Spain And Portugal Explorer

Orientation tour of Madrid: Explore Spain’s vibrant capital city with your tour leader. Wander the streets of Madrid and see top sights such as Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, Mercado de San Miguel and more!

Welcome dinner in Madrid: Look forward to your first taste of Spain and celebrate the first night of the tour with a welcome dinner! Meet the rest of the tour group who you will be travelling with for the next two weeks and enjoy some delicious Spanish cuisine.

See the historic town of Segovia: Explore the historic old town of Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights in the old town include the ancient Roman aqueduct, the Alcazar (royal palace) and Segovia Cathedral.

Enjoy a night out in San Sebastian: Enjoy some free time to relax on the beach, stroll the charming city streets and then get to know the locals as you hit the beachfront bars for traditional pintxo!

Explore the city of Pamplona: Visit the historic city that was made famous by the “running of the bulls” and see top sights including the Baroque facade of the town hall in Plaza Consistorial, the Gothic church of San Saturnino and Cámara de Comptos (the oldest building in the city, dating back to the 13th century).

Sample local Spanish wines: Drive through the popular wine-growing regions of northern Spain and enjoy a tasting of local Spanish wines. Typical Spanish grape varieties include Tempranillo, Garnacha, Albariño and Macabeo.

Locally guided walking tour of Zaragoza: Wander through the streets of Zaragoza on a walking tour accompanied by a local guide. Experience the legacy of the many different cultures that have influenced the city’s history. The city centre is compact and easy to walk around; perfect for an evening stroll.

It’s time to hit the road to Barcelona! Today’s first stop is the tiny principality of Andorra. Enjoy free time to explore Andorra la Vella, the highest capital city in Europe and a popular ski resort. Arrive in Barcelona in the late afternoon. The cosmopolitan capital of the Catalonia region is bursting full of beautiful sights and fascinating things to see and do. The hotel for the next two nights is located in Sant Cugat, just outside the city. Enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight.

Visit Andorra and Andorra la Vella: This tiny, independent principality has a population of just 85,000 and is located in the southern peaks of the Pyrenees Mountains, between Spain and France. Explore Europe’s highest capital city - Andorra la Vella - and enjoy free time in this beautiful city.

This morning, embark on a driving tour with your tour leader and become acquainted with Barcelona’s vibrant energy. Look out for top sights including the Sagrada Família, Plaça d’Espanya and Parque de Joan Miró. The rest of the day is free to explore Barcelona! A fantastic way to see the city is on the Highlights of Barcelona optional excursion. See Palau Güell, the famous La Boqueria market, the Gothic Quarter and, of course, the magnificent Sagrada Família! Alternatively, visit the Old Town, stroll along Las Ramblas or relax in one of the city’s parks. Why not join the optional Flamenco show and dinner excursion tonight for a vibrant Spanish music and dance experience?

Orientation tour of Barcelona: In this city renowned for its art and architecture, you’ll see incredible sights such as the fantastical Sagrada Família, which is unlike any building you will have ever seen, and other spectacular modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí. See Barcelona’s top attractions and gain insight into this vibrant city on a driving tour led by your tour leader.

Leaving Barcelona behind, travel along the south coast towards Valencia. En route, stop for lunch in Peniscola. Home to a historic old town, a beautiful promenade and sandy beaches watched over by an imposing castle built by the Knights Templar - this is surely one of the most picturesque spots in Europe to enjoy a lunch stop! Arrive in Valencia and enjoy a guided tour of this thriving port city. Discover Valencia’s uniqueness in how it retains plenty of historic charm despite the decades of development that have given it a distinct space-age feel. Enjoy dinner in the city tonight Look forward to tasting paella - one of the dishes Valencia is famous for!

Enjoy lunch in picturesque Peniscola: Visit and enjoy lunch and the amazing views! This fortified seaport is on a rocky headland with only a narrow strip of land connecting it to the mainland. The scenery is sure to take your breath away! The castle built in the early 14th century served as the home of the Avignon pope Benedict XIII from 1415 to 1423.

Guided tour of Valencia: Embark on a guided tour of Valencia with your tour leader. Experience the bold architecture (both contemporary and Art Nouveau) of spots like the City of Arts and Sciences complex, Colón Market, Turia Gardens, and the Cathedral.

Paella dinner: Tuck into Valencia’s most famous dish! Paella, a hearty rice dish, is one of the most well-known dishes in Spanish cuisine.

Experience the historic city of Toledo: Experience the Gothic architecture in this UNESCO World Heritage Site and learn more about its varied history. Toledo is known as the city of three cultures due to Christian, Islamic and Jewish influences. The history of this region goes all the way back to the Bronze Age!

Orientation tour of Granada: Learn more about the Moorish influence in southern Spain. Granada is often called "Damascus of the West." First an Iberian settlement, it came under the influence of the Moors who travelled there from North Africa in the 8th century. The neighbourhood of Albaicin offers original narrow winding streets and many fine examples of Moorish and Morisco architecture.

Visit the town of Ronda: Stopover in Ronda and see the towering ‘Puente Nuevo’ (New Bridge). Located on both sides of the El Tajo Gorge, Ronda is a unique little town. Here, you’ll get to take in some truly breathtaking views!

Seville driving tour: Enjoy a short driving tour of this wonderfully compact city and see the highlights of Seville.

A full day in Seville awaits! Start off with a locally guided walking tour of the city and soak up the culture, sights and sounds of Seville! Later, explore this beautiful and pleasingly compact city at your own pace. This is a town steeped in history, found in the architecture, culture and general atmosphere. Legend has it that Seville was founded by Hercules, many thousands of years ago! Seville is famous for its flamenco dance, tapas bars and orange trees. You could visit the Metropol Parasol for amazing views, tour the Seville Alcázar of Seville or visit the Museum of Flamenco. Tonight, opt-in to join the Flamenco dinner show excursion for vibrant Spanish culture and flavours!

See the stunning Algarve region: Drive through the southern coastal region and make a comfort stop at one of the Algarve’s gorgeous beaches. Enjoy some time relaxing by the ocean!

Driving orientation tour of Lisbon: Drive alongside the Tagus river and along some of Lisbon's most famous streets and learn all about the history, the culture and Portuguese lifestyle. Sights like the Sao Jorge Castle and the colours of the Old Town are not to be missed. There are seven miradouros (viewpoints) dotted around the city - all offering glorious views of the city and its surrounds!

Explore the town of Obidos: Enjoy some free time to explore the well-preserved, picturesque medieval streets of this charming town. The main gate into Obidos, Porta de Vila, contains a beautifully tiled chapel depicting the passion of Christ, and the walls of the town can be walked in approximately one hour.

Driving and walking tour of Porto: See picturesque Porto from the coach and on foot. Learn about the history of the architecture, sights and the culture of this city and its UNESCO World Heritage Site historical centre.  

Enjoy a Port wine tasting: Try Portugal's most famous drink - Port! It's a sweet, fortified red wine, often served as a dessert wine in dry, semi-dry and white varieties.

It’s time to wave goodbye to Portugal and travel back across the border to Spain. Journey through the countryside this morning and make a stop in Guarda, where you can enjoy some free time. Guarda was founded in the 12th century by King Sancho I, and many fortified towers and defensive walls from this period survive to this day. Arrive in Salamanca, Spain, and set off on a guided tour with a local guide. Visit the Casa Lis museum, old and new cathedrals, the University and much more. End the tour with some free time in the Plaza Mayor. Finally, enjoy an included farewell dinner, offering three courses of delicious food from around the province of Salamanca.

Visit the town of Guarda: Enjoy free time to explore the highest city in Portugal. At its heart is a Cathedral built in a mix of Gothic and Manueline styles. In addition to the medieval castle and fortified walls, highlights include the Guarda Museum, Jewish Quarters and the Corgas da Matança Dolmen, a portal tomb that provides a window into the lives of the people who lived across the Iberian Peninsula during the Neolithic Period.

Guided tour of Salamanca: Discover the many beautiful sights of Salamanca on a city tour with a local guide! Start at the Casa Lis museum and marvel at its spectacular Art Deco windows. Make your way to the 12th-century Old Cathedral and the “new”, 16th-century Salamanca Cathedral. Visit the city’s famous University, the oldest university in the Hispanic world, and try to spot the frog in the reliefs! Other top sights include Casa de las Conchas, La Clerecía, la Plaza Mayor and more. 

Farewell dinner in Salamanca: It’s the last night of the tour! Enjoy a three-course, authentic Salamanca meal at the farewell dinner.