Flavors of Portugal & Spain: featuring the Douro and Rioja Wine Regions

Sparkling coastlines… historic cityscapes… mouthwatering cuisine… aromatic wine… Northern Portugal and Spain await you with open arms for the journey of a lifetime.

Arrive in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Perched on seven hills, Lisbon glistens like a treasure and enchants travelers with its laid-back charm. At a local restaurant, meet your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner to officially kick off an experience-rich adventure.

Good morning, Lisboa! Start your day with a walk to the public funicular to hop on and ride to the upper side of the downtown area. Meander through historic neighborhoods, hearing stories that bring the city – and its colorful neighborhoods – to life. Walk to the Chiado neighborhood, embracing its bohemian vibe en route to a local cafe and a tasting of typical Portuguese foods with a light petiscos lunch. After, your journey takes you to the best view of Praça do Comercio in downtown Lisbon, one of the biggest squares in Europe. This gorgeous square boasts colorful artwork and sculptures. Enjoy time to explore on your own and return to the hotel by subway. Tonight, you may choose to join an optional tour to listen to local artists perform traditional fado music, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage highlight.

Explore the city today at your own pace. With plenty of free time, you may wish to check out Lisbon’s famed culinary scene or venture downtown to do some shopping. Or you may also choose an optional excursion to explore the beach town of Ericeira and then Sintra with its enchanting palaces and villas. This evening, dinner is accompanied by an Impact Moment as you learn how the restaurant supports people experiencing homelessness through catering training.

Depart Portugal’s capital city and head to Tomar, home to some of the country’s historical jewels, including the Templar Castle and Convent of Christ (UNESCO). Explore the octagonal Templars' Rotunda and imagine the day-to-day life of a warrior monk. Next stop: Porto! Take in the landscape of wild pine trees as you leave Tomar and embark on a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Portugal’s second largest city.

Today, an extensive walking tour of Porto reveals its many charms. See the São Bento railway station, which opened in 1916 and is one of Portugal’s most striking architectural gems. Visit the Bolsa Palace (UNESCO) – known as the Stock Exchange Palace – a 19th-century neoclassical masterpiece, and finish your morning crossing the river to Vila Nova de Gaia for a visit and a taste of the port wine production scene. Enjoy free time for lunch on your own. This evening you may want to join in an optional experience and feel like a local in their cozy, inviting home to savor a homemade meal.

Today, say tchau to Porto and set out for the Douro wine region. Visiting the Douro combines natural beauty, cultural and historical richness, and of course, the region's famed gastronomy. On the way, visit one of the most famous wineries in Portugal for a tasting of its wines and a visit their stunning baroque palace. This afternoon, embark on a relaxing boat trip* along the Douro River and sail past the stunning landscapes, vineyard slopes, and famous terraces. Then settle into your home for the next two nights at a winery hotel in the heart of the Douro River Valley. Later, enjoy a dinner of traditional Portuguese cuisine paired with delicious local wine.

Spend a relaxed morning enjoying the grounds of the winery. Then, roll up your sleeves for a cooking class – and of course, dine on your creations: a light lunch of petiscos, or Portuguese tapas. After, visit the Douro Museum to learn about the history, culture, and flavors found in the Douro wine region. Return to your hotel and enjoy the end of the day on your own.

Depart the Douro wine region and cross the border into Spain! Head to an olive grove and learn about this family-owned business. Try their unique olive oil during a light lunch before departing for Salamanca. End your day with an orientation walk to help you find your preferred spot for dinner on your own.

In Salamanca, feel like you’ve stepped back in time during a walking tour with your local guide and learn more about this ancient city. Visit the Cathedral of Salamanca, which is in fact two churches joined together from the 12th-13th centuries and 16th century. Imagine the life of a student from medieval times to present as you stroll around the oldest university in Spain, the University of Salamanca. Afterward, the rest of the day is yours to explore Salamanca at your own pace. With over two thousand years of history and its sandstone architecture, Salamanca is a little gem waiting to be discovered.

Today, leave for the famous Rioja wine region! On your way, stop in Burgos where you will get to know the city during a walking tour. From its pedestrian-friendly riverside to the historic Plaza Mayor, Burgos delivers a traditional Spanish experience. Enjoy free time for lunch on your own. Finally, arrive in La Rioja, your home for the next two nights.

Today, it’s off to Pamplona, the capital of the Navarre province and home to the legendary Feast of San Fermin – the Running of the Bulls. Once every year, bulls are led through the city’s streets by daredevil runners, and today, a local guide takes you on a city tour of Pamplona where you can hear all about its colorful, unique history before visiting the family home of a bullfighter. The bullfighter’s family greets you traditionally – with light tapas and drinks – truly welcoming you into their world for a little while. During your visit, learn firsthand about bullfighting traditions and controversies, and enjoy the chance to ask your questions. As you make your way back to stunning Rioja, stop at the Marques de Riscal Winery nestled in the center of Spain’s beautiful Basque country – one of the most fascinating wineries to behold with its famously avant-garde design. Taste some of the wines and walk the vineyards before heading back to your hotel.

Head to Bilbao and take a walking tour of Bilbao’s old town where you can find historic old churches, festive markets, and quintessential Spanish squares. Then visit the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, set along the Nervion River and hailed as an icon of architectural culture with its contemporary design. See some of the modern art housed inside its fascinating walls. Enjoy some free time before continuing to San Sebastián.

Are your shoes made for walking? Today, set off for an extensive walking tour of San Sebastián, a coastal city that runs along the Bay of Biscay. With its strong regional character, quaint old town and beachfront life, you will feel like a local as you meander through charming neighborhoods boasting with traditional architecture. Then it’s your choice! You can choose a guided tour of the coastal villages of Zumaia and Getaria for a special opportunity to explore the glimmering Spanish coastline and enjoy a tasting of Txakoli wine -OR- take a leisurely hike along the “Camino of Saint James” and make your way back to the city center, enjoying a healthy, scenic experience in this beautiful destination. Lastly you can choose to stay in San Sebastián to relax or further explore on your own!

The day is yours to explore! San Sebastián is a great spot for shoppers and foodies alike, and there is plenty to see and do in this coastal city. Or perhaps you will join an optional day trip and say bonjour to France, exploring the medieval charm of Bayonne and the eclectic summer village of Biarritz. Tonight, toast to a wonderful trip with your fellow travelers during a farewell dinner featuring savory Spanish flavors.

Today, your tour of Portugal and Spain comes to a close – all of the wonderful memories will truly be the best souvenirs.