Compare Exploring the Douro, plus Lisbon & Madrid - Eastbound 2021 by Tauck vs Best of Spain & Portugal - End Barcelona, Classic Group, Winter 2021 2022 End Barcelona Classic Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1 Arrive Lisbon

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, InterContinental Lisbon. A transfer is included from Lisbon Airport to the InterContinental Lisbon, located between Eduardo VII Park, Marques de Pombal Square and the luxurious Avenida da Liberdade. Join us tonight for a private visit and welcome dinner at 18th-century Queluz National Palace, a blend of Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical architectural designs graced with gardens inspired by French styles.

MEALS : D

LODGING : InterContinental Lisbon

PORTOFCALL : Lisbon, Portugal

Day 2 Historic Monuments and Lisbon at Leisure

Crafted atop seven hills over centuries, Lisbon is home to cobbled lanes, castles in the clouds and maritime monuments that pay lasting tribute to Portuguese explorers like Vasco da Gama who changed the world. City sightseeing today discovers landmark places steeped in history, including Eduardo VII Park, Trade Square, the Monument to the Discoveries and Jeronimos Monastery where Vasco da Gama and Portugal’s kings are buried. Visit the National Coach Museum to see its world-renowned collection of historical carriages before spending the remainder of the day at leisure exploring the sights as you wish.

MEALS : B

LODGING : InterContinental Lisbon

PORTOFCALL : Lisbon, Portugal

Day 3 Captivating Coimbra & On to Porto

Drive back in time to Coimbra, Portugal’s medieval capital for more than a century. A walking tour along the tiered cobbled lanes of this hilltop city brings you to its esteemed university, founded here in 1537, where its caped students evoke images of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts School, its majestic buildings line squares steeped in history and cloistered arcades lead to architectural showpieces beautiful to behold. Learn about student life, past and present; many of its centuries-old traditions still exist today with time to explore on your own. Continue on to Porto, where Tauck’s riverboat, ms Andorinha, is docked on the Douro and awaiting your arrival. Settle into your cabin and enjoy a welcome reception followed by dinner onboard the ship.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : ms Andorinha

Day 4 Discover Porto, Your Way

Culturally rich and historically charming, Porto’s pleasures are diverse and delightful, blending old and new to reveal a fascinating portrait of the city through art and architecture, wine and food, and magnificent waterfront views. Explore the city by land, river, and air when you ride a historic tram from the Foz Quarter to the medieval riverfront district of Porto, before boarding a water taxi that takes you across the river for a cable car ride to the top of the Luiz I Bride, rewarding with a stunning panorama. Or, if you prefer, join a local guide into the historic heart of Porto. Your tram ride will take you up to the top of the city for a robust walking tour with stops to taste local culinary treats.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Andorinha

PORTOFCALL : Porto, Portugal

Day 5 Vinho Verde and the Charms of Guimarães

The Douro River cuts a 200-mile path through one the world’s most beautiful and prolific wine regions as it makes its way from Porto and the Atlantic Ocean through rugged wilderness to the Spanish frontier. The wine growing regions of the Douro surprise visitors with an array of vintages, young and old. Today unfolds with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Guimarães, regarded as the birthplace of Portugal and renowned for its well-preserved medieval buildings and national monuments. Then, drive to Aveleda to discover uniquely produced “green wines” during a tasting lunch at a quinta in a Vinho Verde vineyard. Green refers to its age not its color; the grapes they use for these wines are typically consumed within three to six months after bottling and can be red, white, or rosé. Chart a course for Peso da Régua this afternoon and enjoy the chef’s signature dinner onboard your riverboat tonight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Andorinha

Day 6 A Rendezvous in Peso da Régua

It’s historic role in the production of port wine is written on the landscapes you’ll see today when you step off the boat into Peso da Régua for a day of discovery. An important transport junction, this is where barrels of wine were boarded onto traditional rabelos bound for Gaia in the 18th century, where the wine was aged in local lodges. A choice of morning activities include joining a local guide for a bicycle ride (for experienced cyclists in good physical condition) that entices with scenic views of terraced vineyards or a visit to the 12th-century Monastery of St. John, resplendent with tiled tableaus, with an opportunity to learn about Portugal’s sparkling wines during a tour of wine caves of a local producer. This afternoon, learn about the history and cultural treasures of the Douro Wine Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a locally guided visit to the Douro Museum. Dine onboard the riverboat at your leisure tonight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Andorinha

Day 7 Daily Life Along the River

Enjoy a fabled look at life along the Rio Douro when you embark on a guided tour of 18th-century Casa de Mateus, a Baroque masterpiece you may recognize from the label on bottles of Mateus Rosé, and its fantasy garden of manicured hedges and dignified statues. Or join a local guide for an active walk through the vineyards to a local wine-making estate called a quinta, rewarding with a port cocktail making class! Tonight entices with a special culinary experience when you dine with a riverside view at DOC, an acronym for “Degustar Ousar Comunicar” (translated: “Taste, Dare, Communicate”), savoring gourmet cuisine by acclaimed chef Rui Paula who delights in blending traditional Portuguese dishes with contemporary fare along with the Douro’s famous wines.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Andorinha

Day 8 Cruising Pleasures

Spend the day enjoying a leisurely cruise in the heart of port wine country, past sloping terraced vineyards and picturesque villages, stopping this afternoon for a shore excursion that celebrates the historic beauty and bounty of the region.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Andorinha

Day 9 Cave Art on the Douro & A Medieval Castle

20,000 years ago prehistoric man called the Coa Valley home, leaving evidence of their residence on rocks in the Coa Valley. Visit the Coa Museum, to learn more about the history of the valley before continuing on your Douro River cruise. As the river courses its way to Spain, it passes the ruins of hilltop castles hidden in the hills; disembark to visit Castelo Rodrigo, standing watch over the medieval village of Rodrigo since the 13th century when its defensive battlements were built and fought over by both Spain and Portugal. A walking tour of the site reveals remnants of its storied roots on the river, before your cruise continues towards the Spanish border.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Andorinha

Day 10 Salamanca Sights & Magnificent Madrid

Disembark your riverboat and drive to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Salamanca for a guided walking tour of its ancient heart, viewing the “living room of Salamanca,” the elegant arcaded Plaza Mayor, its stunning 12th-century Romanesque Cathedral, and its esteemed 800-year-old university, one of the oldest in the world. Continue on to Madrid for a two-night stay at a legendary palace hotel commissioned by King Alfonso XIII in 1912 and located in the heart of the city’s renowned art triangle with easy access to its three most famous museums, El Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Tapas tantalize with small bites of local culinary fare on a tasting walk with an expert guide who knows where to find the best samples of this regional specialty.

MEALS : B

LODGING : The Westin Palace, Madrid

PORTOFCALL : Madrid, Spain

Day 11 Palatial Treasures of Madrid

Take a guided one-mile walk – or a short drive – to Madrid’s 18th-century Royal Palace, home to a succession of Spanish kings from Charles III to Alfonso XIII, and reigning today as the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family in name only. Your visit to this 2,000+ room jeweled palace, by square feet Europe’s largest palace, takes you on a journey through history and time-honored splendor with a local guide as you view rooms and salons overflowing with art treasures and antiques, and gilded, floor to ceiling, with fine fabrics, magnificent mosaics, crystal chandeliers and more. Highlights may include the Reception Room, the State Apartments, the Armory, the Throne Room, the Banquet Room and the Royal Pharmacy. Head-turning art welcomes you to the Museo del Prado, one of the world's premier art museums with over 4,000 works of art masterpieces, including works by iconic Spanish artists Goya and Velázquez, many of them acquired by kings through the ages. Join us for a farewell reception and dinner at your hotel tonight.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : The Westin Palace, Madrid

PORTOFCALL : Madrid, Spain

Day 12 Journey Home

Tour ends: Madrid. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Westin Palace, Madrid to Madrid-Barajas Airport. Allow a minimum of 3 ½ hours for flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Madrid, Spain

Day 1: Welcome to Madrid

Your transfer will depart Madrid airport at 09:00, 11:30, 13:30 or 16:00.Join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travellers over an evening of delicious food and wine.

Day 2: Madrid of the Bourbons

Guided by your Local Expert, visit the Spanish capital’s most historic neighbourhoods. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter, discovering the origins of the city. Enjoy a special visit to the renowned Prado Museum with an art historian who will guide you through the collective works of Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and more.

Day 3: Segovia and Golden Salamanca

Travel to the fortified city of Segovia. Walk through the medieval streets with a Local Expert and see the magnificent Alcazar fortress, before continuing onto the historic aqueduct. Journey west, overlooking the ancient walls of Ávila, en route to Salamanca. During your guided sightseeing tour, admire the golden stone buildings the city is famous for, including the arcaded Plaza Mayor, the honey-coloured cathedral and the 16th century university buildings.

Day 4: Porto, Grande Dame on the Douro

Cross the Portuguese border to reach Porto. Situated on the River Douro, the city is celebrated internationally as the capital of Port wine. Visit the Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores and walk along corridors of casks. Get to know your tawnys and vintages during a tasting. Continue your exploration of the city, admiring the multi-coloured houses, churches adorned with glazed tiles and iconic bridges.

Day 5: Holy Fátima, Ancient Obidos and Lisbon

Head south for a visit to miraculous Fátima. See the Basilica or visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, which commemorates the apparition of the Virgin Mary to three young shepherds in 1917. Journey to the fortified town of Obidos and walk inside its walls, exploring the narrow, medieval streets where houses are covered with flowers. Your travels continue to the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.

Day 6: Lisbon and the Age of the Great Discoveries Relaxed Start

Sightseeing with a Local Expert takes you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco, the finest square in the city. Visit the Belém Quarter, from where sailing ships once set forth to discover faraway lands. Enjoy a taste of the famous Pastéis de Belém from a traditional patisserie that has managed to hold on to the secret recipe of Portugal's finest pastry for almost 200 years. View the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the historic Belém Tower. This fortress was originally set in the middle of the river, but is now left high and dry on the riverbank. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Jerónimos Monastery with its beautiful Manueline architecture. With the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps join an Optional Experience to the Portuguese Riviera? It is often visited by surfers, royalty and on occasion James Bond.

Day 7: Seville, the City of Carmen

Leave Lisbon via the modern Tagus Bridge and cross the border to reach Seville. Explore Seville with Insight Choice. Choose to visit Seville’s Cathedral, the final resting place of Christopher Columbus and see La Giralda, the former minaret of the Great Mosque, now the cathedral’s bell tower. Alternatively, join a scenic drive around the city and a short walk through the narrow lanes of Santa Cruz Quarter, before enjoying a refreshing beverage. This evening, why not join an optional experience with dinner and a horse and carriage ride?

Day 8: Free Time and Flamenco in Seville Relaxed Start

Enjoy a relaxed start and a morning to unwind, shop or continue exploring this fascinating city at your own pace. Our suggestion is to join an Optional Experience to the ancient city of Córdoba, where you will visit the magnificent Mezquita, see the old Jewish Quarter, and enjoy some free time to shop or explore as you wish. Later this afternoon, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a flamenco dance school and beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Their mission is to promote the teaching and conservation of flamenco. Feel the passion behind the choreography as you put your rhythm to the test during a dance lesson. With some free time for dinner, wander the restaurants in Triana or try the local night market Lonja Del Barranco selling tapas made from fresh, local produce. Why not grab yourself a refreshing sangria for a cheers to your new found dancing feet? Later, share in the dancers’ devotion as you witness emotions come to life in a flamenco performance.

Day 9: Head for Gibraltar, Mijas and the Costa del Sol

Head south to Gibraltar, part of mainland Spain yet an overseas territory under British control since 1704. With your Local Expert, visit the Rock of Gibraltar and St. Michael’s Cave. See the Barbary Apes, legendary guardians of the colony. Relax as you travel the scenic route along the Costa del Sol through high end resorts where the rich and famous holiday. Your journey continues through the green hills to the white-washed village of Mijas. Stroll through the old streets and gardens, taking in the views of the coast.

Day 10: At Leisure on the Costa del Sol Relaxed Start

Enjoy the day at leisure on the sun-drenched Costa del Sol. Relax by the blue Mediterranean waters, stroll along the promenade, savour the specialities in the local restaurants or consider exploring Málaga, the birth city of Picasso.

Day 11: Dining with Locals and the Alhambra Relaxed Start

Continue to Alfarnatejo, a quiet whitewashed village, with a population of less than 500 people, surrounded by stunning mountainous landscape. Walk the town centre to see the 18th century Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla.Travel to the oldest olive grove in the region and stop at the rural mill-factory to taste a selection of different oils, paired with locally made farmer bread. In small groups, you are invited into the home of a local family to join them for a delicious Highlight Lunch made of fresh, local produce with flavours typical of the region. Continue to Granada to visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace with your Local Expert. Built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century, it is a wonder of beautiful gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace.

Day 12: On to Valencia

Journey to Valencia. Pass through the Old City to see its ancient gates, and the City of Arts and Sciences.In your free time perhaps take a stroll to the Cathedral and El Miguelete? Alternatively sit back with a drink and watch the Valencians go about their day.Valencia is home to one of the world's greatest dishes, paella. Meet the chef of a local family-run restaurant in the heart of the Old City and learn how to make this local specialty during a Cooking Demonstration. Later, indulge in the delicious flavours of this classic dish with a glass of sangria at your Highlight Dinner.

Day 13: Along the Coast to Peñíscola and on to Barcelona

Follow the coast to Peñíscola to view the sea-lapped castle used in the film 'El Cid'. Continue along the Costa Dorada to the Cava Bodegas at Sant Sadurni d'Anoia. During a delicious light lunch, enjoy a tasting as you learn the sparkling secrets of Spanish bubbly. Continue along the coast to reach Barcelona.

Day 14: Barcelona Sightseeing Relaxed Start

A Local Expert joins you for a drive along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and some of the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district to visit Gaudi’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família. See the central nave with its giant, tree-like pillars, spectacular vaulting and the beautiful rainbows flooding in through the intricate stained-glass windows. At a local restaurant, join your fellow travellers to toast to newfound friends and a wonderful journey, enjoying a Celebration Dinner with wine.

Day 15: Depart Barcelona

After breakfast departure transfers arrive at Barcelona airport at 07:00, 09:00 and 11:00.