Day 1. (Tuesday) BARCELONA – MADRID

Your journey begins in the morning at Barcelona Sants Station, where you will board the AVE, Spain’s premier high-speed train, bound for the capital. Sit back and relax in total comfort as you glide across the peninsula. From your seat, you’ll enjoy a front-row view of the ever-changing Spanish landscapes, from the rugged hills of Catalonia through the dramatic plains of Aragon to the expansive plateaus of Castile. Upon arrival at Madrid, our professional staff will be waiting to greet you and provide a seamless transfer to your hotel. Once settled, please check the informative panels in the reception area for details regarding the welcome meeting with your expert guide and fellow travellers. As evening approaches, we will provide a transfer to the iconic Plaza Mayor, the historic and vibrant heart of Madrid. This vibrant district, with its stunning porticoes and centuries of history, is the perfect setting to begin your adventure. You will find a great variety of restaurants and traditional tabernas where you can enjoy your first dinner in the capital. Return to the hotel for your overnight stay.

Day 2. (Wednesday) MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel. Escorted by a local guide, we’ll start a guided tour of Madrid discovering the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the world-renowned Paseo del Prado (the Art Triangle), the majestic Cibeles Square, the most emblematic square in Madrid with the fountain of the Greek goddess Cibeles, place where Real Madrid and Spain national team fans celebrate their victories, the Neptuno Square, and the triumphant Puerta de Alcala. We will also admire the lush greenery of Retiro Park and the historic Plaza de Colón, soaking in the sophisticated atmosphere of the Spanish court. From imperial history to sporting glory, our next stop is the legendary Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. We have included your entry to this world-famous arena, the home of Real Madrid. You’ll have the chance to explore the state-of-the-art museum, see the record-breaking collection of European Cups, and feel the atmosphere of one of the world’s most iconic football cathedrals. The remainder of the day is yours to discover Madrid’s soul at your own pace. The city centre is perfectly walkable and full of surprises. Here are some recomendations for your free time in Madrid. You can visit Puerta del Sol, the Kilometre Zero of the country, and lose yourself in the nearby medieval streets of Madrid de los Austrias Neighborhood. Walk along the Gran Vía, Madrid’s answer to Broadway, famous for its grand architecture and flagship stores. Stroll towards the Royal Palace and the adjacent Almudena Cathedral for some of the city’s finest sunset views. Return to hotel and accommodation.

Day 3. (Thursday) MADRID – MERIDA – EVORA – LISBON

After breakfast, we’ll leave Madrid westbound on the highway to Extremadura. The landscape unfolds into a vast, rugged terrain of rolling hills and dramatic granite outcrops, reflecting the untamed beauty of Western Spain. Our first destination is Merida, once the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania, known as Augusta Emerita. We will visit the spectacular Archaeological Ensemble of Merida, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring one of the best-preserved Roman theatres and amphitheatres in existence. Following this journey back in time, you will have free time to enjoy lunch in the shadow of ancient monuments. In the afternoon, we head to Portugal, travelling through the serene and endless dehesas. This unique Mediterranean ecosystem, dotted with cork oaks and holm oaks, is the ancestral home of the Iberian pig, which can be seen grazing freely in the countryside. Our first Portuguese stop is Évora, a jewel of the Alentejo region. You will have free time to explore this walled city, famous for its Roman Temple of Diana, its impressive Gothic cathedral, its Renaissance palaces and also the Church of San Francisco with its adjacent hauntingly beautiful Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos), where all its walls are covered with skulls and human bones, symbolizing how ephemeral human existence is. We then continue our route to Lisbon, the city of the seven hills. Known for its melancholic Fado music, tiled facades, and golden Atlantic light, Lisbon is a captivating blend of age-old tradition and modern maritime flair. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 4. (Friday) LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. We’ll have a full day to explore each corner of Lisbon. We’ll start the day with an in-depth sightseeing tour of Lisbon. Our panoramic tour starts at Eduardo VII Park, offering stunning views over the city towards the Tagus River. We’ll dive into the heart of the Baixa Pombalina, passing through the majestic Marquis of Pombal Square and the bustling Rossio, where you can admire the hilltop São Jorge Castle overlooking the ancient Alfama district. We continue through the elegant Estrela neighbourhood to admire the grand Estrela Basilica before heading to the waterfront of Belem district. Here, we celebrate Portugal’s seafaring heritage at the Monument to the Discoveries, the fortified Belém Tower, and the breathtaking Jerónimos Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Vasco da Gama’s resting place. The afternoon is yours to further explore the magic of Lisbon. We recommend wandering through the steep, tiled streets of Alfama district, the city’s oldest quarter, to discover hidden viewpoints (miradouros) or taking a ride on the iconic yellow Tram 28. For those wishing to see the surrounding coast, our guide will offer an optional excursion to the fairytale town of Sintra, famous for its colourful palaces, followed by a visit to the chic seaside resorts of Cascais and Estoril. We conclude the afternoon with a transfer to Restauradores Square, famous for its lively restaurant scene. Take the opportunity to ride the historic Gloria Funicular up to Bairro Alto, where the San Pedro viewpoint offers spectacular views over the heart of Lisbon. Afterward, we will return to the hotel for your overnight stay. In the evening, you can immerse yourself in the soul of Portugal with an optional Fado show, experiencing the hauntingly beautiful traditional music in an authentic Lisbon tavern.

Day 5. (Saturday) LISBON – FATIMA – PORTO

After breakfast, we travel north to Fátima, one of the most revered Marian shrines in the world. You will have free time to immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere of the Sanctuary. You may visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, where the tombs of the three shepherd children are located, spend a moment of reflection in the modern Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, or visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, the very heart of the sanctuary where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1917. We continue our journey to Porto, the second-largest city of Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Upon arrival, we embrace the city’s maritime soul by boarding a traditional Rabelo boat, the iconic wooden vessels once used to transport port wine barrels. This relaxing cruise along the Douro River offers an incomparable perspective of the city’s six bridges and the colourful, stacked houses of the Ribeira district. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore the steep, cobbled streets of Porto. Discover the historic soul of Porto by visiting the majestic Sé Cathedral and the Stock Exchange Palace, one of the city’s most exquisite architectural gems. Your journey through time can continue at the São Bento Station, where you can admire breathtaking blue-and-white azulejo tile panels that masterfully depict scenes from Portuguese history. Nearby, step into the magical Livraria Lello, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, famous for its sweeping Neo-Gothic staircase. To capture the ultimate photo, climb the Clérigos Tower for a spectacular 360-degree view over the medieval heart of the city before taking a leisurely stroll along the riverside Ribeira. Finally, marvel at the engineering grandeur of the Dom Luís I Bridge as you cross over to Vila Nova de Gaia, where you can conclude your day with an authentic tasting of the city’s world-famous fortified Port wine. Hotel accommodation.

Day 6. (Sunday) PORTO – BRAGA – CAMBADOS – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

After breakfast, we start our trip to the northern Portugal. At Braga we will visit the magnificent Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, a masterpiece of European Baroque design. We will ascend the sacred hill via its historic funicular, the oldest in the world powered by water counterbalancing. To truly appreciate the scale of this monument, we recommend descending on foot down the grand zigzagging Stairway of the Five Senses, a monumental Baroque stairway of 381 feet, which offer breathtaking views over the valley. We then cross the border into Spain, entering the lush, green landscapes of Galicia and its famous Rías Baixas (Lower Estuaries of Galicia). Upon arrival in the charming town of Cambados, we embark on a glass-bottom boat cruise through the Ría de Arousa. This unique voyage takes us to the traditional floating platforms (bateas) to discover how Galicia’s world-famous mussels are cultivated. To celebrate this maritime tradition, we’ve included a tasting of freshly steamed mussels accompanied by local Albariño wine. Our journey continues to Santiago de Compostela, one of the most important monumental centers of Spain, one of the sacred cities of Christendom, the final destination of the legendary Camino de Santiago (Saint James pilgrimage route). Joined by a local guide, we’ll explore the city’s UNESCO-listed historic centre. We will wander through its granite-paved streets and medieval squares, such as the Plaza de las Platerías and the Plaza de la Quintana, soaking in the mystical atmosphere that has drawn pilgrims for over a thousand years. Our tour concludes at the majestic Praza do Obradoiro, where we will admire the awe-inspiring exterior of the Santiago Cathedral, dedicated to the Apostle James the Elder, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ and brother of John, the Evangelist. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 7. (Monday) SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – LUGO – O CEBREIRO – LEON – OVIEDO

After breakfast, we follow the historic Way of St. James toward the plains of Castile. Our first stop is Lugo, known in antiquity as Lucus Augusti. We’ll explore its tranquil, pedestrianised historic centre, which is entirely enclosed by the monumental Roman Walls. As the best-preserved example of Roman fortifications in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site, these ancient walls offer a unique journey back to the days of the Empire. Our route continues through the mist-shrouded village of O Cebreiro, a quintessential Galician stone hamlet, before arriving in León. A vital enclave on the pilgrimage road, León boasts some of Spain’s most extraordinary architecture. During your free time, you can marvel at the Gothic Cathedral of Leon, famous for having the most exquisite stained-glass windows in Europe, the Romanesque Collegiate Church of San Isidoro, and the stunning Plateresque façade of the San Marcos Hostel. Later, we cross the dramatic peaks of the Cantabrian Mountains into the green landscapes of Asturias. We arrive in Oviedo, a city that has preserved an authentic medieval atmosphere. Accompanied by a licensed local guide, we’ll enjoy an in-depth city tour of Oviedo’s treasures, including the 9th-century Cathedral, the contemporary Calatrava Palace, the historic Campoamor Theatre, and the charming Calle de la Rúa. To conclude the day, we have included a traditional Asturian dinner, where you can experience the art of cider pouring and taste the region’s famous authentic cider. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 8. (Tuesday) OVIEDO – COVADONGA – SANTILLANA – SANTANDER

After breakfast, we journey into the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of breathtaking scale. As we navigate the winding mountain roads, a spectacular landscape unfolds, a world of crystalline waters, vibrant green meadows, and jagged limestone peaks that seem to touch the sky. We arrive at the Sanctuary of Covadonga, a sacred site of pilgrimage nestled within a natural cave. You will have free time to explore the Shrine and pay your respects to Our Lady of Covadonga, the beloved Patroness of Asturias. Our route then leads us to Santillana del Mar, frequently described as one of the most beautiful historic villages in Spain. We will wander its medieval stone streets to discover architectural treasures like the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, a true jewel of Cantabrian Romanesque design. Nearby, we visit the Museum of the Caves of Altamira, where a state-of-the-art replica provides a fascinating insight into the prehistoric cave art that defined the early Iberian Peninsula. Finally, we travel to Santander, the elegant capital of Cantabria. Accompanied by a local guide, we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Santander to discover the aristocratic charm and coastal highlights of the city. Our tour features the historic Cathedral Square before heading to the stunning Magdalena Peninsula, home to the majestic Royal Palace and panoramic bay views. We then visit the iconic El Sardinero Beach to admire the Belle Époque grandeur of the Gran Casino. Finally, we reach the dramatic cliffs of Cabo Mayor, where the historic Lighthouse offers spectacular vistas over the rugged Cantabrian coast. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation. NOTE: From July to mid-October, due to seasonal high occupancy, some groups may be accommodated in Bilbao.

Day 9. (Wednesday) SANTANDER – BILBAO – LA RIOJA – ZARAGOZA

After breakfast, following the highway along the Cantabrian Coast, with beautiful landscapes between the mountains and the sea we head to Bilbao, capital of the province of Vizcaya, and the largest city of the Basque Country. Accompanied by an expert local guide, we will visit Bilbao, where design and architecture permeate this entire city. We’ll explore the historic Casco Viejo (Old Quarter) with its Seven Streets and marvel at the titanium curves of the Guggenheim Museum, a masterpiece of modern architecture. Afterward, enjoy free time for a pintxos experience, the Basque version of tapas. These miniature gourmet delights, often served on a slice of bread and held together with a toothpick, are a true culinary art form best enjoyed with a glass of local cider or txakoli. In the afternoon, we travel through the rolling vineyards of La Rioja to visit the Museum of Wine Culture, where you’ll learn the secrets of one of the world’s most prestigious wine regions. We conclude the day in Zaragoza, located on the banks of the Ebro River, one of Spain’s major cities and capital of the Region of Aragon. Known for its monumental beauty and its landmark Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, the city offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere. For your evening, we suggest a stroll to the Plaza del Pilar to see the basilica illuminated, followed by a visit to El Tubo, a famous network of narrow alleys filled with the city’s best traditional tapas bars. Hotel accommodation.

Day 10. (Thursday) ZARAGOZA – POBLET – BARCELONA

After breakfast, we spend the morning discovering Zaragoza, a city with over two thousand years of history on the banks of the Ebro River. During our sightseeing tour of Zaragoza we’ll step back to the 1st century at the Roman walls and the remains of the ancient forum, discovering why the city was once known as Caesaraugusta. Zaragoza is also the proud birthplace of the legendary painter Francisco de Goya; we will see his influence in the city’s grand plazas and his magnificent frescoes that adorn the domes of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, a Baroque masterpiece and the city’s most iconic landmark. We’ll also explore the historic centre to admire La Seo Cathedral, where Romanesque, Gothic, and Mudéjar styles blend seamlessly, as well as the Aljafería Palace, a stunning example of Hispano-Muslim architecture. Following free time for lunch to sample local Aragonese flavours, we continue our journey east. In the afternoon, we reach the Monastery of Poblet, a Cistercian abbey UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll walk through the austere yet elegant Cloister, visit the grand Refectory, and stand before the magnificent Royal Tombs, where the alabaster sepulchres of the Kings of Aragon rest in silent majesty. The monastery remains an active community of monks, and its atmosphere of peace and spiritual devotion is truly palpable. We then complete our route to Barcelona, the vibrant Mediterranean capital. Arrival at the hotel late in the day and accommodation in this cosmopolitan city, famous for its avant-garde spirit and its unique Modernist architecture.

Day 11. (Friday) BARCELONA

We wake up in Barcelona. After breakfast, we begin our discovery of the city with a comprehensive panoramic tour of Barcelona. Sit back and enjoy the views as we drive past the historic Columbus Monument and the bustling Plaça de Catalunya. We’ll cruise along the elegant Passeig de Gràcia, home to modernist architectural gems, and cross the city via the grand Diagonal avenue. A major highlight is our stop at the Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece. We’ll also ascend Montjuïc Hill to see the 1992 Olympic facilities and enjoy sweeping views of the harbour, before passing through the monumental Plaça d’Espanya. Our tour concludes at Las Ramblas, the city’s most famous pedestrian boulevard. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the atmospheric Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic). This labyrinth of medieval streets is the historic soul of Barcelona. We recommend to visit the Barcelona Cathedral with its palm-tree-filled cloister, and find the hidden columns of the ancient Roman Temple of Augustus. For a truly local experience, head to Santa Caterina Market or find a traditional Xarcuteria to sample Jamón Ibérico and Catalan cheeses. Don’t miss trying pan con tomate (bread with tomato and olive oil) or a portion of patatas bravas in a hidden plaza. As an optional experience, you may join our expert guide for an exclusive interior tour of the Sagrada Família. This option includes skip-the-line tickets to Sagrada Familia, allowing you to marvel at the forest of stone columns and the spectacular play of light through the stained-glass windows. In the late afternoon, we head to the Maremagnum area at the Port Vell. This modern waterfront district offers a wide variety of restaurants and terraces overlooking the Mediterranean. You’ll have free time for dinner, the perfect setting to enjoy fresh seafood or a classic Paella, before returning to the hotel for your overnight stay.

Day 12. (Saturday) BARCELONA

Breakfast at the hotel and end of our services. If you still have some time to spend in Barcelona, here we give you several ideas to organize your time. Barcelona is an open-air museum so you may want to discover some of Gaudí’s Masterpieces… Visit the Park Güell to admire its whimsical mosaics, or visit the Casa Batlló on the elegant Passeig de Gràcia. For the best panoramic views in the city, head to Tibidabo Mountain. Here you’ll find the Sacred Heart Basilica and a charming vintage amusement park. Sports enthusiasts won’t want to miss the visit to Camp Nou Stadium, the legendary home of FC Barcelona. If you wish to explore further afield, you can book through our website a day trip to Girona and Figueres, or discover the rugged beauty of the catalonian coast on this daytrip to Costa Brava from Barcelona. In the late afternoon, you will receive all the essential details for the start of your tour via our information boards at reception or directly from your tour representative. Overnight stay in Barcelona.