Best of Southern Spain & Portugal

Welcome to Barcelona, Spain! You will be collected at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Join our tour leader for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers over a delightful evening of good food and wine.

We start our morning with a city tour of Barcelona, driving along the main avenues to admire Gaudi’s iconic modernist buildings, including La Pedrera and Casa Batllo. We see Montjuic Park for panoramic views of the city and harbour, and see the Olympic Ring, the Columbus Monument, and the Olympic Port.

We also explore Barcelona's most famous landmark, the Sagrada Familia, which by the time of its completion will have been under construction for 100 years. Next, we head to Port Vell to board a catamaran and sail along Barcelona’s stunning coastline. Onboard, we are welcomed with music, a complimentary drink, and a traditional tapa. We can relax in the shaded seats or sunbathe on the forward nets. The rest of the afternoon is yours to continue discovering the city.

Barcelona - Peniscola - Valencia. After breakfast, We set off towards Valencia, following the Costa Dorada and the Ebro Delta until we reach Peniscola, where we can visit the filming locations of "El Cid" and "Game of Thrones." We then continue to Valencia, where we sample traditional "horchata" (tiger milk) and have the chance to explore the city.

Valencia, a major Mediterranean coastal capital, is renowned for its modern Arts and Sciences Architectural Complex, which includes the Hemisferico, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanographic, Palau de les Arts, and Agora. We will also have time to explore the old town and view the exterior of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.

Valencia - Granada. After breakfast at the hotel, we continue towards Andalusia, arriving in Granada, a city nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, between the Darro and Genil rivers. Granada is a gem of Andalusia, where the impressive Alhambra showcases the region's Andalusian heritage alongside Renaissance architectural treasures.

We will have the opportunity to learn flamenco dancing before enjoying dinner with a flamenco show at one of Granada’s traditional venues. After dinner, we can take the chance to admire the stunning views of Granada from one of the city’s viewpoints.

Granada - Seville, after breakfast, we visit the renowned Alhambra complex and the Generalife Gardens, the highlight of Andalusia for many visitors. We then travel through olive groves and white villages to Seville, the capital of Andalusia. This evening, we have the chance to enjoy a typical dinner with our fellow travellers and sample traditional Andalusian cuisine together.

We start with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a morning city tour of Seville, the Andalusian capital. We visit the Cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peter's in Rome, and explore the Santa Cruz quarter, famously associated with Carmen and the legend of Don Juan. We also see Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de Espana, the city's elegant main square. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy and explore the city at your own pace.

Seville - Cordoba - Madrid. We begin with breakfast at the hotel before departing for Cordoba, the historic capital of the caliphate. Upon arrival, we tour the impressive Mosque and wander through the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter.

We then continue to Madrid, travelling through the natural border of Despenaperros and across La Mancha, the land of Don Quixote. We arrive in Madrid later in the day, and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.

After breakfast at the hotel, we embark on a guided city tour to discover Madrid’s highlights. We take in the Barrio de la Moreria, the Habsburgs District, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa. We can admire the Madrid of the Bourbons and Charles III’s town planning, including the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains, and Puerta de Alcala.

We also visit contemporary areas such as Gran Via, Castellana, the Salamanca district, and the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Football Stadium, home to Real Madrid. During our tour, we enjoy a typical Madrid snack of chocolate and churros. The afternoon is free for you to further explore the city’s attractions. In the evening, we gather with our fellow travellers for a tapas dinner at a local restaurant.

Please note that in Madrid, some travellers may leave the tour, and others may join. The tour guide may also change.

Madrid - Salamanca - Porto (Portugal). After breakfast at the hotel, we head towards Portugal, stopping enroute in Salamanca. We have some free time to explore this historic University City and World Heritage Site, known for its architectural and artistic treasures.

We then continue to the Portuguese border and arrive in Porto. Situated along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of Europe’s oldest cities and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

After breakfast at the hotel, we embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Porto, where we can admire the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange building, and Santa Clara Church. We then enjoy a Douro River cruise and visit one of the city's many Port Wine Cellars, for an included port wine tasting experience.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore at leisure. In the evening, experience an included traditional Fado show with dinner alongside our fellow travellers. This traditional Portuguese music style originated in Lisbon but remains popular throughout the country.

Porto - Aveiro - Coimbra. After breakfast, we set off for Aveiro, often called "The Venice of Portugal" due to its charming canals. We will take an included ride on a moliceiro, a traditional colourful boat used for navigating these canals.

Following this memorable experience, we head to Coimbra, where we meet our local guide for a tour of the city. Coimbra is renowned for its historic university - one of the oldest in Europe, as well as its medieval streets and picturesque riverfront.

Coimbra - Batalha - Nazare - Lisbon. After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the Batalha Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its Gothic and Manueline architecture. We then continue to the picturesque fishing town of Nazare, where we have some free time to explore. Nazare is a famous surfing spot, known to witness some of the tallest waves in the world.

Following our visit to Nazare, we head to Lisbon. In Lisbon, we cross the Tagus River to Cacilhas, where we enjoy a seafood dinner at a local restaurant (non-seafood options are available!).

After breakfast, we join a morning city sightseeing tour of ancient Olissipo (Lisbon). We drive through its main squares and avenues, seeing highlights like the Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, the Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square, and Liberty Avenue.

In the afternoon, you have free time to explore the charming Alfama Quarter, with its narrow, winding streets, historic castle, colourful buildings, and traditional “tabernas” nestled beside the Castle. These are a great place to enjoy a drink or two on the final night of our tour.

Tuck into a final breakfast in the hotel before our tour comes to an end. There is an included transfer to the airport.