ISTANBUL-PORTO (OPO)
Meeting our valued guests at the International Departures Terminal of Istanbul Airport at least 3 hours before the flight. Following the ticketing, baggage check-in, and passport procedures, we depart for Porto at 07:55 on Turkish Airlines’ scheduled flight TK1449. Upon arrival in Porto at 09:55 local time, we leave the airport and begin our Porto city tour. Among the sights we will see are the historic buildings of the Ribeira district overlooking the Douro River, the Bolsa Palace, Porto Cathedral, the House of the Prince, the Church of São Francisco, São Bento Railway Station, the Dom Luís I Bridge, and the Douro River, completing our panoramic city tour. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel and have free time. Following the tour, we transfer to our hotel and spend the night there.
PORT
After breakfast at the hotel, free time. Guests who wish may join our optional Portugal Masterpieces: Braga & Guimarães tour (75 euros). Our first stop is Braga, one of Portugal’s important cities. In Braga, we will visit one of its significant religious sites, the Church of Bom Jesus do Monte. This magnificent structure, reached by climbing 650 steps, is one of the finest examples of northern Portugal’s granite architecture. On holy days, devout people climb these steps on their knees to reach the sacred site. After Braga, we will head to Guimarães, the former capital of Portugal. Protected by UNESCO, Guimarães is a charming city with its typical houses and squares. After visiting Guimarães, we will travel to Porto along the scenic road overlooking the ocean. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.
PORTO-LISBON
After breakfast, we set off toward Lisbon. A Fatima & Óbidos tour will be arranged along the route (€40). Our first stop is Fatima, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in 1917 and revealed three secrets. This site is considered one of the largest pilgrimage and worship centers in Christianity. We then visit the medieval town of Óbidos, which has preserved its historic character and where the 12th-century walls are still standing, before continuing to Lisbon.
Upon arrival, we take a panoramic city tour of Lisbon. The sights included in our tour are Eduardo VII Park, Rossio Square, considered the heart of the city, the famous Liberdade Avenue, the Tagus River, São Jorge Castle, the Alfama and Alcântara districts, Belém Tower, from where explorers departed on their voyages of discovery, the Monument to the Discoveries in Belém, and the Jerónimos Monastery. We then transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Lisbon
After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Sintra, Cascais, Estoril & Cabo da Roca Tour (100 euros). On this tour, we will first travel approximately 40 minutes to Sintra, where we will visit the “Palácio de Vila” (City Palace), famous for its kitchen chimneys and tiles and known as a synthesis of various architectural styles. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore the narrow, pedestrian-only streets in the city center and have lunch. In the afternoon, we will set foot at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe. Proceeding along the ocean coast, we will first pass Cape Guincho and then arrive at the “Boca do Inferno” cliffs near Cascais. We will descend into the center of Cascais and explore its fishing harbor. On the way back to Lisbon, we will pass through the affluent district of Estoril, famous for its casino, before arriving at the hotel. Guests who wish may join the dinner-and-Fado evening (85 euros). After the tour, transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.
LISBON-SEVILLE
After breakfast at the hotel, we set off for Seville. Continuing toward Seville, we will visit Maria Luisa Park, which includes Plaza de España and Plaza de América; Seville Cathedral, the world’s third-largest cathedral and the burial place of Christopher Columbus, from the outside; and the Giralda Tower, located right next to the cathedral and the last surviving part of the mosque over which the cathedral was built, bearing the memory of the Umayyad State of Andalusia. The Alcázar, the palace of the Castilian kings, will also be seen from the outside.
We will then pass through the Archivo de Indias, where records of all maritime expeditions to the American continent from the Age of Discovery through the 19th century were kept, and reach the old narrow streets of the Santa Cruz district of Seville. At the end of our walking tour, we will see the former tobacco factory, now used as the central campus of the University of Seville, as well as the Torre del Oro, or Golden Tower, which is now a maritime museum. After the tour, transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.
Seville
Free time after breakfast. Guests who wish may join the Ronda Tour (€80), organized as an optional excursion by our guide. Ronda is considered one of the most fascinating settlements in Spain due to its geographical location. We will explore Ronda, one of Spain’s most beautiful towns, with its well-preserved historic buildings. The Historic Roman Bridge and Spain’s oldest bullfighting arena and museum are among the sights to be visited in Ronda, where the first bullfights were held. Following the tour, we will transfer to the hotel. In the evening, guests who wish may join the Flamenco Night (€60, including one drink). Overnight at our hotel.
SEVILLE-GRANADA
After breakfast, we depart for Granada. On the way, guests who wish may join an optional Córdoba tour (€80). Accompanied by our guide, we will visit the former Great Mosque of Córdoba, one of the largest mosques in the world, built on 850 columns and now known as the Mezquita-Cathedral. After witnessing the grandeur of the Mosque of Córdoba, we will continue to the old streets. Along the way, we will see Córdoba’s flower-lined streets, an old inn reflecting the finest details of Andalusian architecture, and a traditional Córdoba house. Following our city tour, we continue to Granada. Upon arrival, guests who wish may join an optional tour of the Alhambra Palace (€60; access to the harem section is subject to availability). After the tour, we will be transferred to our hotel, where we will spend the night.
Granada-Málaga (AGP)-Istanbul
Free time after breakfast. At the time specified by our guide, we depart for Malaga. Following our city tour of Malaga, we proceed to Malaga Airport and depart on Turkish Airlines flight TK1306 at 17:40. We arrive at Istanbul Airport at 23:55 local time, marking the end of our tour.