Great Iberian Cities

Ramble up Las Ramblas and get ready for an unforgettable discovery of the Iberian Peninsula. The fiery coastal city of Barcelona kicks off your mesmerizing encounter with Spain and Portugal. Set your watch to the leisurely Mediterranean way of life, spending the day relaxing or connecting with a city that once inspired Gaudí's imagination. Later, meet your fellow compañeros and Travel Director for an orientation drive through some of the city's iconic sights, followed by a Welcome Reception.

We spend the morning exploring a city whose great passions include football, fashion and fairy-tale façades by famed architect Antoni Gaudí. We’ll see the exterior of his masterpiece La Sagrada Familia during our guided sightseeing tour of the city with a Local Specialist, then Plaça de Catalunya, in the heart of Barcelona. The rest of the day is yours to delight in Spanish culture and cuisine. Consider joining an Optional Experience to Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna, affectionately known in Catalonia as La Moreneta.

Today, we drive through the valleys and pastures of Aragón towards Spain's capital. We arrive this evening in Madrid, renowned for its vibrant nightlife which we will have an opportunity to enjoy on our own terms.

We join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Madrid, where we will see trendy Gran Vía and the Cibeles Fountain, before we Dive Into Culture visiting the world-famous Prado Museum. Admire the masterpieces of Velázquez and other Spanish greats in this extraordinary museum, said to house the largest collection of European art in the world. Spend the rest of your day exploring the city at leisure. Visit the Royal Palace or stroll through Buen Retiro Park at the heart of the city – the choice is yours.

We journey south to the clifftop city of Toledo, where we'll join our Local Specialist for a walking tour. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to one of El Greco's most famous paintings, 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz', and visit the former synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca. We arrive in Seville this evening and immerse ourselves in the effervescent spirit of Andalusia. Visit Basilippo Olive farm which produces 100-percent organic extra virgin olive oil. At this Be My Guest experience you’ll Connect With Locals over dinner featuring fresh regional ingredients and the local sangria of course.

The charisma of Seville is unmistakable. Your Local Specialist will take you on a sightseeing tour past the symbolic Giralda Bell Tower, Maria Luisa Park and the imposing Plaza de España. Later, we’ll stroll through the historic Jewish Quarter before visiting the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, where Christopher Columbus is entombed.

We travel west to Portugal, meandering through the province of Huelva, renowned for its Jabugo ham. After crossing into Portugal's picturesque rural landscapes of the Alentejo – the country's cork capital – we arrive in colorful Lisbon where we'll meet our Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour celebrating the grand triumphs of the Portuguese in centuries past. See the Monument to the Discoveries, the suspension bridge that spans the Tagus, and Belém Tower, once the ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. Dive Into Culture on a visit to the UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery, built in the 16th century, then spend the rest of the evening on your own exploration of the Portuguese capital.

Enjoy the day sauntering through Lisbon's grand shopping boulevards and the narrow lanes of Bairro Alto or consider joining an Optional Experience to the historic towns of Cascais and Sintra. This evening, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with newfound friends and our Travel Director, toasting to an epic Iberian holiday.

Our journey through Spain and Portugal has come to an end. All that's left is to say a fond adeus at the end of an unforgettable holiday.