PORTUGAL & SPAIN TOUR with Great Basin College

Fly from Salt Lake city to Lisbon, Portugal (flights TBA)

Today we arrive in Lisbon.

The capital of Portugal since its conquest from the Moors in 1147, Lisbon is a legendary city with over 20 centuries of history. This was the centre of Europe's first and largest overseas empire and, as a result, the city still has a feeling of colonial elegance.

Overnight in Lisbon.

Lisbon is an enticing tangle of past and present -- funky and old-fashioned, unpretentious and quirky, restored and revitalized, booming with new confidence. With cultural diversity combined with a laid-back ambience and an architectural time-warp, this is one of Europe's most enjoyable cities.

Today's half-day city tour takes us along the banks of the River Tagus and the Belem Tower guarding the mouth of the river. We visit Jeronimo's Monastery with the tomb of Vasco da Gamma. We continue by bus to see the Henry the Navigator Monument, Praca do Comercio Square, and lower Alfama District.

We also drive along the Avenida da Liberdade, a fashionable tree-lined street through the centre of town. We continue on a walking tour through the oldest quarter -- Baixa, Rossio, and Restauradores. Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Lisbon.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Today we travel by road northward to Obidos, a medieval symbol of narrow streets surrounded by walls. Obidos is known for its typical white houses with blue trim, flowered windows, narrow streets and steps paved with beautiful stone. On arrival in Obidos we embark on a walking tour, passing through the 18th century entry arch covered in glazed tiles (azulejos). Small bright white houses lining narrow cobblestone streets, flower pots on window-sills, Gothic and Renaissance churches -- especially the beautiful Church of Santa Maria -- reminds of the importance of Obidos's past.

We continue to Nazare, the most famous fishing town in Portugal. Among the brightly coloured rowing-boats moored on the beach bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, one may watch the fisherfolk bring in the nets. A superb view is enjoyed from the "Sitio" for where you may observe women still wearing the traditional seven-skirted costumes near the Nossa Virgem de Nazare Basilica, an important pilgrimage centre.

Our final stop is nearby Fatima, the well-known Roman Catholic Marian shrine. We visit the Basilica and the Chapel of Apparitions that marks the spot where the three shepherd children had visions in 1917.

Overnight in the Fatima area.
Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we head southeast to the historic centre of Evora, a city classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Evora stands out quite distinctly on the vast horizon of the Alentejo plain, on the top of a gentle hill, dominated by its imposing cathedral. Its historical centre, protected by a vast ring of fortified walls, is typical of ''golden age'' cities, with its urban landscape exhibiting features from the architecture of countries in other continents where Portugal established a presence, particularly Brazil. The city has more than two millennia of history, its narrow streets evoking memories of the Moorish presence, in sharp contrast to its squares, which are flooded with sunlight.

Today we have a walking tour of Evora, including a visit to the cathedral, a fortified church with a number of Gothic elements and the largest cathedral in Portugal. Also in the vicinity is the Palacio dos Duques de Cadaval, surmounted by an imposing tower and a fine example of military architecture. If you walk down any one of the streets in front of the cathedral, you will soon come to Praca do Giraldo. With a public arcade on one side, this square acts as a kind of city forum, enlivened by its welcoming and friendly pavement cafes and with a beautiful sixteenth-century marble fountain surmounted by a bronze crown. The far end of the square is occupied by the Igreja de Santo Antão, built between 1557 and 1563.

Overnight in Evora.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we cross into Spain and travel the short distance to Caceres, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the remote land of Extremadura in western Spain. Founded in Roman times, it presents excellent examples of two very different parts of the city's heritage--the Moorish fortress and the feudal city. Because of its remote location, the citizens have been able to preserve and promote one of the most complete Medieval and Renaissance quarters in the world.

On arrival we will have an easy walking tour through the labyrinth of streets and tiny plazas, passing under arches, past towers and walls, between churches, beautiful convents and innumerable palaces. You will discover an incredible mix of architectural design ranging from Moorish to Northern Gothic to the Italian Renaissance.

We continue to Merida for our overnight.

Overnight in Merida.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Merida is one of Spain's justly famous cities. The Romans left a lavish legacy of monuments, including the famous bridge over the Guadiana River still in use many centuries after its construction. It is the Roman theatre, however, which is the gem of these remains and still attracts sell-out audiences during the annual International Festival of Classical Drama. The nearby Museum of Roman Art houses a marvelous collection of art and mosaics while just to the north is an amazingly well-preserved rich villa from the end of the First Century whose mosaic floor depicts Roman residents crushing grapes with their feet to make the beverage most consumed in Spain!

After touring Merida we enjoy the stunning Andalusian scenery as we make our way to Sevilla, the fourth largest city in Spain, and the picture-perfect image of Andalucia, complete with restored Andalusian architecture, orange groves, flower-filled patios, and castanet-rattling Gypsies.

Overnight in Sevilla.
Meals Included: Breakfast

While in Sevilla we visit the largest cathedral in Spain, built in a Gothic style with lovely stained glass windows, choir, and chapels. We visit the Giralda Tower, with its spectacular views of the city. Later we will walk along the Guadalquivir riverbank and view historic monuments like the Maestranza Bullring, the Torre del Oro, and the Monument to the Tolerance by Eduardo Chillida.

Balance of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Sevilla.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we travel along the historic Caliphate road to Granada. Our route is the same as that taken by Washington Irving, author of 'Tales of the Alhambra.'

Seville may have the pasión and Córdoba a medieval charm, but Granada has an edge. Most visitors concentrate solely on the magnificent Alhambra, but if you explore further, you'll find Andalucía's hippest, most youthful city, with a 'free tapas' culture, innovative restaurants and intimate flamenco haunts.

Overnight in Granada.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we tour Granada, focusing on Granada's main attraction, the Alhambra, a mighty fortress that houses an extraordinarily delicate and beautiful Moorish palace begun in the 13th century. This was the palace of the Nasrid Sultans, rulers of the last Spanish Moorish Kingdom. A fantasy of "lace in stone" surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, it affords superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by gypsy cave dwellers. In many ways, the Alhambra represents the Moorish concept of life itself -- something glorious to be ennobled by learning and enlivened by every kind of pleasure.

We also visit the nearby Generalife Gardens as well as the old Moorish quarter of the Albaicin.

Overnight in Granada.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we depart for Cordoba.

During our time in Cordoba (a World Heritage City), we will gain a sense of the city's long and varied past and multicultural nature. Our tour starts at the Roman Bridge and the Calahorra Tower, an Arab defensive tower. We continue to the Cathedral-Mosque, the only Catholic cathedral built in the heart of a mosque. We will also have time shopping and independent exploration. On your free time, we suggest the Alcazar fortress, built by King Alfonso XI, and containing mosaics and sarcophagi.

Overnight in Cordoba.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we travel by fast train to travel by train to Madrid (+/-2 hours), crossing the Despenaperros Mountains and the border pass between Castile and Andalucia.

The capital of Spain, located in the heart of the peninsula and right in the center of the Castillian plain, is a cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family.

Overnight in Madrid.
Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we have a guided tour of the Prado Museum.

Originally opened to the public in 1819, the Prado houses all of the finest works collected by Spanish Royalty as well as Spanish paintings gathered from other sources over the past two centuries. The Prado is one of the most important repositories of art in the world, including a vast collection of Italian paintings. For the purposes of our visit, however, we will concentrate on works by Spanish masters -- Velasquez, Goya, Ribera, El Greco, Zurbaran, to name a few.

After our tour, we'll head off on foot for an informal stroll up Gran Via and into the old quarter of Madrid. You'll then have free time for lunch and an afternoon of independent exploration. Your Tour Leader can help you plan your free time, with recommended shopping, other historical sites and galleries.

Overnight in Madrid.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is free for independent exploration. Overnight in Madrid.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Arrival to Salt Lake City