• Handpicked 4 & 5 star hotels in great locations
• Superior dining in top rated restaurants
• Daily breakfasts & many relaxed morning starts after 9am
• 24/7 personal service – knowledgeable Travel Director & expert Driver
• ‘Business Class’ style coaches with extended legroom*
• Insider Access, Insightful Encounters and Insight Choice experiences
• Local discovery led by Local Experts
• Porterage, plus tips and gratuities at hotels and restaurants, is included

ITINERARY

Day 1 | Welcome to Madrid

Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner in a local restaurant and enjoy an evening of delicious food and wine.
Meals: Dinner with Wine Hotel: Barcelo Torre de Madrid / Barcelo Emperatriz

Day 2 | Madrid of the Bourbons Guided by your Local Expert, visit the Spanish capital’s most historic neighbourhoods. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter, discovering the origins of the city. Enjoy a special visit to the renowned Prado Museum with an art historian who will guide you through the collective works of Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and more.
Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Barcelo Torre de Madrid / Barcelo Emperatriz

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Toledo Excursion – A specialist guide takes you to the unique city of Toledo, Spain’s capital during the golden era, and where El Greco lived and worked. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets to visit the fine Gothic cathedral and admire the old city views along the Tagus gorge. We’ll also visit a specialist workshop where artisans create authentic Damascene ware, an ancient art perfected by the Moors and passed down over the centuries. On certain dates when the cathedral is not accessible this will be priced at 40 Euro. Adult: 57.00 EUR
You will be offered one of the following two Optional Experiences depending on availability:

Madrid by Night – An evening drive to the most historic area of Madrid including stops for wonderful views of the city and a walk through the lively streets and squares of old Madrid. Enjoy free time for dinner in one of the many restaurants and return home along the grand Avenida Castellana with its spectacular fountains. Adult: 24.00 EUR

Madrid by Night with Dinner – Enjoy an evening out in the nation’s stately capital city. Tonight we’ll enjoy a wonderful dinner out on the town in a carefully chosen venue, accompanied by Spanish wine and great local entertainment. What a wonderful introduction to Madrid. Adult: 73.00 EUR

Day 3 | Segovia and Golden Salamanca

Travel to the fortified city of Segovia. Walk through the medieval streets with a Local Expert and see the magnificent Alcazar fortress, before continuing onto the historic aqueduct. Journey west, overlooking the ancient walls of Ávila, en route to Salamanca. During your guided sightseeing tour, admire the golden stone buildings the city is famous for, including the arcaded Plaza Mayor, the honeycoloured cathedral and the 16th century university buildings.
Meals: Breakfast  Hotel: Alameda Palace, Salamanca

 Day 4 | Porto, Grande Dame on the Douro

Cross the Portuguese border to reach Porto. Situated on the River Douro, the city is celebrated internationally as the capital of Port wine. Visit the Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores and walk along corridors of casks. Get to know your tawnys and vintages during a tasting. Continue your exploration of the city, admiring the Multi-coloured houses, churches adorned with glazed tiles and iconic bridges.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine  Hotel: NH Collection Porto Batalha

Day 5 | Holy Fátima, Ancient Óbidos and Lisbon

Continue to Fátima, Portugal’s most renowned place of pilgrimage. Journey to the fortified town of Óbidos and walk within its walls, exploring the narrow, medieval streets where houses are covered with flowers. Your guided tour of Spain and Portugal continues to the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.
Meals: Breakfast  Hotel: Turim Marques Hotel/Corinthia Hotel Lisbon

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES: You will be offered one of the following two Optional Experiences depending on availability:

Lisbon by Night – Drive to Restauradores then, with your Local Expert, enjoy a gentle walk through Rossio across the Baixa to discover the beautiful views of Santa Justa, the arch of Augusta, St George’s Castle and the Cathedral. Enjoy a drink at sunset in Commerce Square. There’s free time for dinner before returning to your hotel. Adult: 24.00

EUR Seafood Dinner By The Tagus River – Across the mighty Tagus River await Lisbon’s famous traditional restaurants and wonderful views of the city. Board your ferry to cross the wide blue waters for a delightful evening of Portuguese seafood and fish specialities. After dinner, encounter more sweeping views over the Portuguese capital, as you return to your hotel via the impressive suspension bridge. Local crab will usually be available on the menu for a €7.00 supplement. Adult: 69.00 EUR

* Due to operational reasons, the ferry may not be used on some departures and we will travel over the bridge both ways.

 Day 6 | Lisbon and the Age of the Great Discoveries

Sightseeing with a Local Expert takes you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco, the finest square in the city. Visit the Belém Quarter, from where sailing ships once set forth to discover faraway lands. Enjoy a taste of the famous Pastéis de Belém from a traditional patisserie that has managed to hold on to the secret recipe of Portugal’s finest pastry for almost 200 years. View the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the historic Belém Tower. This fortress was originally set in the middle of the river, but is now left high and dry on the riverbank. Visit the National Coach Museum, featuring one of the most prominent horse-drawn carriage collections in the world. With the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps join an Optional Experience to the Portuguese Riviera, frequented by surfers, royalty and, on occasion, James Bond.

Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Turim Marques Hotel/Corinthia Hotel Lisbon

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Excursion to the Royal Portuguese Riviera – Like the Kings of Portugal before you, travel along the Portuguese Riviera. With your Local Expert, see the glamorous resort of Cascais and the wealthy playground of Estoril, with its famous Casino and learn of the inspiring people who frequented Portugal’s Golden Triangle. Finally, a visit to Queluz Palace – all veritable jewels in the crown of Portugal. Adult: 58.00 EUR

Fado Evening – Known as ”the soul of the Portuguese identity”, Fado is the emotive national song. Take in an unmissable performance of this UNESCO-recognised art in one of the country’s famed Fado houses. To complete the experience, savour a typical Portuguese dinner with drinks included. Adult: 80.00 EUR

Day 7 | Seville, the City of Carmen

Leave Lisbon via the modern Tagus Bridge and cross the border to reach Seville. Visit the Seville Cathedral, the burial place of Christopher Columbus. Explore Seville with Insight Choice. Choose to embark on a walk through the old Jewish quarter. Alternatively, join a scenic drive around the city and enjoy panoramic views.

Meals: Breakfast Hotel: NH Collection Sevilla, Seville

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Andalusian Evening & The Atmosphere Of Old Seville – Enjoy a delicious array of alluring Andalusian specialities in a local restaurant with wine included. Perhaps round off the evening with a stroll through the atmospheric squares and lanes of Seville’s old quarter, which has a magical charm by night. Adult: 65.00 EUR

Day 8 | Free Time and Flamenco in Seville

Enjoy a relaxed start and a morning to unwind, shop or continue exploring this fascinating city at your own pace. Our suggestion is to join an Optional Experience to the ancient city of Córdoba, where you will visit the magnificent Mezquita, see the old Jewish Quarter, and enjoy some free time to shop or explore as you wish. Later this afternoon, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a flamenco dance school and beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Their mission is to promote the teaching and conservation of flamenco. Feel the passion behind the choreography as you put your rhythm to the test during a dance lesson.
Meals: Breakfast Hotel: NH Collection Sevilla, Seville

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Cordoba & the Mezquita – Join your Local Expert for a walking tour of the perfectly preserved Moorish city of Cordoba. The highlight is undoubtedly the magnificent Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque with a Cathedral built inside. Walk through the forest of horseshoe shaped arches to the Baroque choir stalls of the Cathedral and the richly ornamented Mihrab prayer niche, with free time to enjoy this amazing city. Adult: 60.00 EUR

Day 9 | Head for Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol

Head south to Gibraltar, part of mainland Spain yet an overseas territory under British control since 1704. With your Local Expert, visit the Rock of Gibraltar and St. Michael’s Cave. Relax as you travel the scenic route along the Costa del Sol through high end resorts where the rich and famous holiday, taking in the views of the coast.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine  Hotel: Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos

Day 10 | At Leisure on the Costa del Sol

Enjoy the day at leisure on the sun-drenched Costa del Sol. Relax by the blue Mediterranean waters, stroll along the promenade, savour the specialities in the local restaurants or consider exploring Málaga, the birth city of Picasso.

Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Highlights of Málaga – A short drive brings us to Málaga, the thriving capital of the Costa del Sol. We’ll see the old town with our Local Expert and see the house in which Pablo Picasso spent his early years. The town is also famous for its sweet, full-bodied wines and our tour concludes with a taste of the recent vintage. Adult: 52.00 EUR

Mediterranean Dinner – Join us for a delicious Mediterranean style dinner in a delightful family restaurant on the Costa del Sol. We’ll sample fresh Mediterranean fare, including some of the restaurant’s signature dishes such as “fritura malagueña” or sea bass baked in sea salt, a traditional recipe since Roman times. Your meal will be accompanied by local wine. Adult: 64.00 EUR

Day 11 | Dining with Locals and the Alhambra

Continue to Alfarnatejo, a quiet whitewashed village, with a population of less than 500 people, surrounded by stunning mountainous landscape. Walk the town centre to see the 18th century Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla. Travel to the oldest olive grove in the region and stop at the rural mill-factory to taste a selection of different oils, paired with locally made farmer bread. In small groups, you are invited into the home of a local family to join them for a delicious lunch made of fresh, local produce with flavours typical of the region.  Continue to Granada to visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace with your Local Expert. Built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century, it is a wonder of beautiful gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine Hotel: Vincci Albayzín, Granada

Day 12 | On to Valencia 

Journey to Valencia. Pass through the Old City to see its ancient gates, and the City of Arts and Sciences. In your free time perhaps take a stroll to the Cathedral and El Miguelete? Alternatively sit back with a drink and watch the Valencians go about their day. Valencia is home to one of the world’s greatest dishes, paella. Meet the chef of a local family-run restaurant in the heart of the Old City and learn how to make this local specialty during a Cooking Demonstration. Later, indulge in the delicious flavours of this classic dish at dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine Hotel: Barceló Valencia

Day 13 | Along the Coast to Peñíscola and on to Barcelona

Follow the coast to Peñíscola to view the sea-lapped castle used in the film ‘El Cid’. Continue along the Costa Dorada to the Cava Bodegas at Sant Sadurni d’Anoia. During a delicious light lunch, enjoy a tasting as you learn the sparkling secrets of Spanish bubbly. Continue along the coast to reach Barcelona.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine Hotel: Meliá Barcelona Sarrià, Barcelona

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Gaudi’s Parc Güell and the Maritime Front – Enter a strange fantasy world at Parc Güell, Spain’s most impressive public park which we’ll visit with our Local Expert. Here Gaudí designed mushroom-like houses, “bird nest” pillars and a stunning mosaic dragon. The huge central terrace is enveloped by a ceramic-encrusted serpentine bench (reputedly the world’s longest seat) and offers panoramic views of Barcelona and the bay. We then head to the Maritime Front, why not try one of the numerous waterfront restaurants? Adult: 49.00 EUR

Day 14 | Barcelona Sightseeing A Local

Expert joins you for a drive along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and some of the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district to visit Gaudi’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família. See the central nave with its giant, tree-like pillars, spectacular vaulting and the beautiful rainbows flooding in through the intricate stained-glass windows.  At a local restaurant, join your fellow travellers to toast to newfound friends and a wonderful journey, enjoying a Celebration Dinner with wine.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine Hotel: Meliá Barcelona Sarrià, Barcelona

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Montserrat & The Black Madonna – We’ll enjoy a stunning drive to Montserrat, the mystical sacred serrated mountain, with its unique formations and spectacular views. It’s home to the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat and the ‘Virgin of Montserrat’, one of the most-venerated Black Madonna’s of Europe. Catalan landscapes unfold before us, as our Local Expert introduces us to this place of immense beauty and significance. Adult: 59.00 EUR
*This optional experience involves reservation and entrance pre-payments. Cancellation will incur a 50% cancellation fee.

 Day 15 | Depart Barcelona

Today, bid farewell to your journey along Spain and Portugal as you transfer to the airport. Meals: Breakfast