Barcelona, Madrid, Porto & Lisbon - 11 Days

Visit Spain

HIGHLIGHTS:

Highlights of the excursion include the historic Barrio de la Morería region, Habsburgs District, Puerta del Sol central square, Plaza Mayor and the Neptuno Fountains. These are dedicated to Neptune, a Roman water god. In the more modern part of the city we see the Salamanca district, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste. We also see the Santiago Bernabeu, the football stadium of Real Madrid, the most successful European club.

Day 1, Barcelona

On arrival in Barcelona, you will be collected and transferred to our hotel.

The rest of today is free for you to head out and explore the city.

No meals included.

Day 2, Barcelona

We enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour in Barcelona this morning.

Driving down the city's main streets, we will admire some of Gaudi's impressive modernist works, such as Le Pedrera and Casa Mila. We stroll through Montjuic Park to admire the surrounding views of the city and we end our tour with a visit to La Sagrada Familia. This is the crown jewel of Gaudi's work and is due to be completed in 2026, exactly 100 years since the great architect died. Entrance to the cathedral is included. After our tour, the rest of today is free for you to continue exploring Barcelona. Perhaps head for a walk along the beach, find some dinner along La Rambla, or head to Parc Guell to see even more of Gaudi's work!

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 3, Madrid

Barcelona - Madrid.

After breakfast this morning there is an included transfer to the train station, from where you will take the high speed train to Madrid - you will travel unescorted but will be met by your guide when disembarking in Madrid. There's an included transfer to the hotel, and the rest of the day is at leisure.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 4, Madrid

Today we take an all-encompassing coach tour of Madrid.

After the tour, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. There's an included dinner this evening at an authentic Tapas restaurant.

1 breakfast, no lunch, 1 dinner included.

Day 5, Salamanca

Madrid - Salamanca - Porto (Portugal).

Departing Madrid after breakfast, we make a stop in the university city of Salamanca, with free time to enjoy a stroll around. After our visit, we cross the border into Portugal and complete our drive to Porto. One of the oldest cities in Europe, Porto is located along the Douro River estuary and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 6, Porto

Today is spent exploring Porto with a number of included activities.

We enjoy a guided city tour, taking in highlights such as the Cathedral, Stock Exchange and Santa Clara Church. We also take a cruise on the Douro River, which runs through the heart of Porto. And we visit one of the riverfront Port Wine Cellars, with included tasting of this local drink.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 7, Porto

Porto - Coimbra - Fatima.

Departing Porto after breakfast, our first stop today is in Coimbra. This riverfront city is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, which was established in 1290. It was also the birthplace of Fado music. There's free time to explore.

We complete our drive to Fatima, another important site in Christianity. It is here, at the Cova da Iria that the Virgin Mary appeared before three local shepherd children - Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, who are buried at the Sanctuary of Our Lady Fatima, the country's most important pilgrimage site. Tonight, we may be able to attend the candlelit procession at around 22:00.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 8, Fatima

Fatima - Batalha - Nazare - Alcobaca - Lisbon.

This morning we visit the UNESCO-listed Batalha Monastery, a 14th Century Gothic masterpiece, built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. We then enjoy some free time in the quaint fishing village of Nazare before arriving in Alcobaca, where we can see the even older 12th Century monastery located here. This is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world. After admiring the monastery, we complete our journey to Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. The evening is at leisure.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 9, Lisbon

Our day starts with a city sightseeing tour, taking in many of Lisbon's highlights.

We see the city's main plazas, the fortified Belem Tower, Jeronimo's Monastery, the Monument to the Discoverers and the Marquis of Pombal Square roundabout.

The afternoon is free, and we recommend you head into the Alfama Quarter, the oldest part of Lisbon. Crowned by the Sao Jorge Castle, this part of the city features narrow alleyways and colourful 'tabernas'.

Tonight, there is an included group dinner at one of the oldest Fado venues in Lisbon.

1 breakfast, no lunch, 1 dinner included.

Day 10, Lisbon

Lisbon - Caceres (Spain) - Madrid.

Departing Lisbon, we cross back into Spain and make a stop in Caceres. The Old Town here is UNESCO-listed, known for its blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. There's time for a walk through the Plaza Mayor Square and the Old Town before we complete our journey back to Madrid. Your last evening is at leisure.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 11, Madrid

Tuck into a final breakfast in the hotel before our tour comes to an end.

There is an included transfer to the airport.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

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