Compare Across Spain and Portugal by Odysseys Unlimited vs Spain and Portugal Adventure Tour by Discovery Nomads
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 17 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 4,478 | $ 1,532 |
| Price Per Day | $ 263 | $ 219 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
15 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 10 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
Fortified cities and tiny fishing villages, rugged Atlantic coastline and commanding Pyrenees peaks, iconic shrines to both religion and fine art, and intimate lodgings in historic paradores and pousadas – it all awaits on this singular small group journey from Lisbon across the north of Spain, ending in vibrant Barcelona. |
Take an incredible week to experience the best travel highlights of Spain and Portugal: art, culture and nightlife. Take a ride on iconic Lisbon tram, marvel at fantastic views of Lisbon Bridge, try Porto wine, explore majestic Madrid and see Gaudi's masterpieces in Barcelona. |
Day 1
Depart U.S. for Lisbon, Portugal
Day 2
Meals: Dinner
Arrive Lisbon We arrive in the Portuguese capital and transfer to our hotel. As guests’ arrival times vary, we have no group activities planned during the day. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner.
Day 3
Meals: Breakfast
Lisbon A morning tour introduces us to the city on the River Tagus; the afternoon is free for independent exploration.
Day 4
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Lisbon/Oporto Leaving Lisbon we head north, stopping in the small fortified town of Obidos and in the seaside village of Nazare. Mid-afternoon we reach our pousada in lovely Oporto, Portugal’s second largest city and UNESCO site.
Day 5
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Oporto Highlights of our city tour include colorful Bolhao Market, the historic city center, Baroque Clerigos Church, and the sophisticated Foz oceanfront district. Then we enjoy an hour-long cruise on the Douro River. Our tour ends with a visit to a port lodge for a tasting of the fortified wine exclusive to the region.
Day 6
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Oporto/Santiago de Compostela, Spain En route to Santiago, we stop in the old Galician town of Pontevedra. We continue on to Santiago, capital of Spain’s northwest Galicia region, arriving mid-afternoon at our parador, where we dine tonight.
Day 7
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Santiago de Compostela Last stop on the celebrated pilgrimage route of the Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago) and presumed repository of the remains of St. James the Apostle, Santiago de Compostela also ranks among Spain’s most beautiful and visited cities. We discover this important cultural and educational capital on today’s tour, featuring the Cathedral housing the silver crypt believed to hold the remains of St. James. From here we enter Plaza de Obradoiro, the monumental square surrounded by Santiago’s most important buildings. This afternoon is free for independent exploration in this eminently walkable and lovely UNESCO World Heritage city with historic buildings lining its winding, narrow streets.
Day 8
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Santiago/Leon Leaving Santiago this morning, we travel east to vibrant Leon, another stop on the Way of St. James pilgrimage route and known for its religious festivals and Easter Week processions. Upon arrival, we encounter the city’s impressive historical and architectural heritage as we visit the 12th-century Leon Cathedral, one of Spain’s most beautiful with its sculpture-covered façade and impressive stained glass windows; and Casa Botines, a Modernist structure by architect Antoni Gaudí. We reach our parador early this evening and dine there tonight.
Day 9
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Leon/Bilbao Today we stop in the elegant port city and Cantabrian capital of Santander for a tour and lunch. Then we travel on to Bilbao, the industrial port city almost magically transformed by the construction of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in 1997.
Day 10
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Bilbao This morning’s tour begins in Bilbao’s medieval Old City, with a charming mix of narrow cobblestone streets and inviting squares. We see the Catedral de Santiago (c. 1379), once a stop on the pilgrimage route; monumental Plaza Nueva; and busy seaside La Ribera market. Then we take a guided tour of the Guggenheim and its contemporary art collection. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the jaw-dropping structure of limestone, titanium, and glass has drawn acclaim, attention, and visitors to this popular, revitalized city. Our last stop is Bilbao’s Fine Arts Museum, with a rich collection of Spanish and Basque artworks.
Day 11
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Bilbao/Basque Country A day-long excursion begins with a poignant stop: Gernika (Guernica), heart of the Basque region and the town razed by Nazi bombing in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War that was immortalized in the namesake painting by Picasso. Then we pass through countryside historically home to the Basque people of Spain’s Atlantic Coast and western Pyrenees. At the seaside village of Bakio, we follow a coastal road of wild beauty to the islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, with its hermitage to St. John the Baptist. We stop in the key fishing town of Bermeo then continue on to the medieval fishing village of Mundaka, where we enjoy magnificent views of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve of streams and a salt marsh surrounded by sheer cliffs.
Day 12
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Bilbao/Pamplona/Bielsa We travel today to the Pyrenees town of Bielsa, stopping en route in fabled Pamplona, known for its annual Running of the Bulls tradition. B,D
Day 13
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Bielsa Fresh mountain air and stunning scenery are on tap as we visit Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Touring by coach and on foot, we see the limestone Pyrenees chain, its lush valleys dotted with clear blue streams and beech, fir, and pine trees.
Day 14
Meals: Breakfast
Bielsa/Barcelona We travel today by coach to the world-class city of Barcelona, arriving mid-afternoon. After a brief orientation walking tour, we are free for dinner on our own in this most gastronomic of cities.
Day 15
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Barcelona This morning’s city tour features Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter), a maze of medieval streets; and Las Ramblas, the tree-lined pedestrian mall that attracts locals and visitors alike, day and night. We pay homage to Barcelona’s native son, flamboyant artist Antoni Gaudí, visiting his fanciful Parc Guell and the landmark Sagrada Familia, his surreal – and unfinished – cathedral. Following a tapas lunch, the remainder of the day is free for independent exploration.
Day 16
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Barcelona Our Gaudi tour continues this morning at Casa Mila, whose curving stone face inspired the nickname “La Pedrera” (stone quarry). Now housing a cultural center, Casa Mila is a UNESCO site. This afternoon is at leisure; tonight we bid !adios! to Spain, and to our fellow travelers, at a farewell dinner.
Day 17
Meals: Breakfast
Depart for U.S. We transfer to the airport this morning for our connecting flights to the U.S.
Day 1-2: Lisbon
Accommodation: Novotel Lisboa or similar
Arrival at any time. Learn about important areas in Lisbon’s history as you explore its most interesting neighborhoods. Discover Chiado and Bairro Alto and admire the views from Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara. Ride the Eleléctrico tram and visit the Alfama district.
Day 2-4: Porto
Accommodation: Mercury Porto Centro or similar
Experience a walking tour through the streets of the historical center of Porto, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Marvel at the fantastic views of the Crystal Palace Gardens, walk along the famous Aliados Avenue, catch a glimpse of the Douro River from Louis I Bridge, descend down the narrow streets and staircases of the Miragaia neighborhood, learn about Porto's founding and formation.
Day 5-6: Madrid
Accommodation: Mercury Lupo de Vega or similar
Enjoy a walking tour around this beautiful city, additionally visit the Prado Museum or Reina Sofia Museum where you will see the works of Picasso and Dali or ancient Toledo.
Day 6-7: Barcelona
Today you will fly to Barcelona, exploring this beautiful city, visiting the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas, Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell, and in the evening go to try tapas and Spanish wine. You will have free time to relax on the Barcelonetta beach or go shopping.
