18 Day Grand Spain and Portugal Tour

Day 1 – Welcome to Madrid

While in Madrid, explore the elegant boulevards, expansive parks and varied architectural styles. Join your Travel Director for dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers over a delightful evening of good food and wine.

Hotel: Barceló Emperatriz

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 – Toledo and on to Granada

Venture south to meet a master artisan in a Damascene workshop for a personal insight into this ancient craft handed down by the Moors centuries ago. Witness firsthand their precision as they inlay gold and silver into iron, using a chisel and a hammer.

Continue to the fascinating city of Toledo, situated high above the River Tagus. This was Spain’s capital during the golden era, where Arab, Jewish and Christian cultures flourished side-by-side through the Middle Ages. Walk within the city walls, through the narrow cobbled streets, led by your Local Expert. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, housing El Greco’s famous painting, ‘The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.’ 

Afterward, Your journey continues to Granada.

Hotel: Vincci Albayzín

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 3 – Alhambra Palace in Granada

Bathed in morning light, the Alhambra Palace awaits – a fantasy of arabesque gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace. Explore with your Local Expert and also visit the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence. Take a moment to relax in the sunshine as you enjoy the fine views over the town and its three verdant hills. 

Afterward, embark on a scenic drive to Seville and visit the Seville Cathedral. Pass the altarpiece dripping with gold and see the Tomb of Christopher Columbus, held aloft by four kings.

Then explore Seville with a choice to either a walking tour through the old Jewish quarter, Barrio de Santa Cruz with a Local Expert, and hear how the Jewish community has shaped the city’s history. Alternatively, you may join a scenic drive around the city and enjoy panoramic views.

Hotel: Meliá Sevilla

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 – Free Time in Seville and Flamenco

This is a free day, so take your time to bask in the city’s romantic aura and explore as you wish. 

You may also join an Optional Experience to the ancient city of Córdoba, where you will visit the magnificent Mezquita, see the old Jewish Quarter, and enjoy some free time to shop or explore as you wish. 

Afterward, visit Cristina Heeren Foundation. This private dance school is dedicated to promoting the conservation of flamenco and supports young enthusiasts from all over the world with a special focus on new talent from the Andalusian region. Feel the passion behind the choreography as you put your rhythm to the test during a dance lesson before witnessing emotions come to life in a flamenco performance.

Hotel: Meliá Sevilla

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 – Évora and on to Lisbon

This morning the tour continues to the lively university town of Évora, one of the best preserved medieval towns in Portugal, with architectural styles dating back to Roman Times. Visit the fascinating Capela dos Ossos, meaning the Chapel of Bones, because it is decorated with 5000 bones.

Afterward the tour continues to Lisbon.

Hotel: Turim Saldanha Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 – Lisbon

During your stay, a guided orientation of the city with your Local Expert takes you along the avenues of the Lower Town and beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco, the finest square in the city. Visit the Belém Quarter. Delight in a taste of the famous Portuguese custard tart, Pastéis de Belém, made in a 19th century bakery with the original secret recipe for almost 200 years. 

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 National Coach Museum, featuring one of the most prominent horse-drawn carriage collections in the world. 

With the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps join an Optional Experience to the beautiful Portuguese Riviera?

Hotel: Turim Saldanha Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 – Holy Fátima and Salamanca

Travel into the green hills north of Lisbon to visit Fátima, the most celebrated place of pilgrimage in Portugal. Visit the chapel commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three children in 1917. Join the faithful at one of the world’s holiest sites and pay homage at the Chapel of the Apparitions and see the basilica.

Afterward, cross the border, returning to Spain and continue to Salamanca, famous for its golden stone buildings and the handsome arcades of the Plaza Mayor. Learn about the unique traditions of this historic university city.  Across the River Tormes, see the Puente Romano with 15 of its 26 arches dating from the time of the ancient Romans.

Hotel: Hotel Alameda Palace

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 – Ávila and Madrid

Cross the rock-strewn hills of the Castile, to arrive at Ávila. Admire the impressive city still entirely enclosed within its 11th-century walls, a unique occurrence in Europe. 

Return to Madrid to explore more of the capital with your Local Expert. At a local restaurant, join your Travel Director and newfound friends for a lively dinner. Honest culinary traditions and a fiesta of fresh ingredients are the hallmarks of your Spanish dinner. The perfect accompaniment to good conversation and a chilled glass of beer or wine.

Hotel: Barceló Emperatriz

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 9 – Madrid of the Bourbons

Enjoy sightseeing with your Local Expert as they take you along the main historical areas in the Capital of Spain known as Madrid of the Bourbons. 

Your drive continues through the Old Quarter discovering the origins of the city. See the highlights of the city with your Local Expert. Visit the Old Town, traveling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles, the Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace, before crossing the Puerta del Sol.

A highlight of your escorted journey will be a visit to the Prado Museum. Witness the world’s finest collection of Spanish paintings, plus an impressive international collection, as you tour the Prado Museum with an art historian. Discover countless works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and others. 

The afternoon is free for you to relax at a cafe or shop in the boutiques.

Hotel: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana or Barceló Torre de Madrid (Depends on departure date)

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 – Through Guadarrama Mountains to Santiago de Compostela

Journey through the Guadarrama Mountains to the infinite horizons of Old Castile and continue past the impressive Castillo de la Mota, conquered by Queen Isabella. Travel on to Santiago de Compostela, where the tomb of the Apostle St. James was miraculously discovered in the Middle Ages.

Hotels: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 11 – Santiago de Compostela

Choose to join a city tour with a Local Expert and visit Praza do Obradoiro to admire the cathedral facade festooned with architectural frills. Alternatively, embark on a scenic walk on part of the Way of St James, through parks and gardens that transform with the seasons. 

Relax during your free time or explore the narrow streets and old squares of this city.

Hotel: NH Collection Santiago de Compostela

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 – The Costa Verde to Oviedo

Pass through the ancient forests of Galicia and cross to the Green Coast of Asturias – one of Spain’s most beautiful, named after the color of the sea and the pine and eucalyptus trees that line the shore. 

Enjoy a lunch with a locals for a delicious meal of locally sourced produce that has been prepared just for you. Hear about daily life as you enjoy a delicious meal, typical of the region, that Flor has freshly prepared from locally sourced ingredients, accompanied by delicious local cider. 

Your route reveals glorious coastal vistas before turning inland to travel through old villages and deep valleys en route to Oviedo. Continue on to Oviedo where a Local Expert will show you the 9th century churches built when the city was the capital of Christian Spain. Led by your Local Expert, see 1,000-year-old wall paintings in some of Europe’s oldest churches.

Visit the Cathedral of the Holy Savior in the stately square of Plaza Alfonso II. Admire the incredible altarpiece, one of the finest in Europe.

Hotel: Barceló Oviedo Cervantes

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine

Day 13 – Picturesque Santillana del Mar and on to Santander

Visit the holy cave of Covadonga and see the tomb of Pelayo who is celebrated for winning the Battle of Covadonga against the Muslim Moors in 722 and later became the first King of Asturias. 

See the unique Roman bridge in Cangas de Onís as you head into the foothills of the Picos de Europa, a national park boasting spectacular mountain and gorge scenery. 

Enjoy views of the Costa de Cantabria while traveling to Santillana del Mar, arguably the most beautiful village in Spain. Stroll through the rustic cobblestone streets, admiring stone houses decorated with carved, heraldic symbols and reach the delightful church square.

Continue on to the sophisticated beach resort of Santander where you have free time in the evening to enjoy this luxurious hotel. 

Hotel: Eurostars Hotel Real

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 – Bilbao and San Sebastián

In nearby Bilbao, admire the striking modern architecture of the Guggenheim Museum, the spectacular modern Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry, and one of the world’s most spectacular buildings. 

Enjoy the views as you are driven along part of the Costa Vasca, dotted with small coastal fishing villages and pause in the seaside city of Getaria to see ‘El Ratón’, the mouse-shaped rock. 

Continue to San Sebastián and admire its beauty during a guided walking tour of the Old Quarter including Plaza de la Constitucion. Explore the secrets of the harbor area and uncover the forgotten Basque maritime cultural heritage.

Hotel: Barceló Costa Vasca

Meals: Breakfast

Day 15 – The Cantabrian Coast

Enjoy a day at leisure to stroll along San Sebastián’s boardwalk and with the city harbor filled with fishing boats and pleasure crafts, you can enjoy a number of sporting activities on its large sandy beach. Perhaps you’ll want to explore the nearby French village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, also known as Little Paris? Maybe stroll the promenade of the famous La Concha bay or enjoy the boutiques of the Old Town?

Hotel: Barceló Costa Vasca

Meals: Breakfast

Day 16 – Pamplona and on to Barcelona

Journey to the famed town of Pamplona, known for its Running of the Bulls festival. With time free for you to explore, perhaps take a stroll to the famous Estafeta Street or visit Café Iruña, immortalized by Ernest Hemingway in his novel ‘The Sun Also Rises.’ 

Your travels continue to Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia, a land that retains its own distinctive language, culture and traditions. In Barcelona, visit to a biodynamic farm whose secrets have been handed down through four generations. Take in the views of Catalunya and taste the flavor of the valley ‘Terroir’ in the form of a sparkling wine. Sample this light refreshment and follow the process from the vine to your glass, learning about the unique sustainable methods employed. Sparkling wine is essential to Catalan culture, flowing freely during celebrations it is the perfect way to start your adventure into Catalunya. 

Hotel: Hilton Barcelona

Meals: Breakfast

Day 17 – Barcelona, City of Gaudí

Wake up ready to embrace the city’s artistic heritage. Join a Local Expert 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 Gaudi’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família. 

Venture inside Gaudí’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família, to marvel at the contrasts of architecture. Above see its giant, tree-like pillars and spectacular vaulting. Admire the wonderful rainbow of the incredible stained-glass windows.

With the afternoon at leisure, you are free to relax or continue your exploration on your own. 

In the evening, join your Travel Director and newfound friends at a local restaurant. At a typical Catalan restaurant, savor a delicious Celebration Dinner that incorporates classic cooking with the freshest produce. Raise your glass and toast your travels during your delightful Celebration Dinner.

Hotel: Hilton Barcelona

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 18 – Depart Barcelona or Transfer to Madrid

Today, bid farewell to Barcelona for your journey home.  Fly from Barcelona or transfer from Barcelona to Madrid.