Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid and meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. The meal features traditional madrileño flavors, giving you a chance to settle in and get to know the group before your journey really begins.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant - join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a beautiful evening of delicious food and wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid, Barceló Emperatriz, Madrid)
- Day 2
Madrid
A Local Expert takes you through Madrid's most historic neighborhoods, including the Old Quarter where you'll see how the city originated. Later, you head to the Prado Museum where an art historian guides you through works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and other masters.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid, Barceló Emperatriz, Madrid)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Madrid's historic neighbourhoods and Old Quarter
- Guided tour of Prado Museum with art historian - featuring works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and more
Landmarks Prado Museum 
- Day 3
Ávila - Salamanca
You'll travel to the fortified city of Segovia and walk medieval streets with a Local Expert to see the Alcázar fortress and historic aqueduct. From there, you head west with views of Ávila's ancient walls, then continue to Salamanca for a guided tour of its golden stone buildings, Plaza Mayor, cathedral and 16th century university.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alameda Palace, Salamanca)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Segovia's medieval streets with Local Expert
- Visit to Alcázar Palace (14th century)
- Visit to Roman aqueduct in Segovia
- Guided sightseeing tour of Salamanca with Local Expert
- View of Salamanca's arcaded Plaza Mayor, cathedral and 16th century university buildings
Landmarks Alcázar Palace Segovia Aqueduct Salamanca Cathedral Plaza Mayor 
- Day 4
Salamanca to Porto
Crossing into Portugal, you'll reach Porto, famous for Port wine production. You'll visit Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores and walk through corridors of casks while learning about tawnys and vintages during a tasting. The afternoon includes exploring the city's colorful houses, tile-adorned churches and distinctive bridges.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Porto Batalha)
Included Activities
- Visit to Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores with Port wine tasting
- Guided exploration of Porto with Local Expert
- Views of Porto's iconic bridges and tiled churches
Landmarks Vila Nova de Gaia Dom Luís Bridge - Day 5
Fátima - Óbidos - Lisbon
Your Travel Director leads you to Fátima, Portugal's major pilgrimage site. You'll then head to the medieval walled town of Óbidos where you walk through narrow streets and try locally made cherry liqueur. After that, you continue on to Lisbon, the Portuguese 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 medieval streets of Óbidos
- Tasting of locally made cherry liqueur in Óbidos
Landmarks Fátima Sanctuary Óbidos - Day 6
Lisbon
With a Local Expert, you explore Lisbon's spacious Lower Town avenues and Pombal Square. You'll visit the Belém Quarter where historic sailing ships once departed, grab the famous Pastéis de Nata from a 19th century bakery, and see the Monument to the Discoveries and Belém Tower. The National Coach Museum shows one of the world's finest horse-drawn carriage collections. Your afternoon is free, or you can 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 tour of Lisbon with Local Expert - Lower Town and Pombal Square
- Visit to Belem Quarter with views of Belem Tower and Monument to the Discoveries
- Tasting of Pastéis de Belem from 19th century bakery with original secret recipe
- Visit to National Coach Museum - traditional horse-drawn carriage collection
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to the Portuguese Riviera
Landmarks Belem Tower Monument to the Discoveries National Coach Museum Pombal Square - Day 7
Lisbon to Seville
Crossing the modern Tagus Bridge, you travel from Lisbon into Spain to reach Seville. You'll visit Seville Cathedral, where Christopher Columbus is buried. Then you choose between a guided walk through the Santa Cruz Quarter or 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
- Choice of guided walk through Santa Cruz Quarter with Local Expert OR scenic drive around Seville with Local Expert
Landmarks Seville Cathedral Barrio de Santa Cruz 
- Day 8
Seville
Your morning is relaxed, giving you time to unwind, shop or explore Seville on your own. If you're interested, there's an optional visit to Córdoba to see the Mezquita and old Jewish Quarter. Later, you participate in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience at the Cristina Heeren Foundation flamenco school, where you'll learn basic steps and watch passionate student performances.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Sevilla, Seville)
Included Activities
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Cristina Heeren Foundation - flamenco dance school
- Flamenco dance lesson
- Flamenco performance by foundation students
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to ancient city of Córdoba - visit to Mezquita and old Jewish Quarter with free time to shop and explore
Landmarks Cristina Heeren Foundation Mezquita - Day 9
Seville to Costa del Sol
You head south to Gibraltar and explore the Rock with a Local Expert, including St. Michael's Cave. You'll see the Barbary Apes and take in views of the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Spanish Sierra. The scenic Costa del Sol route follows, passing high-end resorts with beautiful coastal views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Rock of Gibraltar with Local Expert
- Visit to St. Michael's Cave
- Views of Barbary Apes
- Scenic drive along Costa del Sol
Landmarks Rock of Gibraltar St. Michael's Cave 
- Day 10
Costa del Sol
This day is completely free on the Costa del Sol. You can relax by the Mediterranean, walk along the promenade, try local restaurant specialties, or explore Málaga, the birthplace of Picasso.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos)
Optional Activities
- Explore Málaga, the birth city of Picasso
Landmarks Málaga - Day 11
Alfarnatejo - Granada
You travel to Alfarnatejo, a quiet whitewashed village with fewer than 500 people surrounded by mountains. Walking through town, you'll see the 18th century Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla. At the region's oldest olive grove, you'll taste different oils paired with locally made farmer bread. Then a local family welcomes you to their home for traditional lunch with fresh local ingredients. Later, you continue to Granada to visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace, a 13th century Moorish citadel with beautiful gardens, fountains and intricate stonework.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Dine-at-Home lunch with local family in Alfarnatejo - traditional recipes featuring fresh, local produce with flavours typical of the region)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Vincci Albayzín, Granada), Hotel (Vincci Albayzín, Granada, Barceló Carmen, Granada)
Included Activities
- Walk through Alfarnatejo town centre
- Visit to 18th century Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla
- Visit to oldest olive grove in the region with olive oil tasting paired with locally made farmer bread
- Dine-at-Home experience with local family in Alfarnatejo - traditional lunch featuring regional recipes
- Guided tour of Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens with Local Expert
Landmarks Alfarnatejo Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla Alhambra Palace Generalife Gardens - Day 12
Granada to Valencia
You journey to Valencia, passing through the Old City to see ancient gates and the ultra-modern City of Arts and Sciences. The Cathedral and El Miguelete are available to visit during your free time, or you can relax and watch daily life unfold. A local chef demonstrates how to make paella, then you'll have dinner enjoying this classic dish yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Paella dinner - savour the flavours of this classic dish washed down with a glass of Sangria)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Valencia)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing in Valencia's Old City - ancient gates, Centre of Arts and Sciences
- Paella cooking demonstration with local chef
- Paella dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to Valencia Cathedral and El Miguelete tower
Landmarks City of Arts and Sciences Valencia Cathedral Torres de Serranos Torres de Quart 
- Day 13
Peñíscola - Sant Sadurni d'Anoia - Barcelona
Following the coast, you reach Peñíscola to see the seaside castle used in the film 'El Cid'. Continuing along the Costa Dorada, you stop at the Cava Bodegas in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia for a light lunch paired with Spanish sparkling wine tasting to learn how Spanish bubbly is made. After that, you head to Barcelona.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Highlight Lunch at Cava Bodegas - delicious light lunch with sparkling wine tasting to learn the sparkling secrets of Spanish bubbly)
- 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 Sadurni d'Anoia
- Cava sparkling wine tasting and Highlight Lunch
Landmarks Peñíscola Castle Cava Bodegas Sant Sadurni d'Anoia 
- Day 14
Barcelona
A Local Expert drives you along Passeig de Gràcia, passing elegant wrought-iron street lamps and flamboyant Modernist buildings. You continue through the Eixample district to visit Gaudí's Sagrada Família with its tree-like pillars, spectacular vaulting and intricate stained-glass windows. That evening, you'll join fellow travelers for a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant, toasting new friends and your two-week exploration of the Iberian Peninsula.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Celebration Dinner at typical Catalan restaurant - savour a delicious dinner 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 with Local Expert - Modernist architecture
- Visit to Sagrada Família with Local Expert - central nave, tree-like pillars, vaulting and stained-glass windows
- Celebration Dinner at typical Catalan restaurant
Landmarks Passeig de Gràcia Sagrada Família Hospital de Sant Pau - Day 15
Barcelona to Madrid
You transfer from Barcelona to Madrid, saying goodbye to your two-week journey across Spain and Portugal.
