The Charms of Spain and Portugal (Multi country)

Join our eleven-day tour and discover the gems of the awe-inspiring Spanish and Portuguese heritage. Take a tour into the past and discover ancient Roman ruins, timeless medieval towns, and idyllic historic cities. Visit fascinating temples, churches, cathedrals, basilicas, and monasteries. Wander around mesmerising places where Arabs, Christians, and Jews coexisted peacefully.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Madrid: Visit Europe’s largest palace and the Reina Sofia Museum, where Picasso’s harrowing Guernica is amongst the masterpieces on display.

Salamanca: Home of the oldest university in Spain, Salamanca conquers the hearts of all curious visitors.

Porto: One of the oldest cities in Europe, surrounded by stunning hills and blue rivers. Beautiful plazas, churches and houses with colourfully tiled façades are the architectural treasures of this UNESCO heritage city.

Lisbon: Portugal’s capital city is an adventure in itself, offering cultural gems such as fado, culinary treats like pasties de Belem, and romantic city views.

Toledo: The spirit of El Greco lives on in the ancient streets of this beautiful city with visits to the cathedral, historic churches and the mediaeval synagogue.

Day 1: ARRIVAL MADRID

Upon arrival at Madrid airport meet and greet and transfer to your hotel. Once you’re settled, you can spend the rest of the day at leisure by heading out to explore the streets of Madrid at your own pace.

Overnight in Madrid.  

Day 2: MADRID

After breakfast at the hotel enjoy a morning visit to El Escorial, the most important architectural monument of the Spanish Renaissance. The afternoon is free and after lunch meet the guide for the Madrid panoramic city tour. Find the medieval origins of the city, like the Arabic fortress at the Barrio de la Morería, famous for its historical buildings. Drive through the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs characterized by Phillip II and its Renaissance and Baroque style buildings, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. Admire the XIX century works such as Prado Museum. Contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla, and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium.

Overnight in Madrid.  

Day 3: MADRID – SEGOVIA – SALAMANCA (260km – 3hrs)

After breakfast drive to Segovia, famous for its Roman-era aqueduct. As the history of this city cannot be understood without its impressive Roman monument, we will first explain the origin of this great construction. From there begin to walk through the historic center of Segovia spotting beautiful houses belonging to ancient lineages of nobles. Contemplate the facade of the Palace of Cascales, a medieval building that will help us to comment on the architectural legacy that the Muslims left in these streets. Continue to Plaza de San Martín to admire its Romanesque church, the Lozoya Tower, the Casa de Solier and the Jewish Quarter, home of this community until its expulsion in 1492, the Plaza Mayor and end the tour admiring the exterior of the Segovia Cathedral. After the tour take a break enjoying lunch at Restaurante Mesón Candido, the most famous in Segovia for its special roasted suckling pig. Continue to Salamanca where you finish the day at the hotel.

Overnight in Salamanca.  

Day 4: SALAMANCA – PORTO (350km – 3.5hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a morning Salamanca city tour, starting at the main Square of Salamanca and continuing to Casa de las Conchas (shell house), the most important palace in the city, with its characteristic facade, full of Plateresque elements that stand out. Next stop is the University, which is the oldest one in Spain. Visiting the famous courtyard of the Escuelas Menores, where the emblematic work of the Sky of Salamanca is located. It is a mural painting from the 15th century that decorates the vault of the old library. Afternoon and lunch are free before we continue the route to Porto.

Overnight in Porto.  

Day 5: PORTO

After breakfast, spend the morning on a guided tour of Portugal’s second city and gateway to the port wine trade. Get to know the city, visit the “Bolsa” stock exchange building, enjoy the views on the Douro Cruise and end in a Port Wine Cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia with Port Wine tasting. The afternoon is free to explore the city on your own.

Overnight in Porto.  

Day 6: PORTO – COIMBRA – LISBON (350km – 4hrs)

After breakfast, a new journey begins. Coimbra will be the first on the route. On the banks of the river Mondego, Coimbra famous for its university, the oldest in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe, which over time has shaped its image to become “the city of Students”. In this historic city you will be visiting the University and its ancient library with a local guide. After some free time for lunch, we will visit two monuments: Mosteiro de Alcobaça and Mosteiro da Batalha both classified by Unesco. Mosteiro de Alcobaça, from the XII century, is the largest Gothic church of the Order of Cister and Mosteiro da Batalha is one of the most fascinating Gothic monuments of the Iberian Peninsula. Next, we will drive to Lisbon for overnight.

Overnight in Lisbon.  

Day 7: LISBON

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Today spend the morning on a guided tour of Portugal’s splendid capital city Lisbon. Visit Belem area and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Then, you will have some free time for lunch and the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city.

Overnight in Lisbon.  

Day 8: LISBON – EVORA – ELVAS – TOLEDO (600km – 6hrs)

After breakfast depart to Evora, classified as a World Heritage Site. You will have free time to visit the old ruins of the Roman Temple, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral with its massive towers from the 16th century and the Bones Chapel, whose walls are covered with thousands of human bones and skulls (not included, optional). A walk along the impressive “white streets” will help you appreciate the typical sights of this city, formerly a city of kings, artists and humanists. In the afternoon we will pass through Elvas making a panoramic visit from the bus before heading to Toledo. Elvas gives us the opportunity to see their fortifications, a World Heritage Site. In the heart of Elvas, the area of the Castle is the oldest part of the city. 

Overnight in Toledo.  

Day 9: TOLEDO

Today discover the city of Toledo, known as the "city of the three cultures". Its historic quarter, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, still preserves the layout it had in the Middle Ages. You will discover the Church of Santo Tome, a spectacular church built in the 12th century and completely rebuilt in the 14th century, thanks to the generosity of Don Gonzalo Ruiz de Toledo (the Lord of Orgaz). It is located in the picturesque historic center of Toledo and its bell tower is one of the best preserved examples of Mudejar architecture today. Continue along the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, considered today as one of the best examples of Mudejar and Almohad architecture. This unique building was created by Islamic builders in a Christian region inhabited by Jewish citizens. Enjoy lunch at Restaurant Hacienda el Cardenal, located in the same wall of Toledo. 

Overnight in Toledo.  

Day 10: TOLEDO – MADRID (75km – 1hr)

After breakfast at the hotel spend the day at leisure in the capital of Spain. 

Overnight in Madrid.  

Day 11: MADRID DEPARTURE

Enjoy one last breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Madrid airport for your departure and flight back home.

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Spain. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent in summer can be very useful during your stay.