary for September 2017, hope you can join, it'll be an incredible journey but also FUN to spend time together again!
Lisbon and Northern Spain Globus tour with optional Barcelona or Madrid extension.
Explore the coastline of Portugal and Northern Spain on this fascinating vacation. In Portugal, you'll overnight in Lisbon and Oporto, and enjoy guided sightseeing in both cities, including the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon, dating back to the 16th century, and the Church of Sao Francisco in Oporto, the city's most important gothic temple with construction beginning in the 14th century. Also visit the Sanctuary of our Lady of the Rosary in Fatima, a pilgrimage site where apparitions of the Virgin Mary were reported by three local children in 1917.
In Spain, stay two nights in Santiago de Compostela, one of the most popular pilgrim destinations since the Middle Ages. Here, visit the cathedral where the relics of St. James the Apostle are held. You'll also overnight in Oviedo; San Sebastian, a popular resort with its picturesque location and harbor; Saragossa, where you'll visit the Plaza del Pilar, one of Spain's grandest squares; and Barcelona, where you'll stay two nights with guided sightseeing that includes a visit to the spectacular Sagrada Familia Basilica, Gaudi's masterpiece that still is not finished to this day.
On this Portugal and Northern Spain tour, Globus has also included some out-of-the-ordinary experiences for you. For example, you'll enjoy an exclusive visit to the Cámara Santa de Oviedo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to 802 AD that houses the Arca Santa chest reliquary of the Sudarium Orviedo. Or how about a wine tasting at a famous Port wine cellar in Oporto? These are just a couple of the special experiences included on this vacation.
From the historical sights and the popular resorts to the local food and drink specialties, this Portugal and Northern Spain tour has it all! You're sure to arrive back home with many stories and photos to share.
Destinations & Sightseeing
LISBON
Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit the Alfama quarter and Jeronimos Monastery
FATIMA
Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary
OPORTO
Guided sightseeing, visit the Church of Sao Francisco and the Arabian Hall in the Stock Exchange; Globus Local Favorite Port wine tasting at Sandeman & Co
VIGO
Walking tour
LA TOJA ISLAND
Globus Local Favorite Enjoy a coffee and the spectacular view at the Gran Hotel La Toja and admire the shell-covered church
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Dinner with wine at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the cathedral
LUARCA
Stop in this pretty fishing village with its white houses
OVIEDO
Guided sightseeing, visit the Cathedral of San Salvador and Globus Local Favorite the Cámara Santa de Oviedo
SANTILLANA DEL MAR
Globus Local Favorite Visit the Altamira Neo Cave
BILBAO
Guided visit of the Guggenheim Museum
SAN SEBASTIAN
Guided walking tour of the Old Quarter
PAMPLONA
Globus Local Favorite Walk through the Calle Estafeta, followed by lunch with traditional tapas and Rioja wine at Basaburua restaurant
SARAGOSSA
Visit Plaza de Pilar
BARCELONA
Guided sightseeing; visit the Sagrada Familia Basilica, panoramic view from Montjuïc Hill; farewell dinner at La Fonda del Port Olimpic restaurant
Headsets throughout the tour.
NOTE:
For operational reasons, slight schedule changes for the Barcelona program cannot be excluded.
Transportation:
Motorcoach. Free Wi-Fi available on your motorcoach and in most hotel lobbies.
Meals
Full buffet breakfast daily; 1 tapas lunch with wine in Pamplona; 4 three-course dinners with wine: a welcome dinner in Lisbon, a special dinner in Santiago, and a special farewell dinner in Barcelona
Itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description.
Day 1 Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal
Welcome to Lisbon! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner with wine at your hotel.
DinnerDinner
Day 2 Lisbon
Lisbon was the center of Europe’s longest-lived overseas empire. Portugal’s imperial ambitions date back to Prince Henry the Navigator’s 15th-century discoveries in West Africa. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features a drive through the Baixa quarter’s main squares. Then, enjoy a walk through the cobblestone alleys of quaint ALFAMA, the popular quarter of the seamen and Fado singers. Drive along the grand Avenida da Liberdade up to Pombal Square, and stop for pictures of Belem Tower and the Monument of the Discoverers. Also visit JERONIMOS MONASTERY with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. An exciting optional excursion to the royal palace of Queluz is available, as well as dinner at a typical taverna with Fado-style entertainment.
Breakfast Breakfast
Day 3 Lisbon–Fatima–Oporto
Start the day with a visit to the SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY in Fatima. Then, continue to Oporto, where sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a panoramic drive to the mouth of the Douro River, the soaring cathedral, the richly decorated CHURCH OF SAO FRANCISCO, and the STOCK EXCHANGE with its contemporary ARABIAN HALL, inspired by Granada’s Alhambra. Next, visit the Globus Local Favorite famous Sandeman & Co. PORT WINE CELLAR to taste the Port wine produced from grapes of the Douro Valley.
Breakfast Breakfast
Day 4 Oporto–Vigo, Spain–La Toja Island–Santiago de Compostela
Follow the coastline and enter Galicia. Stop in Vigo, built over a Roman settlement, see the remnants of the former city walls, and hear about its turbulent history. Continue to La Toja, a small island just off the shore, which has become a popular holiday resort. Enjoy Globus Local Favorite a coffee at the Gran Hotel La Toja, a spa resort. The island is famous for its spring waters, discovered in the early 19th century. Also admire the unusual church completely covered with seashells before returning to the mainland to continue your journey to Santiago de Compostela. This evening, dinner has been prepared for you at one of the city’s fine local restaurants.
Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner
Day 5 Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela has been one of the most popular pilgrim destinations since the Middle Ages. For over a thousand years, pilgrims have been walking the Camino de Santiago. Guided sightseeing includes a visit to the CATHEDRAL, where the relics of St. James the Apostle, brother of St. John the Evangelist, are held. Later, an exciting optional excursion is available to Coruna.
Breakfast Breakfast
Day 6 Santiago de Compostela–Luarca–Oviedo
Along the Asturian coast is Luarca, a renowned quiet town of white houses. Time to join the locals in the taverns or to walk around the port. Then, enter España Verde (Green Spain) and arrive in Oviedo, capital of Asturias. Guided sightseeing features the CATHEDRAL OF SAN SALVADOR, and Globus Local Favorite an exclusive visit to the CÁMARA SANTA DE OVIEDO (holy chamber of Oviedo). Dating back to 802 AD, it houses the Arca Santa chest reliquary of the Sudarium of Oviedo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Breakfast Breakfast
Day 7 Oviedo–Santillana Del Mar–Bilbao–San Sebastian
This morning, stop in picturesque Santillana del Mar, and walk through its cobblestone streets. Visit Globus Local Favorite the nearby ALTAMIRA NEO CAVE, which offers excellent insight into the upper Paleolithic cave paintings of the original cave—the first where prehistoric cave paintings were discovered at the end of the 19th century. Continue to Bilbao, the great port city of the Basque region, and enjoy a special highlight: a guided visit to the GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, an amazing feat of construction created by North American architect Frank O. Gehry. Arrive in Basque Country and lovely San Sebastian, the “Pearl of the Cantabrian Coast.”
Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner
Day 8 San Sebastian
San Sebastian is a popular resort that attracts tourists from everywhere—not just for its picturesque location and harbor, but also for the many festivals that are held here yearly, like the San Sebastian Film Festival. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the Parte Viejo OLD QUARTER, then time to try tasty pintxos snacks, which you will find in many bars. You may wish to join an optional excursion to the beautiful resort of Biarritz to make the most of your stay.
Breakfast Breakfast
Day 9 San Sebastian–Pamplona–Saragossa
In Pamplona, at the foot of the Pyrenees, a special treat awaits you: enjoy Globus Local Favorite a walk along the Calle Estafeta, where the famous “running of the bulls” takes place, and have lunch with traditional tapas and Rioja wine at Basaburua restaurant. Then, continue to Saragossa for your overnight stay.
Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
Day 10 Saragossa–Barcelona
This morning, visit PLAZA DEL PILAR, one of Spain’s grandest squares. Free time to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, where, according to legends, the Virgin Mary appeared to St. James. Then, continue to Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city and the host of the Olympic Games in 1992.
Breakfast Breakfast
Day 11 Barcelona
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Columbus Monument, Plaza de Cataluna, and Paseo de Gràcia. Highlights are a visit to the spectacular SAGRADA FAMILIA BASILICA, Gaudi’s masterpiece, and a panoramic view of the city and harbor from Montjuïc Hill. This afternoon, an optional excursion to Montserrat can be arranged, and this evening, a special farewell dinner with wine has been prepared at La Fonda del Port Olimpic restaurant to say adios to your traveling companions.
Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner
Day 12 Barcelona
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast Breakfast
Dates:
Leave SFO on 9/22/2017 Arrive Lisbon on 9/23/2017 to begin tour
Leave BCN (Barcelona) on 10/4/17, Arrive SFO on 10/4/2017
If adding optional 3 day Madrid extension, leave Madrid on 10/7/17, Arrive SFO on 10/7/17
Land Tour Cost:
Land Price: $2439 per person based on double occupancy, triple occupancy on request
Land Price: $3496 with 3 night Madrid extension
Extra nights in Barcelona: from $106/pp/per night
Deposit:
$250/pp due on or before 11/15/16 to get a 10% discount on either tours.
Your deposit is refundable up to May 1, 2017 minus a $50/pp cancellation penalty.
Final payment due on July 20, 2017
Optional travel insurance: from $229/pp
Airfare: Quotes will be available around November/December 2016
We strongly urge everyone to stay a couple of extra nights in Barcelona, one of Mila's and my favorite cities! It's exciting, artistic, vibrant and full of culinary and shopping adventures! If you wish to extend beyond Barcelona, please advise us when making your deposit.
Group, please be advised prices are subject to change and availability. Space is limited so kindly book early. A valid US passport is required for travel. Your passport must be valid for six months from the return date of travel, at least until May 2018 if traveling per proposed group itinerary. We will need a copy of your passport in order to make a reservation. Names that we will provide for flights have to be EXACTLY as it appears on your valid US passports. If traveling on a non US passport, it is your responsibility to verify your visa requirements. Globus works with a visa company that can assist you and we'll be happy to provide you with the contact information.
You must be physically fit to travel, kindly check with your physician regarding travel requirements and restrictions.
Bluzands Tour & Travel was established in 1985 in San Francisco, Ca. We are an IATA & CLIA certified agency specializing in cruises & tours.
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