From the hills of Granada to the beaches of Lisbon
Follow an enticing trail of delicious tapas, avant-garde art, architectural triumphs and dramatic history on this 15-day tour through Spain and Portugal. Travel the scenic route from Madrid to Barcelona, relaxing on the beach in Algarve, sipping wine in Porto, enjoying the rolling green hills of Granada and being charmed by Andalusian Seville. Admire the masterpieces of Picasso, Dali and Gaudi, experience the passion of flamenco, taste some of the best port in the world and embrace the culture of these two spirited countries with a local leader to show you the way.
Get lost in the labyrinthine streets of the Albaicin in Granada before crossing the river to visit the imposing Moorish fortress of the Alhambra.
Unwind in a laidback fishing town in the Algarve, soaking up the sun on the beach and enjoying an included boat trip around the rocky cliffs of the coast.
Join pilgrims along the last leg of the famous Camino de Santiago journey as they reach the historic cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
Pulsing with quirky and vibrant art and architecture, walking the streets of Barcelona is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the unique culture of Catalonia.
Sit back, relax and watch the water flow by in one of Porto’s river restaurants while you sample a couple of varieties of the city’s signature wine – port!
Please note that this trip covers a lot of ground. The majority of travel between destinations on this trip is done by trains and local buses. Time estimates are given in the day-to-day itinerary. It's a good time to sit back, relax and let the scenery roll past your window. It's also a perfect opportunity for local interaction.
Summer temperatures can be extreme in Spain and Portugal (over 40°C), so it’s important to use sun protection, wear breathable layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Many hotels in Europe have fans, not air conditioning. In contrast, this trip also has departures during the winter months (mid-October to mid-March). This is the perfect time to see the highlights of Spain without any of the crowds, however the weather during this time of year is unpredictable, and possibly cold and rainy. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
Space is at a premium in Europe and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.
You don't have a lot of time in Madrid and Barcelona at the start and the end of the trip respectively, so if you're keen to explore these spectacular cities in depth, we recommend you arrive a day or two before the start of the trip and/or extend your stay at the end.
Some hotels and train stations don't have lifts, and you will need to walk up and down some stairs carrying your luggage. Please make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'What to Take' section of the Essential Trip Information.
Please note that shops, attractions, sights and businesses may be closed for up to 5 hours in the middle of the day for siesta time. This gives the locals time to escape the heat and spend time with their families, eat a large lunch or simply sleep through the most uncomfortable time of day. This means of course that people work later into the evening and dinner time can seem quite late – 9.30 pm is not uncommon for family dinner time.
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. A guided visit to the Alhambra Palace and Gardens is included in your trip. Please note that due to high demand and to be able to control visitor numbers, local authorities have implemented a timed ticket slot system for the Alhambra Palace. Depending on your departure date the time of your group's visit can vary. Please note that tickets are nominative, and you will need to advise us of your passport details at the time of booking as we are unable to organize tickets for you without them. Details will be counter checked at the entrance, so make sure you bring your passport with you at the time of the visit.
3. The luggage limit for airlines we use for the domestic flight on this trip is 20kg. Exceeding this limit will incur an excess baggage charge, payable by the traveler. However, we must stress that due to the adventurous nature of this trip and the amount of public transport we use on it, this limit far exceeds Intrepid's recommended luggage weight for this tour (10kg).
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip Information
