Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid and get settled at your hotel. This is your chance to relax after traveling or wander around the city on your own terms. The tour officially kicks off tomorrow, so take the evening to rest up or grab dinner somewhere nearby.
- Day 2
Madrid
This morning you'll meet your tour leader and the other travelers at the hotel. Then head out with a local guide to see Madrid decorated for Christmas. If you're interested, there's an optional tapas food tour in the afternoon. Later you'll have an included welcome dinner with the group to get to know everyone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Madrid with local guide
Optional Activities
- Madrid Tapas Food Tour
- Day 3
Madrid to Toledo to Granada
Drive south to Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage town known for its Gothic architecture and historic cathedral. After that, continue on to Granada and take an orientation tour where you'll get views of the Alhambra citadel from a distance. The rest of the evening is free for you to check out the city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing in Toledo
- Orientation tour of Granada with view of Alhambra citadel
Landmarks/POIs Toledo Cathedral Alhambra - Day 4
Granada to Ronda to Seville
Start the day exploring the Alhambra Palace and Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Granada's main attractions. Later, head through Andalusia and stop in Ronda to see the famous Puente Nuevo bridge and the countryside around it. By evening you're in Seville, walking through the old town with a local guide before dinner at a local restaurant is included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit to Alhambra Palace & Gardens
- Sightseeing in Ronda with views of Puente Nuevo bridge
- Old town exploration of Seville with local guide
Landmarks/POIs Alhambra Palace & Gardens Puente Nuevo - Day 5
Seville
It's Christmas Day, and you have the full day free to explore Seville at your own pace. Wander through the streets and check out Plaza de España, looking at the historical architecture all around you. You might find Roscón de Reyes or Tío de Nadal at local shops, and trying festive Spanish food is definitely worth it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Plaza de España - Day 6
Seville to Algarve to Lisbon
Today you'll cross into Portugal on Boxing Day, heading toward Lisbon. Stop in the Algarve region for lunch, exploring, or beach time if you want. Once you arrive in Lisbon, your tour leader takes you on a driving tour to see the Tagus River, Belém Tower, and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Driving tour of Lisbon with tour leader
Landmarks/POIs Belém Tower Padrão dos Descobrimentos - Day 7
Lisbon
You have a free day to explore Lisbon however you like. Check out the Monument to the Discoveries, Belém Tower, or head to Bairro Alto with its restaurants and bars where you might hear Fado music coming from the windows. Try some Pastéis de Nata at A Vida Portuguesa. Optional day trips to Sintra or Fatima Sanctuary are available if you want to go further out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Day trip to Sintra (town of mountains, palaces, parks and medieval residences)
- Visit to Fatima Sanctuary and Coin Caves
Landmarks/POIs Monument to the Discoveries Belém Tower Bairro Alto A Vida Portuguesa - Day 8
Lisbon to Óbidos to Porto
Stop in Óbidos, a small fortified town with narrow cobbled streets and a hilltop castle. Then drive to Porto, Portugal's second-largest city, for a walking and driving tour with a local guide. You'll see the Cathedral, São Bento train station, Clérigos Tower, and the Luís I bridge. Later there's a Port wine tasting experience in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing in Óbidos
- Driving and walking tour of Porto with local guide
- Port wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Óbidos Castle Porto Cathedral São Bento Train Station Clérigos Tower Luís I Bridge - Day 9
Porto to Guarda to Salamanca
Make one more stop in Guarda, a fortified city from the 12th century with impressive towers and defensive walls still standing. After that, head to Salamanca, Spain's Golden City, and get settled at your hotel. Your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour through the historic city center, then you'll have a farewell dinner with three courses featuring regional cuisine from Salamanca.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner - three courses of cuisine from the Salamanca province)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing in Guarda
- Orientation tour of Salamanca with tour leader
Landmarks/POIs Guarda Fortified City - Day 10
Salamanca to Ávila to Madrid
Travel from Salamanca to Ávila, a medieval town famous for its well-preserved city walls from centuries ago and beautiful Romanesque churches, monasteries, and palaces. Continue on to Madrid where the tour ends this afternoon. Say goodbye to your new friends and exchange contact information before heading out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing in Ávila
Landmarks/POIs Ávila City Walls
