The Best of Spain and Portugal ( 16 days )

Welcome to the vibrant city of Madrid! Upon your arrival at the airport, we will escort you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the city or relaxing at the hotel. In the evening, we will take you to the lively Plaza Mayor and La Latina, known for its bustling nightlife and tapas restaurants. Choose from a variety of dining options, including Indian, Chinese, Spanish, and Middle Eastern cuisines.

Begin your day with a comprehensive tour of Madrid's city center. Discover the city's iconic landmarks including Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, the Gate of Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor. Visit the tranquil Retiro Park and marvel at the Glass Palace. Experience the thrill of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home to Real Madrid, one of the world's top football clubs. Spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure, exploring the city's hidden gems. We will return to the hotel in the evening.

We depart Madrid early in the morning and head south across La Mancha. We make a stop at the charming village of Puerto Lapice, which brings to life the tales of Don Quixote. We then enter Andalusia via Despeñaperros and arrive in the stunning city of Granada. Enjoy a delicious lunch before embarking on a guided tour of the majestic Alhambra Palace and its beautiful Generalife Gardens. Please note that due to limited entry, it's essential to provide correct personal data for ticket issuance. In case of cancellation, the ticket costs will be borne by the client.

We depart from Granada and head towards the sun-kissed Costa del Sol. Our first stop is Málaga, where you'll have time to explore its historic center, home to the cathedral and the Picasso museum. We then continue along the coastal highway, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. We stop at Puerto Banus, a luxurious marina in Marbella, before heading to the picturesque town of Ronda. We end the day in the enchanting city of Seville, arriving in the evening.

Start your day with a guided tour of Seville. Visit the iconic Seville Cathedral and its famous Giralda, stroll along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, and explore the charming neighborhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana. After the tour, enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Guadalquivir River, taking in the panoramic views of the city. In the evening, you have the option to experience a traditional flamenco show at a local tablao.

We leave Seville and travel through picturesque landscapes towards Extremadura. Our first stop is Mérida, where we will visit the well-preserved Roman Theater and Amphitheater, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After some free time for lunch and exploration, we continue to Portugal, stopping in the historic city of Évora. Known for its white streets, Renaissance palaces, and cathedral, Évora is a delight to explore. We then proceed to Lisbon, arriving in the evening.

Start your day with a guided tour of Lisbon, the city of seven hills. Explore the charming alleys, admire the traditional tiles, and feel the 'saudade' in the air. Visit the Belem neighborhood, the departure point of the great Portuguese navigators. In the afternoon, you have the option to visit the picturesque towns of Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril. In the evening, we return to the bustling Restauradores Square, filled with lively bars and cafes.

We depart from Lisbon and head north to visit Fátima, an important sanctuary city. We then continue to Porto, Portugal's second-largest city. After some free time for lunch, we embark on a sightseeing tour of this charming city, known for its cobblestone streets, colorful houses, imposing bridges, and delicious wines. We also visit the old cellars, where you can learn about the city's wine-making tradition.

We leave Porto and travel through beautiful landscapes to Braga, where we take the world's oldest cable car to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus. Enjoy the stunning views and consider walking down to admire its beautiful stairway. We then head to Galicia and visit the historic town of Cambados in Rías Baixas. Here, we take a glass-bottom boat trip to learn about mussel and oyster production, with a wine and mussel tasting included. We arrive in Santiago de Compostela at lunchtime and embark on a city tour with a local guide. This city has been a famous pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages.

We follow the Way of St. James and travel to Lugo, where we visit the historic town center and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman walls. We make a stop in O'Cebreiro, a small Galician stone village, before arriving in León at lunchtime. Here, we visit the Gothic cathedral with its stained-glass windows and stroll through the historic town center. We then cross the Cantabrian Range mountains on our way to Asturias and arrive in Oviedo in the evening. We include a visit to the city's 9th-century cathedral, Calatrava Congressional Palace, Campoamor Theatre, and Calle de la Rua.

We travel to the Picos de Europa, a stunning mountain range, and visit the Basilica of Covadonga, nestled amidst beautiful scenery. We then head to Santillana, one of Spain's most beautiful towns, and explore its well-preserved medieval quarter. We also visit the Museum of the Altamira Caves, located nearby. We then proceed to Santander, the region's capital, known for its stunning views and beaches. During the included city tour, we explore and learn about this elegant city and its beautiful bay.

We follow the motorway along the Cantabrian coast, enjoying the beautiful landscapes between the mountains and the sea. We arrive in Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country, and embark on a short city tour with a local guide. We visit the Guggenheim area, the old quarter, and the cathedral. After some free time to enjoy the local 'pintxos', we travel to La Rioja, a renowned winemaking region. We visit the Wine Museum in Briones and learn about the ancient art of winemaking. We then proceed to Zaragoza, arriving in the evening.

We start the day with a sightseeing tour of Zaragoza with a local guide. We visit the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, learn about the famous painter Goya and see some of his works, visit the Roman theatre, the Renaissance palace, and take a walk by the Aljafería Palace. After lunch, we head to the Poblet Monastery, a walled monastery surrounded by beautiful scenery. It's one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world. We then continue to Barcelona, arriving in the evening.

We start the day with a city tour of Barcelona, one of the most interesting European capitals, famous for Gaudí and its modernist architecture, the ramblas, and the memories of the Universal Exhibitions and Olympics. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city at your own pace. In the evening, we take you to the Maremagnum, a modern leisure center and restaurants facing the sea, next to Plaza Colón, where you can stroll through this lively area and dine.

We travel south along the Mediterranean, making a special stop in Peñíscola, a small walled town on the shores of the sea, where we will have time for a stroll. We then travel to Valencia, a port city on the Levantine coast, where we arrive at lunch time. Will you try the famous paella? In the afternoon, we continue our journey to Madrid, making a brief stop at the avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia. We arrive in Madrid in the evening.

After breakfast, our memorable 16-day tour comes to an end. We hope you enjoyed your journey through Spain and Portugal and look forward to welcoming you back on your next adventure.