Lisbon, Seville & Madrid 11 days
About This Experience
Tucked into the corner of the continent, Lisbon, Seville and Madrid are European cities with southern spice. Relive the Age of Discovery, when explorers brought treasures from around the world—now on display in Portuguese palaces and Spanish cathedrals. Uncover Roman ruins throughout the region and the Moorish influences in exotic Andalusia. And, when your hands-on history lesson is complete, fast-forward to the present day to feast on tapas, drink sangria, join the street life and dance the night away.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & hotel transfers
9 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 3 three-course dinners with beer or wine
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Port, sherry & other sweet treats
Remembering the Age of Exploration in Lisbon
Roman ruins & Moorish castles
The bulls, horses & tapas in Andalusia
The view from La Giralda in Seville
Flamenco!
Overnight Flight1 night
Lisbon3 nights - hotel info
Day2
Breathe in seaside air, listen out for the strains of fado—you’re in Lisbon
Breakfast (in flight), Dinner
Welcome to Lisbon! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or begin acquainting yourself with Lisbon. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner
Day3
Explore the capital high and low, from Torre de Belém to Baixa Pombalina
Breakfast
Jerónimos Monastery
This morning, a local guide leads your comprehensive tour of Lisbon. You’ll see Padro dos Descobrimentos and the Torre de Belém. It was from here that many navigators set sail during the Age of Discovery—including Bartolomeu Dias, who sailed around the southern tip of Africa. Then experience an old-world atmosphere as you journey through the labyrinthine streets of the age-old Moorish Alfama district and past the Castelo de São Jorge. Visit the Ajuda Palace, once a royal residence, and Claustro de Los Jeronimos, a converted 16th century monastery. Tonight, opt for a dinner excursion that will feature a live performance of fado, a beloved Portuguese musical style.Included meals: breakfastIncluded entrances: Ajuda Palace, Claustro de Los Jeronimos
Optional Excursions
Fado Dinner & Show $75* pp
Spend your evening at Lisbon tavern listening to fado. Derived from the Latin word fatum—meaning "prophecy" or "fate"—fado is Portugal’s national musical treasure. Fado's traditional theme is “saudade,” a word that doesn't quite translate to English but conveys an overwhelming sense of longing for something lost. Dinner is included during this memorable musical evening.
Day4
Ascend into the mountains to the royal retreat at Sintra
Breakfast
Today is free for you to experience the charms of Lisbon at your leisure. You might choose to tour the Museum of Decorative Arts, housed in an elegant 18th-century mansion, or stroll along the tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade with its many inviting cafés. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to nearby Sintra, once the playground of Portuguese royalty.
Optional Excursions
Sintra $59* pp
The poet Lord Byron called Sintra the most beautiful town in the world. Decide for yourself on an excursion to this small city at the base of the Sintra Mountains. Today, Sintra is a popular weekend escape for Lisboetas, but it was once the playground of Portuguese royalty. Get a glimpse into the life of Portugal's kings and queens during a tour of Sintra National Palace. As the only surviving royal palace from the Middle Ages, Sintra National Palace has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. On your way back to Lisbon, you'll stop in the beautiful town of Cascais, which boasts charming streets and picturesque seascapes.
Seville3 nights - hotel info
Day5
Wander the Roman ruins and gothic churches of Évora
Breakfast, Dinner
St. Francis Church and Gardens
Travel through the unspoiled countryside of Portugal en route to Spain. Before crossing the border, stop in Evora with a visit to St. Francis Church and Gardens. Arrive later in Seville, a city brimming with traditional Spanish charm. Dinner is included tonight.
Day6
Christian cathedrals and Moorish castles dot the landscape in Seville
Breakfast
Alcazar, Seville cathedral
This morning, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of beautiful Seville, capital of Spain’s Andalusian region. Behold the intricately tiled pavilion of the Plaza de España before entering the opulent Alcazar, once home to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Also visit Seville’s impressive Gothic cathedral, one of the world’s largest cathedrals as well as the burial place of Columbus. Enjoy a free afternoon in Seville.
Day7
Feel the music, clap your hands, dance flamenco
Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Seville to spend however you wish. You might choose to climb the 230-foot-high Giralda Tower or stroll through the gardens of Maria Luisa Park. Or pay a visit to the majestic 18thcentury bullring. Tonight, opt to enjoy a Flamenco show, preceded by a carriage ride.
Optional Excursions
Flamenco Show & Carriage Ride $75* pp
Savor a taste of old Seville tonight with a horse-drawn carriage ride and a flamenco show. Flamenco is a unique and colorful Andalusian art form, combining guitar playing, singing, clapping and dancing, and this excursion is sure to be one of the highlights of your Spanish journey. Please note: The carriage ride will run as weather permits.
Madrid3 nights - hotel info
Day8
Relive the Moorish glory days in the ancient seat of Cordoba
Breakfast, Dinner
Mezquita
En route to Madrid, stop in the ancient Moorish town of Córdoba. An expert local guide introduces you to the Mezquita. Once the seat of the Caliphs, the Mezquita was built in the 8th century as a mosque and then converted into a cathedral during the Christian Conquest of 1236. At one time, the city of Córdoba was home to 700 mosques, 900 public baths and 70 libraries. Your tour also includes a walk through the city’s ancient Jewish Quarter. Continue on to Madrid, Spain’s capital city. Dinner is included tonight.
Day9
Keep your eye out for Goya and Velázquez at the Palace and Prado
Breakfast
Prado, Royal Palace
A professional local guide leads today’s tour through Madrid to the Prado, an extensive art museum that began as the private collection of the Spanish monarchy. Masterpieces you’ll see here include Velázquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s Naked Maja. Next stop is the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), built by Bourbon King Philip V. Once the seat of the most powerful court in the world, it was here that Spain officially joined the European Union in 1986. This castle boasts more than 2,500 extravagant rooms. This evening, join our optional Traditional Spanish Evening for succulent Castillian cuisine at one of Madrid’s most legendary restaurants.
Optional Excursions
Traditional Spanish Evening $99* pp
On your way to dinner, walk through the illuminated streets of Madrid, taking in the local neighborhood ambiance in the evening light. After your walk, enjoy conversation, camaraderie and live music at one of the oldest restaurants in the city. Between traditional Castilian courses, you'll be entertained by tuna music, an artistic tradition with its roots in Spain's universities.
Day10
Explore Toledo’s narrow winding streets and grand Gothic cathedral
Breakfast
You might choose to enjoy the day at your leisure by visiting more of Madrid’s museums, exploring its churches and parks or sipping a cerveza at a sunny cafe in the Plaza Mayor. Alternatively, opt for an excursion to Toledo. This optional guided sightseeing tour through Spain’s first capital centers on the Gothic cathedral, home to an exceptional collection of ecclesiastical treasures.
Optional Excursions
Toledo $79* pp
Discover Toledo, the clifftop city often referred to as La Ciudad Imperial (Imperial City). Upon arrival, you'll have some free time to explore. Later in the afternoon, your guided tour begins at the city's massive Gothic cathedral, which houses 750 medieval stained glass windows and a treasure trove of golden artifacts. Gaze upon the cathedral's sacristy, containing masterpieces by the likes of van Dyck, El Greco, Rubens and Titian. After exploring the labyrinth of medieval alleyways at the heart of the city, you'll visit the Santo Tome Church and one of Europe’s oldest synagogues, Santa Maria la Blanca. Please note: This tour involves some moderate walking over uneven terrain. Also, depending on the day of the week, the sites visited are subject to change. If the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca is closed, you'll visit the Synagogue of El Tránsito instead.
Extend Your Stay
Add Barcelona $399*
From the twisting Gothic quarter to the whimsical creations of Antoni Gaudí and the visionary beauty of the Eixample district, Barcelona's architectural eye candy has no equal. Its music, theater, art, gastronomy, fashion, and architecture set the pace for European chic, and its nightlife will have you dancing until dawn.
Barcelona2 nights - hotel info
Day11
Day12
Gaudi’s inspired creations will daze and delight
Breakfast
Enjoy today at leisure, or join our optional sightseeing tour of Barcelona, to see Gaudi’s influence on the city. This afternoon, you’ll have ample free time to explore on your own.
Optional Excursions
Barcelona Sightseeing $59* pp
Today's excursion begins with a scenic walk through Parc Güell, masterpiece of architect Antoní Gaudí. At the top of the Parc, look out and see your next destination—the hill of Montjuïc. At Montjuïc, you'll stop at Mirador del Alcalde Park before enjoying a drive along Paseo De Gracia, one of the major avenues in Barcelona. Along the way, you'll have a chance for a photo stop at Casa Batlló, another famous work of Gaudí, known to the locals as the "House of Bones." End your outing with a viewing of La Sagrada Família, one of Gaudí's most celebrated works.
About This Experience
Tucked into the corner of the continent, Lisbon, Seville and Madrid are European cities with southern spice. Relive the Age of Discovery, when explorers brought treasures from around the world—now on display in Portuguese palaces and Spanish cathedrals. Uncover Roman ruins throughout the region and the Moorish influences in exotic Andalusia. And, when your hands-on history lesson is complete, fast-forward to the present day to feast on tapas, drink sangria, join the street life and dance the night away.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & hotel transfers
9 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 3 three-course dinners with beer or wine
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Port, sherry & other sweet treats
Remembering the Age of Exploration in Lisbon
Roman ruins & Moorish castles
The bulls, horses & tapas in Andalusia
The view from La Giralda in Seville
Flamenco!
Overnight Flight1 night
Lisbon3 nights - hotel info
Day2
Breathe in seaside air, listen out for the strains of fado—you’re in Lisbon
Breakfast (in flight), Dinner
Welcome to Lisbon! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or begin acquainting yourself with Lisbon. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Day3
Explore the capital high and low, from Torre de Belém to Baixa Pombalina
Breakfast
Jerónimos Monastery
This morning, a local guide leads a tour of Lisbon. You’ll see the Padrão dos Descobrimentos and the Torre de Belém. It was from here that many navigators set sail during the Age of Discovery—including Bartolomeu Dias, who sailed around the southern tip of Africa. Then experience an old-world atmosphere as you journey through the labyrinthine streets of the age-old Moorish Alfama district and past the Castelo de São Jorge. Visit the Claustro de Los Jeronimos, a converted 16th century monastery. Tonight, join our optional Fado Dinner & Show.
Optional Excursions
Fado Dinner & Show $75* pp
Spend your evening at Lisbon tavern listening to fado. Derived from the Latin word fatum—meaning "prophecy" or "fate"—fado is Portugal’s national musical treasure. Fado's traditional theme is “saudade,” a word that doesn't quite translate to English but conveys an overwhelming sense of longing for something lost. Dinner is included during this memorable musical evening.
Day4
Ascend into the mountains to the royal retreat at Sintra
Breakfast
Today is free at leisure. You might choose to tour the Museum of Decorative Arts or stroll along the tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to nearby Sintra, once the playground of Portuguese royalty.
Optional Excursions
Sintra $59* pp
The poet Lord Byron called Sintra the most beautiful town in the world. Decide for yourself on an excursion to this small city at the base of the Sintra Mountains. Today, Sintra is a popular weekend escape for Lisboetas, but it was once the playground of Portuguese royalty. Get a glimpse into the life of Portugal's kings and queens during a tour of Sintra National Palace. As the only surviving royal palace from the Middle Ages, Sintra National Palace has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. On your way back to Lisbon, you'll stop in the beautiful town of Cascais, which boasts charming streets and picturesque seascapes.
Seville3 nights - hotel info
Day5
Wander the Roman ruins and gothic churches of Évora
Breakfast, Dinner
St. Francis Church and Gardens
Travel through the unspoiled countryside of Portugal en route to Spain. Before crossing the border, stop in Évora with a visit to the Church of St. Francis. Arrive later in Seville, a city brimming with traditional Spanish charm. Dinner is included tonight.
Day6
Christian cathedrals and Moorish castles dot the landscape in Seville
Breakfast
Alcazar, Seville cathedral
This morning, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of beautiful Seville. Behold the intricately tiled pavilion of the Plaza de España before entering the opulent Alcazar, once home to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Visit Seville’s impressive Gothic cathedral, the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Enjoy a free afternoon in Seville.
Day7
Feel the music, clap your hands, dance flamenco
Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Seville to spend however you wish. You might choose to climb the 230-foot-high Giralda Tower or stroll through the gardens of Maria Luisa Park. Or pay a visit to the majestic 18thcentury bullring. Tonight, opt to enjoy a Flamenco show and a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Optional Excursions
Flamenco Show & Carriage Ride $75* pp
Savor a taste of old Seville tonight with a horse-drawn carriage ride and a flamenco show. Flamenco is a unique and colorful Andalusian art form, combining guitar playing, singing, clapping and dancing, and this excursion is sure to be one of the highlights of your Spanish journey. Please note: The carriage ride will run as weather permits.
Madrid3 nights - hotel info
Day8
Relive the Moorish glory days in the ancient seat of Cordoba
Breakfast
Mezquita
En route to Madrid, stop in the ancient Moorish town of Córdoba. An expert local guide introduces you to the Mezquita. Once the seat of the Caliphs, the Mezquita was built in the 8th century as a mosque and then converted into a cathedral during the Christian Conquest of 1236. At one time, the city of Córdoba was home to 700 mosques, 900 public baths and 70 libraries. Your tour also includes a walk through the city’s ancient Jewish Quarter. Continue on to Madrid.
Day9
Keep your eye out for Goya and Velázquez at the Palace and Prado
Breakfast
Prado, Royal Palace
A professional local guide leads today’s tour through Madrid to the Prado, an extensive art museum that began as the private collection of the Spanish monarchy. Masterpieces you’ll see here include Velázquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s La maja desnuda. Next stop is the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), built by King Philip V. Once the seat of the most powerful court in the world, it was here that Spain officially joined the European Union in 1986. This castle boasts more than 2,500 extravagant rooms. This evening, join our optional Traditional Spanish Evening for succulent Castillian cuisine.
Optional Excursions
Traditional Spanish Evening $99* pp
On your way to dinner, walk through the illuminated streets of Madrid, taking in the local neighborhood ambiance in the evening light. After your walk, enjoy conversation, camaraderie and live music at one of the oldest restaurants in the city. Between traditional Castilian courses, you'll be entertained by tuna music, an artistic tradition with its roots in Spain's universities.
Day10
Explore Toledo’s narrow winding streets and grand Gothic cathedral
Breakfast, Dinner
You might choose to spend your free day visiting more of Madrid’s museums, exploring its churches and parks or sipping a cerveza at a sunny cafe in the Plaza Mayor. Alternatively, opt for an excursion to Toledo. This optional guided sightseeing tour through Spain’s first capital centers on the Gothic cathedral, home to an exceptional collection of ecclesiastical treasures. In the evening, share a farewell dinner with your travel companions.
Optional Excursions
Toledo $79* pp
Discover Toledo, the clifftop city often referred to as La Ciudad Imperial (Imperial City). Upon arrival, you'll have some free time to explore. Later in the afternoon, your guided tour begins at the city's massive Gothic cathedral, which houses 750 medieval stained glass windows and a treasure trove of golden artifacts. Gaze upon the cathedral's sacristy, containing masterpieces by the likes of van Dyck, El Greco, Rubens and Titian. After exploring the labyrinth of medieval alleyways at the heart of the city, you'll visit the Santo Tome Church and one of Europe’s oldest synagogues, Santa Maria la Blanca. Please note: This tour involves some moderate walking over uneven terrain. Also, depending on the day of the week, the sites visited are subject to change. If the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca is closed, you'll visit the Synagogue of El Tránsito instead.
Extend Your Stay
Add Barcelona $439*
From the twisting Gothic quarter to the whimsical creations of Antoni Gaudí and the visionary beauty of the Eixample district, Barcelona's architectural eye candy has no equal. Its music, theater, art, gastronomy, fashion, and architecture set the pace for European chic, and its nightlife will have you dancing until dawn.
Barcelona2 nights - hotel info
Day11
Day12
Gaudi’s inspired creations will daze and delight
Breakfast
La Sagrada Familia
A professional local guide leads a sightseeing tour of Barcelona, featuring a visit inside La Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family), Gaudí’s famous landmark. Travel around the city to take in panoramic views of the Columbus Monument, the 14th-century Barri Gótic and Montjuïc Hill, where much of the 1992 summer Olympic Games took place. In the afternoon, join an optional tour to another Gaudí creation, the Parque Güell, a garden village nestled in the heart of the city and la Pedrera.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
Parc Guell and Pedrera $79* pp
On today’s excursion, discover the magnificent works of Antoni Gaudí, the famed Spanish architect known for his bold, distinct designs. Casa Milà is the first stop. Take a guided tour of this building, popularly known as La Pedrera, built by Gaudí between 1905 and 1910. Everything about the building is visually unique, from the wave-like stone structure and grandly designed roof to the apartment that reflects the style of the 20th century bourgeois. Next, you’ll head to Parc Güell, also designed by Gaudí. Your guide will lead you through the park, which contains stunning buildings, intricate stonework and colorful mosaics. At the top of the park, marvel at the brilliant views of Barcelona.
Passport & Visa
In order to enter Portugal and Spain, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
Health
There are no major health risks when traveling to Spain and Portugal. During the summer months, travelers should take extra care for sun exposure. It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.
Transportation / Walking on tour
Round-trip flights arrive in Lisbon and depart from Madrid (or Barcelona for the extension). Included transportation is by private motor coach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the major cities by public transportation. Lisbon is a very walkable city (although sometimes hilly), but you may want to break up your walking with rides on trams, metro and buses. All-inclusive travel passes are available. Seville’s city center is best accessed on foot, while local buses service outlying areas. Madrid’s main center is compact and walkable, but you’ll want to take advantage of the fast and efficient metro system for most attractions. Buses and taxis (which are inexpensive compared to most European cities) are also readily available and well-regulated.
Clothing & Packing Tips
To ensure you’re comfortable while out exploring, we recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. For sightseeing, we suggest bringing a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers, as well as a lightweight sports jacket or rainwear. If you’re planning a visit to a high-end restaurant or performance, you may also want to bring dressier attire. Also, please remember that it’s preferable to avoid showing bare legs or shoulders during visits to churches or other religious sites (entrance may be denied on this basis).
Baggage Allowance
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on luggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies. Bear in mind that your luggage will probably weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. We allow only one suitcase per person. One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height). There may be times when you will have to handle your own bags, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage. Make sure you label your baggage and carry valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on luggage.
Cuisine
One of the pleasures of traveling is experiencing the delightful variety of local cuisine. Portuguese cooking relies heavily on seafood: dishes made with shrimp, octopus, lobster and cod are especially delicious. Portugal is also well-known for its breads and other baked goods as well as savory sausages. You might wish to sample local vintages of port wine, one of the nation’s most popular exports. Spain boasts a wide array of local specialties such as the typical dish of chicken, seafood and saffron rice known as paella. Dinner is less hearty than lunch and is served quite late—from 9 p.m. until midnight.
Currency
The euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Spain and Portugal, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
Tipping
At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/ CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.
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Just Three Cities to Enjoy
A wonderful three city tour, great historic sites, fantastic tour director with Leonor, tasty foods of the regions, a nice small group, nice hotels, friendly local people, and very social Hard Rock Cafe's in Lisbon and Madrid. Seville was beautiful by day and very romantic by night. Highly recommend this tour, go and experience it and enjoy life to the fullest.
A Triple Delight
This is a lovely tour especially if you have experienced the Grand Tour of Spain and want to return to beautiful Seville and Madrid. It was delightful spending 3 nights in these 3 cities, which gave us free time to explore on our own. Hotel Turim Libertade in Lisbon was in a nice location and the lobby area and front desk staff were nice, however our room was very small and dark and housekeeping was very slow! The Seville hotel, Zenit was lovely and our room was large, but it was across the river from the old historic section of Seville. We would have preferred Hotel Inglaterra where we stayed on the Grand Tour of Spain, which was in this area and more convenient to the sites. We had an excellent tour director, Leonor who was very informative throughout our entire tour telling us about Portugal and Spain and the areas we would be seeing. She was allot of fun and made sure everything ran smoothly and that we were all having a good time. Our group was very small, only 10 people so we got to know one another and shared some great times. It was a great time of year to travel to this area. The weather was lovely with temperatures ranging from the 50's in the A.M. to upper 70's during the day. Plus the real tour crowds weren't present yet. We found the people of Portugal and Spain to be very friendly and accommodating. We found that if we tried to speak just a few words of their language, they appreciated our efforts and helped us out even if there was a language barrier. It was allot of fun and memories we will cherish for a life time.
spain
As in other go ahead tours, we appreciate the large amount of free time in each location. I t gives us time to absorb some of the culture without always feeling like we are in a rush. The tour director, Leonor G G was just steller. She had a wonderfull knowledge of the history and architecture of each destination, plus always a smile and a sunny disposition. At each major stop she passed out maps and some printed sheets with her local favorite places to visit and/ or eat. Just what we liked on a trip, give us the tools to explore and be on our own for part of a day and still rendevous with guide and group before dinner to compare notes and pictures.
Return Trip to Spain
One just doesn’t get enough with a trip to Spain that’s why we went back for a second time. Starting in Lisbon a city that has wide avenues comparable to the Champs Elysees beautifully stone paved sidewalk tree line boulevards this is truly one of the greatest cities in Europe. Enjoying a coffee at one of the many outside cafes while watching the home town folks heading off to work is a great way to start the day. The weather in early Spring was excellent with cool breezes, and beautiful floral displays. Our trip to Sevilla pasted through the striking landscape of Spain dotted with olive groves and Spring wheat fields. Sevilla a magnificent city with a lively night life, plenty of shops to spend your money, and let me say Sevilla along with all of the cities in Spain and Portugal are safe, the people are friendly and enjoy Americans. The food is Mediterranean with excellent quality at reasonable prices. Madrid one of the major cities in the world boost the greatest art collection in Europe. Our tour to the Prado with an excellent guide could have gone on forever. The tour of the Royal Palace was a treasure comparable to the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, this alone is enough to make a return trip. Our guide was a real joy, did every thing to insure we had a great trip. An expert on Spanish history explaining as we traveled the different aspects of life in Spain, from the early Romans to modern Spain. We really enjoyed being with her. The accommodations were excellent, the morning breakfast, wow also great. The people we traveled with were a lot of fun, a great group.
Great Trip
This was probably my trip of a lifetime. It was one I never thought I would ever take, one I had never even thought of. When my friends told me about it, I at first said, "I can't do this" then I said " oh yes I can", then I did it! I met some amazing people in our tour group, went to some amazing cities, saw beautiful things. We had a fantastic tour director, Sabrina. She was so knowledgeable about everywhere we went. She prepared us in advance about what we would see and do, what to expect. We had enough free time to look around on our on and to shop if we wanted to. This was just a wonderful trip. It now makes me want to go on another one, in the future.
Portugal/Spain 2013
I cannot say enough about our tour director, Sabrina Penne. Her enthusiam and extensive knowledge, as well as her organizational skills were so appreciated by our group. GoAhead took care of every detail, leaving us to enjoy our experience abroad. The only improvement GoAhead needed to improve upon was the flight itinerary choices. Our trip home took 20 hours!
Lisbon, Seville, and Madrid
This is a lovely tour of parts of the Iberian Peninsula, with all its history and charm. Enjoy great food, comfortable and modern accommodations, dependable and convenient ground transportation, and very importantly, Go Ahead Guides that are so knowledgeable and stand ready to help you in any way possible. I cannot say enough for Sabrina, our lovely guide, who became our friend, who speaks 6 languages and made our trip extra delightful. She never tired of our endless questions and always had answers for us. Additionally, , I had a similar positive experience with Go Ahead when we went to Kenya. Our guide, Mohammed, endeared himself to each of us and by the time our trip was over, we were so sad to have to say good-bye to him. Along with so many other strengths...and I have made 19 trips abroad...I think Go Ahead is especially strong in their selection of guides and when you are far away from home and unfamiliar with the customs and language of a country...your guide is so important! I am not sure how many future trips I will be making, but I cannot imagine that I would not book my trip trough Go Ahead!
OLE!
My husband and I enjoyed the entire trip. The cities we liked the most were Barcelona, Toledo and Seville. We were both disappointed that we weren't able to see the last bullfight show in Seville. It was a toss up between the bullfight and the Flamenco show which were on the same evening and time. Since the Flamenco show was already paid for, we went to the Flamenco, which was terrific. Maybe you should substitute the bullfight show as an optional excursion instead of the Spanish dinner. Our tour director, Fernando was great. He is very knowledgeable, charming and always attentive to everyone's needs. Our bus driver, Alfonso, who was our driver for the first six days of the tour was also great. He was always on time to pick us up and a heck good driver. The local guide in Toledo, Carlos was very witty, funny and knowledgeable. He made all of us laugh a lot. Although the entire trip was a bit too long to be away from home, the extended tour to Barcelona was well worth it. Actually, I could have skipped Madrid. The only negative comment that I have are the hotels, however they were decent for the price that you pay for but I would all rate them "Fair". And since I am a germ freak, in my opinion all the bathrooms could use more scrubbing. So, for those of you who are OCD's, make sure to bring hand sanitizers, lysol sprays and wipes. We are really pleased with Go Ahead Tours and will continue to patronize your company.
Spain/Portugal
Stayed 3 nights at each location which was a real plus. Hotels great, guides great, and weather wonderful. Locals were friendly and helpful. TV makes you think it may be dangerous. Some peaceful protesters. We were cautioned to be careful with pickpockets like in any big city. Tour very well planned. Had to leave for the Barcelona airport at 3:30 in the morning. Guide was there to make sure the taxi arrived and we were OK. Even had the hotel make a breakfast pack to take with us.
Portugal/Spain trip
Loved the whole tour! From the time I was met at the airport until I was delivered to the check-in line at the airport (at 5am!) I did not have to worry about a thing...the tour director did it all and with great aptitude and good will. We saw wonderful scenery, had great experiences eating, touring, shopping: all with a good balance and interest level so we never were bored. We had choices to just go out and have fun or to have educational informational tours of some of the world's greatest and most famous art and architecture. The hotels were comfortable and pleasant. The food and staff were wonderful at each. The only thing I wouldn't recommend is getting the phone card since 2/3 hotels didn't allow use of it from the room and it was difficult to use a public payphone and get a line.
