Experience Overview
From the flash of flamenco to the soul of fado, discover the soul of the Iberian Peninsula on an in-depth exploration of southern Spain and Portugal. Venture from Moorish masterpieces to whitewashed neighbourhoods, exploring an array of UNESCO World Heritage sites alongside knowledgeable local experts, including the spectacular Alhambra. Step back in time amid medieval Évora, the fairytale castles of Sintra, and painting master El Greco’s ancient walled hometown of Toledo.
Highlights
- Discover Portugal’s architectural gems like the manors of Sintra and the Roman temples of Évora
- Enjoy a mesmerizing Fado music performance in Lisbon
- Take in a traditional flamenco show in Seville
- Venture into Portugal’s countryside to learn about the production of cork and olive harvesting
- Marvel at the splendid Moorish architecture of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alhambra in Granada
Trip Details
Product Code: 2360
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private vehicle, train, plane, walking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: National Geographic Journey, Extreme Adventures
Supplier Code: EPSNG
Starts: Lisbon, Portugal
Finishes: Seville, Spain
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Light
Includes
Activities
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cork Farm Visit and Lunch, Évora Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Knights Templar Historic Tour, Tomar Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Historic City of Toledo visit, Toledo Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Flamenco Dancing Experience, Granada Your Foodie Moment: Fado Night with Traditional Portuguese Meal, Lisbon Your Hands-On Moment: Port Wine Cellar Visit, Porto
- Lisbon orientation walk
- Guided tour of Palace of Pena in Sintra
- Chapel of Bones tour in Evora
- Diana's Temple visit in Evora
- Guided tour of Coimbra University
- Porto orientation walk
- Douro River boat cruise
- Explore Cordoba including the Mezquita (mosque) and the medieval Jewish quarter
- Granada orientation walk including a guided visit of the Alhambra
- Internal flight
- Transport to/from all included activities and between all destinations
Accommodation
- Hotels (14 nts).
- 13 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Transport
- Private vehicle, train, plane, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guide.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) $4,599 ($307 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Lisbon
Arrive at any time. This evening, savour a traditional Portuguese dinner and performance of fado, a local folk singing tradition, in one of Lisbon's oldest neighbourhoods.
To ensure you are able to join the group for dinner, please arrive in Lisbon by 6pm at the latest.
Day 2: Lisbon
Travel back in time to the fairytale castles and hills of Sintra, a 19th-century resort town and UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the colourful manors, medieval palaces, and lush gardens that enchanted English Romantic poet Lord Byron as well as Portuguese royalty. Enjoy a short orientation walk followed be a free afternoon to discover Lisbon's pastel-hued architecture and lively plazas. Opt to soar over Lisbon on the historic Santa Justa lift, an engineering marvel that ascends 147 feet to an epic viewing platform.
Day 3: Lisbon/Évora
Head to medieval Évora, in the heart of the bucolic Alentejo region, for a fascinating foray into the past. Be mesmerized by the haunting Chapel of Bones, erected by 16th-century Franciscan monks. Then pay a visit to one of the best preserved Roman temples on the Iberian Peninsula, known as Diana's Temple.
Day 4: Évora
Venture into the Alentejo countryside, home to centuries-old cork forests. Join a local expert at a traditional farm, and learn about cork harvesting and production. Then sit down to a traditional cork stripper's lunch at the cork farm. This afternoon, return to Évora and explore its UNESCO World Heritage–designated city centre on your own, walking past whitewashed houses decorated with azulejos and wrought-iron balconies.
Day 5: Évora/Coimbra
Spend the day in Tomar and delve into the Crusades era in Portugal. Go on a guided walk with a local expert around the vast medieval complex of the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Templar Castle, founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais—grand master of the Knights Templar. Continue on to Coimbra for the evening.
Day 6: Coimbra/Porto
This morning, enjoy a tour around the centuries-old University of Coimbra, Portugal's most prestigious university and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enter through the 10th-century Porta Férra, the old entrance to the citadel of Coimbra. Following mosaic cobblestone paths around campus, stopping to see the baroque stylings of the Joanina Library, elaborate azulejo wall tiles adorning the Chapel of São Miguel, and the 18th-century Botanical Garden. Later, catch the train to Porto on the coast.
Day 7: Porto
Board a boat down Portugal's Douro River, or "river of gold". Float on the typical Rabelo Boat along the riverbanks of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia and marvel at the historical bridges connecting the two cities. Famous for centuries as a port wine shipper's centre, discover the rich tradition of port making at a local wine cellar, then cap off the day with a tasting of this distinct regional specialty. In your free time, explore the cobblestone streets of Porto's medieval Ribeira district, marvel at the baroque São Francisco Church, and admire the palatial Palácio de Bolsa, a one time stock market.
Day 8: Porto/Madrid
Transfer to the airport and catch a short flight to Madrid. Set out on your own to take in the elegant squares and leafy boulevards of Spain's bustling capital. Amble around the baroque Plaza Mayor, a 17th-century square lined with shopping arcades, and soak up the scene over a coffee at one of its outdoor cafés.
Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Day 9: Madrid
Drive south to the ancient walled city of Toledo, perched on a rocky headland overlooking the Tagus River. Join a local historian on a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site filled with churches, synagogues, mosques, and plazas. Explore the old quarter and glimpse the soaring tower of the city's 13th-century cathedral, a masterpiece of high Gothic architecture. Return to Madrid and enjoy free time to admire the world-renowned artworks at the Museo del Prado, relax at a café, or experience the city's legendary nightlife.
Other options for exploring the city include the Palacio Real, Real Jardin Botánico or Escorial. Experience more nightlife at the Plaza del Dos de Mayo, in the area known as Malasaña. Taste some sangria and dance to the latest music.
Day 10: Madrid/Córdoba
Board a train to Córdoba, a beguiling Andalusian town steeped in history. As the capital of Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain) until its fall in 1236, Córdoba was once the largest city in Europe, known for its mosques, palaces, and libraries. Discover the medieval centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visit the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, or Mezquita, where a 13th-century Catholic cathedral stands in the center of a former Moorish mosque that dates to the 8th century. Afterwards, stroll the historic Jewish quarter's maze of winding lanes and traditional whitewashed houses. This evening, opt to savour the city's distinctive gastronomy—a mélange of Roman, Moorish, Christian, and Jewish traditions.
Córdoba's gastronomy features cuisine steeped in Roman, Moorish, Christian, and Jewish traditions. Head out tonight to sample some local food. Try the thick, hearty stew called "caldereta de cordero" or cool off with "ajo blanco," a hearty white gazpacho soup.
Day 11: Córdoba/Granada
Arrive in Granada and set out on a CEO led orientation walk of this alluring Andalusian city. Here, in the birthplace of flamenco, take a private dance class in a professional studio. This evening, put your new moves to practice as you experience the city's upbeat nightlife on your own.
Opt to visit the Granada Cathedral of the Incarnation or the Royal Chapel before your Flamenco class.
Day 12: Granada
Spend today immersed in the majesty of the Alhambra, a pinnacle of Moorish architecture in Europe. This fortress and palace built by 13th-century Nasrid sultans crowns a hilltop overlooking Granada. On a guided tour of this extraordinary World Heritage site, marvel at the intricate stuccowork, elegant archways, and intimate courtyards bursting with blooms. Later, explore on your own time as you amble through the old Moorish quarter, the Albayzín, and enjoy views of the Alhambra glowing in the twilight.
After visiting the Alhambra, opt to wander through the whitewashed historic quarter of the Albaicin, with its narrow lanes and fantastic views. This is a great place to go to catch the sunset.
In the evening, opt for a night on the town. The city is filled with trendy tapas bars and has a lively music scene.
Day 13: Granada/Seville
Journey to Seville, one of Spain's most colourful cities with a guided tour in Ronda on the way. Ronda is a beautiful mountaintop city set above a gorge with stunning views and Moorish architecture. Explore El Tajo and marvel at the breathtaking gorge that dominates the landscape, Stroll through the serene Parque Blas Infante, admire the exterior or Casa Don Bosco, and enjoy the sights and sounds of El Jardin de la Duquesa.
Upon arrival in Seville, set out on a CEO led orientation walk and opt to catch a glimpse of traditional gypsy culture by opting to witness a soulful performance of flamenco dance.
Day 14: Seville
Enjoy a full day of free time to follow your impulses in Seville. Lose yourself among the winding alleys, flower-draped patios, and picturesque squares of the charming Santa Cruz quarter. Opt to visit the ornate Mudéjar palace and gardens of Real Alcázar de Sevilla, a World Heritage site and former filming location for Game of Thrones.
Have a chance to savour some tapas at the city's many bars and cafés.
Day 15: Seville
Depart at any time.
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Robert - Traveled, August 2024
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Our guide Rui was excellent in his organisation and making sure we all had a great time together. He has great on depth knowledge of all the places we visited including the sites, history, culture and food. The specialist guides through the tour were all fantastic too. We learnt so much and enjoyed the experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/14/2024
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