15 days Best of Spain & Portugal
Follow the fortunes of the Spanish, Portuguese and Moorish Kingdoms as evidenced in their grand castles, stupendous religious buildings and incredible works of art.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Welcome to Madrid | At Madrid Airport, transfers depart for your hotel at 09:00, 11:00, 13:30 & 16:00. Later, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception and a beautiful evening of dinner and wine. Hotel: Barceló Emperatriz/Barceló Torre De Madrid. Welcome Reception and Dinner |
| 2 | Madrid of the Bourbons | Enjoy sightseeing with your Local Expert as they take you along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, passing Madrid’s most famous fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles. Drive down the Gran Vía to the Royal Palace and the monument to Cervantes in the Plaza de España before crossing the Puerta del Sol. The highlight of your trip is a visit to the magnificent Prado Museum to admire the paintings of Velázquez, Goya and many others. Hotel: Barceló Emperatriz/Barceló Torre De Madrid. Buffet Breakfast |
| 3 | Segovia and Golden Salamanca | Travel to the fortified city of Segovia where you will walk through the medieval streets from the ancient aqueduct to see the magnificent Alcazar fortress. Journey west, passing the ancient walls of Ávila, en route to Salamanca. During your orientation see some of the golden stone buildings the city is famous for, including the handsome arcaded Plaza Mayor, the honey-coloured cathedral and the 16th century university buildings. Hotel: Alameda Palace, Salamanca Buffet Breakfast |
| 4 | Porto, Grande Dame on the Douro | (Relaxed Start) Cross the Portuguese border to reach Porto, situated on the River Douro and celebrated internationally as the capital of Port wine. Visit the Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores that house the famous wines and walk along corridors of casks. Get to know your tawnys and vintages during a tasting. Continue your exploration of the city, admire the multi-coloured houses and churches covered in glazed tiles, as well as the iconic bridges (or ‘Eiffel Towers on end’ according to one Frenchman). Hotel: NH Colection Porto Batalha, Porto Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with wine |
| 5 | Holy Fatima, Ancient Obidos and Lisbon | Head south for a visit to miraculous Fatima. See the basilica or visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, which commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three young shepherds in 1917. Then continue to the fortified town of Obidos, where you'll walk inside the walls to explore the flower-bedecked houses and narrow, medieval streets. Your destination is the Portuguese capital. Hotel: Dom Pedro Palace, Lisbon Buffet Breakfast |
| 6 | Lisbon & the Age of the Great Discoveries | (Relaxed Start) Sightseeing with a Local Expert takes you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to reach the Terreiro do Paço, finest square in the city. Visit the Belém Quarter, from where sailing ships set forth to discover unknown lands. See the traditional patisserie that has managed to hold on to the secret recipe of Portugal's finest pastry for almost 200 years and enjoy a taste of the famous Pastéis de Belém. View the Monument to the Discoveries and the more ancient Belém Tower. This fortress was originally set in the middle of the river, but is now left high and dry on the riverbank. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Jerónimos Monastery with its beautiful Manueline architecture. With the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps join an Optional Experience to the Portuguese Riviera? It is often visited by surfers, occasionally royalty, and even James Bond. Hotel: Dom Pedro Palace, Lisbon Buffet Breakfast |
| 7 | Seville, the City of Carmen | Leave Lisbon via a modern Tagus Bridge and cross the border to reach Seville. With a Local Expert, tour the immense cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus, and the slender Giralda Tower. the former minaret of the Great Mosque. Explore the labyrinthine Santa Cruz Quarter and see the Alcazar. Hotel: Ayre, Seville Buffet Breakfast, |
| 8 | Free Time and Flamenco in Seville | Enjoy a relaxed start and a day to relax, shop or continue exploring this fascinating city at your own pace. Our suggestion is to join an Optional Experience to the ancient city of Cordoba, where you will visit the magnificent Mezquita, see the old Jewish Quarter, and enjoy some free time to shop or explore as you wish. In the evening you are treated to dinner, wine and entertainment featuring a fiery flamenco show. Hotel: Ayre, Seville Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with Wine |
| 9 | Head for Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol and Mijas | Head south to Gibraltar, part of mainland Spain yet an overseas territory under British control since 1704. With your Local Expert, visit the Rock of Gibraltar and St. Michael’s Cave to see the Barbary Apes, legendary guardians of the colony. Relax as you travel the scenic route along the Costa del Sol through exclusive resorts where the rich and famous holiday. Your journey continues through the green hills to the white-washed village of Mijas. Stroll through the old streets and gardens and take in the views of the coast. Hotel: Melia Costa Del Sol, Torremolinos Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with Wine |
| 10 | At Leisure on the Costa del Sol | (Relaxed Start) Enjoy the following day at leisure on the sun-drenched Costa del Sol. Relax by the blue Mediterranean waters, stroll along the promenade or savour the specialities in the local restaurants or consider exploring Malaga, the birth city of Picasso. Hotel: Melia Costa Del Sol, Torremolinos Buffet Breakfast |
| 11 | Dining with Locals and the Alhambra. | Travel to the oldest olive grove in the region and stop at the rural mill-factory of Almazara to taste a selection of different oils with locally made farmer bread. Continue to Alfarnatejo, a quiet town with a population of just 500 people and surrounded by stunning mountainous landscape. Walk the town centre to see the 18th century Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla. In small groups, you are invited to into the home of a local family to join them for a delicious Highlight Lunch made of fresh, local produce with flavours typical of the region. Continue to Granada to visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace with your Local Expert. Built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century, it is a wonder of beautiful gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace. Hotel: Vincci Albayzin, Granada Buffet Breakfast, Lunch with wine |
| 12 | On to Valencia. | Journey to Valencia, home of the City of Arts and Sciences. Pass through the Old City and see the city's ancient gates, Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart. In your free time perhaps take a stroll to the Cathedral and El Miguelete? Or sit back to with a drink and watch the Valencian’s go about their day. Valencia is home to one of the world's greatest dishes, paella. Meet the chef of a local family-run restaurant in the heart of the old town and learn the traditional recipe during a Cooking Demonstration, before savouring the delicious flavours of this classic dish, washed down with a glass of sangria, during your Highlight Dinner. Hotel: Barceló, Valencia Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with wine |
| 13 | Along the coast to Peñíscola and on to Barcelona | Follow the coast to Peñíscola to view the sea-lapped castle used in the film El Cid, continue along the Costa Dorada to the Cava Bodegas at Sant Sadurni d'Anoia. During a delicious freshly prepared Highlight Lunch, enjoy a tasting as you learn the sparkling secrets of Spanish bubbly. Continue along the coast to reach Barcelona. Hotel: Barceló Sants Barcelona. Buffet Breakfast, Lunch with wine |
| 14 | Barcelona Sightseeing | (Relaxed Start) A Local Expert joins you for a drive along the Passeig de Gràcia adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and some of the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district to visit inside Gaudi’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família. See the central nave with its giant, tree-like pillars, spectacular vaulting and the beautiful rainbows flooding in through the intricate stained-glass windows. At a local restaurant, join your fellow travellers to toast newfound friends and a wonderful journey as you enjoy a Celebration Dinner with wine. Hotel: Barceló Sants Barcelona. Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with wine |
| 15 | Depart Barcelona | Your journey ends after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Barcelona Airport at 07:00, 09:00 & 11:00. Buffet Breakfast |