Culture in December: Winter Spain and Portugal History Tour

You will arrive at the international airport in Lisbon, and your driver will transfer you to your luxurious accommodation. Upon your arrival at your hotel, you will have some time to freshen up before beginning your first official tour of Lisbon. Your guide will lead you to the heart of the city, where you will attend a Fado performance and enjoy an authentic Portuguese meal and wine pairing. After this intimate experience, the rest of the evening will be yours to enjoy however you see fit.

This morning, you will embark on a full day of exploring Lisbon. Your day will begin with a private tour of the city’s top sites, markets, and neighborhoods. Some of the popular sites that you will see on today’s tour include the Alfama neighborhood, São Jorge Castle, one of Portugal’s top bakeries. At the bakery, you can sample pastel de nata, which are delicious egg tarts with a soft center. Afterward, your guide will lead you to the infamous Time Out Market Lisbon. Here, you can sample the finest cuisine crafted by Portugal’s most highly regarded chefs. In the evening, you will explore the festive Christmas market in the heart of the city.

This morning, you will transfer to Sintra. A city that is renowned throughout Portugal as a hub for royal family retreats, Sintra is sure to intrigue you with its fascinating history and culture. Upon your arrival, you will stroll through the medieval streets of Sintra’s Old Centre to the iconic Pena Palace. At the palace, a private tour will allow you to witness spectacular views of Sintra. Afterward, you will be led on a leisurely trek to Cabo da Roca. As the evening begins to fall, you will return to Lisbon.

This morning, you will fly to the city of Granada. Upon your arrival, your driver will greet and transfer you to your centrally located accommodation. When you are ready, your guide will lead you on a private tour of the Alhambra. As you stroll through the winding corridors of this stunning palace and fortress complex, you may feel yourself traveling back in time to an era of Moorish rule. You will then have some time to explore on your own before exiting to the marvelous Generalife Gardens. From there, you will be guided to the Muslim Quarter of the city. Lastly, your guide will lead you to Granada’s remarkable Christmas market for a festive evening.

After breakfast, you will indulge in a private tour of some of the city’s other noteworthy sites. Some of these sites include the Granada Cathedral and the Arabian baths, which are also known as Hammams. Here, you can spend several hours luxuriating in the pleasant waters of these intricately patterned baths. Perhaps, you will elect to partake in one of the phenomenal massages or spa treatments for which the baths are renowned. In the evening, you will attend a flamenco show that will be accompanied by a gourmet spread of regional tapas.

This morning, you will transfer to Seville, which is the capital city of Spain’s Andalusia region. Your time in Seville will begin with a private tour of the Royal Alcazar. From the Alcazar, you will be led to the spectacular Seville Cathedral in the heart of the city. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the burial site of Christopher Columbus and is attached to the La Giralda bell tower. In the afternoon, you will arrive at the brilliant Plaza de España. You can then stroll through the adjoining Maria Luisa Park at your leisure before returning to Granada.

Today you will transfer to Madrid via high-speed train. Upon your arrival, your driver will greet and transfer you to your luxury accommodation. When you are ready, you will embark on a private tour of the city. As each tour is specifically curated to each guest’s interests, you can choose which tour of one of Spain’s most distinguished museums you would like to take. You can choose the Thyssen, Prado, or Reina Sofia museums. After your museum tour has concluded, you will spend the next several hours exploring Madrid on your own. In the evening, you will embark on a tapas crawl through the city.

This morning you will transfer to the city of Salamanca. Historically renowned throughout Europe as an intellectual hub, Salamanca hosts Spain’s oldest university. Upon your arrival, you will be provided with a private tour of the university, which attracts an impressive amount of international students from across the world. In the evening, you will return to Madrid to visit the city’s Christmas market, which is easily the most festive holiday market in the country.

This morning, your guide will lead you on a private tour of the city’s top sites and neighborhoods. You will begin at the spectacular Parque del Retiro in the heart of the city, and you will be able to spend hours here. From the park, you will transfer to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and the Mercado San Miguel. At the market, you can sample a variety of Spanish tapas. Afterward, you will head to the trendy neighborhood of Malasaña, where you will be enamored with the Bohemian shops, cafes, and terraces that fill the area.

Today, you will enjoy your final breakfast in Spain, and you can spend the morning exploring Madrid at your leisure. Soon, you will have to transfer to the airport for your flight home.