Discover Portugal & Spain

Start your adventure in Portugal by flying into Lisbon’s airport where you’ll be met by our private driver for transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day to relax and refresh after a long flight or head out for a preview of the capital city. While you’ll enjoy an in-depth tour tomorrow, you might hop on the historic Tram 28 that travels through the shopping districts of Chiado and Baixa as well as stopping near the castles and churches on the hills of the Graca and Alfama neighborhoods. Many ride it up steep Alfama hill and then walk down to explore.

Start your private tour in Alfama, which managed to escape damage during the 1755 earthquake. Stroll narrow alleyways where locals hang out their laundry and Fado music pours from multiple establishments. Next, visit the magnificent Castelo Sao Jorge with its oldest sections dating to the 6th-century and enjoy a breathtaking view from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. Discover the heart of Lisbon, rebuilt after the earthquake, and take in more amazing views with a ride up Elevador de Santa Justa. Walk through the waterfront district of Belem, sample a world-famous pastry, admire the 500-year-old Jeronimos Monastery, concluding at Christ the Redeemer Statue.

Your full-day tour starts with Pena Park and its romantic palace. The palace is renowned for its fairytale-like architecture with a colorful façade and location at the top of the highest hill above Sintra, providing an awe-inspiring view of the surroundings and the Atlantic. While exploring the palace and secret caves in the lush park, your guide will reveal the history behind it all. Next, visit Sintra’s historic center followed by a scenic mountain drive to Roca Cape, the great cliffs at the “end of the world.” Your final stop is in stylish Cascais and includes a peaceful stroll along the bay.

Venturing to your next destination on the Algarve Coast, you’ll take a private transfer to your hotel, a 2.5- to 3-hour drive from Lisbon. Upon arrival, you might want to take a stroll to the soft, sandy beach and enjoy relaxing among the beautiful scenery, including the endless brilliant blue of the Atlantic. While beaches here tend to be crowded in the summer, the sea is fabulous for swimming. Albufeira is not only known for its beaches but its charming old town. Those who want to delve into nightlife will find plenty of options with lively party scenes throughout the region.

After a morning at leisure this late afternoon adventure starts with a convenient hotel pick-up, followed by a scenic sail from Albufeira Marina. Explore enchanting caves and iconic rock formations along the rugged Algarve coast. Then, step ashore onto a secluded beach, where our skilled crew will prepare a mouth-watering barbecue including grilled meats, salad, and soft drinks – alcohol can be purchased at an additional cost. While ashore stand-up paddleboarding is provided or maybe just take a swim, before returning to port.

Enjoy a day to yourself, a perfect break in between in the many adventures you’ve been taking. It’s a great time to take advantage of your hotel facilities or indulge in your particular interests. Golf enthusiasts can practice their favorite sport while surrounded by the picturesque scenery. Depending on your particular property, you may be able to enjoy luxurious treatments without having to leave, swim or lounge around a pool, or take part in all sorts of water sports. There are also walks along the cliff-tops, water parks, historic sites, and plenty of mouthwatering fares, including lots of fresh fish and seafood.

Heading east to Spain today, you’ll be met by our private driver for transfer to your hotel in Seville, a couple hours’ drive away. Take time to relax and refresh before joining a tapas tour and wine tasting experience with a local foodie guide. You’ll sample many different tapas bars, both modern and traditional, with your delicious bites all complemented with regional Andalusian wines. Discover how chefs are adding more contemporary twists to traditional recipes and enjoy an extra-special treat: a tasting in an exclusive, private tasting room that sits atop the remarkable mushroom-shaped Metropol Parasol monument.

During medieval times, Seville’s old Jewish Quarter was walled and separated from the rest of the city. Revealing its interesting past along the cobbled streets, a private tour starts at the spectacular Seville Cathedral. The world’s largest gothic-style cathedral, it was built on the site of a former mosque, aimed to display the great wealth of the city upon its completion in the early 16th-century. You’ll visit the Royal Alcazar which boasts a millennium of history going back Moorish times as Europe’s oldest, still in use royal residence. Impressive highlights include wooden carved doors and ceilings, hand-painted tiles, and lush gardens.

Enjoy a day trip to one of the highly underrated corners of Spain and some of the most alluring “white” villages.  Home to a wide range of settlers over the centuries, including Romans, Visigoths, Jews, Muslims and Christians. You’ll see their mark in homes, temples, castles, mills, and in the narrow maze of streets as our local guide leads you through them. Begin in Arcos de la Frontera, with its whitewashed houses and stone castle walls that stop abruptly along the sheer cliff that plunges down to a lush valley below. The highlight of the day is Ronda famous for its cliffside location, deep canyon and historic bullring, which dates back to 1779.

Throughout the day you’ll discover the history of these settlements, and what life is like throughout the ages in this beautiful region of southern Spain while enjoying some local bites along the way. Return to Seville late afternoon.

Begin your journey to the capital city with a private transfer to the train station in Seville. You’ll have one-way tickets for a ride on the AVE high-speed train and upon your arrival, will be met with another one of our drivers for transfer to your Madrid accommodation. If you want to unwind and do some people-watching, you might head to one of the open-air cafes around Plaza Mayor, a popular public square in the middle of the city. It’s the perfect spot to sip a glass of wine and take in the scene, from street performers to tourists from across the globe.

Enjoy on a captivating two-hour walking tour through Madrid, immersing yourself in the vibrant tapestry of this enchanting city. Beginning at your hotel, highlights will include Plaza Mayor, a historic square teeming with elegant architecture and bustling cafes. Stroll along Gran Vía, Madrid’s main artery, adorned with glamorous shops and theaters. Continue to the magnificent Royal Palace, a testament to Spanish grandeur. Conclude the tour at Retiro Park, strolling its pathways, admiring the Crystal Palace, and maybe finish with a relaxing ride on the boating lake.

Our guide will take you on a private tour of the city that includes a visit to the Prado Museum. The main national art museum in the country, officially called Museo Nacional del Prado, showcases a remarkable bounty of classic masterpieces, thanks to the Spanish royal family who collected many works throughout the centuries. One of the world’s best collections of European art, from the 12th- to the early-19th-century, can be seen, including pieces by Spanish artists like Ribera and Goya, along with a vast collection of Flemish and Italian works. Highlights include The Three Graces by Rubens and Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez.

Your 13-day discovery of Portugal and Spain comes to an end today. If you aren’t ready to go yet, our travel experts will be happy to help you extend your time here or create a bespoke itinerary addition that will bring you elsewhere. This morning, you’ll take a private transfer to the airport in Madrid to catch your flight or begin your other travels. Either way, we wish you a safe journey with lots of memories to take along with you.