Great Iberian Cities
9 Day Spain & Portugal Tour of Barcelona | Operated by Trafalgar
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9 Days
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2 Countries
Spain, Portugal -
5 Cities
Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Lisbon -
12 Meals
1 Welcome Reception, 8 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners, 1 Be My Guest -
Pace: Comfortable
Mainly 2–3-night stays in each location. Comfortable travel days with numerous stops. Requires 1-3 miles of walking per day that might involve some uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones and stairs.
Trip Itinerary
Ramble up Las Ramblas and get ready for an unforgettable discovery of the Iberian Peninsula. The fiery coastal city of Barcelona kicks off your mesmerizing encounter with Spain and Portugal. Set your watch to the leisurely Mediterranean way of life, spending the day relaxing or connecting with a city that once inspired Gaudí's imagination. Later, join your Travel Director and fellow compañeros for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a Welcome Reception, and evening drive to see the city’s iconic sights.
We spend the morning exploring a city whose great passions include football, fashion and fairy-tale façades by famed architect Antoni Gaudí. We'll admire the exterior of his masterpiece - the unfinished Sagrada Familia, as well as his creations on the Passeig de Gracia during our guided sightseeing with a Local Specialist. The rest of the day is yours to delight in Spanish culture and cuisine. Consider joining an Optional Experience to Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna, affectionately known in Catalonia as La Moreneta.
Today, we drive through the valleys and pastures of Aragón towards Spain's capital where you will have lunch in Zaragoza. We arrive this evening in Madrid, renowned for its vibrant nightlife which we will have an opportunity to enjoy on our own terms.
We join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Madrid, where we will see trendy Gran Vía and the Cibeles Fountain, before we Dive Into Culture visiting the world-famous Prado Museum. Admire the masterpieces of Velázquez and other Spanish greats in this extraordinary museum, said to house the largest collection of European art in the world. Spend the rest of your day exploring the city at leisure. Visit the Royal Palace or stroll through Buen Retiro Park at the heart of the city – the choice is yours.
We journey south to the clifftop city of Toledo, where we'll join our Local Specialist for a walking tour. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to one of El Greco's most famous paintings, 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz', and visit the former synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca. We arrive in Seville this evening and immerse ourselves in the effervescent spirit of Andalusia. Visit Basilippo Olive farm which produces 100-percent organic extra virgin olive oil. At this Be My Guest experience you’ll Connect With Locals over dinner featuring fresh regional ingredients and the local sangria of course.
The charisma of Seville is unmistakable. Your Local Specialist will take you on a sightseeing tour past the symbolic Giralda Bell Tower, Maria Luisa Park and the imposing Plaza de España. Later, we’ll stroll through the historic Jewish Quarter before visiting the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, where Christopher Columbus is entombed.
We travel west to Portugal, meandering through the province of Huelva, renowned for its Jabugo ham. After crossing into Portugal's picturesque rural landscapes of the Alentejo – the country's cork capital – we arrive in colorful Lisbon where we'll meet our Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour celebrating the grand triumphs of the Portuguese in centuries past. See the Monument to the Discoveries, the suspension bridge that spans the Tagus, and Belém Tower, once the ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. Dive Into Culture on a visit to the UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery, built in the 16th century, then spend the rest of the evening on your own exploration of the Portuguese capital.
Enjoy the day sauntering through Lisbon's grand shopping boulevards and the narrow lanes of Bairro Alto or consider joining an Optional Experience to the historic towns of Cascais and Sintra. This evening, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with newfound friends and our Travel Director, toasting to an epic Iberian holiday.
Our journey through Spain and Portugal has come to an end. All that's left is to say a fond adeus at the end of an unforgettable holiday.
Price Includes
What's Included- - An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- - Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- - All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- - All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- - Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- - Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- - Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- - Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- - Optional Experiences and free time
- - On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
- - 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
- - 8 Breakfasts (B)
- - 2 Dinners (D)
- - 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
- Take in the beauty and unique architecture of Barcelona on an orientation drive with your Travel Director.
- With your Local Specialist, see Las Ramblas and the elegant Passeig de Gràcia to take in some of the city's finest Modernist architecture. Journey past the beautiful façades of the Eixample district to see Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Família.
- See the highlights of the city with your Local Specialist. Visit the Old Town, traveling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the Cibeles fountain, Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace.
- Explore this magnificent ancient city with your Local Specialist and visit the Church of Santo Tomé to see an El Greco masterpiece.
- Guided by your Local Specialist, see the Giralda Tower, former minaret of the Great Mosque and now the cathedral's belltower. Explore the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz Quarter and emerge by the great walls of the Alcazar.
- Explore with your Local Specialist, from the Lower Town, beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco. Visit the Belém Quarter to see the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the medieval Belém Tower.
- In Barcelona, the talented team at Mescladis, an initiative promoting work opportunities to people victim from social exclusion, introduces us to local and seasonal flavors during our Welcome Dinner. This experience advances UN Global Goal 4 Quality Education and 10 Reduced Inequalities.
- Visit the Prado Museum in Madrid, where you'll have time to admire its extraordinary collection of European art dating from the 12th to early 20th centuries.
- Visit the Hieronymite Monastery, a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome and exquisite example of Manueline architecture.
- Enjoy a traditional Andalusian Be My Guest dinner and the charming company of the Morillo family. A welcome drink of sangria in their sun-dappled courtyard before learning how they produce olive oil.
Optional Experiences
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Mystical Montserrat (Available on Day 2)Today, with our Local Specialist, take a drive to the enchanting and mystical mountain of Montserrat, with its breathtaking views and spectacular scenery. While there, visit the Benedictine monastery to view the famed Black Madonna. At the daily farmer's market, perhaps sample and purchase their homemade cheeses, honeys, and other local specialties.
Adult Price: €56 Gothic Quarter and Dinner (Available on Day 2)Work up an appetite with a walking tour of the old Gothic Quarter, where Barcelona was born. Meander through the beautiful medieval streets and century-old architecture with your Local Specialist. Then we’ll take you to the Port Vell Waterfront, now a vibrant marina in the old harbor, where you'll enjoy Mediterranean food in one of our favorite local eateries.
Adult Price: €78 Olympic Barcelona with Calatalan Dinner (Available on Day 2)Take a scenic drive up to Montjuic for sweeping views over buzzing Barcelona and a glimpse of the buildings used during the 1992 Olympics. Afterwards, indulge in a delicious Catalonian style dinner complemented by drinks and good company.
Adult Price: €72 Dinner and Discovery in Downtown Madrid (Available on Day 4)Join us this evening as we scratch beneath the surface of some lesser-known aspects of Madrid's city center. Then, we'll settle in for dinner, along with musical entertainment and finish up with a spin around some of the wonderful squares and fountains of magical Madrid.
Adult Price: €68 The Moorish Alcázar and Plaza América (Available on Day 6)Today, with our Local Specialist, we'll visit the elegant 14th-century Moorish Alcazar, set in its own beautiful gardens. The gardens were used as the setting for the Water Gardens of Dorne in the Game Of Thrones series. We'll also journey to the famous exhibition site of Plaza América - a must for any visitor to Seville.
Adult Price: €52 Flamenco: Experience the Best Show in Town (Available on Day 6)Discover the passion, rhythm and magic of an Andalusian flamenco show with us this evening. We've organised tickets to the best show in town, where you’ll experience 90 minutes of memorable entertainment with an included drink.
Adult Price: €44 Flamenco, the Best Show in Town With a Three-Course Dinner (Available on Day 6)This evening you’ll discover the magic, rhythm and passion of flamenco, while being served a three-course dinner of Andalusian specialties with drinks included. We've organised tickets to the best show in town. You won't soon forget this incredibly memorable ninety-minute experience.
Adult Price: €74 Portuguese Fado Evening Of Music & Song With Dinner (Available on Day 7)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 savor a typical Portuguese meal, with drinks included.
Adult Price: €76 The Golden Triangle: Sintra, Cascais & The Estoril Coast (Available on Day 8)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.
Adult Price: €55