Lisbon, Portugal

Here's a video of Lisbon, Portugal. Does it bring back fond memories?

"Travels in Iberia"

Today four members of our tour group have been invited to join a wiki called Travels in Iberia. This is Phase Two of the trial stage - we're testing to see how "user-friendly" the Webpaint wiki tools are. Hopefully we will soon ALL be joining this wiki, and sharing our travel memories together online. Won't you join us? Write MailLady Martha for an invitation, and "See you online"!

Iberia 2008 Tour with Luis!

Welcome to the public world of photos, fun, and frolic by members of Grand European Tour's April 17-May 1, 2008 trip to Spain, Morocco, and Portugal! 27 of us traveled with tour guide Luis and driver Paolo for 15 days of adventure and education in the Iberian peninsula. Won't you join us? Don't you want to re-live it all? Add your pictures, and tell your stories!! Comment on what others have posted online. Link to YOUR website, or share whatever info you've found. Let's continue the fun with OUR "Iberia 2008 Tour"!

INSTRUCTIONS

Here's how you do it: the shell of this blog has been set up for you. Every day of the tour has a different posting. Most of the postings can be found by looking for "April" under the Blog Archive on the right-hand column. For each post, I copied what the GET brochure said we were going to do, and where we were going to go that day. This will help remind you of what went on! At the bottom of each post, there is a linked word that says "comments". Just Click that Link! - it will take you to a page where YOU can write whatever you want. If you want more space than is available in the comments section, to add photos, or post your own links, Write to MailLady Martha, and I'll show you how. That's all there is to it. ENJOY!

Technical problems?

I notice that this blog does NOT print well with the Firefox browser. Instead, use Microsoft's Internet Explorer to print this blog. Better yet, let me know how to fix the page's code so that it DOES print in Firefox!!

added to blog on 7/11/08

May 1 - Day 15 - Madrid to USA

"Hasta la vista as we are transferred to Madrid airport for our return flights home. Buffet Breakfast and In-Flight Meal Included"

April 30 - Day 14 - Segovia

"A highlight of today’s journey is a stop in the old town of Segovia, with its medieval buildings, unique Roman aqueduct and the imposing Alcazar standing 300 ft. above the valley. Stroll around the 12th-century walls or explore the narrow lanes of this jewel of Castile. We continue our drive back to Madrid where this evening we enjoy a Highlight Farewell Dinner and toast “adios” to our new friends! BB and Highlight Dinner Included"

April 29 - Day 13 - Salamanca (Fatima)

"We travel north today with a picturesque drive through the Sierra d’Aire Mountains on our way to the Shrine at Fatima to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Then, we travel back into Spain and on to Salamanca where we find the Baroque Plaza Mayor, one of Spain’s grandest squares. BB and D"

April 28 - Day 12 - Lisbon

"Today visit the picturesque medieval quarter and Vasco da Gama’s tomb inside the Hieronymite Monastery and admire the Tower of Belem on the Tagus River. BB."

April 27 - Day 11 - Lisbon

"Across the border and into the Alentejo, granary of Portugal this morning. Almond trees and cork oaks sustain traditional villages along our route. Arrive in Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon. BB."

April 26 - Day 10 - Seville

"Our morning sightseeing is a step back in time as we observe 700 years of influence by the Moors. Admire Maria Luisa Park, the Palace of Alcazar, the old district of Santa Cruz and visit the impressive tomb of Christopher Columbus, housed in Spain’s largest Gothic Cathedral. BB."

April 25 - Day 9 - Seville (Gibraltar)

"A short drive to the British city of Gibraltar where we have a tour of the famed Rock, visit St. Michael’s Cave and see the Barbary Apes! Back in to Spain we continue through the vineyards of Jerez, home of sherry, to a pleasant 2-night stay in Seville, Andalusia’s most beautiful city. Tonight a chance to experience an authentic optional Andalusian Flamenco show. BB and D."

April 24 - Day 8 - Costa del Sol (Mijas)

"A whole day to relax by the blue Mediterranean waters, stroll along the beach front or even take an optional trip into the hills to visit the quaint village of Mijas. Buffet Breakfast Included"

April 23 - Day 7 - Costa del Sol (Tetouan)

"An exciting morning drive brings us to Algeciras for the ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. Landing in North Africa, a short drive will take us to the exotic Moroccan city of Tetouan. Visit the Casbah and enjoy a Moroccan feast with local entertainment before returning to Spain this evening. Buffet Breakfast and Lunch Included"

April 22 - Day 6 - Costa del Sol

"This morning, a highlight visit to the famed Alhambra; to pass through its gates is to enter an Arabian Night’s dream! A fantasy of “lace in stone,” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, the Alhambra affords superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by Gypsy cave dwellers. Then, we travel south to the vibrant Costa del Sol for a leisurely 3-night stay. On the way, we visit a working rural olive mill. Taste the various oils and join the locals at the village square for an Andalusian home hosted lunch as part of our Explore & Discover™ series. Buffet Breakfast and Lunch Included"

April 21 - Day 5 - Granada

"Cordoba, situated in the fertile valley of the River Guadalquivir, has an extensive array of architectural monuments built by the Romans, the Moors and early Christians. Our sightseeing tour visits the magnificent 8th-century Mosque of the Caliphs, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry, marble and jasper. Then travel through the Andalusian olive groves on our way to Moorish hilltop Granada with its spectacular views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains. This evening enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local specialties. Buffet Breakfast and Highlight Dinner"

April 20 - Day 4 - Cordoba

"This morning we head south to the ancient Castilian capital of Toledo, majestically located on a granite hill. Our sightseeing tour with our resident local expert views the 13th-century Gothic Cathedral and visits the synagogue and Santo Tome, home to one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Enjoy time to shop for the famous damascened Toledo steel and its gold and silver inlay work before continuing south through the rugged landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha with its white windmills to the Andalusian city of Cordoba. Buffet Breakfast and Dinner Included"

April 19 - Day 3 - Madrid

"Our morning sightseeing in the beautiful Spanish capital takes us to view the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol and Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes. Enjoy a highlight visit to the palatial Prado Museum, one of the world’s greatest art galleries. Works by El Greco, Goya, Italian and Dutch masters are all around. Your afternoon is at leisure. Buffet Breakfast Included"

April 18 - Day 2 - Madrid

"After your arrival in Madrid, you will be transferred to your hotel for a relaxing 2-night stay. This evening enjoy a Welcome Reception with your Tour Director. In-Flight Meal Included"

April 17 - Day 1 - USA to Madrid

"Overnight flight to Madrid. In-Flight Meal Included"