Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll be picked up at Madrid airport and taken to your hotel to settle in. A welcome meeting happens at 6:30 pm followed by a group dinner featuring Madrid's famous tapas at a local restaurant. If you land early, the Museo del Prado or Museo Reina Sofia are both worth checking out before heading to your accommodation.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant (Tapas))
Included Activities
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Welcome Meeting
- Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant (Tapas)
Optional Activities
- Museo del Prado visit
- Museo Reina Sofia visit (Picasso and Dali works)
Landmarks Museo del Prado Museo Reina Sofia 
- Day 2
Madrid
This morning includes a guided tour through Madrid's city centre, hitting Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and the Royal Palace. You'll grab a cafe break to recharge, then the afternoon is free. Consider exploring the Paseo del Arte on your own, which features three major museums: Museo del Prado, Museo Reina Sofia, and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza all within walking distance.
Included Activities
- Walking Tour of Madrid City Centre with Local Guide
- Visit to Puerta del Sol
- Visit to Plaza Mayor
- Visit to Royal Palace
Optional Activities
- Paseo del Arte (Art Walk) self-guided exploration
- Museo del Prado
- Museo Reina Sofia
- Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
- Abono Paseo del Arte (3 museum combo voucher) - EUR30
- Royal Palace entrance - EUR14
- Museo del Prado entrance - EUR15
- Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza entrance - EUR13
- Tapas Urban Adventure - EUR99
- Real Jardín Botánico - EUR6
Landmarks Puerta del Sol Plaza Mayor Royal Palace Paseo del Arte Museo del Prado Museo Reina Sofia Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza Real Jardín Botánico - Day 3
Madrid to Seville
Head to the train station this morning for the high-speed train to Seville. Once there, you'll check into a beautiful family-run boutique hotel with 27 Sevillian cottages connected by patios and corridors, each decorated with authentic antique furnishings. Tonight features a live flamenco show with traditional Spanish dance rooted in Seville's culture.
Included Activities
- High-speed train to Seville
- Evening Flamenco Show
- Day 4
Seville
A local expert leads a walking tour through Seville's historic streets and hidden squares lined with orange trees and flower-covered patios. You'll visit the grand Alcazar of Seville, one of Europe's most beautiful royal palaces that's still used by the Spanish royal family today. Your afternoon is free to wander, and there's an optional visit to the Giralda Tower and Seville Cathedral if you're interested.
Included Activities
- Walking Tour of Seville with Local Expert
- Visit to Alcazar of Seville
Optional Activities
- Giralda Tower visit
- Seville Cathedral visit - EUR12
- Indias Archive - Free
Landmarks Alcazar of Seville Giralda Tower Seville Cathedral Indias Archive - Day 5
Seville to Cordoba
Travel to Cordoba, where Muslim, Jewish, and Christian influences blend throughout the architecture and cuisine. Your guided tour covers the Mezquita, a rare site serving as both mosque and cathedral across history, with a cathedral standing within the mosque's centre. From there, you'll walk through Cordoba's charming quarters and hidden corners with your leader.
Included Activities
- Travel to Cordoba
- Guided Tour of the Mezquita and Cordoba City with Local Guide
Landmarks Mezquita - Day 6
Cordoba to Granada
Leave Cordoba heading toward Granada with a stop at a family-run olive oil mill along the way. The owner walks you through production and lets you taste different olive oil varieties plus olives, olive marmalade, olive pate, and wine. You'll arrive in Granada this evening with time to explore the local drinking and dining scene with your group.
Included Activities
- Olive Oil Mill Visit and Tasting in Andalucia
- Day 7
Granada
Start with an orientation walk learning about Granada's history and Islamic architecture with Arab influences throughout the city. Spend some time exploring on your own, perhaps visiting a local teahouse for Moorish pastries. The afternoon brings an expert guide for the 11th-century Alhambra and its gardens. After dinner, return to the Alhambra after dark to explore the Nasrid Palaces with expert insight into the architecture and decor.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at Local Restaurant)
Included Activities
- Leader-led Orientation Walk of Granada
- Alhambra Alcazaba and Generalife Gardens Tour with Local Guide
- Dinner at Local Restaurant
- Evening Tour of Nasrid Palaces at Alhambra
Optional Activities
- Local teahouse visit for Moorish pastries
Landmarks Alhambra Nasrid Palaces - Day 8
Granada to Valencia
Depart Granada for Valencia, stopping at a family-owned winery in one of Spain's major wine regions. You'll learn about the region's wine production history and taste local wines, then have a light picnic lunch with rustic regional specialities. Arriving in Valencia, Spain's third largest city, you'll explore the Old Town centre with its 2,000 years of Roman, Muslim, and Christian influences.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic Lunch with Rustic Regional Specialities and Wine Pairing)
Included Activities
- Winery Visit and Wine Tasting Tour
- Picnic Lunch with Wine Pairing
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Valencia Old Town
- Day 9
Valencia
A local guide takes you through Valencia's key sites including the Puertas de Serrano, town hall, cathedral, central market, and the Silk Exchange building. You'll try horchata, an iconic Valencia drink, and have lunch featuring paella, the city's most famous dish. The rest of your day is free, perhaps visiting the City of Arts and Science or relaxing at a local cafe.
- Meals
- Lunch (Paella Lunch)
Included Activities
- Walking Tour of Valencia with Local Guide
- Visit to Central Market
- Visit to Puertas de Serrano
- Visit to Silk Exchange building
- Horchata tasting
- Paella Lunch
Optional Activities
- City of Arts and Science visit
- Sagunto Castle - Free
Landmarks Puertas de Serrano Valencia Cathedral Silk Exchange Central Market City of Arts and Science Sagunto Castle - Day 10
Valencia to Barcelona
After breakfast, take the train to Barcelona. Check into your accommodation and visit Antonio Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, an ongoing construction project Gaudi worked on for decades until his death. Tonight, join your group for dinner at a local restaurant celebrating Catalan cuisine with olives, pickled garlic, lomo Iberico de Bellotta pork loin, cheeses, and sweet desserts.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at Local Restaurant - Catalan Cuisine)
Included Activities
- High-speed train to Barcelona
- Visit to La Sagrada Familia Cathedral
- Dinner at Local Restaurant
Landmarks La Sagrada Familia 
- Day 11
Barcelona to Lisbon
Fly to Lisbon and begin the second half of your trip. You're free to explore the city until a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, relax at one of many outdoor cafes to soak up the city's energy. After the meeting, join your group for a welcome dinner at a thriving Lisbon restaurant introducing you to traditional Portuguese recipes and regional flavours.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant)
Included Activities
- Internal Flight to Lisbon
- Welcome Meeting
- Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
- Day 12
Lisbon
A local guide leads a walking tour starting with a ride on the historic bright yellow Gloria cable car, one of Lisbon's most photographed sights. You'll explore the trendy Bairro Alto neighbourhood, the popular Chiado area, and the narrow cobbled streets of Alfama with hole-in-the-wall eateries. Try a pastel de nata, Portugal's most famous custard tart pastry, visit elegant squares, and sample ginjinha, Portugal's iconic cherry liqueur. Your afternoon is free to explore.
Included Activities
- Walking Tour of Lisbon with Local Guide and Tastings
- Gloria Cable Car Ride
- Bairro Alto neighbourhood exploration
- Chiado area exploration
- Alfama neighbourhood exploration
- Pastel de Nata tasting
- Praça do Município visit
- Praça do Comércio visit
- Ginjinha tasting
Landmarks Gloria Cable Car Bairro Alto Chiado Alfama Praça do Município Praça do Comércio - Day 13
Lisbon to Sintra
Head outside Lisbon for a full-day excursion to Sintra, a resort town in the mountain foothills. Your leader explains how the cooler climate made it a summer retreat for royalty and inspiration for poets and writers including Lord Byron. You'll explore Sintra's intriguing Quinta da Regaleira estate, have a free afternoon to enjoy the surroundings at your own pace, try local food for lunch, and visit the over 1,000-year-old National Palace.
Included Activities
- Full-day Excursion to Sintra
- Quinta da Regaleira estate visit
Optional Activities
- Local lunch
- Sintra National Palace visit
Landmarks Quinta da Regaleira Sintra National Palace 
- Day 14
Lisbon to Coimbra
Travel to Coimbra, sitting on the banks of the River Mondego and once the medieval capital of the county. Your leader guides you through the Old Quarter's lanes and squares. The main attraction is Coimbra's prestigious university, one of the world's oldest, where you'll take a private guided tour of the Joanine Library, a Baroque masterpiece. This evening, experience a traditional Fado music show, Portugal's version of the blues, followed by dinner your leader can recommend.
Included Activities
- Walking Tour of Coimbra Old Quarter with Local Guide
- Private Guided Tour of Joanine University Library
- Traditional Fado Music Show
Optional Activities
- Dinner after Fado show (leader recommendations)
- University of Coimbra additional visit - EUR14
Landmarks Joanine Library University of Coimbra - Day 15
Coimbra to Douro Valley
Travel from Coimbra to the Douro Valley, famous for its scenery and wines. You'll visit one of the region's family-owned wineries for a tasting tour and learn about Port wine and Portugal's thousands of years of wine production. Have a light picnic lunch with rustic regional specialities paired with wine. Check into your accommodation between rolling hills and terraced vineyards with views of the Douro River, then relax at the hotel's pools or grab dinner on the terrace.
- Meals
- Lunch (Light Picnic Lunch with Rustic Regional Specialities and Wine Pairing)
Included Activities
- Winery Visit and Wine Tasting Tour in Douro Valley
- Light Picnic Lunch with Wine Pairing
Optional Activities
- Hotel scenic outdoor pools
- Dinner on terrace
Landmarks Douro Valley 
- Day 16
Douro Valley to Porto
Start with a gentle boat ride on the Douro River this morning, stopping at the riverside village of Pinhao. Then head to Porto, a romantic city on the river's banks. Your leader leads an orientation walk through twisting alleys, staircases, and baroque churches, passing old bridges, cobbled streets, and cafes. You'll explore at your own pace, then head to nearby Vila Nova de Gaia this evening for sunset drinks.
Included Activities
- Douro River Boat Ride
- Visit to Pinhao riverside village
- Orientation Walk of Porto with Leader
- Sunset Drinks in Vila Nova de Gaia
Landmarks Douro River Pinhao Vila Nova de Gaia 
- Day 17
Porto
Learn about Portugal's centuries-old tile tradition this morning with a tile-painting workshop where hand-painted tiles tell Portugal's stories with vibrant colours and designs. Your afternoon is free to explore. Relax at a riverfront cafe for coffee and pastries overlooking colourful old houses, walk the World Heritage-listed Ribeira district, or take the local train to seaside Matosinhos. Regroup tonight for a final dinner at one of Porto's local restaurants.
- Meals
- Dinner (Final Dinner at Local Restaurant)
Included Activities
- Tile-painting Workshop
- Final Dinner at Local Restaurant
Optional Activities
- Riverfront cafe visit
- Ribeira district walk
- Local train to Matosinhos - EUR3
- Matosinhos beach and promenade
Landmarks Ribeira Matosinhos - Day 18
Porto
Your trip ends today with no scheduled activities. You're free to leave at any time after check-out. If you want to spend more time in Porto, contact your booking agent ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation.
