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Spain & Portugal Signature
9 Days
Overview:
Venture through the bright metropolis of Madrid, the gothic city of Barcelona, and the beautiful Portuguese capital of Lisbon. In Barcelona you’ll see all that Catalonia has to offer, from the colorful city markets to the renowned creations of Gaudi. Many of his works, like La Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell changed the world of architecture forever. In the capital of Spain, Madrid, the nightlife and daytime are truly one of a kind. From bullfighting to tapas dishes, modern to ancient, you’ll be entertained throughout your stay. You can also visit quaint but modern Toledo, whose medieval heritage decorates the town and is not to be missed. Finally, visit Lisbon, a remarkable city on all accounts. The urban city is beautiful in a timeless way, and the picturesque views and gorgeous castles will be fit for any fairytale. So go out and find your happily ever after in Spain and Portugal!
3 days in Barcelona
2 days in Madrid
4 days in Lisbon
The Plan:
Day 1 Barcelona
You’ve been waiting for this break, but now you’re finally here in Spain! A private driver will take you to your hotel, where you’ll be greeted by an English-speaking assistant who will give you your welcome package. A typical welcome package consists of maps, train tickets, and general tourist info that might come in handy. Rest up! You’ve got some touring to do tomorrow.
Day 2 Barcelona( 8 Hours tour)
Tour Barcelona with a guide to see the architectural feats of Antoni Gaudí. As you stroll down the Paseo de Gracia, you’ll see a plethora of Gaudí wonders, visit La Sagrada Familia, as well as his homes, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera to learn about the lives of the upper class over a century ago. Finally, admire Parc Guell, a public park worthy of all its praise.
Day 3 Barcelona( 5 Hours tour)
Drive through the countryside of Catalonia and admire the elegant but simple Montserrat. This 1,000+ year old monastery is still home to monks today, and sits atop a hill. Inside you can gaze upon dozens of stunning pieces of art, such as a carving of the Black Madonna dating back to the 12th century. You’ll also receive a tour of the Basilica before returning.
Day 4 Madrid (3 hour train) (3 hour tour)
Take a train ride to Madrid. There stroll through the delightful city where you’ll see the busy Puerta del Sol, and visit the medieval Plaza Mayor, along with the Royal Palace and Plaza de Oriente. Amble through Arco and Calle Cuchilleros, where century old taverns lay in wait for your exploration before finding something to eat in one of many delicious Spanish restaurants.
Day 5 Madrid (8 hour tour)
Take a day trip to Toledo, the medieval center of Spain. The famed artist, El Greco, spent time there, and you can see plenty of his works in the city. Toledo is a plethora of different architectural styles and periods, and you’ll see that as you stroll through the many museums and churches it has to offer. Visit Europe’s oldest standing synagogue before heading back.
Day 6 Lisbon (2 hours)
Fly to Lisbon and leave Spain behind. You’ll receive airport transportation and an assistant holding a sign with your name on it will be waiting for you at customs. You’ll get a welcome package with some wine and a city map in it after you arrive at your hotel.
Day 7 Lisbon (4 hour tour)
A driver and guide will take you around Lisbon, the city of seven hills, where you will see Rossio Square, the old quarter of Alfama, the Lisbon Cathedral, St. George’s Castle, and many other noteworthy places. Amble through Belem and look around the UNESCO heritage sites of Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower. You will also visit the Monument to the Discoveries before heading back.
Day 8 Lisbon (6 hour tour)
Stare wide-eyed at the Portuguese coast while driving by fortresses with your private guide. Arrive in Estoril, a resort town, wander along Tamariz Beach, and learn about World War Two spy meet-up spots there. Then, travel to Cascais, a fishing village turned-resort, and historical Sintra, where, after meandering through the old-fashioned streets, you can shuttle to the magical Pena Palace before heading back to Lisbon.
Day 9
Goodbye Portugal! Board your flight back home and enjoy watching Portugal from the skies as you drift away. We hope to see you on another tour soon!
Must See:
Barcelona:
Sagrada Familia, Picasso Museum, La Rambla, Barri Gotic, Park Guell, modernist buildings, Montjuic Hill, Barceloneta
Madrid:
Palacio Real, Plaza Mayor, Prado Museum, Puerta del Sol, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Cibeles, Gran Via, Madrid Cathedral, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofia Museums
Lisbon:
Alfama, Baixa and Chiado, Se de Lisboa, Sao Roque Church, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Torre de Belem, Discoveries Monument, Museu Nacional dos Coches, Parque das Nacos, Elevador de Santa Justa, Tram 28 Eat and Stay
Memory Makers:
Barcelona
Tapas And WIne Experience Small Group Walking Tour
Munch on some yummy tapas and sip traditional wine on this food tour of Barcelona. You’ll eat at three of the city’s best restaurants along the way.
Three Countries In One Day: France, Andorra, and Spain from Barcelona
Visit Baga, a medieval Spanish town before crossing the border to the French spa town of Ax Les Thermes. Pass through a beautiful mountain pass to get to Andorra, where you’ll get a fairytale view of the mountains.
Madrid
Madrid Tapas And Wine Tasting Tour
Enjoy a relaxing tapas tour through four renowned tapas bars in the city. You can learn about the history and ingredients of the dishes as you go.
Direct Entry Ticket to Bernabeu Stadium
Visit Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home to the Real Madrid football club. Inside you can tour the trophy room and presidential box, as well as have a bite to eat.
Lisbon
Small-Group Tour: Knights Templar Historical Tour from Lisbon
If you’ve ever watched The Da-Vinci Code and wondered who the Knights Templar were, here’s your chance to find out! Explore the Almourol castle built by the Knights Templar and a convent where these knights resided while learning all about them in the process.
Berlenga Grande Island Small-Group Day Trip From Lisbon
Visit the beautiful island of Berlenga Grande where you can see the UNESCO biosphere reserve and the St. John the Baptist Fort. You can also venture through the caves in a glass-bottom boat for an experience you’ll truly never forget.
Weather and climate
Spain
The best time to visit Spain is typically in the spring (March to May) or during the fall (September to November).The north is still hot during the summer but is cooler than the south, which is great for hiking. At these times, you'll likely find fewer crowds,and the best weather (even for hitting the beach!)
Portugal
The best time to visit Portugal is in spring (March-May), when the country is in bloom and waking after the winter. You could also go in fall (between September and October) when the sun is still shining, the weather is warm, and many of the crowds have dispersed.Summer (June-August) can get very hot, particularly in central Portugal. The winters, though colder, still offer a good amount of sun. While many beach resorts wind down at this time, it can still be a good time to explore the cities and inland areas.
Inspiration Tags
Beach
Cuisine & Wine
Family
History
