Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Board your overnight flight bound for Barcelona.

Day 2 - Barcelona
Arrive in Barcelona, meet your Travel Director and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Start exploring on an orientation walk around the city. Attend your welcome dinner this evening.

Day 3 - Barcelona
A local guide introduces you to the highlights of Barcelona such as the main pedestrian boulevard the Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter and La Sagrada Familia Basilica. For lunch, visit the spectacular La Boquería market to buy provisions for a picnic on the beach. In the evening, enjoy a walk along the Passeig de Gracia to see the illuminated buildings by Gaudí and other modernist architects.

Day 4 - Barcelona
Today you will focus on two of Barcelona's favorite sons. First, visit the Picasso Museum, housed in five gothic palaces to see some of his early masterpieces and his famous Las Meninas series. Later, continue to the stunning Güell Parc designed by Antoni Gaudí and enjoy panoramic views of the city. For dinner, you’ll participate in a traditional paella cooking lesson and make your own dinner.

Days 5-7 - Valencia Homestay
Drive down the Eastern coast of Spain to the fabulous city of Valencia. Meet the host families that will welcome you in to their homes for the next three nights. Spend the next couple of days with your families exploring this beautiful port city (visits may include City of Arts and Sciences, La Lonja, Valencia Cathedral). You’ll also sample local foods, visit nearby beaches and spend time learning about the local culture. All meals are provided by your families.

Day 8 - Toledo
Drive to Madrid for a guided sightseeing of the capital city including a visit to the Prado Museum. See the finest examples of the Spanish School of Painting while admiring works by Goya, El Greco and Velazquez. Continue to the region of Castile-La Mancha for your overnight in Toledo. For two days you will live within the medieval walls of the city that was founded over 2000 years ago! In the evening take a walk around the labyrinth of streets and alleyways.

Day 9 - Toledo
This morning a local guide will introduce you to the highlights of this former capital of Spain. Visit the stunning gothic Cathedral, the Santa Maria la Blanca synagogue and the Santo Tomé Chapel to admire the Burial of the Count of Orgaz by El Greco. You will also take a panoramic drive to the very same viewing point where El Greco painted his "View of Toledo". In the afternoon, visit a local sword workshop to learn about sword making history in the region and its importance worldwide.

Day 10 - Granada
This morning drive through La Mancha and walk in the footsteps of Don Quijote, the famous literary character from the novel by Miguel de Cervantes. Your first stop will be in Consuegra to see the beautiful 16th century windmills which Quijote fought when he mistook them for giants. Continue to the Inn in Puerto Lápice where the story says Quijote was knighted. Finally, arrive in Granada where you will enjoy an evening walk around the beautiful Albaicín quarter with its spectacular views of the Alhambra Palace.

Day 11 - Costa del Sol
This morning a local expert will lead a tour of the Alhambra Palace the inspiration for music and stories such as those by Washington Irving. Visit the magnificent Generalife Gardens and the Summer Palace. After lunch continue to the coast for your overnight destination on the Costa del Sol. There will be time to take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 12 - Costa del Sol
Today you retrace the path of the Moors across the Strait of Gibraltar to Africa on a full day excursion to Tangier, Morocco. A local guide will introduce you to this magical city. Experience the exotic scents an sights, see the fabled Kasbah, bargain at the Grand Socco (souk), eat a tasty Moroccan lunch and admire mosques and minarets.

Day 13 - Seville
Bid farewell to the Costa Del Sol and drive to the famous whitewashed town of Ronda. Take a walk around the old town including across the stunning bridge with its picturesque views. Continue to Seville, the capital of Andalusia. In the evening enjoy a stroll around the Santa Cruz quarter.

Day 14 - Seville
This morning see the highlights of the city on a horse drawn carriage ride. You will see the Plaza de España, the Cathedral and the Royal Palace. You will have the opportunity to ascend La Giralda, the bell tower of the Seville cathedral to admire wonderful views of the city. In the afternoon enjoy some kayaking along the beautiful River Guadalquivir.

Day 15 - Lisbon
This morning a beautiful drive takes you across the border from Spain to Portugal. En route, visit Évora for a walking tour of this UNESCO walled city, such as the Roman Temple, cathedral and main square. Continue to Lisbon and begin to explore the secrets of this fascinating city, once the capital of the world's greatest maritime empire.

Day 16 - Lisbon
This morning a local guide introduces you to the jewels of Lisbon. See the Monument of the Discoveries, the Alfama district, Rossio Square and St. George's Castle. You’ll also visit the Jerónimos Monastery. This afternoon learn about the famous Portuguese ceramic tiles, or azulejos, that are all over the city and decorate your own piece during a hands-on ceramic tile workshop.

Day 17 - Lisbon
This morning visit Sintra. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Sintra has been the summer residence of the royal family since the fourteenth century. See the unique and colorful Pena Palace and the surrounding gardens. Return to Lisbon for a final free afternoon of exploring.

Day 18 - Return Home
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.