Spain-Portugal 8 Nights / 9 Days

Meet your local guide in central Barcelona and start your morning tour with a stroll through Plaza de Catalunya, with its many fountains and statues, then wander along the narrow medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter with your local guide. You will see many buildings dating from the 15th century, including the Barcelona Cathedral, as you continue to Plaza Sant Jaume, where the important government buildings are located, including the Palace of Generalitat and the Town Hall.

Next, take in views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Barcelona Coast on the way to the Olympic Village (Vila Olimpica), home to athletes during the Olympics, and the Port Olympic.

Continue to the Montjuic Mountain for a panoramic view of the city and harbor. When you arrive, tour the Llus Companys Olympic Stadium, the Palau Sant Jordi and the Calatrava Tower. Then, visit the Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol) to see typical architecture and traditional crafts from different regions of Spain, and taste Catalan cava (included), the renowned local sparkling wine.

Next, get on a cable-car (included) and take in aerial views of the Barcelona skyline, on the ride down to Montjuic Castle. From there, head back to central Barcelona, where you will have the afternoon free to explore the city at your leisure.

Overnight in Barcelona.

Discover Madrid’s multi-faceted history, from its Arab origins to the reigns of Phillip II and Charles III, and finally to present day Madrid. It was during the reign of Charles III in the 18th century that artistic and cultural ideas were introduced, enabling Madrid to become an important cultural and scientific center.

Walk past such well known sights and squares as Monumento de la Encarnacion, Plaza de Oriente, Mayor, Puerta de la Operal, Ramales, de la Villa, Sacramento, Puerta del Sol and Coln square, where you can stop, relax and enjoy a complimentary soft drink.

Continue to Madrid’s Royal Palace. Built in the 18th century on the site of an ancient alcassar (Arab-fortress) in the classical Italian baroque style, it is one of the most beautiful and best preserved palaces in Europe. Your tour of the palace reveals rich tapestries, exquisite china pieces, clocks in every room.

Overnight at Madrid.

While you’re in Lisbon, don’t miss a trip to Sintra, full of palaces and villas perched in the hills. The dream-like scape is why Sintra is so often called a fairytale town – find out for yourself if it lives up to its reputation on this half-day trip!

When you arrive in Sintra, your guide will give you the lay of the land, answer your questions and tell you the must-see sights, including the gorgeous Sintra National Palace (Palcio da Vila) and the whimsical Pena Palace (Palcio da Pena), famous for its Romanticist architecture. You’ll have two hours of free time to explore on your own and visit the attractions that interest you.

After your two hours, continue your tour to Cabo da Roca (20-minute break in March to October only), a cliff famous for being mainland Europe’s westernmost point. Take pictures of the beautiful landscape and the cape’s small lighthouse.

On the way to your last stop, Cascais, a former fishing village and preferred resort for European royals in the early 20th century, keep your eyes open, and you’ll be rewarded with views of the coast and beautiful Guincho Beach. In Cascais, enjoy your 10-minute break, stroll along one of the small beaches and enjoy the sea views before heading back to Lisbon.

Overnight at Lisbon.

Meet your guide in central Lisbon or enjoy pickup from your Lisbon hotel and relax on a comfortable, air-conditioned coach as you head to the Alfama district. With your guide, wander around the streets of this neighborhood, the oldest in Lisbon and the birthplace of Fado, Portugal’s own musical genre. Stop at a local store to sample Portugal’s famous Port wine.

Get back on the coach and continue along the waterfront towards Commerce Square (Praa do Comrcio) in the heart of Lisbon. Take in views of the Tagus River and S de Lisboa cathedral , one of Lisbon’s oldest churches.

When you arrive in Belm, see the Belm Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries, both of which commemorate Vasco da Gama’s expedition to the Americas. Visit the 16th-century UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jernimos Monastery, one of the greatest examples of Manueline art, located by the riverfront.

Next, browse through the amazing 17th-century luxury coaches built for the aristocracy at the Coach Museum. On Mondays, when the Jernimos Monastery and Coach Museum are closed, you will instead visit the neoclassical Palcio Nacional da Ajuda (Ajuda Palace ) or the Casa-Museu Medeiros e Almeida, which showcases an exhaustive collection of artwork by the Portuguese artist Antnio de Medeiros e Almeida.

Overnight at Lisbon.