Spain & Portugal in Depth
Overview
Highlights
- Visit Madrid, the highest capital city in Europe
- Visit amazing medieval Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and capital of Spain until the 16th century
- Experience walking tour of beautiful Cordoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit one of the city's greatest attractions: the Prado Museum
- Explore Malaga is the main city of coastal Andalucia.
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Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- Choose to purchase Grand Circle's airfare, and your airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges are included. Or, make your own air arrangements
- Accommodations for 13 nights in comfortable rooms with private baths
- 22 meals: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 6 dinners (including 1 Home-Hosted Lunch)
- 12 included features: 10 guided tours and 2 exclusive Discovery Series events: Home-Hosted Lunch • Horse-breeding farm visit
- Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle Program Director (assigned to no more than 42 travelers)
- Gratuities on your main trip for local guides and motorcoach drivers
- Personal headset for all included and optional tours on your main trip
- Private motorcoach land travel
- Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips
- 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next Grand Circle trip—an average of $210
View Similar Trips
Itinerary
Fly from one of several U.S. gateway cities to Madrid, Spain.
Accommodations: Hotel Husa Princesa or similar
Arrive today: in Madrid to begin your escorted tour of Spain. You are met at the airport by a Grand Circle representative and transferred to your hotel. You have the balance of the Day: to relax after your overse...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Husa Princesa or similar
Vibrant Madrid—the highest capital city in Europe—may put you in mind of the paintings of Velazquez, with clear blue arching skies that gave rise to the phrase, "De Madrid al ciel...
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel Husa Princesa or similar
Make your own discoveries this morning, or join us on an optional tour of the imposing El Escorial, a 16th-century architectural masterpiece completed in 1584 as a residence for the King of ...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Carmen or similar
After breakfast this morning, you will begin your transfer to Granada. Just an hour along the route, however, lies a stop that is bound to be a highlight of your trip: medieval Toledo—a ...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel Carmen or similar
This morning, you’ll tour the mighty Alhambra, one of Granada’s greatest sights. When the Moors crossed the Strait of Gibraltar in AD 711, they claimed a hillside city that had been found...
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel Sol Don Pedro or similar
Travel to Spain's southern coast after breakfast, stopping along the way for an walking tour of beautiful Cordoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Once capital of the Western world, Co...
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel Sol Don Pedro or similar
You have the Day: free in Torremolinos. Perhaps you'll take a walk to La Carihuela, the original fishing village that was once all there was to Torremolinos. today: , its many cafes and res...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
L Accommodations: Hotel Sol Don Pedro or similar
In the morning, enjoy a tour of the Old Town of Malaga. Malaga is the main city of coastal Andalucia, and retains a distinctly Spanish flavor, with twisting, narrow streets and a...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Sevilla Center
Visit Ronda en route to Seville today . One of the oldest cities in Spain, lovely Ronda—nicknamed the "Dream City" by the poet Rainer Maria Rilke—enjoys a lofty setting on a promontory over...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Sevilla Center
Located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, Seville is fabled to have been settled by Hercules, and its wealth of magnificent monuments and buildings attest to its long and storied hist...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel Mundial or similar
Today , you'll ride through the sweeping Portuguese countryside on your way to Lisbon. Along the way we'll stop in the region of Alentejo, where you'll visit a working horse farm and enj...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Mundial or similar
After breakfast, discover Lisbon on an tour. Built on seven hills, Lisbon has been Portugal's capital since the 13th century, and the area around the steepest hill, Sao Jorge, was firs...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Mundial or similar
This morning, embark on an excursion to Sintra and Cascais. Begin at the Royal Palace in Sintra, dating back to the Middle Ages. During time on your own in Sintra, you’ll see why well-...
Meals: Breakfast
Early this morning, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Or begin your post-trip extension to The Island of Madeira, Portugal.
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Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Grand Circle Travel.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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value and service outstanding
I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. If you are on a slim budget try the " last minute" opportunities. We got an inc...
each one has been wonderful
Have taken 12 trips overseas with this company and each one has been wonderful.
Excellent service
Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips.
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Tour Operator
Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. Established in 1958 by Ethel Andrus, educator and founder of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), we view world travel as a powerful lever for lifelong learning. We make it accessible through trips that deliver unmatched discoveries, leisurely pacing, more travel choices, and comprehensive value.
Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. They are what our beliefs and actions are derived from. Our values shape our decisions, give direction to our growth, and allow us to measure our progress.
Teamwork: We believe in groups of people who work together to create excellent results, solve difficult problems, support each other personally and professionally, and recognize their success. In a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment each member of the team is critical for success. Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. Every member must be fully accountable for the team’s and one’s own personal results.
Thriving in Change: In these times of rapid change, global competition, and high volatility in the travel industry, we must be prepared to change course and move forward. Being well organized may sometimes be less important than moving quickly. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment.
Quality: Our decisions must be made and actions taken in accordance with high standards of quality and service. Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. When the level of quality required is in question, we will operate to the high standards expected by our customers. Excellence in our quality will continually enhance our repeat business and ultimately our financial performance.
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Accommodation
Hotel Husa Princesa
Madrid, Spain
This Superior First-Class hotel is located in Downtown Madrid and is within walking distance of some of the city’s impressive landmarks, like the Royal Palace, Opera House, and Temple of Debod. The building offers wireless Internet access, laundry service, and an on-site restaurant. Each air-conditioned room includes a private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, cable and satellite TV, and a reproduction of a famous painting from the Prado Museum behind the headboard of each bed.
Hotel Carmen
Granada Spain
Located in Granada’s historic city center, with easy access to shopping and dining, the Moderate First-Class Hotel Carmen features free wireless Internet throughout the hotel, an on-site restaurant and lounge, and a panoramic terrace for scenic city views. Each air-conditioned room includes a flat screen TV, safe deposit box, telephone, and private bath with hairdryer.
Hotel Sol Don Pedro
Torremolinos, Spain Rating: Superior Tourist Class
Located along the seafront, Sol Don Pedro hotel provides up-close views of Torremolinos’ golden beaches. Amenities include several outdoor pools, a number of on-site restaurants and bars, a spa, and a salon. Each room includes a telephone, TV, air conditioning, safe, minibar, and private bath with hair dryer.
Hotel Sevilla Center
Seville, Spain Rating: Superior First Class
Built in 2003, this centrally located, Superior First-Class hotel offers travelers panoramic views of the city and easy access to local landmarks, including the Seville Cathedral and La Plaza de Espana. Hotel amenities include a bar and restaurant, an outdoor pool, currency exchange, laundry/dry-cleaning services, and gift shop. Your air-conditioned room features a telephone, TV, safe, and minibar.
Hotel Mundial
Lisbon, Portugal Rating: Moderate First Class
The Moderate First-Class Hotel Mundial is located in the Baixa Pombalina district of the city center. It is close to the historic Praca do Rossio, one of Lisbon’s main squares since the Middle Ages, making it a good base for exploring the city. The hotel features two restaurants—one of which offers a panoramic view of the Old Town—and a bar. Your air-conditioned room includes telephone, satellite TV, radio/alarm, safe, minibar, and private bath with shower and hair dryer.
If you need to cancel your trip for any reason, please call us as soon as possible, and follow up in writing. You are also required to return any airline tickets that may have been issued to you. Cancellation refunds will be calculated as of the date we receive your written cancellation. We will issue your refund in the manner in which we received your payment. If you paid your deposit by credit card and your balance by check, your refund will be divided accordingly. Refunds are generated manually by our accounting department to ensure accuracy. Please allow for a 30-day processing period before receiving your refund
Cancellation Charges for Land Tours
Prior to departure and Charge
90 days or more will be charged $300
89-60 days will be 10% of selling price or $300—whichever is greater
59-30 days is of 65% of selling price
29 days–departure is of 100% of selling price
13 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 6 Dinners
While we specialize in vacations for travellers over 50, you can bring children aged 13 and older on Grand Circle trips. Please note, however, that our land-based programs often include lengthy motor coach sightseeing tours that may not be enjoyable for younger travellers.
Post-Trip Extension: The Island Of Madeira, Portugal
5 nights from only $895
After visiting Portugal’s mainland, discover the lush Atlantic island of Madeira, known as the “floating garden of the Atlantic.” From your base at a seaside hotel in Funchal, the island’s capital, you’ll enjoy a tour of this flower-bedecked and culturally rich city. Later, you can explore the east and west sides of the island on optional tours, or seek out the vineyards where Madeira wine is made.
It's Included:
- Air transportation from Lisbon, Portugal, to Funchal, Madeira
- Accommodations for 5 nights
- 5 meals: 5 breakfasts
- Included tour: Funchal
- Gratuities on this extension for local guides and motorcoach drivers and all optional tours
- Exclusive services of a Grand Circle Program Director
Physical Requirements
- Walk 4 miles unassisted and participate in 3-4 hours of physical activities daily, including stairs
- Not accessible for travelers using wheelchairs or scooters
- Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other mobility aids must travel with a companion who can assist the then
- Program Directors reserve the right to modify participation or send travelers home if their limitations impact the group’s experience
Climate
- Daytime temperatures range from 51-85°F during touring season
- June-August are the warmest months
- November and December weather can be unpredictable and change quickly
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- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations