During this tour of three of Iberia’s liveliest cities, you’ll encounter historic monuments, intricate architecture and fascinating culture. In addition to its vibrant culture, relaxing is a crucial part of Iberian culture, and we've designed this tour with plenty of free time to make your own explorations.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Lisbon

Fly across the Atlantic aboard an overnight flight to Portugal.

Day 2 - Lisbon

Meet your Go Ahead representative after you land in Lisbon. After hotel check-in, you’ll have free time. Begin getting acquainted with your fellow travelers at this evening’s included dinner. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Lisbon

On today’s guided sightseeing tour of Lisbon, recall the great explorers from Portugal’s past as you stroll the riverside Belém precinct, and visit Ajuda Palace, a former royal residence. Travel through the narrow streets of the Moorish Alfama district, along the Tagus River, and into the Barrio Alto. Learn about the tradition of fado music at our optional Fado Evening. (B)

$99 USD

Fado Evening Enjoy dinner at a traditional Portuguese tavern, and get swept away in the beautiful and haunting strains of fado music, arguably the oldest urban folk music in the world. Said to capture sentimentality coaxed from the rolling waves by homesick sailors and fishermen, fado music is the heart of the Portuguese soul. Please note: This optional requires advance booking and payment at least 20 days prior to departure.

Day 4 - Lisbon

Join an optional excursion to Sintra, the crown jewel of Portugal’s Atlantic coast and a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll visit Sintra Palace, which once served as the summer home of Portuguese royalty; its two chimneys form a distinctive feature in Sintra’s skyline. (B)

$99 USD

Sintra Travel westward to the area known as the Portuguese Riviera. Your destination is Sintra, a resort considered one of Portugal’s most beautiful areas.

Day 5 - Seville

Traveling east into Spain, stop in Moguer to tour its Roman amphitheater. Explore the town's culinary offerings for lunch, and be sure to take in the Christopher Columbus Museum. Arrive later today in Seville, the capital of Andalusian Spain. (B, D)

Day 6 - Seville

On today's guided tour of Seville, behold the intricately tiled pavilion of the Plaza de España. Then visit the Alcázar, built by Pedro the Cruel in the 14th century and later the home of Prince Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. You’ll also visit Seville’s opulent cathedral which occupies the site of a mosque built by the Almohads in the 12th century. Tonight, venture into the nightlife of Seville and join our optional Flamenco Evening. (B)

$75 USD

Flamenco Show and Carriage Ride Experience the exciting aura surrounding flamenco dancing. A unique dance form, flamenco combines guitar playing, singing, clapping and dancing.

Day 7 - Seville

Spend a day at your leisure in Seville. 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 18th-century bullring, one of the oldest in Spain. (B)

Day 8 - Madrid

As you make your way to the Spanish capital, stop in Córdoba, a city that flourished in Moorish times. Your guided tour of Córdoba includes a walk through the Jewish Quarter and a visit to the famous Mezquita. The Mezquita was once one of the world’s most important mosques, before the Christian conquerors built a cathedral within it. Today the structure is a vivid representation of the blending of two religions. Then continue on to Madrid. (B, D)

Day 9 - Madrid

View the many relics of the Bourbon dynasty on your tour of Madrid. Visit the Royal Palace and tour the Prado, Madrid’s colossal art museum. Look for Goya’s royal paintings as well as works by El Greco, Velázquez and Murillo. For a night of culture and cuisine, join our optional Traditional Spanish Evening for dinner at a legendary Madrid restaurant. (B)

$99 USD

Traditional Spanish Evening Indulge in an evening of succulent Castillian cuisine at one of Madrid's most famous restaurants. Revel in the traditional atmosphere while you feast on gazpacho, roasted potatoes and roast suckling pig in an ancient Castillian cellar. Please note: This excursion requires advance booking and payment at least 20 days prior to departure.

Day 10 - Madrid

With a final free day in Madrid, you might wish to shop along the Gran Via or sample the cafés of Plaza Mayor. Art lovers can view the collection of modern masterworks in the Reina Sofia Museum, which houses Picasso’s allegorical painting Guernica. Also offered is a full-day optional excursion to Toledo, Spain’s ancient capital. (B)

$89 USD

Toledo *A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!* One of Spain’s oldest and most beautiful cities, Toledo served as the Spanish capital until 1561. After a chance to explore the labyrinth of medieval alleyways that make up the heart of the city, visit one of Europe’s oldest synagogues at El Tránsito.

Day 11 - Madrid

Extend your stay in Madrid for another two nights, or board your flight home to the United States. (B)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Portugal and Spain, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. No visa is required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. 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. Included transportation on “Lisbon, Seville & Madrid” is by private motorcoach. 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

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised.

If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear. Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).


Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitters for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!”

Currency

The euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Spain and Portugal rather than in the United States, 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 also 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.

Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend $2 per person per day for your driver and $4 to $6 per person per day for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend $1 per local guide. Tips may only be paid in cash.