Day 1: Start of tour in Madrid Welcome to the start of this 9-day tour of Spain and Portugal! On arrival in Madrid, make your way to the hotel to meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers this morning. After everyone is gathered, it’s time to explore the beautiful capital of Spain on an orientation tour. Look forward to seeing Madrid’s top sights! Afterwards, enjoy free time to discover more of the city. This evening, get to know more about the rest of the tour group and celebrate the first night of the tour at an included welcome dinner. Day 2: Toledo - Granada This morning, leave Madrid behind and head to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Toledo. This charming, ancient walled town, complete with Gothic architecture and an impressive Cathedral, is sure to have travellers falling in love with it! The tour continues south to the Moorish city of Granada. Arrive this afternoon and join your tour leader on an orientation tour of this historic city. Listen in for great insight into this beautiful region of Spain as well as the history, culture and highlights of Granada. Tonight, join the Granada Local Food & Wine Evening for delicious tapas and wine in a local gastrobar. This optional excursion must be booked prior to the start of the tour. Day 3: Granada - Ronda - Seville Spend the morning exploring Granada, or join our optional excursion to the Alhambra Palace. As one of the most beautiful sights to see in all of Spain, this optional excursion must be booked prior to the start of the tour! Next, travel to Ronda, a town located on both sides of the Tajo Gorge. The most iconic site here is the ‘Puente Nuevo’ (New Bridge). Take in the spectacular views from the bridge before enjoying a leisurely lunch stop. Finally, travel to Seville. Arrive and enjoy a driving tour of this enchanting city before enjoying free time at the beautiful Plaza de Espana. Enjoy an included dinner before checking into the hotel for tonight. Day 4: Seville Discover the history and charm of Seville today! Begin with a guided tour of the city, accompanied by an expert local guide. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish! Choose to tour the Alcázar of Seville on an optional excursion, visit the Metropol Parasol for amazing views or visit the Museum of Flamenco. Alternatively, simply wander the historic city and see where your feet take you! Legend has it that Seville was founded by Hercules, and it certainly boasts a colourful history, from the Romans to the Moors! Seville is famous for its flamenco and tapas bars and tonight is your chance to experience this dance of passion at the lively optional Flamenco dinner show! Day 5: Algarve - Lisbon Today it’s time to travel to Lisbon, Portugal! Along the way, visit the Algarve. This stunning southern coastal region of Portugal features golden beaches and limestone cliffs. Look forward to a comfort stop at one of these beautiful beaches so you can top up your tan or take a dip in the cool, blue ocean. Arrive in Lisbon, set off on an orientation tour of the capital and see Lisbon’s highlights. From the imposing Sao Jorge Castle to the pastel colours of the old town, Lisbon has it all! Enjoy an included dinner in Lisbon tonight. Day 6: Lisbon: Free Day Today is your free day to explore Lisbon at your own pace. You could visit Lisbon's landmarks, including the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belém Tower or discover the hilltop district of Bairro Alto. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Sintra, a charming UNESCO World Heritage Site village and the capital of Romanticism in Portugal, known for its striking monuments. While there, visit Pena Palace and enjoy lunch. Or, join an excursion to Portugal’s most famous pilgrimage site, Fátima. This evening is your chance to enjoy one of Portugal's cultural highlights; Fado music. Unique to Portugal, it is arguably the oldest urban folk music in the world - you are sure to discover many bars nearby playing Fado! Day 7: Obidos - Porto On the way to Porto this morning, enjoy a stop in Obidos. This classic fortified town is home to narrow cobbled streets, picturesque houses and an imposing hilltop castle. We continue our tour of Portugal and enter Porto - Portugal’s second-largest city and home of one of the country’s most famous exports - port wine! Enjoy a walking tour of Porto, where you will see Ponte Dom Luis - a stunning bridge that crosses the River Douro, the Clerigos Tower and many other famous landmarks. Enjoy the opportunity to sample a glass of port wine this afternoon at the included Port tasting. Tonight, join the Evening on the Douro optional with a cruise along the picturesque Douro River and an unforgettable gastronomical experience. Day 8: Guarda - Salamanca It is time to depart Portugal and travel back to Spain through beautiful stretches of countryside. En route, make a stop in Guarda, the highest city in Portugal which is home to centuries-old fortified towers and defensive walls. After arriving in Salamanca, embark on a locally guided city tour. Salamanca is a stunning city home to incredible Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance buildings. See top sights including the old and new cathedrals, the University and Casa Lis (an Art Deco museum) before ending in the Plaza Mayor with some free time. The day ends with an included dinner before the tour concludes tomorrow. Enjoy three courses of delicious traditional meals from the Salamanca region. Day 9: Avila - Madrid After nine fun-filled days on the road, today is the last day of this Spain and Portugal tour. This morning, depart Salamanca and travel to the stunning city of Avila, which is notable for its many Romanesque and Gothic churches, and the famous and incredibly well preserved medieval walls. Then, continue on to the capital Madrid. Arrive in Madrid and the tour concludes this afternoon. Make sure to swap contact details with your newly-made travel friends! Adios!