East meets West and past meets present: Spain and Portugal offer a heady mix of treasures, from Arabic palaces and Roman temples to Catholic cathedrals and Jewish synagogues. Join us as we take to the scenic back roads on this journey into the heart of ancient Iberia.
Tour Highlights
Please note the following itinerary is subject to change without notice.
Day 1 - Madrid
Our tour will begin in vibrant Madrid, where we’ll meet the group and kick off our itinerary with a delicious welcome dinner. Salud!
Day 2 - Madrid - Toledo
After breakfast we’ll take in all the highlights of this captivating capital on an orientation tour. Then we’ll board the mini-coach and head for Toledo – a beguiling riverside city where centuries of history come alive. A guided city tour and visits to the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes and the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca will help us get a grip on the area’s unique cultural heritage before we retire to our hotel for the night.
Day 3 - Toledo - Valdepeñas - Córdoba
Today our journey will continue south across the vast plains of La Mancha towards Valdepeñas – where we’ll pause to visit a local bodega for a wine tasting session and tapas lunch. Appetites satisfied, we’ll move on to beautiful Córdoba – our home for the next two nights.
Day 4 - Córdoba
Prepare to step back in time to the days of Islamic Iberia – a locally guided tour of Córdoba’s Old Town awaits! After visiting the spectacular Mezquita (a UNESCO-protected mosque), you’ll be free to explore the city at your own pace. Seek out hidden squares and local cafés, pamper yourself at a traditional hammam or simply sit back and marvel at the city’s magnificent architecture – this afternoon is all about you.
Day 5 - Córdoba - Úbeda - Granada
Our next stop will be Úbeda, a World Heritage-listed town filled with spectacular Renaissance palaces. There will be just enough time to pause and taste some authentic Spanish olive oil before we move on to enchanting Granada.
Day 6 - Granada
An energetic university city with an ancient past – Granada is yours to explore at leisure today. No visit here would be complete without wandering the lavish interiors of ancient Alhambra. Purchase your tickets well in advance to secure the opportunity to explore the intricately carved archways and vibrant gardens of this breathtaking Moorish palace.
Day 7 - Granada - Ronda
You can rest assured that today’s journey will be just as much fun as the destination! From Granada, our path will turn east as we make the scenic journey to the mountaintop city of Ronda, where we’ll get our bearings on an orientation tour. Tonight, we’ll come together for dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 8 - Ronda - Grazalema - Arcos - Jerez - Seville
Today it’s back on the road – with stops at the picturesque white villages of Grazalema and Arcos to look forward to. This afternoon we’ll set our sights on Jerez – where we’ll be treated to a sherry tasting session and tapas lunch at a local winery. Tonight, a traditional Flamenco show will help us settle into Seville.
Day 9 - Seville
We’ve a full day to spend getting acquainted with the charismatic city of Seville. First, a locally guided walking tour and a visit to the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alcázar of Seville. Then, the day it yours to spend at your leisure. Whether you want to seek out Roman ruins, hunt down Moorish mosaics or visit classical squares, there are plenty of historic sites to keep you occupied here. Feeling hungry? You could always sample some Andalucían specialities at one of the city’s abundant bars...
Day 10 - Seville - Sierra De Aracena
Back to nature today. After breakfast we’ll make tracks to the Sierra de Aracena, an unspoilt mountain range peppered with castles, quaint villages and pastures. While we’re here, we’ll pay a visit a local pig farm – where we’ll be lucky enough to taste some authentic jamón ibérico and local cheeses.
Day 11 - Sierra De Aracena - Monsaraz - Estremoz
Our first stop of the day will be Monsaraz, a charming Portuguese hilltop village with sweeping views of the Alqueva Dam. We’ll take some time to explore its narrow streets before moving on to Estremoz for an afternoon of leisure time. Tonight, we’ll raise a toast to our Iberian adventure over a farewell dinner.
Day 12 - Estremoz - Évora - Lisbon
Onwards to Évora, the capital of the Alentejo region. This afternoon will see our tour come to a close in postcard-perfect Lisbon.
Various departures available from March to October 2024
Below Pricing is based on 28 September 2024 departure
Please call our friendly travel team on 1300 414 198 to enquire about alternative dates and secure your place today. Why not extend your stay and see more of Europe? Our friendly Australian team can happily help arrange our flights, accommodation and travel insurance.
Please note that prices are subject to availability at time of booking and may change without notice.
On your tour you will spend 11 nights in charming boutique accommodation with en-suite bathrooms of 3-star/4-star standard ranging from country inns to town centre hotels.
Where do I meet my Tour Leader upon arrival? Your Tour Leader will usually meet you in the arrival hotel’s reception area at the tour’s listed start time. If you can’t see your Tour Leader, look out for any notices posted in the lobby or ask a member of the hotel staff.
Do you provide airport transfers? For Europe and UK tours, airport transfers are not included in your tour price – however, we can book transfers for you as an additional service.
How much luggage can I bring? As we travel in mini-coaches, luggage space is limited. Each guest may bring one piece of main luggage of a standard size of no more than 158cm (when the length, width and height is added together) and weighing no more than 20kg. You may also bring one small carry-on bag per person. If you have more luggage, please make arrangements to store it prior to joining the tour. We are unable to carry extra luggage on the mini-coach.
What clothes should I bring? A suggested packing list will be provided in your pre-departure information. We suggest packing for variable weather conditions. We also suggest a pair of good shoes for walking tours.
What level of mobility do I need?: You need to be fit enough to get on and off the vehicle on a regular basis, and to walk both to attractions and around towns and villages. You also need to able to walk up and down stairs in the hotels and use a shower over the bath. We frequently use traditional style hotels and the majority will not have lifts or ground floor rooms.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate mobility scooter or wheelchair users. If you have any medical issues, please declare them to us in advance of your tour. If you are in any doubt as to whether our tours are suitable for you, please check with us.
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.