Coimbra, Lisbon & Madrid from Porto - 8 Days

On arrival at Porto Airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation in this riverside city, where the Douro River winds past a colourful old quarter, historic architecture and the Port wine cellars that give Porto its name.

In the evening, we meet our Tour Leader and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing, setting the scene for the days ahead.

This morning, our guide leads a sightseeing tour of Porto, taking in the majestic Cathedral, the elegant Stock Exchange Palace and the Church of Santa Clara.

We continue with a scenic cruise along the Douro River, taking in views of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia across the water, before visiting one of the city's famous port wine cellars for a tasting of the region's renowned wine.

The rest of the day is yours to explore Porto's lively streets, perhaps browsing the riverside cafes and shops of the old quarter.

Porto - Aveiro - Coimbra. We depart Porto by coach for Aveiro, a charming coastal city known as the "Venice of Portugal" for its network of canals, where we glide along the water aboard a colourful, traditional moliceiro boat.

From here, we continue to Coimbra, meeting our local guide for a sightseeing tour of this historic city, home to one of Europe's oldest universities. We wander its medieval streets, taking in its heritage and atmosphere as one of Portugal's cultural treasures.

Coimbra - Batalha - Nazare - Lisbon. Today we travel to Batalha to visit its magnificent Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Portugal's finest examples of Gothic and Manueline architecture.

We continue to the seaside town of Nazare, known for its golden beaches, fishing traditions and Atlantic views, where you have free time to explore. Afterwards, we travel on to Lisbon.

In the evening, we cross the Tagus River to Cacilhas, where you can enjoy a seafood dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning, our guide leads a sightseeing tour of Lisbon, built across seven hills overlooking the Tagus River, taking in Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, the Monument to the Discoveries, Marques de Pombal Square and Liberty Avenue.

The afternoon is yours to explore, perhaps wandering the Alfama district, with its narrow cobbled streets, colourful houses and traditional taverns.

Lisbon (Portugal) - Merida (Spain) - Madrid. After breakfast, we travel to Merida, founded by the Romans in 25 BC and one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Spain. This UNESCO World Heritage city holds an extraordinary Roman legacy, including its theatre and amphitheatre, bridges, temples and ancient streets reflecting its past as capital of Roman Lusitania. You have free time to discover this historical heritage before we continue to Madrid, Spain's capital, where grand boulevards, historic landmarks and a lively atmosphere blend with world-class food, culture and nightlife.

In the evening, we join our fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner in Madrid.

This morning, our local guide leads a walking tour through the historic heart of Madrid, from the medieval Barrio de la Moreria and the Habsburg Quarter to Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa, where the city's origins come to life.

We continue through the avenues of Bourbon Madrid, taking in the Royal Palace, the Cibeles and Neptune Fountains, and the Puerta de Alcala, before passing through Madrid's more cosmopolitan side along Gran Via, the Salamanca District, Paseo de la Castellana and the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

The afternoon is yours to explore Madrid's neighbourhoods, visit its museums, browse its shopping streets or take in the city's cafe culture and energy.

Please note: If the guided Madrid tour cannot be operated for technical reasons, it may be replaced, at the tour operator's discretion, with a one-day Madrid hop-on hop-off bus ticket or a walking tour.

After your final breakfast, depending on your departure flight time, you may have some time for some last-minute shopping, exploring or relaxing before being transferred to Madrid Airport at the scheduled time for your departure flight.