The Charms of Spain and Portugal (Multi country)

The Charms of Spain and Portugal (Multi country)

12 Views
11 Days From

$4249

The Charms of Spain and Portugal (Multi country)

11 Days Starting and ending in Madrid

Visiting: Madrid, Salamanca, Porto, Lisbon, Toledo

Tour code:

812034

Physical rating:

VERY_EASY

Age range:

10-

Tour operated in:

English , Spanish
From: $4249

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Join our eleven-day tour and discover the gems of the awe-inspiring Spanish and Portuguese heritage. Take a tour into the past and discover ancient Roman ruins, timeless medieval towns, and idyllic historic cities. Visit fascinating temples, churches, cathedrals, basilicas, and monasteries. Wander around mesmerising places where Arabs, Christians, and Jews coexisted peacefully.

Highlights

  • Madrid: Visit Europe’s largest palace and the Reina Sofia Museum, where Picasso’s harrowing Guernica is amongst the masterpieces on display

  • Salamanca: Home of the oldest university in Spain, Salamanca conquers the hearts of all curious visitors

  • Porto: One of the oldest cities in Europe, surrounded by stunning hills and blue rivers

  • Beautiful plazas, churches and houses with colourfully tiled facades are the architectural treasures of this UNESCO heritage city

  • Lisbon: Portugal’s capital city is an adventure in itself, offering cultural gems such as fado, culinary treats like pasties de Belem, and romantic city views

  • Toledo: The spirit of El Greco lives on in the ancient streets of this beautiful city with visits to the cathedral, historic churches and the mediaeval synagogue

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrival Madrid

Location: Madrid


Upon arrival at Madrid airport meet and greet and transfer to your hotel. Once you’re settled, you can spend the rest of the day at leisure by heading out to explore the streets of Madrid at your own pace.

Overnight in Madrid.  

Day 2 : Madrid

Location: Madrid


After breakfast at the hotel enjoy a morning visit to El Escorial, the most important architectural monument of the Spanish Renaissance. The afternoon is free and after lunch meet the guide for the Madrid panoramic city tour. Find the medieval origins of the city, like the Arabic fortress at the Barrio de la Morería, famous for its historical buildings. Drive through the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs characterized by Phillip II and its Renaissance and Baroque style buildings, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. Admire the XIX century works such as Prado Museum. Contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla, and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium.

Overnight in Madrid.  

Day 3 : Madrid – Segovia – Salamanca (260Km – 3Hrs)

Location: Salamanca


After breakfast drive to Segovia, famous for its Roman-era aqueduct. As the history of this city cannot be understood without its impressive Roman monument, we will first explain the origin of this great construction. From there begin to walk through the historic center of Segovia spotting beautiful houses belonging to ancient lineages of nobles. Contemplate the facade of the Palace of Cascales, a medieval building that will help us to comment on the architectural legacy that the Muslims left in these streets. Continue to Plaza de San Martín to admire its Romanesque church, the Lozoya Tower, the Casa de Solier and the Jewish Quarter, home of this community until its expulsion in 1492, the Plaza Mayor and end the tour admiring the exterior of the Segovia Cathedral. After the tour take a break enjoying lunch at Restaurante Mesón Candido, the most famous in Segovia for its special roasted suckling pig. Continue to Salamanca where you finish the day at the hotel.

Overnight in Salamanca.  

Day 4 : Salamanca – Porto (350Km – 3.5Hrs)

Location: Porto


Breakfast at the hotel followed by a morning Salamanca city tour, starting at the main Square of Salamanca and continuing to Casa de las Conchas (shell house), the most important palace in the city, with its characteristic facade, full of Plateresque elements that stand out. Next stop is the University, which is the oldest one in Spain. Visiting the famous courtyard of the Escuelas Menores, where the emblematic work of the Sky of Salamanca is located. It is a mural painting from the 15th century that decorates the vault of the old library. Afternoon and lunch are free before we continue the route to Porto.

Overnight in Porto.  

Day 5 : Porto

Location: Porto


After breakfast, spend the morning on a guided tour of Portugal’s second city and gateway to the port wine trade. Get to know the city, visit the “Bolsa” stock exchange building, enjoy the views on the Douro Cruise and end in a Port Wine Cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia with Port Wine tasting. The afternoon is free to explore the city on your own.

Overnight in Porto.  

Day 6 : Porto – Coimbra – Lisbon (350Km – 4Hrs)

Location: Lisbon


After breakfast, a new journey begins. Coimbra will be the first on the route. On the banks of the river Mondego, Coimbra famous for its university, the oldest in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe, which over time has shaped its image to become “the city of Students”. In this historic city you will be visiting the University and its ancient library with a local guide. After some free time for lunch, we will visit two monuments: Mosteiro de Alcobaça and Mosteiro da Batalha both classified by Unesco. Mosteiro de Alcobaça, from the XII century, is the largest Gothic church of the Order of Cister and Mosteiro da Batalha is one of the most fascinating Gothic monuments of the Iberian Peninsula. Next, we will drive to Lisbon for overnight.

Overnight in Lisbon.  

Day 7 : Lisbon

Location: Lisbon


Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Today spend the morning on a guided tour of Portugal’s splendid capital city Lisbon. Visit Belem area and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Then, you will have some free time for lunch and the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city.

Overnight in Lisbon.  

Day 8 : Lisbon – Evora – Elvas – Toledo (600Km – 6Hrs)

Location: Toledo


After breakfast depart to Evora, classified as a World Heritage Site. You will have free time to visit the old ruins of the Roman Temple, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral with its massive towers from the 16th century and the Bones Chapel, whose walls are covered with thousands of human bones and skulls (not included, optional). A walk along the impressive “white streets” will help you appreciate the typical sights of this city, formerly a city of kings, artists and humanists. In the afternoon we will pass through Elvas making a panoramic visit from the bus before heading to Toledo. Elvas gives us the opportunity to see their fortifications, a World Heritage Site. In the heart of Elvas, the area of the Castle is the oldest part of the city. 

Overnight in Toledo.  

Day 9 : Toledo

Location: Toledo


Today discover the city of Toledo, known as the "city of the three cultures". Its historic quarter, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, still preserves the layout it had in the Middle Ages. You will discover the Church of Santo Tome, a spectacular church built in the 12th century and completely rebuilt in the 14th century, thanks to the generosity of Don Gonzalo Ruiz de Toledo (the Lord of Orgaz). It is located in the picturesque historic center of Toledo and its bell tower is one of the best preserved examples of Mudejar architecture today. Continue along the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, considered today as one of the best examples of Mudejar and Almohad architecture. This unique building was created by Islamic builders in a Christian region inhabited by Jewish citizens. Enjoy lunch at Restaurant Hacienda el Cardenal, located in the same wall of Toledo. 

Overnight in Toledo.  

Day 10 : Toledo – Madrid (75Km – 1Hr)

Location: Madrid


After breakfast at the hotel spend the day at leisure in the capital of Spain. 

Overnight in Madrid.  

Day 11 : Madrid Departure

Location: Madrid


Enjoy one last breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Madrid airport for your departure and flight back home.

What's Included

TOUR GUIDE: 

  • Operated with English/Spanish-speaking tour guide (Day 2-10)

ACCOMMODATION:

  • 10 nights’ accommodation

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1-2 Madrid:

Superior Hotel Category = Exe Plaza Madrid or similar 4*

Day 3 Salamanca:

Superior Hotel Category = Artheus Carmelitas or similar 4*

Day 4-5 Porto:

Superior Hotel Category = Vila Gale Porto or similar 4*

Day 6-7 Lisbon:

Superior Hotel Category = Vila Gale Opera or similar 4*

Day 8-9 Toledo:

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Eurostars Toledo or similar 4*

Day 10 Madrid:

Superior Hotel Category = Exe Plaza Madrid or similar 4*

MEALS:

  • 10 Breakfasts
  • 2 Lunches (Day 3 and 9)

TRANSPORT:

  • Arrival & departure shared transfer in an air-conditioning vehicle from/ to Madrid Airport
  • Shared air-conditioned transportation throughout the tour

ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES: 

  • All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: entrance fee to El Escorial and guided city tour in Madrid (Day 2), guided city tour in Segovia (Day 3), guided city tour in Salamanca incl. University entrance fee (Day 4), guided tour in Porto incl. Bolsa Palace, Douro Cruise and wine tasting in Wine Cellars (Day 5), guided tour in Coimbra incl. University, Mosteiro de Alcobaca and Mosteiro da Batalha entrance fee (Day 6), guided tour in Lisbon incl. Torre de Belem and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos entrance fee (Day 7), guided tour in Toledo incl. Santo Tomé church and Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue entrance fee (Day 9)

OTHER: 

  • Meet and greet 

What's Not Included

  • International or domestic flights
  • City tax not included, payable on the spot
  • Any visit not mentioned in the program
  • Porterage and gratuities  
  • Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program
  • Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)
  • Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.

Requirements

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Spain. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent in summer can be very useful during your stay.

Please Note

  • We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons
  • Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed
  • In many hotels in Spain, the triple rooms are double rooms with an additional bed or sofa bed. Their comfort conditions are lower than the international standards of the triple room
  • No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed  

Accommodation options

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1-2 Madrid:

  • Superior Hotel Category = Exe Plaza Madrid or similar 4*

Day 3 Salamanca:

  • Superior Hotel Category = Artheus Carmelitas or similar 4*

Day 4-5 Porto:

  • Superior Hotel Category = Vila Gale Porto or similar 4*

Day 6-7 Lisbon:

  • Superior Hotel Category = Vila Gale Opera or similar 4*

Day 8-9 Toledo:

  • Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Eurostars Toledo or similar 4*

Day 10 Madrid:

  • Superior Hotel Category = Exe Plaza Madrid or similar 4*


Check out our Q&As

  • Do you offer any travel insurance?

    We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure. 

  • Are Visa fees included in the price?

    No, visa fees are not included

  • Are flights included in the tour?

    No, they are not included

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.

  • Is there any option for solo traveller?

    Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers

  • What does the price include?

    What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.

  • When are there specific hotel names confirmed?

    Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client's arrival

Reviews of this operator

Maria R  

Very informative tour

05-Dec-2022

Very informative, creative and charming guide Sol made the experience one to remember. Highly recommend to give you an overview of the area.

Andrew W  

Great Scenery

08-Aug-2022

Spectacular scenery. Lovely lunch. The two villages were lovely to see. The stops were short. Best to pre-plan a walk through the villages beforehand to make the most of the time there. The guide was very informative and helpful

Sandra F.  

Great tour! Northern of Spain, Galicia & Portugal (Multi country)

15-Nov-2022

We took an 16-day tour with this firm, and everything exceeded our expectations. The sights we saw were breathtaking, and our tour guides were outstanding. We went on an English/Spanish tour, and the majority of our group was from South America and spoke Spanish. The extra package that includes lunch and select entertainment is highly recommended. Thank you very much for this opportunity!

Grace B  

Down South, Self-drive, couldn't be better

16-Oct-2022

Loved the self-drive tour, gave us the ability to stay on our own schedule. Locations were great with lots to explore in each town as well as along the drive. Ronda and Seville were our favorite! We had the ability to stop while on the road to wine and olive oil taste too, as well as explore Castillo de Almodovar, a beautifully restored castle near Seville where they shot several scenes of Game of Thrones. Location of hotels were good too, easy to get to so you didn't have to drive through some of those difficult narrow one way streets. Only issue was having to pay for parking at some of the hotels, this should have been part of the package. Other than that, it was a great tour!

Steve G  

Excellent Volcano and Village Tour

17-Nov-2022

Amazing volcanic scenery, beautiful village set in deep valleys. Ivan was a very knowledgeable local guide who was great with our toddler!

1 Select your preferred date

Saturday - Tuesday

Apr 05, 2025 - Apr 15, 2025
$4249

Saturday - Tuesday

May 03, 2025 - May 13, 2025
$5214

Saturday - Tuesday

Jun 07, 2025 - Jun 17, 2025
$5005

Saturday - Tuesday

Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 16, 2025
$5187

Saturday - Tuesday

Oct 04, 2025 - Oct 14, 2025
$5308

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Destination Services Spain requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of destination services spain charges.

    Up to 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 17 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 9 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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