Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid and meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner. The restaurant serves up typical madrileño flavors, so you'll get a real taste of local cuisine right away while getting to know the group.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant with your Travel Director and fellow travellers, featuring typical madrileño flavours)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid, Barceló Emperatriz, Madrid)
- Day 2
Madrid
This morning a Local Expert takes you through Madrid's historic neighborhoods and the Old Quarter to see where the city began. Later you'll spend time at the Prado Museum with an art historian, walking past masterworks by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, and Rubens among others.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid, Barceló Emperatriz, Madrid)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Madrid's historic neighbourhoods and Old Quarter with Local Expert
- Visit to the Prado Museum with an art historian guide to explore Spanish and international paintings
Landmarks Prado Museum 
- Day 3
Segovia - Salamanca
You'll head to the fortified city of Segovia and wander the medieval streets with your Local Expert, seeing the 14th-century Alcázar fortress and the impressive Roman aqueduct. After that you'll continue on to Salamanca, where the golden stone buildings and the arcaded Plaza Mayor create a really beautiful backdrop. The honey-colored cathedral and 16th-century university buildings are on your route too.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alameda Palace, Salamanca)
Included Activities
- Guided walk through medieval streets of Segovia with Local Expert
- Visit to Alcazar fortress in Segovia
- Visit to Roman aqueduct in Segovia
- Guided sightseeing tour of Salamanca including Plaza Mayor, cathedral and university buildings
Landmarks Alcazar Palace Roman Aqueduct of Segovia Plaza Mayor Salamanca Cathedral University of Salamanca - Day 4
Salamanca to Porto
Crossing into Portugal, you'll arrive in Porto, which sits on the River Douro and is known worldwide for Port wine. You'll walk through Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores among the casks and participate in a tasting session to learn about tawnys and different vintages. The city's colorful houses, glazed tile churches, and iconic bridges are all worth seeing as you explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Porto Batalha)
Included Activities
- Visit to Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores with tour and Port wine tasting
- Guided exploration of Porto's multi-coloured houses, glazed tile churches and iconic bridges
Landmarks Vila Nova de Gaia Dom Luís Bridge - Day 5
Porto to Lisbon
Your Travel Director guides you to Fátima, Portugal's main pilgrimage site. From there you'll head to the fortified town of Óbidos and walk through its walls, checking out narrow medieval streets and stopping to taste locally made cherry liqueur. Later you'll arrive in Lisbon, Portugal's capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (TURIM Marquês, Lisbon , Corinthia, Lisbon), Hotel (TURIM Marquês, Lisbon)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Fátima pilgrimage site with Travel Director
- Walk through the medieval walled streets of Óbidos with Travel Director
- Tasting of locally made cherry liqueur in Óbidos
Landmarks Fátima Sanctuary Óbidos - Day 6
Lisbon
A Local Expert leads you through Lisbon, starting in the Lower Town and moving along spacious avenues toward Pombal Square and the Belém Quarter, where explorers once departed. You'll grab the famous Pastéis de Belém from a traditional 19th-century bakery that still uses the original recipe. After visiting the Monument to the Discoveries and Belém Tower, you'll tour the National Coach Museum. The afternoon is yours to relax or join an optional trip to the Portuguese Riviera.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (TURIM Marquês, Lisbon , Corinthia, Lisbon), Hotel (TURIM Marquês, Lisbon)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing through Lower Town and Pombal Square with Local Expert
- Guided tour of Bélém Quarter with Local Expert
- Taste of Pastéis de Bélém (Portuguese custard tarts) from a traditional 19th century bakery
- Visit to Monument to the Discoveries
- Visit to Bélém Tower
- Visit to National Coach Museum featuring horse-drawn carriage collections
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to the Portuguese Riviera (frequented by surfers, royalty and featured in James Bond films)
Landmarks Pombal Square Bélém Quarter Monument to the Discoveries Bélém Tower National Coach Museum - Day 7
Lisbon to Seville
You'll leave Lisbon crossing the modern Tagus Bridge and head to Seville. At the Seville Cathedral, you'll see the burial place of Christopher Columbus. Then you have a choice: either take a guided walk through the Santa Cruz Quarter or enjoy a scenic drive around the city for panoramic views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Sevilla, Seville)
Included Activities
- Visit to Seville Cathedral (burial place of Christopher Columbus)
Optional Activities
- Guided walk through the Santa Cruz Quarter with Local Expert
- Scenic panoramic drive around Seville with Local Expert
Landmarks Seville Cathedral Santa Cruz Quarter 
- Day 8
Seville
The morning is relaxed, giving you time to unwind, shop, or explore on your own. There's an optional excursion to ancient Córdoba to see the Mezquita, walk through the old Jewish Quarter, and have free time to browse around. Later you'll join a flamenco experience at the Cristina Heeren Foundation. You'll learn basic flamenco steps in a dance lesson and watch students perform a passionate show, and your participation supports cultural heritage conservation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Sevilla, Seville)
Included Activities
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Cristina Heeren Foundation with basic flamenco dance lesson and student performance
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to ancient city of Córdoba including visit to the Mezquita, old Jewish Quarter, and free time to shop and explore
Landmarks Cristina Heeren Foundation Mezquita 
- Day 9
Seville to Costa del Sol
You're heading south to Gibraltar, which is part of Spain but has been under British control since 1704. With your Local Expert, you'll visit the Rock of Gibraltar and St. Michael's Cave. The drive along the scenic Costa del Sol takes you past high-end resorts with beautiful coastal views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos)
Included Activities
- Visit to the Rock of Gibraltar with Local Expert
- Visit to St. Michael's Cave in Gibraltar
- Scenic drive along the Costa del Sol passing high-end resorts
Landmarks Rock of Gibraltar St. Michael's Cave 
- Day 10
Costa del Sol
The whole day on the Costa del Sol is yours. You can relax by the Mediterranean waters, walk along the promenade, try local restaurant specialties, or spend time exploring Málaga, which is where Picasso was born.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos)
Optional Activities
- Explore Málaga, the birth city of Picasso
Landmarks Málaga - Day 11
Costa del Sol to Granada
You'll continue to Alfarnatejo, a quiet whitewashed village with fewer than 500 people surrounded by mountain landscapes. Walking through town you'll see the 18th-century Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla. At an Almazara mill-factory, you'll visit the oldest olive grove in the region and taste different oils paired with farmer bread. Then in small groups you'll join a local family for lunch featuring fresh local produce with regional flavors. Later, you'll tour the magnificent Alhambra Palace in Granada with your Local Expert, exploring the 13th-century Moorish citadel with its beautiful gardens, fountains, and intricate stone work.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Dine-at-Home lunch with a local family in Alfarnatejo featuring fresh local produce with traditional regional flavours)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Vincci Albayzín, Granada), Hotel (Vincci Albayzín, Granada, Barceló Carmen, Granada)
Included Activities
- Walk through Alfarnatejo town centre to see Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla
- Visit to Almazara (oldest olive grove in the region) with tasting of freshly pressed olive oils paired with locally made farmer bread
- Dine-at-Home lunch with a local family in Alfarnatejo featuring traditional regional recipes and warm hospitality
- Guided visit to Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens in Granada with Local Expert
Landmarks Alfarnatejo Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla Alhambra Palace Generalife Gardens 
- Day 12
Granada to Valencia
Heading to Valencia, you'll pass through the Old City to see its ancient gates and the ultra-modern City of Arts and Sciences. During free time you might stroll to the Cathedral and El Miguelete or relax with a drink watching local life go by. A local chef at a family-run restaurant will give you a cooking demonstration on how to make paella, the famous local specialty. You'll then have paella for dinner, served with Sangria.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Paella dinner with a glass of Sangria at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Valencia)
Included Activities
- Pass through Valencia's Old City with views of ancient gates and City of Arts and Sciences
- Cooking Demonstration with a local chef on how to make paella
- Dinner of paella with glass of Sangria at a local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Visit to Valencia Cathedral and El Miguelete bell tower
Landmarks City of Arts and Sciences Valencia Cathedral El Miguelete - Day 13
Valencia to Barcelona
You'll follow the coast to Peñíscola to see the seaside castle used in the film 'El Cid'. Continuing along the Costa Dorada, you'll reach the Cava Bodegas at Sant Sadurní d'Anoia for a light lunch with a tasting to learn how Spanish sparkling wine is made. From there it's on to Barcelona.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Highlight Lunch at Cava Bodegas with Cava wine tasting at the great Cava vineyards)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Barcelona Sarrià, Barcelona), Hotel (Meliá Sarrià, Barcelona, Labtwentytwo, Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Visit to Peñíscola seaside castle (former papal palace and El Cid filming location)
- Visit to Cava Bodegas at Sant Sadurní d'Anoia with Cava wine tasting and Highlight Lunch
Landmarks Peñíscola Castle Sant Sadurní d'Anoia 
- Day 14
Barcelona
A Local Expert drives you along the elegant Passeig de Gràcia, which has wrought-iron street lamps and flamboyant Modernist buildings. You'll continue through the Eixample district to visit Gaudí's Sagrada Família, seeing the central nave with its tree-like pillars, spectacular vaulting, and rainbows from the stained-glass windows. Later at a typical Catalan restaurant, you'll toast to your new friends and your two-week journey across Spain and Portugal with a celebration dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Celebration Dinner at a typical Catalan restaurant incorporating classic cooking with the freshest produce)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Barcelona Sarrià, Barcelona), Hotel (Meliá Sarrià, Barcelona, Labtwentytwo, Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Guided drive along Passeig de Gràcia and through Eixample district with Local Expert
- Visit to Sagrada Família basilica with Local Expert
Landmarks Passeig de Gràcia Sagrada Família Eixample Hospital de Sant Pau - Day 15
Barcelona
You'll say goodbye to your journey across Spain and Portugal as you transfer to the airport for your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
