Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid and get settled into your hotel. At 18:30, your Travel Director will meet you at a local restaurant for a welcome dinner where you'll connect with other travelers while enjoying good food and wine.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant at 18:30 with your Travel Director, featuring delicious food and wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Riu Plaza España, Madrid), Hotel (The Westin Madrid Cuzco)
Optional Activities
- Explore the elegant boulevards of Madrid
- Discover the expansive parks
- View the varied architectural styles
- Day 2
Toledo - Granada
You're heading to Toledo, Spain's former capital, and a Local Expert will guide you through the medieval streets. You'll visit a Damascene workshop to see a master artisan at work, then tour the Church of Santo Tomé to view El Greco's masterpiece. From there, it's on to Granada for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Vincci Albayzín, Granada)
Included Activities
- Visit the fascinating city of Toledo
- Meet a master artisan at a Damascene workshop for insight into this ancient craft of inlaying gold and silver into iron
- Guided walk through the narrow cobbled streets of Toledo with your Local Expert
- Visit the Church of Santo Tomé to see El Greco's famous painting 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz'
Landmarks Toledo River Tagus Church of Santo Tomé 
- Day 3
Granada - Seville
You'll start the morning at Alhambra Palace with a local expert who'll walk you through the arabesque gardens and fountains. The intricate tile work and water features really give you a sense of the palace's history. From there, head to the Generalife gardens, which was the summer retreat for Spanish royalty, and you'll get nice views out over Granada's three hills. After lunch, you're heading to Seville for the afternoon. Check out the Cathedral first, then you have a choice: either take a guided walk through the historic Santa Cruz Jewish quarter to see the narrow streets and local spots, or do a panoramic drive around the city if you'd rather see more ground in less time.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Sevilla)
Included Activities
- Visit Alhambra Palace with Local Expert guidance
- Explore Generalife Gardens (summer residence of Spanish royals)
- Visit Seville Cathedral with Local Expert (including viewing Christopher Columbus's tomb)
- Guided walk through Santa Cruz quarter (medieval Jewish quarter) OR Panoramic drive around Seville
Landmarks Alhambra Palace Generalife Gardens Seville Cathedral Santa Cruz Quarter Torre del Oro María Luisa Park 
- Day 4
Seville
This day is yours to relax and explore Seville however you'd like. If you're interested, there's an optional trip to Córdoba to see the Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque with a Christian cathedral inside. Later, you'll head to the Cristina Heeren Foundation for a flamenco dance lesson and performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Sevilla)
Included Activities
- Visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation for a flamenco dance lesson and witness a flamenco performance
- Experience how the foundation promotes the conservation of flamenco and supports young artists
Optional Activities
- Enjoy free time to relax or explore Seville
- Optional excursion to Córdoba to visit the Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it
Landmarks Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba) - Day 5
Évora - Lisbon
You're traveling to Évora, a beautifully preserved medieval Portuguese town with Roman history. The Chapel of the Bones will be on your schedule, where you'll see the striking interior decorated with 5,000 bones. After that, you'll continue on to Lisbon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dom Pedro Lisboa, Lisbon, The Emerald House Curio by Hilton, Lisbon)
Included Activities
- Explore the ancient city of Évora with your Travel Director
- Visit the fascinating Capela dos Ossos, a chapel decorated with human remains
Landmarks Évora Capela dos Ossos - Day 6
Lisbon
Your Local Expert will take you through Lisbon's historic Belém Quarter. You'll try pastéis de Belém from the famous patisserie, made using the same recipe since 1837. You'll see the Monument to the Discoveries and Belém Tower, then tour the National Coach Museum's impressive collection of royal carriages. The afternoon is free for optional activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Turim Saldanha), Hotel (Dom Pedro Lisboa, Lisbon, The Emerald House Curio by Hilton, Lisbon)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Lisbon with your Local Expert
- Visit the Belém Quarter and enjoy pastéis de Belém from the patisserie using the same secret recipe for nearly 200 years
- View the Monument to the Discoveries
- View the historic Belém Tower
- Visit the National Coach Museum to examine its collection of royal carriages dating from the 16th to 19th centuries
Optional Activities
- Join an optional experience to the beautiful Portuguese Riviera
Landmarks Belém Quarter Monument to the Discoveries Belém Tower National Coach Museum 
- Day 7
Fátima - Salamanca
You're heading north into the green hills to visit Fátima, Portugal's most important pilgrimage site, where you'll see the chapel commemorating the 1917 apparition of the Virgin Mary. Crossing back into Spain, you'll reach Salamanca, famous for its golden stone buildings and the Plaza Mayor. You'll also see the ancient Puente Romano bridge crossing the River Tormes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alameda Palace, Salamanca)
Included Activities
- Visit Fátima, the most celebrated place of pilgrimage in Portugal
- Visit the chapel commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three children in 1917
- See the golden stone and arcades of Plaza Mayor in Salamanca
- Learn about the unique traditions of this historic university city
- View the Puente Romano across the River Tormes with 15 of its 26 arches dating from ancient Roman times
Landmarks Sanctuary of Fátima Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel of the Apparitions Plaza Mayor, Salamanca Puente Romano - Day 8
Ávila - Madrid
You'll drive through Castile's rock-strewn hills to reach Ávila and explore the city's impressive 11th-century walls that enclose it entirely. Then it's back to Madrid for a final exploration with your Local Expert. Your Travel Director will host a lively farewell dinner at a local restaurant with your fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Lively dinner at a local restaurant in one of the city's elegant central neighbourhoods, toasting to your travels and enjoying local specialities)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Princesa, Madrid)
Included Activities
- Explore the ancient walls of Ávila, a unique town entirely enclosed within its 11th-century walls
- See the highlights of Madrid with your Local Expert
- Visit the Old Town of Madrid, travelling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles, the Cervantes Monument, Royal Palace, and Puerta del Sol
Landmarks Ávila City Walls Plaza de Cibeles Cervantes Monument Royal Palace of Madrid Puerta del Sol - Day 9
Madrid
Your journey ends today. You'll transfer to Madrid-Barajas Airport, taking time to reflect on the experiences and connections made throughout your travels.
