Highlights of Spain and Portugal
14 cities

• 13 days holiday with an expert Travel Director and professional driver
• Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
• All hotel service charges, tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes
• Cherry picket hotels, all tried and trusted
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries.
• Variety of Optional Experiences
• Airport transfers included – flights must arrive and depart on the first and last day of your itinerary allocated times.

Day 1 – Welcome to Madrid

The fiery Spanish capital of Madrid paves the way for  an unforgettable journey through centuries of history and cultural highlights across the Iberian Peninsula.
Embrace la buena vida and soak up the vibrant city atmosphere, before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation of the city’s iconic sights. Meals: Welcome Reception  Hotel: NH Collection Eurobuilding

Day 2 – Journey to Cuenca and Valencia

Witness the dramatic honey-coloured clifftop hanging houses of Cuenca, before your journey continues to Valencia, renowned for its modern verve and spirit of innovation. An orientation drive will include views of the 14 -century Towers of Serrano and Quart, and the City of Arts and Sciences, a large-scale urban recreation centre for culture and science and designed by Santiago Calatrava. This evening, consider indulging in Valencia’s fragrant flavours and aromas of paella. Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Silken Puerta

Optional Experiences: You will be offered one of the following two optional experiences depending on availability: Valencia’s Golden Age, a Leisurely Walking Tour – Valencia has a well-preserved medieval centre which our Local Specialist will bring alive as they take us back to the city’s heyday, from Roman and Gothic times into the Golden Age, when Valencia was Spain’s most important city. We’ll take a leisurely stroll through the medieval streets and also visit Lonja, an exquisite late gothic building, UNESCO-listed since 1996. Adult: 29.00 EUR
Valencia Dinner and Discovery – We’ll delve into the country’s third-largest city to enjoy its Mediterranean verve. Vibrant and modern, Valencia still retains much of its past, going back to its Roman foundation 2,000 years ago. The iconic dish “Paella” originated here and tonight we’ll learn about its traditions and enjoy this singular Spanish fare during a typical meal in one of the city’s most emblematic restaurants. Adult: 53.00 EUR

Day 3 – Off to Unique Guadix and on to Granada We travel through the Sierra Nevadas bound for Guadix, where we’ll witness how generations of locals have carved cosy abodes into their rocky surrounds. We’ll view the troglodyte cave dwellings that blend effortlessly into the surrounding ochre landscape. Then, journey through the jagged Mora Pass to Granada, the last stronghold of the Moors in Europe. This evening, sample the hearty flavours of Andalusia during a special Regional Dinner at a local restaurant. Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner Hotel: Catalonia
Optional Experiences: You will be offered one of the following two optional experiences which may take place on different days.
Gypsy Night Out in Old Granada – Enjoy an evening in Granada’s Sacromonte quarter, which offers the finest views over the illuminated Alhambra Palace. We’ve organised tickets for you to see the Zambra dances by members of Granada’s most famous gypsy clan, with their camp located inside the caves – a fiery, emotive performance unique to these people. And we’ve also included a drink, too. Adult: 36.00 EUR
Albaicín And The Royal Chapel – With our Local Specialist, we’ll enjoy a leisurely walking tour through the Albaicín UNESCO World Heritage Site – a maze of narrow streets and Moorish splendour. You’ll get to explore the Catholic Monarchs’ tombs and some of their treasures at the Royal Chapel, and wander through the picturesque Alcaicería quarter. Adult: 37.00 EUR

Day 4 – Onwards to Córdoba and Seville

Tread in the footsteps of Spain’s last emirs, joining your Local Specialist for a visit to the incredible Alhambra,with its amazing palaces, gardens and fountains. Inspired by poetry, the architecture is said to be a reflection of paradise as described in Islamic verse. Immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere in quiet courtyards, follow its colossal ancient walls and admire the ornate stone carvings. We leave Granada behind for Córdoba where we’ll join a Local Specialist to visit the mesmerising Mosque of the Caliphs, the former mosque of the caliphs and a jewel of Hispano-Islamic art featuring striking arches and Byzantine mosaics. Our final stop for the day is alluring Seville, our home for the next three nights. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Hotel: Meliá Lebreros

Day 5 | Uncover the Secrets of Seville

Seville takes centre stage today as we explore this charismatic city. We’ll see the symbolic Giralda Bell Tower with a Local Specialist, then visit the Maria Luisa Park, home of the 1929 Exposition. The park was built in a Moorish style and features half a mile of fountains, ponds, pavilions and lush plantings. We’ll walk through the imposing Plaza de España and visit the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, where the explorer Christopher Columbus is entombed. Consider an Optional Experience this evening to witness the twirling of colourful skirts and rhythmic clapping of castanets at a fiery flamenco performance. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Meliá Lebreros

Optional Experiences:  The Moorish Alcazar and Plaza América – Today, with our Local Specialist, we’ll visit the elegant 14th-century Moorish Alcazar, set in its own beautiful gardens. The gardens were recently used as the setting for the Water Gardens of Dorne in the Game Of Thrones series. We’ll also journey to the famous exhibition site of Plaza América – a must for any visitor to Seville. Adult: 46.00 EUR
* This optional involves reservation and entrance pre-payments. Cancellation will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
In Seville, your Travel Director will offer you either two different Optional Experiences where you will enjoy a  flamenco show and tapas dinner respectively, or a single Optional Experience that combines a flamenco show and dinner. Please see details below: Discover The Origin Of Tapas & Evening In Old Seville – Join us for a dinner of mouth-watering tapas-style specialties. You’ll get the chance to taste different flavours and wines and dine like a local in the charming old quarter of Seville. Adult: 53.00 EUR

Flamenco: Experience the Best Show in Town – Discover the passion, rhythm and magic of an Andalusian flamenco show with us this evening. We’ve organised tickets to the best show in town, where you’ll experience 90 minutes of memorable entertainment with an included drink. Adult: 40.00 EUR

Flamenco, the Best Show in Town With a Three-Course Dinner – This evening you’ll discover the magic, rhythm and passion of flamenco, while being served a three-course dinner of Andalusian specialties with drinks included. We’ve organised tickets to the best show in town. You won’t soon forget this incredibly memorable ninety-minute experience. Adult: 69.00 EUR

Day 6 – Admire the Sights of Jerez and Cádiz

We indulge in the aromatic flavours of Jerez today as we dive into culture and into the centuries-old tradition of Spanish sherry production. The leafy boulevards and quiet plazas of romantic Cádiz are our next stop. Tread in the footsteps of Columbus, who used this historic port city as his launchpad to the ‘New World’, and see the exotic plants and trees dotted throughout the city, said to have been brought here by him upon his return. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Meliá Lebreros

Day 7 – Venture to Évora

Leaving the zesty scents of Seville behind, we head to the golden landscapes of the Alentejo, where the Brito Paes family await our arrival for a special Connect With Locals lunch on their traditional stud ranch, which has been rearing Lusitano horses since the 18 century. Enjoy a Be My Guest experience in the home of their ancestor before continuing to Évora for a guided sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist of its cathedral, Roman temple and Chapel of Bones. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest, Dinner Hotel: M’ar de Ar Muralhas

Day 8 – On to Lively Lisbon

We arrive in the seafaring Portuguese capital of Lisbon this afternoon, where we’ll join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour. A particular highlight of this afternoon is an opportunity to Dive Into Culture at the UNESCO listed Hieronymite Monastery, an exquisite testament to 16 -century Manueline architecture and art. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Olissippo Marquês de Sá

Optional Experiences:  Monsaraz And The Deep Alentejo Drive – Follow your Local Specialist through the vineyards and groves of cork oaks o charming Monsaraz, one of the most famous and beautiful villages of the Alentejo. Inhabited since prehistory, Monsaraz has beautiful white-washed houses and a 14th century Castle, which overlooks Spain. We’ll also see the largest artificial lake in Europe before tasting typical local refreshments. Adult: 34.00 EUR

You will be offered one of the following two optional experiences depending on availability:

Gourmet Dinner, Parliament, Exclusive Estrela and Evening Orientation – Your opportunity to view the exclusive district of Estrela, its park, basilica and the Portuguese Parliament, on the way to a delicious gourmet dinner. You’ll finish the evening with a drive along the banks of the mighty River Tagus. Adult: 55.00 EUR

Seafood Dinner By The Tagus River – Take a ferry across the mighty Tagus River and enjoy typical Portuguese seafood and fish specialities at a local restaurant. After dinner, we’ll cross the impressive suspension bridge for a sweeping view over the Portuguese capital. Local crab will usually be available on the menu for a €7.00 supplement. Adult: 58.00 EUR
* On occasion the ferry may not be available, and we will travel over the bridge both ways.

Day 9 –  Lisbon Your Way

Today is yours to connect with the Portuguese capital. Relax at a sidewalk café with a creamy pasteis de nata and venture to the Castle of São Jorge and admire the sea of pastel pinks, yellows and blues that clad Lisbon’s seven hills. You may choose to join an Optional Experience to the historic towns of Cascais and Sintra. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Olissippo Marquês de Sá

Optional Experiences:

The Golden Triangle: Sintra, Cascais & The Estoril Coast – We’ll venture outside Lisbon with our Local Specialist today. After passing through the fashionable resort of Estoril, we’ll explore the picturesque fishing village of Cascais, with its beautiful array of mansions and exclusive residences. To complete the Golden Triangle, we’ll visit one of the  impressive Royal Palaces of Portugal. Adult: 46.00 EUR

Portuguese Fado Evening Of Music & Song With Dinner – Fado is the expressive national song of Portugal, often called the soul of their identity. Tonight, we’ll visit one of the famed local fado houses for an unforgettable performance and savour a typical Portuguese meal, with drinks included. Adult: 67.00 EUR
* Cancellation within 24 hours will incur a 50% cancellation fee.

Day 10 – Pilgrimage to Fátima and on to Salamanca

Follow the road taken by pilgrims over the last 100 years to the Shrine at Fátima, a site of celebrated religious miracles. We leave Portugal, travelling to the historic Spanish city of Salamanca with its golden-hued façades  and ancient university heritage, where we will visit its18 -century Plaza Mayor. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Gran Corona Sol

Day 11 – Continue to Toledo and Madrid

See the walled city of Ávila, the city of Saint Teresa of Ávila. We arrive in the clifftop city of Toledo and join a Local Specialist for a guided walk through its streets. We’ll visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to one of El Greco’s most famous paintings – ‘The Burial of the Count of Orgaz’ and the former Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca. Later, Dive Into Culture and witness local craftsmen at work creating inlaid steel the traditional way. We arrive in Madrid this evening, our home for the next two nights. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Ayre Gran Colón

Optional Experiences:

Dinner and Discovery in Downtown Madrid – Join us this evening as we scratch beneath the surface of some lesser-known aspects of Madrid’s city centre. Then, we’ll settle in for dinner, along with musical entertainment and finish up with a spin around some of the wonderful squares and fountains of magical Madrid. Adult: 61.00 EUR

Day 12 – Explore Fiery Madrid

This morning, we join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Madrid, where we’ll see the Royal Palace, Cibeles Fountain and Retiro Park, originally created as a retreat for the royal family. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the city on your own terms. Admire the world’s finest collection of Spanish art at the Prado Museum, indulge in some last-minute shopping on Gran Vía or consider an Optional Experience to the medieval  UNESCO-listed city of Segovia. This evening marks the end of our memorable journey through the Iberian Peninsula. Join your fellow companions and Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner  Hotel: Ayre Gran Colón

Optional Experiences:

Segovia World Heritage Site – Its Ancient Aqueduct & Fairytale Castle – Enjoy a visit to Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which sits on a rocky outcrop between two rivers. With your Local Specialist, you’ll visit the 13th-century castle, reputed to have inspired Walt Disney, as well as seeing the best-preserved Roman aqueduct which has remained intact for 2,000 years. Adult: 45.00 EUR
* This optional involves reservation and entrance pre-payments. Cancellation within 24 hours will incur a 50% cancellation fee.

Day 13 | Adiós Madrid

For now it’s time to say a fond farewell to our travelling companions, your Travel Director and the beauty of Spain and Portugal at the end of a memorable holiday. Meals: Breakfast