Tour Itineraries:
The Great Capitals of:
England, Scotland, Belgium, & France
Future Tour
Itinerary
WED, SEPT. 15 UNITED STATES TO GLASGOW
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
THU, SEPT. 16 GLASGOW ARRIVAL & STIRLING
Land in Glasgow and after you disembark, pass through customs and immigration checks at the airport. Your tour guide will meet you in the Arrivals Hall, welcome you to Scotland and assist in transferring to your motorcoach. Travel north to the historic town of Stirling where you will visit Stirling Castle. Captured from the English in 1297 by William Wallace and again in 1314 by Robert the Bruce, the castle has been featured largely throughout Scottish history. At one point Stirling Castle was also a royal residence and Mary, Queen of Scots, spent some years here. Also view Argyll's Lodging, a beautiful 17th-century townhouse on the upper approaches to the Castle. Then travel to the capital city of Edinburgh and check into your hotel. In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HOTEL IN EDINBURGH*
FRI, SEPT. 17 EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast meet your city guide and take a tour of Scotland's capital city. Start your sightseeing with a drive through the heart of the city along Princes Street, famous for its shops on one side and gardens on the other. See the 18th century New Town with its broad streets, spacious squares and elegant town houses. Then drive along the Royal Mile and view the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Stop for a guided tour of the imposing Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city on volcanic rock. Next visit St. Giles Cathedral, which is the High Kirk of Edinburgh, and has been at the heart of the city's spiritual life for at least 900 years. A living church with an active congregation, it is also host to around a quarter of a million visitors every year, who come to experience its unique atmosphere of continuing worship and ages-old history. The afternoon is spent at leisure for you to browse, shop, sightsee independently before dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT:HOTEL IN EDINBURGH*
SAT, SEPT. 18 ST. ANDREWS CASTLE & CATHEDRAL
Drive north from Edinburgh across the Firth of Forth to St. Andrews where golf originated. See the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and visit St. Andrew's Castle, which was founded in 1200 as a fortress and home of the Bishop of St. Andrews. From the Castle, Archbishop Beaton watched George Wishart burn at the stake, himself to perish at the hands of an assassin soon afterwards. Then visit St. Andrews Cathedral, which founded in 1160 and then consecrated in 1318, was by far the largest church in Scotland before its destruction at the reformation. The adjoining Priory was similarly the most important monastic foundation of its time. Climb up the 108 feet high St. Rule's Tower, which affords a wonderful panoramic view over the town, harbor and the surrounding countryside. After your visits, enjoy some free time to wander St. Andrews independently before returning to Edinburgh. This evening enjoy a traditional Scottish evening. The festive dinner of Scottish specialties is followed by Scottish entertainment including bagpipe music, highland dancing and some songs you may recognize. During the interval in the show you can try Haggis, neeps and tatties - the traditional Scottish dish.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL IN EDINBURGH*
SUN, SEPT. 19 EDINBURGH TO YORK & WALKING TOUR
Depart Edinburgh and travel across the border into England. Journey across Northumberland and the Yorkshire Moors to reach York. Upon arrival take a walking tour around the center of York to see the medieval walls and the Shambles, narrow streets where the houses almost touch. Visit the imposing York Minster, which was built between the 12th and the 15th century and is the largest Gothic church in England. A visit to the Central Tower offers excellent views over the city. Also view the Chapter Room, a beautiful and airy octagonal room. Begun in 1260 and completed in 1286 it is one of the oldest parts of the Minster. It was created as a meeting place for the Dean and Chapter of York Minster. After your tour, check into your hotel and settle in before joining your fellow travelers for dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT:HOTEL IN YORK*
MON, SEPT. 20 STRATFORD-UPON-AVON & LONDON
This morning depart York and drive south through the scenic English countryside to the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, a lovely old riverside town which is rich in half-timbered Tudor houses, made famous by its association with William Shakespeare. Enjoy a sightseeing tour to see the principal sights and some free time to dine on your own. Then board the coach and journey southeast into the capital city of London. Check into your hotel and enjoy some time to relax and settle in before dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT:HOTEL IN LONDON*
TUE, SEPT. 21 LONDON SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Today take a half-day guided tour of London's best-known landmarks to include the West End, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. Drive by the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral. Stop to watch the Changing of the Guard. This famous ceremony consists of a colorful display of pageantry by the Foot Guards of the Household division of the Army, the Queen's personal guard. Horse Guards Parade is London's largest single open space, built in 1745 to house the old palace guards. Today, the guards are changed at the top of Horse Guards Parade every hour on the striking of the clock, a ceremony well worth seeing. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to do some shopping or further sightseeing on your own. In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant.
OVERNIGHT:HOTEL IN LONDON*
WED, SEPT. 22 LONDON AT LEISURE & THEATRE PERFORMANCE
Today is completely at leisure for independent sightseeing or shopping. Art lovers can view some of the world's finest art collections in London's galleries such as the National Gallery, the British Museum or the Victoria & Albert Museum. If shopping appeals to you, London offers a huge array of shops and designer boutiques. Try the popular stores along Oxford Street, the special boutiques of Bond and Jermyn Streets or the famous Harrods in Knightsbridge. In the early evening you are free to dine on your own. In the later evening join your fellow travelers for a theatre performance of the Phantom of the Opera.
OVERNIGHT:HOTEL IN LONDON*
THU, SEPT. 23 LONDON TO BRUSSELS
After breakfast this morning transfer to the Eurostar station and travel to Brussels. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel where the balance of the day is free for individual pursuits. In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT:HOTEL IN BRUSSELS*
FRI, SEPT. 24 BRUSSELS SIGHTSEEING
Today enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of this capital city. See the grand EU buildings and marvel at the brilliant architecture of the palaces and the royal residences. Pass the beautiful St. Michael's cathedral which was constructed as a chapel in the 9th century and replaced by a Romanesque church in 1047. Also view the majestic Grand Place with its unique city hall and splendid guild. After your tour, enjoy the balance of the day free to explore Brussels on your own before joining your group for dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT:HOTEL IN BRUSSELS*
SAT, SEPT. 25 BRUSSELS TO PARIS & RIVER SEINE
Cruise Depart Brussels this morning and journey southwest across the border into France and continue into the capital city of Paris. Upon arrival check into your hotel and settle in. In the afternoon enjoy a one hour Bateaux Parisiens cruise on the River Seine. Then you will have some time to relax and freshen up before dining in the hotel restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HOTEL IN PARIS*
SUN, SEPT. 26 PARIS HIGHLIGHTS & MONT MARTRE
After breakfast this morning board the coach and embark on a half day sightseeing tour to see the principal highlights of Paris. Throughout your drive see some of the famous buildings Paris is known for such as the Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine and Champs-Elysées. View the Eiffel Tower, which is the tallest structure in Paris and one of the most recognized monuments in the world. Also view the magnificent Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, one of the finest religious buildings in the world, thought by many to be the pinnacle of French architecture. Stop to take the Funiculaire du Montmartre to the top of the Montmartre hill. A short climb up steps from the upper funicular station brings you to the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, a Byzantino-Romanesque building that's only a century old and a familiar landmark gleaming on the skyline and visible from many parts of the city. After your ride back down, enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure before dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT:HOTEL IN PARIS*
MON, SEPT. 27 LOUVRE MUSEUM & EIFFEL TOWER
Continue on your sightseeing tour of Paris this morning with a visit to the Louvre, the world's largest palace and museum. Originally built to defend Paris against the Vikings, this Renaissance palace became a museum in 1793. Today it houses impressive collections of Etruscan, Egyptian, Oriental, Roman and Greek artifacts as well as sculptures, paintings and other works of art ranging from the Middle Ages up to 1850, including Leonardo da Vinci's enigmatic 'Mona Lisa'. Then you will have some free time to relax and have lunch on your own. In the afternoon visit the Eiffel Tower, which is the tallest structure in Paris and one of the most recognized monuments in the world. Named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, it is the most visited monument in the world. Then return to your hotel where you will have some time before dinner. This evening return to the Eiffel Tower for dinner at 58 Tour Eiffel, a chic 'brasserie' style restaurant.
OVERNIGHT:HOTEL IN PARIS
TUE, SEPT. 28 RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
Your vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Charles De Gaulle Airport in good time to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores. Then clear U.S. Immigration before boarding your aircraft and flying back to the United States.
The Cape Travelers presents the fantastic sites and wonders of:
Spain, Portugal, and Morocco
November 1 - 15, 2010
Come with us and experience this great small-group, superior, first-class tour of the Iberian Peninsula and the Kingdom of Morocco.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Board your US Airways flight at Wilmington airport to begin your trip to Madrid.
Dinner and overnight on the plane.
Day 2 - After our morning arrival in Madrid, we will clear customs, meet our tour director and coach driver, and head south to Granada. On our drive through La Mancha, viewing the windmills of Don Quixote fame before arriving in our lovely hotel, checking in and having time to rest and refresh before dinner.
Day 3 - After breakfast, we will meet our local guide to lead us to visit the Moorish Alhambra Palace, and the Generalife Gardens, Summer Royal Palace of the Kings of Granada. There will be free time in the afternoon to explore, shop, and enjoy Granada before dinner.
Day 4 - Today we will enjoy a full day excursion through Spain’s beautiful Costa Del Sol, passing magnificent beach areas, seaside towns and resorts on your way to Tarifa and our ferry to Morocco. You will get a beautiful look and photo op of the Rock of Gibraltar from our ferry. Upon arrival in Morocco, we will check into our hotel for a lovely dinner and overnight.
Day 5 - After breakfast, our journey will take us to Meknes, said to be the “Versailles” of Morocco for its beauty. We will continue on to the Capital City of Rabat for our hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 6 - A great day of sightseeing in Rabat and then a drive to the film famous “Casablanca” - city of Bogart and Bergman. Then back to Rabat for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 - After another delicious breakfast, we will head north along the Atlantic coast to the magical city of Tangier. He will visit the Casbah, and Grand Socco with its musicians, snake charmer's, cafés, and exotic ambience. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 8 - This morning, we say farewell to Morocco, board our ferry back to Spain, and roll on to the marvelous Seville, the heart of Andalucia.
Day 9 - A memorable sightseeing day begins after breakfast with a visit to Maria Luisa Park, the Palace of Alcazar, the old district of Santa Cruz, the Tomb of Christopher Columbus, in Spain's largest Cathedral. Free time for rest and/or exploring before dinner. *Do not forget, tonight we have reservations for a “World Famous Flamenco show.” Fantastic!
Day 10 - Leaving Seville today, we drive north, entering Portugal via the medieval town of Elvas, built by the Moors in the 1200s. We will get to our hotel in Lisbon for free time, dinner and overnight.
Day 11 - An enjoyable day in Lisbon starts with sightseeing featuring the Belam Tower, and a visit to Jeronimos Monastery with the Tomb of Vasco da Gama. In addition, we will visit the Estoril Coast and the world heritage site of Sintra with its 14th century Royal Palace. Back to our Lisbon hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 12 - Today we leave Lisbon and head for Spain, stopping first to visit Fatima, a world famous pilgrimage shrine, and the Basilica of our Lady of the Rosary. Leaving the majestic scenery of Serra da Estrela Mountain range, we cross the Spanish border and go on to the city of Salamanca, with its Baroque Plaza Mayor, One of Spain's Grandest Squares. Time to rest and relax before dinner.
Day 13 - Highlighting today's sightseeing will be a visit to the old town of Segovia with the magnificent ancient Roman aqueduct, the imposingly grand Alcazar and medieval buildings. After lunch we drive to the beautiful Capital of Spain, Madrid, for a relaxing two night stay.
Day 14 - A great day of sightseeing in glorious Madrid includes the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de Espangna - with Cervantes Monument and Don Quixote, The Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, The Royal Palace, The super grand Plaza Mayor, and the highlight of our tour, a guided visit to one of the world's great museums, The Prado, where the great masterpiece paintings of the world are displayed. We'll see works by noted artists such as Goya, Velazquez and El Greco, and much more.
We have time in the afternoon for last - minute shopping, exploring, and special pickup time for transportation back to our hotel. Tonight a fun time to enjoy our final dinner celebration in Spain.
Day 15 - Say, "hasta la vista" to Spain as we board our flight to go home.