Portugal Treasures, Madrid & Barcelona

Touch down in Lisbon*, the capital of Portugal, known for its dramatic coastline and pastel-colored buildings. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Why not explore the oldest parts of the city to admire the ornate architecture or simply enjoy the views of the River Tagus from one of the many riverside cafes and bars. Overnight stay in Lisbon.

*You will have the option to add early check-in on arrival in the next step of the booking process. To guarantee optional services, we recommend that you add them to your current booking, as they are subject to availability.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off on a tour of Lisbon for an eye-opening overview of this incredible city. Begin your day contemplating the incredible Belem Tower and the “Padrão dos Descobrimentos” before heading to the church of the Jerónimos Monastery, home to the tomb of Vasco de Gama and the famous poet Camões.

Next, try the Pasteis de Belem during a mouth-watering pastry tasting, this typical, delicious Portuguese Tart is perhaps the most famous pastry in the country. Your tour will end with a fascinating stroll around Alfama quarter, one of the oldest areas in the city, perched upon the hillside with spectacular views across the sprawling cityscape.

The rest of the day is free to continue discovering the city at your own pace. Why not explore the Praça do Comercio and Rossio Square area, always a hive of activity perfect for sightseeing or grabbing a bite in a local café! This evening we recommend a fun optional Dinner with Fado Show* to fully immerse yourself in Portuguese culture. Overnight stay in Lisbon.

*Optional Dinner & Fado Show: Head to the historic neighbourhood of Alfama to indulge in an evening of traditional Portuguese cuisine accompanied by the melancholic sounds of Fado music. Soak up the warm atmosphere and listen to the soft melodies of the Portuguese guitar as you experience the authentic musical heritage of Lisbon for yourself!

Why not upgrade your trip with our Portugal Highlights package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on an excursion to Sintra, an unforgettable town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with 19th-century Romanticist architecture, fairytale castles and exquisite gardens. Here you'll visit the Quinta da Regaleira Gardens and Palace considered the most enigmatic of all the estates in Sintra. The palace is a fusion of ornate and colorful architectural styles but the main attraction is the extensive gardens, filled with symbolism and intriguing constructions.

After the tour, enjoy free time in Sintra to explore at your own pace. In the afternoon head to Cape Roca, the most westerly point of the European continent. Here you can soak up the views of the Atlantic Ocean and explore the village of Cascais, once the chosen beach destination of the aristocracy. Return to Lisbon and enjoy the remainder of the day exploring the delights of this cosmopolitan city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Lisbon.

Breakfastat the hotel. Head to Obidos today, one of the best-known villages in Portugal thanks to its magical cobblestone streets and charming architecture, enclosed within medieval city walls. Next, visit Nazaré, a surfers paradise, home to some of the largest waves in the world and the most popular beach destination on the Silver Coast.

Finish the day in the historic and fascinating city of Fátima, one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Catholics. Sacred sights here include the Capelinha das Aparições, where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared to local children in 1917, the Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário, with its golden angels, and the modern church of Igreja da Santíssima Trindade. Spend the evening at your leisure, discovering the sights and sounds of this beautiful city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Fátima.

Breakfast at the hotel. Bid farewell to Fátima today as you set for Tomar to visit the famous Convent of Christ complex, once a stronghold of the Templars in the 12th-century. Uncover the history of the Templars in Portugal, including the beautiful medieval chapel and the ornate cloister, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Explore this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site before continuing to the city of Coimbra, once the capital of Portugal and today a student city, home to the oldest university in the country.

As the day draws to a close, travel to Porto, in northern Portugal on the banks of the Douro River. With its stunning Old Town, Porto is one of the highlights of any trip to Portugal. Spend the evening at your leisure, exploring the city's atmospheric streets or enjoy an optional dinner with live music*. Overnight stay in Porto.

*Optional Dinner with Live Music: Embark on a unique gastronomic journey, where you'll savor a delicious traditional dinner paired with the finest wines from Portugal, while being captivated by a vibrant Fado performance. Sing, dance, and let yourself be carried away by a night full of emotion in an authentic and unforgettable experience.

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a panoramic tour of Porto to see the main attractions of the city such as Clérigos Tower, Aliados Avenue and the impressive Sao Bento train station. Afterwards, visit the Dom Luís I Bridge, an icon of the city of Porto and a marvel of 19th century engineering. In the afternoon, soak up the delights of Porto at your own pace, admiring the famous tiled facades or sampling the authentic local port in a cosy cafe. Alternatively, we recommend an unforgettable boat tour on the River Douro.* Overnight stay in Porto.

*Optional River Douro Boat Tour: set off on an unforgettable boat tour on the Douro River to enjoy spectacular views of the city. After cruising on the river, visit a local port wine cellar and enjoy a tasting session of this typical Portuguese drink. 

Please note: Entrance to the Bolsa Palace (15 euros per person) and Church of Saint Francis (12 euros per person) is optional and is not included.

Why not upgrade your trip with our Portugal Highlights package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Porto this morning, headed for the charming coastal city of Aveiro where you can enjoy some free time to explore its picturesque canals and colorful architecture. In the afternoon, return to the capital of Lisbon and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to soak up the ambience of this lively city or do some last-minute shopping. Overnight stay in Lisbon.

Breakfast at the hotel*. Swap Portugal for Spain today as you transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Madrid. Touch down in Madrid, the enigmatic capital city of Spain, known for its fast-paced atmosphere, classical architecture and beautiful plazas and parks. Transfer to the hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. Madrid is well-known for its brilliant gastronomic scene and lively nightlife, so be sure to get out after dark to experience the amazing atmosphere of the capital. Overnight stay in Madrid.

*Depending on the flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

Important: Remember that the following days of your trip in Spain are self-guided, meaning you will not have a guide with you. The only exception is for any optional excursions you choose to book, in which case a guide will accompany you.

Breakfast at the hotel. Make your own way to the nearest pick-up point and discover Madrid aboard a double-decker tour bus. Hop-on and hop-off the bus as many times as you wish and enjoy the city at your own pace. There are two different routes available. Route 1 (blue) will take you to discover the Historical Madrid and includes a complete historical, artistic and monumental tour. Discover the beautiful Paseo del Prado or admire magnificent buildings, legacy of the Habsburgs period. The second route (green) goes through Modern Madrid. Discover the city beyond historical landmarks and royal monuments. The itinerary will take you by the impressive KIO towers, Museum of Public Art and Real Madrid stadium.

The rest of the day is free to enjoy the world-class cuisine, excellent shopping and limitless cultural treasures of Madrid at your leisure. We recommend a half-day excursion to the city of Toledo.* Overnight stay in Madrid.

*Optional Afternoon Excursion to Toledo: Set off this afternoon for the historic city of Toledo, known as the 'City of Three Cultures' for its fusion of Jewish, Muslim and Christian histories. Discover this once powerful Imperial City and its eclectic mix of architectural styles.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day to discover Madrid at your leisure. Why not soak up a little culture at the incredible Prado Museum or go shopping along the Gran Via? For an afternoon stroll, we recommend El Retiro Park, home to a beautiful boating lake, stone fountains and the elegant Crystal Palace. Alternatively, why not enjoy an excursion to Ávila and Segovia*? As night falls, be sure to get out and enjoy Madrid's vibrant nightlife! The city is known for its many rooftop bars where you can enjoy sunset drinks alongside excellent views of the city! Overnight stay in Madrid.

*Optional Excursion to Ávila & Segovia: Set off for the charming city of Ávila, one of the best-preserved medieval fortified cities in Spain. Enjoy a walking tour through the old town to discover its Gothic palaces, fortified cathedral and Romanesque-style churches. Visit the incredible Walls of Ávila and enjoy free time to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site at your own pace. Next, set off for Segovia, where you'll stop for a gastronomic lunch before continuing the day with a guided tour of the exterior of Segovia Cathedral and an atmospheric walk through the old Jewish Quarter. Finally, enjoy a guided visit to the magnificent Alcazar of Segovia, a castle said to have inspired Walt Disney and one of the most enchanting medieval fortifications in Europe!

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the capital behind as you transfer to the train station to catch a high-speed train to Barcelona. Arrive in the Catalonian capital and transfer to your hotel. A vibrant city, known for its artistic heritage and the amazing architecture of Gaudi, spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, exploring the historic streets of the Barrio Gothic or strolling along the seafront in the old fishing neighborhood of Barceloneta. Overnight stay in Barcelona.

Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the city today on a combined walking and bus tour of Barcelona. Find your own way to the meeting point at Barcelona's Estació del Nord to meet your guide and set off on a walking tour of the historic neighborhoods of Born and the Gothic Quarter. Stroll along some of the most emblematic streets in the city before reaching the incredible Barcelona Cathedral, famed for its magnificent Gothic architecture. Continue the walking tour to uncover the secrets of one of the oldest parts of the city. Next, board an air-conditioned coach for a panoramic tour of Barcelona's most important sights. See the beautiful Mediterranean Coastline and Port Olympic, pass by the old fisherman's quarter of Barceloneta and head inland to the leafy neighborhood of Montjuïc. Famous as the stage for the 1992 Olympic Games, learn how this event transformed the city.

Take the Montjuïc cable car for amazing views across the entire city and visit MNAC Viewpoint for captivating panoramas of Barcelona. On the way back to the meeting point, drive along spectacular Passeig de Gracia to see some of the most emblematic architecture of Gaudi, such as Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. End the tour and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, making the most of the city's incredible beaches or indulging in Barcelona's many tapas bars. Overnight stay in Barcelona.

Please note: the Montjuïc cable car is under maintenance between January and early March. If you visit during this time, this cable car ride will be replaced by a ride on the Port Cable Car instead.

Important: In case that the Barcelona city tour is not available because of external causes such as a religious or an official event, a national holiday or demonstrations, a 1-day-pass of the hop-on-hop-off bus will be offered.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy today in Barcelona to explore at your leisure! Why not get to know the vibrant neighborhood of El Raval or pay a visit to Park Guell in Gracia, the fantastical creation of architect Antoni Gaudi? For an afternoon stroll be sure to visit Parque de la Ciudadela, one of the most popular green spaces in the city. On the other hand, don't miss the chance to visit the world-famous La Sagrada Familia, perhaps the most famous of all of Gaudi's architectural masterpieces! Overnight stay in Barcelona.

*Optional Fast Track Sagrada Familia & Gaudi's Artistic Works: Visit two of the most important landmarks in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. Admire Gaudí’s mastery and learn about the symbolism of his incredible works. Discover some of the most emblematic modernist monuments in the city and walk by two of the most important Gaudí works: La Pedrera and Casa Batlló.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy your final day in this magical, vibrant city and soak up the charms of Barcelona. Whether you're heading to the beach or uncovering the treasures held in the city's museums and art galleries, you're sure to fall in love with this lively regional capital. Overnight stay in Barcelona.

Breakfast at the hotel*. Sadly, it's time to bring your journey through Portugal and Spain to an end. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip**.

*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

**Depending on the return flight schedule, you may arrive in the US the next day and the total duration of the trip would be 17 days.