Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid and meet your Travel Director over dinner at a local restaurant. This is where you get to know the other travelers while trying traditional madrileño dishes. It's a relaxed way to start, and you'll get a real taste of how locals eat in the city.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant with Travel Director and fellow travellers, featuring typical madrileño flavours and wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid, Barceló Emperatriz, Madrid)
- Day 2
Madrid
Start the day with a Local Expert walking through Madrid's historic neighborhoods, including the Old Quarter where the city's origins trace back. Then head to the Prado Museum where an art historian takes you through masterworks by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and more. You'll spend several hours here, so pace yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid, Barceló Emperatriz, Madrid)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Madrid's historic neighbourhoods including Old Quarter
- Visit to Prado Museum with art historian guide featuring works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, and Rubens
Landmarks Prado Museum - Day 3
Salamanca
Head west to Segovia with a Local Expert, walking medieval streets past the Alcazar fortress and historic aqueduct. From there, continue to Ávila to see the ancient walls, then into Salamanca where you'll see the golden stone buildings, the arcaded Plaza Mayor, the honey-coloured cathedral, and 16th-century university buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alameda Palace, Salamanca)
Included Activities
- Guided walk through medieval streets of Segovia
- Visit to Alcazar Palace and Roman aqueduct in Segovia
- Guided sightseeing tour of Salamanca including Plaza Mayor, cathedral, and university buildings
Landmarks Alcazar Palace Roman Aqueduct Plaza Mayor 
- Day 4
Porto
Cross into Portugal and reach Porto, known for Port wine and sitting along the River Douro. You'll visit Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores and walk through corridors of casks, tasting different tawnys and vintages. Later, wander through the city's multi-coloured houses, glazed-tile churches, and check out the iconic bridges.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Porto Batalha)
Included Activities
- Visit to Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores
- Walk through wine cellars with tasting of world-renowned Port wines
- Guided exploration of Porto's iconic bridges and tiled buildings
Landmarks Vila Nova de Gaia River Douro 
- Day 5
Óbidos - Lisbon
Continue to Fátima, Portugal's popular pilgrimage site. Then head to the medieval town of Óbidos where you'll walk within the walls and try locally made cherry liqueur. After that, travel on to Lisbon, Portugal's capital. You'll arrive later in the day, so you might just settle in for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (TURIM Marquês, Lisbon , Corinthia, Lisbon)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Fátima pilgrimage site
- Guided walk through medieval streets of Óbidos
- Tasting of locally made cherry liqueur in Óbidos
Landmarks Fátima Sanctuary Óbidos 
- Day 6
Lisbon
Take a guided tour through Lisbon's wide avenues and Pombal Square, then explore the Belém Quarter where historic sailing ships once left during Portugal's Age of Discovery. Stop by the 19th-century bakery for Pastéis de Belém custard tarts, see the Monument to the Discoveries and Belém Tower, and check out the National Coach Museum's horse-drawn carriage collection. The afternoon is yours to relax or join an optional trip to the Portuguese Riviera.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (TURIM Marquês, Lisbon , Corinthia, Lisbon)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing of Lisbon's Lower Town and Pombal Square
- Visit to Belém Quarter
- Tasting of Pastéis de Belém from 19th-century traditional patisserie
- Visit to Monument to the Discoveries
- Visit to Belém Tower
- Visit to National Coach Museum
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to Portuguese Riviera
Landmarks Belém Tower Monument to the Discoveries Pombal Square National Coach Museum - Day 7
Seville
Leave Lisbon crossing the modern Tagus Bridge and head into Spain toward Seville. Visit the Cathedral where Christopher Columbus is buried. Then choose between a guided walk through the historic Santa Cruz Quarter or a scenic drive to take in city views. Either option gives you a good feel for Seville's layout and character.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Sevilla, Seville)
Included Activities
- Visit to Seville Cathedral with Local Expert, seeing the Tomb of Columbus
Optional Activities
- Insight Choice - Guided walk through Santa Cruz Quarter with Local Expert
- Insight Choice - Scenic panoramic drive around Seville with Local Expert
Landmarks Seville Cathedral Barrio de Santa Cruz 
- Day 8
Seville
This morning is yours to relax, shop, or wander Seville at your own pace. If you want more, there's an optional trip to Córdoba to see the Mezquita, explore the Jewish Quarter, and browse local shops. Back in Seville, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience at the Cristina Heeren Foundation flamenco school in the afternoon where you'll learn basic flamenco steps and watch students perform.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Sevilla, Seville)
Included Activities
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience at Cristina Heeren Foundation flamenco school including dance lesson and student performance
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to Córdoba to visit Mezquita and Jewish Quarter with free time to explore
Landmarks Cristina Heeren Foundation Mezquita - Day 9
Costa del Sol
Spend the day on the Costa del Sol where you can relax by the Mediterranean, walk the promenade, try local restaurant food, or explore Málaga if you're interested. This is a day to unwind and soak up the sunshine after several days of touring.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos)
Optional Activities
- Explore Málaga, the birth city of Picasso
- Day 10
Granada
Travel to Alfarnatejo, a quiet whitewashed village with fewer than 500 people surrounded by mountains. Walk around to see the 18th-century Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla, then visit the region's oldest olive grove and stop at a rural mill-factory to taste different oils with locally made farmer bread. Join a local family for lunch with fresh, local produce and regional flavours. Later, continue to Granada to visit the Alhambra Palace with a Local Expert, a 13th-century Moorish citadel with beautiful gardens, fountains, and intricately carved stone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Dine-at-Home lunch with local family featuring traditional regional recipes and local produce)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Vincci Albayzín, Granada)
Included Activities
- Walk through Alfarnatejo town centre
- Visit to oldest olive grove in region
- Tasting of selection of freshly pressed olive oils with 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 - Day 11
Valencia
Travel to Valencia, passing through the Old City to see ancient gates and the ultra-modern City of Arts and Sciences. You'll have free time to walk to the Cathedral and El Miguelete tower, or just relax with a drink watching people go about their day. Meet a local chef for a cooking demonstration on how to make paella, Valencia's most famous dish. That evening, you'll have your prepared paella for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner featuring authentic paella and Sangria, prepared during cooking demonstration with local chef)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Valencia)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Valencia's Old City, ancient gates, and City of Arts and Sciences
- Cooking demonstration with local chef learning to make paella
- Dinner featuring paella and Sangria
Optional Activities
- Visit Cathedral and El Miguelete tower
Landmarks City of Arts and Sciences Valencia Cathedral - Day 12
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia - Barcelona
Follow the coast to Peñíscola to view the sea-lapped castle from the film 'El Cid'. Continue along the Costa Dorada to Sant Sadurn í d'Anoia for a light lunch with Cava wine tasting at the wine bodegas, learning how Spanish bubbly is made. Then head along the coast to reach Barcelona in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious light lunch at Cava vineyard with Cava wine tasting)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Barcelona Sarrià, Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Visit to Peñíscola sea castle (filming location for 'El Cid')
- Visit to Cava Bodegas at Sant Sadurní d'Anoia
- Light lunch at Cava vineyard with Cava wine tasting
Landmarks Peñíscola Castle - Day 13
Barcelona
A Local Expert guides you along the Passeig de Gràcia with its elegant wrought-iron street lamps and distinctive Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district to visit Gaudí's Sagrada Família where you'll see the central nave with giant tree-like pillars, spectacular vaulting, and beautiful rainbows through intricate stained-glass windows. Later, join everyone for a celebration dinner at a typical Catalan restaurant with classic cooking and fresh produce.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Celebration Dinner at typical Catalan restaurant featuring classic cooking with freshest produce)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Barcelona Sarrià, Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Guided drive along Passeig de Gràcia through Eixample district
- Visit to Sagrada Família basilica with viewing of central nave, pillars, vaulting, and stained-glass windows
- Celebration Dinner at typical Catalan restaurant with classic cooking and fresh produce
Landmarks Sagrada Família Passeig de Gràcia - Day 14
Madrid
Say goodbye to your two-week journey and transfer from Barcelona back to Madrid. This wraps up your exploration of the Iberian Peninsula with travel back through the country you've been discovering.
- Meals
- Breakfast
