MALAGA,
SEVILLE, EVORA, FATIMA, COIMBRA, PORTO, SALAMANCA, AVILA,
SEGOVIA, COSTA DEL SOL and ANDALUSIA
Specially-priced
Air Rates
Available:YES
Spain
and Portugal—these are two countries with rich histories and distinct
cultures, and on this affordable Best of Spain & Portugal tour,
you'll see their fascinating highlights. In Spain, you’ll overnight in
Madrid, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, and Salamanca. In Portugal, you’ll
stay in Lisbon and Porto.
One of the tour highlights is a guided visit to Toledo, a treasure
chest of art and historical architecture. In this old walled town,
built on a hill, visit the 12th-century Church of St. Tome, which has
one of El Greco's most famous paintings.
You will be delighted by the included visit of the Alhambra complex,
built in the 13th century by Moorish kings featuring one of the oldest
decorative gardens in the Western World. In Avila—a UNESCO World
Heritage walled city founded in the 11th century—visit St. Theresa's
Convent, opened in 1636 on the birthplace of St. Teresa.
In Portugal, visit Lisbon with a local guide, who will show you Belem
Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built circa 1514 to commemorate the
expedition of Vasco de Gama, and Porto's cathedral, built between the
12th and 13th centuries in Romanesque style on a panoramic terrace
overlooking the port wine cellars on the banks of the Douro River.
In Spain, enjoy guided sightseeing in Toledo, Granada, Seville and
Madrid. These local guides - experts in the cities' histories and
cultures - will highlight the must-see sights. All of this and
more—including a visit with wine tasting to a local wine cellar in
Montilla—await you on this fabulous and affordable Spain and Portugal
tour designed for value-minded travelers.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: TOLEDO Guided sightseeing
GRANADA Guided visit of the
Alhambra Complex*
MONTILLA Visit a wine Bodega
CORDOBA Guided visit of the
Mezquita
SEVILLE Guided sightseeing
EVORA Visit
LISBON Guided sightseeing
FÁTIMA Visit the Sanctuary
COIMBRA Visit
PORTO Guided sightseeing,
visit a port wine cellar
SALAMANCA
ÁVILA and SEGOVIA Visits
MADRID Guided sightseeing
Notes:
April 07 Departure – Easter
April 28 Departure – Feria in Seville
December 14 Departure – Christmas dinner in Madrid
*Entrance to the Nasrid Palace is not guaranteed
The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites
can be seen or visited on this vacation:
Historic Centre of
Évora
Historic Centre of
Oporto
Alhambra and
Generalife Granada
Cathedral in
Seville
Historic city of
Toledo
Old City of
Salamanca
Old Town of
Segovia and its Aqueduct
Old town of Avila
with its Extra muros Churches
Belem tower in
Lisbon
Inside
visits and special features: Shown in
UPPERCASE in the tour description including admission charges where
applicable.
HEADSETS
throughout the tour
OPTIONALS:
Choice of optional excursions at reasonable prices to customize your
own experience. Please find a detailed list in your travel documents
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS Airport
transfers
may be included when you make your flight arrangements.
MADRID Praga (ST)
GRANADA Alixares (F)
CORDOBA Selu
(ST)
SEVILLE Don Paco (ST)
LISBON Roma (ST)
OPORTO Portus Cale (ST)
SALAMANCA Sercotel Artheus
Carmelitas Salamanca (ST) HOTELS -
(SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist Class
(T) Tourist Class
DINING
HIGHLIGHTS
Buffet
breakfasts daily; 4 dinners, including a dinner at a local restaurant
in Porto
TRANSPORTATION Touring by private, first-class,
air-conditioned motorcoach
GUIDES
Local Guides for city sightseeing in Toledo, Granada-Alhambra
complex, Lisbon, Madrid. Professional Tour Director while touring
AIRPORT TRANSFERS Airport transfers
may be included when you make your flight arrangements.
Day 1 Arrive in Madrid,
Spain Check into your hotel. The rest of the
day is for you to relax or start exploring Madrid taking advantage of
the Cosmos GO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow
travelers.
Dinner
Day2Madrid–Toledo–GranadaDrive south to Toledo. Spectacularly
situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River, the
ancient Castilian capital is a treasure-chest of masterpieces. Visit
the walled Old Town with a Local Guide and marvel at the 12th-century
CHURCH OF ST. TOME, known for its large painting by El Greco of The
Burial of the Count of Orgaz. Later, cross the Guadalquivir River and
head for the olive and orange groves that dot the rolling Andalusian
hills. Overnight in history-steeped Granada at the foot of the Sierra
Nevada.
Today’s Distance: 298 mi/ 480 kmBreakfast Dinner
Day 3 Granada–Montilla–CordobaGranada was the Moors’ most treasured
city, and they still mourn its loss in their prayers. With a Local
Guide, visit the ALHAMBRA COMPLEX*, built by Moorish kings. More grand
scenery as you reach Montilla to visit a local WINE CELLAR and taste
some of its wine. Then, continue to Cordoba on the banks of the
Guadalquivir River.
Today’s Distance: 143 mi/ 230 kmBreakfast
Day4Cordoba–SevilleWith a Local Guide visit the magnificent
MEZQUITA, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry, marble, and jasper.
On to vibrant, festive Seville.
Today’s Distance: 93 mi/ 150 kmBreakfast Dinner
Day
5
SevilleGet to know Seville on the included city
tour. The capital of Andalusia, colorful Seville has much to offer: the
cathedral, the beautiful La Giralda minaret tower, a symbol of Seville;
and the Real Alcázar palace, with its extravagant moorish
architecture and opulent gardens. Fun fact: the “Palace of the Kingdom
of Naboo”, from Star Wars, and the “Palace of the Kingdom of Dorne”,
from Game of Thrones, were filmed in Plaza de España and the
Royal Alcazar of Seville.
Breakfast
Day6Seville–Evora,
Portugal–LisbonEnjoy the scenery of the Sierra de
Aracena before crossing into Portugal and the fertile plains of the
Alentejo. Admire the forest of cork trees and make a stop to visit
Evora, a delightfully attractive Moorish city with arches, alleys,
flower-decked balconies, brilliant white houses, and the Temple of
Diana. Continue to Lisbon.
Today’s Distance: 267 mi/ 430 kmBreakfast
Day 7 LisbonHenry the Navigator made Lisbon the
15th-century “Mistress of the Seas.” You’ll see his monument, the Belem
Tower, the Moorish Citadel, the impressive Black Horse Square, and
other highlights on the guided sightseeing tour. Spend the afternoon at
leisure in the Alfama’s tile-decorated streets, or take an optional
excursion to the scenic Portuguese Riviera.
Breakfast
Day8Lisbon–Fátima–Coimbra–PortoStop in Fátima to visit its
world-famous SANCTUARY, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Continue to
Coimbra, known for its university, one of the oldest in Europe, and to
Porto on the northern bank of the Douro River. For the perfect way to
round out your day, why not join an optional Douro River cruise and
dinner?
Today’s Distance: 224 mi/ 360 kmBreakfast
Day 9 PortoDiscover Porto’s highlights on the
guided city tour. See its historical cathedral, and visit a PORT WINE
CELLAR along the banks of the Douro River. This afternoon, consider an
optional excursion to Guimarães, called the “cradle” of Portugal
and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner at
a local restaurant.
Breakfast Dinner
Day10Porto–Salamanca,
SpainEnjoy the plentiful woodlands and
mountains on your return to Spain via the scenic Douro Valley. Reach
the ancient and beautiful university town of Salamanca in the early
evening, the best time to take a stroll in the Plaza Mayor.
Today’s Distance: 267 mi/ 430 kmBreakfast
Day 11 Salamanca–Avila–Segovia–MadridJourney to fortified Ávila with
its many towers and visit ST. THERESA’S CONVENT before continuing to
Segovia, a medieval town picturesquely set on a rocky hill. Spend some
time in Segovia before crossing the boundary between new and old
Castile to arrive in Madrid.
Today’s Distance: 168 mi/ 270 kmBreakfast
Day12MadridThe capital of Spain, situated 2,180
feet above sea level, Madrid is the nearest thing to Heaven, according
to Spaniards. Discover Madrid’s main highlights on the included guided
city tour.
Breakfast
Day 13 MadridYour vacation ends with breakfast this
morning.
Breakfast
The
Best of Spain and Portugal
13 Day Tour
From $1899USD
(Less
applicable COSMOS PROMO(S) and Gardner Travel Discounts)
REQUEST
RATES, AVAILABILITY AND
OTHER INFORMATION HERE
View and Request ourLOW
UNPUBLISHED RATEand
availability for this tour:
You may reserve
your tour online OR
email
us and
we
will provide our private rate back to you by email
response or phone
call
as you prefer it.
PLEASE NOTE: We have access
to the
U.S./Canada reservations only for this tour. If
you reside outside of the U.S./Canada please contact the closest Globus
Family of Brands travel agent in your country of origin.
Exceptional
Vacations
Celebrating
over 85 Years of Touring!
Prices
are
per person based on double occupancy and are land only. We also offer
competitive group-based airfares from your home city airport that fit
with this particular touring program.
Toll Free Call
1-877-510-4653 USA and Canada
We
provide an additional agency
point-of-sale discountfor
all Globus,
Cosmos
and Avalon
Waterways
tour programs. Offer subject
to availability and change without notice.
TALK
TO AN EXPERIENCED
As
a
full-service travel provider, we can help you in finding your
perfect tour at the best price available, today. We've been
representing the GLOBUS Family of
Brands for
over 35 years as a Premier Agency
Partner - a designation only awarded to the top tier agencies
that are authorized to represent the full Globus Family of Brands. We
can take you all the way from your own hometown to
some of the most beautiful touring experiences in Europe and then back
again - all with the expertise of a seasoned GLOBUS professional
representative.
When it is important to get it right, you can trust the services of our
own professional GLOBUS Certified travel specialists. Please feel free
to call us or email us or we would be happy to provide your information
via email
on the tour form, below.
Requesting Availability We will check your requested tour
program and accommodations for the date range that you may specify in
the boxes below and reply back to you as soon as possible. Of course
the more information that you can provide us, the closer we will be in
matching your needs and preferences. We will not knowingly sell or pass
along your information that you provide to any third party for any
reason (see Liabilities
and Privacy Policy). And we use SSL Technology to safeguard your
information on our tour request forms that we have posted throughout
our website. We
are available to answer your inquiries in person Monday - Friday
(except holidays) from 8:30am until 5:30pm CST (1-877-510-4653 |
817-788-5210). We are available from time to time on the weekends via
email to answer your questions. Our typical response time for your
email request ranges from 3 hours to as many as 72 depending upon the
availability of onsite resources and those of the tour companies and
resorts/lodging establishments, as well as any variations you may
request from our listed programs. We will respond to your
requests as quickly as possible and as soon as we have all components
of your package confirmable. All tour program rates are based upon
double occupancy unless otherwise specified.
Thank
you for
your interest in this quality tour by The GLOBUS Family
of Brands!
Randy
C.
Gardner President Gardner Travel
Service,
Inc.
and The Globus Family of
Brands
More than 75
years ago, Antonio Mantegazza bought a rowboat to transport commercial
goods across Lake Lugano in Switzerland. Who could know that rowboat
would launch the world's leading escorted travel company? Today Globus
is a global, family-owned company reaching every corner of the world.
Globus is now the first choice among individuals looking for vacations
with both domestic and international travel in a variety of styles to
six continents and hundreds of itineraries to choose from (see Globus History video right).
Antonio's
frequent trips across the scenic lake led him to
consider opportunities in a different market - tourism. His
entrepreneurial instinct pushed him to gradually acquire some
motorcoaches to transport tourists around the Lake Lugano area. In
1928, Antonio opened a company specializing in motorcoach touring
called Globus Viaggi. The company began with a fleet of 12 coaches
which operated local excursions for European tourists in Switzerland.
By
1950, Globus Viaggi had grown to a fleet of 33 coaches
and featured overnight excursions to Rome, Venice, the Dolomites and
the French Riviera. Gradually, these became regularly scheduled tours
and grew longer to cover more ground. Later that decade, under the
leadership of Werner Albek, Antonio's business partner, Globus
pioneered the concept of Grand European Touring by offering first-class
European tours to North Americans. By 1961, the company launched its
Cosmos arm, which featured affordable, value-priced European touring
for the cost-conscious British traveler.
The
coach tours were so successful that Cosmos soon
introduced another form of travel for the British market: air holiday
packages to the sunny destinations of southern Europe. By 1968, Cosmos
air holidays became so popular the company formed its own airline,
Monarch Airlines. Monarch Airlines started out modestly with two used
Britannia aircraft and eventually blossomed into one of the most
successful European charter companies with a large fleet of modern jets
and its own engineering division.
Under
the flagship of Sergio Mantegazza, current president
and son of Antonio, Globus began expanding its markets beyond Great
Britain and North America. Since 1974, travel packages have been sold
in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and most recently in Southeast Asia.
Starting in the 70s, the company also aggressively expanded its
offerings, introducing travelers to more countries than any other tour
operator with packages to Africa, South and North America, Europe, the
South Pacific and Asia.
Today,
the Globus family of brands is marketed and operated
by a network of more than 32 independent tourism and aviation
businesses, serviced by a group of more than 5,000 professionals
worldwide. Combined, Globus, Cosmos, and Monograms carry over 500,000
passengers a year, making the organization the leading operator of
guided vacations worldwide. Globus attributes its success to the ideals
of founder Antonio Mantegazza. For three generations, his vision, hard
work, love for travel, and commitment have guided the company. These
values are the cornerstone on which Globus was built and will continue
to grow. More
than three decades ago Cosmos
pioneered the idea of quality value
travel
to Europe. Since then we've developed and refined the concept of
vacation
packages. Over a million people have come back to us for a second or
third
vacation...or more!
Our clients'
repeat business is the best testimony to the incredible value and
experience
we offer.
If you've never
taken a package vacation, consider this: Traveling with Cosmos is less
expensive, more comfortable, and far easier than going it alone. Our
volume
contracting for hotels and services provides you with travel at
wholesale
prices. A Cosmos package is carefully planned to make the best possible
use of your time.
Our team of
experts has refined our itineraries to combine the must-see sights with
significant time on your own, offering more choice and flexibility. You
can travel relaxed and hassle-free, knowing that we've taken care of
all
the details.
Once you've
discovered the special advantages of traveling with Cosmos, you'll
never
want to travel any other way again. Cosmos is "A Smart Way To Go."
Cosmos
Takes
Care of Your
Hotels
Where
you stay makes all the difference After a day's
traveling you want to relax at a comfortable, clean, and attractive
hotel.
We have chosen hotels with the best rooms, service, and food for the
money.
Of course, they vary as different countries have different standards.
However,
we ensure that everywhere you get the best available in cleanliness and
comfort.
Cosmos hotels
are always located in good neighborhoods, some more centrally and
others
in residential areas. Especially in large cities we sometimes prefer
good
hotels in residential areas on the outskirts to less desirable or
overpriced
downtown hotels.
Rooms at all
our hotels include private facilities: private bath or shower and a
toilet.
Triple rooms
are usually no larger than twin rooms and the third bed is often a
roll-away
bed put into a twin-bedded room just for the night.
Cosmos
specifies
your hotels Our hotels
are mainly superior tourist-class (ST) and tourist-class (T)
establishments,
but we also feature some first-class (F) hotels. Cosmos hotel ratings
follow
standards set by the independent Official Hotel Guide (OHG) or by
national
tourist boards. The specific rating for each contract hotel is
determined
by our quality controllers.
We reserve
the right to substitute hotels listed on the tour pages with hotels of
equivalent standard. With your Cosmos travel documents you'll receive a
list of hotel addresses, telephone numbers, and fax numbers for your
tour.
Stretch
Your
Vacation Dollars
Value-packed
vacations at bargain prices With Cosmos,
a company that specializes in package travel arrangements, you'll visit
the world without spending a fortune. Because all our buying power is
devoted
to package travel, our clout with suppliers is powerfully concentrated
-- and we pass the savings on to you with affordable vacation packages
for every budget.
Singles
save
with "guaranteed share" rates More than one-third
of all people traveling with Cosmos are traveling independently. We
therefore
accept reservations on a "guaranteed share" basis. We charge singles
the
basic price and match up singles of the same gender in twin-bedded
rooms.
For mutual comfort we adopt a no-smoking rule in shared rooms.
"Guaranteed
shares" are not available for extra nights before or after your tour,
on
tours with overnight trains, or on train or cruise extensions. If we cannot
find a roommate for a traveler who has booked on a "guaranteed share"
basis,
we'll absorb the single room supplement, and that traveler will be
accommodated
in a single room at no extra charge. Of course we
do offer single rooms when available to those who prefer to travel solo
and pay the single supplement.
Triple
room
reduction Cosmos grants
a reduction to three people who travel together and share the same
accommodation.
Triple room reductions, when available, are listed in the Dates and
Prices
box on the tour page.
A word of caution:
Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms, and the third bed,
if there is one, is often a rollaway bed put in a twin-bedded room for
the night.
Discount
for
young tour members Cosmos grants
a 10 percent discount on the land tour price to travelers who are under
18 years old on the tour departure date, provided they are accompanied
by an adult. We do not accept children under eight on our tours because
we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.
Take
a
vacation from
worry
You're
planning your annual vacation, or the vacation of a lifetime. Either
way
you don't want to think about canceling or interrupting your trip. Or
getting
sick. Or losing your luggage.
We know these
things happen and we provide travelers peace of mind with a Travel
Protection
Plan. North
America
Europe $69
for Tours
Up to $1,000 $79 for Tours Up to $1,000 $79
for Tours
Over $1,000 $99 for Tours Over $1,000
Travel
Arrangement
Protection - Part ATrip
Cancellation
and Interruption Protection up to $10,000
Should you
cancel or interrupt your Cosmos travel package due to a covered injury,
sickness, death — your own, or that of a Traveling Companion, or of a
member
of the Immediate Family — or for Other Covered Events as defined, you
(in
the case of your death, your estate) will be reimbursed up to $10,000:
1) for cancellation charges imposed by Cosmos and/or by any airline
that
provided direct flight connections to join your Cosmos travel package,
if you cancel prior to departure; or, 2) the unused, non-refundable
land
portion of your Cosmos travel package costs and the additional
transport
charges paid to return home or to rejoin your original Cosmos travel
package
(limited to the cost of economy one-way airfare by scheduled carrier,
from
the point of destination to the point of origin shown on your original
travel tickets) if you must interrupt your trip after departure.
Delayed Arrival
and Missed Connection Coverage up to $1,000
Should you
miss a scheduled flight or your land tour departure because of delay or
a public conveyance due to inclement weather, mechanical breakdown, or
strike that affects public transportation, you will be reimbursed up to
$1,000 for the cost of the extra fare paid to join your Cosmos travel
package
(limited to the cost of the most economical air or service transport
available).
Airline-required legal minimum connection times must be observed and
the
scheduled time between arrival at the tour departure city and the land
tour departure must be four hours or longer.
Upgrade Protection
up to $1,000
Should your
Traveling Companion cancel or interrupt a Cosmos travel package due to
a covered injury, sickness, death or for Other Covered Events, you will
be reimbursed up to $1,000 for Cosmos charges to change your hotel
accommodation
for twin to single occupancy (or from triple to twin).
Trip Delay
Protection up to $1,000
Should you
interrupt a Cosmos travel package due to a covered injury or sickness
suffered
by you or a Traveling Companion, you will be reimbursed up to $1,000
for
accommodations and meals. Coverage begins 12 hours after the tour
departs
the location where you are detained. There is a maximum limit of $100
per
day.
Travel
Insurance
Benefits - Part B Baggage and
Travel Documents up to $2,500
Pays
for items
lost, stolen or broken on your trip. Includes borrowed or rented
property.
Restrictions may apply; please refer to your coverage certificate.
Baggage
Delay
up to $250
Pays
for the
purchase of essential items if your bags are delayed for more than 24
hours.
Sickness
Medical
Expense up to $10,000
Pays
sickness
medical expenses with no daily limits or deductibles.
Accident
Medical
Expense up to $10,000
Pays
accident
medical expenses with no daily limits or deductibles.
Dental
Expense
up to $1,000
Pays
emergency
dental expenses with no daily limits or deductibles.
Emergency
Medical Transportation up to $15,000
Pays
evacuation
and transportation expenses as directed by a doctor to the nearest
adequate
medical facility or home.
Accidental
Death and Dismemberment up to $25,000
Pays
for direct
accidental death or dismemberment 24 hours a day while you are on your
trip.
Repatriation
up to $15,000
Pays
for reasonable
and necessary services for transportation of the insured's remains to
his
or her place of residence.
Flight
Accident
up to $100,000
Coverage
for
accidents that occur when traveling on a regularly scheduled flight or
charter.
Travel
Guard®
Assistance
Emergency
assistance
for your peace of mind anywhere in the world!
Advancement
of funds to cover emergency medical expenses on your trip.
Telephone
interpretation in major languages.
Assistance
with replacement of travel documents.
Help in locating
local doctors, dentists, or medical facilities
24-hour Livetravel
Assistance New Feature!
Livetravel
— 24-hour hotline to make emergency travel changes, such as rebooking
flights,
hotel reservations, tracking lost luggage and more!
Live
Messaging
— relay of e-mail or phone message to family, friends or business
associates.
Pre-trip
Travel
Advice — around-the-clock access to passport, visa, inoculation and
vaccine
requirements; travel advisories; embassy and consulate contacts; travel
health advisories; weather and currency information — all for your
planned
destination.
Emergency
Cash Transfer — assistance in coordinating an emergency cash advance.
Waiver
of
Pre-existing Medical Conditions
The
pre-existing
medical conditions exclusion is waived if insurance is purchased within
24 hours of initial trip deposit.
Exclusions
apply. Please refer to your Certificate of Insurance for complete
details. Travel
Protection
Plus
For those who
have selected the Travel Protection Plan on their booking, we will
provide
the option to purchase our Travel Protection Plus Plan, at an
additional
cost of only $20.00* per person. Once this coverage has been selected,
Globus and Cosmos will allow you to cancel your vacation up to 24 hours
(or the prior business day, whichever is farther out) before the
scheduled
departure for any reason.
If the reason
for the cancellation is covered under the normal Travel Protection Plan
provisions, the passenger should file a claim with the plan's
administrator,
Travel Guard 1-866-729-5220, for the penalty retained. In the event the
reason for the cancellation is not covered, the cancellation penalty as
retained by Globus or Cosmos will be reimbursed in the form of Travel
Certificates
(less the Travel Protection Plan premium and the Plus supplement). The
certificates are non-refundable, non-transferable and will be valid for
one year from the date of the originally confirmed departure date.
The standard
Travel Protection Plan premium and the $20.00* supplement for the Plus
Plan are non-refundable. This supplement must be added and confirmed on
the booking within the original deposit period of the booking. The
Travel
Protection Plus Plan does not cover penalties associated with air not
purchased
through Globus and Cosmos or cancellation made within 24 hours (or the
prior business day, whichever is farther out).
ENJOY THE GAME OF
GOLF?
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throughout the U.S! Click
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visit our golf site.
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Agency Partner We
Know Globus!
TOLL FREE 1-877-510-4653 or 817/788-5210
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Are:
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