Simple flavors bring big impressions, and traditional wineries offer unforgettable memories during your customizable Spain and Portugal itinerary. Tapas bars offer little dishes across Spanish cities that feature fresh seafood, simmering stews, and delightful cheeses as Portuguese cafes fill with the enchanting sounds of Fado music. Estates in the Douro Valley brim with vines that overtake the terraced hills and you can explore a private farm that produces Iberico ham and then wander...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Barcelona – Arrive in Charming Barcelona to Enjoy a Day at your Leisure
Barcelona is a city of unimaginable culture that is embodied in the relaxed pace of pedestrians along the main avenue of Las Ramblas, and beachgoers bask in the sun along the golden shores of Nova Icaria. The turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea lap against the coastline and the breeze rustles the palm trees while surrealist and medieval architecture decorate the lanes of the city. The aromas of chocolate, orange, and the seaside drift along the walkways. Your flight lands at Barcelona Airport—El Prat and your private transfer will greet you upon your arrival and escort you to your luxurious hotel that overlooks the captivating harbor.
The masts of sailboats wade in the water like a maritime skyline and the pier connect to the honey-yellow Baroque façade of the Church of Saint Miguel of the Port. The remainder of the day will be yours to enjoy the pleasures of Barcelona, a city known for indulging in the finer details of life. You can make your way to Las Ramblas, the pedestrian boulevard shaded by beautiful trees and art-deco architecture. The metal roof hovers were constructed in the early 20th century over the market grounds that date back to the 1200s. The scent of lemon and apples emanates from the produce aisles while the olives soaked in olive oil offer a decadent, savory treat. The scent of sautéed garlic and grilling onions emanates from the stalls that provide high quality, original cuisine shaped by the ingredients found in the market.
What's Included:
Day 2
Barcelona – Visit the Sagrada Familia and Gothic Quarter with a Food Tour
Day 3
Madrid – Find El Prado, Old Madrid, and Gourmet Tapas
Day 4
Madrid – Sample Historical Flavors and Tour Segovia and Avila
Day 5
Madrid – Discover the Remarkable Medieval Streets of Toledo
Day 6
Seville – Half-Day History, Tapas, and Flamenco Tour
Day 7
Seville – Discover the Beauty and Flavors of Cordoba
Day 8
Lisbon – Visit an Iberian Ham Producer en route to Lisbon, Portugal
Day 9
Lisbon – Embrace the History of Lisbon and Fado Music
Day 10
Pinhao – Explore Charming Coimbra en route to the Douro Valley
Day 11
Pinhao – Relish a Private Wine Tour and Lunch in the Douro Valley
Day 12
Pinhao – Travel to Porto for your Flight Home
Trip Highlights
- Taste the celebrated flavors of Madrid’s cosmopolitan ambiance from the communities across Spain that influence the overall cuisine of the city
- Visit a fourth generation farmer that produces renowned Iberico ham before indulging in a tasting
- Embrace the surreal beauty of Antonin Gaudi’s architecture during a private tour of Barcelona, accompanied by a special tasting in La Boqueria Market
- Sample the pleasures of chocolate and marzipan in the charming town of Segovia, home to a massive Roman aqueduct
- Enjoy the stunning views of Toledo, in the form of preserved medieval architecture and artistry that celebrates peace between the Moorish, Jewish, and Christians communities
- Relish the flavors of Port wine on a private tasting tour through the oldest designated wine-growing region in the world accompanied by a tasting lunch
- Wander through the marvels of Portuguese history in Lisbon to view castles, fortresses, and the captivating sounds of Fado, the country’s national music
- Enjoy the flavorful tapas on Cordoba to find influence of Moorish, Jewish, and Christian communities over the span of nearly a millennium
- View the remarkable movement of flamenco in Seville after an evening in selected tapas bars out of the city’s 4,000 restaurants
Detailed Description
Discover Spain and Portugal on your 12-day tour to taste the flavors and appreciate the array of art, architecture, and history. Your gourmet experience will begin with your arrival in Barcelona. Your private transfer will greet you at Barcelona Airport—El Prat and then bring you into the heart of the city. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure to stroll along Las Ramblas and visit La Boqueria Market. Wake the next day, and your guide will greet you at your hotel and escort you on a full day tour of Gaudi’s architectural beauty across the city before venturing through the Gothic quarter. Wind down as you enjoy a pairing of tapas and wine for a better understanding of the flavors of Catalonia.
Wake the next day to board your first-class car on the high-speed train bound for Madrid. Your private transfer will meet you at the station in Madrid and escort you to your luxurious hotel near the historical heart of the capital city. Enjoy a half-day tour of the city that will feature the Prado Museum, Old Madrid, and a night spent exploring the tapas bars of the city. Travel next to Segovia and Avila and savor a tasting of chocolates and marzipan at a confectioner’s near the Roman aqueduct and then linger in the Old World ambiance of Avila. The next day, you will have a full day private tour of Toledo, a medieval town near Madrid. View the architecture, discover the paintings of master Spanish artists, and then return to Madrid for the evening. Your private transfer will escort you to the train station the next morning for your first-class ride to Seville.
After settling into the comforts of your hotel, you will have a half-day tour of the city’s cathedral, Alcazar, and the former Jewish quarter. Venture out for an evening of local tapas before viewing a sensational flamenco show. Wake the next day for a full day tour of Cordoba. Visit the Grand Mosque and delight in a multi-course tapas lunch before returning to Seville. The next day, you will have a private transfer to Lisbon, Portugal but before crossing the border, you will stop at a private farm to meet a fourth-generation farmer that produces the renowned Iberico ham. Relish a sample before continuing to Lisbon, and then spend the next day on the remarkable streets of Lisbon to visit the castles, monasteries, and fortresses that overlook the Tagus River. Enjoy a Fado performance with a delicious dinner to end the fascinating day.
Travel north the next day to the Douro Valley with a stop in Coimbra on the way to explore the winding lanes of one of Portugal’s oldest cities before continuing to your luxurious hotel in the Douro Valley. The following morning, your guide will lead you on a tour of the wineries and landscape around the Douro Valley. Taste varieties of port, indulge in a multi-course lunch, and relish the breathtaking scenery. Conclude as you have time to enjoy the streets of Porto before your private transfer escorts you to Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport to board your flight home.
Starting Price
$4,300 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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