SPAIN, PORTUGAL, MOROCCO & DOURO RIVER CRUISE

TOUR DEPARTS: 19 June 2012   •   TOUR LENGTH: 31 Days

This is certainly a journey of discovery to a very special and unique part of Europe.

Spain and Portugal offer a totally different experience from other regions of Europe – from the beauty and grandeur of the Alhambra Palace, the picture-postcard region of the Costa del Sol, the Rock of Gibraltar. the magnificent coastline, the pretty fishing villages of Portugal and so much more. Add to this the romance and mystique of Morocco, a world of exotic places and changing landscapes and follow this up with 7 night luxury river cruise through the spectacular Douro River Valley..

HIGHLIGHTS:
Spain & Portugal
• The majestic city of Madrid
• Toledo, the ancient Spanish capital; Granada, the magnificent Moorish “Alhambra” Palace
• Costa del Sol and the famous Mediterranean seaside resort of Torremolinos.
• Gibraltar and the famous “Rock”, in British hands since 1704
• Seville, Spain’s most colourful city
• Lisbon, the stunning capital of Portugal and home to some of the greatest explorers
• Barcelona, the Catalonian capital, home to the architectural works of Gaudi

Morocco
• Fez, the Imperial city with its labyrinthine Medina
• Marrakesh, Africa’s most popular holiday resort and a favorite destination for Winston Churchill
• Casablanca, the romance of the Casbah …- “Play it again Sam…”
• Tangiers, across the Straits of Gibraltar where the Mediterranean and the Atlantic oceans meet

7 Night Douro River Valley Cruise
After our coach tour, it is time to join your luxury floating hotel for 7 nights cruising the World Heritage listed Douro River Valley. Lovely vistas, storied towns, lively cities, country farms called qunitas.  Along the way uncover a land of genuine beauty and breathtaking charm; meet warm hearted people, friendly and welcoming with open arms. On board the deluxe new ‘Douro Spirit’, unwind in your river view stateroom. Take pleasure in the on- board meals in the elegant restaurant as well as on-shore meals featuring traditional cuisine in unique settings. Many shore excursions are included during the cruise.

TOUR COSTS:
Share Twin/Double Cabin/Room Per Person:     NZ$   17,250       AUD$  14,200              
Supplement for Single Cabin/Room:                 NZ$     3,850       AUD$  3,150

Costs Include:
•        Economy Class air travel ex Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch, Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane (additional cost to upgrade to Business Class available on request)
•        First Class / Superior Grade hotel accommodation
•        Deluxe River View Staterooms on the cruise ship
•        Meals as indicated in the itinerary B = Full Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
•        First Class air-conditioned coach transportation for all touring
•        Sightseeing and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
•        Services of a tour director and local guides for touring and sightseeing
•        All port taxes and tips to crew on the 7 night cruise
•        Tips to local guides and coach drivers
•        Airport and government security taxes
•        Baggage handling of one suitcase per person
•        Fully Escorted by a Mahers tour escort

Costs Exclude:
•        Any meals and sightseeing tours not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
•        Travel insurance – advice and assistance offered
•        Items of a personal nature such as room service, drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc

Important - Cancellation Conditions: Due to the cruise content in this tour, we must vary our standard payment and cancellation conditions. These will be detailed in our written confirmation of your booking. Travel insurance will also be offered at this time.

Day-to-day Itinerary

Tuesday 19 June:
Home – Singapore
After connecting flights from other points, join the early afternoon flight to Singapore.  Arrival into Singapore is early evening where we are met and transferred to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Wednesday 20 June:
Singapore – Madrid (B)
This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Singapore city, showcasing the contrasts between the old and the new and the blend between East and West.  We visit the Botanical Gardens and see the wonderful orchid display, Mt. Faber for great views over the harbour, Chinatown and lots more.  The afternoon is at leisure – rooms are held for late checkout.  This evening we are transferred back to Singapore Airport to join the overnight flight to Madrid.

Thursday 21 June:
Madrid (D)
On arrival Madrid, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a 3 night stay.  The remainder of the day is free to relax and rest up before meeting for dinner.

Friday 22 June:
Madrid (B,D)
This morning we enjoy a guided tour of the city down the tree lined avenues to see the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Pasco de La Castellana, Cibeles Fountain and the Cervantes Monument in Plaza de Espana.  Also included is a visit to the State apartments of the Royal Palace.  The afternoon is at leisure.  This evening we enjoy a celebration dinner at a traditional Spanish restaurant with wine and entertainment included.

Saturday 23 June:
Madrid (B)
This morning’s sightseeing tour takes us to El Escorial Monastery followed by a visit to the Valley Of The Fallen Monument erected in memory of the millions who died in the Spanish Civil War. We learn about Spain’s intriguing history shaped by church, monarchy and 20^th century conflict.

Sunday 24 June:
Madrid – Toledo – Granada (B,D)
Leaving Madrid this morning, we travel first to Toledo spectacularly situated on a hill surrounded by the Tagus River. The ancient capital attracts more sightseers from all over the world than any other Spanish town.  We continue our journey south to hilltop Granada.

Monday 25 June:
Granada – Costa del Sol (B,D)
This morning a local guide takes us on a tour of the magnificent Alhambra Palace, Spain’s most beautiful Moorish building and former residence of the Moorish Kings.  The grand and graceful Citadel was planned in the 13^th century, a fantasy of lace in stone.  Also amble through the magnificent water gardens of the Royal Summer Palace. Afterwards, we continue on to the sun drenched Costa del Sol coastline, past exclusive resorts, to our resort  hotel in Torremolinos for a two night stay.

Tuesday 26 June:
Costa del Sol (B)
A day of rest and relaxation today. Enjoy the beaches, browse through the trendy boutiques, maybe sample the local fare at one of the many delightful restaurants.

Wednesday 27 June:
Costa del Sol – Gibraltar – Tangiers (B,D)
From Torremolinos, we first travel to Gibraltar, a British territory since 1704.  There is time to explore the town before continuing to Algeciras where we join the ferry for the short trip from Europe to North Africa.  We commence our stay in Morocco with an overnight stay in Tangiers.

Thursday 28 June:
Tangiers – Fez (B,D)
We begin our day with a sightseeing tour of Tangiers where we see the Medina and the Kasbah.  We then travel inland past the Rift Mountains to the most ancient of Morocco’s cities, Fez, for a 2 night stay.  This evening we enjoy a dinner of Moroccan specialties as well as folklore and belly dancing.

Friday 29 June:
Fez (B,D)
On our guided tour of this “City of The Mind”, we visit the Medina and the walled city of hidden courtyards, mosques and tiny workshops and the ancient bazaar.  This afternoon is at leisure – maybe think about an optional visit to a Berber village.

Saturday 30 June:
Fez – Marrakesh (B,D)
Today we drive through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, past mud walled villages and onto Marrakesh for a two night stay.  Africa’s most popular year round sun resort, it was once the favourite spot of Winston Churchill.

Sunday 1 July:
Marrakesh (B)
On our guided tour this morning we see the Koutobia Minaret, visit the Saadi Tombs and explore the Medina with its many souks.  The tour ends in Jemaa Square where acrobats, dancers and fortune tellers entertain you.  The afternoon is at leisure.

Monday 2 July:
Marrakesh – Casablanca – Rabat (B,D)
Today we leave Marrakesh and head north to Casablanca, setting for Humphrey Bogart’s most magical moments and home to some of North Africa’s best beaches.  Here our orientation tour shows us some of the cities highlights before we continue on along the Atlantic Coast to the modern capital of Rabat where we see the Royal Palace and the Hassan Tower.  We enjoy an overnight stay in Rabat.

Tuesday 3 July:
Rabat – Seville (B,D)
We continue our drive north along the Moroccan Atlantic coast to Tangiers where we rejoin the ferry for the Straits of Gibraltar crossing to Algeciras.  We travel through the sunny wine region before arriving in Seville for a 2 night stay.

Wednesday 4 July:
Seville (B,D)
This morning, we are joined by a local guide for a city tour including a visit to the cathedral to see the tomb of Christopher Columbus. We continue to the Giralda Tower, Alcazar and the Santa Cruz quarter. For the rest of the day, you have a chance to enjoy this “World Heritage’ city at your leisure. For those who prefer to be on the move, there is also the opportunity for an optional tour to the most perfectly preserved Moorish city of Cordoba with its magnificent 8th century mosque. This evening, let us “shout” you a tapas meal and drink at a local tapas restaurant / bar.

Thursday 5 July:
Seville to Lisbon (B,D)
Our journey today takes us via the ‘Jabugo’ (ham centre) of Spain and past mighty castles.  We enter the Alentejo region which is commonly known as the bread basket of Portugal, a region of vast open countryside with undulating plains and rich fertile soil.  All the major towns are mainly reliant on agriculture and there are several types of cheeses, wines, smoked hams and sausages which are produced in this region.  Cultivation of cork forests also takes place here.  Later, we reach Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, for our 3 night stay.

Friday 6 July:
Lisbon - City Tour (B)
Our guided tour of Lisbon takes us to the historic district of Belem and the Belem Tower, the traditional starting and ending point of Portuguese voyages of Discovery.  We will then visit the magnificent cloister of San Jeronimos built in the early 16^th century as a celebration of Portugal’s territorial expansion and an expression of a unique National style.

Saturday 7 July:
Lisbon (B)
Take a break from touring today and do what you want to do. Enjoy a devine “pasteis” at a local café and watch the world go by, wander the cobbled streets of the Alfarma district, shop in the pedestrianised Rua Augusta …  The choice is yours. 

Sunday 8 July:
Commence Douro River Valley Cruise
Lisbon – Coimbra – Porto (B,L,D)
In the morning, we head north to Porto. En route, we stop in Portugal’s third-largest city, Coimbra, birthplace of six of Portugal’s kings and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Within the university is the Biblioteca Joanina, a gem of a library with books from the 12th-century. After your library visit, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to Porto where we embark on the “Douro Spirit”, our floating hotel for the next 7 nights.

Monday 9 July:
Porto – Guimarães – Bitetos (B,L,D)
Visit historic Guimarães, the first capital of Portugal in the 12th-century, home to the first king of Portugal, Don Afonso Henriques, and a 2012 European Cultural Capital. It has been referred to as the birthplace of the Portuguese nation. Dominated by Afonso Henriques’ grand castle, Guimarães was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its extremely well-preserved city centre. We will be guided through the narrow streets of the Medieval quarter towards the beautiful main square, the Largo da Oliveira, and then on to the splendid Monastery and Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, the Ducal Palace, and the 14th century Gothic Padrão do Salado. Later, sail to Bitetos and visit one of the prestigious port wine cellars in Cais de Gaia.

Tuesday 10 July:
Regua – Pinhão (B,L,D)
After a morning lecture at the Douro Museum, visit the impressive Mateus Palace and Gardens, with one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Later, enjoy dinner at the family-owned winery Quinta da Avessada in the heart of the Douro region, built a century ago, and producing Moscatel, the treasure of the region.

Wednesday 11 July:
Pinhão – Vega de Terrón (B,L,D)
Pinhão is the centre of the Port winemaking area.  Visit quinta (vineyards) where you will learn the history of and sample the country’s most celebrated beverage. In the afternoon, enjoy the breathtaking scenery while sailing the remote Douro Valley. Tonight is the occasion of the ‘Captain’s Dinner’.

Thursday 12 July:
Vega de Terrón – Salamanca (B,L,D)
From Vega de Terron on the Spanish border, we travel overland to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage city, which is untouched in its architectural purity.  Throughout the centuries the buildings have gained an exquisite glow giving the city the nickname “the golden city”.  Enjoy lunch with a flamenco show at a local restaurant.  Enjoy free time in this magical city before returning to the ship.

Friday 13 July:
Barca d’Alva – Régua (B,L,D)
In the morning visit the picturesque 12^th century walled village of Castelo Rodrigo.  This is a charming and captivating place with medieval streets, thick stonewall houses and a distinctive fountain, Chafariz dos Pretos. 

Saturday 14 July:
Porto (B,L,D)
We cruise along the Douro back to Porto, and then walk through the UNESCO World Heritage designated medieval city centre of charming Porto. Visit the 19th-century UNESCO Palacio de Bolsa with its famous Arab Room. Later, enjoy a farewell evening and reception while sailing to the mouth of the Douro River.

Sunday 15 July:
Porto – Barcelona (B,D)
At the conclusion of this memorable river cruise through some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery, we are transferred to the airport to join the flight to Barcelona where we are met and transferred to our hotel for a two night stay.

Monday 16 July:
Barcelona (B,D)
This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and one of Spain’s most spectacular and vibrant cities.  Our Tour includes the Gothic Quarter with its magnificent Cathedral and also Gaudis “Segrada Familia” as well as many of his eccentric architectural masterpieces.  This evening it is time to sample the local cuisine at our final dinner together at a local restaurant.

Tuesday 17 July:
Barcelona - Singapore (B)
It is time to farewell Barcelona and Spain as we are transferred back to the airport to join our overnight flight to Singapore.

Wednesday 18 July:
Singapore - Home
We arrive into Singapore this morning and we have the rest of the day free before continuing the journey this evening. Hotel rooms at the airport are provided to allow time for rest and relaxation. This evening, we join our aircraft for the final leg of our homeward journey.

Thursday 19 July:
Welcome Home
The tour ends with our mid-morning arrival home.