Portugal and Spain - A Tale of Two Cultures

Day 1 - Porto

Join your tour group at the hotel.

HF Fénix Porto (4-star)

Day 2 - Porto

We’ll spend the day in Porto, known for its rich history, traditional heritage, stunning architecture, and its famous port wine. It's a food lover's paradise, offering dishes like Francesinha (a hearty sandwich with cured meats and spicy sauce), bacalhau (salted codfish), and delicious local pastries. On this morning’s walking tour, we’ll explore Porto's historic centre, strolling through its narrow streets, passing by colourful houses, and traditional buildings. We’ll visit São Bento Railway Station, renowned for its beautiful azulejo panels (painted ceramic tiles), illustrated with scenes from Portuguese history. After our tour, we’ll head to one of Porto's oldest port wine cellars to sample three different port wines and learn more about the grapes and wine making process.

HF Fénix Porto (4-star)

Day 3 - Regua - Pinhão

This morning, we'll drive to Regua, a lovely town in the heart of the Douro Valley. We'll visit a family-run winery (quinta) for a tour of their vineyard. After sampling some wine and enjoying a traditional lunch, we'll head to Pinhão to board a historic Rabelo boat for a relaxing cruise on the Douro River. Relax as you sip local Porto wine while taking in the views.

HF Fénix Porto (4-star)

Day 4 - Coimbra - Lisbon

Our destination today is Coimbra, a historic city in central Portugal, on the banks of the Mondego River. Known as the second home (after Lisbon) to Fado music and for its deep ties to academia, Coimbra earns its nickname as the City of Students thanks to its prestigious University of Coimbra, founded in 1290 and now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During our tour, we'll wander through the city's historic centre, a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with musicians and well-preserved medieval buildings, including Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery and Coimbra Cathedral. After some free time to explore, we'll make our way to our hotel in Lisbon.

Hotel Açores Lisboa (4-star)

Day 5 - Lisbon

Today we’ll explore Lisbon, one of the oldest cities in the world, pre-dating other European capitals such as Paris and Rome by centuries. First, we'll take a short tuk-tuk ride to the historic Belem district where we’ll have a guided tour. It's a fantastic way to soak in the waterfront views and the old buildings. We’ll stop to enjoy a tasting of some of the city’s favourite treats: pasteis de nata (sweet custard tarts). We’ll also have some free time to explore central Lisbon before heading back to the hotel to get ready for a traditional Fado dinner show in a local restaurant.

Hotel Açores Lisboa (4-star)

Day 6 - Lisbon

You have a day at leisure to head back into central Lisbon to explore the museums, take a tram across the city, or take your pick from the incredible restaurants and bars the city has to offer. Or join an optional excursion to royal Sintra, where you’ll join a local resident for an in-depth cultural tour of the region. There’ll be mountain-top palaces, medieval castles, music, and a food experience in an eclectic restaurant with its own Troubadour, that’ll take you on a flavourful journey through Portugal.

Hotel Açores Lisboa (4-star)

Day 7 - Évora - Zafra

Say goodbye to Portugal as we make our way to Spain. But first, there’s one more adventure waiting for us in Évora, Alentejo. We’ll explore this UNESCO-listed city, uncovering everything from ancient Roman spots to Renaissance wonders. We’ll visit the Temple of Diana, believed to date back to the 1st century AD. Take a stroll around Évora Cathedral and climb up to the roof for stunning views of the golden plains that stretch out around the city. In the early afternoon, we’ll cross the border to Zafra in Spain, located in the heart of Baja Extremadura. It’s often referred to as, ‘Little Seville’, due to its architectural resemblance to the capital city of Andalucia. The town's main attraction is the impressive Castle of Zafra. This 15th-century fortress, perched on a rocky outcrop, provides panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The castle gained fame as a filming location, representing the Tower of Joy in the TV series Game of Thrones.

Parador de Zafra (4-star)

Day 8 - Mérida - Madrid

We’ll head to Mérida, with a short stop in Talavera de la Reina on the way, a town famous for its ceramics. Mérida’s well-preserved Roman ruins have earnt it UNESCO World Heritage status - the city was founded in 25 BC by the Roman Emperor Augustus and many structures still stand today. We’ll visit the Temple of Diana and the Teatro Romano de Merida (Roman Theatre) - one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the world. We’ll then continue to Madrid where we’ll stay for the next three nights.

Hotel Exe Moncloa, Madrid (4-star)

Day 9 - Madrid

Madrid is a fantastic city, from incredible art and delicious food to captivating history and welcoming locals, the culture here is remarkable. On our city tour, we’ll navigate through Madrid’s famous avenues and squares, including the Gran Vía, Castellana and Plaza de España. Our tour passes The Royal Palace and Prado Museum as well as the historic quarters, famous parks, and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium - the home turf of Real Madrid’s football team. This evening we’ll enjoy a traditional tapas dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel Exe Moncloa, Madrid (4-star)

Day 10 - Madrid

Today, there’s a choice to relax at the hotel or to explore Madrid independently. Or you can also join an optional excursion to Castle Manzanares el Real, a well-preserved medieval fortress. Constructed in 1475, it showcases a blend of Gothic and Mudejar architectural styles, with a rectangular layout and four corner towers. Originally serving both military and residential purposes, the castle has undergone restoration and is now a fascinating museum.

Hotel Exe Moncloa, Madrid (4-star)

Day 11 - Madrid - Barcelona

Today, we're hopping on a train from Madrid to the incredible city of Barcelona - our home for the next three nights. Barcelona is a hub of iconic architecture, museums, and favourite artists - Gaudí, Miró, Picasso and Dalí have all had deep connections to this city. In the next couple of days, we'll get to soak in all that this colourful city has to offer. But for now, let's enjoy the journey - a roughly two-and-a-half-hour train ride through the Spanish landscape. We'll pass by villages, towns, and farmlands before immersing ourselves in the hustle and bustle of Barcelona.

NH Barcelona Les Corts Hotel (4-star)

Day 12 - Barcelona

Today is free - or you can keep exploring with an optional excursion to Girona, a charming medieval town nestled in north-eastern Spain. Picture narrow cobblestone streets, medieval walls, and the stunning Gothic Cathedral of Saint Mary. During the tour we’ll visit the Cathedral of Girona, the Museum of Jewish History, and the Arab baths. We'll also have some free time to visit the Pont de les Peixateries Velles bridge, crafted in Gustav Eiffel's traditional style.

NH Barcelona Les Corts Hotel (4-star)

Day 13 - Barcelona

It’s the last full day of the tour, but it will be a memorable one. We’ve got a city tour of Barcelona planned, taking in all the key sights and more. We'll begin by heading to Mirador del Alcalde at Montjuic for the best views of the city. From there, we'll make stops at the National Palace to see the Magic Fountain, Arenes (the old bullfighting ring), and enjoy panoramic views extending all the way to Tibidabo hill. We’ll continue with a stroll through the Gothic Quarter, allowing us to marvel at medieval architecture. We’ll visit Las Ramblas, a lively boulevard where we can watch street performers, living statues and musicians, before navigating the narrow streets of Barri Gòtic in the heart of Barcelona's historic city centre. In the afternoon, our adventure takes us to some of the city's most iconic landmarks. We'll visit Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera - the most important monuments designed by local architect Antoni Gaudí, whose iconic and distinctive work dominates the cityscape. Our day ends with a farewell dinner at the hotel.

NH Barcelona Les Corts Hotel (4-star)

Day 14 - Barcelona

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

Barcelona