All Of Spain & Portugal – Europe Travel

In the morning we will have a city tour, during which we will get to know the Portuguese capital of the 7 hills, the alleys and the tiles, the “saudade” and the Atlantic light. We will also approach the Belem neighborhood, from where the great Portuguese navigators, who crossed the oceans in the 15th century, left. Free time in the afternoon to walk and go to the Bairro Alto and its viewpoint; if you´d like to, you could take an optional excursion to the towns of Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening we return from the Restauradores Square, full of atmosphere with its bars and cafes, to the hotel.

We will leave early for the south of Portugal. Beautiful landscapes crossing the long bridge over the Tagus River. Arrival in the ALGARVE, the southern region of Portugal. We get to know the ancient city of LAGOS with its port from where the Portuguese ships left for Brazil and its historic center, enclosed within the walls. Time for lunch. In the afternoon we travel to the westernmost point of the European continent, amidst ravines and frequent winds we discover CAPE ST. VICENTE. We will also have the opportunity to photograph the SAGRES fortress nearby. After that time in ALBUFEIRA, a beautiful coastal city, you can enjoy its beach or stroll through its lively historic center. Accommodation in Albufeira or neiboghboring city in the Algarve.

We continue our route towards the Alentejo region. On the banks of the Guadiana River we visit MERTOLA, a walled town-museum, an important center in the Muslim era, dominated by its large castle that invites us to stroll through its streets with white houses and corners full of history. We continue to BEJA, one of the oldest cities in the country, with a large fortress of Roman and medieval origin that dominates the city. Time to walk and have lunch in the historic center with narrow streets and picturesque squares. We go on to ÉVORA, where we will visit the Chapel of Bones (entrance included), built with more than 5,000 skeletons, before enjoying this walled city declared a World Heritage Site with its medieval palaces, Gothic religious buildings, and ancient Roman temple.

Today we travel amidst beautiful landscapes of Alentejo. We make a stop in MARVAO, a very picturesque walled town that offers us a fantastic panoramic view of the region. After that we get to know CASTELO DE VIDE with its great castle. We will also have time to walk through its old Jewish quarter, where we can visit the medieval synagogue (now a museum) or through the labyrinth of alleys of the town. After lunch time we continue to TOMAR, a city dominated by the Convent of Christ, former castle-convent of the Templars, entrance included. Before coming to Fátima, we will make a stop at ALJUSTREL, the village where the three little shepherds who witnessed the Virgin were born. We will be able to see Lucía´s house. Arrival in FÁTIMA and free time at the Sanctuary of Fátima, when, if you’d like, you could witness the candle procession (it is not celebrated in winter). Dinner included.

We travel to the north of Portugal. Arrival around 11 in the morning in PORTO, the second city of Portugal. Sightseeing visit of the historic center of this city on the banks of the Douro River included. We also include a visit to old wineries. Free time.

On this day we will travel through beautiful landscapes. In the city of BRAGA we will get on the world’s oldest cable car to ride up to the Sanctuary of BOM JESUS, where we will enjoy its gorgeous views. We suggest walking down to admire its beautiful stairway. We will continue our trip and head to Galicia. We will visit the historic town of CAMBADOS in Rías Baixas, where we will go on a glass bottom boat trip in which we will learn about the production of mussels and oysters. Wine and mussels tasting included. At lunchtime we will arrive in SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, where we will have the city tour with a local guide. This town was a famous pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages.

We travel following the Way of St. James. In LUGO we will have time to visit the historic town center and Roman walls, which were declared the UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will make a stop in O´CEBREIRO, a small Galician stone village. Arrival in LEÓN at lunchtime, where we will have time to visit the Gothic cathedral with its stained-glass windows and to stroll through the historic town center. After that we will cross the Cantabrian Range mountains on our way to Asturias. Arrival in OVIEDO in the evening. We will include (occasionally the next morning) an hour-and-a-half visit of the city with a local guide, in which we will visit its 9th century cathedral, Calatrava Congressional Palace, Campoamor Theatre and Calle de la Rua.

We will travel to Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe). We will visit Basilica of COVADONGA, which is surrounded by beautiful scenery. Then following the coastline, we will head to SANTILLANA, one of Spain’s most beautiful towns, and we will visit its well-preserved medieval quarter. We will also visit the Museum of the ALTAMIRA Caves (ticket included), located in the vicinity of this town. We will later travel to SANTANDER, the region’s capital, a coastal city with amazing views and beaches. We will explore and learn about this elegant city and beautiful bay during the included city tour.

We will follow the motorway along the Cantabrian coast. Some of the sceneries we will see today, as we travel between the mountains and the sea, are specially beautiful. BILBAO. We arrive in the Basque Country´s largest city. We will go on a short city tour with a local guide which will cover: the Guggenheim area, the old quarter, the Cathedral… then there will be free time to enjoy some authentic “pintxos”. We will then travel to La Rioja, an outstanding winemaking region. We will visit the Wine Museum in Briones and learn about the significance of the ancient art of winemaking. ZARAGOZA, we will arrive in the evening.

We include a morning sightseeing tour of the city of ZARAGOZA with a local guide. We will visit the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. We will also learn about Goya, the famous painter (and see some of his works), visit the Roman theatre, the Renaissance palace and have a walk by the Aljafería Palace.After lunch we will continue our journey and head to the POBLET MONASTERY, a walled monastery surrounded by the beautiful scenery. It is one of the best preserved medieval monasteries in the world (ticket included). We will continue to BARCELONA, arrival in the evening.

n the morning we include a city tour of Barcelona, considered one of the most interesting European capitals, open to the Mediterranean Sea, famous for Gaudí and its modernist architecture, also for the ramblas and the memories of the Universal Exhibitions and Olympics that took place there. Free time in the afternoon. In the evening we include a transfer to the Maremagnum, a modern leisure center and restaurants facing the sea, next to Plaza Colón, where you can stroll through this lively area and dine.

We will travel south along the Mediterranean, making a special stop in PEÑISCOLA, a small walled town on the shores of the sea, where we will have time for a stroll. We will then travel to VALENCIA, a port city on the Levantine coast, in which we will arrive at lunch time. Will you try the famous paella? At 16:30 hrs. approx. we will continue our route to Madrid, making a brief stop at the avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia. Arrival to MADRID at 20:30/21:00 hrs. and transfer to the Plaza Mayor, always a busy and common place to go out to have some pinchos or wine in one of its numerous mesons.Note: Depending on the number of passengers, the journey from Valencia to Madrid might be carried out by high-speed train.

The morning starts with a comprehensive tour through the center of Madrid, including the Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, the Gate of Alcalá, Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor. Then we will visit Retiro Park, an oasis in the city center, where we will see the lake and the Glass Palace. Entrance included to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the football stadium of Real Madrid, for many, the best club in the world. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your own leisure. At the end of the evening we will return to the hotel.