Epic Cultural & Culinary Trip through Spain & Portugal - 10 Days

Highlights

• Hop around tapas bars in Madrid, and finish the night with Flamenco
• Visit a steelworks in Toledo, and learn how to make marzipan
• Eat your way around Lisbon's historic neighborhoods on foot
• Join a market tour and cooking class in Porto
• Take day trips to beautiful Sintra and the Douro Valley

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid (Spain), Flamenco & Tapas Night

Land in Spain's fiery capital city, check into your hotel, and venture out onto the streets. Find a local bar for your first vermouth in Madrid before joining a special Flamenco and tapas tour this evening. A local guide will lead the way, winding around three central historical and foodie neighborhoods: Los Austrias, the Literary Quarter, and La Latina. As you move from one iconic site to the next, you'll make three stops to taste tapas, completing what the locals call a tapear or tapeo. End the night with a Flamenco show and soak in the culture, history, and gastronomy of a brilliant first evening.

Day 2: Walking Tour of Madrid & Local Market Visit

Get to know Madrid on foot with a tour of the Spanish capital's loveliest and most emblematic places in the Habsburg district, the oldest part of the city, known in Spanish as El Madrid de Los Austrias. Admire striking buildings such as the Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace), the Cathedral, the main square of Plaza Mayor, and some hidden corners and mysteries of Madrid's old town. Stop for a drink in an authentic tavern and say farewell to your guide.

Madrid counts some 46 local markets within the city limits. Embark on a self-guided gastronomic adventure through a handful of mercados, seeing where people come to buy and sell fish, bread, and seasonal produce. Mercado de San Miguel is Madrid's most popular market turned gourmet food hall; Mercado Ildefonso has both market goods and tapas, plus a beautiful roof terrace; and Mercado San Antón is a very creative food market with three levels. Wandering market halls—some that have served the city since medieval times—is a great way to experience Spain's culture and living heritage.

Day 3: Day Trip to Toledo with Steelworks & Marzipan Factory Visits

Take a half-hour train ride to Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage city that was the capital of Spain in the 16th century. In the Middle Ages, Toledo was known as a city where Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities peacefully coexisted. You can see remnants of this in the old Arab, Muslim, and Christian monuments, including the 15th-century Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, the former Roman palace Alcázar de Toledo, and the Moorish Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca. An expert guide will show you these landmarks, plus the 13th-century Toledo Cathedral and the 12th-century Church of Santo Tomé.

Toledo is also famous for its steelwork and sweet marzipan. Visit the city's historic foundry where ancient blacksmiths forged the famous swords made from Toledo steel. The Roman general Hannibal used these in the Punic Wars and by the Christian armies in the Middle Ages during the reconquest of Spain from the Muslims. After, head to the outskirts of Toledo to a manor estate. Here you'll participate in a sweet workshop where, with the help of a master confectioner, you'll learn the history of traditional Toledan marzipan.

Day 4: Fly to Lisbon (Portugal), Culinary Walking Tour

Take a transfer to Madrid airport for your flight to Lisbon. On arrival, look for your driver and check into your central Lisbon hotel. Take a few moments to freshen up before hitting the colorful cobbled streets on a food and culture walking tour. Explore two of Lisbon's most ancient neighborhoods and step through time as you stroll from old 12th-century alleys into the bustling modern-day city. Along the way, sample authentic Portuguese dishes and learn about why the neighborhood of Mouraria is such a unique place, historically and today.

Use the rest of the day to explore the Portuguese capital at your own pace. Lisbon's markets give insights into the city's day-to-day rhythms. Each is a destination to meet the locals, shop for food and buy souvenirs. Each Tuesday and Saturday, the Feira da Ladra flea market is where everything from vintage clothing to quirky antiques is found. On Sundays, a trendy market pops up at the LX Factory with local artisans, makers, and vintage wares. For produce markets, try the city's biggest traditional market, the daily Mercado da Ribeira, and then visit the buzzing Time Out Market food hall next door.

Day 5: Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour & Free Time

Explore the "City of Seven Hills" in style today by electric tuk-tuk. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you'll zip through the charming capital's modern and historic districts, from Baixa's neoclassical avenues to Bohemian Bairro Alto's cobblestone alleys. Discover the city's fascinating history and hidden corners, and stop at stunning panoramic viewpoints such as São Pedro de Alcântara, Parque Eduardo VII, Senhora do Monte, and Santa Luzia.

Use the rest of the day to explore at your pace. You could visit Belém, a historic district of Lisbon that's home to the famous Belém Tower, the Jeronimos Monastery, and the Monument to the Discoveries. Shop for authentic Portuguese-made souvenirs in the elegant and fashionable neighborhood of Chiado. Explore the LX Factory, a cool industrial complex turned creative hub filled with art galleries, cafés, shops, and restaurants. Or seek out an evening fado show, Lisbon's traditional music genre known for its emotional lyrics and melancholy tunes.

Day 6: Day Trip to Sintra

UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sintra and its mystical hills, dotted with fairy-tale palaces and extravagant villas, have enchanted visitors for centuries. Here castles, palaces, and romantic gardens dot the landscape. This place inspired poets and writers, such as Lord Byron, and now it's your turn to fall in love.

More than a day trip, today you'll hike through amazing scenery up to the incredible Moorish Castle, which dates back to the eighth century, and admire the marvelous Pena Palace at the top of the mountain, a favorite of the region. This 6-mile (10 km) hike will venture through the dense forest and the exotic natural environment, discovering the best trails and places in this fascinating region.

Day 7: Train to Porto, Porto Tour

A private driver will transfer you to Lisboa Oriente train station. Before boarding the Alfa Pendular train service to Porto, stop to admire the brilliant transport hub designed by the world-famous Spanish/Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava. In around three hours, you'll reach Porto's Campanhã train station, where a private driver is waiting to whisk you away to your hotel in the city center. Check in, relax, and—when hunger strikes—find a spot for lunch in Portugal's second-biggest city.

Day 8: Porto Cooking Class & Market Visit

Visit the local market to meet the locals, see what's in season and pick up produce for your private cooking class with a top Portuguese chef. Your four-hour hands-on workshop starts with buying everything you need before diving into the traditional flavors and secrets of Portuguese cuisine. Discover unique cooking techniques that you can bring back home, and—of course—afterward, you'll sit down to taste everything you've created, paired with local wines and spirits.

Day 9: Day Trip to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Pack a day bag for a big day out. A private driver will transfer you from the city streets to the vineyards and valleys of the famous Douro Valley wine region. Thanks to your expert guide, spend the day visiting traditional wineries and learning about the region's fascinating UNESCO-protected wine heritage. After a wine tasting at a magnificent vineyard, enjoy a traditional lunch at one of the valley's famous quintas (estates).

After lunch, it's time to hop aboard a traditional wine boat for an hourlong cruise down the tranquil Douro River. Relax and admire the beautiful scenery of the valley, where the vines roll down to the riverbank while sipping on a glass of port wine. At the end of the day, return to Porto, where you can spend your final evening at leisure.

Day 10: Depart Porto

It's time to say goodbye to Portugal! At the designated time, a private driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels! 

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