Lisbon to Madrid, Valencia & Barca - 13 days

We kick off our tour in the vibrant city of Lisbon, heading north to the charming walled town of Obidos. Here, you'll have the opportunity to explore the robust walls of the Moorish Castle and indulge in a delightful Ginjinha d'Obidos, a sweet liqueur served in a chocolate cup. Our journey continues to Coimbra, a former Portuguese capital renowned for its ancient university. After a visit to this historic institution, we venture to Aveiro, a town reminiscent of Venice with its canals and art-nouveau architecture. We conclude our day in Porto, where you'll have the evening to relax and explore at your leisure.

Day 2 offers a choice of activities. You can either enjoy a free day in Porto to explore at your own pace, or join an optional half-day excursion to the breathtaking Douro Valley. On our optional trip, we travel to Pinhao for a river cruise on a traditional rabelo boat, tasting the local port wine and savouring the stunning scenery. We continue to Peso de Regua for optional wine tasting or free time to explore. On the way back to Porto, we stop at the Mesao Frio viewpoint which offers stunning views of the Douro River. The rest of the day is free to further explore the city, savour its wines and cuisine at leisure.

On Day 3, we leave Porto and journey north to Braga, where we visit the renowned Bom Jesus Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its religious, cultural, and architectural significance. Our next destination is Guimaraes, often referred to as the 'birthplace of Portugal.' The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is free time for lunch, and an optional visit to the Palace of Braganza. We then cross the border into Spain and arrive in Santiago de Compostela, one of the world's most important pilgrimage destinations.

Day 4 offers another choice of activities. You can either enjoy free time to explore Santiago de Compostela or join an optional full-day excursion to Cape Finisterre. If you opt for the trip, the day commences with a scenic drive along the Costa da Morte, known as 'the Coast of Death' - it was once a hotspot for shipwrecks. We pass through Noia and make a quick stop in Muros. See Galicia's largest beach, Playa de Carnota and walk to see the Ezaro Waterfall tumble directly into the sea. We finally arrive at the 'End of the World' at Cape Finisterre, a place ancient civilizations believed marked the Earth's edge. Here, we can admire the lighthouse and gaze out at the wild Atlantic Ocean.

Our day begins in Lugo, best known for housing the world's only fully intact Roman city walls. We can take a leisurely stroll along these ancient defences, channelling our inner Roman Legionnaire. Next, we'll follow the footsteps of the Romans to Las Medulas. The landscape here is surreal, with peculiar red holes and mountain cavities. These are a legacy of the Romans, who carved into the earth in search of gold. We explore this unique area and there's time for lunch before we complete our drive to Salamanca.

There's free time this morning to explore Salamanca independently before we journey onto the vast plains of Castile and Leon. We make a stop for lunch in Avila before an included visit to El Escorial, home to the Spanish Royal Family and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arriving in Madrid in the early evening, you can head out for dinner in the Spanish capital.

From Cuenca, we journey to Alcala del Jucar, a captivating town nestled within natural caves and perched between the castle and the Jucar River. There's free time to explore the town and find somewhere for lunch. Next, we visit a winery in Requena for included wine tasting. This region has produced some of Spain's finest wine as far back as the 7th Century BC. After sampling some of the regional produce, we head to Valencia. This coastal gem is known as the birthplace of paella, boasts a vibrant nightlife, and is home to stunning architecture.

This morning, we explore the Monastery of Santa Maria in El Puig on an included visit. This structure has a diverse history with cloisters and defensive elements - it has served as a temple, a school, and even a prison. Next, we visit Albufera Natural Park, home to the rice paddies where paella was born. You can enjoy an optional boat ride or spend our time here observing the unique flora and fauna. There's also time for lunch independently. Returning to Valencia, we enjoy a short orientation tour of the city and the evening is at leisure.

Today we journey to Xativa, known as the 'Town of a Thousand Fountains'. Situated on the slopes of Monte Vernissa, it is best known as the historic home of the notorious noble family of Borgia. We enjoy an included visit to Xativa Castle and a short tour of the town, as well as free time to further explore independently. Next, we head to the charming coastal town of Cullera. Our time here is free to relax on the beach, or enjoy panoramic views from the 13th-Century castle. In the afternoon, we return to Valencia. The rest of the day is free, or you can join an optional walking tour of the city, coupled with a delectable tapas experience.

In the morning we depart Valencia for the coastal town of Peniscola, known as the 'City in the Sea'. There's an optional visit to the Papa Lunas Castle, built by the Knights Templar in the late 1200s. Perched at the peninsula's highest point, the castle offers panoramic coastal views. Alternatively, don your swimsuit for a refreshing swim in the tranquil sea. Continuing along the Mediterranean coast, our next stop is Sitges, a lively cultural hub boasting modernist architecture and intriguing museums. After a short visit, we complete our journey to Barcelona, where our tour ends.