Bienvenidos a Espana! A truly cosmopolitan city, Madrid is the gateway to Spain’s arts and culture, tantalising cuisine and diverse architecture.
Upon arrival at Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), take your private transfer to your hotel for check-in, then spend the day at your leisure exploring Spain’s thriving capital. Stroll the elegant boulevards and manicured parks, then live the Spanish life and step into one of the vibrant bars for ‘la hora del vermut’ or ‘vermouth hour’.
At 7pm, meet your tour director and fellow travellers at your hotel for a briefing on the exciting adventure to come.
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at your hotel, then set out for a morning tour of this thriving city. From the busy squares of Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa to the storied streets of Barrio de Moreria, the Habsburg neighbourhood and the neoclassical Fountain of Neptune, discover the living history of this bustling metropolis with the direction of your guide.
After a morning of cultural immersion, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You may like to join an optional half-day tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Toledo, a well-preserved medieval town with winding streets, an ornate cathedral and a fortress at its centre.
This evening, come together as a group for dinner at a local tapas restaurant and sample the fragrant flavours and piquant spices of Spanish cuisine.
Travel time: Coach – approx. two hours
Bid farewell to magical Madrid following a satiating breakfast at your hotel and set off for the rolling Spanish countryside to Avila. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is known for intact medieval fortress walls around its perimeter. Take the time to explore this storied city at your leisure. Take in the grandeur of the walls, stretching 1,700 metres and offering stunning views of the ancient cathedral and the Plaza del Mercado Grande below, and the gorgeous rolling hills beyond.
Reach Salamanca in the late afternoon and enjoy some free time to explore the town, home to one of the oldest operating universities in the world. Immerse yourself in its architectural and artistic wealth, from the stained-glass atrium of the Casa Lis art museum to the shell-covered walls of Casa de las Conchas.
Travel time: Coach – approx. 2.5 hours
Rise, shine and board your private luxury coach as you cross the border to picturesque Portugal. Stop first at serene Pinhao on the banks of the Douro River, full of local vineyards and centenary cellars that have earned Pinhao its place in the wine world. Explore the small town, making sure not to miss its historic train station adorned with intricate mosaic artworks.
Continue to Porto, one of Europe’s oldest towns, and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Opt to stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed streets, visit the impressive Casa da Música concert hall or sample a hearty francesinha (toasted sandwich) – a Porto specialty.
Travel time: Coach – approx. five hours
Wake for a day of discovery and uncover Porto on a guided tour. Admire the fine craftsmanship of Porto Cathedral, the elaborate Stock Exchange Palace and the meticulous interior of Igreja de Santa Clara church.
Later, cruise down the peaceful waters of the Douro River. Watch as the twin cities of Porto and Gaia pass by on opposite banks, and gaze in awe at Porto’s countless stunning bridges while indulging in a tasting of the city’s famous port wine.
Back on land, spend your evening freely, exploring the romantic streets before retiring to your accommodation for a restful evening.
Travel time: Coach – approx. two hours
Be sure to fuel up at breakfast before embarking on the day’s adventure. Your first stop is Coimbra, the birthplace of fado – a popular style of traditional Portuguese music. Explore the historic centre of this famed university town, home to Roman buildings dating back to the 12th century. See the cloaked students of the University of Coimbra and the magnificent Joanina Library, an ornate, Baroque-style building home to a colony of bats that protect a collection of more than 40,000 books by eating harmful insects.
Later, arrive in the vibrant city of Lisbon, where you can get a taste of its beloved architecture, delicious seafood and thriving nightlife.
Travel time: Coach – approx. 3.5 hours
After breakfast, it’s time to hit the streets of Lisbon on a morning sightseeing tour. Traverse the main squares and avenues, passing Belem Tower and the serene Jeronimos Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture where Vasco da Gama is entombed. See the imposing Padrao dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoverers) on the northern bank of the Tagus River and the grand Marquis of Pombal Square.
Drive through the bustling streets and squares of central Lisbon, including Rossio Square and Liberty Avenue. In the evening, consider an optional traditional Portuguese dinner at one of Lisbon’s oldest Fado venues, where you can enjoy soulful music that tells the stories of the sea and the Portuguese soul.
Spend the day exploring the enchanting town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sintra is famed for its romantic 19th-century architecture, royal palaces and lush gardens. See the fairytale-like Pena Palace, perched high on a hilltop with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The palace’s vivid colours and eclectic design make it one of the most picturesque landmarks in Portugal.
Explore the lush gardens of the 16th-century Quinta da Regaleira, filled with mysterious grottoes, winding paths and intricate sculptures. Make your way down the winding steps of the Initiation Well, a circular staircase of ancient stone now decorated by moss, once used to initiate members into a religious military order of knighthood.
Continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, where rugged cliffs offer breathtaking ocean views. The dramatic landscape and the sense of standing at the edge of the continent make this a memorable stop.
End the day in Cascais, a charming coastal town known for its sandy beaches and vibrant marina. Cascais’ mix of traditional fishing village charm and modern sophistication provides a relaxing end to a day of exploration.
Travel time: Coach – approx. 2 hours.
Tuck into breakfast before saying goodbye to Portugal as you travel by private coach across the border to Merida. Capital of the western Spanish region of Extremadura, Merida’s famed Roman ruins date back to the 1st century BCE.
Spend time exploring the historic remains of this ancient colony and stand at the centre of the miraculously preserved Roman Theatre, where performances are still held today, and the amphitheatre, which once hosted gladiatorial contests.
Continue onward to Seville – the vibrant Andalusian capital – to enjoy the evening at your leisure. Walk the city’s storied streets and soak up extraordinary architecture and the vibrant Spanish soul.
Travel time: Coach – approx. five hours
Today, let your expert guide unlock the wonders of romantic Seville. Stop to marvel at the ornate exterior of the Seville Cathedral, the largest gothic cathedral in the world. Navigate the maze of narrow, tree-lined streets and blooming courtyards of Santa Cruz – the city’s picture-perfect Jewish Quarter. Lose yourself in the complex blend of Christian and Moorish architecture, epitomised by the Mudejar style of the grand palace of Real Alcazar.
Spend your afternoon meandering through the bright barrio at your own pace, or opt to join a walking tour of the city’s old town tabernas, a collection of small local tapas bars, for an authentic taste of the city’s vibrant cuisine, and watch as the Andalusian capital becomes illuminated as night falls.
Fill up with a buffet breakfast at your hotel, then hit the road on your way to Cordoba. Founded in the 2nd century BCE, this historically Roman city has a fascinating history of diverse influences converging in a cosmopolitan blend of architecture and culture.
Visit the wonderfully unique Mezquita – a captivating mosque-turned-cathedral that stands as testament to the compounding innovations of Islamic and Christian architects dating back to the 8th century. Over the next millennium, the complex would grow and evolve in unexpected ways, tied to the particular cultural exchange of Spain’s southern reaches. The enormous mosque is an intricately constructed masterpiece of striped arches and wide halls, while the 16th-century cathedral at its heart tells the story of a changing Spain.
Continue on to Granada and check-in to your hotel, then enjoy an evening spent at your leisure.
Travel time: Coach – approx. four hours
Prepare for the day with a hearty breakfast, then make your way to the jaw-dropping Alhambra. This expansive hilltop fortress complex remains one of the most renowned examples of Islamic architecture in the world. Listen as your guide highlights the intricately carved Moorish architecture, punctuated by signs of the Spanish Renaissance in its layered distillation of a history shrouded in mystery.
Spend your afternoon at leisure, exploring the Albaicin district and marvel at the beautiful mosques, churches and artisan shops.
In the evening, you may like to convene with your fellow adventurers for an unforgettable traditional flamenco show over a delicious Spanish dinner (charges apply).
After breakfast, wave adios to historic Granada and say a hearty Hola to Ubeda, Spain’s olive oil capital and watch the verdant fields roll by. Here, enjoy a walk of the historic city streets and savour a personal tasting and light lunch.
Later, arrive amongst the magnificent greenery and Modernisme style of Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city. Check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Travel time: Coach – approx. six hours
After breakfast, embark on a morning tour of Valencia’s best and most-notable spots. Visit the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia’s vast and avant-garde collection of cinemas, museums, public parks and plazas.
Depart in the afternoon for Catalonia’s volcanic peaks, shimmering lakes and sprawling vineyards. Upon arriving in the region’s capital, Barcelona, admire the city’s soul-soaring architecture – including many of the notable creations by revered Barcelonan architect Antoni Gaudi – and a rolling, forest-clad backdrop. Spend just a moment in Barcelona’s extraordinary streets and it becomes easy to see how this was the city that shaped Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.
Travel time: Coach – approx. four hours
Enjoy an immersive day of discovery in Barcelona, renowned for its blend of modernist and gothic architecture. Your first stop is Montjuïc Mountain, an iconic hill that hosted many facilities for the 1992 Olympic Games. Here, you can enjoy breathtaking views over Barcelona, taking in sights like Montjuïc Castle and the Magic Fountain.
As you return to the city centre, drive along Paseo de Gracia, one of Barcelona’s most significant avenues. This street is a showcase of modernist architecture, lined with upscale shops and restaurants, plus some of famous architect Antoni Gaudí’s most emblematic buildings. Marvel at the facades of Casa Batlló, with its skeletal balconies and colourful mosaics, and La Pedrera (Casa Milà), known for its undulating stone facade and wrought-iron balconies.
Be awestruck by the Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s most famous and ambitious work, under construction since 1882. Step inside to admire its intricate facades and towering spires, each rich with symbolic elements. Learn about Gaudí’s inspiration from nature, reflected in the organic shapes and natural forms throughout the structure. Stay this afternoon to explore Las Ramblas, or enjoy a drink on the rooftop of your hotel looking out over the Sagrada.
In the early evening, enjoy one final dinner in Spain with your fellow travellers at a local restaurant.
After one last breakfast, it’s time to say adios to the Iberian Peninsula as you make your way to Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), where your journey concludes.