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About this tour

Included Sightseeing Highlights Premium Highlights
Visit the unique city of Toledo, to admire the Cathedral, old synagogue, as well as El Greco's
masterpiece in the chapel of Santo Tomé

Visit the elaborately carved courtyards and golden mosaics of the Alhambra Palace in Granada

Visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus in Seville's Gothic Cathedral, built in the 15th century

Visit the Monument to the Discoveries & Belem Tower in Lisbon

Visit Jeronimo's Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline art

Personal Insights
Learn about Toledo - where four religions meet.

Additional Excursions and Sights
See the Alcazar, Giralda Tower & Santa Cruz Quarter in Seville

Visit the great Basilica in Fatima

See the Plaza Mayor and Puente Romano bridge in Salamanca

Visit the walled town of Avila

See the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Royal Palace and Cibeles Fountain in Madrid

Insight's First Class Services
Escorted by a professional Tour Director

Luxury 40 seat touring coach with extra legroom & onboard toilet

First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage

Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack

Airport Shuttle arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 10

Quality Dining
Highlight Dinner in Madrid at a local restaurant (HD)

8 buffet breakfasts (BB), 2 three course table d'hôte dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

Included Sightseeing Highlights Premium Highlights
Visit the unique city of Toledo, to admire the Cathedral, old synagogue, as well as El Greco's
masterpiece in the chapel of Santo Tomé

Visit the elaborately carved courtyards and golden mosaics of the Alhambra Palace in Granada

Visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus in Seville's Gothic Cathedral, built in the 15th century

Visit the Monument to the Discoveries & Belem Tower in Lisbon

Visit Jeronimo's Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline art

Personal Insights
Learn about Toledo - where four religions meet.

Additional Excursions and Sights
See the Alcazar, Giralda Tower & Santa Cruz Quarter in Seville

Visit the great Basilica in Fatima

See the Plaza Mayor and Puente Romano bridge in Salamanca

Visit the walled town of Avila

See the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Royal Palace and Cibeles Fountain in Madrid

Insight's First Class Services
Escorted by a professional Tour Director

Luxury 40 seat touring coach with extra legroom & onboard toilet

First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage

Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack

Airport Shuttle arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 10

Quality Dining
Highlight Dinner in Madrid at a local restaurant (HD)

8 buffet breakfasts (BB), 2 three course table d'hôte dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: DEPART USA

Overnight flight to Madrid.

Day 2: ARRIVE MADRID

Welcome to Madrid, Europe's highest capital, occupying the very centre of the Iberian Peninsula. The airport shuttle departs from Madrid Airport to the tour hotel at 09.30, 12.30, 15.00 & 17.30 hours. The rest of the day is at leisure to begin to get to know this stylish city. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director.
Hotel: NH Alcala

Day 3: MADRID - GRANADA

Set off southwards this morning to the city of Toledo, situated high above the River Tagus, and famous for its burnished steel swords, which have been crafted here for centuries. Walk through the cobbled streets to the great Gothic Cathedral and visit the Church of Santo Tome, housing El Greco's famous painting, 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz'. Continue on through the dry plains of Don Quixote's La Mancha, before crossing the Sierra Nevada to reach Granada, capital of the Moorish Kingdom of Spain till the Moors' defeat in 1492.
Hotel: Saray (BB, D)

Day 4: GRANADA - SEVILLE

'There is no pain in life so cruel as to be blind in Granada', cries the inscription on the walls of the Alhambra. Bathed in morning light, the Alhambra Palace awaits: a fantasy of stone cut lace, arabesque gardens and fountains, built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century. You also visit the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence. Relax here in the sunshine, and enjoy the fine views over the town and its three verdant hills before embarking on a scenic drive to Seville.
Hotel: Melia Lebreros (BB)

Day 5: SEVILLE SIGHTSEEING

Your guided sightseeing tour of Seville reveals the city in all its glory! Enter the immense 15C cathedral, to see the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Back outside, see fabulous Alcazar and the slender Giralda Tower. Soak up the atmosphere in the fashionable Santa Cruz Quarter, with its flower decked wrought iron balconies. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, why not enjoy dinner and a flamenco show? (BB)

Day 6: SEVILLE - LISBON

Bid 'adios' to Seville and head for the green slopes of the Sierra Morena. After crossing the Portuguese border, continue through the infinite horizons of the Alentejo Plateau. Once over the amazing Tagus Bridge, you arrive in Lisbon, historic capital of Portugal - according to the poet Camoes, 'the princess of the world...before whom even the ocean bows'!
Hotel: Marriott Lisbon (BB)

Day 7: LISBON SIGHTSEEING

A panoramic guided tour takes you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco, finest square in the city. Visit the Belem Quarter from where sailing ships set forth to discover unknown lands. See the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the more ancient Belem Tower, a masterpiece of Manueline style. It was erected to protect Jeronimo's Monastery which you visit next. Take some time to admire the fabulous double tiered cloisters. Then you are at leisure. Perhaps join a tour to the beautiful town of Sintra which was the summer residence of the Kings of Portugal? (BB)

Day 8: LISBON - SALAMANCA

Drive into the green hills north of Lisbon to visit Fatima the most celebrated place of pilgrimage in Portugal. Visit the Basilica commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three children in 1917. Then cross the border back into Spain and continue to Salamanca, famous for its golden stone buildings. During your stay see the handsome arcaded Plaza Mayor, 16th century University Buildings and Puente Romano bridge across the river Tormes - 15 of its 26 arches still date from the time of the ancient Romans!
Hotel: Gran Hotel Spa Salamanca (BB, D)

Day 9: SALAMANCA - MADRID

Cross the rock strewn hills of La Morana, towards St. Theresa's city of Avila, still entirely enclosed within perfect 11th century walls, and unique in Europe. Walk awhile within the ancient city, before returning to Madrid for a sightseeing tour. Here, your local guide introduces you to the Plaza de Espana and the statue of Cervantes, the Royal Palace, Cibeles Fountain and Parliament. This evening, bid farewell to your new found friends with a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant.
Hotel: NH Alcala (BB, HD)

Day 10: RETURN TO USA.

After breakfast, transfers from the tour hotel arrive Madrid Airport at 07.00, 09.00 & 11.00 hours. (BB)

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About Insight Vacations

Insight is a mid-range tour company which separates itself from the pack by selecting hotels in great locations and by offering more included sightseeing than comparable tours from other companies. They do charge a premium for the optional add-ons however. Transportation is comfortable and visitors tend to feel less rushed at each sight because the tours spend longer in each destination.

Traveler profile

Generally appeals to couples of 50+ though single travelers of ages 40+ (and occasionally significantly younger or older) are also often guests on these tours.

Group size

Maximum 40 people on a bus, seating adjusted so there's space for only 40 passengers (vs. typical 55)

Tour directors

Tour guides are generally very experienced (10+ years) and experts in their destinations.

Hotel type

"Hotels are centrally located, close to interesting sights, and generally of a
higher quality than many tour companies. "

What's included

Most city tours included. Full breakfast included. Some other meals included, at 2 and 3 star restaurants. Optional add-ons, including many of the most appealing visits, are available for an extra fee.

Free time

Generally there is free time in the evenings upon arrival in each city, and more if you opt out of the add-ons.

Booking Policy

BOOKING CHANGES, CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

Online Bookings:
To make changes and or cancel a booking made online, Travel agents must call Insight Vacations Automation Helpdesk to modify at (800) 299-1120.
Booking changes:
A fee of $30 per transaction will be charged for any revision or alteration made to a reservation after the booking is confirmed. Any alterations will risk the loss of air space or increased airfares. Name changes or corrections will be treated as a cancellation of air and all normal air cancellation fees will apply.
Note: Cancellation fees will be charged if you cancel you entire tour package to reschedule for a different date.
Cancellations and Cancellation Fees:

* If notice of cancellation is received by Insight Vacations 45 days prior to departure*, the non-refundable deposit will be retained along with the Travel Protection Plan, see Insight’s brochure.
* If full payment is not received 45 days prior to departure the Airline(s) have the right to cancel your Air reservation. Regrettably, if payment is not received by Insight we will not be responsible for lost reservations.
* Notice of cancellation must be made in writing either directly to Insight or through your Travel Agent.
* The following scale of charges will apply when notice of cancellation is given after the booking is confirmed:

No. of days prior to Departure* (Cancellation Fee)

45 days or more (the non-refundable deposit)
44-22 (25% of total price)
21-8 (30% of total price)
7-1 (50% of total price)
Day of departure*/No show (100% of total price)

• Extra night hotel accommodation that is cancelled within 14 days of the booked date incurs a 100% cancellation fee. When accommodation is cancelled outside 14 days, the cancellation fees are:

45 days or more (US$30 per person)
44 - 22 days (25%)
21 - 15 days (30%)

*PLEASE NOTE: The departure date constitutes the date indicated on Insight’s confirmation.
• Airline arrangements: The following cancellation charges apply for airline arrangements made by Insight Vacations:
- Prior to Airline Ticketing service fee $50.00 per person.
- After Airline Ticketing service fee $75.00 per person plus any airline imposed penalties which may be up to 100% of the air ticket value.

Refunds and Penalties:

* Illness or Absenteeism: In the event of your withdrawal from a tour after commencement for reasons of illness, you must obtain a medical certificate in support of any claim. We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including but not limited to, missed meals or sightseeing. Insight makes no representation or guarantees concerning reimbursements of funds paid by you under any claim.
* Air & Land Packages: These packages are based on non-refundable airfares. If flight changes requested after the deposit has been received, or if flights are cancelled after tickets are issued, change fees or airline penalties will be applicable.
* Airline Seating: Tour members are requested to contact the Airline(s) for seating assignments 30 days prior to departure. Seating is solely under control of the Airline. Flight delays are the sole responsibility of the Airline.
* Airlines & Airfares: No refund will be made for cancelled air tickets on air inclusive bookings until tickets are returned to Insight. Refunds for tour portion will only be processed after return of documents to Insight. Please ensure that returned tour documents which contain airline tickets are sent by certified or registered mail. Lost ticket replacement can take up to 1 year and processing fees can be assessed.
* Air Availability: If Insight is unable to confirm your air reservation in its scheduled class of service, Insight may offer an alternative of either connecting flights, substitute gateways or a more expensive booking category. Any air surcharges will be at the passengers’ expense. You will be advised of these conditions at the time of booking.
* Airline & Airport Taxes and Charges: Any domestic and international departure or arrival taxes, security charges, and other types of taxes or charges imposed by Airlines, Airports, Governments, etc. are not included in the Tour Price. The amount of these charges will be passed on to each passenger at the time of booking.

Note: If a promotional airfare is broken or extended for any reason an additional cost may be incurred. Airfares are subject to change at any time. Changes to flight itineraries and name changes may result in penalties charged by the Airline concerned and passed on to the passenger.

* Prices do not include taxes and fees, may not include airfare and are based on double occupancy. Tour information including pricing may not be up to date.

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