Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll land in Madrid and check into your hotel. Tonight your group gathers for dinner together, which gives you a chance to meet your travel crew before you start exploring the city tomorrow.
- Meals
- Dinner (Group dinner)
Included Activities
- Group dinner
- Day 2
Madrid to Pamplona
Head north from Madrid toward Pamplona with a stop in Burgos along the way. There you'll see the medieval town square, then continue on to Pamplona where your Trip Manager gives a brief orientation. After that you'll have free time to wander through the colorful, well-preserved streets on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel to Burgos
- Explore Burgos town square
- Orientation tour of Pamplona
Optional Activities
- Further exploration of Pamplona
Landmarks/POIs Burgos Pamplona - Day 3
Pamplona to Bilbao to San Sebastián to Pamplona
Following breakfast you travel to Bilbao with free time to visit the Museo Guggenheim and check out the city's architecture. Later you'll head to San Sebastián to walk the cobbled lanes, hit the beaches, shop, and try some pintxos (Basque tapas). By evening you're back in Pamplona for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel to Bilbao
- Exploration time in Bilbao
- Travel to San Sebastián
- Beach access in San Sebastián
- Travel back to Pamplona
Optional Activities
- Museo Guggenheim entrance
- Shopping in San Sebastián
- Pintxos tasting in San Sebastián
Landmarks/POIs Museo Guggenheim San Sebastián beaches - Day 4
Pamplona to Zaragoza to Barcelona
You'll travel south toward Barcelona and stop in Zaragoza to explore the old town, see the colorful cathedral, and grab traditional Spanish churros. After that you continue on to Barcelona with a photo stop at the Sagrada Familia before heading to dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Mescladis – a non-profit focused on social cohesion and enriching coexistence with rights and opportunities for all)
Included Activities
- Travel to Zaragoza
- Explore Zaragoza old town
- Visit Zaragoza cathedral
- Travel to Barcelona
- Photo stop at Sagrada Familia
- Dinner at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Traditional Spanish churros in Zaragoza
Landmarks/POIs Sagrada Familia - Day 5
Barcelona
Barcelona is all yours for the day. You can join an optional guided bike tour of the city, then pick what you want to do. Options include Parc Güell with its colorful buildings and Gaudí gardens, the Mediterranean beaches, or exploring on your own schedule.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour
- Visit Parc Güell
- Beach time at Mediterranean Sea
Landmarks/POIs Parc Güell Mediterranean Sea beaches - Day 6
Barcelona to Valencia
You'll head to Valencia where the beach and culture come together. An orientation walk shows you around the city, then you have free time. If you're interested there's an optional paella-making class with your group this evening since this is where paella was invented.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel to Valencia
- Orientation walk of Valencia
Optional Activities
- Paella-making class
Landmarks/POIs Valencia - Day 7
Valencia to Granada
Travel to Granada, a city that blends Arab and Spanish influences in a way you won't find elsewhere in Andalusia. Your group gets together for an included dinner this evening so you can share the day's impressions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel to Granada
- Group dinner
Landmarks/POIs Granada - Day 8
Granada
Start with free time to explore on your own, or you can join a guided tour of the Albaicin Muslim quarter and Capilla Real while sampling Arab pastries. In the afternoon you'll visit the Alhambra Palace to see its Moorish architecture with intricate patterns and take in the city views. Later there's an optional flamenco and tapas experience if you want to keep the evening going.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Alhambra Palace
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Albaicin Muslim quarter
- Guided tour of Capilla Real
- Granada Arab pastries tasting
- Flamenco and tapas experience
Landmarks/POIs Alhambra Palace Albaicin Capilla Real - Day 9
Granada to Toledo to Madrid
Head to Toledo, a hilltop town with synagogues, churches, and medieval buildings. You'll see the gothic cathedral and visit El Greco's house, then continue back to Madrid where your journey started. Spend your evening however you like, whether that's grabbing tapas and sangria or checking out Madrid's nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel to Toledo
- Explore Toledo cathedral
- Visit El Greco's house
- Travel to Madrid
Optional Activities
- Nightlife in Madrid
Landmarks/POIs Toledo Cathedral El Greco's House Alcázar Fortress - Day 10
Madrid to Córdoba
Some travelers finish up here in Madrid, but others continue south to Córdoba. This UNESCO World Heritage city has storybook balconies and charming lanes. You'll visit the Mezquita (Great Mosque of Córdoba), then stay at a Special Stay in a 15th century Franciscan monastery with courtyards, a pool, and an organic garden before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner grown in the organic vegetable garden at the 15th century Franciscan monastery)
Included Activities
- Travel to Córdoba
- Explore Córdoba
- Visit Mezquita (Great Mosque of Córdoba)
- Dinner at monastery
Landmarks/POIs Mezquita (Great Mosque of Córdoba) - Day 11
Córdoba to Seville
You travel to Seville, the capital of Southern Spain. On a guided walk through the city you'll see 13th century architecture and one of the world's largest cathedrals, plus the Mudejar palaces and aristocratic mansions by the river. Later there's an optional EatWith dining experience if you want an authentic local feast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel to Seville
- Guided stroll of Seville
Optional Activities
- EatWith authentic dining experience
Landmarks/POIs Seville Cathedral - Day 12
Seville
Seville gives you another free day to do what you want. Wander through the Barrio Santa Cruz neighborhood, visit the Alcázar (a Game of Thrones filming location), and walk through the winding medieval lanes at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Barrio Santa Cruz
- Visit Alcázar
- Explore medieval lanes
Landmarks/POIs Barrio Santa Cruz Alcázar - Day 13
Seville to Lisbon
You'll cross from Spain into Portugal and head to Lisbon. The two countries feel quite different despite being close to each other. Lisbon has vintage trams rolling down cobbled streets and buildings covered in intricate tiles. You're free to explore this evening and might grab a Portuguese dinner your first night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel to Lisbon
Optional Activities
- Portuguese feast dinner
Landmarks/POIs Lisbon - Day 14
Lisbon
You have a full day to explore Lisbon however you choose. You can visit Portugal's Cristo Rei statue, check out Rossio Square, see the Belém District with its famous tower, or explore the monastery that holds Vasco de Gama's tomb and feel the Moorish influences there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Cristo Rei (Christ the King)
- Visit Rossio Square
- Explore Belém District
- Visit Belém Tower
- Visit monastery with Vasco de Gama's tomb
Landmarks/POIs Cristo Rei (Christ the King) Rossio Square Belém Tower Belém District Jerónimos Monastery - Day 15
Lisbon to Sintra to Cascais to Porto
After breakfast you head north with stops in Sintra and Cascais before reaching Porto. In Sintra you'll have free time to visit Quinta da Regaleira castle. You can stop in coastal Cascais to check out the beaches and seafood, or join an optional street art tour. Later you arrive in Porto with time to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel to Sintra
- Travel to Cascais
- Travel to Porto
Optional Activities
- Visit Quinta da Regaleira
- Beach time in Cascais
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER street art tour in Cascais
Landmarks/POIs Sintra Quinta da Regaleira Cascais - Day 16
Porto
Porto is completely yours to fill however you want. Head to the beach, visit the famous Livraria Lello bookstore, explore art museums, or join an optional food tour trying Portuguese specialties. You might catch a traditional Portuguese singing show. Whether you explore solo or with friends, the day is entirely up to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Livraria Lello bookstore
- Explore art museums
- Winding street cultural tours
- Food tour
- Traditional Portuguese singing show
- Beach time
Landmarks/POIs Livraria Lello - Day 17
Porto to Fortified City to Salamanca
You cross back into Spain to explore a fortified city on the Spain-Portugal border with roots back to the Roman Empire. Then you continue to Salamanca for the night. This university city has medieval history mixed with creative gargoyles and ornate stone carvings. There's an optional orientation tour, then time to explore on your own and try local cheeses, cured meats, wine, and almond cookies.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel to fortified city
- Explore fortified city
- Travel to Salamanca
Optional Activities
- Orientation tour with women's history focus
- Food exploration
Landmarks/POIs Salamanca University Salamanca Cathedral - Day 18
Salamanca to Ávila to Madrid
You return to Madrid with a stop in Ávila along the way. There you'll see the perfectly preserved 11th century medieval walls that surround the UNESCO World Heritage city inside. After that you're back in Madrid where everything started. Spend your final evening however you choose, or join an optional traditional dinner at an iconic Spanish restaurant near Plaza Mayor.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel to Ávila
- Stop to admire Ávila medieval walls
- Travel to Madrid
Optional Activities
- Traditional dinner at iconic Spanish restaurant near Plaza Mayor
Landmarks/POIs Ávila Medieval Walls Plaza Mayor - Day 19
Departure from Madrid
This morning you and your group say goodbye and depart Madrid. Some travelers finish here while others continue on. The memories of the landscapes, experiences, and friendships from the Iberian Peninsula will stay with you.
