| Countries Visited:
Spain Portugal Morocco |
Tour Type: Winter Touring
Tour Duration: 17 Days (16 Nights)
From: Madrid to Madrid
Tour Code: W942
Operator: Insight Vacations |
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 Click Map To Enlarge
Tour Description
Experience the grandeur of the state apartments in the Royal Palace, Madrid. Stand testimony to the Alhambra Palace and Gardens. Visit the Rock of Gibraltar and St. Michael's Cave. Visit the exquisite Bahia Palace in Marrakesh. Visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus in Seville. Visit Jeronimo's Monastery and admire the cloisters. Visit Toledo Cathedral and see the paintings of El Greco. Choose from a selection of restaurants in Granada. Highlight Dinner, folklore show & belly dancing in Fes. Over dinner, experience a passionate Flamenco show. Enjoy a restaurant Celebration Dinner with wine in Madrid. Included Premium Highlights:
- Madrid: Visit the Royal Palace. See the Cervantes Monument, Cibeles Fountain and cross the Puerta del Sol.
- Consuegra: Enjoy views from the windmills above the town.
- Valdepeñas: Enjoy a short tutorial on wine.
- Granada: Visit the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens.
- Gibraltar: Visit the Rock and St. Michael’s Cave.
- Tangier: See the Medina and Casbah.
- Fes: Visit the Medina and shop for Moroccan carpets.
- Marrakesh: Soak up the atmosphere in Djemaa el Fna Square. See the Koutobia Minaret and visit the Bahia Palace.
- Rabat: See the Royal Palace and Hassan Tower.
- Seville: Enjoy a walking tour of the Santa Cruz Quarter. See the Alcazar, Giralda Tower and tomb of Columbus in the Cathedral.
- Lisbon: Visit the Discoveries Monument and Belem Tower.
- Fatima: Visit the great Basilica.
- Salamanca: See the cathedral in the university town.
- Toledo: See the paintings of El Greco in the Cathedral.
- Scenic drives: Atlas Mountains, Costa del Sol, Sierra Nevada
Included Premium Hotels
- These First Class and Superior Hotels are perfectly located in each destination for your maximum enjoyment:
- This tour stays in predominantly modern hotels. Many reflect the regional character, as evidenced in the arabesque inspired Moroccan properties.
- Elsewhere, hotels on tour range from the modern beach front Melia Costa del Sol, to the classic marble and woodwork of the Alameda Palace in Salamanca.
Included First Class Services
- Escorted by a professional Tour Director
- Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
- Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
- Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
- Insight Traveller Welcome pack
- Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 17 (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport or purchase a transfer)
Included Quality Dining
- A Welcome Reception with drinks and a light meal (WR)
- 16 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 1 Dine-Around dinner, 2 Highlight Dinners (HD), 1 Celebration Dinner and 4 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
- Departures on tour for Christmas & New Year’s Eve, enjoy a festive celebration dinner
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Day
1
to 2 |
Madrid Of The Bourbons
Welcome to Madrid! Transfers leave Madrid Airport for the tour hotel at 09:00, 11:00, 13:30 and 16:00. As evening falls, you’re invited to a Welcome Reception with drinks and a light informal meal. After a restful nights sleep, take a guided tour down the Gran Via to the Cibeles Fountain on the wide Paseo de la Castellana. Cross the Puerta del Sol and see the Cervantes Monument in the Plaza de España before visiting the state apartments of the Royal Palace. The afternoon is at leisure. Stay: Conde Duque (WR/BB) |
Day
3 |
Granada And The Alhambra
Drive up to the windmills on the ridge above Consuegra for views over the plains of La Mancha. Continue through Valdepeñas and hear about the wines that make this region so famous. Upon reaching Granada, enjoy a guided tour of the Alhambra Palace: a fantasy of stone cut lace, arabesque gardens and fountains. You also visit the exotic water gardens of the Generalife. For your dining pleasure tonight, choose from a selection of restaurants. Stay: Saray (BB/DA) |
Day
4 |
A Day On The Sunshine Coast
Time at leisure this morning. Then drive past olive groves to the sun drenched Costa del Sol. Stay: Melia Costa Del Sol (BB) |
Day
5 |
Gibraltar And The White City Of Tangier
Travel along the coast road past exclusive resorts to Gibraltar, a British territory since 1704. Visit the Rock of Gibraltar, St. Michael’s Cave and see the Barbary Apes! Set sail across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco, a world of veils, musky spices, bazaars, souks and snake charmers. Stay: Andalucia Golf/El Minzah (BB/D) |
Day
6
to
7 |
The Ancient Imperial City Of Fes
On a sightseeing tour of Tangier, see the famous Medina and the Casbah before continuing to Fes, Morocco’s most ancient imperial city. Tonight, enjoy a superb Moroccan Dinner and a Folklore Show with drums and belly dancing. During your stay a guided sightseeing tour shows you the Medina - the walled city of hidden courtyards, mosques and workshops, the ancient bazaar and one of the world’s oldest universities. After a visit to a carpet co-operative, you are at leisure. Stay: Palais Atlas & Spa (BBx2/D/HD) |
Day
8
to
9 |
Marrakesh, Pearl Of The South
Travel via the Atlas Mountains, past mud-walled villages to Marrakesh. Enjoy the incredible atmosphere in Djemaa el Fna Square where acrobats, dancers and fortune tellers entertain you. A guided tour explores the Medina with its many souks, and shows you the Koutobia Minaret dominating the skyline. Also included is a visit to the Palais de la Bahia, built in the late 19th century, intended to be the greatest palace of its time. Stay: Atlas Medina & Spa (BBx2/D) |
Day
10 |
Casablanca And The Capital Of Rabat
Did Humphrey Bogart really say ‘Play it again Sam’? Find out on an orientation tour of Casablanca. Continue to Rabat to see the Royal Palace and Hassan Tower. Stay: Golden Tulip (BB/D) |
Day
11
to
12 |
Seville, The City Of Carmen
The road passes through the rugged Atlas Mountains, past mud-walled villages to Marrakesh, your base for two nights. Stay: Ayre (BBx2/HD) |
Day
13
to
14 |
The Algarve, Lisbon And The Age Of The Great Discoveries
Cross the Guadiana river and leave Spain, driving on to Portugal’s beautiful Algarve coast. Around lunch time, stop in one of the pleasant towns of this sun drenched region. Now head for Lisbon, historic capital of Portugal. The following morning, sightseeing with a local guide, shows you Sao Jorge Castle, the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belem Tower, starting point for Portugal’s great navigators and explorers. Explore the richly carved interior of Jeronimo’s Monastery, including the famous cloisters. This afternoon is at leisure. Stay: Turim Avenida Liberdade (BBx2) |
Day
15 |
Holy Fatima And Golden Salamanca
Drive into the green hills north of Lisbon to visit Portugal’s celebrated pilgrimage town of Fatima. Then cross back into Spain and continue to Salamanca, famous for its golden stone buildings. Stay: Alameda Palace (BB) |
Day
16 |
The Old Capital Of Toledo And Madrid Celebration
See Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor and the New and Old Cathedrals before continuing past the walls of Avila to Toledo. Walk through the maze of cobbled streets to visit the Cathedral with its paintings by El Greco. On arrival in Madrid, enjoy a Celebration Dinner with wine at a local restaurant. Stay: Conde Duque (BB/CD) |
Day
17 |
Madrid
Your tour draws to a close today. Departure transfers arrive at Madrid Airport at 07:00, 9:00 & 11:00. (BB) |
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Click on the icon if you would like to view an electronic version of the brochure online. |
Tour Prices
Tour prices are per person. Please request a quote for tour availability. |
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012/13 Season Sale! Save up to $190 per couple. Exclusive to Global Journeys. Deposit this month only to qualify!
Subject to availability at the time of booking.
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| START DATE |
END DATE |
BROCHURE
(Twin Share) |
BROCHURE
(Single) |
OUR
SAVINGS |
OUR
PRICE |
| 02 Nov 2012 |
18 Nov 2012 |
AU $2,799 |
AU $3,454 |
Save $85 |
AU $2,714 |
| 09 Nov 2012 |
25 Nov 2012 |
AU $2,799 |
AU $3,454 |
Save $85 |
AU $2,714 |
| 23 Nov 2012 |
09 Dec 2012 |
AU $2,799 |
AU $3,454 |
Save $85 |
AU $2,714 |
| 30 Nov 2012 |
16 Dec 2012 |
AU $2,799 |
AU $3,454 |
Save $85 |
AU $2,714 |
| 19 Dec 2012 |
04 Jan 2013 |
AU $2,975 |
AU $3,640 |
Save $90 |
AU $2,885 |
| 24 Dec 2012 |
09 Jan 2013 |
AU $3,125 |
AU $3,790 |
Save $95 |
AU $3,030 |
| 30 Dec 2012 |
15 Jan 2013 |
AU $3,125 |
AU $3,780 |
Save $95 |
AU $3,030 |
| 04 Jan 2013 |
20 Jan 2013 |
AU $2,799 |
AU $3,454 |
Save $85 |
AU $2,714 |
| 11 Jan 2013 |
27 Jan 2013 |
AU $2,799 |
AU $3,454 |
Save $85 |
AU $2,714 |
| 08 Feb 2013 |
24 Feb 2013 |
AU $2,799 |
AU $3,454 |
Save $85 |
AU $2,714 |
| 22 Feb 2013 |
10 Mar 2013 |
AU $2,799 |
AU $3,454 |
Save $85 |
AU $2,714 |
| 01 Mar 2013 |
17 Mar 2013 |
AU $2,799 |
AU $3,454 |
Save $85 |
AU $2,714 |
| 08 Mar 2013 |
24 Mar 2013 |
AU $2,850 |
AU $3,515 |
Save $85 |
AU $2,765 |
| 15 Mar 2013 |
31 Mar 2013 |
AU $2,850 |
AU $3,515 |
Save $85 |
AU $2,765 |
| 22 Mar 2013 |
07 Apr 2013 |
AU $2,850 |
AU $3,515 |
Save $85 |
AU $2,765 |
| 29 Mar 2013 |
14 Apr 2013 |
AU $2,850 |
AU $3,515 |
Save $85 |
AU $2,765 |
Note: The majority of departures above will proceed or are guaranteed to depart. We will outline the status of your departure date in your quote along with all applicable discounts and specials. |
Tour Discounts & Options:
Tour options, extras, upgrades and discounts! |
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Click on the descriptions below for more detail. We will apply all valid discounts automatically to your quote to provide you with the best possible price. Terms & Conditions apply to the discounts below.
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Flights:
Book your tour and flights together to SAVE! |
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The prices on our site are land only prices. If you would like to include flights with your quote, then we have some amazing specials for you to take advantage of!
Flight specials only apply for clients booking this tour from Global Journeys. Terms & Conditions apply and full details will be provided in your quote.
   
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General Information
The information below relates to this itinerary only. |
Tour Operator: Insight Vacations
Insight Vacations, Europe's premier escorted tour operator, provides premium escorted motorcoach vacations throughout Britain, Ireland, Europe, Scandinavia the Eastern Mediterranean and North America. 'The Art of Touring in Style' lies at the very heart of Insight philosophy. Our carefully chosen unique features and impeccable service standards enable us to deliver exceptional quality, unequalled value, unforgettable memories and personal freedom at levels currently unrivalled elsewhere in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Insight is completely unique. Simply, we are the only tour operator to give you more legroom on every tour at no extra cost: you'll consistently stay in quality hotels in desirable locations; you'll enjoy more included sightseeing; and because you'll travel in smaller groups (max 40 people), you'll receive better personal service from your experienced Tour Director and Tour Driver.
Documents will normally be mailed 21 days prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
Insight Vacations plays host to over 100,000 guests every year and has offices in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and the UK . The company has also appointed specialist agents in Argentina, Brazil, Mauritius, India, Ireland, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan and China. It is therefore quite typical to find many different nationalities on any one tour.
With only 40 guests on our premium tours instead of the standard 53, Insight clients enjoy a more personalised service. In a smaller group, you'll be closer to your local guide for a more in-depth experience, you'll spend less time waiting to get into sights and it will be faster checking into hotels with your luggage arriving quicker to your room. Insight groups are smaller, more intimate and more friendly.
Yet another exclusive feature of an Insight premium tour is the incredible space and comfort you'll enjoy when travelling. Our luxury coaches have been specially reconfigured with fewer seats, you'll relax in style whilst enjoying up to twice as much legroom than on a standard touring coach.
Insight hotels are consistently first class standard and higher or in a style appropriate to the destination. They have been selected because they are good private or small collection hotels or from well-known chains such as Marriott, Renaissance and Hilton. Insight also chooses hotels based on their location. We know you'll prefer to stay centrally, convenient to the main historic, shopping or entertainment districts; or scenically in areas of natural beauty.
Time & time again, our guests tell us that it was their Tour Director who really made their trip. Our Tour Directors are amongst the finest in the business and will help steer you through the labyrinth of Europe 's cultures, languages and diversities and bring its magic to life before your eyes.
At Insight, planning the perfect tour is our speciality. Not only to we include the 'must see' sights, we carefully balance our itineraries to give you plenty of free time to relax and immerse yourself in the location.
The prices listed cover all hotel accommodations, all applicable sightseeing and admissions as per the itinerary, motorcoach, cruise or rail transportation, services of a professional Insight Tour Director, all meals as shown in the itinerary and luggage handling. All tips have been included for services on tour by dining-room staff, chambermaids and porters at hotels, airports, docks and train stations.
On an Insight Vacation, some gratuities are included in the price of your trip: baggage handling, meal service for all meals listed in the tour itinerary, and hotel service charge. Room service, however, is not included in the tour price. Tips are customarily given to your Tour Director, Driver and Local Guides at your discretion. The recommended amounts are: Tour Directors EUR4 per day, Drivers EUR2.50 per day and Local Guides EUR1 per day. The option to prepay these tips prior to departure is possible. Please ask your consultant to include this in your quote.
These are activities that we do not automatically include but are offered at the start of your tour designed to enhance your travel experience. Your Tour Director will have a list of available options and the appropriate costs. They are carefully programmed to coincide with the best highlights available at the time of your visit. It could be a seafood lunch in Venice, a concert in Vienna or a Grand Canyon Helicopter ride. A detailed list and costs can be found in your tour documentation.
If you wish to share with another tour member you can advise Global Journeys at the time of booking. Insight believes that traveling solo doesn't have to cost you more. We will try to match you with someone of the same sex in order to avoid having to pay the single supplement. If we are not able to provide a suitable roommate, we will provide a single room at no extra cost. Several tours do not provide this option (generally tours containing a cruise component) and so the Single Supplement applies.
There is a no smoking policy motorcoach touring policy. However, we do make plenty of convenience stops giving you the opportunity to smoke, use local restroom facilities, take a scenic snapshot or just relax and enjoy of cup of coffee.
We have a dedicated section on our website providing more detailed information on Insight including FAQ's on what you need to know before, during and after your travel; as well as information on their 'Touring Styles', and a comprehensive search facility to enable you to easily find more of their tours. Read more> (NB: This link will take you away from this tour itinerary page).
Airport Transfer Information
Airport Transfers in Europe
All Insight passengers receive complimentary arrival and
departure transfers by shuttle bus on the arrival and departure day of their
tour at specified times.
Any passengers whose flight times do not coincide with the shuttle bus transfer timings may choose to book and purchase a transfer. Additionally, passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled holiday may also book and buy a transfer through Insight providing they also purchase the additional pre and post holiday hotel night(s) from Insight & Global Journeys.
European Private Transfers
If your flight times or arrival/departure days do not coincide with our shuttle transfers, you may choose to purchase a private shared transfer. Providing you also purchase the additional pre and post-tour hotel night(s) from Insight we can do this for you. Flight timings must be provided to Global Journeys no less than 21 days before the flight departure. Please enquire for pricing.
Terms & Conditions:
Yep, all the boring small print! We still recommend you read it all though, as no one likes surprises. Click here to read them now - they will open in a new window, or print them off to read over later with a cup of coffee!
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