MadridToledo PortoLisbonLeonCoimbra
Visit some of Spain and Portugal’s most beautiful and historic cities, including Madrid, Toledo, Burgos, Leon, Santiago de Compostela, Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon. Each city has its unique charm and character, from Madrid’s stunning architecture to Toledo’s medieval streets and the historic cathedrals of Burgos and Leon. You’ll also get to experience Portugal’s rich culture and gastronomy, with stops in Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon.
Itinerary Highlights
What’s included
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
12
Nights
Price Guide
$POA
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Fly to Madrid
Madrid
Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour in Madrid with your local English-speaking guide and private vehicle. Visit the Prado Museum, one of Madrid’s main attractions for many visitors. Here, you can view works by Spain’s three great Masters: Goya, Velazquez and El Greco. After touring the Prado, visit the Royal Palace, whose rooms are filled with art treasures and antiques. This afternoon, visit the magnificent Thyseen-Bornemisza collection, which boasts 800 paintings and is regarded as one of the world’s most important privately assembled art collections. Also, visit the Reina Sofia Art Centre, which concentrates on 20th-century art and its most famous work, Picasso’s “Guernica”.
Toledo
Today, you will enjoy a full-day excursion to Toledo with your private vehicle and English-speaking guide. Toledo is a fortified city dating from Roman times, which in the Middle Ages was the crucible of the three cultures of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Sightseeing will include the Cathedral, a blend of 13th, 14th and 15th-century architecture, and the Church of Santo Tomé, housing El Greco’s most famous painting, “Burial of Count Orgaz”. You will also visit the city’s oldest synagogue, the 12th-century Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue, which subsequently became a convent.
Burgos and Leon
This morning, meet your English-speaking guide and driver for the start of your tour to Santiago with an overnight stop in Leon. Travel from Madrid to Burgos for an overview visit, and continue to Leon to get a better feel for the Camino de Santiago pilgrim route. The section from Burgos to Leon traverses the sweeping meseta of Castille, passing through important resting places along the Camino with magnificent churches and monasteries such as Fromista, Carrion de los Condes and Sahagun. Arrive in Leon in the late afternoon, the perfect time to visit the cathedral as it illuminates the superb stained glass in all its glory.
Leon and Santiago de Compostela
Continue the pilgrim route via Astorga to visit the amazing Bishop’s Palace built by the Catalan architectural genius Antoni Gaudi. Follow the Camino, climbing into the mountains and stopping briefly at Villafrance del Bierzo. Continue over the pass of El Cebreiro, driving through the ancient thatched-roofed ‘palooza’ cottages typical of this austere region. Follow the pilgrim road, stopping in Lugo, the smallest of the capitals of Galicia, to see the unique Roman walls that completely surround the city. Continue to Santiago from here.
Santiago de Compostela
Enjoy a guided tour with your English-speaking guide, visiting the magnificent Cathedral over the centuries and still today, the culmination of the greatest pilgrimage in Europe, the Archbishop’s Palace, the arcaded streets and the baroque splendours of San Martin Piniero. Also, visit the market, one of Spain’s most interesting and picturesque, with old ladies selling their homemade cheeses.
Santiago de Compostela to Porto
Continue touring south to Oporto with your English-speaking guide, driver, and private vehicle. Follow the winding coast road along the beautiful Ria (estuary) of Arousa, with fishing villages and picturesque mussel and oyster beds the major features of this region. You may also like to visit the village of Cambados before continuing to the Portuguese frontier, stopping in one of the frontier towns, Tuy, which has sweeping views over the Mino estuary. Continue to Ponte de Lima with its churches and mansions. Time permitting, you can also visit Braga with its austere fortified cathedral and the dramatic sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Mont, which is reachable by a massive granite staircase punctuated with fountains and statuary.
Porto
Today, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour with your private vehicle and a local English-speaking guide in Oporto, which has a glorious location on a steep hillside above the River Douro. You will visit the Cais da Ribeira, the quayside of the fascinating Ribeira district, with views across the river to the port wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia and some of the city’s most beautiful monuments, including the opulent 19th century Stock Exchange, the cathedral and Bishop’s Palace.
Douro Valley
Today, you will enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour with your private vehicle and English-speaking guide to the breathtakingly beautiful Douro Valley, covered with steep terraces on which the vines that produce the grapes for port wine are grown. You will visit the sumptuous palace of Solar de Mateus with its 18th-century interior and carefully manicured lawns and experience a short cruise on the River Douro.
Coimbra
This morning, you will meet your private vehicle and English-speaking driver for your transfer to Lisbon via Coimbra. You will enjoy a 3-hour stop in Coimbra, the oldest university town in Portugal, where you have time to explore the old streets and visit the University with its sumptuous Baroque library. After lunch at leisure in Coimbra, transfer to Lisbon.
Lisbon
Today, you will enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour in Lisbon with your private vehicle and English-speaking guide. Lying north of the River Tagus estuary and spread over seven hills, Lisbon has much to offer the visitor. Your tour today will include a visit to the magnificent Jeronimo’s Monastery, the splendid Coach Museum in the Belem Royal Palace and the priceless treasures of the Gulbenkian Museum.
Sintra / Queluz and Cascais
This morning, you will meet your private vehicle and English-speaking driver for your transfer to Lisbon via Coimbra. You will enjoy a 3-hour stop in Coimbra, the oldest university town in Portugal, where you have time to explore the old streets and visit the University with its sumptuous Baroque library. After lunch at leisure in Coimbra, transfer to Lisbon.
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $POA
When to travel
Portugal boasts a temperate climate that makes it a popular travel destination year-round. However, if you’re looking to escape the crowds, the best time to visit is during the shoulder season, which runs from March to May and September to November. During these months, the weather is mild and pleasant, and you’ll be able to enjoy Portugal’s stunning landscapes and historic cities without having to navigate throngs of tourists. In contrast, the peak season, which falls between June and August, can be quite hot and crowded, so it’s best to plan accordingly if you’re traveling during this time.
Add on’s
There are a multitude of add-on holiday options to this Spain and Portugal itinerary; for example, you could consider visiting Morocco, which is just a short ferry ride away from Spain. Alternatively, you could explore the south of France, which is full of charming towns and beautiful beaches. If you’re after more city life, you could head to Paris or London, both easily accessible by train or plane from Spain and Portugal. Additionally, you could explore the stunning landscapes of Scotland or Ireland, or head to Italy to experience its rich history and delicious cuisine. The options are endless!
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