TREASURES OF SPAIN & PORTUGAL

Drive to the city to meet our local guide.  Admire the stunning architecture of La Sagrada Familia (entrance included), the Casa Mila & Casa Batllo featuring the art nouveau fantasies of Gaudi.  Stroll down bustling La Rambla and arrived at the Columbus Monument.   

Travel up to Montjuic Hill, the site of the 1992 Olympics, for a spectacular view of the city.  View the Cathedral in the Barrio Gothic and admire the well-preserved city walls which have surrounded the old city for over 2000 years.    

Drive south to Valencia, once a royal capital and now a sunny garden city.   

Start our Valencia tour with a panoramic drive around the City of Arts & Science, a futuristic ‘city within a city’.  View the Town Hall and the Bull Ring before proceeding on foot to La Seo Cathedral which is said to house the ‘Holy Grail’.   

Admire the Miguelete (Little Michael Tower) before visiting the old town with the historic Silk Exchange and Central Market. 

Traverse through the picturesque Valencian countryside with rolling hills, citrus and olive groves to Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its breathtaking architecture and dramatic landscapes.  

Wander through the narrow cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old buildings.  Marvel at the views of the old town and the plunging gorges from the Mirador del Barrio del Castillo.   

Cross the Castilian Plateau, a vast and arid region known for its rugged terrain which gradually transforms from rocky cliffs gorges to expansive plains dotted with olive groves and vineyards. 

Arrive in Spain’s vibrant capital Madrid with a skyline dominated by skyscrapers, historic landmarks and bustling streets.   

Start our tour of Madrid with a visit to the Royal Palace, (may close during official ceremonies without prior notice.  The visit will be replaced by Prado Museum).   

See the Plaza Mayor where bullfights, royal coronations and even the Spanish Inquisition took place.  View the Cibeles Fountain, the Gran Via and Puerta del Sol, officially the exact centre of the city.  

Visit Plaza Espana where the statue of Cervantes takes centre stage.  Enjoy a morning snack of freshly made churros dipped in thick creamy hot chocolate.  

In the afternoon, visit an outlet mall for deals on popular brands of Spain and more. 

A short drive south brings us to Toledo, often called the ‘City of Three Cultures’ due to its rich history of Christian, Muslim and Jewish influences.  The first glimpse of Toledo is breathtaking as the city rises majestically on a hill overlooking the Tagus River.  Stop at Alcantara Bridge which offers a great photo opportunity of Toledo.   

Visit the Cathedral, a gothic masterpiece renowned for its stunning architecture, intricate sculptures and richly decorated chapels.  Wander through the historic Jewish Quarter characterized by its narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses and wrought-iron balconies.   

Visit a Damascene Workshop to see the ancient Moorish art of interlacing gold on iron or steel.  

Continue to Cordoba in southern Spain.  The city captivates visitors with its iconic Mezquita-Catedral, historic Alcazar and charming Jewish Quarter. 

Take a stroll along Cordoba’s Puente Romano which spans the Guadalquivir River and offers panoramic views of the city.  Visit the city’s most important landmark, the Mezquita-Catedral.  Wander through the mosque’s mesmerizing forest of columns and admire the intricate arches and mihrab, all built within a Renaissance cathedral. 

Explore the labyrinth of the atmospheric Jewish Quarters with its whitewashed houses, colourful balconies and hidden courtyards.  Popular with photographers is the Calleja de las Flores, a narrow alleyway adorned with flowers and traditional Andalusian architecture.   

Drive through the scenic Andalusian countryside to Seville, the site of the World Expo 1992. 

Immerse in Spanish culture with an engaging flamenco lesson.  Learn the basic steps from professional dancers and experience the passion of Flamenco.  

Visit the massive 15th century Gothic Cathedral where the tomb of Christopher Columbus can be found.  Walk up the ramps of the Giralda Tower (entrance included) where the panoramic views of Seville can be admired.   

View the Alcazar and stroll into the charming Jewish district of Santa Cruz.   Make a photo stop at the Setas de Sevilla, a distinctive architecture with its intricate wooden lattice which provides a stark contrast within the old town.  Drive through Maria Luisa Park and arrive at the most beautiful Plaza de Espana in Spain.  

Cross sunbaked landscapes of Estremadura, cradle of the Conquistadores into the greenery of the Portuguese border.  Cross the 25th April Bridge to the capital of Portugal, Lisbon. 

Start with a drive down the broad avenues of the Lower Town and the contrasting Alfama Quarter.  Compare the neat grids of the Baixa, the financial district of Lisbon to the narrow lanes in the Barrio Alto.   

See Vasco da Gama’s tomb inside the Jeronimo’s Monastery and admire views of the Navigator’s Monument and the Belem Tower, starting point for Portugal’s intrepid explorers. 

Continue to Sintra, widely acclaimed as one of Portugal’s most beautiful destinations with beautiful gardens, tiled villas and colourful palaces.  Visit the westernmost point of Continental Europe, Cabo de Roca with its imposing cliffs over 150m high.   

Make a stop in Cascais, a quiet fishing village which has been transformed into the favourite vacation destination for European aristocrats.  See the Boca do Inferno, the mouth of hell, carved out by the force of pounding waves and wind.  Return to Lisbon for some free time.   

Travel north to Obidos, a medieval town known for its well-preserved architecture, historic walls and picturesque streets.  Enter the town through its ancient gate adorned with traditional Portuguese tiles depicting scenes from the town’s history.   

Wander through the narrow, cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed houses adorned with colourful flowers.  Why not sample some Ginja, a traditional cherry liqueur served in chocolate cups and explore local artisan shops selling ceramics and lacework 

Admire the iconic landmark, Obidos Castle.  For the active, climb onto the medieval walls for stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the Atlantic Ocean.    

For lunch, we travel for what is considered the greatest gastronomic reference in Central Portugal, roasted piglet Bairrada.  

Continue to Porto, also known as Oporto, a vibrant city located in northwest Portugal.  It is famous for its stunning riverfront, historic architecture, port wine production and rich cultural heritage.  

Explore Porto’s historic riverside district, a UNECO World Heritage site lined with colourful buildings, narrow streets and picturesque squares.   

Marvel at the ornate azulejo panels decorating the interior of Sao Bento Railway Station.  These beautiful blue and white tiles depict scenes from Portugal’s history.  

Prepare to be enchanted by Livraria Lello, widely regarded as one of the most exquisite bookshops in the world. Its elegant art-nouveau design, adorned with sweeping staircases and endless bookshelves, captivates visitors from around the globe. Notably, Livraria Lello's enchanting ambiance is said to have inspired author J.K. Rowling during her creation of the Harry Potter series (VIP skip-the-line ticket).   

Enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Douro River and follow in the footsteps of old wine merchants who transported wine from the valley to the wine cellars.  The Rabelo, a traditional Portuguese wooden cargo boat used for centuries to transport people and goods along the Douro River, sails pass beautiful landscapes, red roofed buildings of Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia and the historical bridges of Porto. Visit a winery to taste some port wines.   

In the afternoon, free at leisure to explore the city.  Why not visit and experience the vibrant vibes of the historic Balhao Market dating back to 1839.