Highlights of Iberia - 18 Days

Madrid - Cordoba - Seville. Depart from the bus terminal at 8:00 a.m. and travel through the La Mancha region to Cordoba. Enjoy a sightseeing tour, which includes visits to the renowned Mosque-Cathedral and the Jewish Quarter. we then continue to Seville, where we are spending the night. Dinner is included this evening.

Please note: This tour is bi-lingual, and will be conducted in Spanish as well as in English.

Meeting Point: C. de Ferraz, 3, Moncloa - Aravaca, 28008 Madrid at 8:00.

Begin the day with breakfast, followed by a morning sightseeing tour that includes visits to Maria Luisa Park, Plaza de España, and the exteriors of the stunning Cathedral and its bell tower, the Giralda. We'll also explore the charming Santa Cruz neighbourhood, known for its streets, squares, and narrow alleys.

The rest of the day is at leisure in Seville. If you choose, there's an optional river cruise on the Guadalquivir, offering panoramic views of the Gold Tower and Expo 92, or you can visit the Maestranza bullring. In the evening, as an optional activity, you can attend a flamenco show.

Seville - Granada. After breakfast, we leave Seville for Granada. On arrival, we embark on a sightseeing tour of the stunning Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its beautiful Generalife Gardens and incredible Moorish architecture. Enjoy dinner and a free evening, or you can opt to visit the Sacromonte caves for a traditional flamenco show.

Please note: In the event that tickets to the Alhambra and Generalife are unavailable from the Patronato, an alternative tour of Granada will be arranged. This includes visits to the Palace of Carlos V, the Archaeological Museum, the Church of Santa María de la Alhambra, the Royal Chapel, and a stroll through the Alcaicería silk market and Cathedral Square.

Granada - Valencia. Start the day with breakfast before we journey through the varied landscapes of Andalusia and Murcia, passing the cave dwellings of Guadix, the historic town of Baza, and the mountain pass of Puerto Lumbreras. We then follow the Mediterranean coastline towards Valencia. After we've checked in to the hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore this coastal city.

Valencia - Barcelona. You've got some free time this morning to further explore Valencia at your own pace. We're departing mid-morning for Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and home to one of Europe's most iconic landmarks: Gaudi's Sagrada Familia. On arrival, the rest of the day is free for you to head out and explore, and maybe find a good tapas restaurant for dinner.

Please note: On some departures, depending on logistics, the included Barcelona sightseeing tour of day 6 may take place today instead.

This morning we embark on a morning city sightseeing tour. in Barcelona. Visit Montjuic Park for spectacular views, see the Olympic Ring, the Columbus Monument, and explore the historic Gothic Quarter. Spend the afternoon at your leisure, with time to visit the Sagrada Familia if you wish. In the evening, you can opt for a night tour that takes you through illuminated avenues, buildings, and fountains, or you can spend your final night in Barcelona at your leisure.

Barcelona - Zaragoza - Pamplona. After breakfast, we depart from Barcelona and make our way towards Zaragoza. On arrival, there’s free time to visit the impressive Basilica del Pilar, one of Spain’s most important pilgrimage sites and a landmark of Baroque architecture. We then continue to Pamplona, a city famed for the San Fermín festival and its charming old quarter.

Pamplona - San Sebastian - Bilbao - Santander. After breakfast, we travel to elegant San Sebastian, known for its sweeping La Concha Bay and lively old town. There’s free time to stroll the promenade or enjoy a coffee by the sea before continuing to Bilbao. Here, we make a brief stop to admire the striking modern architecture of the Guggenheim Museum. Our journey then continues along the Cantabrian coast to Santander, where dinner is included this evening.

Santander - Santillana del Mar - Covadonga - Oviedo. Our first stop today is Santillana del Mar, a medieval village recognized as a National Monument. We will then travel through beautiful landscapes to reach Covadonga, where you will have free time to visit the sacred Shrine of Covadonga, nestled in the Picos de Europa mountains. Our hotel for the night is in Oviedo, where dinner is included and your evening is at leisure.

Oviedo - La Coruna - Santiago de Compostela. After breakfast, we head west into the Galicia region, arriving in the stately coastal city of La Coruna. Enjoy a brief panoramic tour to see its main highlights before we continue on to Santiago de Compostela, one of the most important pilgrimage centres in the world. We enjoy dinner at our accommodation

Santiago de Compostela. This morning, we embark on a city tour of this famed pilgrimage destination, taking in highlights such as the Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral. After our tour, the afternoon is free for you to relax at the hotel or continue your sightseeing independently.

Santiago de Compostela - Rias Bajas - Vigo. After breakfast, we depart for the Spanish Fjords region, also known as Rias Bajas, passing through stunning landscapes. Enjoy a brief pause at La Toja Island before stopping at O Grove. Here, you can opt for a catamaran tour to explore oyster and mussel farms, complete with tastings of mussels and Ribeiro wine.

Our final night in Spain (for now!) will be in Vigo, where you'll have some free time. An optional excursion to Santa Tecla is also available. Later we will enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Vigo - Viana do Castelo (Portugal) - Braga - Porto. After breakfast, we cross the Portuguese border and reach Viana do Castelo, a city situated between the mouths of the Miño and Lima rivers. You'll have free time to explore the charming old town, with its cobbled streets and adorned buildings.

Next, we proceed to Braga, known as the city of archbishops and the third most populous city in Portugal, where you'll have some free time to explore. Finally, we depart for Porto, a city recognized as a World Heritage Site and one of Portugal and indeed Europe's true highlights.

After breakfast, we embark on a panoramic Porto city tour to see the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange building, St. Clara Church and more. The tour will conclude at a local wine cellar, where we'll enjoy an included tasting of the locally renowned Port wine. After enjoying a tipple or two, you've got the rest of the day free to continue exploring Porto at your own pace.

Porto - Coimbra. Leaving Porto, we make our way this morning to Coimbra, home to one of Europe's oldest universities and the birthplace of Fado, the traditional music of Portugal. Lunch is included today, and you can enjoy some leisure time and a free evening in the city.

Coimbra - Fatima - Lisbon. After breakfast, we depart for Fatima, a significant pilgrimage site. You'll have free time to explore the Shrine before continuing on to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, situated at the mouth of the Tagus River.

After hotel check in, the rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening, there is an optional night tour available to experience a Fado show, featuring traditional Portuguese music and songs.

This morning, we enjoy a panoramic city tour of Lisbon, visiting Edward VII Park’s hilltop viewpoint, Rossio Square, and Liberdade Avenue. The tour continues through the Madragoa District, known as the birthplace of Fado, Portugal’s traditional music.

We then head to the Belem District to see the Tower of Belem, the Monument to the Navigators, and the Monastery of Los Jeronimos. The afternoon is free, with an optional excursion available to Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril.

After our final breakfast, we set off towards the Spanish border and travel to Mérida, home to one of Spain’s most remarkable archaeological sites. There’s free time to explore the impressive Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre, both recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After some leisure time for lunch, we continue our journey back to Madrid, where our tour concludes.