Southern Europe: 3 Countries – Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar (12-Day Tour)

Take a luxury flight to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Enjoy fine meals on board.

After arrival, take a private coach tour to visit famous landmarks such as the Monument to the Discoveries, Belém Tower, and the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery. Then, travel by coach for a close-up (not just a distant view) of the Cristo Rei (Christ the King) and the 25th of April Bridge. Visit the oldest and most famous bakery to taste the authentic Portuguese custard tart. Pass by Rossio Square, Avenida da Liberdade, and Praça do Comércio. Dinner includes Portuguese-style grilled chicken (with wine included).

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Hotel or equivalent (2 consecutive nights at the same hotel).

After breakfast, drive to Óbidos, the ancient royal town of Portugal, once the territory of successive queens. The castle walls and Baroque-style cathedral are exceptionally well-preserved. Continue on to Fátima, the Catholic pilgrimage site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared multiple times. A basilica was built at the site of the apparitions in 1928, and since then countless devotees have journeyed here to worship, a true testament to their faith. Lunch at a famous restaurant to savor Portugal’s signature dish – Bacalhau (salted cod).

In the afternoon, head to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. Here, besides enjoying the breathtaking Atlantic views, visitors may also purchase a commemorative certificate marking their visit to Europe’s westernmost edge. Later, proceed to the seaside resort town of Cascais. Once a fishing village, it later became the site of royal villas and is now a popular coastal tourist destination. After dinner, check in at the Holiday Inn Hotel or equivalent.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Seville. After lunch, enjoy a city tour including the Seville Cathedral, the only Catholic cathedral in the world with an Islamic minaret incorporated into its structure — the famous Giralda Tower. Visit the landmark María Luisa Park, site of the 1992 Expo. At Plaza de España, admire the vividly colored ceramic tilework, intricately crafted to depict provincial coats of arms and historical scenes. In the evening, you may opt (at your own expense) to enjoy a Flamenco music and dance performance with dinner — a spectacular show not to be missed.

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn or equivalent.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the famous British territory of Gibraltar. For lunch, enjoy traditional English fish and chips. After the meal, visit the Battery Park, where you can enjoy distant views of the North African coast. Continue to the ancient fortress and explore St. Michael’s Cave. Then ascend the Rock of Gibraltar to take in the sweeping views of the strait. Afterwards, head to the Costa del Sol seaside area. Dinner included, followed by an overnight stay at TRH Hotel or equivalent.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Córdoba to visit the Mosque–Cathedral, which not only contains a Christian chapel but also features 850 agate, jasper, marble, and granite columns arranged like a labyrinth. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, take photos in the old town or enjoy shopping along the pedestrian streets. For lunch, savor the city’s most famous dish — oxtail stew braised in red wine. After lunch, drive to the thousand-year-old city of Granada, a city rich in Moorish cultural heritage. Visit the Alhambra Palace and its royal gardens. In the evening, enjoy a tapas dinner before checking in at AC Hotel or equivalent.

After breakfast at the hotel, head to Consuegra, the village of white windmills featured in Cervantes’ world-famous novel Don Quixote. The iconic white windmills and the charming scenery of Castilla-La Mancha will unfold before your eyes. Continue to the ancient city of Toledo, where the splendid Toledo Cathedral houses three volumes of the Bible in its Treasury Room. Afterwards, proceed to the Spanish capital, Madrid.

Accommodation: Marriott Auditorium Hotel or equivalent (2 consecutive nights at the same hotel).

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Segovia to visit the Roman aqueduct, one of the best-preserved Roman-style structures in Europe, built of granite and stretching 728 meters long. Highlights also include the Alcázar of Segovia and the magnificent cathedral. The street between the aqueduct and the cathedral is lined with shops, making it an excellent place to buy souvenirs. For lunch, savor Spain’s famous roast suckling pig. Afterwards, begin a sightseeing tour of Madrid, Royal Palace (optional tour) and visiting Plaza de Colón, Plaza de Cibeles, and Plaza de España. Dinner included.

Accommodation: Marriott Auditorium Hotel or equivalent.

After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city. Visit the old town, including the famous Valencia Cathedral, which houses the Holy Grail believed to have been used by Jesus at the Last Supper. Afterwards, tour the stunning City of Arts and Sciences, an architectural masterpiece blending science and art. Dinner included.

Accommodation: Senator Hotel or equivalent.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Montserrat, one of Europe’s most renowned pilgrimage sites, located amidst the spectacular rocky peaks of Catalonia. According to tradition, the Holy Cave was visited by the Virgin Mary, who is said to have appeared here multiple times. Today, the site houses a revered wooden statue of the Black Madonna. The world-famous boys’ choir also performs here, their voices echoing through the mountains — a truly breathtaking experience. Afterwards, drive along the scenic Mediterranean coastline to Barcelona.

Accommodation: Melia Hotel Barcelona or equivalent (2 consecutive nights at the same hotel).

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the masterpiece of Spain’s great architect Antoni Gaudí — the Sagrada Família Basilica. Later, drive up Montjuïc Hill, site of the 1992 Olympic Games, to enjoy panoramic views of Barcelona’s harbor. Also visit the monument to the great navigator Christopher Columbus. After lunch, continue to another Gaudí masterpiece — Park Güell (entrance and guided tour included), where the uniquely designed colonnades, wave-shaped corridors, and market square showcase his unparalleled creativity. Afterwards, stroll along La Rambla for free time to shop in boutiques or department stores.

Accommodation: Melia Hotel Barcelona or equivalent.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport and take your flight back to Toronto.