Portugal, Andalucia & the Mediterranean - 16 Days

Once you have arrived in Madrid, a representative will transfer you to your accommodation, where you can settle in ahead of the adventure to come.

This evening, we come together for a Welcome Tapas Dinner at a local restaurant with our tour leader and fellow travellers, a chance to enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine while getting to know your fellow travellers.

This morning, we head out on a guided tour of the Spanish capital with a local guide. The route takes in the medieval Barrio de la Moreria and the stately Habsburg Quarter, arriving at Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa, where the city's origins first come to life.

From here, we continue through the grand avenues of Bourbon Madrid, taking in the Royal Palace, the Cibeles and Neptune Fountains and the Puerta de Alcala, before moving on to Madrid's more cosmopolitan face along the Gran Via, the Salamanca District, Paseo de la Castellana and the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

The afternoon is yours to spend as you like. You might explore the city's neighbourhoods, visit one of its celebrated museums, browse the shops or simply enjoy the cafe culture and energy of Madrid.

Madrid - Salamanca (Spain) - Porto (Portugal). Today, we set off towards Portugal, stopping first in Salamanca. Free time here lets you explore this University City and World Heritage Site, known for its architectural and artistic wealth.

We then cross the Portuguese border to Porto, one of Europe's oldest towns, set along the Douro River estuary and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

We begin with a guided sightseeing tour of Porto, taking in the city's riverside charm and its main landmarks - the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange Palace and the Church of Santa Clara.

From here, we board a boat for a scenic cruise along the Douro River, taking in views over Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, before a stop at one of the region's Port Wine Cellars for a tasting of its well-known wine.

The rest of the day is free to enjoy as you wish. You might wander the riverside Ribeira district or browse the shops along Rua de Santa Catarina.

Porto - Aveiro - Coimbra. In the morning, we travel to Aveiro, a coastal city known as the Venice of Portugal for its network of canals. Here, we take a relaxing ride aboard a traditional, brightly coloured moliceiro boat, before continuing on to Coimbra.

On arrival, we meet our guide for a sightseeing tour of this historic city, home to one of Europe's oldest universities. We wander through its medieval streets, taking in its heritage and the unique atmosphere that makes Coimbra one of Portugal's cultural treasures.

Coimbra - Batalha - Nazare - Lisbon. We start with a visit to Batalha, home to its 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. Free time here is yours to explore as you wish, before we travel on to Lisbon.

Afterwards, we will continue our journey to Lisbon, where we will spend the night.

This morning, we join a guided sightseeing tour of Lisbon, built across seven hills overlooking the Tagus River. We take in the city's main landmarks, including Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, the Monument to the Discoveries, Marques de Pombal Square and Liberty Avenue.

The afternoon is free for you to explore the city's atmosphere in your own way. You might wander through the Alfama district, with its narrow cobbled streets, colourful houses and traditional taverns, where the soul of Lisbon comes to life.

Lisbon (Portugal) - Merida (Spain) - Cordoba. After breakfast, we head back into Spain and on to Merida, founded by the Romans in 25 BC and one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the country. This UNESCO World Heritage city holds an impressive Roman legacy, including its Theatre and Amphitheatre, handsome bridges, temples and ancient streets, once the capital of Roman Lusitania.

Free time here is yours to explore its heritage before we continue to Cordoba, once the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate and one of medieval Europe's great centres of culture, science and learning.

Cordoba - Seville. We begin with a visit to Cordoba's Mosque, one of the world's greatest masterpieces of Islamic architecture, with striking arches and a richly decorated interior that reflect the city's storied past. We then wander the narrow, winding streets of the Jewish Quarter, taking in its own quiet charm.

In the afternoon, we continue our journey towards Seville.

This morning, we join a local guide for a tour of Seville, the Andalusian capital that unfolds along the banks of the Guadalquivir River. Its skyline is defined by medieval towers and graceful domes, crowned by the silhouettes of the Giralda and the Cathedral.

We take in the lush Maria Luisa Park and the Plaza de Espana, one of Seville's most striking landmarks, before wandering through the Santa Cruz Quarter, with its maze of narrow streets, picturesque squares and timeless Andalusian charm.

The afternoon is free for you to enjoy the city in your own way.

Seville - Granada. Today, we travel along the historic Caliphate Route, through the heart of Andalusia and its seemingly endless olive groves, to Granada.

On arrival, we visit the world-renowned Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens, a Moorish masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with graceful courtyards, intricate decorative details, lush gardens and views over Granada and the Sierra Nevada mountains.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city in your own way.

Granada - Valencia. After breakfast, we head for Spain's Mediterranean coast and on to Valencia, Spain's third-largest city, where centuries of heritage sit alongside striking contemporary architecture.

Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Valencia's handsome Old Town, lively atmosphere, world-famous City of Arts and Sciences and excellent cuisine make it one of the country's most appealing destinations.

Valencia - Barcelona. This morning, we explore Valencia on a guided tour, taking in the Old Town's graceful squares, the impressive Cathedral and the lively Central Market area, before admiring the exterior of the City of Arts and Sciences, the architectural complex that has become the symbol of modern Valencia.

We complete the morning with a tasting of the city's traditional horchata, a refreshing local drink made from tiger nuts, before departing for Barcelona, a Mediterranean city where history, art and modernity come together.

We begin with a guided sightseeing tour of Barcelona, driving along its grand avenues to admire Antoni Gaudi's Modernist masterpieces, including La Pedrera and Casa Batllo. We continue to Montjuic Hill for panoramic views over the city and its harbour, passing the Olympic Ring, the Columbus Monument and the waterfront. The tour's highlight is a visit to the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece and Barcelona's most emblematic landmark . The afternoon is free to continue exploring in your own way - perhaps strolling through the Gothic Quarter, browsing the boutiques along Passeig de Gracia or relaxing by the Mediterranean. This evening, we come together with our fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner.

Barcelona - Zaragoza - Madrid. Today, we travel southwest towards Madrid, passing through one of Europe's important agricultural and industrial regions. We stop along the way in Zaragoza, the historic capital of Aragon, set on the banks of the Ebro River.

Free time here is yours to discover the city's heritage, including the Basilica of Nuestra Senora del Pilar, one of Spain's most important pilgrimage sites and a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Afterwards, we continue on to Madrid.

After your final breakfast, at the scheduled time, a representative will transfer you to Madrid Airport for your departure flight.