Treasures of Spain and Portugal End Madrid

Visit Europe

Day 1

Hola Madrid

Kick-start your epic encounter with Spain and Portugal in Europe’s highest capital city, Madrid.

Spend your day rambling along tree-lined boulevards and people-watching in the city's lively squares before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a dinner and orientation drive past some of Madrid's most iconic sites.

Day 2

Admire the Sights of Toledo and Madrid

We journey south for an excursion to the hilltop city of Toledo, where we'll join our Local Specialist for a walking tour.

Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to El Greco's most famous painting, 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz', and visit the former synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca. This afternoon, join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of the Spanish capital, which includes views of the Royal Palace, the former residence of the Spanish royal family and the Cibeles Fountain.

Day 3

Journey to Segovia and Zamora

Venture to Segovia and see the Roman Aqueduct, by far the most impressive Roman structure in Spain - delivering drinking water across its impressive 160 arches to the people of Segovia in ancient times, view the Alcázar of Segovia.

Travel to the city of Zamora in the Castile and Leon region. Your orientation walking tour includes views of the Plaza Mayor and the Church of Mary Magdalene. Later this evening, why not follow your nose to a cosy local spot and relax with some refreshingly fruity sangria to toast the day.

Day 4

A Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

Travel to Santiago de Compostela, where you’ll join a Local Specialist, who will share insights into the 'Way of Saint James' and explain why thousands of people attempt the life-changing pilgrimage annually.

Visit the vast Cathedral, reputed to be the final resting place of Saint James the Great, and the Praza do Obradoiro, a square dominated by four architectural styles.

Day 5

Journey to Scenic Porto Dive Into Culture

Today we Dive Into Culture and the centuries-old tradition of local Port production at a tasting in a Port cellar.

Afterwards, embark on a sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist in Porto. Wander past Baroque churches and along the winding lanes that tumble down towards the Douro. See the remarkable bridges that span the river, the medieval Ribeira Quarter and its old quay/dock, before visiting the Stock Exchange Palace with its splendid Arabian Hall inspired by Granada's Alhambra. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling through the historic centre of Porto - just steps away from our riverside hotel.

Day 6

Onwards to Fátima and Lisbon

Follow the road taken by pilgrims over the last 100 years to the Shrine at Fátima, site of a celebrated religious miracle.

We arrive in colourful Lisbon later – our home for the next two nights. This evening perhaps enjoy a traditional Portuguese dinner amidst the melancholic sounds of the fado.

Day 7

Discover Lisbon's Treasures Dive Into Culture

Delve into Lisbon's centuries-old seafaring heritage today, paying tribute to the brave men who set off from these shores to discover a new world.

You'll see the shimmering white Monument to the Discoveries, the iconic suspension bridge spanning the River Tagus, and Belém Tower when you join a Local Specialist on a sightseeing tour of Lisbon. Dive Into Culture visiting the Belém Quarter. Enjoy a taste of Pastéis de Belém. Join an Optional Experience to the historic towns of Cascais and Sintra.

Day 8

On to Seville Connect with Locals

We travel east through Portugal’s picturesque rural landscapes of the Alentejo famous for the country’s cork and cross into Spain, journeying through the province of Huelva, renowned for its Jabugo ham, before arriving in Seville.

This evening, explore the fine art of olive oil production at a Be My Guest experience and Connect With Locals over a memorable dinner at an olive oil farm.

Day 9

Explore Spectacular Seville

The charisma of Seville is unmistakable.

Join a Local Specialist for a walking tour through the city. View the symbolic Giralda Bell Tower, see the tiled fountains, pavilions and lush palms in the Maria Luisa Park and explore the architectural gems of Seville's 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. Later, stroll through the historic Jewish Quarter before visiting the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world.

Day 10

Off to Granada

Multicultural Granada takes centre stage today as we visit the magnificent Alhambra in the company of a Local Specialist.

A fine example of Moorish architecture, the Alhambra complex was built during the 14th century towards the end of Islamic rule in Spain. Wander through the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal Summer Palace, once linked to the other palaces by a covered walkway across the ravine, and admire the intricate design and detail around every turn.

Day 11

Onwards to Valencia Dive Into Culture

This morning, we travel to Guadix in the northern foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains where you will see the whitewashed troglodyte dwellings lodged in the ochre-coloured cliffs of the surrounding area.

We travel to Valencia, where we'll stay overnight to view the Bullring and admire the beautiful façade of the Modernist Estacion del Norte Train Station and the Serrano Tower. Embrace the city's spirit of innovation and stop to view the City of Arts and Sciences, a large-scale urban recreation centre for culture and science, designed by Santiago Calatrava. Here we enjoy horchata, the celebrated drink of Valencia, during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

Day 12

See the Sights of Barcelona

Head north along the coast through the Levant region and stop at Peñíscola, the 'City in the Sea', to view the ancient castle of the 'Spanish Pope', built by the Knights Templar and used in the film, 'El Cid'.

We continue along the Costa Dorada to Barcelona with its whimsical Gaudí architecture. Join a Local Specialist and see the exterior of the unfinished La Sagrada Família before paying tribute to Christopher Columbus at the monument that bears his name.

Day 13

Barcelona Your Way

Embrace the charm of Barcelona, ramble through El Born for delicious tapas or consider joining an Optional Experience to the mountaintop monastery of Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna, or spend the rest of the day exploring the city's enchanting barrios.

This evening, we join our fellow travellers and Travel Director for dinner.

Day 14

Journey Home

For now it's adios to Spain at the end of a memorable holiday.

Your coach returns to Madrid from Barcelona today. Drop-off in Madrid will be at the Madrid hotel and not at the airport. Arrival will be at approximately 6pm, depending on traffic conditions.

Dining Summary

6 Dinner (D)

13 Breakfast (B)

Be My Guest

Seville: Enjoy a traditional Andalusian Be My Guest dinner and the charming company of your host, Isaac. A welcome drink of sangria in their sun-dappled courtyard before learning how they produce olive oil.

Dive Into Culture

Porto: Savour the flavours of Portugal's centuries-old Port heritage and gain insights into its local production at a tasting in a Port cellar.

Lisbon: Visit the Belém Quarter and enjoy a taste of Pastéis de Belém from the patisserie that has been using the same secret recipe for almost 200 years.

Iconic Experience

Madrid: Drive through central Madrid and see some of the city's famous features during an orientation with your Travel Director.

Toledo: Explore this magnificent ancient city with your Local Specialist and visit the Church of Santo Tomé to see an El Greco masterpiece.

Madrid: See the highlights of the city with your Local Specialist. Visit the Old Town, travelling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the Cibeles fountain, Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace.

Segovia: Stroll along medieval streets from the impressive Roman aqueduct to Plaza Mayor, and see the 14th-century Alcazar Palace.

Zamora: See the cathedral of Zamora and the 12th-century Church of Mary Magdalene during an orientation with your Travel Director.

Santiago de Compostela: Join a Local Specialist on a visit to Praza do Obradoiro and admire the cathedral façade festooned with architectural frills.

Porto: See the Clérigos Tower, Avenida dos Aliados and the Palácio da Bolsa former stock exchange. 

Fátima: Join the faithful at one of the world's holiest sites and pay homage at the Chapel of the Apparitions or see the basilica.

Lisbon: Explore with your Local Specialist, from the Lower Town, beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco. Visit the Belém Quarter to see the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the medieval Belém Tower.

Seville: Guided by your Local Specialist, see the Giralda Tower, former minaret of the Great Mosque and now the cathedral's belltower. Explore the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz Quarter and emerge by the great walls of the Alcazar.

Granada: Visit the famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. Explore with a Local Specialist keen to share insights into this Moorish landmark.

Guadix: See the cave homes that embellish the hills around Guadix.

Valencia: See the ultra-modern Centre of Arts and Sciences and the historic bullring of Valencia during an orientation drive with your Travel Director.

Peñíscola: See the castle featured in the film 'El Cid'.

Barcelona: With your Local Specialist, see Las Ramblas and the elegant Passeig de Gràcia to take in some of the city's finest Modernist architecture. Journey past the beautiful façades of the Eixample district to see the exterior of Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Família

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Valencia: Taste authentic Valencian horchata from a local vendor. This rich and flavourful nut-based drink loved by many is produced here using only locally sourced and natural ingredients, and respecting traditional methods of production. Alongside the local and organic production, they have been bringing the vibrant tradition of horchata back to its glory days, giving employment opportunities to people at risk of social exclusion. They have also built over 10 street carts from recycling materials, all working on solar energy and ice. Your experience supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Must-see Highlights

Explore Madrid, Toledo, Santiago de Compostela, Porto, Lisbon, Seville and Barcelona

Discover Segovia, Zamora and Valencia

Visit Santo Tomé and the synagogue in Toledo, the cathedral and Praza do Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela, the Stock Exchange Palace and a local port wine cellar in Porto, Seville Cathedral, the Alhambra Palace in Granada

View the Roman Aqueduct and Alcázar in Segovia, the cathedral in Zamora, the Shrine at Fátima, the Belém Tower and Hieronymite Monastery in Lisbon, the Giralda Bell Tower in Seville, the cave homes of Guadix, the Serrano and Quart Towers and the city of Arts and Sciences complex in Valencia and La Sagrada Família in Barcelona

See the Monument to the Discoveries in Lisbon

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