Discover Spain & Portugal by Rail
Experience Overview
Embrace the backpacker spirit on an extra-special cultural adventure through Spain and Portugal. Using the excellent rail network, we explore the landmarks of Madrid, Seville, Lisbon and Porto. There’s also time to tour Faro and the university city of Coimbra and take a scenic boat ride along the Douro River. With the train seats prebooked and an expert tour leader managing the schedule, you only need to worry about soaking up the culture and sharing the adventure with your small group of like-minded travellers.
Profile
— Accommodation: 10 Classic nights (hotels) — Group normally 6 to 16 plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Option to travel by train to your adventure
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 10 Classic nights (hotels) — Group normally 6 to 16 plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Option to travel by train to your adventure
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Luggage: We highly recommend you bring a backpack for your main luggage rather than a suitcase as we will be getting on and off trains and walking to and from the hotels.
Itinerary: Due to variable train schedules, your tour leader may have to amend the timings of some activities.
Group Description
There is an expert tour leader with a group of six to 16 people.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts and one lunch are included.
Vegetarians: While a meat-and-fish diet is the norm in Spain, many vegetarians have not experienced any problems here. However, the choice of vegetarian and vegan meals may not be as extensive as you are used to.
Mealtimes in Spain and Portugal are later than in many other countries; dinner is usually taken between 9pm and 9.30pm.
Transportation
We travel from city to city by train. Transfers to/from the train stations are either done on foot or, if you need, by public transport (additional cost). We also take a coach from Seville, Spain, to Faro, Portugal. Airport transfers are in a private vehicle.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Gran Legazpi, P.º de la Chopera, 71, BAJO, Arganzuela, 28045 Madrid
Phone: +34 618 38 30 53
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Madrid Airport (MAD)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for those booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
Seasons are marked, with pleasant temperatures in the spring, summer and autumn. Heatwaves can hit between mid-June and September. In April and October, expect temperatures around 5C-25C (41F-77F). May, June and September are typically sunny and warm with temperatures of 10C-30C (50F-86F).
Spending Money
Allow approximately €50 per day for meals, coffees and other drinks; however, this depends on which restaurants you choose.
Tipping
Although optional, a tip for the tour leader at the end of the trip is greatly appreciated. As a guideline we recommend a contribution between €30 and €35 per person in total.
Highlights
— Visit Spain and Portugal's greatest cities using the excellent train network — Get to the soul of Madrid, visiting areas normally missed by most tourists — Watch a flamenco show in Seville, the birthplace of the artform — Discover the landmarks of Lisbon by tram and metro — Visit Coimbra University, one of the oldest in Europe — Explore Porto and cruise along the Douro River
Trip Details
Product Code: 31125
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: vehicle.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: ASP
Starts: Madrid, Lisbon
Finishes: Madrid, Lisbon
Duration: 11 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
— All breakfasts, one lunch — All accommodation — Airport transfersAccommodation
Locally owned hotelsWe have chosen small, locally owned hotels for this adventure, which are generally well positioned for exploring the city. See the normal accommodations used on the day-to-day itinerary,
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,700 ($518 /day)
Itinerary
Say hola to Madrid, where our adventure kicks off. The excitement starts with a welcoming briefing, before a walking tour of the capital, which visits highlights including the Plaza Mayor and Palacio Real. In the evening, the group typically gathers for dinner. It’s a great chance to get to know each other better and quiz the tour leader on the local lingo and customs in a relaxed setting. Accommodation: Hotel Gran Legazpi (or similar)
Explore the soul of the city on a three-hour tour, visiting areas we did not see yesterday, such as El Retiro Park (a World Heritage site home to 15,000 trees, monuments, and gardens) and neighbourhoods normally missed by most visitors, such as arty Chueca and trendy Malasaña. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. For world-leading culture, consider visiting the Museo del Prado, Spain’s national art museum, or the Museo Reina Sofia, where you can see Picasso’s masterpiece, Guernica. In the evening, the tour leader takes us hopping around the tapas bars, in which you can taste great food (purchased locally) and soak up the atmosphere as the madrileños do. Accommodation: Hotel Gran Legazpi (or similar)
Enjoy our first train ride of the trip today, travelling 2hr 50min to Seville station. Upon arrival, either walk to the hotel (25 minutes) or go by public transport (additional cost). After check in, we explore the city. Walk through the Jewish Quarter with its narrow streets towards River Guadalquivir, where we can see the Triana neighbourhood and Torre del Oro where gold-filled boats arrived from the American colonies during the Spanish empire. This evening, we attend a flamenco show at Museo del Baile Flamenco – Seville is known as the birthplace of flamenco after all. Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Giralda (or similar)
Venture into the capital of Andalucia today to visit the highlights, including the Royal Alcazar palace, one of the most beautiful examples of Muslim architecture and art in Spain. We also enter Seville Cathedral, the largest gothic church in the world. Finally, we head to Plaza de España in Parque de María Luisa. Built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition 1929, it displays a magnificent collection of architectural styles. Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Giralda (or similar)
Bid adios to Spain and olá to Portugal, as we take a coach transfer (2hr 35min) to Faro. Guided by the tour leader, enjoy an afternoon exploring the seafront promenade, a great spot for lunch, and walk along under the old city walls and around the beautiful old town (Cidade Vela). Accommodation: Hotel Faro Boutique (or similar)
Catch the train (3hr 15min) to Lisbon today, the trendy capital of Portugal. The hotel is a five-minute walk from the station. In the afternoon, we have a two-hour exploration of the Baixa district, home to old neighbourhoods, colourful architecture, old-fashioned trams, delicious food and a rich history. Accommodation: Hotel Gat Rossio (or similar)
Discover the capital more today, making use of the tram and metro network. We see the magnificent Jeronimos Monastery (entrance not included and subject to availability) and sip coffee at the original pasteis de Belem factory, which was founded in 1837 and still follows a secret recipe from Jeronimos Monastery. The afternoon has been left free for you to independently explore the city, where you can walk the streets of Barrio Alto or head to the Alfama District to see the castle and viewpoints over the Tagus river. Accommodation: Hotel Gat Rossio (or similar)
It’s back on the rails today as we travel (1hr 40min) to the riverfront city of Coimbra, once the capital of Portugal. Here, we visit Coimbra University; founded in 1290, it is one of the oldest universities in Europe and now a World Heritage site. We also visit the 18th-century Biblioteca Joanina (entrance not included), which is considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Coimbra (or similar)
Continue the adventure by taking a train (three hours) to Porto, our final destination. After hotel check-in, we enjoy a walking tour of the city highlights, including the Clerigos Tower and Aliados Square. We then enjoy sunset at the popular Miradouro do Jardim do Morro, a scenic viewpoint overlooking the historic centre, Ribeira district and river. Accommodation: Legendary Oporto (or similar)
Take the train (1hr 45min) to Regua, a journey alongside the Douro River. After, we board a boat for a scenic cruise along the waterway, admiring views of the terraced vineyard hills. The six-hour journey includes lunch on board and a visit to the wine town of Pinhão. We then return to Regua where we catch the train back to Porto. Accommodation: Legendary Oporto (or similar)
The trip ends in Porto after breakfast. If you’d like a little more time to explore this fascinating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
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