Spain & Portugal

We depart for Madrid.

Settle into your hotel in Madrid before a delicious Paella Welcome Dinner.

Discover Madrid, Spain’s vibrant capital, with its grand boulevards, historic squares, and lively atmosphere. The tour includes a visit to the Royal Palace, one of Europe’s finest 18th-century royal residences before an afternoon at leisure. Enjoy a lovely dinner of tapas, the Spanish staple.

Explore the walled city of Toledo and its medieval architecture, including visits to the Gothic cathedral, an ancient synagogue, and the Church of Santo Tomé, home to El Greco’s famous painting.

ourney to Córdoba via the picturesque “Windmill City” of Consuegra, made famous in the novel “Don Quixote”. Spend your afternoon at leisure in Córdoba.

Tour Córdoba’s stunning 8th- century mosque, with marble and onyx columns illuminated by 4,000 bronze and copper lamps. The mosque is surrounded by the Jewish quarter’s tiny shops and historic buildings. Next, we drive to Granada while taking in the scenic beauty of the Sierra Nevada.

Today we visit the famous Alhambra Palace, Spain’s most beautiful Moorish building and former residence of Moorish Kings. It has imposing towers and halls, rooms decorated with lace-like carvings, coloured tiles and gold mosaics. The exterior has courtyards with fountains and lush gardens. It is unparalleled in Europe.

We proceed to the lively coastal resort of Torremolinos for a 4-night stay, known for its long sandy beaches, vibrant promenade, and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.

Enjoy a day at leisure in Torremolinos, with time to relax on its sandy beaches, stroll along the lively promenade, or explore the town’s shops, cafés, and seaside charm at your own pace.

We take an excursion to Gibraltar. “The Rock”, as it is commonly called, remains very British. We will see St. Michael’s Cave, the Ape’s Cave and more. During your free time you may want to enjoy a pint in a typical English pub before returning to Torremolinos.

Another day at leisure perfect for lingering over seaside lunches, exploring hidden corners of the town, or simply soaking in the easy rhythm of the Mediterranean coast.

Visit Ronda, famed for the incredible views created by its dramatic landscape. Explore the oldest bullring in Spain, nearby gardens and historic church before continuing to Seville. This evening we enjoy an Andalusian tapas dinner at a local restaurant that specializes in tapas.

Our panoramic tour of the monumental city of Seville includes a visit to the Gothic Cathedral—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Barrio de Santa Cruz. Later, we enter Portugal and head for the Algarve, known for its miles of sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs. We will stay 3 nights in the lively resort town of Albufeira.

Explore Lagos’ rich history through its church and castle walls. Next, visit Sagres, where Portuguese explorers learned their legendary navigational skills. Finish off in Cape St. Vincent, the westernmost point in Europe.

Discover the charming village of Alte, wander its flower-decked streets and see the 16th-century church. Later, we stop at other quiet regional hill towns.

We travel to Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage City where Portugal’s Golden Age lives on, for a guided panoramic walking tour. See the Roman temple, Gothic cathedral, aqueduct and more. We then proceed to Lisbon.

Today we explore Lisbon, a city rich in history and culture, incredible architecture and amazing food. Our tour takes us through the winding streets and staircases of Arab-influenced Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood, and Belém, where we will glimpse Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and the imposing Monument to the Discoveries (exterior)—and taste the delicious “Pastéis de Belém.”

Fly directly home to Toronto.