Highlights of Spain and Portugal
with Mariangela Carozzi
Fall 2025

Welcome to Barcelona! When you arrive, a Wherever Tours representative will be there to greet you. You will then board a luxury coach and be transferred to your hotel. Most flights arrive in the early morning, and your room may not be ready at that time. In such a case, you can leave your luggage with the concierge, and your Tour Leader will provide suggestions for you to begin exploring the city on your own. Your tour will start at 6 PM that evening, with an orientation meeting, followed by a lovely party complete with dinner and wine!

Today, begin with a drive along the Old Harbor to the Plaza Catalunya, the city's bustling main square. Pass the famous works of Antoni Gaudi, the master architect, including the Casa Batlló seemingly constructed from skulls and bones. Continue on to view the colossal Sagrada Familia. Designed by Gaudi, it is the most iconic symbol of Barcelona. Afterwards, visit Park Guell another of Gaudi's many masterpieces, and finally visit Montjuic Hill, site of the 1992 summer olympics. Tonight, a special dinner with wine!

After breakfast, you will drive to the outskirts of Barcelona to the Cava Region and a visit to a well-known winery for a tour of the vineyard. You will have a chance to sample the different wine and to enjoy a nice lunch (with wine, of course). Upon returning to the hotel in Barcelona, your afternoon is free to shop and explore. Dinner tonight is at your leisure.

Today, we will head along the Mediterranean coast to Valencia. Along the way, we will stop to visit to the fortified city of Peñiscola. We will visit the imposing castle, built by the Knights Templar. You'll have free time for lunch.
Then we continue to the city of Valencia known for its oranges and citrus fruits. There are few cities like Valencia that are able to combine remnants of its past, dating back to 138 BC, with innovative and avant-garde buildings from the new millennium, the City of Arts and Sciences. This evening we will learn how to prepare "Paella Valenciana", the popular regional dish, in the city where it was created. This will be a not only be a cooking show, this will be your dinner for the evening, with great local wine, of course.

Today, take a city tour of Valencia. Hear tales about "El Cid," Spain's national hero who fought here against the Moors. Discover this treasure of Roman and Arabic architecture before continuing to the gates of the city, City Hall, and the Gothic cathedral. Arrive at the dramatic Arts and Science City, an outstanding scientific and cultural complex with futuristic architecture, designed by local architect Santiago Calatrava. Tonight, dinner with your tour group...wine included.

Today's drive, takes you from Valencia to Granada. The highlight of your sightseeing is a visit to the 13th century Alhambra, one of Spain's most celebrated monuments. This imposing hilltop fortress, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the finest examples of Moorish art and architecture. Walk along the lanes of the fragrant Generalife Gardens, with its beautifully designed courtyards, waterfalls, ponds and views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Tonight, dinner with wine is included.

Before heading to Seville, discover the Albaicin district and the Royal Chapel where Ferdinand and Isabella are buried. Later in the day, we will arrive in Seville, a great city with a fascinating history. Upon arrival, you will have the rest of the day at your leisure to shop and explore. Your tour director will make some suggestions to enhance your experience for the remainder of the day.

Begin your day by visiting the beautiful Plaza de España and the fragrant gardens of Maria Luisa Park, followed by a walking tour. The tour will take you to the charming Barrio Santa Cruz, which used to be the Jewish Quarter of the city, with its winding cobblestone streets. After that, you can visit the Cathedral of Seville, which is known as the legendary burial site of Christopher Columbus.
Tonight, enjoy an included dinner with wine and experience a traditional Andalusian Flamenco show.

Today, we will cross the border from Spain into Portugal, arriving in Lisbon. This beautiful city is built on a series of hills, providing stunning views from every angle. Tonight, we will enjoy a relaxing dinner featuring traditional Portuguese cuisine and Vinho Verde, a refreshing green wine.

After breakfast, our tour of Lisbon begins with a stop at the top of Edward VII Park, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the hills of Lisbon and the River Tagus. Next, we'll visit the treasured 16th-century Belém Tower, a monument to Portugal's Age of Discovery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll also see Jerónimos Monastery, which serves as an impressive symbol of the country's power and wealth, as well as the resting place of explorer Vasco da Gama. After the guided portion of the tour, you can enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Your tour director can recommend some activities for the remainder of the day.

After breakfast, we'll visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Sintra & Cascais. First, discover the fairy town of Sintra considered to be one of the most romantic villages of Portugal. There will be time for shopping in the charming streets and shops. Then, a short drive will take us to Cascais, once an holiday destination for the Portuguese royal family, and world's monarchies, and later a regular meeting place for spies. After some free time, we head back to the hotel to freshen up for the last supper of our tour.
Later, we will travel to one of Lisbon's oldest districts to enjoy a traditional dinner with wine. We will be served Portuguese favorites and entertained by soulful Fado singers. It's going to be an unforgettable experience!

It's time to say goodbye! We'll tranfer to the airport for our return home, or to continue our onward journey. Until next time!