Premium Spain & Portugal - 18 Days

Bienvenido! Welcome to Spain. When you arrive in Madrid, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure then officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6.30 pm. If you arrive early, you might like to visit the Museo del Prado and then wander the works of Picasso and Dali in the Museo Reina Sofia. After your meeting, join your local leader and small group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant that showcases Madrid’s famous tapas.

This morning, get an in-depth look at Madrid as you join your leader for a tour of the city centre. You’ll visit Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace on a walk that brings the city’s history to life. After stopping to refuel at a local cafe, enjoy a free afternoon to relax or continue your explorations. You could wander along the along the Paseo del Arte, or Art Walk, for an expansive history of Western art. Start with the Museo del Prado, then discover modern Spanish masters, including Picasso and Dali, in the Museo Reina Sofia. Finish at the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, which displays eight centuries of European paintings.

This morning, travel from Madrid to Seville by train. The largest city in southern Spain, Seville is famous for its cultural vitality and architecture. When you arrive, check into your Feature Stay accommodation, Las Casas de la Juderia – a gorgeous, family-run boutique hotel housed in 27 Sevillian cottages connected by patios and corridors. The hotel celebrates its roots with its decor and antique furnishings and walking through the hotel's interior is like taking a stroll through centuries-old parts of the city. Its statues, columns and jugs all create the impression of a living museum. Look for personal touches throughout the hotel, like the hand-painted details in each room and the owner’s great-grandmother’s shawl hanging in reception. Tonight, join your group for a live flamenco show – a traditional Spanish style of dance with roots in Seville.

This morning, meet with a local expert on all things Seville and get to know the city during a walking tour. Explore narrow streets, hidden squares filled with orange trees and flower-adorned patios as your guide provides local insight into the history of the city. Visit the Alcazar of Seville – a grand royal palace. Known as one of the most beautiful in Europe, the Spanish royal family still use the Alcazar as their residence! The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. Maybe take an optional visit to the Giralda Tower and the famous Seville Cathedral – one of Europe’s largest cathedrals and home to Christopher Columbus’ elevated tomb.

Travel to Cordoba today, stopping in Ecija for a short tour and your Signature Experience, a private workshop visit. Step inside the studio of a master Andalusian sculptor – this studio is rarely open to the public! – and meet the artist as he shares insights into his career, creative philosophy and the meticulous techniques behind sacred sculpture. Observe a masterpiece in progress and learn the role religious imagery has in Andalusia’s Holy Week traditions. After, continue to Cordoba, where Muslim, Jewish and Christian influences are present in the architecture, culture and cuisine. Cordoba is also home to the Mezquita – a rare site that has served as both a mosque and a cathedral throughout the centuries. Discover this supreme example of Islamic architecture on a guided tour with your leader that continues outside the Mezquita and explores the charming quarters and hidden corners of Cordoba.

Depart Cordoba and travel to Granada. Along the way, you’ll visit an oil mill, where the passionate owner of this family-run business will walk you through the process of olive oil production. Taste some different variations of the result, along with a lunch that includes olives, olive marmalade, olive pate and wine. This evening, maybe head out to explore Granada’s drinking and dining scene with your group.

This morning, take an orientation walk of Granada with your leader. Learn the history of the city and discover Islamic architecture and Arab influences at every turn. Then, you’ll have some time for your own explorations – maybe head to a local teahouse to sample some Moorish pastries. In the afternoon, join an expert local guide for a tour of Alhambra and its perfectly manicured gardens. Dating back to the 11th century, Alhambra represents Muslim art in its final European stages. Tonight, join your group for dinner at a nearby restaurant. Return to the Alhambra after dark and explore the famed Nasrid Palaces with your local guide. By now, the crowds have dispersed and you’re free to explore the site in all its glory. Your guide will provide expert insight as you explore the dominating red fortress towers, opulent palace decor and multitude of architectural styles.

Depart Granada and travel to Valencia today. Along the way, you’ll visit Bodegas Carchelo winery in the Murcia region for a wine tasting and tapas. During your private guided visit, you’ll have the chance to try several carefully selected top-tier wines, complemented by artisanal cheeses, Iberian cured meats, handcrafted potato chips, traditional empanadillas and local Jumilla sweets. Then it’s on to Valencia, Spain’s third largest city. When you arrive, you’re free to explore the Old Town centre that dates back 2000 years. Discover the harmonious mix of Roman, Muslim and Christian influences in its buildings, monuments and gardens.

This morning, join a local guide for a tour of Valencia. Hear the stories behind historical sites like the Puertas de Serrano, town hall and cathedral, and visit the central market and Silk Exchange building. Along the way, stop to try horchata, an iconic drink from Valencia, and finish off with a lunch of the most famous Valencian dish – paella. The rest of the day is yours to explore Valencia at your own pace. You might like to visit the City of Arts and Science – a large and futuristic museum complex designed by Calatrava. Or, head out to a local cafe to enjoy the treats that Valencia has to offer.

After a leisurely breakfast, bid farewell to Valencia and hop on a train to Barcelona. The character and fabulous Catalan cuisine of this city mix seamlessly with a ground-breaking art scene, Gothic architecture, superb dining and non-stop nightlife, making it a city you won’t soon forget. Once you’ve checked into your accommodation, visit Antonio Gaudi’s incredible La Sagrada Familia Cathedral. The architect worked on this hugely ambitious project for decades until his death, and it remains in constant construction. Later, have dinner at a local restaurant with your group. Celebrate the final night of your trip as you dine on some of the region’s most delicious foods like olives, pickled garlic, lomo Iberico de Bellotta (pork loin), Catalan cheeses, olive oil and sweet desserts.

This morning, take a flight to Lisbon, where the second half your adventure begins. When you arrive, you’re free to explore the city until your next meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe head to one of the many outdoor cafes and soak up the city’s energy. After your meeting, you’ll join your leader and small group for a welcome dinner at one of Lisbon’s thriving restaurants. Going out to eat is one of Portugal’s great pleasures and tonight, your leader will introduce you to traditional Portuguese recipes and a culinary scene that’s exploding with regional flavour.

This morning, join a local guide for a walking tour through the city of Lisbon. Explore the trendy neighbourhood of Bairro Alto, the popular Chiado area and the narrow, cobbled streets of Alfama, dotted with hole-in-the-wall eateries and old homes. Pop into a local establishment to try a pastel de nata – a sweet and delicious custard tart and Portugal’s most famous pastry. Then, visit the elegant Praca do Municipio, a symbol of the city's post-earthquake reconstruction in the 18th century, and the Praca do Comercio, once a key hub of maritime trade during the Age of Discoveries. It wouldn’t be a tour of Lisbon without stopping off to sample some ginjinha – Portugal’s iconic cherry liqueur. The rest of your afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace.

Head outside the city for a half-day excursion to Sintra – a resort town in the foothills of the mountains. Your leader will explain how the cooler climate made Sintra a summer retreat for royalty and why it has drawn and inspired many poets, writers and travellers for centuries, including Lord Byron. Spend time exploring Sintra’s intriguing Quinta da Regaleira estate before continuing to the town. You’ll have some free time to enjoy the surroundings at your own pace. Perhaps sit down and try some local flavours at lunch, then visit Sintra’s National Palace – at more than 1000 years old, it’s one of the oldest in Portugal. Next, drive to Coimbra, where you’ll spend the next two nights at your charming Feature Stay hotel, Quinta das Lagrimas. This converted 18th-century palace has an incredible collection of gardens on its grounds, including Japanese, romantic and medieval gardens, perfect for a stroll or kicking back on the lush lawns with a good book as birdsong surrounds you.

Sitting on the banks of the River Mondego, Coimbra was once the medieval capital of the country, and its royal heritage can be felt in its ancient streets and buildings. Get to know the city as your leader guides you through the lanes and squares of the Old Quarter this morning. The real star of the show is Coimbra’s prestigious university – one of the oldest in the world. You’ll have a private guided tour of the Joanine Library, a Baroque masterpiece that is widely considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. This evening, get to know more about this nation’s cultural heritage by heading to a traditional Fado music show. Portugal’s version of the blues is hauntingly beautiful and hearing it performed live is an experience to remember. Your leader can recommend some superb spots to eat after the show.

Travel from Coimbra to the Douro Valley today. Famous for its scenery, the Douro Valley is also known for producing some of the world’s most delicious wine. Today, you’ll head out for a tasting and tour at one of the region’s best wineries. You can’t spell Portugal without port, and to taste this iconic fortified wine is to taste thousands of years of Portuguese history. Learn the story of its origins and the history of wine production in the area while discovering which locally produced vinho is your tipple of choice. Sit down to a leisurely picnic lunch of rustic regional specialities prepared with fresh local ingredients (and paired with more wine, of course!) while you look out over the valley and the estate’s beautiful vineyards. Then continue to your accommodation – tucked away between the rolling hills and terraced vineyards of the spectacular Douro Valley, your home for the night offers views of the Douro River. When you arrive, you might like to go for a dip in one of the hotel's scenic outdoor pools or maybe grab dinner on the terrace and soak in the scenery.

This morning, go on a gentle boat ride on the Douro River, stopping by the riverside village of Pinhao. From here, make your way to Porto – a romantic city on the banks of the river. When you arrive, join your leader for an orientation walk through twisting alleys, crisscrossing staircases and baroque churches. Pass old bridges, cobbled streets, merchants’ houses and cafes, then take some time to explore at your own pace. In the evening, head to the nearby city of Vila Nova de Gaia to end the day with some sunset drinks.

Learn about the history of tiles in Portugal this morning with a tile-painting workshop. Steeped in centuries of tradition, hand-painted tiles can be seen on the facades of buildings and churches, telling the stories of Portugal’s past with vibrant colours and designs. Then, your afternoon is free. Maybe head to one of the city’s riverfront cafes for a coffee and pastry overlooking the colourful rows of old houses or take a walk around the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ribeira district. Another option is to take the local train to the seaside city of Matosinhos, where you can relax on the beach or stroll along the promenade. Regroup tonight for a final dinner at one of Porto’s local restaurants.

There are no activities planned for today and your trip comes to an end. You’re free to leave at any time after checking out. If you wish to spend some more time exploring Porto, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.