Spain's Classics & Portugal

You are on your way to a colorful cultural adventure featuring the best of Portugal and Spain.

Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal’s lively capital and largest city. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers and enjoy a welcome dinner.

Join your local expert and get to know Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Meander through historic downtown, hearing the kinds of stories that bring the city – and its colorful neighborhoods — to life. Walk Praça do Comercio, one of the biggest squares in Europe. This gorgeous square flaunts colorful artwork and sculptures. Then travel to Belém where you will see the Jeronimo’s Monastery (UNESCO) and the Tower of Belém (UNESCO). Tonight, you may choose to join an optional tour to listen to local artists perform traditional fado music, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage highlight.

Today, visit one of Portugal’s most famed towns – Obidos! With its labyrinth of cobblestoned streets and whitewashed houses, this medieval town beckons you to linger and enjoy its charm. You may choose to try one of the local delicacies – sour cherry liquor served in chocolate cups – or simply enjoy the narrow streets and picture-perfect alleyways. After a full day of touring, return to Lisbon for a night at leisure.

Make your way to the off-the-beaten-path town of Elvas, a garrison town recognized as a World Heritage Site. On the way, indulge in full-bodied wines from the Alentejo region during a winery tour, tasting, and some petiscos – Portuguese traditional small bites, usually shared with friends.

Bid Portugal adeus and cross the border into Spain’s vibrant capital, Madrid. On the way, stop in Caceres, stretch your legs and get a glimpse of one of Spain’s World Heritage Cities. After lunch on your own, depart to Madrid where you will arrive at the end of the day.

During a locally guided tour of Madrid’s historic center, see iconic sites such as Plaza Mayor, where events have been held since the 17th century. Join a local expert to explore the priceless masterpieces of the Prado Museum, which opened in 1819 and boasts the world’s finest collection of art by masters such as Velazquez and Goya. Your afternoon is free to explore this fascinating city further or join an optional tour to Toledo.

Travel to the extraordinary Moorish city of Cordoba by the AVE high-speed train. Embark on a walking tour of Cordoba’s well-preserved and historical old Jewish Quarter. Then visit La Mezquita (UNESCO), an 8th-century mosque that was converted into the city’s cathedral in the 16th century. End your day in Seville, considered to be Spain’s “cultural capital”.

Embark on a panoramic tour before arriving at the iconic Plaza de España. Then decide on how you see Seville because it’s your choice! Walk the charming and quaint Santa Cruz quarter with an expert guide, admiring the orange trees and white-washed houses -OR- see the city from a different perspective with a boat ride on the Guadalquivir River, drifting by timeworn bridges and towers. Later, visit the Seville Cathedral* (UNESCO) – the largest Gothic church in the world – and see Columbus’ tomb and the Giralda Bell Tower. Enjoy some free time this afternoon. This evening, enjoy a flamenco show (UNESCO) showcasing Seville’s famous traditions.

Travel to Granada, the last great capital of the Moors in Spain before it fell to the Catholic monarchs in 1492. Upon arrival, join a local expert for a tour of the world-famous Alhambra** (UNESCO), a stone fortress overlooking the entire city and serving as a mesmerizing example of Islamic architecture.

Travel through Spain’s amazing landscape on your way to the Mediterranean coast. Pass by rolling hills dotted with picturesque olive and orange groves before arriving in the city of Valencia. A treasure trove of Roman and Arabic architecture, Valencia is Spain’s third largest city, melding historic and modern culture.

On a panoramic tour of Valencia, see the City of Arts and Sciences – an ultramodern educational institution. Explore the city’s old quarter on foot, discovering history with a local expert. View the ornate towers before wandering through the bustling central market, where you can shop side-by-side with the locals. Travel to Albufera, which with its freshwater lake that evolved from an ancient marine gulf, is one of the most important wetlands in Spain. This is the area where paella originated – and the best place to experience it for lunch today. Enjoy time on your own to explore as you wish back in Valencia.

Travel to Barcelona, one of Europe’s most beautiful and exciting cities. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Barcelona’s fascinating boulevards.

Embark on a panoramic tour of Barcelona, showcasing the Columbus Monument, Parc de Montjuic, and Antoni Gaudi’s Batllo House and Casa Mila building (UNESCO). A local expert accompanies you on a visit to the awe-inspiring La Sagrada Familia*** (UNESCO), considered to be the most famous of Gaudi’s works. Work on the basilica began in 1882, and it’s scheduled to be completed in 2026, on the 100th anniversary of the architect’s death. As the day draws to a close, enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating the end of your trip to Spain and Portugal.

Return home with memories of two warm cultures and of a beautiful land.