Early departure day trip out of Lisbon to the close by town of Sintra and Cascais. A short distance from Portugal's capital city, Sintra is a magical place.   Discover secret caves and trails at Pena Park, admire the natural wonders of Sintra Natural Park and the cliffs of Roca Cape, and visit the whimsical Pena National Palace.
The romantic Pena National Palace at the top of Sintra Mountain.    Inside the palace, admire the attention to detail in the bedrooms of the king and queen and the Arab Room.  Later we enjoy a scenic drive along the Atlantic coast, and stop at Guincho Beach. Walk around Cascais town and bay.  Admire the landscapes of Sintra.  Enjoy a photo opportunity at the cliffs of Roca Cape (Cabo da Roca), the westernmost point of Europe, and visit the surfer's paradise of Guincho Beach. Pass the cliff at Hell’s Mouth (Boca do Inferno), before stopping to stretch your legs along Cascais bay.     Wander around the center of Cascais,   a former fishing village and today a popular holiday spot. Explore through narrow alleyways and see the traditional Portuguese white houses and return to Lisbon in the evening. Group Dinner(5)
 

We check out early and take our scenic transportation along the coast of southern Portugal through small fishing villages and towns on our way to Lagos Portugal.    Lagos is a historic and lively city, we will wonder through the streets and learn about its heritage.  Lagos is a city that is situated on the beautiful Western Algarve coastline. With glorious beaches, buzzing nightlife and a charming historic centre, which has retained its traditional character and charm. Within the Lagos region is an abundance of varied sights and activities, which makes the city a fantastic destination. History plays a part, too – Lagos was arguably the key launch pad for Portugal’s Age of Discovery, and it played a dark role in the transatlantic slave trade as the host of Europe’s first slave market. The museum about the slave trade inside the old market is worth seeing.  Dinner (6)
 

Breakfast and an early departure to back to Spain.  We will be going along the Portugal coast to the southern part of Spain as we head to Seville, Sevilla in Spanish. Sevilla is the capital of region of Andalusia.    We will check into our hotel, relax then meet for our tour of the city.  Originally founded as a Roman city and now home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of the most charming cities of Spain. The city of Seville is famous worldwide for its culture, monuments, traditions and artistic heritage. This is the birthplace of Flamenco and monuments like the awesome cathedral.  The largest Gothic building in Europe in terms of size, the Catedral de Sevilla which we will tour and admire its impressive Gothic architecture. Built in the late 15th century, the cathedral has more than 40 chapels and sits on the site of a former mosque.  The third largest in the world, the burial site of Christopher Columbus. The Giralda tower, the magical Barrio of Santa Cruz with its narrow streets and many unique shops.   You will have time to wonder and explore this amazing city.  Meet in the evening for Group Dinner(8)

 

Breakfast early then take our transportation to the city of Córdoba.  We will tour one of the most prominent cases of the coexistence of contrasting cultures over thousands of years in the city of Córdoba. This city's heritage can also be primarily observed through it's varied and recognizable architecture. But Cordoba's hour of greatest glory was when it became the capital of the Moorish kingdom of El-Andalus, and this was when work began on the Great Mosque, or "Mezquita", which – after several centuries of additions and enlargements – became one of the largest in all of Islam.
When the city was reconquered by the Christians in 1236, the new rulers of the city were so awed by its beauty that they left it standing, building their cathedral in the midst of its rows of arches and columns, and creating the extraordinary church-mosque which stands today.  It is incredible!! We will visit this wonder and spend the day walking and touring Cordoba's treasures which include the Alcazar,  or Fortress, built by the Christians in 1328; the Calahorra Fort, originally built by the Arabs, which guards the Roman Bridge, on the far side of the river from the Mezquita, and the ancient Jewish Synagogue, now a museum. We will visit these sights and marvel in their uniqueness.  In the evening we will meet for group Dinner (10).
                  
 

Spend time in Cordoba. Tour Cordoba's medieval quarter,    once the home of the Jewish community, is called "La Judería" (The Jewry), a labyrinth of winding, narrow streets, shady flower-filled courtyards and picturesque squares such as La Plaza del Potro. In early summer homeowners proudly festoon their patios with flowers to compete for the city's "most beautiful courtyard" contest.  You will be mesmerized by the beauty.  You have time to spend the day walking the streets finding interesting nooks to have a tapa and some great Spanish wine. We meet for our last dinner in Spain. Group Dinner (11)