Spain and Portugal Grand Tour - 8 Days

Spain & Portugal Grand Tour 

Our Spain and Portugal Grand Tour will take you on a journey to discovery, mixing cultural/historical sites with amazing mountain roads, beautiful landscapes, and immersion into the Spanish and Portuguese culture!

Start your Grand tour in Madrid, then go west through deserted sweeping mountain roads before crossing the border to Portugal. Green mountains, fantastic old villages, amazing river roads! Make a stop in Porto to visit this jewel of Europe before exploring the Douro River region, famous for the making of Port wine, where you will stop for a sip and a proper visit and tasting of course! Really nice discovery journey where the roads, the landscapes, the food and wine, and the well-known friendly welcome of Portuguese will make you keep memories for a long time!

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Spain & Portugal Grand Tour

Day 1 - Arrival in Madrid

Arrive at Madrid airport and check in to your hotel near the Plaza de España. Take a walk to the Royal Palace of Madrid and to the Cathedral before heading to the Plaza Mayor for one of the best tapas in town! Enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Madrid, but don’t forget that you will start your driving tour in the morning the next day!

Overnight Hotel: 5-Star VP Plaza España Design 

Day 2 - Drive 1: Sierra de Gredos Mountains

Your first drive will take you through the heart of the Sierra de Gredos, past small medieval villages and along scenic valleys. This region of Spain is often completely deserted, and all the better for it when you want to really immerse yourself in the country's culture. Pick up the path of the River Alberche, spanning 100 km from west to east. Make the climb to nearly 1400 m to the Passo Puerto del Pico. After lunch, follow the northern perimeter of the Sierra de Gredos National Park. After, head back to the main valley to your hotel for the evening.

Overnight Hotel: 4-Star Izan Puerta de Gredos

Day 3 - Drive 2: Sierra de Francia Mountains

Today’s drive is all about enjoying one of the most scenic and isolated national parks and mountain ranges in Europe, the Parque Natural de Las Batuecas-Sierra de Francia. From your hotel, you will head into the National Park to a beautiful photo-op spot with views of the mountain Sierra de Francia. Head down from this elevated spot to the charming town of La Alberca, with its medieval castle and bustling cobbled streets. After lunch, the next part of the drive is all about the climb up to the Santuario de la Peña Francia, a monastery set on top of a mountain at 1700 m, with the most breathtaking views of the surrounding region. Next, continue to the medieval village at Ciudad Rodrigois, known for its 12th-century city walls. Inside the ramparts is the Cathedral de Santa María, with ornate Gothic and Romanesque doorways. From Ciudad Rodrigo, cross the border into Portugal and head into the Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela, then to your hotel.

Overnight Hotel: 4-Star Casa de São Lourenço, Portugal 

Day 4 - Drive 3: Serra de Estrela National Park & onto Porto

On Day 4, head to the scenic Lagoa Compride with its hydro dam, set high in the mountains, and continue your climb up to the highest point in Portugal, the summit of Serra da Estrela. Visiting Torre, mainland Portugal’s highest peak (1993 m), is a rite of passage for many Portuguese travelers. Ski crowds flock here in winter, while at other times of year, visitors come for a selfie by one of the radar stations' "giant golf balls" that are so retro they could beam you back to the 1950s. Start your journey down through the heart of the National Park, and later exit the main mountain range. Continue your journey crossing the river Dao and drive directly via highway towards the city of Porto, arriving in time for late afternoon drinks on the hotel's terrace on the banks of the River Douro. That evening, you have the opportunity to dine at the hotel's famed 2-star Michelin restaurant for a spectacular 15-course gastronomic journey!

Overnight Hotel: 5-Star The Yeatman Porto, Portugal

Day 5 - Drive 4: The Douro Valley

Drive 4 is much shorter in time but not in fantastic landscapes! You will start the day with some free time for yourself in Porto to explore the beautiful city and relax before hitting the road. Exit the city of Porto towards the beginning of the Douro Valley by following the beautiful Route 222 that runs along the river from the city to the inner land. Twisty roads and fantastic views over the Douro River and the vineyards are the program for this afternoon's drive. Two winery stops are also included along the drive.

Overnight Hotel: 5-Star Quinta Nova Winery House 

Day 6 - Drive 5: Douro Valley and Douro National Park

Drive 5 will take you on a scenic route through the stunning Douro Valley, famous for some of the finest wines and ports in the whole of Portugal. The drive will include stops at several of the best wineries in the region. The initial part of the drive will follow the scenic N222, recognized as one of the best driving roads in the world, and in many parts follows the path of the River Douro with vineyards on either side of the river. Shortly after a couple of planned winery stops and lunch, divert from the main road, and follow several smaller, but equally scenic roads that continue to run close to the shoreline of the Douro. There's a stunning stretch in the heart of Park Natural do Douro International, where the river forms the borderline between Portugal and Spain. Continue through the park, stopping briefly at the border town of Miranda do Douro, where you can visit the old castle and take a walk along the narrow-cobbled streets before crossing the border into Spain. For the final hour, you will drive directly to your hotel on long straight sections of roads cutting through Don Quixote windmill-style landscapes.

Overnight Hotel: 5-Star Valbusenda Hotel

Day 7 - Drive 6: Zamora & Directly to Madrid

Take your time in the morning for a visit of the town of Zamora and don’t forget to visit the old castle built during the 10^th century. After some Tapas in the main square, jump back in the car and drive directly to Madrid by the highway. Arrive at the hotel, drop off the car, and enjoy some shopping in the city or enjoy a drink at the bar. For the evening, we know the best place in town for a Spanish paella!

Overnight Hotel: 5-Star VP Plaza España Design 

Day 8 – Day at Leisure in Madrid

Enjoy some time in Madrid, visiting the town and its beautiful museums and parks, or simply take a taxi back to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination.

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