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Tour:
Cruise:
Our tour will begin in vibrant Madrid, where we’ll meet the group and kick off our adventure with a delicious welcome dinner. Salud!
Overnight: Madrid
After breakfast, we’ll board the mini-coach and head for Toledo – a beguiling riverside city where centuries of history come alive. A guided city tour and visits to the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes and the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca will help us get a grip on the area’s unique cultural heritage before we retire to our hotel for the night.
Overnight: Toledo
Today our journey will continue south across the vast plains of La Mancha towards Valdepeñas – where we’ll pause to visit a local bodega for a wine tasting session and lunch. Appetites satisfied, we’ll move on to beautiful Córdoba – our home for the next two nights.
Overnight: Córdoba
Prepare to step back in time to the days of Islamic Iberia – a locally guided tour of Córdoba’s Old Town awaits! After visiting the spectacular Mezquita (a UNESCO-protected mosque), you’ll be free to explore the city at your own pace. Seek out hidden squares and local cafés, pamper yourself at a traditional hammam or simply sit back and marvel at the city’s magnificent architecture – this afternoon is all about you.
Overnight: Córdoba
Our next stop will be Úbeda, a World Heritage-listed town filled with spectacular Renaissance palaces. There will be just enough time to pause and taste some authentic Spanish olive oil before we move on to enchanting Granada.
Overnight: Granada
An energetic university city with an ancient past – Granada is truly magnificent. No visit would be complete without stepping foot in the ancient walled Alhambra fortress. One of the world’s best examples of Islamic architecture, we’ll enjoy a guided tour around a few sections of this intricately decorated complex. Then, the rest of the day is yours to explore Granada at your leisure.
Overnight: Granada
You can rest assured that today’s journey will be just as much fun as the destination! From Granada, our path will turn east as we make the scenic journey to the mountaintop city of Ronda, where we’ll get our bearings on an orientation tour. Tonight, we’ll come together for dinner in a local restaurant.
Overnight: Ronda
Today it’s back on the road – with stops at the picturesque white villages of Grazalema and Arcos to look forward to. This afternoon we’ll set our sights on Jerez – where we’ll be treated to a sherry tasting session and tapas lunch at a local winery. Tonight, a traditional flamenco show will help us settle into Seville.
Overnight: Seville
We’ve a full day to spend getting acquainted with the charismatic city of Seville. First, a locally guided walking tour and a visit to the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alcázar of Seville. Then, the day is yours to spend at your leisure. Whether you want to seek out Roman ruins, hunt down Moorish mosaics or visit classical squares, there are plenty of historic sites to keep you occupied here. Feeling hungry? You could always sample some Andalucían specialities at one of the city’s abundant bars…
Overnight: Seville
Back to nature today. After breakfast we’ll make tracks to the Sierra de Aracena, an unspoilt mountain range peppered with castles, quaint villages and pastures. While we’re here, we’ll pay a visit a local pig farm – where we’ll be lucky enough to taste some authentic jamón ibérico and local cheeses.
Overnight: Aracena
Our first stop of the day will be Monsaraz, a charming Portuguese hilltop village with sweeping views of the Alqueva Dam. We’ll take some time to explore its narrow streets before moving on to Estremoz for an afternoon of leisure time. Tonight, we’ll raise a toast to our Iberian adventure over a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Estremoz
Onwards to Évora, the capital of the Alentejo region. This afternoon will see our tour come to a close in postcard-perfect Lisbon.
Post tour, make your own way to your Lisbon accommodation.
Overnight: Lisbon
Enjoy the day at your leisure.
Overnight: Lisbon
The rhythm of Lisbon invites you to join its captivating dance. This splendid capital city on the banks of the Rio Teja offers a warm welcome and an unparalleled blend of architectural styles. Elegant outdoor cafés line the cobbled sidewalks. Turn-of-the-century funiculars climb the scenic hills. Find the UNESCO sites of the Tower of Belem and the Monastery of the Hieronymites. And, everywhere, the city engages you with its easy style and remarkable charm.
Overnight: Star Legend
Built into the granite cliffs at the mouth of the Rio Douro, the hilly city of Porto presents a heady juxtaposition of eras and styles. Here, medieval alleyways, orderly neighborhood squares, and ornate Baroque churches readily intermingle. Porto’s historic heart is a UNESCO site of winding lanes, zigzagging staircases and tiled churches. The highlight, though, is a taste of port wine at its best – a happy accident dating from the 17th century when brandy was discovered to preserve wine for transit. After your choice of palate-pleasing shore excursions, return for an onboard fado folk music performance.
Overnight: Star Legend
After entering the estuary mouth, pass through a narrow canal where the twin castles of San Felipe and La Palma welcome you to what was the main base for the Spanish Navy in the 17th century. Spend a pleasant day rumbling around the old Magdalena neighborhood, or make your own pilgrimage to the nearby UNESCO site of Santiago de Compostela or head to Lugo to see the Roman Walls – another UNESCO site.
Overnight: Star Legend
Sun yourself on deck, take a dip in the whirlpool, then catch up on email or order a cheese plate for your stateroom or suite. After dinner, dance to live music in the Lounge. This is your yacht, so of course you’re welcome on the Bridge, where the Captain and officers are delighted to share charts, routes, and vistas with you.
Accommodation: Star Legend
Bordeaux has long been known as La Belle au Bois Dormant, Sleeping Beauty. And while the beauty part is undeniable, the sleeping part could be argued. Sure, the region is filled with treasures from long ago, including more than 350 historic monuments and buildings in the city alone. But the capital of Aquitaine is also home to a vibrant culture and, as oenophiles well know, is the gateway to some of France’s most famous vineyards. In this UNESCO World Heritage city, 13th century cathedrals and 18th century palaces are commonplace. Venture beyond the city’s borders to the chateaux of the Médoc region or to Saint-Émilion, a breathtaking medieval village set among the vineyards that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight: Star Legend
With so much to see and do in Bordeaux, guests will have the opportunity to explore further with an additional day in port.
Overnight: Star Legend
La Rochelle is said to be the most lovely and unspoiled port city in France, and who are we to argue? Two 14th century stone towers guard the gateway to the medieval core of the city, the Vieux Port. And this is a city that is focused on ships. You’ll find yachts floating in the Port des Minimes, ships in the stained glass of church windows, maybe even decorating the arcaded walkways that line the streets. Learn the art of brandy making with a visit to the Cognac region and the Hennessy maisson, dating back to 1765. While walking past the aging barrels, inhale the heady aroma—the escaping vapors known as “the angels’ share.”
Overnight: Star Legend
Sun yourself on deck, take a dip in the whirlpool, then catch up on email or order a cheese plate for your stateroom or suite. After dinner, dance to live music in the Lounge. This is your yacht, so of course you’re welcome on the Bridge, where the Captain and officers are delighted to share charts, routes, and vistas with you.
Accommodation: Star Legend
Once notorious as the home of pirates, St.-Malo today is better known for the UNESCO site monastery and town of Mont St. Michel and the famous oysters of nearby Cancale. Walk the city’s ramparts, or pass the time at a seaside boulangerie sampling a fresh and buttery croissant.
Overnight: Star Legend
Sun yourself on deck, take a dip in the whirlpool, then catch up on email or order a cheese plate for your stateroom or suite. After dinner, dance to live music in the Lounge. This is your yacht, so of course you’re welcome on the Bridge, where the Captain and officers are delighted to share charts, routes, and vistas with you.
Accommodation: Star Legend
Dublin is a city of delights and surprises. Stroll across the Ha’Penny Bridge to Trinity College for a glimpse of the Book of Kells. Step inside the 11th century Dublin Castle. Stop by the Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery for a taste of Irish history. And embrace the beauty of Dublin Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Post cruise, enjoy two nights in Dublin at your leisure. (own arrangements to the hotel, or ask your personal travel manager for additional transfer pricing)
Overnight: Dublin
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Product ID 126798: Advertised pricing is per person, Australian Dollars, based on the lead category (unless specified otherwise) in twin-share occupancy inclusive of all discounts, taxes, fees, and port expenses (which are subject to change). Supplements apply to other stateroom categories. Valid for new bookings only and offers are not combinable with any other promotion or pricing. Whilst the information is correct at the time of publication (21/10/2024), prices are capacity controlled, subject to availability, and may be withdrawn at any time without notice due to fluctuations in charges, taxes, and currency. Some categories are based on GTY cabins and by selecting this ‘guarantee’ grade, this means your stateroom number will be allocated at the discretion of the cruise line either close to the date of the sailing or on the day itself. You will be guaranteed a minimum standard of cabin (indicated by the cabin grade booked). We are not able to accept any special requests regarding the position of the cabin, cabin facilities or bed configuration. Once your ‘Guarantee’ stateroom has been allocated to you, we are unable to accept any changes requested by you. Any land accommodation is subject to change and availability. Prices may not include mandatory resort fees. If the selected accommodation is unavailable, we will offer an alternate option of similar grade. Any variance in cost will be added to your invoice. #Air Credit: Offer provides AUD$1,500 per person air credit of airfares. Air credits are not transferable, non-refundable, not redeemable for cash. Any unused value will be forfeited. Airfares must be booked through your personal travel manager at TravelManagers Australia and is valid for this package offer only. If the required airfare is greater than AUD$1,500 per person, air surcharges will apply. Further conditions may apply. ^All schedules, itinerary destinations, hours of arrival and departure, hotel and other aspects of land tour programs are subject to change without prior notice for reasons outside TravelManagers Australia’s control. Neither TravelManagers Australia nor any affiliated party shall be required to refund any portion of fare or other charges or make any compensation under these circumstances. Minimum number of travellers required to operate. Please view the TravelManagers general terms and conditions here and contact your personal travel manager for more details. Further conditions may apply. Speak to your personal travel manager for more details. To be read in conjunction with Windstar’s terms and conditions and Back-Roads Touring Co terms and conditions which passengers will be bound by.
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