Saturday, May 23
Departure from the USA to Barcelona.
Day 1 Sunday, May 24
Welcome to Barcelona! (2 Nights)
Ramble up Las Ramblas and get ready for an unforgettable discovery of
the Iberian Peninsula. You will have one group transfer from the airport to your hotel (arrival at 9 AM). The fiery coastal city of Barcelona kicks off your mesmerizing encounter with Spain and Portugal. Savor a light lunch at a charming local restaurant, sampling fresh Mediterranean flavors before setting off on an orientation tour of Barcelona.
Take in the city’s vibrant boulevards, striking Modernist architecture, and scenic waterfront as your Local Specialist shares stories of its rich history and culture. Your tour culminates atop Montjuïc Hill with a visit to the imposing Montjuïc Castle, where centuries-old stone walls offer sweeping views over the city skyline and glittering harbor below. We end the day with a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Meal(s): Light Lunch, Welcome Dinner
Day 2 Monday, May 25
Discover Barcelona
We spend the morning exploring a city whose great passions include football, fashion and fairy-tale façades by famed architect Antoni Gaudí. We’ll visit the unfinished Sagrada Familia (*subject to availability), then see his creations on the Passeig de Gracia during our guided sightseeing with a Local Specialist. Afterwards, step into the whimsical world of Parc Güell,
Barcelona Gaudi Bench
Antoni Gaudí’s colorful hillside masterpiece. Wander through winding pathways, vibrant mosaic-covered benches, and playful architectural creations, all framed by lush gardens and panoramic views across Barcelona. Next, visit Gaudi’s house (*subject to availability) before enjoying your last evening in Barcelona at leisure.
Meal(s):Breakfast
Day 3 Tuesday, May 26
Journey to Valencia
Journey to vibrant Valencia, a city celebrated for its forward-thinking spirit and bold architectural innovation. Your orientation drive will showcase the impressive 14th-century Towers of Serrano and Quart, along with the striking City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic cultural complex designed by Santiago Calatrava. During a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, enjoy a refreshing glass of organic horchata, a beloved local drink. Then, join your Local Specialist for a journey through time, exploring Valencia’s rich past—from its Roman and Gothic roots to its Golden Age, when it was Spain’s most influential city. Wander through atmospheric medieval streets and visit La Lonja, a UNESCO-listed late Gothic masterpiece. This evening, immerse yourself in the Valencian culinary tradition as you join a cooking class, where you’ll discover the origins of its most iconic dish, paella, during an included dinner.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 Wednesday, May 27
Off to Unique Guadix and on to Granada
Travel to Guadix, where you’ll witness how generations of locals have carved cozy abodes into their rocky surrounds. We’ll visit the troglodyte cave dwellings that blend effortlessly into the surrounding ochre landscape. Then, journey to Granada, the last stronghold of the Moors in Europe. Enjoy an evening in Granada’s Sacromonte quarter, which offers the finest views over the illuminated Alhambra Palace. We’ve organized tickets for you to see the Zambra dances by members of Granada’s most famous Roma people (*subject to availability), with their camp located inside the caves. Prepare for a fiery, emotive performance unique to the local people.
Meal(s):Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 Thursday, May 28
Onwards to Córdoba and Seville (2 Nights)
Tread in the footsteps of Spain’s last emirs, joining your Local Specialist for a visit to the incredible Alhambra (*subject to availability), with its amazing palaces, gardens and fountains. Inspired by poetry, the architecture is said to be a reflection of paradise as described in Islamic verse. Immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere in quiet courtyards, follow its colossal
ancient walls and admire the ornate stone carvings. We then leave Granada behind for Córdoba where we’ll join a Local Specialist to visit the mesmerizing Mosque of the Caliphs, a jewel of Hispano-Islamic art featuring striking arches and Byzantine mosaics. Our journey concludes in the city of Seville, where vibrant flamenco rhythms and Moorish splendor set the tone for our two-night stay, beginning with a delightful, included dinner at our hotel.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Hotel Dinner
Day 6 Friday, May 29
Uncover the Secrets of Seville
Seville takes center stage today as you explore this charismatic city with a Local Specialist. Begin with a visit to Maria Luisa Park, where the architectural gems of the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition await—including Plaza de América and the iconic Plaza de España. Then, step back in time with guided visits to the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world and the 14th-century Moorish Alcázar, with its lush gardens famously featured as the Water Gardens of Dorne in Game of Thrones. This evening, return to the city for a captivating flamenco performance, accompanied by a three-course dinner of traditional Andalusian specialties.
Please note: The visit to Plaza de España involves a significant amount of walking. Guests are advised to wear comfortable footwear.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 Saturday, May 30
Venture to Évora
Leaving the zesty scents of Seville behind, head to the golden landscapes of the Alentejo, where the Brito Paes family await your arrival for a special lunch on their traditional stud ranch, which has been rearing Lusitano horses since the 18th century. This Be My Guest experience takes place in the home of their ancestors before continuing to Évora for a guided sightseeing tour.
With a Local Specialist you’ll visit Evora’s cathedral and Chapel of Bones, you will also see the Roman temple. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Sunday, May 31
Monsaraz, and Lisbon (2 Nights)
Join a local boat captain for a leisurely cruise on the tranquil waters of Lake Alqueva. Relax and enjoy picturesque views and tales of river life. Sit down to a delicious lunch at local restaurant Sem Fim, once an olive mill. Enjoy a wide range of tasty tapas dishes showcasing the local cuisine, and soak up the vibrant, cheerful atmosphere. Arrive in the seafaring Portuguese capital of Lisbon this afternoon, where you’ll join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour. Dive into culture, visiting the Belém Quarter, and enjoy a taste of Pastéis de Belém. This evening, we’ll visit one of the famed local Fado houses for an unforgettable performance as we savor a
typical Portuguese dinner.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Monday, June 1
Lisbon
This morning, we’ll venture outside Lisbon with our Local Specialist, passing through the fashionable resort of Estoril, and 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. Later, cross the mighty Tagus River
by ferry and indulge in a dinner of traditional Portuguese seafood specialties at a local restaurant. End the evening with a panoramic view of Lisbon as you traverse its striking
suspension bridge, the perfect finale to your last night in Portugal.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 Tuesday, June 2
Coimbra and on to Salamanca
Leaving Lisbon behind, we drive past Fatima to the university city of Coimbra. Soak up the
grand atmosphere of one of Europe’s greatest and oldest universities with a Local Specialist, then stroll through the ancient streets and squares of Coimbra. We then leave Portugal, traveling to the historic Spanish city of Salamanca with its golden-hued facades and
ancient university heritage, where we will visit its 18th-century Plaza Mayor.
Meal(s):Breakfast
Day 11 Wednesday, June 3
Continue to Toledo and Madrid
See the walled city of Ávila, the city of Saint Teresa of Ávila. We then arrive in the clifftop city of Toledo and join a Local Specialist for a guided walk through its streets. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé and the former Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca. Later, Dive into Culture and witness local craftsmen at work creating inlaid steel the traditional way.
Arrive in Madrid this evening, your home for the next two nights. Explore a lesser-known side of Madrid’s city center during an intimate evening of regional cuisine, music and entertainment. Savor authentic flavors as you enjoy live performances, then end the night with a drive past the city’s iconic squares and historic fountains.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12 Thursday, June 4
Explore Fiery Madrid
This morning, we join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Madrid, where we’ll see the Royal Palace, Cibeles Fountain and Plaza de Oriente, originally created as a retreat for the royal family. Next, enjoy a visit to Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which sits on a rocky outcrop between two rivers. With your Local Specialist, you’ll visit the 13th-century castle, reputed to have inspired Walt Disney, as well as seeing the best-preserved Roman aqueduct which has remained intact for 2,000 years. This evening marks the end of our memorable journey through the Iberian Peninsula. Join your fellow companions and Travel Director for dinner.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 Friday, June 5
Adiós Madrid
For now it’s time to say a fond farewell to our traveling companions, your Travel Director and the beauty of Spain and Portugal at the end of a memorable holiday. You will have one
group transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meal(s): Breakfast