Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid this evening and head to a welcome dinner at a local restaurant with your Travel Director. It's a chance to meet other travelers and try some typical madrileño flavours to kick things off.
- 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
Your Local Expert takes you through Madrid's historic neighbourhoods and the Old Quarter. Then you'll spend time at the Prado Museum with an art historian who walks you through masterworks by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and 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
- Prado Museum visit with art historian guide covering works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and more
Landmarks Prado Museum 
- Day 3
Salamanca
You'll head to Segovia and walk the medieval streets to see the Alcázar fortress and historic aqueduct. After that, you continue west past Ávila's ancient walls on your way to Salamanca, where you check out the golden stone buildings, the arcaded Plaza Mayor, honey-coloured cathedral and 16th century university buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alameda Palace, Salamanca)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Segovia's medieval streets with Local Expert
- Visit to Alcázar fortress in Segovia
- Visit to historic aqueduct in Segovia
- Drive past ancient walls of Ávila
- Guided sightseeing tour of Salamanca including Plaza Mayor, cathedral and university buildings
Landmarks Alcázar Palace Roman Aqueduct of Segovia Salamanca Cathedral Plaza Mayor of Salamanca University of Salamanca 
- Day 4
Porto
You cross into Portugal to reach Porto, situated on the River Douro and known for Port wine production. At Vila Nova de Gaia you'll walk through wine store corridors lined with casks and taste different tawnys and vintages. Later you explore the city's multi-coloured houses, churches with glazed tiles and iconic bridges.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Porto Batalha)
Included Activities
- Visit to Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores with tasting of Port wines
- Guided exploration of Porto including multi-coloured houses, glazed tile churches and iconic bridges
Landmarks Vila Nova de Gaia River Douro - Day 5
Óbidos - Lisbon
This morning you head to Fátima, Portugal's most famous pilgrimage site. Then it's on to the fortified town of Óbidos where you walk within medieval walls and can stop for a tasting of locally made cherry liqueur. By afternoon you'll be in Lisbon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (TURIM Marquês, Lisbon , Corinthia, Lisbon), Hotel (TURIM Marquês, Lisbon)
Included Activities
- Exploration of Fátima pilgrimage site with Travel Director
- Guided walk through Óbidos' medieval streets within town walls
- Tasting of locally made cherry liqueur in Óbidos
Landmarks Fátima Sanctuary Óbidos 
- Day 6
Lisbon
Your Local Expert shows you Lisbon's spacious avenues in the Lower Town and Pombal Square. You'll visit the Belem Quarter where explorers once set sail, grab a famous Pastéis de Belem from a traditional 19th century bakery, then see the Monument to the Discoveries and Belem Tower. The National Coach Museum comes next with 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 through Lower Town and Pombal Square with Local Expert
- Visit to Belém Quarter with Local Expert
- Tasting of Pastéis de Belém from traditional 19th century bakery with original secret recipe
- View of Monument to the Discoveries
- View of Belém Tower
- Visit to National Coach Museum featuring horse-drawn carriage collections
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to Portuguese Riviera frequented by surfers, royalty and James Bond
Landmarks Pombal Square Belém Quarter Monument to the Discoveries Belém Tower National Coach Museum - Day 7
Lisbon to Seville
You leave Lisbon via the modern Tagus Bridge and cross into Spain to reach Seville. At Seville Cathedral you'll learn about Christopher Columbus's burial place. Then it's your choice: 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
- Choice of guided walk through Santa Cruz Quarter OR scenic drive around city with Local Expert for panoramic views
Landmarks Seville Cathedral Tagus Bridge Barrio de Santa Cruz 
- Day 8
Seville
This morning you have a relaxed pace to unwind, shop or wander Seville at your own speed. If you want, you can head to ancient Córdoba to see the Mezquita and old Jewish Quarter. Later this afternoon you'll join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience at the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a flamenco dance school, where you'll learn some basic steps and watch an emotional dance performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Sevilla, Seville)
Included Activities
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Cristina Heeren Foundation flamenco dance school with basic dance lesson and emotional performance
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to ancient city of Córdoba including visit to Mezquita and old Jewish Quarter with free time to shop or explore
Landmarks Cristina Heeren Foundation Mezquita of Córdoba 
- Day 9
Costa del Sol
You head south to Gibraltar, a British overseas territory since 1704. With your Local Expert you visit the Rock of Gibraltar and St. Michael's Cave to see the Barbary Apes and watch where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. Then you travel the scenic Costa del Sol route through high-end resorts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos)
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Rock of Gibraltar with Local Expert
- Visit to St. Michael's Cave
- Viewing of Barbary Apes
- Views of Atlantic and Mediterranean meeting point with Spanish Sierra
Landmarks Rock of Gibraltar St. Michael's Cave Costa del Sol 
- Day 10
Costa del Sol
The entire day on the Costa del Sol is yours. Relax by the Mediterranean, walk along the promenade, try local restaurant food or head into Málaga to explore the birthplace of Picasso.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos)
Optional Activities
- Optional exploration of Málaga, the birth city of Picasso
Landmarks Málaga - Day 11
Granada
You continue to Alfarnatejo, a quiet whitewashed village with fewer than 500 people surrounded by mountains. Walking the town centre you'll see the 18th century Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla. Next is a visit to the oldest olive grove in the region where you taste oils with locally made farmer bread. A local family invites you to their home for authentic lunch with fresh local produce. Then you travel to Granada to see the Alhambra Palace, a 13th century Moorish citadel with beautiful gardens, fountains and intricately carved stone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Join a local family for a Dine-at-Home lunch featuring traditional recipes. Learn about regional customs and culture through your hosts' warm hospitality and lively conversation.)
- 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 region with oil tasting and locally made farmer bread
- Dine-at-Home lunch with local family featuring traditional regional recipes
- Guided visit to Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens with Local Expert
Landmarks Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla Alhambra Palace Generalife Gardens - Day 12
Valencia
You head to Valencia and pass through the Old City to see ancient gates and the ultra-modern City of Arts and Sciences. Your free time can be spent at the Cathedral or El Miguelete, or relaxing with a drink watching locals. Later a chef at a local family-run restaurant teaches you how to make paella, which you'll then have for dinner with a glass of Sangria.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Learn the authentic recipe of paella when you join a local chef for a cooking demonstration. Savour the flavours of this classic dish for dinner, washed down with a glass of Sangria.)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Valencia)
Included Activities
- Pass through Valencia Old City with views of ancient gates
- Visit to City of Arts and Sciences
- Cooking Demonstration: learn to make paella with local chef
- Dinner featuring paella with glass of Sangria
Optional Activities
- Optional walk to Cathedral and El Miguelete
Landmarks City of Arts and Sciences Valencia Cathedral Torres de Serranos Torres de Quart 
- Day 13
Barcelona
Following the coast you'll reach Peñíscola to see the sea-lapped castle from the film 'El Cid'. The route continues along the Costa Dorada to Cava Bodegas at Sant Sadurní d'Anoia where you have a light lunch with sparkling wine tasting as you learn how Spanish bubbly is made. Later you arrive in Barcelona.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious light lunch with Cava tasting at the great Cava vineyards as you learn the sparkling secrets of Spanish bubbly.)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Barcelona Sarrià, Barcelona), Hotel (Meliá Sarrià, Barcelona, Labtwentytwo, Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Visit to sea-lapped castle in Peñíscola (El Cid filming location)
- Cava Bodegas visit at Sant Sadurní d'Anoia
- Cava tasting with Highlight Lunch
Landmarks Peñíscola Castle Cava Bodegas Sant Sadurní d'Anoia - Day 14
Barcelona
Your Local Expert joins you for a drive along the Passeig de Gràcia with its elegant street lamps and flamboyant Modernist buildings. You travel through the Eixample district to Gaudí's Sagrada Família with its giant tree-like pillars, spectacular vaulting and beautiful rainbows through stained-glass windows. That evening you'll join fellow travelers for a celebration dinner at a typical Catalan restaurant featuring classic cooking with fresh produce.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (At a typical Catalan restaurant, savour a delicious Celebration Dinner that incorporates classic cooking with the freshest produce.)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Barcelona Sarrià, Barcelona), Hotel (Meliá Sarrià, Barcelona, Labtwentytwo, Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Drive along Passeig de Gràcia with Local Expert viewing elegant street lamps and Modernist architecture
- Visit to Sagrada Família basilica with views of tree-like pillars, vaulting and stained-glass windows
- Celebration Dinner at typical Catalan restaurant
Landmarks Passeig de Gràcia Sagrada Família Eixample - Day 15
Barcelona
You'll say goodbye to Spain and Portugal as you transfer to the airport for your departure.
