"8 Best Value Tours in Europe" A Passionate Tour of Spain and Portugal

Day 1 (Saturday): Madrid → Zaragoza (320 km)

In the morning, we will depart for Madrid, the capital of Spain. We will visit landmarks such as the Pilis Fountain, Plaza de Milà, Plaza de España, and the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace, a magnificent structure from the height of Spanish royalty, showcases the sacred afterglow of the former empire. The "Zero Kilometer" marker, representing the center of Spain, is a small square tile placed on the pedestrian walkway of Puerta del Sol. Puerta del Sol is lined with shops and department stores, making it a great place to purchase Spanish leather goods, clothing, and various souvenirs. In the afternoon, we will leave Madrid for Salagoza. Upon arrival, we will head directly to Plaza de Santa Column, home to the Basilica di Santa Maria del Column, a Baroque church built between 1681 and 1872. Dedicated to Our Lady of the Column, she is called "Mother of the Spanish People" by the Pope and is considered the first Notre-Dame cathedral in history. The square is also filled with restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy dinner at your leisure.

Accommodation: Zaragoza or a nearby city | Suggested hotel: Eurostars Hotel Rey Fernando **** or similar

Departure location and time

14:00 Royal Palace, Madrid

20:00 The group's hotel for the night - in the suburbs

Day 2 (Sunday): Zaragoza → Barcelona (300 km)

In the morning, depart for Barcelona, ​​the famous coastal city of Spain. Upon arrival, explore the vibrant and charming city, including attractions such as the Columbus Monument and La Rambla. Next, visit the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona's most iconic church, a masterpiece by the architectural genius Gaudí, known as the "poet of architecture." Afterwards, admire the exterior of Camp Nou stadium for photos and purchase souvenirs. Following this, visit the Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc Hill, where the 1992 Olympic Games were held. From the hill, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. The remaining time is free for leisure activities in the bustling Plaza de Catalunya. After dinner, return to the hotel.

(During peak season, due to crowd control measures and long queues, it is recommended to book Sagrada Familia tickets onlineat https://sagradafamilia.org/en/home/ ; book your visit time between 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM).

Accommodation: Barcelona or a nearby city | Suggested hotel: AC by Marriott Hotel Sant Cugat **** or similar

Departure location and time

12:30 Plaza de España, downtown Barcelona

Day 3 (Monday): Barcelona → Valencia → Alicante (525 km)

In the morning, we will depart along the coastline to Valencia, Spain's third-largest city. Historically, Valencia served as Spain's gateway to the Mediterranean, a hub of commerce and culture. Its vibrant atmosphere attracted frequent Arab travelers, stimulating cultural exchange and economic reforms, and granting Valencia a level of prosperity and prestige unmatched by other cities. While Valencia has lost some of its former glory, it remains an important city for trade fairs and exhibitions, hosting various events throughout the year. Upon arrival, we will visit the Old Town Square, the ancient city gates, and the Valencia Cathedral. The three large doors at the cathedral's entrance reveal its long and eventful history, but the most striking feature is the agate cup housed in the south chapel, said to be the Holy Grail used by Jesus at the Last Supper. After the tour, we will head towards Alicanti, a beach resort city on the Costa Blanco.

Accommodation: Alicante or nearby city | Suggested hotel: Hotel Campanile Alicante *** or similar

Departure location and time

16:45 Valencia City Square

Day 4 (Tuesday): Alicante → Granada (485 km)

In the morning, we will depart for Granada, a famous historical city located on the highlands of Andalusia. This city was ruled by the Visigoths and Arabs, and was the last stronghold of the Moorish dynasty during its 800-year rule of the Iberian Peninsula. In the 15th century, King Ferdinand successfully expelled the Arabs, completing the unification of Spain and leaving behind a wealth of cultural relics. Upon arrival, we will visit the Alhambra Palace (also known as the Red Palace), a relic of the Moorish "Golden Age," or explore Granada's city center and old town. The exquisite architecture and refined style are truly breathtaking. After the tour, we will proceed to Mijas, a white mountain town (optional, at our own expense). This pure white town, blooming with flowers, boasts charming houses with white walls and red roofs. The entire town unfolds along the gently sloping foothills, creating a pristine white landscape.
(During peak season, due to crowd control measures and extremely long queues, it is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance if you wish to visit the Alhambra: https://www.alhambra-patronato.es/en ; ticket purchase time is between 13:30 and 14:00 .)

Accommodation: Granada or nearby city | Suggested hotel: Hotel Restaurant Campanile Malaga Airport *** or similar

Departure location and time

16:00 Granada Red Palace Parking Lot

Day 5 (Wednesday): Granada → Seville (240 km)

In the morning, we will depart for Seville, the soul city of Andalusia. This city was once the capital of the Islamic dynasties, the patron saint of Andalusian culture, the birthplace of flamenco dance, the setting of the novel *Carmen*, and the fourth largest city in Spain. Upon arrival, we will visit the 16th-century cathedral, which houses the royal chapel and the tombs of several medieval kings. Next to the main altar is the tomb of Christopher Columbus, commemorating the great navigator's discovery of the New World. After the main altar, we will visit the Alcázar of Alcázar, once a Islamic palace and one of the palaces of the Spanish dynasties. This palace was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. This building, which has witnessed both Islamic and Catholic dynasties, is one of the most complex and beautiful architectural achievements in the world. Afterwards, we will stroll through the Santa Croce district, the Torre Oro, and the María Luisa Park, the site of the 1992 World Expo. The intricately carved ceramic murals in Plaza de España tell the story of Spain's past glory and splendor.

Accommodation: Seville or a nearby city | Suggested hotel: Hotel YIT Via Sevilla Mairena **** or similar

Departure location and time

19:00 Santa Justa Train Station, Seville City Center

Day 6 (Thursday): Seville → Lisbon (460 km)

In the morning, we will depart for Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. In the afternoon, we are expected to first arrive at Cape de la St, the westernmost point of mainland Europe. Besides experiencing the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, tour members can purchase a commemorative certificate to prove they have set foot at the westernmost point of Europe, making it a highly valuable souvenir. After the visit, we will travel to Lisbon to visit the Belém Tower, the Monument to the Navigators (a monument symbolizing Portugal's pioneering role in the Age of Exploration and its passion for discovering new continents), and then the Jerónimó Monastery to admire the Manuelian architecture left over from Portugal's maritime heyday in the 16th century. After the monastery visit, we will transfer to the Rimarúcio Square and Pompeii Square for free time. Tour members who are interested can sample authentic Portuguese egg tarts at a century-old bakery.

B&B Hotel Lisboa Aeroporto *** or similar

Departure location and time

19:00 Rossio Train Station, Lisbon City Center

Day 7 (Friday): Lisbon → Toledo → Madrid (675 km)

We will depart for Madrid in the morning, and in the afternoon we will visit the ancient city of Toledo. Surrounded by the Tagus River and its sturdy walls, Toledo records the history and culture of Spain. During the height of Spain's power, it served as the capital. Stroll through this city full of ancient ruins, overlook the Alcázar Castle, and visit the magnificent cathedral to fully experience the former glory of Spain. After the tour, we will head towards Madrid and arrive in Madrid at around 8 pm.

No accommodation was provided for tour groups that day.

Departure location and time

19:30 Madrid City Centre Plaza de Orient

Madrid

Madrid, the capital and largest city of Spain, and the capital of the Madrid Autonomous Community, is located in the central part of Spain, with the Manzanares River flowing through the city. The city proper has a population of approximately 3.4 million, while the metropolitan area has a population of approximately 6.271 million (2010), both the highest in Spain. Founded in the 9th century, it developed on the site of the Moorish trading post of Magritte. In 1561, King Philip II of Spain moved the capital from Toledo to Madrid, and due to its special status, it developed rapidly, becoming the operational center of the Spanish colonial empire. Today, it is considered one of Spain's two major cultural gateways to the world, alongside Barcelona.

| Zaragoza

The area preserves ancient Roman city wall ruins, bridge remains, and churches, bell towers, and palaces from different eras. Zaragoza Cathedral (1119–1520) was the first church in Spain built on the site of a former mosque, showing traces of early Romanesque architecture. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar features Goya's frescoes. The Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar is celebrated here annually on October 12th, exhibiting ornaments and religious items worn by the Virgin Mary. There are also Gothic-style stock exchanges and aristocratic residences in a Spanish national style.

Barcelona
Barcelona, ​​a port city in Catalonia, is a world-renowned Mediterranean tourist destination and a famous historical and cultural city. It is also Spain's most important trade, industrial, and financial center. The Port of Barcelona is the largest port and container terminal on the Mediterranean coast, and Spain's largest comprehensive port. With its pleasant climate, stunning scenery, and numerous historical sites, Barcelona is known as the "Pearl of the Iberian Peninsula" and is one of Spain's most famous tourist destinations.

Valencia
Valencia, Spain's third-largest city and second-largest seaport, is known as the "City of Sunshine" in Europe. Located in southeastern Spain, it borders the sea to the east and is backed by a vast plain. With its evergreen climate and pleasant weather, it is hailed as a "pearl on the western Mediterranean coast." A port and industrial city, Valencia is the capital of both the Valencian Community and the province of Valencia. Valencia hosts the Faya Fire Festival every March. Valencia is connected to major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, ​​and Zaragoza by rail and high-speed bus.

Alicante
Located on the Mediterranean coast of Europe, southeast of France, lies the Principality of Monaco, a very small country, often referred to as the "Gambling Kingdom," the "Pocket Country," and the "Postage Stamp Country." The gambling industry in Monte Carlo, the wonders of the Oceanographic Museum, and Princess Grace's marriage to Monaco have all added to the legendary aura of this tiny nation. As one of the most densely populated countries in the world, Monaco boasts a population of 33,000 on a mere 1.95 square kilometers of land—a truly densely populated country. However, compared to France, Monaco's size is minuscule. On a map of France, this enclave resembles a tiny drop of ink carelessly spilled within the French territory, so small as to go largely unnoticed.

Granada
The famous Alhambra Palace, the Moorish royal palace, is located in Granada. This renowned historical site, blending Muslim, Jewish, and Christian architectural styles, makes Granada a cultural and tourist hotspot in Spain. Granada is also home to the prestigious University of Granada.