Pablo Picasso and Gaudi, a mixture of what is Spanish and Catalan, of modernity and history: all harmonize and describe Barcelona, the city that has always strived to be modern.
Today you arrive in the lively capital of Catalonia - Barcelona! Upon arrival, your driver meets you and takes you to your downtown hotel for check-in.
The rest of the day is free for you relax or start exploring the abundant heritage left here almost intact from one of the world's greatest empires in history!
No meals included.
After breakfast your guide meets you in the hotel lobby and takes you on a wonderful half-day walking tour around the most outstanding attractions of Barcelona.
Barcelona obtains one of the biggest and architecturally diverse Medieval districts in Europe. During the city tour, you get to see Barcelona's Old Town called "Casc Antic" and its medieval landmarks.
You walk through the maze of old narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter that was formed around the Roman forum. Then you see the Barcelona Cathedral both from the outside and the inside, pass the former Jewish District "Call", the Sant Jaume Square, see the Generalitat Palace and City Hall from the outside, pass the Square of the King and the former Royal Palace.
You then proceed to the Ribera shore district where you see the Santa Maria del Mar church - the former residence of sailors, traders and craftsmen who lived and worked there in the Middle Ages. The tour finishes on the most vivid street in Barcelona La Rambla, where you can take a rest at one of the open air terraces.
After the tour you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.
Breakfast is included.
Following breakfast you check out from the Barcelona hotel and meet your guide and driver and enjoy a fantastic sightseeing tour dedicated to the world-renowned architectural works of Antonio Gaudi.
You start with a visit to the colorful Park Guell, where you spend some time strolling through its mosaic paths and enjoying the great city views.
The day is crowned with a visit to the astonishing Sagrada Familia Basilica - the most brilliant masterpiece of Gaudi that is rightfully considered the most recognizable symbol of Barcelona.
After the tour you are taken to the rail station for your quick train connection to Madrid. Upon arrival, you are met by your driver and taken to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free.
Breakfast is included.
We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.
All high-speed Spanish trains are modern, comfortable, and spacious. They always run on time and will take you from/to stations right in the city centers, where one of our trusted drivers will be waiting for you.
The capital city and largest Spanish municipality located on the Manzanares River in the heart of the country, Madrid is the outstanding political, economic and cultural center of Spain.
Following breakfast you meet your guide and enjoy a fascinating walking sightseeing tour around the most brilliant attractions of Madrid de los Austrias - the amazing old town of the Spanish capital that treasures historical monuments dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries when Spain was ruled by the House of the Habsburg.
During the tour you take a walk around Plaza de Oriente, enter the gorgeous Royal Palace called Palacio Real, see the beautiful exteriors of the Catedral Nuestra Senora de la Almudena and stroll through Major Street.
Next you proceed to Plaza de la Villa, stop by St. Michel's Market and walk down the picturesque Cava de San Miguel. Your tour finishes at iconic Plaza Mayor and breathtaking Puerta del Sol.
After the touring is over you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.
Breakfast is included.
In the morning after breakfast together with your guide you go on a walking tour to discover Madrid of the Bourbons - the historical area around the Prado Museum.
During the tour you pass the Parque del Retiro, Puerta de Alcala, Plaza Cibeles, and three monumental fountains: Cibeles, Apolo and Neptuno. Next you proceed to the Spanish Parliament building, see the Atocha train station and explore the area of the Golden Triangle of Art made up of three most important art museums of Madrid - the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemitza and the Reina Sofia.
The highlight of the tour is a visit to one of the world's greatest art galleries and Madrid's top cultural sight - the Prado Museum. This venue houses a unique collection of fine art displayed in the halls and rooms of this 18th-century Neo-Classical building. You see the most significant gems of the museum's collection, including the famous masterpieces of El Greco, Velazquez, Goya, Raphael and Rubens.
After the tour you return to your centrally-located hotel and have a free evening.
Breakfast is included.
After breakfast, you check out from your Madrid hotel and walk to the station to set off on a beautiful train ride towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site city of Toledo. Upon arrival, your local guide meets you at the train station and takes you on a city tour around the mesmerizing landmarks.
During the tour, you walk through the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, explore the fortified city walls and see the famous UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval architecture, including the 13th-century Cathedral of Toledo and Synagogue (entrances included).
After the tour you return back to Madrid by train and walk to your hotel. Then you meet your driver and head for the airport for your flight to the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. Upon arrival, you are transferred to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Breakfast is included.
We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.
The most time-saving way to travel between the capitals of Spain and Portugal is taking a plane. One of our experienced drivers will take you to the airport and meet you upon arrival.
The westernmost capital of Europe on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon, is home to the world's greatest explorers.
After breakfast you meet your guide and enjoy a panoramic walking sightseeing tour of Lisbon.
During the tour you see the most famous attractions, including Restauradores Square with the Obelisk commemorating the Restoration of Portugal’s independence from Spain in 1640.
You take a funicular up to the Bairro Alto and admire the view of the Mouraria district and the Sao Jorge Castle, the charming neighborhood of Chiado abundant in old cafés, shops and theaters.
Then you proceed to Baixa including Rossio Square, where you learn how the city was destroyed in 1755 by a massive earthquake, and then totally rebuilt to become the city of today. Continue to Alfama Lisbon’s oldest district to admire Se Cathedral - the city's oldest church and Commerce Square before returning back to hotel.
In the evening you gather together with your fellow travelers to enjoy a Fado Show with dinner. The musical form of Fado was adopted as a part of Portuguese culture and is now a symbol of the nation. The show venue is located within walking distance from the hotel.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Following breakfast you meet your driver-guide and start your journey on an exciting day-trip to one of Portugal's most beautiful destinations - Sintra, that is famous for its fairy-tale castles and beautiful scenery. Upon arrival, you visit the fairytale Pena Palace with a round trip shuttle bus (up to the Pena Palace).
Then you have some free time for lunch (not included) before you are taken you back to Lisbon. Upon arrival, you visit the Belem Quarter, where you admire the Jeronimos Monastery (from the outside). You also make photo stops at the ancient Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoverers.
After the tour you are transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Breakfast is included.
*Please, note: due to limited access to Pena Palace, in July and August the entrance to Pena can be changed for the Queluz Palace & Gardens or for the Ajuda Palace.
This is the final day of your amazing Iberian journey! After breakfast your driver transfers you to the airport for your flight back home. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future trips!
Breakfast is included.
We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.
What's included
- Accommodation at exceptional centrally located hotels in Barcelona, Madrid and Lisbon;
- Delicious buffet breakfasts at your hotels;
- Small group touring: up to 14 travelers (group size may vary in different cities);
- Airport and railway station transfers and all transportation according to the itinerary with private drivers;
- 1st class train tickets Barcelona - Madrid;
- Economy flight tickets Madrid - Lisbon;
- Professional English-speaking guides;
- Entrance tickets to Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Barcelona Cathedral, Royal Palace, Prado Museum, Cathedral of Toledo and Synagogue, Pena Palace;
- Funicular ride in Lisbon;
- Fado show with dinner in Lisbon;
- Rich sightseeing tours according to the itinerary;
- Support line during the trip.
Note: we include 1 vehicle for your arrival and departure transfers. If multiple vehicles are required additional transfer costs will apply.
Not included: international flights, multiple arrival/departure transfers, other meals not mentioned in the program, optional tours and services, and all personal expenses, as well as all tourist fees & taxes.
Tour Highlights
- Intimate group size of up to only 14 travelers;
- Professional local guides;
- High-speed train transportation between cities;
- Private arrival and departure transfers;
- Relaxed pace with at least a 2-nights stay in each city with sufficient time to immerse yourself in the local culture;
- A comprehensive tour of Gaudi masterpieces in Barcelona;
- Spanish pace of life that you get to feel whilst discovering the iconic Puerta del Sol square in Madrid, greatly admired by locals;
- A taste of the unique sensitivity of the Romantic Architecture blending Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance elements in Sintra;
- Fado show with dinner in Lisbon.
What To Know
- Credit cards are not accepted at many places, so make sure to withdraw some cash from the ATM beforehand
- Be prepared for currency conversion fees when paying with a card issued in USD
- Tips to guides, drivers and restaurant staff in Europe are accepted but are fully at your discretion
