Exploring Iberia: Southern Spain to Coastal Portugal

Enjoy a true taste of the Iberian Peninsula. Your tour begins with an overnight flight.
Hotel Name: NH Hotel

Welcome to Málaga, a city known for its Andalusian lifestyle and the birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome reception.

Visit Area: Málaga
The birthplace of Picasso, Málaga is a vibrant port city radiating with energy, passion and culture. The city has gone through somewhat of a transformation, and now this little metropolis is thriving with new art galleries, Michelin-star restaurants and high fashion boutiques. And, when you explore the compact streets, you’ll see how architecture blends old and new as you venture from the Pompidou Centre to a Moorish fortress.

Discover the port city of Málaga with a local guide. Walk through the colorful market stalls and learn about the history and culture of this seaside community. Meet a local from the Sepulcro Brotherhood to learn about the importance of the religious brotherhoods to the local culture. Then, stop at a local bodega bar to sample some tapas. Then it’s your choice! Venture into the Alcazaba and get to know the fortified palace -OR- enter the Picasso Museum, where you’ll see paintings by this iconic artist who called Málaga his first home.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Choice on Tour: Málaga Alcazaba or Picasso Museum
While in Málaga, you will have the choice between two activities. First, you can choose to do a difficult, but immersive walk as you venture into the Málaga Alcazaba. The fortified palace is perfectly adapted to the contours of the land, and takes maximum advantage of the elevation of a hill. For your second choice, you can decide to end your morning with entry to the Picasso Museum. You’ll see more than 200 works highlighting the different styles, materials, and techniques used by the artist who called Málaga his first home. Málaga Alcazaba - NEO Day 2 Activity Level: 3 Led by a local guide. This option requires walking 2 miles including big, steep hills and walking on cobblestone and uneven streets. Picasso Museum - NEO Day 2 Activity Level: 1 Travelers will have their own audio-guided visit, at their own pace.

Today travel to Granada, the last capital of the Moors in Spain before it fell to the Catholic monarchs in 1492. Spend the morning with a local expert visiting the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s known as one of the Wonders of the Muslim World. After your extensive morning walk at this centuries-old palace and fortress complex, enjoy some free time in Granada for lunch on your own. Later, return to your hotel to spend the evening as you please.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: White Villages of Andalusia

Journey to the picturesque white villages of Andalusia. Frigiliana, considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in the region, will make you feel as though you have stepped back in time. Take in its whitewashed houses and historical sites while walking through the narrow cobblestone streets. Travel to the town of Nerja and explore its famous caves, home to one of the world’s largest stalactites. In Nerja, visit the Balcón de Europa, a balcony in the center of town with stunning views of the sea. Return to Málaga where you can choose to join your Tour Manager on a sunset marina stroll with a sweet surprise — the perfect way to say goodbye to Málaga.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: H10 Palacio Colomera

Admittance: The Alhambra
The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. The first palace on the site was built in the 11th century and in the 12th and 13th century a fortress-complex palace was built. It is a vast complex, comprised of many structures. The Alhambra is part fortress, part palace, part garden and part government city. Many visitors come to Grenada specifically just to visit and see the Alhambra.

Next stop: Ronda, a historic town perched upon a cliff in Andalusia. Explore the Old Town full of twisting narrow streets, the 18th-century Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) over the El Tajo gorge, and La Alameda Park with its panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. During your walking tour, get the local perspective on the often-debated topic of bullfighting in this city rich with the history surrounding these contests. Complete your tour of Ronda and be welcomed into a local’s home for a home-hosted lunch. Arrive in Cordoba and end your day with a walk as sunset arrives.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included

Visit Area: Ronda
Ronda is considered to be one of the oldest kept cities in Spain dating back to the Neolithic period. Two pieces of architecture represent the history of Ronda perfectly; the New Bridge and the bullring of the Royal Cavalry Order of Ronda. The New Bridge built in the mid 1700s allowed for the development of the city as it linked the old city with the new neighborhoods, providing the capability for Ronda to sustain itself and grow, as its location a little less than 2,500 feet above sea level made this a little more difficult in previous times. The Plaza de Toros, bullfighting ring, was inaugurated in 1785 and is considered to be one of the oldest throughout Spain. Some of the greatest matadors (bullfighters) of Spain were a product of the school of bullfighting, including Pedro Romero and Antonio Ordóñez.

Begin your day immersing yourself in the culture of Cordoba when you admire the rows of patios* filled with colorful flowers and plants. Meet with a local to discuss the tradition and importance of these bountiful displays. Later, tour the magnificent Mezquita (UNESCO). Originally built as a mosque, it was converted into the city’s cathedral when the Christians conquered the region in 1236. End your afternoon with a visit to a family-run bull ranch to see life on the farm and learn about the care of these animals.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: H10 Casa de la Plata

Visit Area: Córdoba
Córdoba is located in Andalucía, southern Spain, and is the capital of the province of Córdoba. This city has an interesting history full of many diverse cultures and was the capital of a Roman province, the capital of an Arab State and a form of an Islamic government. It has the second largest old town in Europe, featuring Roman architecture, including a Roman bridge, as well as several Islamic and Jewish mosques.

Your taste of the local culture continues today. Head to an award-winning olive grove and learn about this family-owned business. Try their unique olive oil during lunch before departing for Seville, Spain’s “cultural capital.” Once you arrive, get acquainted with Seville on a panoramic city tour featuring the famous Bull Ring, Torre de Oro, Plaza de Espana, and Maria Luisa Park. This evening, take in sweeping views of Seville from atop the Mirador Setas viewpoint. After you’ve worked up your appetite, you’ll sit down to dinner at a trendy local restaurant.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: La Mezquita

In Seville, it’s your choice! Take a walking tour of the quaint Santa Cruz Quarter with its cascading bright flowers, whitewashed buildings, and winding streets -OR- take a horse and carriage ride through Plaza de España and Maria Luisa Park – one of the loveliest parks in all of Europe. Then, discover the magnificent Seville Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. View the ornate architecture of the cathedral and see Christopher Columbus’ tomb. Later this afternoon, during an Impact Moment, participate in a flamenco lesson at Fundacion Cristina Heeren de Arte Flamenco. This is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the art of flamenco in Spain and internationally. After your lesson, enjoy a traditional flamenco performance.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Vila Gale Collection Palácio Dos Arcos, Oeiras, Portuguese Riviera

Admittance: Home Hosted Lunch

Say adios to Spain and travel through the Portuguese countryside to Estremoz – a historic town whose marble can be found in Portuguese monuments throughout the country. After a lunch full of local flavor, continue on to the Portuguese Riviera, the picturesque region situated along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy an evening at leisure to do as you please.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included

Admittance: Seville Cathedral

Olá Lisboa! It’s time to get to know Europe’s second oldest capital city. Start in Belém, home to many of Lisbon’s most iconic sites. After viewing the impressive Jeronimos Monastery (UNESCO) facade, embark on a unique panoramic city tour. Hop on to one of Lisbon’s iconic trams taking you through the postcard-worthy streets of the hilly city. Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day to explore independently. This evening, you may choose to join an optional experience to see local artists perform traditional fado music (UNESCO).

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Choice on Tour: Santa Cruz Walking Tour or Seville Horse & Carriage Ride
Today in Seville, you have the choice between two activities. Your first option is to join a local expert and take a walking tour of the quaint Santa Cruz Quarter with its cascading bright flowers, whitewashed buildings and winding streets. Your second option is to take a horse and carriage ride to see Plaza de España and Maria Luisa Park, one of the loveliest parks in all of Europe. Historic Santa Cruz Walking Tour - NEO Day 8 Activity Level: 3 Travelers must be able to walk for approximately 2 hours and should be able to walk on cobblestone. Seville Horse & Carriage Ride Activity Level: 1

Head to the town of Sintra (UNESCO), a favorite summer residence of Portuguese kings for six centuries. Explore the Quinta da Regaleira, a 20th-century palace with an elaborate gothic façade and beautiful gardens. Then stop at a local bakery and indulge in a local pastry before enjoying some time on your own to discover this storybook town. Tonight, toast to a wonderful trip with your fellow travelers during a farewell dinner featuring savory Portuguese favorites.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Estremoz

This cultural deep dive into Spain and Portugal comes to a close today.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Portuguese Riviera
The Riviera stretches from Lisbon and Cascais. The coastline has become a place where the elite vacation between September and October, and a popular tourist destination for its chic look. Removed from the city, the Lisbon coastline is easy access to all the culture that Lisbon offers. It has become a major hotspot for major international celebrities from the world of fashion, sport, and entertainment. The Riviera is also known for is world class conditions for surfing.