During this 10-day off-the-beaten-path tour of Spain and Portugal, glide along the picturesque canals of the small Portuguese town of Aveiro as the sweet sounds of Fado music drift through the air. Delight in the natural beauty of Nerja as magnificent cliff faces rise from the sea, uncover these countries’ hidden treasures, and venture to locales that are rarely frequented, even by the locals. From the indulgent flavors of Madeira wine to the medieval charm of Salamanca, this journey will offer...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Aveiro – Explore the Picturesque Canals
A country with much to discover, Portugal will delight you with its forgotten towns, hidden beaches, and splendid wine country. You will arrive in the city of Aveiro, which is Portugal’s charming version of Venice and where you will be met by your private driver at the airport’s baggage claim. You will be transferred to your luxurious accommodation that was formerly an intricate palace. Today, you will have the wonderful opportunity to glide through the charming canals that crisscross through the city in a private Moliceiro. These are long, narrow, and colorful boats that were traditionally rowed along Aveiro’s canals. On your leisurely ride, you will float through the entire city, finding yourself entirely enchanted by the colorful buildings and charming streets.
What's Included:
Day 2
Aveiro – Tour the City and Visit Costa Nova
Day 3
Madeira – Enjoy Breathtaking Views of Funchal
Day 4
Madeira – Uncover the Magic of Fado
Day 5
Madeira – Discover the Birthplace of Madeira Wine
Day 6
Nerja – Relax at the Beach
Day 7
Nerja – Luxuriate with a Day on the Mediterranean Coast
Day 8
Madrid – Discover the Old-World Charm of Salamanca
Day 9
Madrid – Private Tour of Segovia
Day 10
Madrid – Visit Temple of Debod
Trip Highlights
- Discover the charming canals of Aveiro and be amazed by this hidden gem of a city, which is Portugal’s version of Venice
- Enjoy a private tour of Aveiro and visit the colorful, seaside neighborhood of Costa Nova
- Be delighted by breathtaking views of Aveiro when you ride the magnificent Funchal Cable Car in Madeira
- Marvel at the sounds of Fado as you watch a private show that is accompanied by a gourmet meal
- Discover the lesser-known, Spanish beach town of Nerja, where you will be absolutely stunned by the area’s serene beauty
- Luxuriate on a cruise around the shores of Nerja on a private yacht
- Delight in an excursion to the age-old town of Salamanca
- Immerse yourself in the town of Segovia and learn of the town’s rich history that dates back to ancient times
Detailed Description
From the gorgeous town of Frigiliana on Spain’s southern coast to the tropical vineyards of the Portuguese island of Madeira, Spain and Portugal are home to some of Europe’s most unique treasures. You will uncover the ancient secrets of Salamanca and Segovia, which are located only a short distance outside the Spanish capital of Madrid. Prepare to be captivated by the allure of Aveiro’s charming canals and winding streets, which are lined with colorful homes and cafes. On this luxurious, 10-day adventure of Spain and Portugal, you will venture off the beaten path to discover the very best of the hidden treasures that lie within these splendid countries.
Your tour will begin in Aveiro, which is Portugal’s version of Venice and where you will be enchanted by the lovely canals that wind through the city. You will enjoy exploring the town and learning about history on a private tour. Afterward, you will continue to the Portuguese island of Madeira, which is the birthplace of world-famous Madeira wine. You will indulge in a private excursion to the tropical vineyards of the island and experience a specially curated wine tasting. You will find yourself completely captivated by the melancholy sounds of Portuguese Fado music when you attend a private show. Your show will be accompanied by a gourmet dinner with wine pairing.
The following day, you will arrive on Spain’s southern coast, where you will have the unique opportunity to explore the stunning beach town of Nerja. Here, you will discover the unparalleled town of Frigiliana, which has often been renowned as the most beautiful town in Spain. Soon after, you will arrive in the Spanish capital of Madrid, where you will delight in excursions to the nearby towns of Segovia and Salamanca. On this off-the-beaten-track, 10-day adventure of Spain and Portugal, you will traverse these magnificent regions in utter luxury as you uncover the abundant hidden gems that exist within them.
Starting Price
$3,900 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
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.91 stars based on 3414 reviews.
We had a great eight-day trip to Madrid, planned by Zicasso's tour partners. They worked with me every step of the way to update the itinerary multiple times throughout the planning process and also helped provide great attraction, eatery, and transport recommendations.
When we arrived in Spain, we felt we were in good hands the entire time. Every driver and tour guide was on time, responsive, friendly, and knowledgeable! The agency even surprised us with a few gifts throughout our trip to help us celebrate our seven-year anniversary! I would definitely use them again!
Reviewed By Janice T.
We recently used Zicasso's travel specialist to help plan and coordinate our trip to Paris and Lisbon, and the experience was absolutely outstanding from start to finish. Every detail of our itinerary was thoughtfully arranged and the entire trip ran smoothly, thanks to their meticulous planning.
In both cities, the accommodations they selected were perfect—centrally located, charming, and comfortable, with excellent service. We truly felt like we were staying in places that matched our style and needs. The staff at both hotels were very accommodating and helpful.
The excursions and tours arranged by the agency were equally impressive. Each guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and added so much depth to our experience. Whether it was exploring hidden gems in Paris or enjoying the culture and history of Lisbon, the tours were well-paced, enriching, and never felt rushed or overly touristy.
We especially appreciated how flexible and responsive the team was throughout the process. They took the time to understand what we were looking for and customized everything to fit our preferences. It made a huge difference knowing we were in such capable hands. We can’t recommend this agency highly enough. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and personal touch turned our trip into an unforgettable experience. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful individuals who made our journey so memorable. Each of them played a unique role in crafting an experience that exceeded our expectations.
Our travel agent, who thoughtfully customized our itinerary with care and creativity. Her ability to listen and tailor the trip to our interests laid the perfect foundation for everything that followed.
Our trip planner, for her warm, personal touches that welcomed us at each hotel and for being readily available throughout our travels. Her kindness, attention to detail, and support made us feel truly cared for every step of the way.
Our culinary tour guide, who led us on a delightful tasting tour. Her friendly energy, deep knowledge, and passion for the local cuisine added a rich and flavorful layer to our time abroad.
Our winery expert, whose expertise and engaging personality made our champagne tastings unforgettable. His insights and enthusiasm helped us appreciate each sip in an entirely new way.
Our history guide, for sharing his deep knowledge of history with such warmth and compassion. His thoughtful storytelling and genuine care made our time together educational and incredibly meaningful.
Reviewed By Michelle S.
Our trip to Spain was fantastic! Zicasso and their travel planner did an amazing job selecting well-appointed hotels in great locations, providing transfers, curating experiences and tours, and providing local tour guides who knew about Spain!
Reviewed By Kimberly T.
We had an amazing trip to Portugal. The Zicasso travel agent's planning allowed us to enjoy a wonderful and stress-free holiday. She and her team even picked us up from and dropped us off at the airport.
We enjoyed all of the activities she planned. The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable.
Her restaurant recommendations were great too! Our drivers were friendly and helpful.
Reviewed By Hope M.
Memorable Mother-Daughter Trip!
We had a wonderful mother-daughter trip to Spain and Portugal! I traveled with my 16-year-old daughter and everything was beautifully organized—excellent accommodations, knowledgeable guides, reliable drivers, and thoughtful recommendations throughout. One of the absolute highlights was a cooking tour in Spain, which gave us an unforgettable, authentic experience.
The agency was extremely responsive and a huge bonus was their app, which made it easy to access our itinerary and connect with them via live chat for questions, tips, and extra suggestions along the way. We felt fully supported from start to finish and would enthusiastically recommend Zicasso's travel partners to anyone planning a special trip.
Reviewed By Shela H.
We had an excellent trip! Everything went as planned. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. We would definitely use Zicasso again.
Reviewed By Amy G.