Best of Spain & Portugal - Small Group Tour
Deal number 31098400
TRAFALGAR
Pricing based on 25 July 2027 departure; other dates available at a seasonal surcharge
Europe
15-day tour
Earn points on every booking with Travel Associates*
What's Included
- 15 day Trafalgar small group tour departing Madrid.
- 14 nights accommodation.
- 21 meals (14 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 5 Dinners).
- The service of a dedicated Travel Advisor managing your booking.
- Earn & Redeem Points on all travel with our new loyalty program, World360 Rewards*
Trip Highlights:.
- Granada’s Alhambra – Explore its intricate courtyards, carved plasterwork and gardens with a Local Specialist.
- Flamenco in Seville – Learn the rhythms and movements of flamenco at the Cristina Heeren Foundation during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
- Port tasting in Porto – Visit the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia and sample Portugal’s celebrated tawny and ruby ports.
- Lunch with locals in Andalucía – Discover olive groves, taste locally produced oils and share a home-cooked lunch with a family in Alfarnatejo.
- Barcelona’s architectural icons – Enjoy early access and an organ performance at Palau de la Música Catalana, then visit Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, subject to access availability.
Itinerary
Iberian Icons: Madrid, Lisbon and Beyond
Travel through Spain and Portugal on a journey that links Moorish palaces, medieval hill towns and Atlantic wine country with authentic culinary experiences and local insight. From Segovia’s aqueduct and Fátima’s sanctuary to Porto’s cellars, Andalusia’s flamenco schools and the paella kitchens of Valencia, this tour moves through the Iberian Peninsula in a way that joins architecture, tradition and everyday life across two nations shaped by centuries of exchange.
Day 1 Welcome to Madrid
Arrive in Madrid, Spain’s capital since the 16th century, where the grand layout of the Bourbon period meets older barrios built around markets and neighbourhood squares. Meet your Travel Director and your small group over dinner in a local restaurant, sharing a meal and getting to know the people you’ll be travelling with across Spain and Portugal. Meals: Dinner Hotel: Barceló Torre de Madrid
Day 2 Madrid of the Bourbons
Explore Madrid’s central neighbourhoods with your Local Specialist, moving through the Old Quarter that grew around the city’s original medieval fortress and later expanded under the Habsburgs. Continue to the Prado Museum, founded in 1819 and recognised for its extensive European collection. You’ll join an art historian to view works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and others, gaining clear context for the artists who shaped Spain’s cultural record. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Barceló Torre de Madrid
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
*Spectacular Toledo: Spain's Ancient Capital - Visit the ancient capital of Spain with your Local Specialist. Stop at a viewpoint above the River Tagus and walk through the city, stopping to see El Greco's masterpiece, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, in St Thomas' church. This region is famed for the production of Damascene work, and you will have a chance to see how this intricate inlaid gold jewellery and craftwork is made in a local workshop.
You will be offered one of the following two Optional Experiences depending on availability:
*Madrid by Night - An evening drive to the most historic area of Madrid including stops for wonderful views of the city and a walk through the lively streets and squares of old Madrid. Enjoy free time for dinner in one of the many restaurants and return home along the grand Avenida Castellana with its spectacular fountains.
*Madrid by Night with Dinner - Enjoy an evening out in the nation's stately capital city. Tonight we'll enjoy a wonderful dinner out on the town in a carefully chosen venue, accompanied by Spanish wine and great local entertainment. What a wonderful introduction to Madrid.
Day 3 Segovia and Golden Salamanca
Travel to Segovia and walk its historic streets with a Local Specialist, viewing the Alcázar fortress that once guarded the approach to the Castilian plain. After your stop at the Alcázar, you’ll continue to the Roman aqueduct, a 1st-century engineering work that supplied the city with water for centuries. From here, you’ll journey on to Salamanca, passing the medieval walls of Ávila. On arrival, your inimitable Local Specialist will guide you to Plaza Mayor and the university buildings that shaped the city’s academic life from the 13th century. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Alameda Palace, Salamanca
Day 4 Porto, Grande Dame on the Douro
Cross into Portugal and travel to Porto, a city shaped by its medieval Ribeira district and long history of Atlantic trade. Begin at the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where port has been stored and aged since the 18th century, and join a guided tasting that introduces the region’s unmistakable flavours, from the golden tawny to deep red rubies. Continue with an orientation tour led by your Travel Director through the key riverside quarters and stepped streets. Afterwards, you’ll have time to explore spots such as the São Bento station’s tile panels, the riverside lanes of the Ribeira, or the compact merchants’ quarters around Clérigos Tower. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Hotel: NH Collection Porto Batalha
Day 5 Holy Fátima, Ancient Óbidos and Lisbon
Travel south to Fátima, Portugal’s most renowned place of pilgrimage, marked by the Sanctuary complex built after the reported apparitions of 1917. Continue to Óbidos and walk within its medieval walls, moving through narrow lanes and whitewashed houses that reflect the town’s fortified character. Try the local cherry liqueur, ginja, traditionally served in small chocolate cups, before travelling on to Lisbon, a coastal capital shaped by Moorish foundations and centuries of maritime trade. You may choose to join an Optional Experience and dine at a family-run restaurant known for its traditional Portuguese seafood. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: TURIM Marquês, Lisbon
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
You will be offered one of the following two Optional Experiences depending on availability:
*An Evening in the Heart of Lisbon - Meet your Local Specialist at Restauradores Square and set off on a leisurely stroll through the heart of Lisbon. As you wander from Praça Rossio through the elegant Baixa district, you’ll uncover striking sights and stories. See St George’s Castle, the majestic Santa Justa lift, Lisbon's Cathedral and more. During your walking tour, take a moment to relax with an aperitif in one of the city’s main squares.
*Seafood Dinner By The Tagus River - Enjoy typical Portuguese seafood and fish specialities at a local restaurant. After dinner, you’ll cross the impressive suspension bridge for a sweeping view over the Portuguese capital
Day 6 Lisbon and the Age of the Great Discoveries
Explore Lisbon with a Local Specialist, beginning in the Baixa’s Lower Town and the broad Pombal Square, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. Continue into the Belém Quarter to view the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belém Tower, and pause to try pastéis de Belém, the custard tarts first baked by Jerónimos monks in the 19th century. Visit the National Coach Museum to see its collection of royal carriages from the 16th to 19th centuries. Later, enjoy free time to follow the riverfront paths of Belém, browse Chiado’s shops or take the tram up to Alfama. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: TURIM Marquês, Lisbon
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
*Excursion to the Royal Portuguese Riviera - We'll venture outside Lisbon with our Local Specialist today. After passing through the fashionable resort of Estoril, we'll explore the picturesque fishing village of Cascais, with its beautiful array of mansions and exclusive residences. To complete the Golden Triangle, we'll visit one of the impressive Royal Palaces of Portugal. *Portuguese Fado Evening Of Music & Song With Dinner - Fado is the expressive national song of Portugal, often called the soul of their identity. Tonight, we'll visit one of the famed local Fado houses for an unforgettable performance and savour a typical Portuguese meal, with drinks included.
Day 7 The Algarve and on to Seville
Depart Portugal this morning and travel south into the Algarve, pausing in one of the region’s coastal towns for lunch. Long shaped by fishing, trade and a warmer Atlantic climate, the Algarve brings a different character to the day before you continue east and cross into Spain. From here, travel through the landscapes of Andalucía and arrive in Seville later in the afternoon. The evening is at leisure in Seville, giving you the chance to make the most of the city after dark. You might stroll through Santa Cruz, settle into a tapas bar in Triana where flamenco has deep roots, or head to a rooftop terrace for views across the historic centre. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: NH Collection Sevilla, Seville
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Discover The Origin Of Tapas & Evening In Old Seville - Join us for a dinner of mouth-watering tapas-style specialities. You’ll get the chance to taste different flavours and wines and dine like a local in the charming old quarter of Seville
Day 8| Flamenco and History in Seville
Meet your Local Specialist and explore Seville, viewing the symbolic Giralda bell tower and the Moorish-inspired María Luisa Park, with its tiled fountains, pavilions and ponds, before seeing the exterior of Seville Cathedral and walking through the former Jewish quarter. Spend the rest of the morning at leisure with time to visit the Plaza de España or wander the lanes around the riverfront near Torre del Oro. In the afternoon, take part in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Cristina Heeren Foundation, where a flamenco instructor will guide you through the basic rhythms and movements taught at this renowned school dedicated to preserving Andalusia’s artistic traditions. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: NH Collection Sevilla, Seville
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Cordoba & the Mezquita - Join your Local Specialist for a walking tour of the perfectly preserved Moorish city of Cordoba. The highlight is undoubtedly the magnificent Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque with a Cathedral built inside. Walk through the forest of horseshoe shaped arches to the Baroque choir stalls of the Cathedral and the richly ornamented Mihrab prayer niche, with free time to enjoy this amazing city.
Day 9 Head for Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol
Cross into Gibraltar for a closer look at this unique slice of the peninsula. Head up the Rock with a Local Specialist and explore St. Michael’s Cave — a vast limestone chamber shaped by thousands of years of water and mineral movement. Keep an eye out for the Barbary macaques that live here under protected status. You’ll then follow the road along the Costa del Sol, tracing the shoreline past small coves and resort towns before rolling into Torremolinos for the evening. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Mediterranean Dinner - Join us for a delicious Mediterranean style dinner in a delightful family restaurant on the Costa del Sol. We'll sample fresh Mediterranean fare, including some of the restaurant's signature dishes such as "fritura malagueña" or sea bass baked in sea salt, a traditional recipe since Roman times. Your meal will be accompanied by local wine.
Day 10 At Leisure on the Costa del Sol
A free day on the Costa del Sol gives you room to set your own pace. Wander Torremolinos’ old fishing quarter in La Carihuela, stopping for fried pescaíto or grilled sardines along the promenade. Walk the beachfront path towards Benalmádena, or head into Málaga for its Alcazaba, cathedral and small neighbourhood markets. If you prefer to keep things simple, spend the day drifting between cafes, shade and sea. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Hotel: Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Experience Málaga - Uncover Málaga’s rich history with your Local Specialist in the city where Pablo Picasso was born. Take in panoramic views from the Moorish Gibralfaro fortress, see the Alcazaba ramparts and ancient Roman theatre, then round off your visit with an aperitif in one of the city’s most famous taverns.
Day 11 Dining with Locals and the Alhambra
Travel into the hills around Alfarnatejo and walk the small town centre with your Travel Director, passing quiet squares and the Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla. You’ll head out to one of the area’s oldest olive groves to see how the trees are tended on this dry mountain terrain. At a rural mill, taste a few of the local oils with fresh bread and hear how each blend changes with the harvest and the age of the trees. Sit down to a home-cooked lunch with a local family — simple Andalusian dishes, seasonal produce and a chance to hear how life moves in this part of the region. Afterwards, continue to Granada for a guided visit to the Alhambra with a Local Specialist, stepping through courtyards, carved plasterwork and gardens that trace the long Nasrid period of the city. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Hotel: AC Palacio de Santa Paula
Day 12 On to Valencia
Upon arrival to Valencia stop to see the City of Arts and Sciences, the striking cultural complex built along the former Turia riverbed after the river was diverted in the 20th century. Continue through the ancient city gates to the Old City. You may wish to browse the shops, stop for a drink or take a short walk through the city centre before dinner. This evening, join your group in a local restaurant for Paella Valenciana, the rice dish that has its roots in the fields and kitchens of this region. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Hotel: Barceló Valencia
Day 13 Along the Coast to Peñíscola and on to Barcelona
Follow the coast north to Peñíscola and where you’ll pause to view the 14th-century castle built by the Knights Templar, set high above the sea on a rocky headland. Continue along the Costa Dorada towards Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, long recognised as the heart of Spain’s cava industry. Stop at a local bodega for a light lunch and a tasting, with an explanation of how the traditional method — secondary fermentation in the bottle, long ageing on the lees and hand riddling — shapes the character of each style. Travel onwards with your group to Barcelona, crossing into the wider metropolitan area before reaching the city centre later in the day. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Hotel: Meliá Sarrià, Barcelona
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Gaudi's Parc Güell and the Maritime Front - Enter a strange fantasy world at Parc Güell, Spain's most impressive public park which we'll visit with our Local Specialist. Here Gaudí designed mushroom-like houses, "bird nest" pillars and a stunning mosaic dragon. The huge central terrace is enveloped by a ceramic-encrusted serpentine bench (reputedly the world's longest seat) and offers panoramic views of Barcelona and the bay. We then head to the Maritime Front, why not try one of the numerous waterfront restaurants?
Day 14 Barcelona Sightseeing
Enjoy early access to the Palau de la Música Catalana, stepping into a Modernist concert hall to explore and enjoy an organ performance. Take a drive through Barcelona with a Local Specialist along Passeig de Gràcia, where you’ll pass balconies, stonework and rooflines shaped by the Modernista architects who rebuilt the city’s identity at the turn of the 20th century. Continue into the Eixample, following the sharp grid and open junctions that make this district easy to read from above and at street level. You’ll visit the Sagrada Família and stand close enough to see the differences between Gaudí’s early stonework and the ongoing construction that rises around it. In the evening, meet your group for a final dinner, raising a glass to the days you’ve spent travelling through Spain and Portugal and the moments that stitched the trip together.
*Please note that access to the basilica may be restricted for special masses, pilgrim visits or official ceremonies, and we may be unable to secure tickets to visit. Should this occur during your tour, you will visit the Hospital de Sant Pau instead, a striking example of Catalan Art Nouveau designed by Gaudí’s contemporary, Domènech i Montaner. Afterwards, join your Local Specialist in the gardens surrounding the Sagrada Família and take in the extraordinary exterior of Gaudí’s iconic masterpiece. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Hotel: Meliá Sarrià, Barcelona
Day 15 Depart for Madrid
Today, bid farewell to your journey across Spain and Portugal as you transfer from Barcelona to Madrid. Meals: Breakfast
Travel through Spain and Portugal on a journey that links Moorish palaces, medieval hill towns and Atlantic wine country with authentic culinary experiences and local insight. From Segovia’s aqueduct and Fátima’s sanctuary to Porto’s cellars, Andalusia’s flamenco schools and the paella kitchens of Valencia, this tour moves through the Iberian Peninsula in a way that joins architecture, tradition and everyday life across two nations shaped by centuries of exchange.
Day 1 Welcome to Madrid
Arrive in Madrid, Spain’s capital since the 16th century, where the grand layout of the Bourbon period meets older barrios built around markets and neighbourhood squares. Meet your Travel Director and your small group over dinner in a local restaurant, sharing a meal and getting to know the people you’ll be travelling with across Spain and Portugal. Meals: Dinner Hotel: Barceló Torre de Madrid
Day 2 Madrid of the Bourbons
Explore Madrid’s central neighbourhoods with your Local Specialist, moving through the Old Quarter that grew around the city’s original medieval fortress and later expanded under the Habsburgs. Continue to the Prado Museum, founded in 1819 and recognised for its extensive European collection. You’ll join an art historian to view works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and others, gaining clear context for the artists who shaped Spain’s cultural record. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Barceló Torre de Madrid
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
*Spectacular Toledo: Spain's Ancient Capital - Visit the ancient capital of Spain with your Local Specialist. Stop at a viewpoint above the River Tagus and walk through the city, stopping to see El Greco's masterpiece, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, in St Thomas' church. This region is famed for the production of Damascene work, and you will have a chance to see how this intricate inlaid gold jewellery and craftwork is made in a local workshop.
You will be offered one of the following two Optional Experiences depending on availability:
*Madrid by Night - An evening drive to the most historic area of Madrid including stops for wonderful views of the city and a walk through the lively streets and squares of old Madrid. Enjoy free time for dinner in one of the many restaurants and return home along the grand Avenida Castellana with its spectacular fountains.
*Madrid by Night with Dinner - Enjoy an evening out in the nation's stately capital city. Tonight we'll enjoy a wonderful dinner out on the town in a carefully chosen venue, accompanied by Spanish wine and great local entertainment. What a wonderful introduction to Madrid.
Day 3 Segovia and Golden Salamanca
Travel to Segovia and walk its historic streets with a Local Specialist, viewing the Alcázar fortress that once guarded the approach to the Castilian plain. After your stop at the Alcázar, you’ll continue to the Roman aqueduct, a 1st-century engineering work that supplied the city with water for centuries. From here, you’ll journey on to Salamanca, passing the medieval walls of Ávila. On arrival, your inimitable Local Specialist will guide you to Plaza Mayor and the university buildings that shaped the city’s academic life from the 13th century. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Alameda Palace, Salamanca
Day 4 Porto, Grande Dame on the Douro
Cross into Portugal and travel to Porto, a city shaped by its medieval Ribeira district and long history of Atlantic trade. Begin at the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where port has been stored and aged since the 18th century, and join a guided tasting that introduces the region’s unmistakable flavours, from the golden tawny to deep red rubies. Continue with an orientation tour led by your Travel Director through the key riverside quarters and stepped streets. Afterwards, you’ll have time to explore spots such as the São Bento station’s tile panels, the riverside lanes of the Ribeira, or the compact merchants’ quarters around Clérigos Tower. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Hotel: NH Collection Porto Batalha
Day 5 Holy Fátima, Ancient Óbidos and Lisbon
Travel south to Fátima, Portugal’s most renowned place of pilgrimage, marked by the Sanctuary complex built after the reported apparitions of 1917. Continue to Óbidos and walk within its medieval walls, moving through narrow lanes and whitewashed houses that reflect the town’s fortified character. Try the local cherry liqueur, ginja, traditionally served in small chocolate cups, before travelling on to Lisbon, a coastal capital shaped by Moorish foundations and centuries of maritime trade. You may choose to join an Optional Experience and dine at a family-run restaurant known for its traditional Portuguese seafood. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: TURIM Marquês, Lisbon
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
You will be offered one of the following two Optional Experiences depending on availability:
*An Evening in the Heart of Lisbon - Meet your Local Specialist at Restauradores Square and set off on a leisurely stroll through the heart of Lisbon. As you wander from Praça Rossio through the elegant Baixa district, you’ll uncover striking sights and stories. See St George’s Castle, the majestic Santa Justa lift, Lisbon's Cathedral and more. During your walking tour, take a moment to relax with an aperitif in one of the city’s main squares.
*Seafood Dinner By The Tagus River - Enjoy typical Portuguese seafood and fish specialities at a local restaurant. After dinner, you’ll cross the impressive suspension bridge for a sweeping view over the Portuguese capital
Day 6 Lisbon and the Age of the Great Discoveries
Explore Lisbon with a Local Specialist, beginning in the Baixa’s Lower Town and the broad Pombal Square, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. Continue into the Belém Quarter to view the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belém Tower, and pause to try pastéis de Belém, the custard tarts first baked by Jerónimos monks in the 19th century. Visit the National Coach Museum to see its collection of royal carriages from the 16th to 19th centuries. Later, enjoy free time to follow the riverfront paths of Belém, browse Chiado’s shops or take the tram up to Alfama. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: TURIM Marquês, Lisbon
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
*Excursion to the Royal Portuguese Riviera - We'll venture outside Lisbon with our Local Specialist today. After passing through the fashionable resort of Estoril, we'll explore the picturesque fishing village of Cascais, with its beautiful array of mansions and exclusive residences. To complete the Golden Triangle, we'll visit one of the impressive Royal Palaces of Portugal. *Portuguese Fado Evening Of Music & Song With Dinner - Fado is the expressive national song of Portugal, often called the soul of their identity. Tonight, we'll visit one of the famed local Fado houses for an unforgettable performance and savour a typical Portuguese meal, with drinks included.
Day 7 The Algarve and on to Seville
Depart Portugal this morning and travel south into the Algarve, pausing in one of the region’s coastal towns for lunch. Long shaped by fishing, trade and a warmer Atlantic climate, the Algarve brings a different character to the day before you continue east and cross into Spain. From here, travel through the landscapes of Andalucía and arrive in Seville later in the afternoon. The evening is at leisure in Seville, giving you the chance to make the most of the city after dark. You might stroll through Santa Cruz, settle into a tapas bar in Triana where flamenco has deep roots, or head to a rooftop terrace for views across the historic centre. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: NH Collection Sevilla, Seville
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Discover The Origin Of Tapas & Evening In Old Seville - Join us for a dinner of mouth-watering tapas-style specialities. You’ll get the chance to taste different flavours and wines and dine like a local in the charming old quarter of Seville
Day 8| Flamenco and History in Seville
Meet your Local Specialist and explore Seville, viewing the symbolic Giralda bell tower and the Moorish-inspired María Luisa Park, with its tiled fountains, pavilions and ponds, before seeing the exterior of Seville Cathedral and walking through the former Jewish quarter. Spend the rest of the morning at leisure with time to visit the Plaza de España or wander the lanes around the riverfront near Torre del Oro. In the afternoon, take part in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Cristina Heeren Foundation, where a flamenco instructor will guide you through the basic rhythms and movements taught at this renowned school dedicated to preserving Andalusia’s artistic traditions. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: NH Collection Sevilla, Seville
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Cordoba & the Mezquita - Join your Local Specialist for a walking tour of the perfectly preserved Moorish city of Cordoba. The highlight is undoubtedly the magnificent Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque with a Cathedral built inside. Walk through the forest of horseshoe shaped arches to the Baroque choir stalls of the Cathedral and the richly ornamented Mihrab prayer niche, with free time to enjoy this amazing city.
Day 9 Head for Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol
Cross into Gibraltar for a closer look at this unique slice of the peninsula. Head up the Rock with a Local Specialist and explore St. Michael’s Cave — a vast limestone chamber shaped by thousands of years of water and mineral movement. Keep an eye out for the Barbary macaques that live here under protected status. You’ll then follow the road along the Costa del Sol, tracing the shoreline past small coves and resort towns before rolling into Torremolinos for the evening. Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Mediterranean Dinner - Join us for a delicious Mediterranean style dinner in a delightful family restaurant on the Costa del Sol. We'll sample fresh Mediterranean fare, including some of the restaurant's signature dishes such as "fritura malagueña" or sea bass baked in sea salt, a traditional recipe since Roman times. Your meal will be accompanied by local wine.
Day 10 At Leisure on the Costa del Sol
A free day on the Costa del Sol gives you room to set your own pace. Wander Torremolinos’ old fishing quarter in La Carihuela, stopping for fried pescaíto or grilled sardines along the promenade. Walk the beachfront path towards Benalmádena, or head into Málaga for its Alcazaba, cathedral and small neighbourhood markets. If you prefer to keep things simple, spend the day drifting between cafes, shade and sea. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Hotel: Meliá Costa del Sol, Torremolinos
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Experience Málaga - Uncover Málaga’s rich history with your Local Specialist in the city where Pablo Picasso was born. Take in panoramic views from the Moorish Gibralfaro fortress, see the Alcazaba ramparts and ancient Roman theatre, then round off your visit with an aperitif in one of the city’s most famous taverns.
Day 11 Dining with Locals and the Alhambra
Travel into the hills around Alfarnatejo and walk the small town centre with your Travel Director, passing quiet squares and the Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla. You’ll head out to one of the area’s oldest olive groves to see how the trees are tended on this dry mountain terrain. At a rural mill, taste a few of the local oils with fresh bread and hear how each blend changes with the harvest and the age of the trees. Sit down to a home-cooked lunch with a local family — simple Andalusian dishes, seasonal produce and a chance to hear how life moves in this part of the region. Afterwards, continue to Granada for a guided visit to the Alhambra with a Local Specialist, stepping through courtyards, carved plasterwork and gardens that trace the long Nasrid period of the city. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Hotel: AC Palacio de Santa Paula
Day 12 On to Valencia
Upon arrival to Valencia stop to see the City of Arts and Sciences, the striking cultural complex built along the former Turia riverbed after the river was diverted in the 20th century. Continue through the ancient city gates to the Old City. You may wish to browse the shops, stop for a drink or take a short walk through the city centre before dinner. This evening, join your group in a local restaurant for Paella Valenciana, the rice dish that has its roots in the fields and kitchens of this region. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Hotel: Barceló Valencia
Day 13 Along the Coast to Peñíscola and on to Barcelona
Follow the coast north to Peñíscola and where you’ll pause to view the 14th-century castle built by the Knights Templar, set high above the sea on a rocky headland. Continue along the Costa Dorada towards Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, long recognised as the heart of Spain’s cava industry. Stop at a local bodega for a light lunch and a tasting, with an explanation of how the traditional method — secondary fermentation in the bottle, long ageing on the lees and hand riddling — shapes the character of each style. Travel onwards with your group to Barcelona, crossing into the wider metropolitan area before reaching the city centre later in the day. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Hotel: Meliá Sarrià, Barcelona
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Gaudi's Parc Güell and the Maritime Front - Enter a strange fantasy world at Parc Güell, Spain's most impressive public park which we'll visit with our Local Specialist. Here Gaudí designed mushroom-like houses, "bird nest" pillars and a stunning mosaic dragon. The huge central terrace is enveloped by a ceramic-encrusted serpentine bench (reputedly the world's longest seat) and offers panoramic views of Barcelona and the bay. We then head to the Maritime Front, why not try one of the numerous waterfront restaurants?
Day 14 Barcelona Sightseeing
Enjoy early access to the Palau de la Música Catalana, stepping into a Modernist concert hall to explore and enjoy an organ performance. Take a drive through Barcelona with a Local Specialist along Passeig de Gràcia, where you’ll pass balconies, stonework and rooflines shaped by the Modernista architects who rebuilt the city’s identity at the turn of the 20th century. Continue into the Eixample, following the sharp grid and open junctions that make this district easy to read from above and at street level. You’ll visit the Sagrada Família and stand close enough to see the differences between Gaudí’s early stonework and the ongoing construction that rises around it. In the evening, meet your group for a final dinner, raising a glass to the days you’ve spent travelling through Spain and Portugal and the moments that stitched the trip together.
*Please note that access to the basilica may be restricted for special masses, pilgrim visits or official ceremonies, and we may be unable to secure tickets to visit. Should this occur during your tour, you will visit the Hospital de Sant Pau instead, a striking example of Catalan Art Nouveau designed by Gaudí’s contemporary, Domènech i Montaner. Afterwards, join your Local Specialist in the gardens surrounding the Sagrada Família and take in the extraordinary exterior of Gaudí’s iconic masterpiece. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Hotel: Meliá Sarrià, Barcelona
Day 15 Depart for Madrid
Today, bid farewell to your journey across Spain and Portugal as you transfer from Barcelona to Madrid. Meals: Breakfast
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- Advertised prices are for products booked with Travel Associates retail advisors or franchise offices within Australia.Pricing may vary if you are booking with a Travel Associates at Home independent travel advisor or Travel Associates franchise office as they operate as independent businesses and determine their own pricing.If you are a member of World360 Rewards, the World360 Rewards Terms will apply in respect of any points that you may earn and/or redeem in connection with this booking.Bookings with Travel Associates Member Businesses and Travel Associates at Home Advisors are not eligible for points earn or redemption.
- Other earn exclusions apply (incl service, change/cancellation & merchant fees, gift card purchases and bookings with brand credit).
- Some products are redeemable in store only and minimum and maximum point redemption values apply.Ask in store or visit https://www.travelassociates.com/world360-rewards for full details.
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