Booking for : Elite Spain & Portugal
Elite Spain & Portugal
Tour Details
13 Days
Your Signature Collection Package Includes
- Flights New York-Lisbon, Barcelona-New York
Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices - Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
- 11 nights accommodations in well-located 5-Star Luxury Hotels
- 2 nights InterContinental, Lisbon
- 2 nights Gran Melia Colon, Seville
- 2 nights Eurostars Washington Irving, Granada
- 2 nights Westin Palace, Madrid
- 3 nights Casa Fuster, Barcelona
- Hotel taxes, fees & service charges including Barcelona city taxes
- All transfers
- High speed AVE train in Preferente Class from Madrid to Barcelona
- Maximum 24 passengers per tour
- 25 meals: 11 breakfasts, 8 lunches with soft drinks, 6 dinners with wine
- Bottled water daily
- Welcome and Farewell receptions
- Hotel porterage and complimentary in-room Wi-Fi
- Comprehensive sightseeing with all entrance fees per itinerary
- Tour manager throughout plus local guides in each city
- Comfortable air-conditioned vehicles
- Tips for restaurant staff, drivers and local guides
Your Luxury Tour Highlights
Signature Collection blends specially arranged private visits and rich cultural meetings with exceptional personalized services
- In Lisbon, a walking tour along the cobbled streets to Alfama, the charming old Fisherman’s Quarter
- Tour the 15th century Sintra Royal Palace, the best preserved royal residence in Portugal
- View the medieval walls and elaborate cathedral in Evora, one of Portugal’s most enchanting cities
- In Seville, tour the highlights of this city’s fascinating layers of Roman and Moorish history
- Visit Seville’s Cathedral, one of the largest in the world, on the site of a 12th century mosque
- In Cordoba, visit the astonishing Mezquita, one of the most beautiful structures in the world
- Tour dramatic Alhambra Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the lavish Generalife Gardens
- Visit historic Toledo’s Synagogue and St. Tome Church, with its brilliant El Greco masterpiece
- Enter the lavish Palacio Real in Madrid with its ornate rooms adored with priceless treasures
- Admission to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum to view Europe’s greatest private collection
- See inside Gaudi’s iconic symbols of Barcelona – La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell
- At Montserrat Mountain, visit the Royal Basilica’s 12th century sculpture of Virgen Moreneta
Your Signature Experiences
- Portuguese Welcome Dinner in Lisbon with entertainment by soulful fado singers
- Olive oil tasting and wine pairing lunch in the vineyards of Reguengos de Monsaraz
- Horse-drawn carriage sightseeing ride begins your day in marvelous Seville
- Shop with the locals at Seville’s bustling Triana Market before a hands-on cooking lesson with a professional chef as you prepare your Andalucian lunch
- Private flamenco performance in a renowned century-old Cordoba bodega (tavern restaurant)
- Exclusive private visit to Granada’s 16th century Baroque-style Cartuja Monastery
- Early entry to the Prado Museum, one of the world’s premiere art collections
- High speed AVE train whisks you from Madrid to Barcelona in Preferente Class
- In the Penedes region, visit a wine cellar for a tasting of the special Cava local wines
- Farewell dinner in a modernista Barcelona restaurant
*Not Included:
Prices do not include gratuities for tour managers.
Entry Requirements:
Passengers traveling abroad require a passport valid for six months beyond their travel dates. All travelers are responsible to check if a visa is required for all countries on their itinerary.
Passengers traveling abroad require a passport valid for six months beyond their travel dates. All travelers are responsible to check if a visa is required for all countries on their itinerary.
Is This Trip Right for You?
This is a moderately active trip. Our group covers a lot of ground each day, and we spend 2-3 hours on our feet during tours. Some of our tours require walking over uneven surfaces, stairs, steps and significant slopes. This tour is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking or who have heart conditions.
Starting prices shown are departing from New York / JFK. Prices vary depending on date and if you need a different departure city. Packages are offered year round but are subject to availability. All prices shown are per person based on 2 travelers.
DAY 1, Friday ,Depart for Portugal
DAY 2, Saturday ,Lisbon
Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal’s scenic capital with its stunning picture-perfect views. You’ll be warmly greeted and transferred to your sophisticated deluxe hotel. The rest of the day is yours to settle in to your new surroundings. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a festive Welcome Reception. After a briefing by your Tour Manager on the magnificent journey through Spain and Portugal that awaits you, gather together for a delectable dinner of Portuguese favorites with entertainment by soulful fado singers.
Overnight: InterContinental, Lisbon
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Sunday ,Discover Lisbon, Cascais, Sintra Palace
Today, you’ll understand why Lisbon is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Visit the ancient Cathedral of Lisbon built by Portugal’s first king, resembling a medieval fortress. A walking tour along the steep and narrow cobbled streets takes you to Alfama, the charming old Fisherman's Quarter with a delightful village atmosphere. On our way to Cascais, views of the impressive Jeronimos Monastery, resting place of Vasco da Gama, and the 16th century Belem Tower, symbol of the country's Age of Discovery, both named UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The views change as we drive along the Estoril coast to the summer playground of Cascais with its posh beach life, shiny marinas, and pedestrianized Old Town. Here, lunch at a lively seafood restaurant before continuing to quaint Sintra the “Glorious Eden” of Lord Byron, the summer retreat of the royal court with its storybook castles. Visit the 15th century Royal Palace and enjoy free time in the village historical center before returning to Lisbon**. Tonight, perhaps explore Lisbon’s dynamic dining scene and countless taverns
Overnight: InterContinental, Lisbon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4, Monday,Enchanting Evora, Olive Oil & Wine Tasting, Moorish Seville
Departing Lisbon, we head south to the heart of Alentejo province. Evora, one of Portugal’s most enchanting cities, rose to prominence under the Romans and was later patronized by a succession of Portuguese kings. Inside the 14th century walls of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you find an elaborate cathedral and columns of a Roman Temple. Continuing the drive through rolling hills of the rustic Portuguese wine region we then arrive at lovely Reguengos de Monsaraz, an important wine center. Here, we’re hosted for an olive oil tasting and a superb wine pairing lunch with delectable local specialties at a popular restaurant. Crossing the border into Spain, the drive is highlighted by the picturesque Andalusian scenery before reaching Seville, with its fascinating layers of Roman and Moorish history. Dinner at the hotel in Seville
Overnight: Gran Melia Colon, Seville
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5, Tuesday,Highlights of Seville, Carriage Ride, Market Visit & Cooking Class
Begin your morning with a visit to the Cathedral of Seville, one of the largest Christian churches in the world. Built on the site of a 12th-century mosque, it is the legendary resting place of Christopher Columbus. Then board a horse-drawn carriage for a ride through Maria Luisa Park to the beautiful Plaza de España. We walk through the picturesque Barrio Santa Cruz, the former Jewish Quarter of the medieval city with its narrow winding cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and centuries-old gardens. At the busy Triana Market, shop with the locals at colorful stalls to find the best seasonal ingredients for our hands-on cooking lesson. A professional chef will teach us new skills, technique and the real secrets of Spanish cuisine. Savor the delicious lunch you’ve prepared, with recipes to take back home. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy marvelous Seville
Overnight: Gran Melia Colon, Seville
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 6, Wednesday ,The Mezquita, Cordoba’s Old City, Private Flamenco Performance, Splendid Granada
We travel to Cordoba, once the capital of Islamic Spain. Here, visit the astonishing Mezquita, surely one of the most beautiful structures in the world and a great triumph of Moorish architecture. This fascinating building symbolizes the many religious changes Cordoba has undergone over the centuries; today the Mezquita is the Cathedral of Cordoba. We enter through the exquisite Courtyard of the Orange Trees, which in springtime is perfumed with orange blossoms around its rushing fountain. Afterward, our walking tour of the historic center of Cordoba, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, begins at the Jewish Quarter, with its distinctive Moorish medieval streets. Lunch today is an Andalucian treat – a private flamenco performance at a renowned century-old bodega (tavern restaurant)! Some of the region's leading flamenco artists will introduce you to their centuries-old tradition of profound emotional expression through song and dance. Hearts filled with Spanish spirit, we drive to Granada, a spectacular city sparkling with Andalucia's most splendid architecture. Dinner together caps a beautiful day of discovery
Overnight: Eurostars Washington Irving, Granada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7, Thursday ,Views of Granada, Private Visit at Cartuja Monastery, Alhambra Palace & Gardens
We ascend to the Upper Albaycin Quarter of the city for a morning walking tour highlighted by spectacular panoramic views of Granada, the Alhambra, and the Sierra Nevada. Then on to the renowned Plaza de Toros de Granada, an active bullfighting arena that also doubles as a concert venue. Here, a unique culinary experience at a restaurant built into the walls of the bullring. After lunch, an exclusive private visit of the unique 16th century Baroque-style Cartuja Monastery, built by Carthusian monks. This imposing monastery is highlighted by its outstanding sanctuary behind the main altar - view the amazing colorful marble, dazzling golden columns, profuse sculptures, and cupola with its magnificent frescoes. The remainder of the afternoon is spent at the dramatic Alhambra Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we listen to the captivating history of the sultans, emirs, and kings who formerly inhabited the palace, as we tour this wondrous fortress and view the opulent rooms, vast courtyards and lavish Generalife Gardens with its fountains and exotic fragrant flowers.* Your evening is at leisure in Granada
Overnight: Eurostars Washington Irving, Granada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 8, Friday, Historic Toledo, Lunch in a Vineyard, Cosmopolitan Madrid
Our journey today transports us to historic Toledo, the mesmerizing former capital city of Spain set high on a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha. We stop for a delightful lunch in an award-winning vineyard restaurant overlooking the city before our afternoon of exploration. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Toledo is best known for its extensive monumental heritage, the coexistence of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures and former home of the brilliant artist El Greco. Behind its daunting medieval walls lie magnificent old stone buildings, quiet cobblestone streets and some of the most important landmarks in the country. A panoramic drive takes us to the Alcazar of Toledo, a massive fortification in the highest part of the city, the Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue with its beautiful Moorish architecture and the St. Tome Church, with its brilliant El Greco masterpiece. We continue to the lively and cosmopolitan metropolis of Madrid, the birthplace of some of the world’s greatest writers, painters, and artists. Dinner is at the hotel’s beautiful restaurant
Overnight: Westin Palace, Madrid
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9, Saturday,Treasures of Madrid, Early-entry Visit to the Prado Museum
An early-entry visit to the renowned Prado Museum, one of the world’s premiere art galleries is surely a high point of the day. As we begin our visit before the crowds, we have the remarkable opportunity to quietly experience some of the astonishing collection of masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya, El Greco and more. At the Plaza de Cibeles, view the spectacular rushing fountain that evokes the splendor of imperial Madrid. Continue past the striking Plaza Mayor, one of the prettiest open spaces in Spain, to the lavish Palacio Real. Inside the palace we tour the ornate rooms adorned with several Goyas, rare violins, quirky clocks and the main stairway that is a regal statement of imperial power. Admire the velvet covered walls of the Throne Room and the exquisite salons resplendent with colorful silks before continuing on the Gran Via back to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore this city of great museums on your own, including admission to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum with one of the world's most extraordinary private collections of European art. Tonight, experience Madrid’s world-class cuisine and non-stop nightlife that lasts from dusk to dawn
Overnight: Westin Palace, Madrid
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10, Sunday,High Speed AVE Train to Barcelona, Montjuic Hill, Santa Maria del Mar, Gothic Quarter
In the morning, the high-speed AVE train whisks us to Barcelona in Preferente Class. In this astonishing city, our first visit is to a panoramic viewpoint of the city from atop Montjuic Hill, home to the Olympic complex, a number of sports facilities built for the 1992 Olympics with the Olympic Stadium at its center. Then, visit the 14th century Santa Maria del Mar church and stroll through the Gothic Quarter’s narrow medieval lanes revealing interesting sights tucked away in little nooks and crannies along with surviving stretches of Roman walls. Time to refresh before an à la carte dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Casa Fuster, Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11, Monday - Montserrat Mountain, Penedes Wine Tasting
This morning, we pass picturesque villages on the way to Montserrat Mountain. At the Royal Basilica, view the world-famous 12th century Romanesque sculpture of Virgen Moreneta. Free time in Montserrat before lunch together. Afterward, continue to the Penedes region, home to a wide range of wine, including traditional sparkling white and rosé Cava. Visit one of the wine cellars for a tasting of the local wines before returning to Barcelona. Tonight, don’t miss the extraordinary tapas bars that have made Barcelona’s cuisine so world-famous
Overnight: Casa Fuster, Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 12, Tuesday, Gaudi’s Striking Architecture - La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell, Farewell Dinner
Start your day at the iconic symbol of the city - Gaudi’s masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, a colossal church that is legendary and still unfinished after 100 years. As you enter this incredible architectural jewel, gaze at the forest of pillars soaring toward the ceiling while sunlight pours through the windows. Then on to Gaudi’s Parc Guell, one of the most famous sights of Barcelona with its split ceramics decorating winding banks over a strange looking Roman temple. Here, Gaudi has created a fabulous forest within a park – you’ll be enchanted by his ingenuity. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the city. Tonight, dinner together at an elegant modernista restaurant, the iconic architectural style that was fashionable in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Walk back to the hotel through this illuminated city, and marvel at its beauty by night. View Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera, notable for its chimneys that look like sentries keeping watch over the street. Bid a fond goodbye to your newfound friends and to the magnificent journey through Spain and Portugal
Overnight: Casa Fuster, Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 13, Wednesday,Depart Spain
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
Casa Fuster, Barcelona – 5 Star
This Modernista mansion is one of Barcelona's most luxurious and historic hotels named one of the "Leading Hotels of the World." Created from the emblematic Modernist building known as "Casa Fuster," it was designed by the famous Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. The guest rooms mix both traditional and modern furnishings. Enjoy the hotel's sleek Mediterranean restaurant, contemporary cafe and jazz bar, plus a pair of terrace bars, including one with a pool.
Westin Palace Madrid – 5 Star
The iconic Westin Palace hotel is perfectly located in the center of Madrid in the "Triangle of Art" within walking distance to the city's most prestigious museums:-- Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofia. Because of its location, in the chic Las Letras neighborhood, it's also the perfect place to enjoy Madrid’s famous gastronomy. The classic guest rooms offer extraordinary comfort and elegant amenities. A wealth of restaurants includes Spanish, Cantonese and Japanese cuisine as well as a bar.
Eurostars Washington Irving, Granada – 5 Star
The hotel's unique interior is decorated in the stories of the great American writer, Washington Irving. The rooms and public areas recreate phrases and passages of his major works, including Tales of the Alhambra. Located near the Alhambra and just a short walk from the historic center, this elegant hotel offers guests a magnificent library fully stocked with the author's works, including a display of first edition copies of Tales of the Alhambra.
Gran Melia Colon, Seville – 5 Star
A member of the prestigious "Leading Hotels of the World," the Gran Melia Colon is one of Seville's most important landmarks. This sophisticated hotel in the historic part of the city offers a striking combination of art, culture and style. Guest rooms combine contemporary touches with a wealth of fine amenities, creating a warm and elegant environment. Enjoy the Wellness Centre and sun terrace with spectacular views. Dine in the lovely Andalusian-style restaurants or linger in the bar.
InterContinental Lisbon – 5 Star
Located between Eduardo VII Park, Marques de Pombal Square and the luxurious Avenida da Liberdade, the deluxe 5-star InterContinental Lisbon is the ultimate choice for experiencing Lisbon. Featuring sophisticated design and warm refinement, the guest rooms are chic, comfortable and spacious with superb amenities. Relax at the end of the day at the chic restaurant featuring international flavors and Portuguese specialties, or, unwind at the posh cocktail bar.