Historical Portugal and Delights of Southern Spain - 13 Days
We commence in the country with the oldest continuous borders in Europe - Portugal. Also known as Lusitania, the country offers an entirely authentic experience with Fado Music, Nata custards, fantastic cuisine including amazing seafood, historic plazas and buildings. Portugal is known as a friendly country with the locals having excellent English, many people are multi-lingual and well educated. Until 30 years ago, it was one of Europe's poorest countries but joining the European Union in 1986 along with it's bigger neighbour Spain has allowed it to develop economically. The country has strong commercial links with Brazil, it's former colony, and Great Britain, through the port wine business, not to mention the many thousands of northern Europeans who decide to move to Portugal for all of the above reasons and great weather.
Heading to the South of Spain we will encounter the Delights of Andalucia inlcuding trying some Sherry Wine, a visit to the vineyards near Jerez de la Frontera, the fantastically beautiful cities of Cadiz, Malaga, Gibraltar and Sevilla. Kwown for its agricultural produce including some of the world's best olives and olive oils, grapes and wine, the region is considered the bread basket of Spain. In terms of history, the region was once ruled by the North African Moors who were expelled, along with the Jews in different historical periods. In 1805 just outside of Cadiz, the battle of Trafalgar was where the French and Spanish fleets were scuttled and defeated by famous Briton Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson.
We'll be visiting the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a palace built by the Moors, as well as the museum of famous Malaga painter Pablo Picasso. Flamenco, another Spanish tradition and dance, originates in the region and we'll be entertained at a show including dinner. The trip finishes in Sevilla.
The biggest issue anyone is going to have to face in Portugal and Spain is how to absord all the history, culture, art, music and amazing food and wine. Everything from the Moors to Roman history will be explored and you'll return home with deep understanding of the past and present in Iberia, the Roman name for Portugal and Spain.
Itinerary and Specifics
Higlights:
- Enjoy amazing Portuguese hospitality
- Experience the excellent seafood, cuisine and wines of Portugal and Spain
- Great weather is the norm for Portugal and Spain between early May and early October
- These two cultures are amongst the oldest and most fascinating in Europe
- Enjoy the stunning landscapes
- Learn about the history of the rest of the world - Portuguese and Spanish ships went everywhere from the Americas to Asia and Africa and all across the rest of Europe. Enjoy stories of Magellan, Columbus and Vasco de Gama.
- Enjoy the art of Portugal and Spain, visit Pablo Picasso's museum and gallery in Malaga.
Included:
- 4 Star Accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast Basis
- Meet and Greet at Airport
- Transfers to and from hotel
- Expert driver/guide
- Comfortable touring vehicle
- Local knowledge, recommendations and help with any bookings you want to make
- Porterage - 1 piece per person in and out of hotels
Not included:
- Flights - purchase your own flights in and out of destination : Porto and Seville
- Gratuities - minimum recommended $20 per person per day
- Lunches and Dinners - we like our guests to be able to choose their own dining options
- Any entrances to museums, attractions and concerts - most of what you're looking for will be free entrance anyway.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1
Fly into Porto, Meet and Greet, transfer to the hotel for two nights. We'll be centrally located so you'll have it all at your doorstep - Gustave Eiffel's bridge over the Duoro, the main square, churches, old town, great cafes and restaurants. Your local tour guide will bring you on a walking tour to see the main sights.
Day 2
Today we take a cruise up the Duoro, visiting a vineyard and some of the Port Wine warehouses back in Porto itself. The cheese and other food in the area is excellent. You should enjoy Francesinha, the local food speciality.
Day 3
We drive south to Coimbra, spending the night here and exploring the famous university town, it's one of the most beautiful small cities in Europe.
Day 4
We continue on south and arrive in the capital, staying in Lisbon for two nights. Today we'll do our panoramic city tour and stopping at Casa de Belem for the best and freshest nata (custard tarts) you can find in Portugal. We'll also stop by the monument to Portuguese sailors and navigators.
Day 5
Today we're going to explore the best musuems and galleries in the city with free time to enjoy your own interests. There's a lot to see and do here. Take the opportunity to listen to a live Fado concert.
Day 6
We leave Lisbon and head south east for Andalucia, Spain. Today we will visit a National Park by the sea and stay in the historically important port city of Cadiz.
Day 7
We visit Jerez de la Frontera (Sherry) and enjoy some of the best wine from the region. There are many strong links to Britain here and the beverage was trendy for centuries in the UK before falling into recent decline. One place it was always popular was in a Trifle dessert. With local cheese and nuts this is a really tasty aperitive. From Jerez we will travel to Malaga where we will stay for three nights.
Day 8
In Malaga people will get the chance to visit the Cathedral with the local guide, the castle perched atop the town, view the bullring from above the city and do much more beside. The streets are so beautiful in the old town and there's a good few museums and historical attractions to take advantage of. Pablo Picasso's gallery is a great highlight, he was from the city.
Day 9
Today is a day trip to Gibraltar, the British colony at the mouth of the Mediterranean. We enjoy exploring the history and geopolitical imporantance of the site. There's quite a bit to enjoy here, technically we're in the UK today.
Day 10
We visit Granada and the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Alhambra built by the Moors when the South of Spain was conquered by the Muslim tribe from North Africa. A palace unrivalled in the rest of Europe, it's a stunning reminder of their mastery of art, sculpture and architecture. A true highlight. We'll then visit the walled city of Cordoba and spend the night here.
Day 11
Today we'll visit an olive oil producer and learn more about the making of this vital ingredient made here in Andalucia. Farming and tourism are the main economic drivers in the south of Spain. We continue to Sevilla where we spend two nights.
Day 12
Today we've got a local tour guide who will show us around the city and show us the best cafes, restaurants, hidden gems and places to discover. This is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.
Day 13
The trip ends today with an airport transfer to Seville International Airport. We hope you fell in love with Spain and Portugal and will come back on another Cultural Journey with us in Europe again.