Journey Across Iberia - 20 Days

Madrid - Salamanca - Porto (Portugal). We depart from our bus terminal at 8:00 a.m. and travel towards Salamanca, a historic university city renowned for its monumental architecture. You have free time to explore the old town and admire the impressive Baroque-style Plaza Mayor, one of Spain’s most celebrated public squares. We then continue our journey to Porto.

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.

Today we explore Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage city famed for its riverside charm and rich wine tradition. We visit the Cathedral, the Palacio da Bolsa, and the ornate Church of Saint Clara, finishing with a tasting of port wine at a local cellar.

Porto - Coimbra - Fatima - Lisbon. We depart for Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and regarded as the birthplace of fado. You have free time to explore at your own pace. We then continue to Fátima, one of the world’s most important pilgrimage centres, with free time to visit the Basilica and the Sanctuary. Afterwards, we travel on to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, where we check in to our hotel. In the evening, you may choose to attend a traditional fado performance.

Enjoy a panoramic tour of this beautiful city at the mouth of the Tagus River. We see the Park Viewpoint, Edward VII Square, Rossio Square and Liberdade Avenue, before passing through the Madragoa district, where fado - Portugal’s traditional music - was born. We then continue to the Belém district to view the famous Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries and the Jerónimos Monastery. The afternoon is at leisure. An optional excursion is recommended to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril.

Lisbon - Merida (Spain) - Seville. We return to Spain this morning, stopping in the historic city of Merida. There's free time to take in its UNESCO-listed Roman ruins before we continue south into Andalucia. We arrive in vibrant Sevilla, where we gather for dinner and settle in for the night.

We discover Sevilla’s highlights this morning, including the expansive Maria Luisa Park, the elegant Plaza de España, and the majestic exterior of the Cathedral with its iconic Giralda bell tower. In the old Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz, we stroll through cobbled alleys and flower-filled courtyards. Later, you might opt for a cruise along the Guadalquivir River or visit the historic Maestranza bullring. In the evening, enjoy an optional flamenco show full of colour and intensity.

Seville - Cordoba. After breakfast, we journey east to Cordoba. On arrival, we explore the atmospheric Jewish Quarter and visit the awe-inspiring Mezquita, a former mosque transformed into a cathedral. The rest of the day is free to soak up the city’s distinctive blend of Moorish and Spanish heritage.

Cordoba - Ronda - Costa del Sol. Travelling along the Route of the White Villages, we stop in dramatic Ronda, perched high above a deep gorge. Enjoy free time to admire its historic bullring and breathtaking vistas before continuing to the Mediterranean coast. We arrive at the Costa del Sol for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Costa del Sol - Granada. Today we head inland to the city of Granada, where we visit the majestic Alhambra and the lush Generalife gardens, once the summer palace of Moorish royalty. This evening, there's an optional chance to visit the flamenco-filled caves of Sacromonte.

Please note: If tickets to the Alhambra and Generalife are unavailable on specific dates, as determined by the Patronato, an alternative city tour of Granada will be offered. This will include visits to the Palace of Carlos V, the Archaeological Museum, the Church of Santa María de la Alhambra, the Royal Chapel, as well as a walk through the Alcaicería silk market and Cathedral Square.

Granada - Valencia. We leave Andalusia behind and journey northeast along the Mediterranean, passing through the high plateaus of Guadix and Baza. Our destination is Valencia, a lively port city famed for its futuristic architecture and paella traditions.

Valencia - Barcelona. The morning is yours to enjoy Valencia before we travel onward to Barcelona. Arriving in the Catalan capital, we have time to explore or relax. In some cases, a city tour may take place this afternoon depending on arrival time.

We spend the morning discovering Barcelona’s highlights, from the panoramic views of Montjuic Hill to the Gothic Quarter’s narrow lanes and the historic Columbus Monument. The afternoon is free to explore more of Gaudi’s masterpieces or relax on the city’s beaches. Later, you may join an optional evening tour of Barcelona’s illuminated streets and fountains.

Barcelona - Zaragoza - Pamplona. We cross into Spain’s northern heartland today, stopping briefly in Zaragoza, home to the striking Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. Continuing to the Basque Country, we arrive in Pamplona, known for its pretty old town and the controversial running of the bulls.

Please note: On the 30 June 2026 departure of this tour, we will be unable to stay in Pamplona, and will instead stay in a nearby city.

Pamplona - San Sebastian - Bilbao - Santander. This morning we visit San Sebastian, one of northern Spain's highlights, renowned for its curved La Concha beach. Next, we travel to Bilbao to see the striking modern architecture of the Guggenheim Museum (exterior view). We then continue along the Cantabrian coast to Santander, where the rest of the day is yours to enjoy the beaches or seafront promenade.

Santander - Santillana del Mar - Covadonga - Oviedo. Today we visit the medieval village of Santillana del Mar, a national treasure of stone streets and preserved heritage. We continue through the green mountain landscapes to Covadonga, an important pilgrimage site, before arriving in Oviedo, capital of Asturias.

Oviedo - La Coruna - Santiago de Compostela. Our journey continues into Galicia, arriving in the Atlantic port city of La Coruna. After a short panoramic tour, we continue to the famous pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela.

We enjoy a city tour of this important pilgrimage centre, including the iconic Plaza del Obradoiro and the majestic Cathedral - the spiritual and artistic heart of Santiago. The afternoon is at leisure, with the opportunity to join one of our optional excursions.

Santiago de Compostela - Vigo. We explore Galicia’s fjord-like estuaries today, passing mussel farms and island-studded bays. We stop at La Toja Island and O Grove, where you can opt for a scenic catamaran ride with mussel tasting and Ribeiro wine. We end the day in coastal Vigo, with an optional trip to the hilltop ruins of Santa Tecla.

Vigo - Leon. We depart towards the inland region of Castilla y León, arriving in León, a historic city known for its rich artistic heritage. You have free time to visit the impressive Gothic cathedral or wander through the old town.

Leon - Salamanca - Madrid. We depart for Salamanca, with a brief stop and free time to explore the old town and its famous Baroque-style Plaza Mayor. We then continue to Madrid, where we arrive and conclude our services.