Best of Spain and Portugal

Day 1  Madrid        
Transfer to your hotel before a welcome dinner in local restaurant among your fellow travellers.

Day 2  Madrid        
Join a guided tour of the capital’s most historic neighbourhoods. Enjoy a special visit to the renowned Prado Museum with an art historian who will guide you through the collective works of Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and more.

Day 3  Madrid to Salamanca  
Travel to the fortified city of Segovia, walk through the medieval streets and see the magnificent Alcazar fortress. Journey west, overlooking the ancient walls of Ávila, en route to Salamanca. During your guided sightseeing tour, admire the golden stone buildings, the honey-coloured cathedral and the 16th century university buildings.

Day 4  Salamanca to Porto    
Cross the Portuguese border to Porto, situated on the River Douro, the city is celebrated internationally as the capital of Port wine. Visit the Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores and walk along corridors of casks before a marvellous tasting.

Day 5  Porto to Lisbon
Continue to Fátima, Portugal’s most renowned place of pilgrimage. See the basilica and journey to the fortified town of Óbidos and walk within its walls, exploring the narrow, medieval streets where houses are covered with flowers. Your travels continue to the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.

Day 6  Lisbon        
Visit the Belém Quarter and enjoy a taste of the famous Pastéis de Belém from a traditional patisserie. Visit the cloisters of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Jerónimos Monastery to admire the site's beautiful Manueline architecture. With the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps join an Optional Experience to the Portuguese Riviera.

Day 7  Lisbon to Seville      
Leave Lisbon via the modern Tagus Bridge and cross the border to reach Seville. Visit the Seville Cathedral, the burial place of Christopher Columbus. Perhaps embark on a walk through the old Jewish quarter or join a scenic drive around the city and enjoy panoramic views. This evening, why not join an optional experience with dinner and a horse and carriage ride?

Day 8  Seville
Enjoy a relaxed start, shop or continue exploring this fascinating city at your own pace. Later this afternoon, visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a flamenco dance school. Feel the passion behind the choreography as you put your rhythm to the test during a dance lesson.

Day 9  Seville to Torremolinos
Head south to Gibraltar to visitthe Rock of Gibraltar and St. Michael’s Cave. Then, relax as you travel the scenic route along the Costa del Sol. Your journey continues through the green hills to the white-washed village of Mijas.

Day 10  Torremolinos
Enjoy the day at leisure on the sun-drenched Costa del Sol. Relax by the blue Mediterranean waters, stroll along the promenade, savour the specialities in the local restaurants or consider exploring Málaga, the birth city of Picasso.

Day 11  Torremolinos to Granada
Continue to Alfarnatejo, a quiet village, surrounded by stunning mountainous landscape. Travel to the oldest olive grove in the region and stop at the rural mill-factory to taste a selection of oils, paired with locally made bread. Lunch is at the home of a local family made of fresh, local produce. Continue to Granada to visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace with your Local Expert.  

Day 12  Granada to Valencia
Pass through the Old City to see its ancient gates, and the City of Arts and Sciences. In your free time perhaps take a stroll to the Cathedral and El Miguelete? Meet the chef of a local family-run restaurant in the heart of the Old City and learn how to make the local specialty of paella.

Day 13  Valencia 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 light lunch, enjoy a tasting as you learn the sparkling secrets of Spanish bubbly. Continue along the coast to reach Barcelona.

Day 14  Barcelona  
A Local Expert joins you for a drive along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district to visit Gaudi’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família. At a local restaurant, join your fellow travellers to toast to newfound friends and a wonderful journey, enjoying a Celebration Dinner with wine.

Day 15  Barcelona  
Transfer to the airport for your departing flight.