Duration: 14 Days
Don’t miss a thing on this most exhilarating of Spain and Portugal trips, filled with the flavors of sangria and port shared with locals, life-changing pilgrimages and the legacy of the Romans, Moors, Iberian royalty and a ‘Spanish Pope’ who built a ‘City in the Sea’. 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 travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome 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 and the city's medieval and Moorish architecture. Travel to the city of Zamora in the Castilla y León region. Your orientation tour includes views of the cathedral and the Church of Mary Magdalene. Later this evening, why not follow your nose to a cozy local spot and relax with tapas and 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 Stays With Stories
Today we Dive Into Culture and the centuries-old tradition of local Port production at a tasting in a Port cellar. After, 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 the city port. Visit the Stock Exchange Palace with its splendid Arabian Hall inspired by Granada's Alhambra. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling through the historic center of Porto. Check in to your hotel steps away from the Douro River.
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 colorful Lisbon later – our home for the next two nights. This evening perhaps enjoy a traditional Portuguese dinner amidst the heart-wrenching, 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. We'll see the shimmering white Monument to the Discoveries, the iconic suspension bridge spanning the River Tagus, and Belém Tower when we join a Local Specialist on a sightseeing tour of Lisbon. We'll Dive Into Culture at the UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery, an exquisite testament to 16th-century Manueline architecture and art. 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 – the country’s cork capital 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 walk through the imposing Plaza de España. Later, we’ll stroll through the historic Jewish Quarter before visiting the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world.
Day 10
Off to Granada
Multicultural Granada takes center 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 via the Mora Pass to Guadix in the northern foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains where you will see the whitewashed troglodyte dwellings lodged in the ochre-colored 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 center for culture and science, designed by Santiago Calatrava.
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 unfinished La Sagrada Família then explore the Plaça de Catalunya and pay 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 - affectionately known in Catalonia as La Moreneta - or spend the rest of the day exploring the city's enchanting barrios. This evening, we join our fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner.
Day 14
Journey Home
For now it's adios to Spain at the end of a memorable holiday. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
- 6 Dinner (D)
- 13 Breakfast (B)
- Seville: Enjoy a traditional Andalusian Be My Guest dinner and the charming company of the Morillo family. A welcome drink of sangria in their sun-dappled courtyard before learning how they produce olive oil.
- Porto: Savor the flavors of Portugal's centuries-old Port heritage and gain insights into its local production at a tasting in a Port cellar.
- Lisbon: Visit the Hieronymite Monastery, a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome and exquisite example of Manueline architecture.
- 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, traveling 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 Center 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 Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Família.
- : Explore Toledo, Madrid, Santiago de Compostela, Porto, Lisbon, Seville and Barcelona with a Local Specialist
- : 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, the Hieronymite Monastery in Lisbon, Seville Cathedral, the Alhambra Palace in Granada
- : View the Roman Aqueduct and Alcazar in Segovia, the cathedral in Zamora, the Belém Tower 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, La Sagrada Família in Barcelona and the Shrine at Fátima
- : See the Monument to the Discoveries in Lisbon
- Porto: Step into history at the historic Hotel Neya Porto, born out of the ruins of the Convento Madre Deus de Monchique, a 16th-century convent built on the banks of the Douro River.
- : An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- : Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- : All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- : Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- : All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- : Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- : Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- : Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- : Optional Experiences and free time
Start Date: 2023-09-30
End Date: 2023-10-13
twin
Adult Price: $5575
Child Price: $5085
twinShare
Adult Price: $5575
Child Price: $4345
triple
Adult Price: $5565
Child Price: $5075
single
Adult Price: $6655
Start Date: 2023-10-07
End Date: 2023-10-20
twin
Adult Price: $5495
Child Price: $5005
twinShare
Adult Price: $5495
triple
Adult Price: $5485
Child Price: $4995
single
Adult Price: $6575
Start Date: 2023-10-14
End Date: 2023-10-27
twin
Adult Price: $5495
Child Price: $5005
twinShare
Adult Price: $5495
triple
Adult Price: $5485
Child Price: $4995
single
Adult Price: $6575
Start Date: 2023-10-21
End Date: 2023-11-03
twin
Adult Price: $4895
Child Price: $4405
twinShare
Adult Price: $4895
triple
Adult Price: $4885
Child Price: $4395
single
Adult Price: $6575
Start Date: 2023-10-28
End Date: 2023-11-10
twin
Adult Price: $4825
Child Price: $4335
twinShare
Adult Price: $4825
triple
Adult Price: $4815
Child Price: $4325
single
Adult Price: $6505
