SPAIN AND PORTUGAL: LEGACY OF THE MOORS
10 Days
Expeditions in:
itineraryImage
This short but extraordinary adventure through Morocco, Spain and Portugal encompasses two continents and three
countries, spans centuries and cuts huge swaths through culture. Woven neatly together by our expert expedition team, the
narrative is thoughtfully constructed to be a connected whole exploring the diversity of cultures found here—from the
beauty of the Moorish legacy to the might of the Catholic kings. Wander the winding streets of ancient medinas, sip
refreshing mint tea, and discover the grandeur of Spanish and Portuguese architecture from the Middle Ages.
DAY 1-2: Sevilla, Spain/Cádiz/Embark
Arrive in Sevilla, the sunny capital of Andalucía.
Arrive in Sevilla and after lunch, we transfer to the
Melia Seville Hotel and have the afternoon at leisure.
The next day, we explore the Old City, seeing the
impressive Gothic Cathedral and Giralda Tower from
Moorish times, the tomb of Christopher Columbus,
and the Alcázar, the royal palace and gardens
where the King and Queen of Spain greeted
Columbus on his return from the new world. In the
late afternoon, we drive through the picturesque
Andalusian countryside bound for Cádiz, where we
embark our ship. (Day 1: L,D; Day 2: B,L,D)
DAY 3: Motril, Spain/Granada: Alhambra
Palace
This morning we drive from the port of Motril to the
beautiful city of Granada and its breathtaking
Alhambra Palace and Fortress, a UNESCO World
Heritage site. Built in the 13th century on a hill above
the city, it reflects both the wealth and love of
beauty of the Moors. We also visit Generalife, the
summer palace of the Moorish rulers with its maze
of grandly terraced gardens. After a typical
Andalusian lunch at the exquisite Alhambra Palace
Hotel, we visit the Capilla Real, or Royal Chapel,
where the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and
Isabella are entombed.(B,L,D)
DAY 4: Gibraltar, U.K.
This morning we arrive in Gibraltar. This British rock
fortress is one of the few places in the world
where you can see two continents at once. We
explore The Rock by minibus and spend some time
with the famous Barbary Apes, Gibraltar macaques,
probably originally brought over from Africa by the
Moors. Legend has it that as long as the apes are in
Gibraltar, Britain will hold the rock. We also visit the
magnificent St. Michael’s Cave with its huge
stalagmites and stalactites formed from limestone.
This evening we exit the Mediterranean Sea,
passing between the Pillars of Hercules and
through the Strait of Gibraltar. (B,L,D)
DAY 5: Portimão, Algarve, Portugal
The pastoral hills of the Algarve are a delightful
blend of present-day farmlands and remnants of
Moorish culture that once dominated the region.
From Portimão, we drive north, meandering through
orange groves and almond orchards to Silves, one
of the oldest and typical villages on the Algarve.
Visit the dramatic 12th-century sandstone castle
and fortress built by the Moors, and walk along its
ramparts for expansive views. (B,L,D)
Call us at 1.800.397.3348 or call your Travel Agent. In Australia, call 1300.361.012 • www.expeditions.com
DAY 6: Lisbon, Portugal
Connect with Portugal’s proud maritime traditions by
arriving by sea, along the banks of the Tagus. We
enter colorful Lisbon, known for its extraordinary
architecture and the history of Portugal’s 15th- and
16th-century Age of Exploration. Columbus,
Magellan, Vasco da Gama, Henry the Navigator—all
will be characters in our talks. We begin at the
massive Monument to the Discoverers, the city’s
symbol, and see the richness of Manueline
architecture evident on visits to the Jerónimos
Monastery and the Belém Tower, a UNESCO World
Heritage site. (B,L,D)
DAY 7: Oporto
Famous for its port wine, old town Oporto is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site resounding in stately
architecture: the 13th century Church of
São Francisco with its dazzling Baroque interior and
the 19th-century Neoclassical Stock Exchange. The
scenic Douro was the main river for transporting
the port wines from the highlands of northern
Portugal aboard picturesque flat-bottomed wine
boats. And of course, no visit would be complete
without a visit to one of the colorful riverside port
houses to sample the port wine that has made this
region famous. (B,L,D)
DAY 8: Mouros, Spain/Santiago de
Compostela/La Coruña
The most magnificent pilgrimage site of the Middle
Ages is the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela,
declared a UNESCO site. With its detailed façade
and massive size, the cathedral is awe-inspiring. By
special arrangement we witness the swinging of
the extraordinary 125-pound silver incense burner
called the botafumeiro. After exploring this
architectural marvel, we enjoy lunch set to the lively
sounds of a local musical group. The setting is the
Hostal de los Reyes Católicos, built for pilgrims in
the 16th century by King Ferdinand and Queen
Isabella. We return to our ship in La Coruña. (B,L,D)
DAY 9: At Sea/Bilbao, Spain
A relaxing morning at sea gives time for talks to
discuss all that we have seen so far. In the
afternoon, lovers of art and architecture will
appreciate Frank Gehry’s futuristic Bilbao
Guggenheim Museum with its distinctive titanium
wave. The finish of the 33,000 extremely thin
titanium sheets gives an organic effect, changing
color depending on weather and light conditions. It
is possible to walk all the way around the Museum,
admiring different configurations from each
perspective of the structure Philip Johnson once
called “ the greatest building of our time.” (B,L,D)
DAY 10: Bilbao
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for
homeward-bound flights. (B)
Important Flight Information
Cost Includes:
All accommodations aboard ship, meals as
indicated, transfers to and from group
flights, shore excursions and entrance
fees, use of kayaks, tips (except to ship's
crew), taxes and service charges,
services of a ship physician, services of
Lindblad Expeditons' leader, expedition
staff and expert guides.
Not Included:
Air transportation; personal items such as
alcoholic beverages, emails, laundry,
voyage DVD etc. Gratuities to ship’s crew
at your discretion.
(1) Travel Protection Plan
Lindblad Expeditions highly recommends that all guests purchase travel insurance for the duration of your voyage. For more
information on Covermore Insurance, visit our Travel Insurance page http://au.expeditions.com/reservations/travel-protectionplan/ )
To obtain a quote or have your policy issued please complete the online application or contact an Expedition Specialist at 02
9033 8777.
(2) Cancellation Plan
Review our cancellation plan:
http://au.expeditions.com/reservations/cancellation-policy/
Call us at 1.800.397.3348 or call your Travel Agent. In Australia, call 1300.361.012 • www.expeditions.com