Today we travel to Charlotte Douglas International Airport and board our overnight flight to Madrid. Sit back, relax and get some sleep. Our grand adventure begins tomorrow!

This morning we arrive in Madrid and are greeted by our local tour manager who will ac- company us for the duration of our stay. Arriving at our hotel, we check in for a two nights' stay and have the remainder of the day to rest or explore on our own before an included dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Our adventure takes us along Gran Via, the most famous street in Madrid, to Plaza Mayor, once the centre of this capital city. Located in the heart of Madrid and steeped in history, this busy square is the perfect place to begin our stroll through one of the most charming districts in the city. Mercado de San Miguel, or the San Miguel Market, has been one of Europe's most important wholesale food markets for 100 years. Over 10 million visitors come annually to experience the most significant flavors from every corner of Spain. The Royal Palace, home to the Kings of Spain and the largest functioning royal palace, boasts of 134,000 meters of floor space and over 3,400 rooms. Enjoy the views of El Retiro Park, a green oasis in the heart of the city, before we travel to Toledo. Set on a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha, this walled, ancient city is famous for its Arab, Jewish and Christian monuments, antique-inspired swords and marzipan (sweet almond candies). Dinner is on our own tonight before we settle in for an evening of rest. (B)

Early this morning we transfer to the train station, and travel south into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Granada. We explore the Albaicín neighborhood which has a charm that cannot be forgotten. Its streets, the famous viewpoint of Mirador de San Nicolás, the Darro river, La Alcaiceria Market, all make Granada unforgettable. Tonight we are treated to an included dinner and show featuring the traditional Flamenco dance. Shaped by musicians and performers from the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe, the art form of Flamenco originated in southern Spain and has become a global phenomenon. Later we check into our hotel in Granada for the night. (B, D)

Our morning is filled will luxury as we visit Alhambra, a palace, a fortress and the top tourist destination in all of Spain. Home to Charles V, the palace contains excep- tional examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture and is a perfect expression of Moorish and Andalusian cultures. Uphill from Alhambra is a place of leisure where kings went to get away from it all, Generalife Gardens. This summer country house sits high on Cerro del Sol (Hill of the Sun) and overlooks the Genil and Darro Rivers. In contrast to the grandeur of Alhambra, the gardens provide an intimate and peaceful atmo-sphere in which to rest. This afternoon we travel a bit north to Cordoba for our overnight. (B)

This morning a local guide joins us for a tour of Cordoba. Once a Roman settlement, Cordoba was first taken over by the Visigoths, later conquered by Muslims and then placed under Christian rule in 1236. Today Cor- doba is best known for La Mezquita, an immense mosque built before the turn of the 1st Century and converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral after the Christian conquest. The mosaic deco-rated center and interlacing arches along with the impressive Renaissance ceilings present the visual masterpiece that remains at the heart and center of the city. Later we travel south to Seville, the capital and largest city of the au-tonomous community of Andalusia. We check into our hotel for a two nights' stay, and later enjoy an included dinner at the hotel. (B, D)

Today we explore Seville, starting with Alcazar, a royal palace once home to the Christian King Peter of Castile. Built by Christian Castilians, the palace is located on what was formerly a Muslim fortress. We see the Royal Room, filled with numerous chambers, including the bedroom of King Don Pedro. The architecture of the incredible ceilings and stunning views of the Alcazar complete this unforgettable visit. The Parque de la Maria Luisa, or Park of Princess Maria Luisa, is the green heart of Seville and offers a chance to enjoy the outdoors and relax. The Plaza de España was built for the Spanish- American Exhibition of 1929 and stands out because of the skillful combination of a brick structure, tiles and many different ceramic decorations. The square's main attractions are its semicircular lake, its twin towers, the benches that depict 49 provinces of Spain in ceramic tiles, and the beautiful ceiling in the building. Our final stop has been called “The Cathedral of Bullfighting.” For centuries, Real Maestranza has provided a dedicated space for nobility to come and enjoy various leisure activities, including bullfighting. We walk around the seating area, envisioning the excitement of the bullfight, imaging the roar of the crowd. We then visit the Museum and see a collection of paintings depicting the showmanship and athleticism of the bullfighter. (B)

Our adventure takes us north in Portugal to Evora. We see the Roman Temple of Evora, or Temple of Diana, the goddess of hunting. Built at the highest point of the city, the Temple is one of the best-preserved ruins in the Iberian Peninsula. After becoming a Christian city, the Temple was used for other purposes like the gallows during the Inquisition and then preserved as a historic monument. Next we visit the Capela dos Ossos, a very small, interior chapel located near the entrance to the Church of St. Francis. Upon entrance, it's evident why the Franciscan monks named the chapel the Chapel of Bones. Our dinner is included tonight in a local restaurant in Evora. (B, D)

Two of the most important sights in Lisbon that are well worth a visit are Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, where we begin our tour. Both represent the story of the Portuguese Age of Discovery and together, these two attractions make up one of Portugal's World Heritage Sites. The Tower of Belem served as a point of coming and going for Portuguese explorers and a place of ceremony for Lisbon. Sitting high upon a hill and visible from everywhere in Lisbon is our next stop, the Castle of Saint George. With its eleven towers, the castle provides a glimpse into history when it was built as a small fortress by the Visigoths, expanded by the Moors and later transformed into a royal palace. We check into our hotel in Lisbon for two nights. (B)

Our final day in Portugal is jam packed and begins with a short excursion to Sintra. Hidden among a majestic pine forest, this charming town is one of the most beautiful and unique places in Portugal and home to Pena Palace. The palace sits atop a jagged rocky cliff, high above the city, and on a clear day is even visible from Lisbon. Of the many 19th century villas in Sintra, none is more intriguing than Quinta da Regaleira. The architecture and ornately carved pinnacles of the main house are amazing, but the gardens are the main attraction. Made up of hidden caved passageways and secretive stairs descending into wells, the garden is an adventurous explorers dream. We enjoy the views of Cape Roca, where the land ends and the sea begins, before heading back to Lisbon for a delicious farewell dinner and Fado show. (B, D)

Say “até a próxima” (or farewell) to Portugal as we climb aboard our transatlantic flight for home. What an unforgettable journey we have had! (B)