Your Itinerary
Day 1 - Authentic SP & Magical SPM - Arrival Barcelona
Welcome to Barcelona!
Make your own way to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day exploring the city at your own pace.
Special Information Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Your time in Barcelona (Days 1 to 3) is independent. We have taken care of your accommodation and activities as well as the train trip to Madrid.
Your Barcelona Hop-On Hop-Off vouchers are delivered directly to the hotel, along with the welcome letter and all relevant information.Once in Madrid (Day 3) you will join your tour leader, the rest of your fellow travellers. On day 4, you will continue your small group tour journey.
Day 2 - Nexus DMC - Authentic & Magical SPM with Barcelona - Barcelona - 24 - Current
Discover Barcelona at your own pace aboard a comfortable double-decker sightseeing bus with a single ticket. Enjoy unlimited hop-on, hop-off access to explore the city.
The Western route (orange) takes you past Barcelona's iconic modernist architecture, covering key landmarks such as Camp Nou and the National Art Museum of Catalonia. You can visit either museum and reboard the bus whenever you're ready. In the El Born district, experience exquisite dining and a charming atmosphere—just relax and enjoy the views.
The Eastern route (green) highlights the city's artistic side, featuring a collection of Art Nouveau buildings. From Plaça Catalunya to Park Güell, marvel at some of Barcelona's most stunning monuments, including the Sagrada Familia, with its intricate and symbolic facades. Learn about the city's rich history and uncover hidden gems as you ride.
Inspiring Highlights
Barcelona Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour
Day 3 - Authentic SP & Magical SPM - Departure Barcelona
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
A private transfer will take you to Sants train station, where you'll board a high-speed train ride to Madrid.
Arriving by 3 PM, a local representative will welcome you and you'll be transferred directly to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore Madrid at your own pace. Settle into your comfortable accommodation and get ready to experience the vibrant energy of Spain's capital.This evening you will meet your tour leader and fellow travellers, and spend the evening at leisure.
Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Your train documentation will be given to you on tour by your local representative. Your train ride will be unescorted, however a local representative will assist you on either end to ensure that your journey is trouble free.
This evening, you'll meet your fellow travelers at the welcome meeting, and tomorrow, you'll begin your guided small group tour.
Day 4 - Nexus DMC - Authentic Spain & Portugal - Madrid to Madrid - Allocation 24 - Current
This morning, meet your tour guide and the rest of your group. Enjoy breakfast before heading out to explore Madrid on a guided city tour.
Explore Barrio de la Morería, the Habsburgs District, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. We continue on to contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium.
Tonight, join your fellow travellers for an authentic Tapas dinner at a local restaurant.
Inspiring Highlights
Barrio de la Morería
Puerta del Sol
Plaza Mayor
Plaza de la Villa
Gran Vía
Castellana
Plaza Castilla
Parque del Oeste
Las Ventas Bullring
Tapas Dinner
Day 5 - Nexus DMC - Authentic Spain & Portugal - Madrid to Madrid - Allocation 24 - Current
Your Iberian adventure commences today after breakfast, as we drive into the Castilla region towards Salamanca.
En route, the first stop will be the city of Segovia, known for its UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Aqueduct of Segovia, which dates back to Roman times. Whilst here, you will have time to explore at your own pace before we continue west towards Avila.
One of the most well-preserved fortifications in Spain, the UNESCO-listed town of Avila has a fully fortified town centre, parts of which can be walked atop. Here you will have enough time to enjoy lunch and explore the fortifications at your leisure.
This afternoon, we will arrive in Salamanca – renowned for its architectural heritage, historical University of Salamanca and a popular stop on the Vía de la Plata path of the Camino de Santiago. The night will be spent at your leisure to enjoy this wonderful city.
Inspiring Highlights
Aqueduct of Segovia
Avila
Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
Day 6 - Nexus DMC - Authentic Spain & Portugal - Madrid to Madrid - Allocation 24 - Current
Today, Portugal beckons.
Departing after breakfast, our first stop in Portugal is the quaint town of Pinhão. Nestled on a bend of the Duoro River, surrounded by terraced hillsides, the regions around Pinhão are known as being the centre of port production and home to some of the best wines in the world. It is worth mentioning the beautiful train station ornate with vintage harvest images.
Heading west, we will arrive in Porto, one of the oldest European cities. Be in awe of the beautiful buildings that line the Duoro River, the iconic Portuguese trams and the double-deck metal arch Luís I Bridge.
Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.
Inspiring Highlights
Pinhão
Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.
Day 7 - Nexus DMC - Authentic Spain & Portugal - Madrid to Madrid - Allocation 24 - Current
Today after breakfast, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Porto.
Admire the Cathedral of Porto, the British Classical-styled old Stock Exchange building and seemingly austere Santa Clara Church, a masterpiece of gilded woodwork.
The remainder of the day will be free to further explore this beautiful city, and enjoy all that it has to offer.Inspiring Highlights
Porto City Tour - Admire the Cathedral of Porto, Stock Exchange and Santa Clara Church
Day 8 - Nexus DMC - Authentic Spain & Portugal - Madrid to Madrid - Allocation 24 - Current
Departing Porto after breakfast, we head south en route to Lisbon via Coimbra – birthplace of the folk music genre, fado. Whilst in Coimbra, embrace the historic centre, the cathedral and famous University of Coimbra, all whilst hearing the traditional music through the city.
In Coimbra you will witness how student traditions and symbolic practices are preserved. Students in their long black coats enter monumental buildings that still serve as study houses. Walk through the narrow beautiful streets and admire the Roman ruins, the city walls and the special nooks and crannies of the typical neighbourhoods of the historical centre.
Continue onto Lisbon. Spread across seven hills and known for its decorative arts, Lisbon is one of Europe's most interesting capital cities.
This afternoon is at your leisure, however we recommend venturing to the Alfama Quarter, the old city, and marvelling at the Arco da Rua Augusta.
Inspiring Highlights
Coimbra
University of Coimbra
Lisbon
Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Day 9 - Nexus DMC - Authentic Spain & Portugal - Madrid to Madrid - Allocation 24 - Current
After breakfast, join a city sightseeing tour of the ancient Olissipo. Drive through Lisbon's main squares and avenues, visiting Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, the Coach Museum, Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square and Liberty Avenue.
Spend the afternoon at your leisure.
Inspiring Highlights
Belem Tower
Jeronimos Monastery
Coach Museum
Monument to the Discoverers
Marquis of Pombal Square
Liberty Avenue
Day 10 - Nexus DMC - Authentic Spain & Portugal - Madrid to Madrid - Allocation 24 - Current
Today after breakfast, we bid farewell to Portugal as we make our way to Seville via Merida. Enjoy the heritage bequeathed by the city's inhabitants over the centuries. Its streets and buildings reflect the passage of Roman, Visigoth, Arab and Christian culture, transporting us to the past. Augusta Emerita archaeological site stands a symbol of great Roman city features, including the amphitheatre, the circus and the theatre.
In the afternoon, our journey continues towards Seville, capital of Andalucía, and the essence of Spanish tradition. On arrival (approx. 5:30pm), you will have the remainder of the day at your leisure to explore this wonderful city.
Inspiring Highlights
Merida
Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.
Day 11 - Nexus DMC - Authentic Spain & Portugal - Madrid to Madrid - Allocation 24 - Current
Explore the city on a morning tour of the Andalusian capital, Seville.
Today you'll explore romantic Seville on a city tour, including the largest Gothic cathedral in the world (please note, the visit will be limited to the exterior unless an optional interior tour is booked). It is a testament to the historic health and importance of Seville. Continue to the barrio de Santa Cruz, the former Jewish quarter of Seville. From here, we continue to Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España.
This afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy the city of light.
Inspiring Highlights
Sevilla Cathedral (outside)
Barrio de Santa Cruz
Maria Luisa Park
Plaza de España
Day 12 - Nexus DMC - Authentic Spain & Portugal - Madrid to Madrid - Allocation 24 - Current
We will leave Seville after breakfast, with a stop at Cordoba to explore its Jewish Quarter, narrow winding streets and also Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.
Afterwards, we continue onto Granada at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. On arrival (approx. 5pm) the remainder of the day will be yours to explore.
Inspiring Highlights
Cordoba
Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.
Day 13 - Nexus DMC - Authentic Spain & Portugal - Madrid to Madrid - Allocation 24 - Current
The time has come to explore the famous Alhambra and Generalife Gardens. Given the vastness of this sprawling complex, this involves approximately three hours on foot – don't forget your walking shoes!
The Alhambra is the contemporary history of Granada's Arab past. Its buildings, towers, palaces, patios and gardens make this palace and fortress complex one of the most visited monuments in Spain. It towers over Granada's historic Arabic quarter. Within the fortress you'll find exquisite palaces and serene pathways weaving through amazing gardens and courtyards. The detail is next level – sumptuous interiors, beautiful Islamic geometric patterns, exquisitely carved wood, incredible ornamental features. First built by the Moors as a fortress during the Muslim rule of Spain, the complex is testament to their decadent lifestyle.
The rest of the day is free for you to see more of Granada at your own pace. The city is home to a huge number of tapas bars – what better way to pass the time?
Inspiring Highlights
Alhambra
Day 14 - Nexus DMC - Authentic Spain & Portugal - Madrid to Madrid - Allocation 24 - Current
Today after breakfast, we bid farewell to Granada, and set our sights on Madrid, but not before stopping in Toledo en-route.
The Imperial City of Toledo, where the Moors, Christians and Jews have lived together for centuries, invites you to a guided city tour, including its iconic Old Town.
Inspiring Highlights
Toledo
Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Today will be the last full day as a group, as some travellers will complete their journey with Inspiring Vacations tomorrow, while others will continue onwards to Morocco. Tonight you will enjoy a farewell group dinner to bid farewell to Spain and to the group members who will be departing.
Day 15 - 13 Day Authentic Spain & Portugal - Depart Madrid
Today marks the end of your trip. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience.
Special InformationDeparture transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.If you choose to extend your stay (e.g., departing after the final tour date) and have booked your additional accommodation independently, this included service will be forfeited and no refund will be issued.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.