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Dear Insight Guest :I have the pleasure to offer this travel book to you as a token to show you my gratitudefor choosing my country, Spain (and Portugal!), as your holiday destination. Ihave personally prepared it with all my love, and I am confident the information itcontains will help you make the very best of your Iberian Experience Enjoy it!

Your guide, Mara

Welcome to Spain in spring! You chose the right time of the year to visit Iberia. The country sidelooks more beautiful than ever in spring. New green leaves and branches, wild flowers of all colours,sunflowers starting to spin around and poppies pop up all over. You will feel the perfume of orangeblossom in the air everywhere we go. Young fighting bulls graze peacefully in the dehesas, storkscome back from Africa and you are on holidays!

What weather should we expect during this tour? Ahaha! Thats a very good question! Theanswer being: we should expect weather. If weather behaved as it should in spring, (which itnever promised it would anyway), we should expect sun and warm days (specially in theSouth), but also possible sudden changes of temperature from day to night, or from one day tothe next. So please always have a jacket handy. The saying goes: Until the fortieth of may, donot put your coat away. And of course we always risk some showers in Iberia during spring.En abril, aguas mil, we say in Spain My advice is for you to always have a foldableumbrella and a light raincoat handy, aswell as to always wear confortable shoes.

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INSIGHTS BEST OF SPAIN & PORTUGAL TOUR, 1st 16th may 2010

Your guide: Mara Martnez mariajoms@yahoo.co.uk

Tour Pace -This popular tour moves at a comfortable pace with five two-night stays in Lisbon, Seville, the Costa del Sol,

Barcelona and Madrid and overnight stays in the four other cities. Driving days are not too long and with frequent stops.

Fellow Passengers -This tour is popular with both the first time visitor, as well as experienced travellers, as it is a classictour of the Iberian peninsula, visiting the major centres of both Spain and Portugal, with particular emphasis on the art,architecture and cultural history.

Day 1 SAT 1st may. MADRID AT LEISURE.

Welcome to Madrid, Europes highest capital, occupying the centre of the Iberian peninsula. On arrival at Madrid Airport,

your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 09:30, 11:30, 14:00 & 17:00. Settle in and relax before meeting your

fellow passengers and Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: NH Eurobuilding.

Hola! W elcome to Espaa! My name is Mara, and as your personal guide during this two-week Best of Spainand Portugal tour, I would like to start by welcoming you on board and wishing you a very happy tour withme. I shall work hard and do my best to make it happen

Day 2 - SUN 2nd may. MADRID SALAMANCA. Welcome to Castilla, the Land of Castles

Drive to Toledo, former capital of Spain, to see the 13th century Cathedral and one of Europes oldest synagogues, as well as

the El Greco masterpiece in the chapel of Santo Tom. Later, pass the ancient walls of St Teresas town ofAvila en route to

the golden city ofSalamanca. Before reaching your hotel, see the handsome arcaded Plaza Mayor and honey-coloured

cathedral. Hotel: Alameda Palace. (BB,D)

Todays plan of attack: Today well enjoy a beautiful first day on the road together, crossing part of Castilla (centralSpain), with pleasant bucolic rural scenes, many castles and medieval walls, rivers and three cities as highlights of the day:Toledo, vila and Salamanca. While on board of our confortable coach I will enlighten the trip with cultural explanationsabout Spain and about the specific places well see today. We shall first drive for an hour to Toledo, where we spend about 4and a half hours. First well enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the magnificent city of Toledo from the other side of theTajo river, then briefly visit the damasquene workshop (and use the rest-rooms there), and afterwards we shall start our hourand a half walking tour in the old city. This means cobblestones and some hills Let me know in advance if you have seriouswalking problems so I can make arrangements for you, please. Well all need confortable shoes, and thats a general rule forthe next two weeks). After our walk you will enjoy some time to have a light lunch and perhaps buy some marzipan in mainsquare Toledo.

Hints for lunch in Toledo: There is a variety of restaurants around main square, where you can eat some TAPAS.Tapas are Spanish snacks, smalll portions of food) or TOSTAS (warm toasts with cheese and green pepers, or venisonand cheese), a salad perhaps I recommend the place called Toledo and its terrace on the square. Perfect location.They have their menu in English, too. Get a table, call the waiter, order and in the end ask for LA CUENTA, PORFAVOR (the bill). If the waiter is slow, use the sentence TENEMOS PRISA, POR FAVOR (please, we are in a hurry).Tip around 8% . Beer is CERVEZA. Very cold is MUY FRA,POR FAVOR. CUNTO ES? means How much is it?GRACIAS is Thank-you.Shopping hints in Toledo: Dont miss buying some marzipan (mazapn, almonds paste with sugar) in Toledo today. Itsbeen the speciality of this city for almost 1.000 years! It will last a good couple of weeks, longer if its kept in the fridge, so itcould make a nice present for the ones back home if its allowed through your countrys customs (and if you dont eat it

before!). My advice: buy it in famous Santo Tom pastry shop.. They also make stunning chocolate truffles (trufas dechocolate). They also sell water. Next door theres another pastry shop that sells nice ice cream (please remember not to eat iton board of the coach, though!)

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The other speciality in Toledo is damasquene handicrafts (gold on black steel) such as bracelets, earrings, keyholders, letter openers, pill boxes, swords like El Cids We shall visit a workshop so you can see how it isactually made. Insights policy is against pushing our guests into shops, but we consider some shops and

factories are worth the visit, so we shall visit one or two during our 16 day tour. Insight recommends theirreliability, quality and post-sales service.

PLEASE BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS AND OTHER THIEVES AT ALL TIMES THROUGHOUT THENEXT TWO WEEKS. DO NOT LEAVE CAMERAS,PURSES EVEN ONLY INCHES AWAY: HOLD THEMAT ALL TIMES. Do not allow any stranger to get too close to you asking you questions, begging or selling anything.Many of them ARE thieves. Please beware. Dont be scared, theres no reason to. Just be precautious and use yourcommon sense. Remember that the days we spend on the road most of us will carry all our valuables, money, passportson us, so we should be specially careful!!

Back on the road: Siesta time! When in Rome You shall digest your wonderful Toledo experience relaxing onthe coach for a while, listening to pleasant Spanish music, enjoying a bit of silence too, and perhaps keeping oneeye open to continue discovering our beautiful Castillian landscape. May is the perfect month to enjoy it, withnature showing the colourful freshness of spring. In two hours we shall be stopping outside the medieval wallsof vila city and spending half an hour stretching our legs, taking photos, having an ice cream or a snack andusing the facilities. Then one more hour on the bus, during which well listen to more music, I shall give yousome technical explanations about Salamanca and about our dinner there tonight (included at the hotel, as wellas tea and coffee after dinner. Any other drinks will be on you). We shall also talk about the next days

itinerary. Before you know we will be arriving in Salamanca, the icing on todays cake: a real jewel where wewill spend one night at the elegant and central Hotel Alameda Palace, just a fifteen minute pleasant walk awayfrom famous Plaza Mayor. Relax a bit at the hotel or walk to the square, cathedral, University Youll findsouvenir shops depicting frogs everywhere. Ill tell you the story

For real travellers (and not yet too exhausted): Dont miss walking to Plaza Mayor after dinner. Illuminated,its just too beautiful to be described. Its really very special and always full of people, locals strolling aroundwith their children until late, enjoying a drink in the terraces. Or perhaps you prefere to take a taxi from thehotel to the cathedral (around 6 Euro, takes 4 people), let the illuminated sight of it impress you and then take a

pleasant scarcely half an hour walk back to the hotel, crossing Main Square

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Day 3 - MON 3rd may. SALAMANCA OPORTO. (360 Kms/ 225 miles)Cross the Portuguese border to reach Oporto, celebrated internationally as the Port wine capital. With your Tour Director,

see the Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores which house the famous port wines. Also admire the multi-coloured houses and

churches covered in glazed tiles. Hotel: Tiara Park Atlantic. (BB,D)

Today we start as every morning, with breakfast included at the hotel. Please be punctual leaving yoursuitcases outside your rooms door at the scheduled time and make sure we are all on time on the bus and readyto go. Please DO NOT forget anything in your rooms (passport, money, clothes, cameras, mobile chargers andsuch). I also advice you to pay for any extra charges at the desk early in the morning or even the nightbefore we depart the hotel (phone calls, minibar, TV paychannels)

We shall leave unique Salamanca and drive through fields dedicated to agriculture and to the raising of theSpanish Fighting Bulls and also Iberian pigs, famous in this region for producing first quality ham andsausages. In about an hour well cross the Spanish-Portuguese border (have your passports handy today, thoughI doubt the police will check them. Just in case). Its funny how radically and suddenly landscape changes assoon as you cross the border. The Portuguese side is barer, more mountainous, poorer in agriculture and

ramadery but pretty and with its own charm: Small villages, red tiled roofs and rocky landscape (granite). Ishall be introducing you to the history and other facts about Portugal and the region well be crossing, and weshall listen to some Portuguese romantic music.

Afer a 2 hour drive, coffee stop!!! By the way beware of Portuguese coffee, since its very strong (concentratedas Italian coffee). Order Caf Americano if you want it long, with more water in it. Or caf com leite for amilk coffee. Lets stretch our legs a bit, use the wash-rooms, and then back to the coach for another 2 hours,talking about the tour, going over the whole program, offering you our optional tours Afterwards well makea longer stop for lunch in a nice clean restaurant on the highway (pay cash or credit card, as in all highway

rest-areas and restaurants). Less than one more hour on the bus and well be entering beautiful Oporto (have

your cameras ready, as always while on the bus!), one of the most colorful and charming cities in Europe, withits own strong personality and a long history behind it. But of course you would be able to understand allthis much better after one or two glasses of Port wine, wouldnt you? Ill see what we can do You will loveour driving through the city towards the wonderful Tiara Park Hotel (former Meridien), where we will spendone night. Dinner is again included at the hotel (same arrangements as the night before).

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Day 4 TUE 4th may. PORTO LISBON. (380 Kms/ 238 miles)

Head south to Fatima tojoin the pilgrims flocking into the great Basilica. Continue to Batalha to visit the Royal Chapel in the

Gothic monastery before driving to the old walled town ofObidos to explore the medieval streets. Later, continue to Lisbon.

Hotel: Marriott. (BB)

Today we shall drive towards Lisbon, visiting some very interesting places on the way. Great day for you to discoverthe charm of rural, but also of monumental, Portugal. Cameras handy at all times today, please! We will leave themain highway a couple of times to visit first Ftima (our first stop today, about two long hours from Porto). Thereyou

will have about one long hour to visit the basilica, perhaps buy some postcardsor souvenirs, have coffee, use the wash-rooms and off we go! Great landscape now, for about 40 minutes only, and well reach Batalha. Batalha is an unbelievablelittle town, an unexpected wonder almost in the middle of nowhere, with a breath taking gothic- manueline cathedral, builtin honour of a battle won by the Portuguese over the Castillians in 1385. Well visit the temple together and then youll enjoyfree time for your lunch. They also have nice handicraft shops offering cotton and linen goods, pottery, kitchen towelsdepicting the countrys symbol: the rooster Afterwards we shall drive for about one and a half hours to reach thepicturesque village of Obidos, a colourful beauty built on a rocky hill, its medieval wallsurrounding the whitewashedhouses with blue windows, their walls covered with pink bouganville. You will love the nice handicrasft shops,the charming little coffee-shops, the local spirits, a delicious liquor made of cherries called Ginja.

After Obidos in less than two hours we should arrive at beautiful Lisboa and our comfortable and elegantMarriot Hotel, which is not close to the center, but nevertheless well connected with it. Let me again do the

check-in for you, distribute your luggage to your rooms and you just relax in your excellent rooms or have adrink in the garden, by the pool.

OPTIONAL N 1. LISBOA. Seafood dinner by the Tagus river. Take the ferry across the mighty Tagusriver and enjoy typical Portuguese seafood and fish specialities. Delicious Portuguese wine and coffee included.After dinner, cross the impressive suspension bridge for a sweeping view over Lisboa. Price 46 Eu

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Day 5 WED 5 th may. LISBON SIGHTSEEING

Todays sightseeing with a local guide shows you Sao Jorge Castle, the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belem Tower. Later,

visit Jeronimos Monastery with its superbly ornate cloister. The afternoon is at leisure to explore at your own pace. (BB).

Today our local guide Laura will offer you an in-depth sightseeing tour of Lisboa, this romantic pearl on the banks ofthe Tagus and so close to the Atlantic ocean. Have you whispers ready to enjoy Lauras explanations on the pasthistory and present day to day facts of Portugals capital city. In the afternoon, dont miss visiting charming Sintra

OPTIONAL N 2. SINTRA, CASCAIS AND ESTORIL A ROYAL VISIT. Discover with your expert localguide why so many Portuguese Kings and Princes chose Sintra as their second residence. Three Royal Palacescrown this beautiful village. Old neat streets, glazetiling decorating the charming bakery shops and cafes,amazing handicrafts... all in the middle of an exuberant forest and only in the outskirts of Lisbon. Now, beready for the most pleasurable romantic drive by the Atlantic, down the coast to Cascais. In this relaxed fishingvillage and resort you will enjoy free time for lunch. Grilled sardines by the port, maybe? Or what about somechicken piri-piri? Then Estoril and its elegant Casino, villas and beaches. Price 39 Eu

OPTIONAL N 3. FADO DINNER: MUSIC THAT GOES STRAIGHT INTO YOUR SOUL ... A perfect chancefor you to enjoy a delicious 3 course home made Portuguese dinner while you watch an intense fado folklore performance. Entertainment, dinner, wine, tea, coffe and tips included. Price: 57 Eu

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Day 6 THU 6 th may. LISBON SEVILLE. (525 Kms./ 328 miles)

Leave Lisbon via the modern Tagus Bridge and cross the border to reach Seville. A tour with a local guide in Sevilla includes

the immense 15th Century Cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus, and the slender Giralda Tower. Tour the

fashionable Santa Cruz Quarter with its flower-decked wrought iron balconies and see the Alcazar. Enjoy an included

Highlight Dinner and entertainment featuring a fiery authentic Flamenco show. During the evening, enjoy a short informative

presentation on the regional wines that compliment your meal. Hotel: Melia Lebreros.(BB,HD)

Today we cross part of central and then southern Portugal, and the biggest cork tree fields in the world (Portugal isnumber one world cork producer). We shall also drive through the Algarve, very close to its famous beaches and golfcourses, and then enter Spains Andalusian region, for many the most beautiful in my country: Fertile land,whitewashed cities with a long Moorish past behind them, stunning Moorish architecture, beautiful beaches and thehighest mountain range in the Iberian Peninsula: Sierra Nevada. The next cities we shall visit in the tour (Sevilla,Torremolinos, Granada) are all in Andaluca, Southern Spain, the land of olive trees and sunflowers, of FightingBulls and sherry wine, of flamenco and faralais The land of happiness, the land of the sun!

Day 7 - FRI 7th may SEVILLE AT LEISURE. SEVILLA has a special colour

The day is yours to relax, explore or continue sightseeing. Why not take an optional excursion to Cordoba to visit the

magnificent Mezquita? Afterwards, consider enjoying a typical Sevillano dinner at a local restaurant. (BB)

OPTIONAL N 4. CRDOBA MORNING EXCURSION:DISCOVER ARABIC SPAIN. There are a couple ofthings you shouldnt miss once you came all the way over here to Espaa, and one is this amazing mosque and theArabic looking city of Crdoba.Spain's second most visited monument is absolutely unique, and Insight offers you thechance to visit not only the mosque, but also the medieval synagogue and other secrets of this city of wonders. Explorethe 8th century mosque with its unbelievable forest of a thousand marble, granite and alabaster columns, and thesuperb renaissance cathedral within it, a unique example in the world's architecture. Listen to our expert localguides explanations, then visit one of the very few medieval synagogues open to the public in Europe, and follow ourlocal guide in the old Arabic and Jewish quarters, with their twisty narrow streets, whitewashed houses, flowerdeckedbalconies and hidden Andalusian Moorish patios. Enjoy your free time shopping in the silversmiths, ceramics andleather shops, and having lunch. And you are lucky! May is the month of the famous patios contest, in which locals

compete for the most beautiful patio in Crdoba! Price 41 Eu

We shall be back in Sevilla after lunch, and the rest of the day is yours to keep exploring this romantic city, full ofspring scent and magic. I will give you ideas about what to do, what places to visit, where to shop, where to havedinner... Walking in Sevilla is always a marvellous experience, but this time of the year the city is speciallyattractive. The air is full of the delicious scent of hundreds of different trees and flowers, the light is perfect forpictures... Sevilla is elegant and typical at the same time, full of orange blosomm scent this time of the year, and onething you shouldnt miss doing is hiring a horse and carriage, preferably in the evening, and be driven around thehuge cathedral, around the tobacco factory where Carmen used to work, into the gorgeous Mara Luisa Park andPlaza de Espaa... By the way, if you want to buy hand fans without spending a fortune, buy them from the street

sellers in Plaza de Espaa (for just 3 or 5 Euro youll buy beautiful wooden hand fans, colourfully decorated...). Youwouldnt bargain in shops, but you should with streetsellers.

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Day 8 SAT 8 th may. SEVILLE - COSTA DEL SOL. (280 Kms/ 175 miles). Passports ready today!

Head south to Gibraltar, attached to Spain, yet an independent colony under British control since 1704. Theres time to explore the

shops and take a trip to the top of the Rock to see St Michaels Cave. Later, take the scenic route along the Costa del Sol to your

hotel. Hotel: Melia Costa del Sol, Torremolinos (BB,D)

OPTIONAL N 5. GIBRALTAR, ROCK TOUR . Our private minibuses and Gibraltarian guides allow us tomake the very best out of our visit to Gibraltar, driving up the Rock to show us Europa's Point, the joining ofthe Atlantic and Mediterraneum, and Morocco at our feet (only 9 miles away!). We shall visit St. Michael's

Cave, with its stalagtites, stalagmites, the theater... without forgetting to stop and play a while with the cuteBarbary Apes. This excursion lasts one and a half hours and leaves you at least two and a half more hours foryour shopping in Main Street. Price 27 Eu

Day 9 SUN 9 th may. FREE DAY IN TORREMOLINOS

This tour offers you something very special: a whole free day for you. Please feel free (you are today!!) to have your

breakfast anytime between 7:30 and 10:30. Then just take a walk along the beach, buy in the local little shops (summer

clothing, purses), enjoy the hotels pool or swim in the Mediterranean sea! Dinner is also included tonight, and the

restaurant opens from 7:30 to 10:30. Hotel: Melia Costa del Sol, Torremolinos (BB,D)

Day 10 - MON 10th may. COSTA DEL SOL GRANADA. (200 Kms/ 125 miles)

Visit the town of Mijas and see some ofSpains most exclusive resorts before turning inland to Granada, capital of the Moorish

Kingdom of Spain until the Moors defeat in 1492. Visit the Alhambra Palace, a complex of magnificent buildings begun by the Moors

and built over the centuries. Sightseeing includes the famous Lion Court as well as the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the

royal summer residence, where you can relax in the sun and enjoy the fine views over the town. Hotel: Saray. (BB,D)

Todaywe drive first to the charming village of Mijas. You will love this town (GREAT leather shops selling very nicepurses, jackets, wallets) where we shall spend an hour visiting before leaving for Granada (2 hours drive the most).Once in Granada we should have time to settle in the hotel before starting our visit to the Alhambra Palaces andGardens, one of the highlights of our tour

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Day 11 TUE 11th may. GRANADA VALENCIA. (580 Kms/ 364 miles)

Drive over the Mora Pass, enjoying views over the Sierra Nevada en route. Pass through palm forests and lemon groves as

you travel to Valencia. On an orientation tour, see the Generalidad Palace, El Miguelete Cathedral, gates of Serranos, Cuarte

and the modern Centre for Arts and Sciences before checking into your hotel. Hotel: Husa Reina Victoria. (BB,D)

Todaywe have a long drive ahead of us, from the mountains in Granada (Sierra Nevada) to the fertile andindustrial eastern Mediterranean Spanish coast and the wonderful lively city of Valencia. Our hotel therecouldnt be more central, and it is perfectly located for you to walk to all the main sights. The Reina VictoriaHotel, a classic in the city, is also in the perfect location for your shopping. And today you have the time forthat. Buy nice Spanish fashion in shops such as Zara, Mango or in El Corte Ingls department store. Spanishshoes, perhaps--- leather shoes are a Spanish speciality You will also find beautiful Manila shawls, Spanishhand-fans Dont forget to try the typical Valencian ice-cream and Horchata.

Day 12 WED 12 th may. VALENCIA BARCELONA. (390 Kms/ 244 miles)

Follow the coast to Pescola to view the sea-lapped castle used in the film El Cid. Continue along the Costa Dorada (Gold

Coast) to Barcelona. Our local guide will show you the Gothic Quarter, where you will visit the cathedral and view the lively

Ramblas. Tour the modern Eixample District to see Gaudis famed Sagrada Familia church. As night falls, why not dine out

Catalan style in Las Ramblas? Hotel: Melia Barcelona. (BB)

Todaywell enjoy a beautiful drive by the sea, surrounded by fertile land and orange and lemon groves (the famousoranges from Valencia). This is also the most industrial part of Spain (our Eastern Coast) with factories of all kinds(glaze tiling and ceramics in general, chemicals, food packaging factories, wineries) We shall make a stop inbeautiful Pescola, where I shall give you advice about how to easily walk up to the castle. Or perhaps you prefer tojust sit by the beach having an ice cream, a coffee or a cold beer Later on we will stop for lunch on the road andafterwards, in about an hour, we will arrive in fantastic Barcelona! We shall only briefly stop at the hotel (you maynot have time to get your suitcases into your rooms) in order to avoid wasting time and start our included city tourright away. After the city tour, you will have the opportunity of staying in the lifely Ramblas avenue and enjoy yourdinner in any of the many restaurants there. Else, we shall drive you to the hotel, where you shall find your luggage in

your rooms and will have time to organize your clothes, shower There are restaurants and shops around our hotel.

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Day 13 THU 13 th may. BARCELONA AT LEISURE

The day is free for you to explore this vibrant city. Options include an excursion to Gaudis unbelievable Guell Park and the

great Monastery of Montserrat to see the Black Madonna. Hotel: Melia Barcelona (BB)

OPTIONAL N 6. GELL PARK AND MONTSERRAT BLACK MADONNA This morning will be one of thehighlights in your Ibera tour! Well visit Gaudis amazing Guell Park, with its breath- taking views over the city, andGaudi's almost indescribable buildings (like mushroom houses out of "Alice in Wonderland"!). Afterwards, anunforgettable landscape excursion that comes highly recommended by all Insight's travellers: Montserrat and

its Black Madonna. This sacred mountain of Catalunya will forever remain in your memory. Staggering rockformations, spectacular panorama, the impressive monastery perched on an almost impossible location, thegothic statue of the Black Madonna inside... For many, this excursion justifies the entire trip! After lunch,well be back downtown. You will choose wether to be dropped at the hotel or closer to the cathedral-Ramblasarea. Price 48 Eu

The rest of the dayis yours to rest at the hotel, go shopping in the fantastic shopping centre next door to thehotel, or go back to Las Ramblas to keep strolling there, walking into the Gothic quarter... and having dinner

somewhere in the area. I shall of course keep you well informed about different restaurants. For real travellers(and again, not too tired...). Dont miss the Magic Fountains tonight. The show starts about 8:30 pm. Ill giveyou more information that day about how to get there and other details.

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Day 14 FRI 14 th may. BARCELONA MADRID. (630 Kms/ 394 miles)

Pass the city ofZaragoza in the province of Aragn as you make your way along the Jaln Valley, past Guadalajara and backto Madrid. Time for yourlast minute shopping! Hotel: NH Abascal. (BB)

Day 15 SAT 15 th may. MADRID SIGHTSEEINGA guided sightseeing tour takes you along the Gran Via and Paseo de la Castellana. See the Cervantes Monument in the

Plaza Espaa, the Puerta del Sol and Madrids most famous fountain in the Plaza de la Cibeles. Visit the Prado Museum to

admire the paintings of Velzquez and Goya. Perhaps enjoy a farewell dinner in the evening with your fellow passengers. (BB)

OPTIONAL N 9. EXCURSION TO SEGOVIA (THERE ARE CASTLES IN SPAIN). Do not miss amazingSegovia ! Explore its medieval castle and admire best preserved Roman aquaduct in Europe, built 2.000 yearsago! Your expert local guide will unfold the secrets of the unbelievable medieval castle. You shall walk in thesame rooms former Spanish royals did, as Isabel and Fernando. The fortress looks like out of a fairy tale. Thisexcursion offers great landscape and also gives you an excellent choice to try Castilla's specialities: suckling pigand roasted lamb... and to buy the last Spanish handicrafts of your tour! Price 43 Eu

OPTIONAL N 8. MADRID CELEBRATION DINNER.Dinner in a traditional Spanish restaurant with wineand entertainment included. Afetrwards we shall drive through the grand boulevards and admire the city

and its fountains illuminated. Price 57 Eu

Day 16 SUN 16th may. TOUR END- AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Sadly, your tour comes to an end today. Departure transfers arrive at Madrid Airport at 07:00, 09:00 & 11:00. (BB) On arrival atyour UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting car for your return V.I.P. door to door transfer home.

As for myself, I shall say adios to you wishing you a safe return home and hoping you keep warm memories of ourtour together. Thanks again for having chosen Insight and for chosing Iberia - and specially Spain, my country,among all the beautiful possible destinations in the world. Thanks again, truly. I wish you a long and healthy life,and that you keep travelling happily for many years!!! I hope to see you again one day!Hasta la vista, amigos! Lots of love from your Spanish friend, Mara

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El vino de Jerez. Sherry wine.HistoryThe Andalucian city and region of JEREZ have been a center of viniculture since wine making wasintroduced to Spain by the Phoenicians in 1100 BC. The Romans and Arabs (Moors) continued with thistradition. It was the Arabs who introduced distillation, which led to the development of brandy andfortified wines. During the Moorish period the town was called Sherish (also Xerish), from which bothSherry and Jerez are derived. According to some people, the city of Shiraz in mid-southern Iranwas the birthplace of sherry-style wine. Production continued under the Arabs, although some of theirconservative rulers ordered the destruction of some vineyards, but allowing the conservation of 2/3 ofthem. After the Reconquest, the Christians increased production and export of jerez=Sherry andother wines. Columbus and Magellan took Sherry wine in their trips, thus introducing it to Americaand other continents. It did also become very popular in Great Britain, especially after Drake sackedCadiz in 1587. Link: www.bodegastiopepe.comClimate, soil, grapes.Surface. Around 10.500 hectars = 26.250 acres. Vineyards productive life: About 30 years.Jerez wine (Sherry wine) vineyards are located in the Jerez regin, in the south of the AndalucianAutonomous regin (=federal state). The climate here provides around 70 days of rainfall and almost 300days of sun a year. The vineyards get little rain (an average of 600 liters per square meter a year,mostly from October to May) but is maximized by the type of soil. The winds from the ocean and the claysin the soil help retain water under the surface.Soil: Chalk, limestone, clay and sand in different proportions depending on the field. Three types offield:

Albariza. 40-50% chalk, 50-60% limestone, clay and sand. This type of soil has the added advantage of reflectingthe sunlight more, thus helping photosynthesis. Barros. 10% chalk and lots of clay. Arenas. 10% chalk and more sand than the first two.

Different varieties of grape were used for the making of jerez before the 1894 phylloxera. Now we use three: Palomino. Its the dominant grape (90%) and produces a wine of neutral characteristics which allows blending. Pedro Ximenez (today written and pronounced Jimnez). Produces a sweet wine. These grapes are dried inthe sun for two days. Moscatel. Produces a very sweet wine.

The grapes are harvested in early September and pressed lightly to extract the must. Only this first must, called mosto deyema, is used to produce Sherry. Then it goes through 3 processes: First it ferments in stainless steel vats until lateNovember, producing a dry white wine with 11-12% alcohol content. The wine is sampled and subject to a first classification,and the casks are marked with symbols according to its potential. Second, the wine is fortified using distilling wine in a twostage procedure. Finally, the wine is stored in 600 litter casks made of North American oak, which is slightly more porousthan Spanish or French oak.Production.Production: Aprox. 1.000 kilogramms per hectar. 2008 production was 90.000 kilogramms.More than 50 million liters were commercialized in 2008: 26% was sold within Spain,28% in the UK, 38% in the remainder of the EU, 8% in the remainder of the world.Dry Sherry is transparent or light golden in colour. Sweet Sherry is darker, caramel colour. Somewell known brands are Osborne, To Pepe, La Ina or Dry Sack.Another very popular fortified wine is Vino de Mlaga, golden brown in colour, rich and sweet.Also Moscatel, not as dark, but also very sweet. CopyrightMaraJosMartnezSalaverra

mariajoms@yahoo.co.uk

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A LITTLE DICTIONARY FOR YOU TO MANA GE BETTER AT BARS AND RESTAURA NTSBuenos das, buenas noches or just Hola!To have a drink or some food in a restaurants terrace, first get a table, then call the waiter (SEOR/SE ORA , PORFAV OR), order, get served, and when you finish eating/drinking call the waiter and ask for La cuenta, por favor(The bill, please). Most restaurants will have an English menu. CU NTO ES? means How much is it? Graciasis Thank-you. Goog bye = Adis. To ask the waiter to get you a table say Tienen mesa para dos? Non smoking = Nofumador In Spain we are not allowed to bring our own w ine into restaurants.If you think youve been given the wrong change (it is not the rule), say Perdone, pero creo que me hadevuelto mal el cambio . Ive given you = Yo le he dado. Use cash to pay for just a couple of beers or alittle snack. For bigger mea ls, practically all restaurants accept credit cards (VISA, M ASTERD CARD and, notall of them, also AMERICAN EXPRESS.)If the waiter is slow, use the sentence TENEM OS PRISA, POR FA VOR (Please, we are in a hurry). Tiparound 8% . Beer is CERVEZA. Very cold is MUY FRA,POR FAVOR. A bottle is UNA BOTELLA;draft beer is UNA CAA .Just want a bite to accompany your drink?: Ask for a tapa. Tapas are small portions of food = bites. We Spaniardsmay have a couple before lunch or dinner, with a beer or a glass of wine. Or we might aswell have a few tapas, andthatll be our meal. Exam ples of tapas: Croquetas, jamn pata negra, chorizo, calamares, ensaladilla rusa,boquerones fritos, boquerones en vinagre, patatas bravas , olives (aceitunas, olivas), chips (patatas fritas), or atraditional Spanish potatoe omellete little portion (pincho de tortilla de patata), salted almonds = almedras. If youprefere a sweet snack, ask for something sweet = Tienen algo dulce?Water = Agua / Sparkling = Con gas / Diet Coke = Coca Cola light / Orange juice (fresh) = Zumo de naranjanatural / Ice = Hielo / With = Con / Without = Sin / Are they big portions? = Son raciones grandes?Cold = Fro / Hot (temperature) = Caliente / Boiling = Hirviendo / Hot (spicy) = PicanteSauce = Salsa /Mayonnaise = Mayonesa / Ketchup = Ketchup / Mustard = Mostaza / Butter = Mantequilla Oliveoil = Aceite de olive / Vinagre = Vinagre / Salt = Sal / Pepper = Pimienta / Without = SinBread = Pan / Roll = bocadillo or bocata / Sandwich = Sandwich (ham and cheese = jamn y queso)Milk = Leche / Tea = T / Coffee = Caf / Sugar = Azcar / Sacarin = SacarinaWine = vino / White whine = Vino blanco / Red wine = Vino tinto / Rosse = Rosado / One glass = Un vasoSpanish champagne = Cava / Bottle big, small- = Botella grande-pequea Sherry= Jerez / Dry Sherry= Jerezseco / Sweet Sherry= Jerez dulce. Coffee = Caf. Tea = T. With milk = Con leche. Camomile tea =Manzanilla (menta poleo). Hot chocolate = batido de chocolate or chocolate a la taza (thicker).Try our Chocolate con churros if you dare!If you are a vegetarian say Soy vegetariano/a). If you are allergic to something say Soy alrgico/a aWhere are the washrooms, please? = Dnde est el bao, por favor? (No coins needed in WCs in Spain, nortipping.)SOME SPECIALITIES IN RESTAU RANTS: Paella (rice dish) made with fish and seafood (pescado y marisco) orperhaps veggies and meat (de verdura y carne). Also Arroz Negro = Black rice, with calamares and its ink (verysweet and nice, though scary). Nood les with seafood=Fideu. Grilled or rosted fish = Pescado a la plancha o alhorno. Seabass = Lubina. Cod fish = bacalao. Hake fish = merluza. Anchovies = Anchoa s or Boquerones. Chicken =Pollo. Veal = Ternera. Lamb = Cordero. Suclink pig=Cochinillo. Salad = Ensalada. Grilled veggies = Verduras a laplancha. Lentilles soup=Sopa de lentejas. S tew = cocido. Broth = caldo. Fruit = Fruta. Custard = Flan. Cremebroul = Crema catalana. Rice sweet pudin = Arroz con leche./Napking = Servilleta / Fork = Tenedor / Spoon =Cuchara) / Knife = Cuchillo / Glass = vaso / Cup = Taza / P late = Plato / Can we eat-drink something? = Podemoscomer-beber algo? / The menu = La carta / Where is there a bar-restaurant? = Dnde hay un bar-restaurante? Tryour gazpacho (cold tomato, cucumber and sweet peppers soup), sopa de ajo castellana (garlic soup), paella (rice dishcontaining vegies, fish and seafood, or vegies and meat or all together!), patatas ali-oli (potatoes with garlicmayonaise), garbanzos con espinacas (cheakpeas with sweet spinach), zarzuela de pescado y marisco (a fish andseafood caserole), sopa de pescado y marisco (fish and seafood soup), gambas al ajillo (shrimp with garlic), pescaito frito(little fried fish, an specialitiy in Andalucia), and calamares (squid). Try our aceitunas or olivas (aceitunas), as well asour aceite de oliva (olive oil). Spanish Iberian cured ham (jamn ibrico or jamn de bellota) and cured loin (lomoibrico) are considered a delicacy. Rabo de toro (oxe tail) is a Spanish speciality.If the waiter goes to a customer who arrived after you, say Excuse me, I was first = Perdone, yo estabaprimero. To take away = Para llevar. Tip = Propina Enjoy our gastronomy! Mara

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Learning Spanish

Spanish is one of the six United Nations official languages, and the second language in the world afterChinese and together with English (there are around 320 million Spanish native speakers, plus almost 200million more that have Spanish as their second language). It is by far the Romance language (originating

from Latin) that has spread more around the world. The USA is the non-Spanish country with more Spanishspeakers (around 45 million!, more than the population of Spain!).There are around 50 million students of Spanish around the world, so Why dont you join them?! Let mehelp you start with some lessons during our tour, and remember: The best piece of advice to speak anylanguage, including ones own, is DO NOT BE SHY! Nobody here in Spain is going to laugh about you if yourSpanish doesnt sound quite right They will feel pleased you are trying! And in case they should laugh, justgo to lesson n 1.

Lesson n1.Start every morning laughing with my JA JE JI JO JU excercices! This will improve yourpronounciation of our strong jota sound, and help you memorize the sound of Spanish vowels (5 vowels = 5sounds). Plus itll clear your throat!

On Spanish phonetics:

Arabic influence in modern Spanish:

More vocabulary: (Also, please read my A little dictionary for you for more vocabulary)

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Lets practice,,, singing!Bsame mucho

Bsame, bsame muchocomo si fuera esta noche la ltima vezBsame, bsame muchoque tengo miedo a perderte, perderte despus(Repeat)Quiero tenertemuycera, mirarme en tus ojos, verte junto a mPiensa que tal vez maana yo ya estar lejos, tan lejos de aquBsame, bsame mucho

Bsame mucho (Kiss me a lot), is one of the better known melodies on the planet. It was composedin 1940 by a Mexican lady, pianist and composer, Consuelo Velzquez Torres, at the age of 24 when she hadnt yet ever shared a love kiss!-. No matter where you go, especially if in a touristiccountry (any touristic country!), therell be a band, a guitar player or an acordeonist playing it, orsomeone wisteling its tune. Its been sung by Nat King Cole, Plcido Domingo, Frank Sinatra, LuisMiguel, The Beatles and now by you!!!b

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Spanish CultureBooksDon Quijote de la Mancha, by Miguel de Cervantes.Iberia, by James Mitchener.Homage to Catalua, by George Orwell. Tales of the Alhambra, by Washington Irwing.Fiesta, Dead in the Afternoon, For Whom the Bells Toll, by Ernest Hemingway.Also, any of Hugh Thomas, Stanley Paynes or Ian Gibsons writings on Spain.Any of Salvador de Madariagas essays and novels on Spain, for example The heart of jade, or his biographieson Colombus, Cortes, PizarroPaolo Coelhos The pilgrim to Saint James de Compostela. The Moors in Spain, by Stanley Lane-Poole.MusicBeautiful classical music by Spanish composers such as Albniz, Granados, Falla, Sarasate, Turina, Trrega.Zarzuela is a kind of Spanish minor opera as well as a fish dish!We shall listen to many Boleros and other romantic Spanish songs performed by different artists, like LuisMiguel, University Tunas (more fish!), Plcido Domingo, Bocelli even Glenn Miller! Bsame mucho,Solamente una vez, Perfidia, Frenes, Adis, Jarrita marrn, Maria Elena, Ojos de Espaa,Granada, Malaguea, Cielito lindo, La paloma, etc.Flamenco. Some famous guitar players-singers are Paco de Luca, Manolo Sanlucar, Enrique Morente, EstrellaMorente. Flamenco-pop-rock includes names such as Gipsy Kings (French-Spanish), Ketama, Antonio Flores,Joaqun Sabina, Rosario Flores, Lolita Flores, Chambao As for flamenco dancers, the biggest stars are SaraBaras, Joaqun Corts, Rafael Amargo, Antonio Canales, Antonio el Pipa, Cristina HoyosI recommend the movie Flamenco, directed by Carlos Saura.

Link for books about Spain and Spanish music: www.amazon.com

FoodYou will find a list of Spanish products and dishes in my A little dictionary for you to manage better at barsand restaurants document.Spanish winesIf you enjoy wine you chose the right country! From 5 Euro you can find great Spanish wines in any supermarket.Reds. Any from the RIOJA region ,or from Ribera del Duero . Some names: Cune, Via Alcorta, Via Pomal, Marqusdel Riscal.Whites. From RIOJA, from RUEDA, from PENEDS or from ALBARIO (delicious!) Some names fro dry-fruityones: Monopole, Blanco Pescador, Via Sol. Seoro de Sobral for Albario.Sparkling. Spain makes great champagne, that we call CAVA, mostly produced in the region of PENEDES, south ofBarcelona city. You can get hold of a beautiful bottle of Brut for around 10 Euro in the supermarket, and around 20 ina hotel.Always ask for your white wine or cava MUY, MUY FRO.Spain also makes very nice brandy. And good beer, too! Estrella, San Miguel, Mau, Cruz Campo

Link for Spanish gastronomy and other specialitites: www.tienda.comSHIP TO EUROPE | MY ACCOUNT | ORDER TRACKING | CART 0 ITEMS

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SHOPPING IN SPAINYoull enjoy lots of time for shopping during this tour!

Damasquene (gold on black steel) is a Spanish speciality since 1000 years ago. Earings, bracelets, letter

openers, pill-boxes, knives, swords Toledo is the best place to buy it. Another speciality in Toledo ismarzipan (the most reputed place to buy marzipan and chocolate trufles is Santo Tom, in Main Square

Toledo).

Silver is found everywhere. Both modern and antique design jewelery. Silver filigrane in Crdoba city.

Hand fans (youll find the everywhere, but specially in Sevilla and Cordoba). Flamenco dresses for your

children or grand children (in different places, but again specially in Sevilla and Cordoba.). Manila shawls

are also to be found all over the place.

Potery and tiling are of fine quality in my country. Lladr is also found in all the citieswell visit in this tour.

Leather articles (shoes, wallets, belts,

jackets) are of fine quality and design in

Spain. Youll find them in all cities we are

visiting.

Fashion everywhere! In El Corte Ingls

Department store, Zara, Mango, WomensSecret, Massimo Duty, Pull & Bear,

Cortefiel And of course all other

international brands

Youll find beautiful postcards that you can

even frame once back home. Also copies

of famous paintings by Spanish artists as

Goya, Velzquez or Picasso, as well as

Spanish picturesque scenes. Look for

them in souvenier shops, bookstands and

museums.

Gastronomy: Iberian ham or loin, wine,

olive oil, olives, saffron, turrn (nougat),

chocolate, almonds and other dried fruits.

Copyright MaraJosMartnezSalaverra mariajoms@yahoo.co.uk

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Portuguese Culture and Shopping in PortugalBooksAny of Luis de Camoes writings, for example As Luisiadas. Also, any of the many writings by historianOliveira Martins. Any of the novels by writer Jose Saramago, awarded the Nobel Prize of literature in 1998.

MusicFado is the most traditional and internationally known Portuguese music. Fado, from the latin fatum =destiny, is usually a nostalgic melody. Never mind if you dont understand the words the music will speakdirectly to your soul. Fado is performed by one male or female singer, often dressed in black, accompanied byPortuguese guitar, Spanish classical guitar and bass. Nowadays violas are often included, and sometimes chelos.Some famous fado singers are Amalia Rodrigues, Carlos do Carmo, Maria de Fe, Mariza, Misia, Dulce Pontes,Ana Moura.I recommend the movie Fados, by director Carlos Saura.

Specialities, HandicraftsCotton, wool, linen towels, table clothing, kitchen towels, bed covers Lace.Beautiful and affordable ceramics. Also, cork articles (wallets, purses)Portuguese are sweet lovers. There are many pastry shops everywhere offering delicious sweets: pasteis de nata(cream tart), pasteis de coco, pasteis de Belem Ovos moles are another speciality, made of pure egg yalk withsugar.Wine: Try Sandemans port wine, or any red wine from Bairrada region, and, for whites, try Albario or agood Vio verde (young white whine). Matteus ros is very good.Dont forget to find your lucky rooster!

Gastronomy In Portugal: Soup (caldo verde-green soup, and sopa de feijo-beans soup). Cod fish-bacalhau is thespeciality in Portugal (bacalhau com natas is mild tasting, boneless, cooked in milk cream and cheese and rosted in theoven; bacalhau lagareiro is grilled; bacalhau a bras is like a cod fish omellette; pasteis de bacalhau are little codfishcakes with mashed potatoes and parsley, passed in egg and fried). Fish and seafood are normally excellent (solefish=linguado; gold fish=dorada; hake fish=merluza; sardines=sardinhas. Another delicious fish is called xerna. Andanother one is robalo. Shrimp=gambas o langostinos. Lobster=lagosta. Crab=pataleira or centola. Clams=ameijoas.Meat is also of very good quality (porco a la alentejana has pork and clams). Chicken= frango. Churrasco is a varietyof meats grilled on the charcoal. Veal=biffe (biffe portuguesa is a veal steak with bacon and a fried egg atop, cooked inwine sauce). Portuguese are sweet lovers: try their pasteis de nata (small cream cakes), pasteis de coco ( small coconutcakes), pasteis de Belem a speciality in Lisbon and home made flan (custard).Sandes mista means ham and cheese sandwich. Prego no pao is a roll with meat and lettuce.

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YOUR NOTES

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