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    LISBONWe begin our grand tour in thischarming old capital o Portugal.Te center o Lisbon is an idealplace or strolling, people-watching,shopping, and eating. Tis is one

    o the earliest and best exampleso town planning, or Lisbon wascompletely re-built aer the city wasdestroyed in a massive earthquake200 years ago. Te resultingcomprehensive design created oneo the most pleasing and pretty

    SPAIN & PORUGAL 2009September 16-October 2, 2009

    Lisbon, Evora, Seville, Granada, Cordoba,

    Madrid, oledo, Segovia and BarcelonaOur deluxe customized tour will bring you to the most interesting and beau-

    tiful places in Spain and Portugal, with a leisurely pace that enables you to

    get the most out of the experience. We will stay in ne hotels, conveniently

    located in the heart of town. A specialized local guide in each destination

    will bring us on a city tour, and your Hawaii escort will provide additional

    walking tours to further acquaint you with these fascinating places.We provide the best o both worlds, oering guided tours to get you oriented,plus enough ree time to pursue your own interests. We have careully chosenthe most interesting places on the Iberian Peninsula so that you will experiencea variety o cultural highlights, ranging rom ancient Roman ruins, and theMoorish centers o Andalusia, to the sophisticated modern shops and caes

    approx

    $5,499

    With optional

    Mediterranean.extension

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    cities in the world. Tere are manyhistoric landmarks that survived thequake, including the ortress o SaintGeorge overlooking the town, andthe medieval hillside Alama district,with its winding pedestrian alleys

    and riendly residents. We will takeit easy this rst aernoon and enjoya brie walking tour o the historiccity center.

    Sights on our city tour o Lisbon willinclude two o the most importantexamples o the Manuelin baroque,

    the Belem ower, at the mouth othe agus River, and the nearbyJeronimos Monastery, with theirwonderul mix o gothic and rococoarchitecture. Tis church and cloister,built with money gotten in the

    protable India trade, are the mostoutstanding example o Manuelinstyle, an elaborately ornamentedarchitecture embellished with manynautical motis. Te tour will thenpass the Bull Ring, the grand Avenidada Liberdade, and Rossio Square.

    Te aernoon will be ree or urtherexploration. You might enjoy strollingthrough the Alama, the medievalneighborhood on the hill overlookingthe main city, with buildings datingback many hundreds o years, still

    occupied by riendly people livingin a simple, old-ashioned manner.Another enjoyablediversion wouldbe shopping yourway through theashionable districtso the Baixa, in the

    heart o town, andthe Bairro Alto, onthe hill oppositethe Alama. In theevening you mighthave dinner ordrinks at a ado barand listen to the sad

    poignant songs oloves pain and passion.

    QUELUZ, SINRA & CASCAIS:

    Our ull days tour will take us to theoutskirts o Lisbon where we visitthe Rococo Palace o Queluz, thesummer residence o Portugueseroyalty, built in 1747, with rich

    interior gilded decorations, andbeautiully laid ormal gardens.Next we visit the Medieval Palace oSintra, and return to Lisbon via thecoastal villages o Cascais and Estoril

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    which are amous or their pleasantweather and or the nobility o pastresidents, including deposed kings,queens and other aristocratic types

    who ound in the Portuguese shoresa riendly home.

    During our three days in the Lisbonarea you will be guided to the mostinteresting sights, and you will alsohave ample time or shopping andexploring on your own. Be sure tostroll around the district o Rossio

    Square, or this central part odowntown is lined with graceulacades o historic buildings,containing the most modern shopsand a large number o pleasant caes.From here you can ride up GustaveEiels elevator tower to the uppertown, the Chiado, and take part in

    the easy-going Portuguese style ostrolling, shopping, and dining.

    SPAINAer three nights in Lisbon, we travelto Spain via the scenic route throughthe south o Portugal. Our rst stop

    is Evora, declared by UNESCOPatrimony o Humanity. Here wend well-preserved Roman remainso the emple o Diana. Evora is atown o arches, arcades, aqueducts,azulejos, and academics. It had aourishing university when, duringthe 15th and 16th centuries, the kings

    o Portugal made it the center o courtlie. Manuelin palaces, mansions,and churches prolierated.

    From Evora we continue acrossthe Spanish border to the town oAracena where we stop or a visit

    to the Cueva de las Maravillasa popular cave with illuminationhighlighting small lakes, stalactites,stalagmites and many interestingwater and rock ormations.

    By the end o the day we reachSeville, the beguiling capital o thissouthern region o Andalusia. Sevilleis a theatrical and estive place thatwas Spains most important cityduring the glorious Golden Ageo exploration and conquest. Eventoday it houses the worlds largestgothic cathedral, a symbol o supreme

    power 500 years ago, and standingas a monument to the citys sense ohistory and cultural patrimony.

    SEVILLE:Our city tour beginsin the worlds largestgothic cathedral.

    Here we visit theamous Orange-treeCourt, the Gate oAbsolution, the RoyalChapel, the Sacristy,and the nal resting-place o ChristopherColumbus.

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    Te Giralda, the tall minaret othe ormer Muslim mosque thatpreviously stood on this hallowedground, awaits those energetic peoplewilling to climb it, with the reward oa breathtaking view o the city below.

    We continue with a visit to theReales Alcazar where we will admirethe beautiul Mudejar architecture(Muslims artisans working or theChristian kings). Pedro I in 1364ordered the construction o a royalresidence within the palace that hadbeen built by the citys Almohad

    rulers. Within two years, crasmenrom Granada and oledo createda jewel box o Mudejar patios andhalls. Here we visit the Royal Chapel,with its amazing tapestries, and thegardens with the original ountainsstill owing with water using simplegravity.

    Aernoon is at leisure to enjoySeville, which oers an almost innitenumber o walks, and rereshmentstops where we can nd an amplesupply o the amous typical tapas,small dishes washed down with tastybeverages o choice, stimulating goodconversation. Te economy o Sevillestood still or centuries, leaving apreserved gem o ancient buildingsuntouched by modern urbanizationor you to explore now.

    Our tours o Seville will also show usthe Renaissance own Hall, the Gold

    ower, the ne baroque universitybuilding which is the second largeststructure in Spain, the ountains andowers o Maria Luisa Park, andthe Alcazar Palace which housedSpanish kings or six centuries.

    We will notice many examples othe Moorish inuence on the aceo Seville, but you will eel evenmore the dominance o the highlydecorative Spanish baroque o the16th-18th centuries. Private tourto Jerez, in the nearby countryside,or sherry tasting and tour o the

    vineyards. Coach to Arcos or lunchat the Parador.

    Tere will be plenty o things tosee and do in Seville to keep youentertained or three days andnights.

    GRANADA:We journey by private motorcoach80 miles to Granada, the archetypalsouthern Spanish town -- a place notto be missed. Tis rst aernoon wewill visit two o the most impressiveedices ever built the hilltoportress o Te Alcazaba, and the

    gigantic palace complex o theAlhambra, which was the last reugeo the Moors in Spain. Te Alhambraembraces hundreds o years oarchitectural history that includesprivate dwellings still occupied today.It also includes several churches,a restaurant, gardens, statues and

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    ountains, and the centerpiece 16th-century Renaissance palace. All thisoverwhelming opulence makes anunorgettable impression, amonga honeycomb o palatial interiors,covered passageways, obscure alleys,and several dozen elegant courtyardsscattered throughout the Casa Real.Tis is one o Europes top sights!

    Te historic center o Granada is alsoworthy o close examination, and weshall have a look as we stroll along

    together with our knowledgeableguide who will point out many o thehighlights. Tere are stark contrastsin this city, which is pulsating withthe modern vibrations o youth onthe cutting edge o Western culture,a home to the avant-garde, and aconstant sidewalk ashion show onparade. Tis last great strongholdo the Moors in Europe still clingstenaciously to many o its ancientcustoms in the midst o this moderncontemporary social scene. For thevisitor who can only get a taste o thiscomplexity, there is much to absorb.In the evening we can attend one othe best amenco perormances in

    Spain.

    CORDOBA:A two-hour transer rom Granadabrings us quickly to Andalusias otherextremely beautiul town that must beincluded on any proper tour o Spain.Te Arabic heritage o the small

    peaceul city o Cordoba was builtup rom the eighth century, when itbecame the capital o Moorish Spain,and ruled over a nation that skippedthe Dark Ages which bogged downthe rest o Europe.

    By the tenth century, Cordoba wasthe largest, wealthiest, and most

    cultured city on the continent. It wasa center or science, philosophy, andhistory, and helped to bring the resto backward Europe into the age o

    discovery and enlightenment. Mucho this proud past is still evident inthe historic buildings and sites o thisonce-powerul city -- that now hasa distinctly modern attitude in theSpain o today. While the populationo 300,000 is spread out, the historic

    center is compact and can be easilycovered on oot.

    We will enjoy a walking tour tooutdoor markets, many churches,small plazas with ountains, andcharming neighborhoods. Our tourwill show us more Moorish sights,

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    including the most impressivemosque in all o Europe. Teollowing morning will provideree time or shopping and urtherexploring, or we will take a late-aernoon train to Madrid..

    We move along to the next majordestination o our tour, Madrid viahigh-speed train connection romCordoba, on the super-deluxe AVEexpress rail service.

    MADRIDTe city tour this morning will takeyou inside the Royal Palace, built inthe 18th century with 3,000 roomsone o the largest in Europe. Youwill also visit the Prado Museum,

    accompanied by your Hawaii escort.In the aernoon we will have awalking tour o the impressive PlazaMayor, the Puerta del Sol, and theexciting entertainment center o theGran Via. At night there is time ortapas, the delicious pupus o Spain,as you visit some local caes

    OLEDOOn our third day we have a hal daytour that will take us to oledo, 50miles south o Madrid. Formerlythe capital o Spain, oledo is one

    o the best-preserved medievalcities in Europe, with most o itsoriginal buildings intact. Our visitwill include the massive Cathedral,the Church o Santo ome, with themost amous El Greco painting, anda walk through the narrow cobbledalleys or some shopping and people-

    watching.

    Formerly the capital o Spain, oledois one o the best-preserved medievalcities in Europe, with most o itsoriginal buildings intact. Our visitwill include the massive Cathedral,the Church o Santo ome, with themost amous El Greco painting, anda walk through the narrow cobbledalleys or some shopping andpeople-watching. Back to Madrid intime or lunch, and a ree aernoon,during which you might visit thenew Tiessen Museum and do somenal shopping.

    SEGOVIA & ESCORIALoday our private tour will include

    El Escorial and Segovia, across theGuadarrama Sierra. Along the waywe visit the Royal Palace o La Granjade San Ildeonso, built in 1720 byFelipe V. We continue to Segovia,amous or its Roman Aqueduct,built in the 1st century and in useuntil the late 19th century.

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    Te Cathedral, built in 1525-1678is the last great Gothic churchconstructed in Spain. Te Alcazar,built between 1410 and 1455, hasbeen a Royal Castle, and site o manyhistorical events. ogether with itsimpressive renaissance architectureand very attractive urban spaces,Segovia is popular or its cocinacastellana Castillian cuisine.

    Aer lunch we will drive to ElEscorial, built by Phillip II in 1567 inan austere renaissance style, as a nalresting place or Spanish monarchs.El Escorial houses many importantworks o art, among which are theBasilica with the cenotaphs o PhillipII and his ather, Emperor Carlos V,and the amous Library with over40,000 books. We return to Madridor the evening.

    BARCELONATis grand city in the southeast corner oSpain has become one o Europes mostpopular visitor destinations, due to itscombination o medieval and modern

    attractions. Geographically close to theheart o Western Europe, Barcelona isa city on the edge, with a great cultural

    variety that will entrance you.

    We will walk through the extensive oldtown together, checking out the sidestreets with hidden restaurants, shops,plazas and many historic attractions.

    You will also have ree time to wanderback through the Gothic Quarter andabsorb more o this wonderul city.

    O course we shall visit Barcelonas mostamous building, Sagrada Familia, theantasy church designed by eccentricarchitectural genius Gaudi, who alsole his imprint on several other major

    buildings we shall see.Another highlight is the stroll romCatalunya Square along the Rambla, aamous, broad pedestrian promenadelined with shops and caes.

    You can combine this tour with theMediterranean tour, that continuesfrom Barcelona through the southof France to Italy. You could chooseany part of the itineraries to suit

    your own personal travel interests,or come along on the entire

    journey. otal price will be adjustedaccordingly.

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    BY TRAIN

    MEDITERRANEAN IN-DEPTHapprox. $4,999 per person

    BARCELONA: Along the Mediterraneanshore o eastern Spain lies Barcelona, oneo the great cities o Europe. We will seethe main attractions o this countryssecond-largest city in just a ew days bywalking through its square-mile historiccenter and visiting the most amousbuilding, Sagrada Familia, the antasy

    church designed by eccentric architecturalgenius Gaudi.

    CARCASSONNE: We continue to theamazing ortied town o Carcassonne,with its medieval castle up on the hillcompletely preserved.

    AVIGNON: Home to nine popes duringthe 14th century and one o the most

    beautiul cities in France today, Avignonis a treasure house o palaces, museumsand meandering lanes, surrounded by anold ortied wall that still protects it rommodernization.

    ARLES: ounded by the ancient Romanswho built the amphitheater that is about2,000 years old. We shll explore the

    narrow streets o the pedestrian zone.AIX-EN-PROVENCE: Tis is an idylliclandscape o pretty, low-rise buildingsthree and our centuries old, criss-crossedby a maze o tranquil pedestrian laneslined with shops and caes.

    NICE: Home-base or three days whilewe explore the Riviera, well enjoy theseaside promenade and a charming Old

    own with art galleries, shops andsmall restaurants -- a perect spot orstrolling.

    CANNES: one o the most amousdestinations along the Riviera. We willstroll through its pedestrian zone andalong the beach and marina.

    MONACO: the worlds richest andsmallest country -- we can visit thecasino and glitzy shopping zone.

    S PAUL: a medieval village o stonestructures dating back mostly to the16th century, xed up like new.

    IALIAN RIVIERA: Portono villageis preserved in the old-ashioned Italian

    style as a designated national historictreasure, with its little bay and colorulsquare surrounded by lush green hills.Cinque erre is a beautiul stretch o ve

    villages along the rocky cli-lined shoresand will make a wonderul day-trip.

    ROME: We spend the nal two days oour tour in the worlds most historic city,

    with 2,000 years o art and architecturestill visible in the great monuments thatstretch throughout town.

    Sept. 28-Oct. 15, 2009

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    We have careully designed this train tour so that you will enjoy Europesnest sights and have the best possibleexperience. Te railroads o Europe are thenest in the world, providing comortableluxury and a panoramic view, whiletravelling quickly to each destination. Ourtour has a leisurely pace which oers the

    best o both worlds: inormative guidedtours that tell you about these ascinating

    places, with enough ree time to satisy your own interests.

    ROME to LONDONROME-FLORENCE-VENICE-LUCERNE-PARIS-LONDON2 departures in 2009 April 17 & Sept. 14 (18 Days: $5,499 p/p approx.)

    EGYP, GREECE & ISANBULEgypt: Cairo, Aswan, Nile Cruise, Luxor, the Pyramids

    Greece: Island Cruise, Athens, Mycenae, Olympia, DelphiOct. 21-Nov. 13, 2009 $6,299Five thousand years o history come to liein the many ascinating sites that gave birthto western civilization in Egypt, Greece andurkey. You will experience contemporarysociety, with its big cities and small villages,tavernas, cobblestone pedestrian streets,

    shopping bazaars, riendly people, gourmetdining, and unorgettable sights.

    ZURICH

    LUCERNE

    INTERLAK-

    LOCARNOZERMATT

    SWISS ALPS by TRAINMay 25-June 7, 2009 approximately $4,699 p/p

    OUR OTHER 2009 TOURS

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    We travel by train: Te train is comortable, smooth, quiet, relaxing, and so ast itgets you there in hal the time. On the train you are ree to walk around, have a meal inthe dining car or enjoy a picnic lunch, and talk with some o the other travelers on board.First class trains are air-conditioned, so they are cool and quiet. Te spacious seats are likesoas, and can recline to make you very comortable -- you might even take a nap. You canuse the clean, convenient bathrooms anytime you want. Te rail routing is through sceniccountryside, and you can move around to enjoy the views on both sides through picturewindows.

    Centrally located hotels: We have made a great eort to select ne hotels in the historiccenters o the places we visit. Tis is extremely important, or it enables you to experiencemuch more by just stepping out your ront door. In such an advantageous location thereare many nearby restaurants, monuments, shops, historic sights, important buildings,landmarks, and other eatures that you have come on vacation to see. Our central hotel

    locations enable you to walk reely and saely through interesting neighborhoods, which isthe best way to get to know a place. We want you to get the most out o your precious time,and really get a eeling or each destination. Nothing enhances that better than a good hotelin a central location. Tis is probably our biggest dierence in approach.

    Shopping like a local: With us you always have time or shopping in local stores, or, iyou are not a shopper, use your precious time or other activities, instead o being led by thenose into tourist traps. Te historic centers o town are lled with ascinating and uniquelittle shops that are un to browse through, and we will point you to those neighborhoodsand set you loose. I you are looking or any particular items, your Hawaii escort can takesome time to help you nd them.

    In-depth city tours: We include several tours in each city, to give you a well-roundedlook at the place. In the large cities we oer panoramic tours are on a motorcoach, and wealways provide in-depth walking tours with your Hawaii escort. Our guided walks reallymake you amiliar with a place, and prepare you or some exploring on your own. Becausewe are staying or two or three days, you have enough time or this, with time le over oryour independent activities. We put a special emphasis on history and ne arts. Te tripsare educational, cultural experiences, and they are also a lot o un. Our walking tours will

    take you through historic neighborhoods lled with architectural treasures, and you havetime or museums and other cultural attractions.

    Leisurely pace -- quality time: We stay or two or three nights in each place. Tisgives us enough time to show you around with our tours, and then you actually have reetime so you can do some exploring on your own. Tis approach gives you the best o bothworlds or the guidance we provide on our included tours helps you get the most out o yourree time as well. With a proper orientation to a city, you can make the best choices or yourindependent activities, and we are always there to help. Tis is how you really get a sense oplace, and gain a eeling or the character o each o the cultures on the itinerary.

    Small groups, from Hawaii: We limit our group size to 28 people, which we have oundis quite important, or when you get above that size the group becomes very impersonal.Nearly every one o us is rom Hawaii, so we become a riendly ohana on the road, lookingout or each other, and showing a lot o courtesy. New riendships are made that last wellbeyond the length o the tour.

    Lets compare our travel style

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    Tey travel by bus: Sitting on a crowded bus or up to eight hours on a long journey canbe very tiring. You are conned to a small space, and cannot move around at all. Tere isno dining car, and oen when you pull into a roadside caeteria, long lines are waiting aheado you. Restroom stops also slow down the journey and waste your precious time, and theymight not stop when you need it the most. Te scenic view is dominated by the highwaylled with trucks and cars. Buses oen get stuck in heavy trafc jams on crowded streets,with many other vehicles competing or your road space, which can produce a lot o stress.

    Hotels on the edge, or beyond... You nally arrive at your hotel aer an all-day busride, and nd that you are still ar away rom the main attractions o town. Your tour operatoris saving money by putting you in a nondescript hotel on the ringe o the city. Tere willbe very little to see in your immediate vicinity, so you have to spend money and time on ataxi ride into town, or you just dont bother, and miss out. You are practically held hostagein these remote locations, so your tour guide can sell you optional tours. Tese hidden

    expenses quickly increase the price you pay or the trip. All you are going to see is what thetour operator shows you on a brie bus tour, and that is usually a quick view o highlightsthrough the window, and then o to the next city or more o the same treatment.

    Shopping in tourist traps: With the bus tour, during the brie time you have in a place,you are oen herded into tourist-trap actories and showrooms or bargain shopping.You are stuck on the bus, so you are at their mercy. I the tour bus stops at a souvenir mill,you stop too, and there is usually no other shop nearby except the one they have chosen oryou. Your guide and driver are getting a commission or taking you there, so thats the placethey want you to shop.

    Quick city tour: At best they might give you a three-hour bus tour, and thats all. Youare usually in town or only one night, and then leave the next morning, so there is little timeor anything else. I there is any extra time, you will nd the tour guide wants to sell youoptions that take you away rom town, and i you dont buy the option, they set you loosewith very little preparation, so you are on your own. Without proper guidance you mightend up wasting time and being unable to nd the important sights on your own. But thereis no time, since you are already heading or the next city. I you get lucky you might have aquick look in one museum, and the little bit o history that you hear is probably delivered in

    dry lectures on the long bus rides that just might...lull...you...to...sleep.One-night stands: Most bus tours keep you moving all the time. You arrive in a citylate in the day, aer driving or many hours, and then you leave in the morning or yournext destination. Te standard bus tour operators have devised exhausting itineraries thatappear to show you all o Europe in 17 days, but when you analyze them, you are sitting onthe bus most o that time! Unpacking every night, and repacking every morning, you donthave much time le or sightseeing. With a bus tour you have precious little ree time oryou are on the go all the time. I its uesday, where are we now? All too oen the quickstream o cities becomes a uzzy orgettable blur.

    Big groups, from everywhere: You really dont know whom you are going to betraveling with, or how ull the bus is going to be. Te bus has up to 55 seats, and they areusually ull, with everyone jockeying or position, so you are part o a very big group, withmost o the people rom every place but Hawaii. A big anonymous group like that creates aless riendly environment in which people do not care much about each other.

    with the typical bus tour:

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