Portugal in Depth

From Spain to France to Italy, this affordable tour along the Mediterranean Coast, features vibrant cities, historic sites, and stunning scenery. You’ll stay in Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Marseille, the Venice area, and Rome. You'll also overnight in the French Riviera and the Cinque Terre area. The highlights of this budget travel adventure across the Mediterranean region include an excursion to the famous Cinque Terre area, a name given to five medieval fishing villages on the sea. The area is noted for its natural beauty with terraces built into the mountainside on cliffs that drop down into the sea and for its breathtaking views. You'll also spend time on the French Riviera, where you'll have the chance to visit a perfume workshop in Èze and time to explore on your own. Plus, enjoy stunning scenery as you drive along the most fascinating landscapes and visit cameo villages such as Cuenca, Collioure, Cassis and iconic cities like Verona or Barcelona! Your Local Guides will reveal the must-see sights on your sightseeing tours of Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, and Rome. You’ll see Rome’s iconic landmarks, such as the Vatican and the Colosseum. You’ll be introduced to Venice with a boat ride to world-famous St. Mark's Square. In Marseille, France's oldest city, visit the Basilica Notre Dame de la Garde, which sits at the highest point in Marseille with stunning views of the city. In Assisi, visit the St. Francis Basilica, burial place of the saint and home to beautiful frescos by Giotto. Designed by a team of experienced Tour Directors, this Mediterranean tour to Spain, France, and Italy has been perfectly planned for value-minded travellers wanting a wonderful, yet affordable, Mediterranean holiday.

Your 14-day affordable tour of Spain begins and ends in marvellous Madrid. In between, you’ll discover Spain’s sensational sites and legendary locales of history, culture, and cuisine. You’ll visit the Basque Country in the cities of Bilbao, San Sebastian, and on to Pamplona—city of the running of the bulls, toreadors, and Hemingway’s famous novel, The Sun Also Rises. Venture through the vistas of the wine-growing region on your way to Saragossa on the banks of the Ebro River. You’ll visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Pillar before arriving in Barcelona. Take two days to explore the beauty and history of Barcelona, including a guided driving tour of its famous sights and panoramic views. See Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces before venturing along the Costa Dorada and Costa del Azahar to vibrant art nouveau and modern style of Valencia—and the home of paella! You’ll travel inland to Granada, situated at the foot of the mighty Sierra Nevada and the confluence of four rivers. Experience the Moorish influence, old-style tapas bars, exotic tea rooms of the Albazyn quarter, and historical sites in this university city. You’ll relish a guided tour of the magnificent Alhambra Complex, built by Moorish kings in 889 AD. More stunning architecture awaits in Cordoba—including the white-washed houses of the Jewish quarter and the Moorish and Christian architecture of The Mosque of Córdoba. Your introduction to the Andalusian capital of Seville includes guided sightseeing. See its majestic cathedral, palace, and Plaza de España before you travel through Cáceres and Salamanca to Madrid. Your value-minded tour of Spain is a wealth of experiences in beauty, architecture, and rich cultural traditions to treasure.

Your exciting Iberian adventure introduces you to fascinating cities and cultural discoveries on your affordable tour of Spain and Portugal. You'll stay three nights in Madrid, two nights in both Seville and Lisbon, and one night in Coimbra. Enjoy sightseeing with a Local Guide—an expert in the city’s history and sights—in Lisbon, Seville, and Madrid. The included city tour focuses on the must-see sights, including Seville's 15th-century Cathedral of St. Mary, built on a former mosque and housing 80 chapels and the longest nave in Spain, and Lisbon's Belem Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built around 1514 to commemorate the expedition of Vasco de Gama and to defend the port of Lisbon. Today, it is a reminder of Portugal's Golden Age. In Madrid, you will see the Puerta del Sol – the “gate of the sun” – and admire the impressive architecture of the wide alleys crossing the city centre. Other visits of this affordable Spain and Portugal tour include the Marian Sanctuary at Fátima, a famous pilgrimage site where the Virgin Mary appeared to three local children in 1917; Obidos, a fortified city still flanked by towers and bastions overlooking the countryside dotted with windmills: Moorish Cordoba, and Salamanca, where you can wander around Salamanca's Plaza Mayor, considered the most beautiful square in Spain. From the larger cities to the differing countryside and landscapes, this value-minded tour through Spain and Portugal is sure to delight.