Day 1. (Saturday) MADRID – AVILA – CIUDAD RODRIGO – PORTO

Departing from Madrid, we head west in search of Portugal’s Atlantic Coast. Our first stop will be near Avila, nestled in the Sierra de Gredos Mountains. This impressive medieval city boasts a towering wall, declared a National Monument. From the San Sebastián shrine, known locally as the Four Posts Viewpoint (Mirador de los Cuatro Postes), we’ll enjoy unbeatable views of the walled city. We continue our route to Ciudad Rodrigo, another medieval city that preserves its imposing walls and houses a rich heritage of civil and religious buildings, including its Cathedral and Henry II Castle. We’ll have free time to stroll through the walled city, explore a time travel experience, and savour the Middle Ages. We’ll then depart for Porto, the capital of northern Portugal. Upon arrival, we will board a rabelo boat, a Portuguese vessel typical of the Douro River, which traditionally transported barrels of port wine from the vineyards in the Upper Douro to the port wine cellars. We will enjoy a unique experience, seeing the city at sunset from the river. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure, to discover the atmosphere full of history and nostalgia of this port city, with its elegant neighbourhoods and stately villas in counterpoint with the narrow streets and old alleys. You can visit the Sé Cathedral, Porto’s most important religious monument, and also the Stock Exchange Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings in Porto, stroll along the Ribeira de Porto on the banks of the Douro and admire the Dom Luis I Bridge, the most famous bridge in Porto, climb the Clérigos Tower, the best viewpoint in Porto, from where you will have fabulous panoramic views of the historic centre of the city. Hotel accommodation. Note: If the number of passengers between Madrid and Porto is very small, this leg may be completed by plane, in which case the stops in Avila and Ciudad Rodrigo will be cancelled.

Day 2. (Sunday) PORTO – BRAGA – GUIMARAES – PINHAO – COIMBRA

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Braga, known as the city of archbishops and the third most populated city in Portugal. We will take the oldest funicular in the world, a 19th-century engineering feat, to reach the Santuario do Bom Jesus do Monte, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is an important pilgrimage site located high on a hill that offers magnificent views of Braga. We suggest walking down to admire its beautiful Staircase of the Five Senses, a monumental Baroque work of art 116 meters high. We continue the route through the north of Portugal to the city of Guimarães, considered the birthplace of Portugal, as it was the birthplace of Afonso Henríquez, who would become the first king of Portugal. Free time for lunch and a stroll through its historic center, declared a World Heritage Site. Our next destination is Pinhão , the geographical centre of the Port wine producing region. We’ll visit the train station, considered one of the most beautiful in Portugal, with its facades decorated with tiles depicting the vineyards and the region’s landscapes. We’ll then embark on a boat trip along the Douro River. In the afternoon, we’ll depart for Coimbra, a riverside city rising from the Mondego River and the former capital of Portugal during the Middle Ages. Arrival at the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay will follow. Note: From November to March, the boat trip is not included; instead, a train ride along the banks of the Douro River will be offered.

Day 3. (Monday) COIMBRA – BATALHA – NAZARÉ – ÓBIDOS – LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning at your leisure in Coimbra to explore its well-preserved medieval Old Town with its dark cobbled streets, visit Coimbra’s landmarks such as the monumental 12th-century Romanesque Cathedral Sé Velha, the historic University of Coimbra, the oldest and most prestigious university in Portugal, the Gothic Igreja de Santa Cruz, Coimbra’s most historically important church, or enjoy a coffee and pastries at Café Santa Cruz . We continue our route south to the Batalha Monastery, a Gothic and Manueline masterpiece built to commemorate the Battle of Aljubarrota , when Portuguese troops successfully thwarted Castilian ambitions for the Portuguese throne. Our route continues to Nazare, Portugal’s most picturesque and colorful fishing village located on the Silver Coast (Costa da Prata). We will take the funicular up to O Sitio (the Old Town) for a panoramic view of the city and its beaches. We will continue our journey to the medieval village of Obidos, one of the most picturesque and best-preserved in Portugal. In the afternoon, crossing the Tagus River estuary over the impressive 25 de Abril Bridge, we will arrive in Lisbon, the capital and largest city in Portugal. Arrival at the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 4. (Tuesday) LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. We enjoy a full day to explore every corner of Lisbon. We will start the day with a guided tour of Lisbon. Through Lisbon’s traditional neighbourhoods, we will arrive at the Belem District, on the north bank of the Tagus River estuary, the birthplace of many great Portuguese navigators who set sail across the oceans in the 15th century to explore and trade with India and the Orient. We will see the Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), a monument celebrating the Portuguese Age of Discovery, we will see the Belem Tower, a medieval defensive fortification and an outstanding example of the Portuguese Manueline style. Finally, we will see the beautiful Gothic-style Jerónimos Monastery, the resting place of Vasco da Gama, and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the nearby Belém Tower. You’ll enjoy free time to explore Lisbon at your leisure, discovering the nostalgic corners of the Alfama district, the old town clustered around the castle with its old buildings and narrow, winding streets, full of colour, home to traditional taverns where fado music resonates with a lost past. Optionally, you can take a bus excursion to visit Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with Cabo da Roca, and admire Cascais and Estoril. In the evening, we’ll take you to the lively Restauradores Square with its bars and cafes, from where, if you wish, you can take the Elevador da Gloria, which leads to the upper district and its viewpoint. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5. (Wednesday) LISBON – CACERES – MADRID

Departure from Lisbon toward the Spanish border, crossing beautiful green plains that stretch as far as the eye can see, dotted with cork and olive trees that stand the test of time. Once in Spain, we enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Extremadura region, vast areas of holm and cork oaks known as dehesas (pastures), where Iberian pigs roam freely in search of acorns. Arrival in Caceres, a magical medieval city and provincial capital in western Spain. Free time to stroll through the old town with its walls and watchtowers and its famous medieval quarter, considered a World Heritage Site. We recommend following the narrow paths that will transport you to another century and captivate you with their ancient charm. You’ll discover Cáceres’ main square: Plaza Mayor and the Bujaco Tower, known locally as the Clock Tower; the Arco de la Estrella, one of the five gateways to Cáceres; and the beautiful Palacio de los Golfines. Departure for Madrid. Arrival at the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 6. (Thursday) MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel. End of services. You can extend your stay in Spain, take a tour to Morocco from Madrid, or take a tour of Europe from Spain.