Ultimate Spain and Portugal Explorer - 15 Days

On arrival at Madrid Airport, we transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to relax or begin exploring the Spanish capital at your own pace. Overnight at the hotel.

Tour Style: Please note that this is a bi-lingual, large group coach tour, where a majority of travellers are Spanish, so English will be the second language. For groups of 12 or more the tour is escorted by a bilingual (Spanish & English speaking) tour leader/escort. They will provide explanations about the itinerary, coordinate accommodation services, and ensure the smooth running of the tour, making your trip an enjoyable experience. When the group size is less than 12, this service may be provided by the driver. There will be experienced bi-lingual local guides for city sightseeing.

After breakfast, we enjoy a panoramic city tour of Madrid. We begin with its medieval origins, including the remains of the Arab fortress and the Barrio de la Morería, known for its historic buildings and traditional taverns. We continue through the Habsburg district, shaped during the reign of Philip II, with Renaissance and Baroque landmarks such as Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa. We then explore Bourbon Madrid and the urban vision of Charles III, seeing the Royal Palace, Cibeles Fountain, Neptune Fountain and Puerta de Alcalá. The tour also highlights 19th-century icons such as Plaza de Oriente and the Prado Museum, before introducing modern Madrid along Gran Vía, Paseo de la Castellana, the Salamanca district, Parque del Oeste, key commercial and financial areas and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The afternoon is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Madrid - Salamanca - Porto. Breakfast at the hotel. We drive to Salamanca, a historic university city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its architectural and artistic wealth. Free time to explore before continuing to Portugal and on to Porto. Overnight accommodation.

After breakfast, we enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Porto, a city recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We see the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange building and Santa Clara Church. Later, we experience a different perspective of the city along the Douro River and visit a renowned Port wine cellar, where a tasting is included. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Porto - Coimbra - Fatima. Breakfast at the hotel. We depart for Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and regarded as the cradle of Fado music. Free time to explore. We then continue to Fátima, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Christian world. We see the Basilica and the Cova da Iria, where the Virgin Mary appeared. We recommend visiting the Chapel of the Apparitions, the spiritual heart of the sanctuary, where the tombs of Lucía, Francisco and Jacinta are located. In the evening, you may wish to attend the candlelight procession. Overnight at the hotel.

Batalha - Nazare - Alcobaca - Lisbon. After breakfast, we depart for the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue to the fishing town of Nazaré, with free time to enjoy the coastal scenery. Our journey continues to Alcobaça, also a World Heritage Site, known for its Gothic church and Cistercian monastery dating back to the 12th century. We then travel on to Lisbon. Overnight accommodation.

Breakfast at the hotel. We enjoy a guided city tour of Lisbon, formerly known as Olissipo. The tour covers the main squares and avenues, as well as key landmarks including the Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery - exterior visit - and the Monument to the Discoveries. The afternoon is free for you to explore areas such as the Alfama district or to join the optional excursion to Sintra and Cascais, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Overnight at the hotel.

Lisbon - Cordoba. After breakfast, we depart for Mérida, capital of Extremadura and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is renowned for its remarkably preserved Roman remains, including the theatre, amphitheatre and Roman bridge. Free time to explore before continuing to Córdoba, once the capital of the Caliphate. Overnight at the hotel.

Cordoba - Seville. Breakfast at the hotel. We enjoy a guided visit to the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, an extraordinary monument where Islamic and Christian architecture coexist. We also stroll through the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, we travel to Seville, a journey of approximately two hours. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, we take a panoramic and monumental city tour of Seville, including entrance to the Cathedral, the second largest Catholic cathedral in the world after St Peter’s in Rome. We also visit the Barrio de Santa Cruz, María Luisa Park and the iconic Plaza de España. The afternoon is at leisure for you to experience the atmosphere, flavours and rhythm of this vibrant Andalusian city. Overnight at the hotel.

Seville - Granada. After breakfast, we drive east along the historic Caliphate road through the heart of Andalusia, passing endless olive groves en route to Granada. Once the last stronghold of the Moorish kingdoms until 1492, Granada boasts an exceptional monumental setting. We visit the world-renowned Alhambra complex and the Generalife Gardens, whose architecture, water features and gardens inspired works such as Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving. Overnight at the hotel. In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional Flamenco Zambra show.

Granada - Valencia. After breakfast, we travel east to Valencia, one of the principal cities on Spain’s Mediterranean coast. The city is known for its striking City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic complex comprising the Hemisfèric, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanogràfic, Palau de les Arts and Ágora. Valencia is also the birthplace of the famous paella. Overnight at the hotel.

Valencia - Barcelona. Breakfast at the hotel. We enjoy a morning city tour of Valencia, driving through the historic centre and past the former Turia riverbed to the avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences, where we view the emblematic exteriors of its buildings. In the early afternoon, we travel north along the Mediterranean coast to Catalonia, passing Tarragona, once the Roman city of Tarraco. We arrive in Barcelona, a major Mediterranean city and home of Antoni Gaudí, the great exponent of Catalan Modernism. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, we enjoy a city tour of Barcelona. Highlights include a drive along the main avenues, featuring Gaudí’s modernist masterpieces such as La Pedrera - Casa Milà - and Casa Batlló, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We also visit Montjuïc Park for panoramic views of the city, see the Olympic Ring and the monument to Christopher Columbus. The afternoon is free for you to continue discovering Barcelona’s many attractions and varied gastronomy. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by transfer to the airport for your onward flight.