Iconic Portugal & Spain
G Adventures National Geographic Journeys
From the flash of flamenco to the soul of fado, discover the soul of the Iberian Peninsula on an in-depth exploration of southern Spain and Portugal. Venture from Moorish masterpieces to whitewashed neighbourhoods, exploring an array of UNESCO World Heritage sites alongside knowledgeable local experts, including the spectacular Alhambra. Step back in time amid medieval Évora, the fairytale castles of Sintra, and painting master El Greco’s ancient walled hometown of Toledo.
Highlights
- Discover Portugal’s architectural gems like the manors of Sintra and the Roman temples of Évora
- Enjoy a mesmerizing Fado music performance in Lisbon
- Take in a traditional flamenco show in Seville
- Venture into Portugal’s countryside to learn about the production of cork and olive harvesting
- Marvel at the splendid Moorish architecture of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alhambra in Granada
Pricing
Small group tour starting at $5,099* CAD per person, based on double occupancy
15 Days – Lisbon to Seville
Travel Style: National Geographic Journeys
Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.
Service Level: Upgraded
Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
Physical Rating: 2 – Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 12.
What’s Included
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cork Farm Experience, Évora
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Knights Templar Historic Tour, Tomar
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Historic City of Toledo visit, Toledo
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Flamenco Dancing Experience, Granada
- Your Foodie Moment: Fado Night with Traditional Portuguese Meal, Lisbon
- Your Hands-On Moment: Port Wine Cellar Visit, Porto.
- Lisbon orientation walk.
- Guided tour of Palace of Pena in Sintra.
- Chapel of Bones tour in Evora.
- Diana’s Temple visit in Evora.
- Guided tour of Coimbra University.
- Porto orientation walk.
- Douro River boat cruise.
- Explore Cordoba including the Mezquita (mosque) and the medieval Jewish quarter.
- Granada orientation walk including a guided visit of the Alhambra.
- Internal flight.
- Transport to/from all included activities and between all destinations.
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
Lisbon
Meals
Dinner
Description
Arrive at any time. This evening, savour a traditional Portuguese dinner and performance of fado, a local folk singing tradition, in one of Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhoods.
Accommodation: My Story Hotel Tejo (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 2
Lisbon
Breakfast
Travel back in time to the fairytale castles and hills of Sintra, a 19th-century resort town and UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the colourful manors, medieval palaces, and lush gardens that enchanted English Romantic poet Lord Byron as well as Portuguese royalty. Enjoy a free afternoon to discover Lisbon’s pastel-hued architecture and lively plazas. Opt to soar over Lisbon on the historic Santa Justa lift, an engineering marvel that ascends 147 feet to an epic viewing platform.
Day 3
Lisbon – Évora
Breakfast
Head to medieval Évora, in the heart of the bucolic Alentejo region, for a fascinating foray into the past. Be mesmerized by the haunting Chapel of Bones, erected by 16th-century Franciscan monks. Then pay a visit to one of the best preserved Roman temples on the Iberian Peninsula, known as Diana’s Temple.
Accommodation: Vitoria Stone Evora (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 4
Évora
Breakfast, Lunch
Venture into the Alentejo countryside, home to centuries-old cork forests. Join a local expert at a traditional farm, and learn about cork and olive harvesting as well as honey production. Then sit down to a traditional cork stripper’s lunch at the family-run restaurant on-site. This afternoon, return to Évora and explore its UNESCO World Heritage–designated city centre on your own, walking past whitewashed houses decorated with azulejos and wrought-iron balconies.
Day 5
Évora – Coimbra
Breakfast
Spend the day in Tomar and delve into the Crusades era in Portugal. Go on a guided walk with a local expert around the vast medieval complex of the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Templar Castle, founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais—grand master of the Knights Templar. Continue on to Coimbra for the evening.
Accommodation: Oslo Hotel Coimbra (or similar)
Day 6
Coimbra – Porto
Breakfast
This morning, enjoy a tour around the centuries-old University of Coimbra, Portugal’s most prestigious university and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enter through the 10th-century Porta Férra, the old entrance to the citadel of Coimbra. Following mosaic cobblestone paths around campus, stopping to see the baroque stylings of the Joanina Library, elaborate azulejo wall tiles adorning the Chapel of São Miguel, and the 18th-century Botanical Garden. Later, catch the train to Porto on the coast.
Accommodation: Mercure Porto Centro (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 7
Porto
Breakfast
Board a boat and float past scenic terraced hills on Portugal’s “river of gold,” the ancient trade route that port wine shippers took to age their fortified wines. Discover the rich tradition of port making at a local wine cellar, then cap off the day with a tasting of this distinct regional specialty. In your free time, explore the cobblestone streets of Porto’s medieval Ribeira district, marvel at the baroque São Francisco Church, and admire the palatial Palácio de Bolsa, a one time stock market.
Day 8
Porto – Madrid
Transfer to the airport and catch a short flight to Madrid. Set out on your own to take in the elegant squares and leafy boulevards of Spain’s bustling capital. Amble around the baroque Plaza Mayor, a 17th-century square lined with shopping arcades, and soak up the scene over a coffee at one of its outdoor cafés.
Accommodation: Hotel Madfor (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 9
Madrid
Breakfast
Drive south to the ancient walled city of Toledo, perched on a rocky headland overlooking the Tagus River. Join a local historian on a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site filled with churches, synagogues, mosques, and plazas. Explore the old quarter and glimpse the soaring tower of the city’s 13th-century cathedral, a masterpiece of high Gothic architecture. Return to Madrid and enjoy free time to admire the world-renowned artworks at the Museo del Prado, relax at a café, or experience the city’s legendary nightlife.
Day 10
Madrid – Córdoba
Breakfast
Take the high-speed train to Córdoba, a beguiling Andalusian town steeped in history. As the capital of Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain) until its fall in 1236, Córdoba was once the largest city in Europe, known for its mosques, palaces, and libraries. Discover the medieval centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visit the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, or Mezquita, where a 13th-century Catholic cathedral stands in the center of a former Moorish mosque that dates to the 8th century. Afterwards, stroll the historic Jewish quarter’s maze of winding lanes and traditional whitewashed houses. This evening, opt to savour the city’s distinctive gastronomy—a mélange of Roman, Moorish, Christian, and Jewish traditions.
Accommodation: Macia Alfaros (or similar)
Day 11
Córdoba – Granada
Breakfast
Arrive in Granada and set out on a CEO led orientation walk of this alluring Andalusian city. Here, in the birthplace of flamenco, take a private dance class in a professional studio. This evening, put your new moves to practice as you experience the city’s upbeat nightlife on your own.
Accommodation: Hotel Granada Five Senses Rooms & Suites (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 12
Granada
Breakfast
Spend today immersed in the majesty of the Alhambra, a pinnacle of Moorish architecture in Europe. This fortress and palace built by 13th-century Nasrid sultans crowns a hilltop overlooking Granada. On a guided tour of this extraordinary World Heritage site, marvel at the intricate stuccowork, elegant archways, and intimate courtyards bursting with blooms. Later, explore on your own time as you amble through the old Moorish quarter, the Albayzín, and enjoy views of the Alhambra glowing in the twilight.
Day 13
Granada – Seville
Breakfast
Journey to Seville, one of Spain’s most colourful and beautiful cities. Set out on a CEO led orientation walk and choose to climb the cathedral Giralda’s bell tower or visit Casa Pilatos, a prototypical Andalusian palace that combines Italian Renaissance and Spanish Mudéjar architectural styles. Get a glimpse of traditional gypsy culture by opting to witness a soulful performance of flamenco dance.
Accommodation: Hotel Macia Sevilla Kubb (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 14
Seville
Breakfast
Enjoy a full day of free time to follow your impulses in Seville. Lose yourself among the winding alleys, flower-draped patios, and picturesque squares of the charming Santa Cruz quarter. Opt to visit the ornate Mudéjar palace and gardens of Real Alcázar de Sevilla, a World Heritage site and former filming location for Game of Thrones.
Day 15
Seville
Breakfast
Depart at any time.
*Hotel rooms are subject to availability and are confirmed by the supplier at time of booking; they may be replaced by other hotel rooms of similar category at the sole discretion of the supplier.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “Iconic Portugal & Spain” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
An adventure designed specifically for you
Let us work with you to tailor a journey based on your travel style and interests. We can use the existing itinerary above as a foundation, or build one from scratch to create your ideal vacation. Connect with us to start the conversation.
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*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.