Salamanca, Coimbra & Lisbon from Barcelona - 11 Days

Once you have arrived in Barcelona, you transfer to your accommodation to settle in.Set on the shores of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a city where centuries of history meet striking architecture, celebrated cuisine and a lively cultural atmosphere.

This morning, make your way to the meeting point, where our local guide leads a tour of the magnificent Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece and one of the world's most extraordinary architectural landmarks, with fast-track access.

Afterwards, you continue exploring Barcelona independently with your included one-day Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket, taking in the city's elegant boulevards, characterful neighbourhoods and Mediterranean waterfront.

Meeting point: Carrer de Sardenya, 311, Eixample, 08025 Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona - Madrid. After breakfast, you transfer to Barcelona Sants railway station to board the high-speed train to Madrid. Sit back and enjoy the journey through the heart of Spain before arriving in the country's dynamic capital, a city that combines historic charm with a modern, cosmopolitan spirit. On arrival, you transfer to your accommodation.

This evening, join your Tour Leader and fellow travellers for a Welcome Tapas Dinner at a local restaurant.

Today, our local guide leads us on a tour of the Spanish capital, discovering the historic heart of Madrid, from the medieval Barrio de la Moreria and the elegant Habsburg Quarter to the magnificent Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa, where the city's origins come to life.

We continue through the stately avenues of Bourbon Madrid, taking in landmarks such as the impressive Royal Palace, the graceful Cibeles and Neptune Fountains and the iconic Puerta de Alcala, before discovering the capital's cosmopolitan side along the lively Gran Via, the sophisticated Salamanca district, the broad Paseo de la Castellana and the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The afternoon is free for you to explore Madrid independently - perhaps visiting one of its celebrated museums, browsing its shopping streets or simply enjoying the city's cafe culture.

Please note: if this panoramic tour of Madrid cannot be operated for technical reasons, it will be replaced, at the tour operator's discretion, with a one-day Madrid Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket or a walking tour.

Madrid - Salamanca (Spain) - Porto (Portugal). We begin the day driving towards Salamanca. This university city and World Heritage Site is known for its architectural and artistic heritage, and you have free time to explore before continuing towards the Portuguese border.

We arrive in Porto, located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal and one of the oldest towns in Europe, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.

In the morning, our local guide leads a sightseeing tour of Porto, a city renowned for its architectural heritage and riverside setting, 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, before visiting one of the region's famous Port Wine Cellars for a tasting of its renowned wine.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city's atmosphere independently.

Porto - Aveiro - Coimbra. After breakfast, we depart for Aveiro, a coastal city known as the "Venice of Portugal" for its picturesque canals, where we enjoy a relaxing ride aboard a traditional, brightly coloured moliceiro boat.

We continue to Coimbra, home to one of Europe's oldest universities, where our local guide leads a sightseeing tour through its charming medieval streets, taking in the city's remarkable heritage and distinctive atmosphere.

Coimbra - Batalha - Nazare - Lisbon. This morning, we depart for 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. Here, you have free time to explore, before continuing on to Lisbon.

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

This morning, our local guide leads a sightseeing tour of Lisbon, the Portuguese capital 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 free for you to explore the city's atmosphere independently, perhaps wandering through the charming Alfama district with its narrow cobbled streets, colourful houses and traditional taverns.

Lisbon (Portugal) - Merida (Spain) - Madrid. After breakfast, we depart for Merida, founded by the Romans in 25 BC and one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Spain. Here, you have free time to discover its Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre, elegant bridges, temples and ancient streets, before continuing to Madrid.

In Spain's capital, grand boulevards, historic landmarks and a lively atmosphere combine with world-class food, culture and nightlife.

This evening, we join fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner.

After a final breakfast, you might have some time for some last-minute shopping, exploring or relaxing before being transferred to Madrid Airport in time for your departure flight. Safe travels!