Compare Spain and Portugal by Tauck vs Spain and Portugal Highlights by Eskapas

Day 1: Your Spain & Portugal tour begins in Lisbon

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

Tour begins: 2:00 pm, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, Portugal. A transfer is included from Lisboa Airport to your hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon. The afternoon's guided sightseeing tour in Lisbon provides an introduction to this intriguing city and its most famous landmarks. Visit the famous monastery Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the National Coach Museum, and view the nearby Tower of Belém, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites from the mid-16th century; and see the Discoveries Monument commemorating Portugal's "Age of Exploration" of the 15th and 16th centuries. Meet your traveling companions this evening at a welcome reception and dinner.

Day 2: Along the Portuguese Riviera to Sintra & Cascais

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

An excursion from Lisbon today takes you to Sintra – once a favored summer retreat for Portugal's monarchs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – for a visit to the 14th-century Royal Palace of Sintra, a highlight of every Portugal tour, and time to explore on your own. Continue to the fishing village of Cascais, its bay dotted with brightly colored boats, before returning to Lisbon to spend the rest of the day and evening as you please.

Day 3: A mix of Roman, Moorish & church architecture in medieval Evora

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Convento do Espinheiro

Cross Europe's longest suspension bridge – the Vasco da Gama Bridge over the Tagus River – en route to the medieval, walled city of Evora, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A city tour with your local guide reveals how Evora's Roman ruins, Moorish arcades, and a score of churches and monasteries create a fascinating cultural tapestry; see the Capela dos Ossos in the 15th-century Church of São Francisco, and the Cathedral of St. Mary. Spend this night of your Portugal tour at a 15th-century convent-turned-luxury hotel and spa in a picturesque location in Evora.

Day 4: On to storied Andalucía & Seville in Spain

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Alfonso XIII

As your Portugal tour concludes, your exploration of Spain heats up! Spain's famous southern province of Andalucía is as famous for gypsies and flamenco dancing as it is for its seaside resorts and small, whitewashed villages; see the Roman ruins of Mérida, some of the best-preserved in Europe, on a guided visit. The provincial capital of Seville blends the vibrant Spain of today with centuries of history and old-world charm. Spend the next two nights in the heart of the city at one of Europe's most luxurious hotels, commissioned by the king of Spain for the famous Exposition of 1929.

Day 5: A carriage ride, a historic cathedral & more in Seville

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Alfonso XIII

After taking in many of Seville's historic and cultural attractions on a sightseeing tour with your local guide, ride a horse-drawn carriage through the city's historic heart. Visit Seville's impressive Gothic cathedral, one of the world's most beautiful; see its renowned Giralda bell tower (once the minaret of a mosque during Seville's Moorish days), and the tomb of explorer Christopher Columbus. Enjoy a walking tour of fascinating Barrio de Santa Cruz, the city's Jewish Quarter, prior to exploring Seville as you wish for the remainder of the day, with lunch and dinner on your own.

Day 6: Jerez de la Frontera, Gibraltar & coastal Marbella

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Gran Meliá Don Pepe

Depart Seville for Jerez de la Frontera, known for its fine horses, sweet wines, and sherry (whose name is derived from the town's). Visit the palatial Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestre (Royal Andalucían School of Equestrian Art) – where you may watch the famous Andalucían horses that are bred here in a training session – and its renowned Carriage Museum (subject to availability due to holidays or other closures; alternative sightseeing may include a visit to the Royal Alcázar of Seville). Enjoy a true taste of the region during a tapas lunch at a sherry bodega; then it's on to Gibraltar, where you'll view the fabled Rock (weather permitting) and see the famed Barbary Macaques in the Apes' Den. Your final destination today is the glamorous coastal resort town of Marbella on the Costa del Sol, for a two-night stay.

Day 7: A day by the beautiful sea in Marbella

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Gran Meliá Don Pepe

The entire day is yours to enjoy the pleasures of your elegant resort hotel, Grand Meliá Don Pepe, a paradise for the senses in the heart of the Costa del Sol. On one side is the famous Port of Marbella; on the other, gleaming white boats anchored at the exclusive Puerto Banús. And on the horizon, you can see Gibraltar and the North African coast, majestic in the distance, against the magnificent backdrop of the mountain peak La Concha de Marbella. Long a favorite of celebrities in Marbella's privileged enclave of Sierra Blanca, the resort's guest list has included Sean Connery, Julio Iglesias, Prince, Maximillian Schell, Arthur Rubinstein, Begun Aga Khan, Alain Delon, H.R.M. Prince Edward, Bob Hope and many more... and you, spending a perfect day as you please.

Day 8: Moorish influences in Ronda & flamenco in Granada

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Alhambra Palace

As your Spain and Portugal tour continues, journey from the Spanish coast into the mountains to visit scenic Ronda, perched on a cliff overlooking the spectacular El Tajo gorge. Ronda is synonymous with the evolution of the art of bullfighting; along with revealing the town's Moorish heritage and remains, a guided walking tour includes a visit to one of Spain's oldest bullrings, the Plaza de Toros. Continue on to Granada, situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. The city boasts extraordinary architecture from over 250 years as the capital of a Moorish kingdom; your hotel is steps away from Granada's celebrated Moorish palace, the Alhambra. Enjoy a private flamenco show tonight, followed by dinner at your hotel.

Day 9: Discovering the treasures of the Alhambra in Granada

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Alhambra Palace

A highlight of your Spain and Portugal tour is today's guided visit to Granada's famed Moorish palace, the Alhambra, constructed to be a "paradise on Earth" by caliphs who ruled here in the 13th century. Tour the palace itself, considered to be one of the world's most beautiful, and stroll through the Generalife, the grounds of the summer palace of former sultans. Enjoy free time to explore on your own and join us for an à la carte dinner at a popular local restaurant this evening.

Day 10: Córdoba, home to La Mezquita & more

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Hesperia Córdoba

Travel from Granada to Córdoba today for an overnight stay that begins with a guided walking tour through the cobblestone streets of the Judería, Córdoba's former Jewish Quarter; from its alleyways, you can see the walls and decorative details of the candy-striped La Mezquita (Spanish for "mosque.") Your visit to this masterpiece of architecture and art reveals its nearly 1,200-year history as an early Christian church, a Moorish mosque, and, since the 16th century, a Roman Catholic cathedral. Dine family-style tonight for a taste of local life.

Day 11: AVE train to Madrid, Spain's capital city

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: The Westin Palace, Madrid

Board the AVE train in Preferente class for a rail journey to Spain's amazing capital city. Arrive in Madrid for three nights at The Westin Palace, Madrid – a Belle Époque landmark in the heart of the city, a short walk from the tapas bars that American novelist Ernest Hemingway made famous. Join a local guide for an orientation tour of landmark sights that includes a walking tour of the city's vast Plaza Mayor and the Mercado San Miguel; after lunch, enjoy a guided visit to the Royal Palace. Dinner is on your own in Madrid tonight.

Day 12: The Prado & more museums of Madrid

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: The Westin Palace, Madrid

View the art treasures of the celebrated Museo del Prado, one of the best-known museums on Earth, with a local expert. The rest of the day is free to spend as you please in one of the world's most popular cities. Tauck includes admission to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum; view works by Titian, Goya and Picasso at your leisure.

Day 13: A day trip to Toledo and a special farewell evening in Madrid

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: The Westin Palace, Madrid

A full-day excursion from Madrid to Toledo today features guided sightseeing of this monument-filled city. Join your local guide for a walking tour that includes the 12th-century Synagogue Santa Maria La Blanca, the Church of Santo Tome and a visit inside the 13th-century High Gothic-style Cathedral of St. Mary of Toledo. After lunch in Toledo, return to Madrid, where a farewell evening featuring dinner and Castilian entertainment awaits!

Day 14: Journey home

Meals: Breakfast

Tauck's Spain and Portugal tour ends: Madrid, Spain. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Westin Palace, Madrid to Madrid Barajas Airport or Madrid Atocha train station. Allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid, Spain

Upon arrival at Madrid, meet with our driver and transfer with ourto your hotel in Madrid city-center. late after-noon our guide will pick-you up from your hotel to begin two-and-a-half hour private walking touraround the brightest and most symbolic places in Madrid. Throughout the tour, we’ll tell you the most curious stories and legends of Madrid while we visit, among others, the following points of interest: Plaza de Callao, Gran Vía, Palacio Real, Ópera, Plaza de la Villa, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Congreso de los Diputados, Plaza de Cibeles and Puerta de Alcalá.

Overnight: Madrid Meals: Not Available

Day 2: Prado Museum & Royal Palace

After breakfast you will meet our guide at 9:45 am by the statue of Francisco de Goya, just in front of the main ticket offices to the Prado museum. First of all we’ll visit this legendary gallery, home to some of the most important works of art in the world.

With a tour lasting an hour and a half, we’ll explore the main halls of the Prado Museum. Among the main works on display are “3 de Mayo en Madrid” by Gayo, “ the Maninas” by Velazquez and “The Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch. And you’ll also be able to see other works by masters such as El Greco, Rubens, Rembrandt, Sorolla and other greats in the history of art.

With the tour of the Prado museum over at around 11:30 am, we’ll take a walking tour around Madrid, a guided tour on which we’ll see some of the most emblematic spots in the Spanish capital, such as the Congress, the iconic Puerta del Sol and Plaza de Oriente.

Day 3: Madrid – Avila – Salamanca – Porto

Cathedral at Salamanca reflected viewed behind bridge of enrique esteven on river Tormes, Spain.

We’ll leave from central Madrid at 8:30 am, heading to the Castilla-León region, where our first stop will be Ávila. After admiring the impressive Medieval wall that surrounds the old town, you’ll have free time to explore the city.

Continuing onwards, we’ll reach Salamanca, where we’ll leave you discover the beautiful historic centre at your own pace: you’ll soon see why it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, we’ll head over the border to Portugal and we’ll spend the night in Porto.

Overnight: Porto Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Porto

After breakfast at the hotel in Porto, we’ll spend the day exploring the city, famous for its magnificent bridges over the Douro River.

Late afternoon at 06:00 pm, you will have a reservation at Fado Show at Ideal Clube. Porto’s famous Ideal Clube de Fado is located on 56, Rua da Galeria de Paris. Enter its doors and immerse yourself in the passion of fado music. This typical Portuguese genre of music has been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and is a cultural symbol of the country. This is the only show in Porto dedicated exclusively to traditional Fado!

What’s more, this 60-minute show also includes a glass of port wine and a chat with thre musicians! If you wish, although the show starts at 6 pm, you can come half an hour earlier to chat with the musicians and learn more about fado. Overnight: Porto Meals: Breakfast, Fado Show with one glass of Porto.

Day 5 Porto – Coimbra – Fátima

We’ll leave Porto behind and head south to Coimbra a picturesque Portuguese town famous for its traditional music, known as fado. We’ll then make our way to the sanctuary of Fátima, one of the most important Catholic centres of worship in southern Europe, before spending the night in this sacred town.

Overnight: Fatima Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Fátima – Batalha – Nazaré – Alcobaça – Lisbon

Bright and early on the morning of day four, we’ll leave Fátima behind and head for Batalha, a well-known town that stands out for its Manueline monastery. We’ll continue our tour south visiting Nazaré, one of the most picturesque fishing villages in Portugal, before making a stop in Alcobaça whose Medieval monuments are sure to captivate you

We’ll finish the day in Lisbon, where we’ll spend the night.

Overnight: Lisbon Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Lisbon

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal at sunset. A popular destination for traveling through Europe, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

We’ll spend this day , exploring the beautiful city of Lisbon, one of the most beautiful capital cities in Europe.

Overnight: Lisbon Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Lisbon – Cáceres – Madrid

We’ll leave Portugal behind and travel back to Madrid, stopping on the way in the historically rich Cáceres, packed with Renaissance palaces, Islamic architecture, Medieval fortress-houses, earning its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the old town, its Medieval neighbourhood and the Plaza Mayor.

Overnight: Madrid Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Madrid – Cordoba – Seville

After breakfast, depart from Madrid at 8:30a. Admire the landscapes of Castilla La Mancha, Don Quixote’s birthplace, until you get to Despeñaperros, a canyon carved out by a river and entrance into the Andalusian autonomous community.

Cordoba is a city where many civilizations once flourished including the Moors, the Romans, Jews and Christians. Follow your guide into the impressive multiarched Mosque-Cathedral, symbol of the sophistication of the Islamic Spain. Next, you’ll visit the old Jewish Quarter which is packed with pretty white house full of plants and flowers hanging from the balconies and peaceful interior patios.

In the evening, you’ll head to Seville.

Overnight: Seville Meals: Breakfast-Dinner

Day 10: Seville

Today, you’ll discover Seville’s most symbolic landmarks and learn why it is one of the most-visited cities in Spain. You’ll stroll to the cathedral and its renowned bell tower called Giralda.

Afterwards, you’ll enjoy the charming Santa Cruz neighborhood and wander through the lush María Luisa park and admire the surprising Plaza de España. After the guided tour, you’ll have to time to walk around and try the region’s delicious gastronomy.

At nightfall, and after enjoying dinner at your hotel, you can delight in a Flamenco show (optional).

Overnight: Seville Meals: Breakfast-Dinner

Day 11: Seville – Granada

Board the coach and head east to<strong> Granada</strong>, through the route of the Caliphate, the last bastion of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. Upon arrival, you’ll walk through the charming streets and admire its many palaces, monuments and landmarks and you’ll visit one of the country’s iconic symbols, the renowned Alhambra and the gardens of the Generalife.

Overnight: Granada Meals: Breakfast-Dinner

OPTIONAL: Afterwards, enjoy a panoramic tour of Granada and delight in a Zambra show, a type of Flamenco dance, typical of the Gypsies of Granada in the Sacromonte neighborhood (optional).

Day 12: Granada – Valencia

After breakfast, continue the journey to Valencia, by crossing Murcia and Alicante. Discover this charming city full of contrasts with a monumental historic center and fabulous Modernista architecture, like the City of Arts and Sciences.

At night time, you’ll have time to amble around the city and try one of its traditional Valencian paellas.

Overnight: Valencia Meals: Breakfast </span></div>

Day 13: Valencia – Barcelona

In the morning, you’ll continue to explore Valencia, the third-largest city in Spain and its most impressive landmarks.

In the afternoon, you’ll hop on a luxury air-conditioned coach and head north to Catalonia, crossing Tarragona, until you get to Barcelona where you’ll spend the night.

Overnight: Barcelona Meals: Breakfast </span></div>

Day 14: Barcelona

After breakfast, you’ll discover this captivating seaside city accompanied by your English-speaking guide and penetrate its old town to understand why it is one of the most visited destinations in Spain. Packed with Modernista landmarks and Antoni Gaudí’s emblematic buildings, including Casa Milá, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, you’ll not want to leave. Then, you’ll head to the Parque Montjuïc, where you’ll enjoy some stunning views of the city>

View of the entrance to the Park Guell by Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Wander along the medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter and you’ll have the afternoon free to keep on exploring the city but at your own pace. We recommend going to its beaches, trying its typical dishes and then enjoying the city’s lively night life.

Overnight: Barcelona Meals: Breakfast

Day 15: Barcelona – Zaragoza – Madrid

After a whole day in Barcelona, you’ll get on the coach and drive to Zaragoza, situated on the banks of the Ebro River, which is the Iberian Peninsula’s largest river. Upon arrival, you’ll have free time to discover its cultural heritage and walk back in time to when the Iberians, Romans, Moors, Jews and Christians erected the city little by little. The city’s most emblematic buildings are: </span><span data-offset-key="cc25b-0-5">the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar the Lonja Cathedral of the Savoir.

Day 16: Madrid Departure

After breakfast, private transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule. Please note that check-out time is usually noon. End of our services.

Overnight: Not Available Meals: Breakfast