PACKAGE DETAILS
Spain & Portugal Discovery
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OVERVIEW
Solos Only
Spain & Portugal Solo Travel Tours
Spain and Portugal are at their best when shared in a small group with other solo travellers. You don’t need a travel buddy to go.
We begin with three nights in Barcelona, including a day trip to Girona and Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dalí. A high-speed train then takes us south to Córdoba and the remains of Medina Azahara, a 10th-century palace-city. Across Andalusia, we visit the Alhambra in Granada, Ronda and a family-owned olive grove at Zahara de la Sierra, taste sherry in Jerez de la Frontera and finish in Seville.
Crossing into Portugal, we stop in Evora before exploring Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais. Nazaré and Óbidos lie along the way to Porto, where we taste port wine and cruise the Douro River. Back in Spain, a Douro Valley winery stop leads us to Salamanca for a cooking class, then on to Segovia and a farewell in Madrid.
Best of Small Group Travel 'Solos Only'
With a maximum of 18 travellers, all travelling solo and couple free, this small group tour over 20 days leaves time to explore at your own pace.
Connects with Morocco
INCLUSIONS
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
- 19 nights in 4 star hotels
- 19 breakfasts
- 7 lunches including hand-picked local highlights
- 4 dinners including welcome and farewell dinners
SIGHTSEEING & GUIDES
- English-speaking tour director who escorts the group from Day 1 to Day 19
- English-speaking local guides
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Spanish cooking class in Salamanca
- Local tastings, including sherry, port and Ginginha
- Flamenco show with tapas dinner and sangria in Seville
- Douro River cruise in Porto
- Audio headsets for guided tours
TRAVEL
- Private air conditioned coach for road travel as per itinerary
- High-speed train from Barcelona to Córdoba (‘Infinita Bistro’ seat) with snack
- Transfers to and from the train stations in Barcelona and Córdoba
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
- Tips for your tour director included
- Small group, not more than 18 travellers
Tipping fund of €95, payable at the start of the tour.
Comprehensive travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for joining this tour and is in addition to the package price.
Not included:
- Airfares to and from the destination
- Airport transfers unless specified
- Tips for local guides, drivers, hotel staff and other support staff
- Porterage at airports
- Hotel porter service
- Travel insurance
- Excess baggage
- Visa fees if applicable
- Meals and beverages not specified on the itinerary
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry and medical expenses
- Incidental expenses such as taxi fares and telecommunication
Departure Dates for this tour
Departure
Status
Price from
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Save $300 when you book and pay your deposit by 18 December 2026
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PER PERSON AUD$ |
OWN ROOM |
|
Tour |
AUD $16475 |
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PRE AND POST TOUR HOTEL STAYS |
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PRE TOUR: Barcelona group hotel with breakfast |
AUD $450 |
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POST TOUR: Madrid group hotel with breakfast |
AUD $540 |
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Roommate matching available (subject to availability)
Trip Code: spain27-10
Itinerary
PRE TOUR STAY OPTION
Consider arriving a day before the tour starting date, or enjoy a stopover. You can relax and refresh after a long flight. The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs.
Day 1
Arrive Barcelona
Welcome to Barcelona! The day is set aside at leisure to unwind or explore the city at an easy pace.
Meals: n/a
Day 2
Barcelona City Tour
After breakfast at the hotel, we will join a guided half-day sightseeing tour of Barcelona. Highlights include the Sagrada Familia, Plaza Catalunya, Via Laietana, the Cathedral, the Gothic Quarter and Plaza Sant Jaume. We will continue to the Vila Olímpica and Port Olímpic, pass Montjuïc Mountain and see the harbour.
In the evening, we will gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant within walking distance of the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Locally guided half-day city tour
- Entrance to Sagrada Familia
- Welcome dinner
SPECIAL NOTES:
Entrance to Sagrada Familia can’t be guaranteed. Booking early is the best way to secure tickets. If entry can’t be arranged, we will substitute a visit to Casa Batlló.
Day 3
Girona and Figueres
After breakfast, we will head out on a full-day guided excursion to Girona and Figueres. In Girona, we will explore the old quarter, including the Cathedral from the outside and the Jewish Quarter. We will stroll across the bridges over the Onyar River to the city’s main square.
After free time for lunch, we will continue to Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dalí. We will visit the Dalí Museum before returning to Barcelona.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Locally guided full-day tour of Girona and Figueres
- Entrance to the Dalí Museum
Day 4
Barcelona to Córdoba by High-Speed Train
After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer to the train station and board the high-speed Iryo train to Córdoba (a little under 5 hours). It is a comfortable ride, with a snack provided on board. We will arrive in the afternoon, transfer to the hotel and have free time to explore Córdoba.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Transfers to and from the train stations (Barcelona and Córdoba)
- High-speed train ticket (‘Infinita Bistro’ seat) with snack, Barcelona to Córdoba
SPECIAL NOTES:
- One large suitcase per person for the high-speed train, not exceeding 70 x 55 x 35 cm, plus one smaller suitcase not exceeding 55 x 35 x 25 cm.
- Hand luggage not to exceed 36 x 27 x 15 cm.
Day 5
Medina Azahara and Córdoba
After breakfast, we will visit Medina Azahara, the remains of a fortified palace-city built by the Arabs in the 10th century. A local guide will take us through the archaeological centre.
We will then enjoy a 3-course lunch with wine at a local restaurant in Córdoba. The afternoon is free to wander Córdoba’s narrow streets at an easy pace.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Morning tour with local guide (3 hours)
- Entrance to Medina Azahara
- 3-course lunch with wine
- Free time in the afternoon
Day 6
Córdoba to Granada
After breakfast, we will travel by bus to Granada (about 2.5 hours).
Granada sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains and is home to some of Spain’s finest Moorish architecture. On arrival, we will have free time to discover the city on our own.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Transfer by bus from Córdoba to Granada
- Free time in Granada
Day 7
Alhambra and Generalife Gardens
After breakfast, we will visit the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens with a local guide (2.5 hours), and see the Moorish architecture that reflects the time Spain was under Moorish rule.
We will then share a 3-course lunch with wine or a soft drink at a local restaurant. The rest of the day is free to explore Granada.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Entrance to the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens
- Local guide (2.5 hours)
- 3-course lunch with wine or soft drink
SPECIAL NOTES:
Entrance to the Alhambra can’t be guaranteed. Tickets are issued in each traveller’s passport name and need to be purchased well ahead of travel, so we will ask for passport details early.
Day 8
Ronda, Zahara de la Sierra and Jerez de la Frontera
After breakfast, we will leave Granada for Ronda, a small city on the edge of a deep gorge, famous for its three bridges. A local guide will take us through the highlights (2 hours), including Plaza del Socorro, Puente Nuevo and the Palace of the Marqués de Salvatierra from the outside.
We will enjoy a 2-course lunch at a local restaurant in Ronda.
We will then continue to Zahara de la Sierra to visit a family-owned olive grove, one of the most sustainable in the country. We will taste local products and tapas before driving on to Jerez de la Frontera for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Road transfer from Granada to Jerez de la Frontera
- Guided tour in Ronda (2 hours)
- 2-course lunch with a wine or soft drink, Ronda
- Olive grove visit with tasting of local products and tapas, Zahara de la Sierra
Day 9
Jerez de la Frontera and Seville
After breakfast and hotel check out, we will take a panoramic tour of Jerez de la Frontera, with a short walking tour led by our tour director. Jerez is the home of sherry, and we will visit one of its renowned producers for a tasting of three sherry wines.
There is free time for lunch before we transfer to Seville in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Orientation tour of Jerez de la Frontera
- Visit to a sherry producer with tasting of three sherry wines
- Road transfer to Seville
Day 10
Seville City Tour and Flamenco Evening
After breakfast, we will explore Seville on a guided tour featuring the Royal Alcázar and the historic Jewish Quarter of Santa Cruz. We will also visit landmarks such as Plaza de España and María Luisa Park.
The rest of the afternoon is at leisure for lunch and your own plans.
In the evening, we will transfer to a flamenco venue for a show with a tapas dinner and sangria, then return to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Half-day guided tour with local guide (3 hours)
- Entrance to the Royal Alcázar
- Flamenco show with tapas dinner and sangria
- Transfers to and from the flamenco venue
SPECIAL NOTES:
- Entrance to the Royal Alcázar can’t be guaranteed. Tickets are issued in each traveller’s passport name and need to be purchased well ahead of travel, so we will ask for passport details early.
- Guests may like to visit the Cathedral of Seville, which can be arranged independently at their own cost.
Day 11
Seville to Evora
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Evora. On arrival, there is free time for lunch and a stroll through the city.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Road transfer to Evora
- Free time
Day 12
Evora to Lisbon
After breakfast, we will depart for Lisbon. We will share a 3-course lunch with wine together in Lisbon, then set out on an afternoon guided city tour to see the city’s landmarks and historic neighbourhoods.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Local guide for a half-day Lisbon tour (4 hours)
- 3-course lunch with wine, Lisbon
Day 13
Sintra and Cascais
After breakfast, we will meet our guide for a full-day tour to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we will visit the Sintra National Palace.
If time permits, we will stop at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe. We will then continue to Cascais and Estoril, known for their coastal views and the summer residences of Lisbon’s inhabitants, with free time for lunch.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Local guide for a full-day Sintra and Cascais tour
- Entrance to Sintra National Palace
- Free time for lunch
Day 14
Lisbon, Nazaré, Óbidos and Porto
After breakfast, we will depart for Porto with stops at two towns along the way. Nazaré is a coastal town known for its fishing heritage and ocean views. Óbidos is a medieval walled town, where we will taste the local cherry liquor, Ginginha. We will arrive in Porto later in the day.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Transfer from Lisbon to Porto
- Stops at Nazaré and Óbidos
- Ginginha tasting in Óbidos
Day 15
Porto City Tour
After breakfast at the hotel, we will join a half-day guided city tour of Porto (4 hours). We will visit the Cathedral, see the Clérigos Tower from the outside and step inside the Stock Exchange Palace. We will then visit a renowned port wine cellar for a tasting of three port wines.
In the afternoon, we will take a 1-hour cruise on the Douro River to see Porto’s historic waterfront.
This evening, we will share a highlight dinner with wine pairing.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Local guide for a morning city tour, Porto (4 hours)
- Entrance to the Stock Exchange Palace
- Port wine tasting at a local cellar
- 1-hour Douro River cruise
- 3-course dinner with wine pairing
SPECIAL NOTES:
- The Stock Exchange Palace can close at very short notice. If that happens, we will substitute another important monument in the city.
- Guests may like to visit São Francisco Church, which can be arranged independently at their own cost.
Day 16
Porto to Salamanca
After breakfast, we will travel to Salamanca (about 4.5 hours, with stops along the way), a historic Spanish city known for its university and golden sandstone buildings. Our first stop is a Douro Valley winery, where our host will guide us through the cellar and a wine tasting. We will then enjoy a 3-course lunch with wine at the winery before continuing to Salamanca.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Winery visit with wine tasting, Douro Valley
- 3-course lunch with wine, Douro Valley
- Transfer by road to Salamanca
Day 17
Salamanca City Tour and Cooking Class
In the afternoon, we will join a guided walking tour of Salamanca (2 hours). Highlights include Casa de las Conchas, the Roman Bridge, Plaza Mayor, the Old and New Cathedrals and the University Quarter.
Around midday, we will take part in a hands-on cooking class led by an English-speaking chef, preparing traditional Spanish dishes (about 2 hours). Lunch follows, with a glass of wine, a beer or a soft drink. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Salamanca.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- 2-hour walking tour with local guide
- Cooking class with lunch and a drink (wine, beer or soft drink)
SPECIAL NOTES:
Guests may like to visit inside the cathedrals and the university, which can be arranged independently at their own cost.
Day 18
Salamanca, Segovia and Madrid
After breakfast, we will transfer to Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A local guide will lead a 2-hour walking tour, with views of the Roman Aqueduct and Segovia Cathedral from the outside, and entry to the Alcázar of Segovia.
We will share a 3-course lunch with wine at a local restaurant, then continue to Madrid.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- 2-hour Segovia walking tour with local guide
- Entrance to the Alcázar of Segovia
- 3-course lunch with wine, Segovia
- Road transfer to Madrid
Day 19
Madrid
After breakfast, we will take a half-day city tour of Madrid with a local guide (4 hours). We will drive past avenues such as Gran Vía and Castellana, and squares including Plaza de España, Oriente, Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Atocha, Neptuno, Cibeles, Colón and Plaza de Castilla. We will see historic quarters such as the Austrias, the Borbones and Salamanca, the Oeste and Retiro parks, and the commercial and financial areas, and pass the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The tour finishes with a visit to the Mercado de San Miguel.
There is time at leisure in Madrid after the tour, before we gather for a farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
SNAPSHOT - WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Half-day city tour with local guide, Madrid
- 3-course farewell dinner in Madrid
Day 20
Madrid Departure
Our time across Spain and Portugal comes to a close at hotel check out, which is by 11 am.
Meals: Breakfast
Note on Entrances
All entrances referenced in the itinerary are included; however, some attractions are in high demand and subject to availability at the time of booking. We make every effort to secure reservations early, but late bookings, particularly after the final payment date, may be more affected by limited availability. To ensure the best chance of confirmed entries, we recommend booking well in advance. While we’ve not experienced issues in the past, this note serves as general advice.
Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
View Full Itinerary
ACCOMMODATION
HOTELS
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Destination |
Hotel Name |
Nights |
|
Barcelona |
Evenia Rosselló 4 ☆ |
3 |
|
Cordoba |
2 |
|
|
Granada |
2 |
|
|
Jerez de la Frontera |
1 |
|
|
Seville |
2 |
|
|
Evora |
Vila Galé Évora 4 ☆ |
1 |
|
Lisbon |
Lumen Lisbon 4☆ |
2 |
|
Porto |
2 |
|
|
Salamanca |
Abba Fonseca 4☆ |
2 |
|
Madrid |
2 |
Hotels may be subject to change. Should this occur, a hotel of a similar standard will be provided.
All or most hotels will provide wi-fi complimentary or otherwise in some cases a fee may apply.
More About Accommodation
GETTING THERE
Starts In:
Barcelona, Spain
Ends In:
Madrid, Spain
Arrival:
Barcelona, Spain
Departure:
Madrid, Spain
‘Start’ and ‘End’: where tour itinerary starts and ends.
‘Arrival’ and ‘Departure’: is the airport for access to start/end points.
First Day Information
Arrive on your flight of choice. The day is at your leisure. Your hotel is in a central location for your own local discoveries today.
Final Day
There are no tour excursions on the final day.
Closest International Airport
Start: Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN)
End: Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
HOTEL CHECK IN /CHECK OUT TIMES
Consider the hotel check in time on arrival and the hotel check out time on departure. If you arrive prior to the check in time, the hotel will store your luggage until the check in time and can also store your luggage until you are ready to depart for your onward journey.
Hotel check in: most hotels have check in from 2PM or 3PM
Hotel check out: most hotels require check out by 10AM or 11AM
Airport Transfers
Airport Transfers are not included with the tour price. Transfer services on arrival and departure are available for a fee.
Flight Itineraries
If you are making your own flight arrangements, we require your flight itinerary no later than 45 days priors to travel.
If you opt to pay for airfare transfers we can include them given that;
- you arrive on day 1 of the tour and/or depart on the final day of the tour, or
- you have extended your stay and you have booked the pre or post tour group hotel with us as part of your package.
Even if you’re not booking airport transfers with us, we ask all travellers to provide a copy of their flight itinerary. This helps us monitor arrival schedules and assist if you experience unexpected flight delays or don’t check in at the hotel as expected. It also means we have your travel details on hand should a local operator or hotel request them.
If you have arranged transfers through us, your flight details are also essential for coordinating your pick-up and drop-off times.
note: if you have extended your stay by your own arrangement transfers cannot be provided, and are by your own arrangement.
Flight Information
As an Australian travel company we can provide flight assistance for flights originating from Australia. If joining the tour from outside Australia we recommend making your own flight arrangements or to use the service of a travel advisor located within your country of residence for access to best fares.
DETAILS
This page contains the details about the trip not already explained on other pages.
TRIP AVAILABILITY
If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to book early and secure your place with a deposit. Tour space is limited. Also, many services on this tour must be booked well in advance. To ensure your place, please check trip availability at your earliest convenience
FELLOW TRAVELLERS
You will enjoy this group experience with a maximum of 18 travellers. This is a Solos Only tour (couple free). You are welcome to join with a friend, but couples do not join this tour.
THE PACE [3 OUT OF 5]
Travellers of 70 years or over will be required to return a Fit to Travel form that is completed by their doctor.
More Information > Visit Travel Fitness
ABOUT THE MEALS
It’s regular that our trips include welcome dinners and farewell dinners for our groups. In addition, we include other group dining experiences to ensure that everyone can enjoy the benefit of travelling and dining as a group. There’s nothing better than to share a meal with new friends and discuss the day’s adventures.
Are you a flexitarian?
If you have dietary requirements, please advise if it is due to allergies or for medical reasons or if it is a personal preference and if you are flexible. Dietary requirements will limit choices. If a dietary requirement is not essential due to medical reasons and you are a flexitarian, then we recommend that you exclude your personal preferences if not necessary to provide more options with the meal choices.
GROUP TOUR DIRECTOR
This is a private group tour with a tour director, supported with local guides at across the itinerary. Your tour director is there to assist with group arrangements and to act as the liaison for all tour services including the key contact with local guides and drivers.
The role of your Tour Director is to lead the group, take charge of all the trip logistics on tour, and of course, make sure the trip runs as smoothly as possible so ultimately you have the best possible experience. From time to time, as is the nature of travel, ‘hiccups’ can occur, such as unexpected delays to due to traffic congestion, unexpected weather conditions that make a change of plans necessary, and many other things that go hand in hand with travel. In these circumstances your group leader will do their utmost to make the best possible alternative plans – please be ready to accept that these situations are out of the control of anyone and trust in your group leader to assist as best as possible.
TIPPING
Tipping may not be your custom, or the custom of your home country, however it is significant in many parts of the world for roles in tourism. It’s customary to tip tour service personnel including your group tour leader, driver, local guides, restaurant staff, and hotel porters. It’s also appreciated to leave small tips for room attendants and restaurant wait staff. We appreciate that for many travellers tipping is awkward, and they are unsure about how and what amount to tip. For this reason, we collect a tipping fund payment from each traveller and your tour leader manages it, and pays the tips for the included group services along the way.
The Tipping Fund
At the beginning of your tour, the tipping fund is payable to your tour director. Your tour director will use the fund to pay tips to coach drivers, restaurant staff for included meals and local guides engaged throughout the tour.
Important to note: Tipping for your tour director is included in your tour price
TRANSPORT
Private road transportation with a modern 30-seater coach with air conditioning for a group of 13 or more travellers. A smaller vehicle may be used if the group size is below 13 passengers.
LUGGAGE INFORMATION
Checked Luggage: 1 piece not to exceed 23kg
Hand Luggage: 1 small piece such as small daypack or compact backpack, or over the shoulder tote bag not to exceed 26 x 27 x 15cm dimensions.
Checked luggage: one medium size suitcase per person, the sum of its length/width and depth not to exceed 150cm (59") plus an overnight bag (airline bag size) which may be carried on board the vehicle. Wheels on your suitcase recommended, and assists where porter service not available.
Where flights included as part of tour itinerary airline checked luggage may be less or more than the tour luggage limits. For international airline luggage restrictions, refer to your ticket terms.
