Spain's Classics & Portugal (Barcelona to Lisbon) (2024)

Your colorful cultural adventure through Spain and Portugal begins today. Pack your bags and prepare for an unforgettable journey.

Welcome to Spain! Today, you'll arrive in the vibrant city of Barcelona. In the evening, meet your fellow travelers and enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Start your day with a leisurely walk to some of Barcelona's main sights. After lunch, embark on a panoramic tour of the city, showcasing the Columbus Monument, Parc de Montjuic, and Antoni Gaudi's Batllo House and Casa Mila building. A local expert will accompany you on a visit to the awe-inspiring La Sagrada Familia, considered to be the most famous of Gaudi's work.

Today, bid farewell to Barcelona and head towards Valencia. En route, stop at the beautiful town of Peniscola, known as the 'City in the Sea'. Explore the fortified town and its Knights Templar Castle dating back to the 13th century. End your day in Valencia, a treasure trove of Roman and Arabic architecture, surrounded by citrus groves.

Embark on a panoramic tour of Valencia, visiting the City of Arts and Sciences. Explore the city's old town on foot and view the ornate Serranos Towers. Enjoy some free time to explore before heading to Albufera, the birthplace of paella. Enjoy a short boat ride on the canals surrounding the rice field plantations, visit a traditional fisherman's home, and enjoy a paella-making demonstration followed by a delicious paella lunch.

Today, make your way to Granada, the last great capital of the Moors in Spain before it fell to the Catholic monarchs in 1492. Spend the evening at leisure, perhaps exploring the local cuisine at a nearby restaurant.

Join a local expert for a tour of the world-famous Alhambra, a mesmerizing example of Islamic architecture. Afterward, make your way to Seville, considered Spain's 'cultural capital'.

Choose how you want to explore Seville today. You can either walk through the Santa Cruz Quarter and continue to the Plaza de España or enjoy a boat ride on the Guadalquivir River. Later, visit the Seville Cathedral, the largest gothic church in the world, and see Columbus' tomb and the Giralda Bell Tower. End the afternoon with a light tapas lunch, overlooking the cathedral. In the evening, enjoy an authentic flamenco show, one of Seville's most famous traditions.

Travel to the extraordinary Moorish city of Cordoba. Upon arrival, embark on a walking tour of La Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque that was converted into the city's cathedral in the 16th century. Continue your exploration of Cordoba in the city's well-preserved and historical Jewish Quarter. Then, board the AVE high-speed train to Spain's capital city, Madrid. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy some free time to rest or venture out and explore on your own.

During a locally guided panoramic tour of Madrid's historic center, see iconic sites such as the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. Join a local expert to explore the priceless masterpieces of the Prado Museum, which boasts some of the world's finest collections of art by masters such as Velazquez and Goya. Your afternoon will be free to explore this fascinating city further.

Travel to Toledo, the capital of medieval Spain until 1560. Embark on a comprehensive tour, highlighting the magnificent Gothic cathedral. Then, visit the Church of Santo Tome and view El Greco's masterpiece painting, The Burial of Count Orgaz. Bid Spain adios and cross the border into Portugal, arriving in the off-the-beaten-path town of Elvas, a garrison town recognized as a World Heritage site.

After enjoying a relaxing morning in Elvas, make your way to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Spend your day uncovering legends of the country's past, including the Jeronimo's Monastery, the Monument to the Discoveries, and the Tower of Belém. Enjoy time in the evening to settle into your new home for the next 3 nights.

The day is yours! Discover the capital city on your own. Consider tasting the city's mouthwatering cuisine or taking the historic tram to the vibrant Alfama district. Perhaps you will go on an optional excursion to the Portuguese Riviera, visiting the picturesque towns of Cascais and Sintra.

Today, visit one of Portugal's most famed towns – Obidos! With its labyrinth of cobblestoned streets and whitewashed houses, this medieval town beckons you to linger and enjoy its charm. You may choose to try one of the local delicacies – sour cherry liquor served in chocolate cups – or simply enjoy the narrow streets and picture-perfect alleyways. Gather this evening for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of an unforgettable trip to Spain and Portugal.

Return home with memories of two warm cultures and of a beautiful land. Your colorful cultural adventure through Spain and Portugal comes to an end today.