Compare Essential Portugal and Spain by Indus Travels vs Best of Spain & Portugal - End Barcelona, Classic Group, Winter 2021 2022 End Barcelona Classic Group by Insight Vacations

Make your way to your gateway International Airport to check-in for your flight to Madrid. Enjoy in-flight meals and services. Overnight on board.

Welcome to Spain! On arrival at Madrid International Airport, meet our representative and be transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in Madrid

This morning, take a Madrid panoramic city tour. Find the medieval origins of the city like the Arabic fortress at the Barrio de la Moreria, famous for its historical buildings. Drive through the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and the Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcala. Continue on to see other sites of Madrid including a stop at the famous “Hard Rock Café” to enjoy a free drink. The afternoon is free for you to further explore the city at your own pace.

Overnight in Madrid 

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and start your day with a drive to Avila, a city that has successfully preserved its medieval wall. After a tour of the city, move on to Salamanca where you will have free time to explore this city and visit Spain’s oldest university, the University of Salamanca, built in 1218. The day continues onward to the Portuguese border until you reach Porto.

Overnight in Porto 

Following breakfast, go on a panoramic sightseeing tour of Porto. Considered a World Heritage City, Porto is famous for its wineries that produce its world-famous port wine. This afternoon, you will have the chance to visit one of these wineries to learn about how this wine is made and even have a port wine tasting session.

Overnight in Porto

Today, we make our way from Porto to Coimbra, the location of one of the oldest universities in Europe, the University of Coimbra. This riverfront city is also the birthplace of the famous musical style, Fado. You will have free time to explore this charming city before the tour continues to Fatima, one of the major centers of Christian Faith and a sacred pilgrimage site for Catholics all over the world.

Overnight in Fatima 

Start the day with a visit to the Batalha Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important Gothic sites in Portugal. After this visit, continue on to the picturesque fishing town of Nazare. A popular seaside resort town for locals. Explore the city and have lunch at during your free time before going to Alcobaca, setting of another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Monastery of Alcobaca. Founded in the 12th century by King Alfonso I. Its size, the purity of its architectural style, the beauty of the materials and the care with which it was built make this a masterpiece of Cistercian Gothic art. Tonight, we reach Lisbon.

Overnight in Lisbon 

This morning, go on a morning sightseeing tour of old Lisbon with a visit to ancient Olissipo. Drive through its main squares and avenues to see the Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Coach Museum, Monument to the Discoverers and many more. The afternoon is free for you top discover the Alfama Quarter. Alfama is one of the oldest districts of Lisbon and is a delightful maze of narrow cobbled streets and ancient houses, which lead up the steep hill from the Tejo Estuary to the castle. Contained within this diverse and charismatic district are many historic buildings including the Se Cathedral, the Castle, the National Pantheon and Saint Anthony’s Church.

Overnight in Lisbon 

After breakfast, we depart to Caceres, a World Heritage city that is unique because of its blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. Walk through its Plaza Mayor and the Old Town with its famous Medieval Quarter. After the visit, we will continue on to Madrid.

Overnight in Madrid 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then check-out of the hotel. You will then be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

Day 1: Welcome to Madrid

Your transfer will depart Madrid airport at 09:00, 11:30, 13:30 or 16:00.Join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travellers over an evening of delicious food and wine.

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.

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 honey-coloured cathedral and the 16th century university buildings.

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.

Day 5: Holy Fátima, Ancient Obidos and Lisbon

Head south for a visit to miraculous Fátima. See the Basilica or visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, which commemorates the apparition of the Virgin Mary to three young shepherds in 1917. Journey to the fortified town of Obidos and walk inside its walls, exploring the narrow, medieval streets where houses are covered with flowers. Your travels continue to the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.

Day 6: Lisbon and the Age of the Great Discoveries Relaxed Start

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 UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Jerónimos Monastery with its beautiful Manueline architecture. With the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps join an Optional Experience to the Portuguese Riviera? It is often visited by surfers, royalty and on occasion James Bond.

Day 7: Seville, the City of Carmen

Leave Lisbon via the modern Tagus Bridge and cross the border to reach Seville. Explore Seville with Insight Choice. Choose to visit Seville’s Cathedral, the final resting place of Christopher Columbus and see La Giralda, the former minaret of the Great Mosque, now the cathedral’s bell tower. Alternatively, join a scenic drive around the city and a short walk through the narrow lanes of Santa Cruz Quarter, before enjoying a refreshing beverage. This evening, why not join an optional experience with dinner and a horse and carriage ride?

Day 8: Free Time and Flamenco in Seville Relaxed Start

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. With some free time for dinner, wander the restaurants in Triana or try the local night market Lonja Del Barranco selling tapas made from fresh, local produce. Why not grab yourself a refreshing sangria for a cheers to your new found dancing feet? Later, share in the dancers’ devotion as you witness emotions come to life in a flamenco performance.

Day 9: Head for Gibraltar, Mijas 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. See the Barbary Apes, legendary guardians of the colony. Relax as you travel the scenic route along the Costa del Sol through high end resorts where the rich and famous holiday. Your journey continues through the green hills to the white-washed village of Mijas. Stroll through the old streets and gardens, taking in the views of the coast.

Day 10: At Leisure on the Costa del Sol Relaxed Start

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.

Day 11: Dining with Locals and the Alhambra Relaxed Start

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 Highlight 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.

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 with a glass of sangria at your Highlight Dinner.

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.

Day 14: Barcelona Sightseeing Relaxed Start

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.

Day 15: Depart Barcelona

After breakfast departure transfers arrive at Barcelona airport at 07:00, 09:00 and 11:00.