East meets west and past meets present. Spain and Portugal offer a heady mix of treasures, from Arabic palaces and Roman temples to Catholic cathedrals. We’ll take it all in on a rural road trip in search of hidden Iberia.
After meeting in vibrant Madrid, we’ll board the mini-coach and head for Toledo - a beguiling riverside city where centuries of history come alive. A guided city tour and visits to the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes and the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca will help us get to grips with the area’s unique cultural heritage before we retire to our hotel’s restaurant for a delicious welcome dinner.
Today our journey will continue south across the vast plains of La Mancha towards Valdepeñas - where we’ll pause to visit a local bodega for a wine tasting session and tapas lunch. Appetites satisfied, we’ll move on to beautiful Córdoba - our home for the next two nights.
Prepare to step back in time to the days of Islamic Iberia - a walking tour of Córdoba’s Old Town awaits! After visiting the spectacular Mezquita (a UNESCO-protected mosque), you’ll be free to explore the city at your own pace. Seek out hidden squares and local cafés, pamper yourself at a traditional hammam or simply sit back and marvel at the city’s magnificent architecture - this afternoon is all about you.
Our next stop will be Úbeda, a World Heritage-listed town filled with spectacular Renaissance palaces. There will be just enough time to pause to taste some authentic Spanish olive oil before we move on to enchanting Granada.
Intricately carved archways. Lavish interiors. Colourful tiles. Vibrant gardens. Today we’ll visit the incomparable Alhambra, a breathtaking Moorish palace perched high on a hilltop outside the city. This afternoon will find us back in the city centre, where we’ll set you free to explore as you please.
You can rest assured that today’s journey will be just as much fun as the destination! From Granada, our path will turn east as we make the scenic journey to the mountaintop city of Ronda, where we’ll get our bearings on a walking tour. Tonight, we’ll come together for dinner in a local restaurant.
Today it’s back on the road - with stops at the picturesque white villages of Grazalema and Arcos to look forward to. This afternoon we’ll set our sights on Jerez - where we’ll be treated to a sherry tasting session and tapas lunch at a local winery. Tonight, a traditional flamenco show will help us settle into Seville.
We’ve a full day to spend getting acquainted with the charismatic city of Seville. Whether you want to seek out Roman ruins, hunt down Moorish mosaics or visit classical squares, there are plenty of historic sites to keep you occupied here. Feeling hungry? You could always kick back and sample some Andalucían specialities at one of the city’s abundant bars...
Back to nature today. After breakfast we’ll make tracks to the Sierra de Aracena, an unspoilt mountain range peppered with castles, quaint villages and pastures. With a variety of well-maintained trails, the area certainly deserves its status as a fantastic place for a ramble! While we’re here, we’ll pay a visit a local pig farm - where we’ll be lucky enough to taste some authentic jamón ibérico and local cheeses.
Our first stop of the day will be Monsaraz, a charming Portuguese hilltop village with sweeping views of the Alqueva Dam. We’ll take some time to explore its narrow streets before moving on to Estremoz for an afternoon of leisure time. Then: the grand finale! Tonight we’ll raise a toast to our Iberian adventure over a farewell dinner.
Onwards to Évora, the capital of the Alentejo region, where we’ll take a look around the marvellous cathedral, the Templo Romano and the town square. And then? This afternoon will see our tour come to a close in postcard-perfect Lisbon.
Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don't include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment's notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.
