Spain & Portugal for Second Timers: Aveiro Madeira Nerja

A country with much to discover, Portugal will delight you with its forgotten towns, hidden beaches, and splendid wine country. You will arrive in the city of Aveiro, which is Portugal’s charming version of Venice and where you will be met by your private driver at the airport’s baggage claim. You will be transferred to your luxurious accommodation that was formerly an intricate palace. Today, you will have the wonderful opportunity to glide through the charming canals that crisscross through the city in a private Moliceiro. These are long, narrow, and colorful boats that were traditionally rowed along Aveiro’s canals. On your leisurely ride, you will float through the entire city, finding yourself entirely enchanted by the colorful buildings and charming streets.

Today, you will be guided on a tour through Aveiro’s most noteworthy sites, including the city’s most charming neighborhoods and the famed Monastery of Jesus, which boasts an impressive collection of religious art. You will stroll through the area that is lined with stunning houses in the Art Nouveau style. In the afternoon, you will be led to the nearby Atlantic Coast, where you will delight in exploring the lively seaside village of Costa Nova. Here, you will have the chance to savor the freshest seafood, such as fresh shrimp and crab that have just been pulled from the water.

Today, you will rise early for your transfer to the airport. You will fly directly to the tropical Portuguese island of Madeira, which is located off the western coast of Africa. Upon your arrival in Madeira, you will be met by your driver at baggage claim for a private transfer to your luxurious accommodation in the heart of Funchal, Madeira's capital city. Once you have had ample time to get settled, you will meet your tour guide in the lobby to begin your private tour of Funchal. In the afternoon, you will delight in a scenic trek along the coast, and, finally, you will be able to appreciate the magnificent views over Madeira’s eastern shore at the Ponta de Sao Lourenço lookout point.

This morning, you will meet your private guide in the hotel lobby to begin your day of exploration. Beginning with the black volcanic sand beaches of Funchal, you will enjoy a stroll along the water as you bask in the sun at your leisure. You will then be transferred to Porto Santo Island to enjoy the golden sand beaches of Madeira’s eclectic archipelago. Here, you can spend the day snorkeling, scuba diving, or relaxing on this dream of a Portuguese Island. This evening, you will attend a live Fado show, which will be accompanied by a Portuguese dinner with a local wine pairing.

Today, you will transfer to Madeira’s infamous wine region. During your transfer, you will be stunned by the terraced vineyards that are set to the backdrop of breathtaking mountains and cliffs. On your tour, you will have the opportunity to explore the famed Madeira wine cellars, to learn about the intricacies of the winemaking process from the local vintners, and to sample wine that is more than 500 years old. After lunch, your tour will continue along the northern coast of the island, where you will have the opportunity to visit several of the more modern wineries of Madeira. Finally, you will delight in a pairing of locally made chocolate and Madeira wine before learning a bit about the history of the region.

This morning, you transfer to the airport and fly to Spain’s southern coast, where you will arrive in Malaga’s international airport and be transferred to the beach town of Nerja. Upon your arrival in Nerja, you will be escorted to your luxurious accommodations, with suites that overlook the Mediterranean Sea. Once you have had time to settle in, you will meet your private guide in the hotel lobby for a tour of Nerja’s charming town. When you are ready, you can luxuriate at one of Nerja’s many gorgeous beaches and admire the stunning scenery that imbues Spain’s southern coast. You can spend the day swimming, snorkeling, and diving in the waters of the sea, and in the evening, you will be transferred to the nearby town of Frigiliana to enjoy a lovely dinner of Spanish tapas.

After breakfast, you will meet your private guide in your hotel lobby for your transfer to the local marina, where you will board a private yacht that will be all yours for the day. You will spend the morning cruising around the shores of Nerja and delighting in the marvelous views of the Mediterranean and its stunning cliffs. For lunch, your boat will anchor, and you will delight in a wonderful Spanish meal that will be prepared by the yacht’s gourmet chef. As your day presses on, you will have the opportunity to snorkel and scuba dive in the Mediterranean. As the afternoon begins to fade, you and your travel companions will delight in watching the spectacular sunset from the yacht before returning to the shores of Nerja.

You will be transferred to Madrid this morning, and, upon your arrival in the Spanish capital, you will be escorted to your luxurious accommodation in the heart of the city. Once you have had a moment to freshen up, you will meet your expert guide in the lobby for your transfer to the city of Salamanca. You will enjoy an exclusive tour of this incredible city, where you will delight in the charming sandstone buildings and cultural heritage that was born from many generations of conquest. Once your tour has concluded, you will be transferred back to Madrid, where you can spend the remainder of the evening at your leisure.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will meet your guide in the lobby for a transfer to Segovia, which is another one of Madrid’s nearby towns. You will spend the day touring this unique ancient city and uncovering secrets that have been left by thousands of years of history. During your tour, you will discover the fascinating history behind the city’s Roman aqueduct before indulging in another tour through the old Jewish Quarter and the marvelous cathedral. In the afternoon, you will be transferred back to Madrid. This evening, you will have the incredible opportunity to attend a traditional Flamenco show that will be accompanied by a gourmet dinner and a world-class wine pairing.

Today, you will have your final breakfast in Spain. You will meet your guide in the hotel lobby one last time to enjoy your final tour of Madrid. Your guide will lead you to the spectacular Temple of Debod, which is an ancient Egyptian temple that was transported and then reconstructed in the heart of Madrid. You will enjoy the serenity and peace of the morning as you reminisce about your wonderful trip thus far. Shortly after, you will return to your hotel to gather your things and meet your private driver in the lobby for your airport transfer home.