Spain & Portugal

The tour starts on Saturday 8 April at Barcelona Airport, with a transfer to our hotel. For those with flights organised by Academy Travel, you will depart Sydney International Airport on Friday 7 April.

The tour ends on Saturday 22 April with a coach transfer to Lisbon Airport for your return flight to Sydney, arriving on Sunday 23 April.

Flights depart Sydney for Barcelona.

Upon arriving in Barcelona, meet your Academy Travel tour manager for a coach transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a two-hour orientation tour of the neighbourhood, followed by a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Barcelona (D)

Enjoy a morning walking tour focusing on the work of preeminent modernist architect Antoni Gaudi. We’ll pay a visit to his iconic, unfinished Sagrada Família, an art nouveau masterpiece that incorporates natural forms. In the afternoon we travel by funicular to the top of Montjuic Hill to see the Olympic Stadium and the groundbreaking German Pavilion, designed by Mies van der Rohe. Overnight Barcelona (B)

We start the day by meeting with a local guide for a tour of the Picasso Museum, which houses over 4200 of the artist’s works in five adjoining medieval palaces. The afternoon is free to explore the markets, monuments, and street performers of Las Ramblas, the large boulevard that runs through the Barcelona city centre. Overnight Barcelona (B)

This morning we take the high-speed train to Madrid. Known for its elegant boulevards, large manicured parks, and rich repositories of European art, the central capital city of Spain is one of the world’s major global cities. Upon arrival we’ll take an afternoon walking tour, followed by dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Madrid (B, D)

Today we tour the Royal Palace of Madrid, the largest in Europe. Erected on the site of a Moorish fortress, the palace is an imposing hybrid of Baroque and Neoclassical architectural styles. It boasts a wealth of decorative items and fine art, including paintings by Caravaggio and de Goya and magnificent frescoes. The afternoon is free, with the option to visit the Prado Museum, which houses the world’s biggest and most important collection of Spanish paintings, along with impressive collections of other European masters. Overnight Madrid (B)

A morning coach transfer will take us on the five-hour trip to the charming city of Granada, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. In addition to its tapas and pomegranates, this Andalusian city is known for its narrow cobbled streets and cármenes, or Moorish-style houses. On arrival we’ll have an afternoon walking tour of the Old Quarter, the grand Cathedral and the Royal Chapel, where Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand are buried. In the evening we enjoy a Flamenco show and dinner. Overnight Granada (B, D)

We spend the morning with a local guide at the Alhambra Palace, a stunning monument of Islamic culture and one of the best-preserved palaces of Spain’s Moorish era. We’ll explore its beautiful gardens with their many fountains and reflecting pools, and admire the palace walls, carved with intricate Arabic inscriptions, geometric patterns and ornate arabesque designs. The afternoon and evening are free to explore. Overnight Granada (B)

We depart this morning for Seville, the capital of Andalusia in southern Spain. On the way, we’ll stop in Cordoba for a visit to the immense and unique La Mezquita, a mosque dating from 784 AD that became a Catholic cathedral in 1236. Climb the bell tower for fine panoramas, and stroll through the orange, palm and cypress trees of the entrance courtyard. Upon arrival in Seville, we’ll enjoy a walking tour followed by a traditional Spanish cooking class. Overnight Seville (B, D)

Today we begin with a visit to Seville landmarks like the Plaza de Espana, a large central square designed for the Ibero-American exhibition of 1929. Ringed by a canal and punctuated by a fountain, the square features 52 benches and tile mosaics that represent the 52 Spanish provinces. Next we’ll stroll through the colourful historic and artistic Santa Cruz district, the former Jewish quarter. Learn the tragic history of the Jews in Seville, and explore the beautiful buildings of the district, including several well-preserved palaces and a 17th-century hospital for priests that features ornate frescoes. Overnight Seville (B)

A private coach takes us across the border into Portugal, where we begin with a visit to the medieval walled city of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre characterised by unique whitewashed houses decorated with blue tiles and wrought iron balconies. We’ll explore the narrow streets of the historic town centre on foot, pausing to admire sights like the Roman Temple, one of the best-preserved Roman structures on the Iberian Peninsula. Undoubtedly, the town’s most famous monument is the macabre Chapel of Bones, the walls of which are covered with human skulls and bones, meant to serve as reminders of human mortality in the 16th century. In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner together in a local restaurant. Overnight Évora (B, D)

Today we depart for the coastal city of Porto, stopping en route to visit the Pena Palace, which sits high on a rocky outcrop in the Sintra Mountains. An exemplar of the 19th-century Romantic style, the palace offers a splash of vivid colours set against the lush green of the surrounding forest. Inside are sumptuously decorated staterooms, ornate windows and vaulted arches. In Porto this evening we’ll enjoy a port wine tasting with dinner. Overnight Porto (B, D)

We’ll begin with a walking tour of Porto’s narrow cobbled streets, followed by a relaxing cruise on the famous Douro River, which winds past port warehouses, scenic vineyards of ancient wine estates and other sights. The afternoon is free for further exploring. In the evening, we’ll gather for dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Porto (B, D)

Today it’s on to the capital city of Lisbon. We’ll begin our tour with a local guide for a visit to São Jorge Castle, a distinctive landmark located high on the hill above Lisbon. Eleven towers still stand, and ruins of older structures and a cistern occupy one of the courtyards. A small door called The Door of Treason on the north wall allowed secret messengers to slip in and out unseen. In addition, Jorge has one of the few remaining green spaces dominated by native Portuguese species like cork oak, olive, umbrella pine and carob. This evening we’ll enjoy dinner and a performance of the traditional Portuguese music known as fado. Overnight Lisbon (B, D)

This morning we tour two of Lisbon’s distinctive buildings, beginning with the 16th century Jerónimos Monastery. One of the best examples of the late Portuguese Gothic Manueline style, it’s known for its vaulted ceilings and beautiful decorative elements, including images from the Passion, botanical motifs and late medieval bestiary. We’ll also visit the Tower of Belem, also built in the 16th century as a fort, protecting Lisbon from raids along the Tagus River and marking the beginning of voyages for sailors. The afternoon is free to explore further and perhaps ride the famous trams. Overnight Lisbon (B)

After breakfast, we’ll get a coach transfer to Lisbon Airport for your flight to Sydney. (B)

Flights arrive Sydney in the late evening.

Hotels will be selected principally for their central location. Selected hotels to be advised.