Spain & Portugal Charms Journey

On arrival at Madrid airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Once settled in, you have the remainder of the day at leisure to explore Madrid at your own pace. This is a great opportunity to wander the city’s streets, soak up the atmosphere, or simply relax and acclimatise. Overnight in Madrid.

After breakfast, we take a panoramic tour of Madrid, showcasing the city’s key landmarks. We begin in the medieval Barrio de la Morería and the elegant Habsburg quarter, visiting Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa. The tour continues through Bourbon Madrid, where you’ll see the Royal Palace, the Cibeles and Neptuno fountains, and the Puerta de Alcalá. We then explore more modern areas including Gran Vía, Castellana, the Salamanca district, and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The route includes stops for photos and brief visits, providing a well-rounded introduction to Madrid’s rich history and vibrant atmosphere. After the tour, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure – you might choose to have lunch independently, relax in a café, or explore the city’s lively shopping streets. Overnight in Madrid.

After breakfast, we drive to Segovia, renowned for its remarkable Roman aqueduct, a key monument that defines the city’s history. We begin with an explanation of this impressive structure before strolling through Segovia’s historic centre. Along the way, we admire elegant houses once owned by noble families and the façade of the medieval Palace of Cascales, which reflects the architectural influence of the Muslim period. We continue to Plaza de San Martín to view its Romanesque church, the Lozoya Tower, Casa de Solier, and the Jewish Quarter, which was home to the Jewish community until their expulsion in 1492. The tour concludes at Plaza Mayor with a view of the exterior of Segovia Cathedral. After the guided walk, you have free time for lunch before we continue to Salamanca, where the day ends with an overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, we begin a guided tour of Salamanca, starting at the city’s main square. We visit Casa de las Conchas, a prominent palace known for its distinctive Plateresque façade adorned with shell motifs. Next, we explore the University of Salamanca, Spain’s oldest university, including the courtyard of the Escuelas Menores, home to the famous 15th-century Sky of Salamanca mural that decorates the old library vault. The afternoon and lunch are at your leisure before we continue our journey to Porto. Overnight in Porto.

After breakfast, we begin a guided tour of Porto, Portugal’s vibrant second city known for its rich history and riverside charm. We visit the elegant Bolsa Palace, a 19th-century neoclassical building famed for its ornate Arab Room and richly decorated interiors. Following the palace, we take a scenic cruise along the Douro River, enjoying views of the colourful riverside houses, the iconic Ribeira district, and the city’s distinctive bridges and skyline. The afternoon is at your leisure to have lunch and explore Porto’s narrow cobbled streets, lively squares, local cafés, and shops at your own pace. Overnight in Porto.

After breakfast, we travel south to Coimbra, a city famed for its university perched above the Mondego River. We explore the University of Coimbra, including the remarkable Joanina Library, a Baroque treasure housing centuries-old volumes, along with other historic campus buildings. A guided stroll through the old town reveals charming squares, narrow alleys, and traditional cafés that contribute to Coimbra’s vibrant student atmosphere. Following the morning tour, you have free time for lunch to sample local dishes or relax at a café. In the afternoon, we continue to Lisbon, enjoying the scenic drive before settling in for the night.

After breakfast, we embark on a guided tour of Lisbon, Portugal’s lively capital. Explore the city’s historic districts, charming squares, and notable landmarks, including the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery, a prime example of Manueline architecture. Following the tour, you have free time for lunch and the afternoon at your leisure to discover Lisbon independently. You might choose to wander the narrow streets of Alfama, browse the shops in Chiado, or relax at a café by the river. Overnight in Lisbon.

After breakfast, we depart for Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have free time to explore the Roman Temple ruins, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral with its imposing 16th-century towers, and, optionally, the Chapel of Bones, notable for its walls adorned with thousands of human bones and skulls. A stroll through Évora’s distinctive whitewashed streets reveals the city’s rich history as a former home to kings, artists and humanists. In the afternoon, we drive through Elvas, enjoying a panoramic bus tour of its remarkable fortifications, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the heart of Elvas lies the Castle quarter, the city’s oldest area, reflecting its strategic military past. After this, we continue to Madrid for an overnight stay, where you can relax after the day’s journey.

After breakfast, we take a half-day tour to Toledo, known as the “city of the three cultures.” Its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, retains much of its medieval layout. We visit the Church of Santo Tomé, originally built in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 14th century through the patronage of Don Gonzalo Ruiz de Toledo. Its bell tower is one of the finest surviving examples of Mudejar architecture. We also explore the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, a remarkable building blending Mudejar and Almohad styles, constructed by Islamic craftsmen in a Christian area once inhabited by Jewish communities. After the tour, we return to Madrid for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we transfer you to Madrid airport for your departure flight home, marking the end of your journey.