Flavors of Portugal & Spain: Featuring Douro & Rioja Wine Regions

Sparkling coastlines… historic cityscapes… mouthwatering cuisine… aromatic wine… Northern Portugal and Spain await you with open arms for the journey of a lifetime.
Hotel Name: Turim Boulevard Hotel

Arrive in Lisbon, the trendy capital of Portugal. Lisbon glistens like a treasure perched on seven hills and enchants travelers with its laid-back charm. At a local restaurant, meet your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner to officially kick off an experience-rich adventure.
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Lisbon
Spread across steep hillsides that overlook the Rio Tejo, Lisbon offers all the delights you’d expect of Portugal’s star attraction, yet with half the fuss of other European capitals. Gothic cathedrals, majestic monasteries and quaint museums are all part of the colorful cityscape, but the real delights of discovery lie in wandering the narrow lanes of Lisbon’s lovely backstreets. The Lisbon experience encompasses so many things, from enjoying a fresh pastry and bica (espresso) on a petite leafy plaza to window-shopping in elegant Chiado. It’s mingling with Lisboêtas at a neighborhood festival or watching the sunset from the old Moorish castle.

Good morning, Lisboa. Start your day on foot with your Tour Manager, walking to the public funicular. Hop on and ride to the upper side of the downtown area. Meander through historic neighborhoods, hearing the kinds of stories that bring the city – and its colorful neighborhoods — to life. Walk to the Chiado neighborhood and embrace its elegant flair and bohemian vibe, en route to a local cafe, and sit down to a tasting of typical Portuguese foods and savor the flavors of the city. After, your journey will take you to the Praça do Comercio in downtown Lisbon, one of the biggest squares in Europe. This gorgeous square flaunts colorful artwork and sculptures. Say cheers on the Tagus River for a truly unique way to experience Lisbon. Sail by the Monument to the Discoveries and the Tower of Belem (UNESCO) before crossing the river to see “Christ the King” statue. Enjoy time to explore on your own and return to the hotel by subway.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Tagus River Cruise

Explore Lisbon today at your own pace. With plenty of free time in the capital city, you may wish to check out its famous culinary scene or venture downtown to do some shopping. If you’d prefer to tour today, choose an optional excursion to Ericeira and Sintra; from wind swept cliffs in Ericeira to the quaint palaces and villas of Sintra you will learn a thousand fascinating tales.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Turim Porto Hotel

Visit Area: Tomar

Depart Portugal’s capital city and head to Tomar, home of Portugal’s historical jewels, the Templar Castle, and Convent of Christ — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the octagonal Templars' Rotunda and imagine the day-to-day life of a warrior monk in the domestic areas. Next stop: Porto. Take in the landscape of wild pine trees as you leave Tomar and embark on a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Portugal’s second largest city.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Porto
Porto, known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal, after Lisbon, and is located in northern Portugal. The city dates back to the 4th century. Porto’s city center is one of the oldest city centers in Europe. One of Portugal’s well known exports, port wine, is named for Porto since the metropolitan and surrounding area was responsible for the production and export of the fortified wine.

Today, an extensive walking tour of Porto reveals all of its many charms. See the São Bento Railway Station, which opened in 1916 and remains one of Portugal’s most striking stations. Visit the Bolsa Palace (UNESCO), otherwise known as the Stock Exchange Palace – a 19th century Neoclassical masterpiece and finish your morning crossing the river to Vila Nova de Gaia for a visit. Get a taste for the port wine production scene with a tour and tasting. Enjoy your afternoon and evening how you choose. If you’d prefer to have a different experience tonight, choose an optional excursion to A taste of Porto Home: Get a different perspective on Porto as you watch the river merging with the sea, step across the threshold of your hosts’ home, and inhale the tantalizing aroma of traditional Portuguese cooking with a Portuguese family.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Port Wine Tastings
Northern Portugal is known for its port wine – enjoy opportunities to taste this local favorite at more than one tasting. The city Porto is known for this wine – which is alluded to in the wine’s name. The Douro River Valley is also famous for its green hills and port wine grapes.

Today, travel to Braga and behold the “Bom Jesus do Monte” (UNESCO) – a sanctuary and Christian pilgrimage site in Tenões that boasts stunning Baroque architecture. After an included lunch, walk the narrow streets of the historic downtown. Many of Braga’s locals place great importance on religion and the city has one of the highest concentrations of churches in Portugal. After, explore on your own with built-in free time. With so many shops and its quaint charm, you will find plenty of ways to pass the time in Braga.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Hotel Name: The Wine House Hotel - Quinta da Pacheca

Visit Area: Braga
Braga is the home to the revered Bom Jesus, a towering cathedral sitting on top of a hill. Its gray-and-white zigzagging staircase invites visitors to climb to the top. At the peak, stand in awe before views of the town below that are worth the twisting ascent.

Today, say “tchau” to Porto and set out for the Douro wine region where you’ll indulge in two nights on the grounds of a traditional winery. En route to Douro, stop in Amarante, a quaint town set on a bend in the Rio Tamega. From its balconied houses to its willow-lined riverbanks, this town is full of surprises. This afternoon, join your fellow travelers for a cruise* down the Douro River on a traditional wooden rabelo boat. Marvel at the rows of twisting vines, lush trees, and colorful houses from a different perspective. Finally, step into your home for the next two nights in the heart of the Douro River Valley. Later, wander down to the cellar for a tasting before enjoying a dinner complete with locally sourced, traditional Portuguese cuisine.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Douro River Valley
Home to seemingly endless rows of flourishing grapes, the Douro River Valley is a prominent wine region in Portugal. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been producing wine for an estimated 2,000 years. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century that the region started creating its famous port wine. Traditionally, the barrels of wine were transported down the river by means of a wooden rabelo boat. These flat-bottomed boats would carry wine from the vineyards into the surrounding regions.

Enjoy a relaxed morning. Then, roll up your sleeves and join a cooking class (of course you’ll dine on your creations with a light lunch of petiscos, or Portuguese tapas). Enjoy your afternoon and evening how you’d like.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Hotel Name: NH Collection Palacio de Castellanos

Admittance: Douro River Cruise
Marvel at the rows of twisting vines, lush trees, and colorful houses from a different perspective on a Douro River Cruise. Navigate along the most picturesque landscapes of the Douro River on a traditional wooden rabelo boat. These boats were used to transport port wine down the river.

Depart the lush Douro wine region and cross the border into Spain! In Salamanca, feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you take a short walking tour and learn more about this ancient city. With over two thousand years of history and its sandstone architecture, Salamanca is a little gem waiting to be discovered.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Eurostars Fuerte Ruavieja

Visit Area: Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in northwestern Spain, and is the capital of the Province of Salamanca. It sits 120 miles west of Madrid and 50 miles east of the Portuguese border. Salamanca is one of the most important university cities in Spain and attracts many international students. The university, the University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, along with tourism are the primary sources of income in Salamanca.

Today, leave for the famous Rioja wine region! On your way, stop in Burgos where you will get to know the city during a walking tour. From its pedestrian-friendly riverside to the historic Plaza Mayor, Burgos delivers a traditional Spanish experience. Enjoy free time for lunch on your own. Finally, arrive in La Rioja, your home for the next two nights. Tonight, enjoy dinner that highlights the local cuisine.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: La Rioja
La Rioja is an autonomous community and a province in Spain, located in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. This region is known for the Rioja Destination of Origin wines. This area of Spain has over 500 wineries and is internationally known for the quality of its wine. This region of Spain also offers a range of activities in and around the vineyards, such as horseback riding, hot air ballooning and more.

Today, it’s off to Pamplona, the capital of the Navarre province and home to the legendary Feast of San Fermin – the Running of the Bulls. Once every year, bulls are led through the city’s streets by daredevil runners and today, a local guide takes you on a city tour of Pamplona where you can hear all about its colorful, unique history before visiting the family home of a bullfighter. The bullfighter’s family greets you in the traditional way – with light tapas and drinks – truly welcoming you into their world for a little while. During your visit, learn firsthand about bullfighting traditions, controversies and enjoy the chance to ask your own questions. As you make your way back to stunning Rioja, stop at the Marques de Riscal Winery nestled in the center of Spain’s beautiful Basque country – one of the most fascinating wineries to behold with its famously avant-garde design. Taste some of the wines and walk the vineyards before heading back to your hotel.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: NH Collection Aranzazu

Visit Area: Pamplona
Pamplona is the historical capital city of Navarre, in Spain. Pamplona is located in the center of Navarre, in a rounded valley, that links the mountainous North with the Erbo valley. It is 37 miles from Bilbao and 253 miles from Madrid. The historic city center is on the left bank of the Arga River. Pamplona is most famous for the running of the bulls during the San Fermin festival, which is held every year from July 6th to 14th.

Are your shoes made for walking? Today, set off for an extensive walking tour of San Sebastian, a coastal city that runs along the Bay of Biscay. With its strong regional character, quaint old town and beachfront life, you will feel like a local as you meander through charming neighborhoods boasting with traditional architecture. Enjoy free time for lunch on your own before rejoining your fellow travelers for a panoramic tour along the coastal road, finding picture-perfect views that will take your breath away.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Bullfighter's Home Experience

Today, it’s your choice! You can choose a guided tour of the coastal villages of Zumaia and Getaria for a special opportunity to explore the glimmering Spanish coastline and enjoy a tasting of Txakoli wine -OR- take a leisurely hike along the “Camino of Saint James” and make your way back to the city center, enjoying a healthy, scenic experience in this beautiful destination. Lastly you can choose to stay in San Sebastian to relax or further explore on your own! A great spot for shoppers and foodies alike, there is plenty to do to pass the time.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: San Sebastián
San Sebastián is a coastal city and municipality located in the Basque Autonomous Community in Spain. It lies on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, 12 miles from the French border. The main economic activities here are commerce and tourism, and it is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Spain partly because of its picturesque shoreline. San Sebastián was chosen as the European Capital of Culture for the year 2016.

Head to Bilbao to visit the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, set along the Nervion River and hailed as a true icon of architectural culture, with its contemporary design. See some of the modern art housed inside its fascinating walls. Then take a walking tour of Bilbao’s old town where you can find historic old churches, festive markets and quintessential Spanish squares. Enjoy some free time in the historic Bilbao downtown before returning to San Sebastian. Tonight, gather together and toast the end of a flavorful journey at a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Choice on Tour: Zumaia and Getaria Villages or Coastal Saint James Way Hike
Explore the San Sebastián region your way with the choice between three different ways to discover this beautiful coastal region. For your first choice, join a local guide to explore two beautiful seaside villages: Zumaia and Getaria. Bring your camera, because Zumaia is home to the world’s longest continuous rock strata and Getaria sits between the sea and mountains covered in lush green vines. The second choice brings you to the coastal St. James’ Way, a medieval Christian pilgrimage trail. Take in the views alongside a local guide on a beginner’s 3-hour hike. The last choice provides the ultimate flexibility: spend the day however you choose. Whether you take time at leisure to appreciate the seaside views, visit local shops or enjoy the exquisite cuisine, take your final day on tour seeing San Sebastián how you want. Zumaia & Getaria Villages Activity Level: 3 Coastal Saint James Way Hike Activity Level: 4 Travelers must have comfortable shoes. Walking sticks are recommended but not required. Return to San Sebastián is made by public bus. Free Time in San Sebastián Activity Level: 1

Today, your tour of Portugal and Spain comes to a close – all of the wonderful memories will truly be the best souvenirs.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Bilbao
Bilbao is a borough and the capital of the province of Biscay in northern Spain. Bilbao is situated in north central Spain 8.7 miles south of the Bay of Biscay. The borough of Bilbao was founded in the 14th century. Bilbao as a city was not an emerging tourist destination until the late 1990s with the inauguration of the Guggenheim Museum. Bilbao is also a popular destination for business tourism with its new conference and exhibition centers.