Madrid welcomes you! Today marks the start of this Spain and Portugal Christmas tour. After arriving this morning, head to the hotel to meet up with your tour leader and travel companions. Once everyone is present, the exploration of Madrid and all its festive season charm kicks off with a locally guided tour of the city’s top attractions! Tonight, enjoy your first introduction to exquisite Spanish cuisine with an included welcome dinner. What better way to get to know your new travel family? The Christmas celebrations kick off in Spain today, so you're in luck! It's the day of the Spanish Christmas Lottery, ‘El Gordo’ or the ‘Fat One’ – the world's biggest lottery draw.

Experiences

• Explore Madrid with a local guide

• Welcome dinner in Madrid

Meals Dinner

This morning, journey south to the UNESCO-listed city of Toledo and uncover its heritage. This city is also considered the Spanish spiritual capital, so be sure to marvel at the Gothic architecture and captivating Cathedral. Up next is the Moorish city of Granada. Join your tour leader on an informative orientation tour. Spot some top attractions and learn about the Moorish influence while admiring vistas of the Alhambra citadel across the valley. This historic palace and fortress dating back to the 8th century will leave you speechless! This evening, savour some free time or experience more of Granada on an optional local food and wine experience. Please note, this excursion must be booked prior to the start of the tour.

Experiences

• Visit the ancient city of Toledo

• Discover the delights of Granada

Meals Breakfast,

Today, make the most of the unmissable opportunity to visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace & Gardens on an optional excursion. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is one of Granada's top sights! Due to immense popularity, this excursion must be booked prior to the start of the tour. Then, journey through Andalusia, known for Flamenco and matadors! The first stop is Ronda, one of Spain's oldest cities, for views of the renowned ‘Puente Nuevo’ bridge and the picturesque countryside all around. Up next, travel to Seville, known as the city of siestas, tapas and fiestas! Join an expert local guide later to explore the old town before enjoying an included dinner at a local restaurant tonight.

Experiences

• Visit Ronda; home to the famous Puente Nuevo

• See Seville on a driving tour

• Enjoy a local dinner in Seville

Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Feliz Navidad!What better way to spend Christmas Day than with a free day to discover Seville? Spend it however you wish. Wander the streets, explore Plaza de España or admire some of the gorgeous historical buildings around the city. Try some Spanish festive treats like the Spanish Christmas bread, Roscón de Reyes. For an unforgettable Christmas Day, join today’s optional excursion which includes a visit to the stunning Casa de Pilatos, a delicious three-course lunch and an immersive experience at Las Setas, an innovative architectural complex. Please note, due to popularity, this excursion must be booked prior to the start of the tour. Tonight, choose to celebrate Christmas with a flamenco show in the birthplace of this vibrant dance.

Experiences
Meals Breakfast,

It's Boxing Day morning, and the tour is crossing the border into Portugal en route to the lively capital city of Lisbon! On the way, soak up the stunning scenes of southern Portugal. Make a stop along Portugal’s southern coastal region of Algarve and enjoy free time to discover the town, bask on the beach or grab some lunch. Later, arrive in Lisbon and embark on a driving tour of the city with your tour leader. Spot the Tagus River as well as some of the city's famous sights, such as the Belém Tower and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument. Remember, tomorrow is a free day, so take note of places you'd like to explore in more detail!

Experiences

• Visit the Algarve; Portugal's stunning southern coast

• Enjoy a driving tour of Lisbon

Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Lisbon is yours to explore at leisure on today's free day! Choose to explore some of the city's highlights, including the Monument to the Discoveries, Belém Tower and the hilltop district of Bairro Alto. Savour the sound of Fado music emanating from open windows all around. Keen to do some souvenir shopping for your loved ones back home? Head to A Vida Portuguesa! Be sure to try somePasteis de nata, delicious Portuguese egg tarts, at one of the many bakeries around. Or, spend the whole day in Sintra on an optional trip, exploring this town known for its mountains, palaces, parks and medieval residences. Alternatively, choose to join the optional trip to the Fátima Sanctuary & Coin Caves.

Experiences
Meals Breakfast,

This morning, the coach begins the journey to Porto. But first, stop in Obidos, a fortified town with narrow cobbled streets, stunning houses and an impressive castle looking down from atop a hill. Next, travel onwards to the second-largest city in Portugal, Porto! After arriving, meet up with an expert local guide and head out on a driving and walking tour of the city's top attractions, such as the Cathedral, Sao Bento train station, Clerigos Tower and the Luis I bridge. This afternoon, enjoy a uniquely Portuguese experience with a tasting of authentic Port wine – one of the top exports of Portugal. Tonight, opt to cruise along the Douro River on the unmissable optional excursion.

Experiences

• Visit Obidos; a medieval fortified town

• Enjoy a driving and walking tour of Porto

• Taste Portugal’s most famous drink – Port!

Meals Breakfast,

It's time to head back to Spain today. Cross the border and stop in the 12th-century fortified cathedral city of Ciudad Rodrigo and marvel at the variety of art and architecture on display! Embark on an orientation tour followed by free time for lunch. Arrive in Salamanca this afternoon, spruce up at the hotel, and embark on an orientation tour of Spain’s “Golden City” with your tour leader. Explore more of this UNESCO-listed University city at leisure during some free time before meeting back up with the group for a farewell dinner. Celebrate the last night on tour with a three-course dinner of food unique to Salamanca!

Experiences

• Visit Ciudad Rodrigo, a 12th-century fortified town

• Explore Salamanca at your leisure

• Traditional dinner in Salamanca

Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Today is the last day of this memorable Spain & Portugal Christmas tour! It's time for the final stretch from Salamanca to Avila before ending in Madrid. Avila is a famous, UNESCO-listed ancient town known for its impeccably preserved century-old city walls. This city also boasts breathtaking Romanesque churches, monasteries and palaces. Marvel at this city's medieval architecture before continuing on to Madrid, where the tour concludes this afternoon. Bid the group and this life-enriching tour farewell, and remember to exchange contact details with your new travel friends from around the world!

Experiences

• Visit Avila; home to incredible Romanesque architecture

Meals Breakfast,