Welcome to Madrid and the start of this exciting 15-day tour of Spain and Portugal! Arrive at the hotel this morning and meet your tour leader. Then it’s time for the travel fun to begin! The tour kicks off with an orientation tour of Madrid to learn more about Spain’s beautiful capital city and its highlights. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore the city this afternoon. Why not choose to join the Madrid Tapas Food Tour optional excursion to sample mouthwatering local dishes? This evening, meet up with your tour leader at the hotel for an included welcome dinner. Enjoy the delicious tastes of Spain and get to know the rest of the travellers on this group tour.

Depart Madrid this morning and travel to San Sebastian on Spain’s northern coast. Along the way, stop off in Segovia, a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site which is home to the highest concentration of Romanesque churches in Europe, as well as an incredibly well-preserved Roman aqueduct that runs into the heart of the city. Arrive in San Sebastian in the late afternoon. San Sebastian is a charming city with a beautiful beach and vibrant nightlife. A foodie’s paradise, San Sebastian is known for its Basque gastronomy, so this evening is best spent exploring the beachfront bars and indulging in pintxo, northern Spain's version of tapas!

Today’s first stop is Pamplona - the historic city made famous by “the running of the bulls” during the San Fermin festival. Pamplona is packed with history! Enjoy free time to explore the beautiful medieval city centre and see the city walls and citadel. After seeing Pamplona, travel to Zaragoza and enjoy a wine tasting along the way. Arrive in Zaragoza and take a locally guided walking tour of the city. The city has experienced a long and varied history, with Roman, Moorish, Jewish and Christian communities leaving their marks over the centuries. The storied history of Zaragoza can be seen in the architecture of the Basílica del Pilar cathedral, Aljafería Islamic palace, the Roman theatre and more.

Today, it’s time to travel onwards to Madrid. Journey through the historic La Mancha region, made famous by the legend of Don Quixote - an ageing knight who, inspired by his literary heroes, sets off with his squire in search of chivalrous adventure. Next up, explore Castillo de Belmonte. Located on the hill of San Cristobal, tour the medieval castle and discover grandly furnished rooms and dungeons, and learn more about the intriguing history. Arrive in Madrid later in the afternoon. This evening, enjoy an included dinner where travellers from the Highlights of Spain & Portugal tour will join the group.

This morning, say farewell to Madrid and head to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Toledo, an ancient city in central Spain. Fall in love with this charming medieval town, complete with Gothic architecture and an impressive cathedral. The tour continues south to the Moorish city of Granada, which was the last stronghold of the Spanish Moors, and the legacy is evident all around! Arrive in the afternoon and set off on an orientation tour of the city. Your tour leader will point out top attractions including the famous Alhambra and share great insight into this beautiful region of Spain. Tonight, choose to taste local cuisine on the Granada Local Food & Wine Evening optional excursion.

The journey through Andalusia continues! Spend the morning exploring the city of Granada, or join our optional excursion to the Alhambra Palace (please note: this excursion must be pre-booked). In addition to a rich Moorish and medieval history, Granada is a fascinating city that is packed with street art, culture and wonderful restaurants. This afternoon, travel to Ronda and admire the spectacular views from the ‘Puente Nuevo’ (New Bridge) before enjoying free time for lunch. Later in the afternoon, arrive in the enchanting city of Seville and get to know the city’s sights on a short driving tour. Afterwards, enjoy free time at the beautiful Plaza de Espana and sit down for an included dinner before checking into the hotel for tonight.

Today, cross the border and travel to Lisbon in Portugal! En route, visit the Algarve, the stunning southern coastal region of Portugal that features golden beaches and limestone cliffs. Make a comfort stop at one of these beautiful beaches and enjoy the impressive views, golden sand, and azure blue waters. Arrive in Lisbon and it’s time to set out on an orientation tour of Portugal’s capital city. See Lisbon’s top sights and attractions from the imposing Sao Jorge Castle to the pastel colours of the old town - Lisbon has it all! Take note of any spots you would like to explore on the free day tomorrow!

Today is a free day to explore Lisbon at your leisure. See iconic landmarks including the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belém Tower, or discover the wonderful hilltop district of Bairro Alto. Be sure to taste a delicious pasteis de nata (Portuguese custard tart) during your free time! Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Fátima - Portugal’s most famous pilgrimage site. Or, visit colourful Sintra for a tour and lunch; this charming UNESCO World Heritage Site village is known for its strikingly colourful monuments and was once the summer retreat for Portugal’s royal families! This evening, find a spot to enjoy one of Portugal's cultural highlights; Fado music which is some of the oldest urban folk music in the world!

Say tchau to Lisbon this morning, as Porto awaits! The first stop today is Obidos, a classic fortified town with narrow cobbled streets, picturesque houses and an imposing hilltop castle. Enjoy free time to explore. Continue the tour of Portugal and arrive in Porto - the second largest city in Portugal and one of the oldest European centres. Head out on a driving and walking tour with your tour leader. See sights including Ponte de' Luis - a stunning bridge which crosses the River Douro, the Clerigos Tower and many other famous landmarks. One of Portugal’s famous exports is Port wine, which is named after Porto, and you will have the opportunity to taste it this afternoon at an included Port wine tasting.

It’s time to wave goodbye to Portugal and travel back across the border to Spain. Journey through the countryside this morning and make a stop in Guarda, where you can enjoy some free time. Guarda was founded in the 12th century by King Sancho I, and many of the fortified towers and defensive walls he built survive to this day. Arrive in Salamanca in Spain, and check into the hotel. Enjoy free time this afternoon to see more of the magnificent city. A visit to the Old Town and the Cathedral Bell Tower is highly recommended. To cap off the evening, enjoy an included farewell dinner, offering three courses of delicious food from around the province of Salamanca.

It’s the last day of the tour and time to travel back to Madrid. Depart Salamanca this morning and travel to Avila to enjoy some free time. Nestled amongst rolling hills in Spain’s countryside, Avila is notable for its many Romanesque and Gothic churches as well as its famous and incredibly well preserved medieval walls. Finally, continue on to Madrid, where this amazing 15-day tour of Spain and Portugal concludes.