Wedded bliss reigns in the Iberian countries of Spain and Portugal. Gay marriage is written into their laws. And together, their union reveals a breathtaking repository of a rich cultural, religious, and world history. From vast Spanish plains, Moors and Christians vied for power and built stunning fortress complexes. From Portuguese shores, bold explorers set out for new worlds. And from the vantage point of your Hermes small group, you'll unveil the centuries-old secrets of these welcoming nations.

Highlights

• Madrid City Tour, including the Royal Palace and El Prado Museum
• Toledo & El Escorial including the cathedral, St. Thomas Church, and Valley of the Fallen
• Segovia & Avila, including the Alcazar and gothic cathedral
• Cordoba Tour, including La Mezquita mosque-cathedral
• Granada Tour, including Alhambra palace-fortress
• Seville Tour, including cathedral and Giralda
• Jerez de la Frontera Sherry Tasting
• Evora Tour, including Sao Francisco Church and Evora Cathedral
• Lisbon Tour, including Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, and Monument to the Discoveries
• Accommodations for 9 nights in 4-star, centrally located hotels
• Daily breakfast, 1 lunch and 2 dinners
• Services of a Hermes Tours escort
• Services of an expert, local guide in all cities
• $100 per person savings if you reserve 5 months before departure!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Saturay, August 17, 2013
Arrive in Madrid
Arrival to Madrid. If there's one thing you'll notice about madrileños, it's their sociability. Witness it for yourself during our city tour, which includes the Plaza Mayor, the hot gathering spot for locals; the Royal Palace, residence to the King; and El Prado, Spain's repository of artistic treasures. Tonight, join our special Hermes Welcome Dinner.
Overnight: Abba Madrid Hotel, Madrid 4*, or similar.
Meal: D

Day 2 - Sunday, August 18, 2013
Toledo & El Escorial
Venture today to Toledo, city of El Greco. Perched on a dramatic hillside overlooking the Tagus River, Toledo brims with old world charm. You'll visit the ornate cathedral and St. Thomas Church.

En route back to Madrid, you'll stop at El Escorial, an historic royal residence and monastery, and the Valley of the Fallen, a monument dedicated to those who died in the Spanish Civil War.
Overnight: Abba Madrid Hotel, Madrid 4*, or similar
Meal: B

Day 3 - Monday, August 19, 2013
Segovia & Avila
Drive today to Segovia, in the shadow of the Guadarrama Mountains. After a tour of the medieval and mighty Alcazar, overlooking the Eresma and Clamores rivers, continue to Avila, set on a rocky plateau amidst vast Spanish plains. During our visit, you'll tour Spain's first gothic cathedral.
Overnight: Abba Madrid Hotel, Madrid 4*, or similar.
Meal: B

Day 4 - Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Cordoba
Travel by train through spectacular Spanish countryside to Cordoba, and take in this fascinating city during a city tour. Marvel at the Islamic-accented Alcazar of Christian Monarchs, and visit the famed Mezquita mosque-cathedral, with its stunning facades and 856 columns of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite.
Overnight: Macia Alfaros Hotel, Cordoba 4*, or similar
Meal: B

Day 5 - Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Granada
Today we'll transfer to Granada, and get acquainted with its sights during a city tour. The grand highlight today is the hilltop Alhambra Palace. Built by Moors, occupied by Christians, and home briefly to American writer Washington Irving, this is where Columbus received blessings for his explorations from Ferdinand and Isabella. You can also stroll the stunning Generalife Gardens, and admire its stunning views.
Overnight: Navas Hotel, Granada 4*, or similar
Meal: B

Day 6 - Thursday, August 22, 2013
Seville
Journey to Seville today, birthplace of the flamenco and Andalucia's artistic and cultural capital. During a city tour, you'll behold its gothic-baroque cathedral and its Giralda, a minaret-turned-bell-tower built with interior ramps to allow its holy men to ascend on horseback.
Overnight: Gran Lar Hotel, Seville 4*, or similar
Meal: B

Day 7 - Friday, August 23, 2013
Jerez de la Frontera
Today you'll visit Jerez de la Frontera, world renowned for its production of sherry. Stop at a local sherry cellar for a tasting of the sweet nectar, and enjoy a lunch of regional dishes. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore Seville on your own.
Overnight: Gran Lar Hotel, Seville 4*, or similar
Meal: B, L

Day 8 - Saturday, August 24, 2013
Evora, Portugal
Travel to Evora today, where you'll contemplate the eerie Chapel of Bones at the Sao Francisco Cathedral. You'll also visit the imposing Evora Cathedral, perched upon the city's highest spot. We then continue onwards to Lisbon, Portugal's pulsating capital.
Overnight:VIP Executive Diplomatico Hotel, Lisbon 4*, or similar.
Meal: B

Day 9 - Sunday, August 25, 2013
Lisbon
Lisbon's wealth was built upon the Age of Exploration, and evidence of its maritime history is everywhere. During our city tour, you'll explore the Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower, and marvel at the resplendent Monument to the Discoveries. Your afternoon is free to explore Lisbon's historic Alfama district and browse its shops.
Overnight:VIP Executive Diplomatico Hotel, Lisbon 4*, or similar.
Meal: B

Day 10 - Monday, August 26, 2013
Cabo da Roca & Sintra
This morning, take in the beauty of two coastal gems. First, set foot on mainland Europe's westernmost point on Cabo da Roca. Continue to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its plentiful 19th-century Romantic architecture. You'll visit its fairy-tale National Palace.

Your afternoon is free to explore Lisbon's historic Alfama district and browse its shops. Tonight, celebrate your Iberian journey during our special Hermes Farewell Dinner.
Overnight:VIP Executive Diplomatico Hotel, Lisbon 4*, or similar.
Meal: B, D

Day 11 - Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Depart for home
Meal: B

All-Gay Iberia Tour Hotels

Madrid:
Abba Madrid Hotel
The Hotel Abba Madrid is a four star hotel in Madrid – Spain. As part of the Abba Hotels group, this property is modern, comfortable, and very cozy. Everything is decorated in a soft, yet modern style giving the guests a warm atmosphere. While staying there, you can feast on delicious Spanish cuisine at the restaurant, Amalur. You can enjoy a cocktail with friends or business associates at the bar.

And all of this is located in the heart of one of the most vibrant city's in the world, Madrid. The Spanish capital has many wonderful cultural activities.

You can witness a live bullfight at the Plaze de Toros, watch a soccer match for the one of the best teams, Real Madrid, experience classical music and opera, or visit any of the museums in the area. This includes the Prado Musuem, which features artwork from many world famous artists including Diego Velazquez, El Greco, and Francisco Goya.

Other hotel amenities include a concierge, a parking garage, air conditioning, a messaging service, a currency exchange, a car rental service, complimentary daily newspapers, laundry service, and wireless Internet access. The entire property is non-smoking.

Each of the 207 guest rooms at the Hotel Abba Madrid has air conditioning, satellite television, a direct dial telephone, a mini bar, a safe, and a hair dryer.

Cordoba:
Macia Alfaros Hotel
Macia Alfaros Hotel is located in Cordoba city-center, close to Plaza de la Corredera and Palacio del Marques de Viana. Also nearby are Plaza del Potro and Cordoba Mezquita.

This Cordoba property has a restaurant and a bar/lounge. Complimentary wireless and wired high-speed Internet access is available in public areas. Event facilities consist of exhibit space, conference rooms, and banquet facilities. Additional amenities include an outdoor pool, a concierge desk, and multilingual staff.

Hotel Macia Alfaros has 144 guestrooms. Televisions are equipped with satellite channels. Guestrooms provide complimentary wireless Internet access, direct-dial phones, and in-room safes. Beds have premium bedding. Bathrooms offer shower/tub combinations with handheld showerheads, bidets, makeup/shaving mirrors, and hair dryers. Additional amenities include minibars, air conditioning, and welcome amenities. In addition, amenities available on request include irons/ironing boards and wake-up calls.

Granada:
Navas Hotel
Ideally located in Andalusia by Plaza de Bibrambla Square, right in the city centre of Granada, Navas Hotel lies within walking distance of the main attractions of the city.

Travellers staying at this 3-star city hotel will enjoy excellent holidays in Granada, visiting the Cathedral, the Royal Chapel and the famous Alhambra Palace, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Facilities offered by Navas Hotel include bar, restaurant, and Internet Point, as well as maps and tourist information about Granada, available at the front desk.

Navas Hotel features 42 comfortable and spacious guest rooms, all of them with private bathroom and hairdryer. In-room amenities include air conditioning and heating, satellite TV, writing desk, safe, and telephone.

Seville:
Gran Lar Hotel
Located in a lively shopping area of the city, Gran Hotel Lar is a 4 star hotel in Seville, near the historic centre. It is conveniently situated within a mere 10 minute walk from the Santa Justa train station.

The hotel features comfortable and functional facilities and is, therefore, an excellent accommodation for your stay in this great monumental city. It also offers several halls to host meetings, conferences, and private events.

Among other amenities, Gran Hotel Lar offers a bar, restaurant, and garage. Guests can access to the Internet either wireless or using the coin-operated computers available in the lobby. The front desk is open 24 hours, where tourist information is provided.

Gran Hotel Lar offers 137 spacious en-suite guest rooms. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, mini bar, direct dial telephone, wireless Internet access, satellite TV, safe, trouser press, hair dryer, and background music.

Lisbon:
VIP Executive Diplomatico Hotel
Just south of Parque Eduardo VII, near the Praça do Marques de Pombal this hotel is right in the middle of Lisbon's commercial and business area. You will be near Marqes de Pombal metro station which is served by two lines, helping you find your way across the city with ease.

Travel down the grand Avenida da Liberdade to reach the city centre and the popular shopping and sightseeing areas. Main access roads are close by, if you intend to travel.

The VIP Executive Diplomatico, is a four star classic design hotel with 73 rooms and 17 suites decorated in a very refined and classic style. All 90 rooms are completely equipped with the most modern facilities, including, TV and air conditioning. All rooms have a private bathroom.