20-Day Iberian Exploration Tour of Spain and Portugal

Barcelona is a fun-filled city perfect for a family adventure. Your introduction to Spain will begin in the unique ambiance of the Catalan capital. Your flight will arrive at Barcelona El Prat Airport, where your private transfer will meet your family at customs. You can relax in your family-friendly accommodation before setting out with your family to discover the wonders of the city at your pace. The city’s history will come to life as you explore the Gothic Quarter. Your kids can wander the maze of narrow alleys to find the Romanesque cathedral that was built in the 13th century.

Your expert guide will meet you at the hotel in the morning and escort your family on an architecture tour of Barcelona to discover the stunning work of Antoni Gaudi. The Sagrada Familia embodies his surrealist designs. As you explore the cathedral, your kids will marvel at the intricate details that decorate the different facades. Each doorway coincides with a different story from Jesus’ life, and construction on the cathedral began in the 1880s. You will stand beneath the tallest tower, which reaches a height of 566 feet, before entering the nave to find vibrant stained-glass windows and an apse that resembles a honeycombed cave.

You and your family will make your way to the medieval town of Girona with your private driver to enjoy the charm of the elegant walkways. You can walk along the preserved cobblestones of the Jewish quarter, which flourished until their expulsion in the late 15th century. The Jewish Community Museum displays artifacts and history, such as an 11th-century ritual bath and a recreated 13th-century home. You will continue to Besalu to find the charming 11th-century fortified bridge that leads to the coil of cobbled lanes. The sandstone turrets will reflect in the calm water of the Fluvia River.

You will take the train to San Sebastian on a scenic ride through the countryside before reaching the city between golden beaches and lush hills. The aromas of chorizo and seafood will fill the streets. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure to enjoy San Sebastian. You can make your way to Playa de la Concha, which is the iconic beach celebrated for its turquoise colors, soft sands, and safe water. As you stroll through the Old Town, you will find locals as they dine on traditional pintxos.

After breakfast, your guide will lead you on a private pintxos tour through the city to discover the culture and history of San Sebastian. The beautiful architecture of Old Town will act as a backdrop to the delightful flavors your family will enjoy as you uncover hidden plazas and winding alleys that host the best pintxo bars in the city. You will make your way through the arcaded Plaza de la Constitucion and follow the scent of handmade croquettes and deep-fried cod. You can also find the aroma of the sea breeze and the English Tudor-style Miramar Royal Palace.

Your private transfer will meet your family after breakfast and escort you to Bilbao. You will explore the city with a private guide to find an Old-World charm that reflects in the quiet water of the Nervion River. Here, five bridges connect the newer neighborhoods to the core of the city at the historic district. Your guide will know how to engage your entire family with the art and architecture of the Guggenheim Museum, which hosts work by Andy Warhol, Eduardo Chillida, and Mark Rothko. The glossy metal exterior has a fluid shape that rises above the riverbanks.

This morning, you will fly from Bilbao to Lisbon and meet your private driver at the baggage claim upon your arrival. Your guide will meet your family at the hotel for a private tour of the city’s elegant theaters, charming cafes, enchanting bookshops, and vibrant life that overlooks the riverbanks. The yellow sandstone walls of Castelo de Sao Jorge looms over the whitewashed facades and retiled roofs of the historic Alfama district. You can wander the steep steps and explore the lanes built like a Kasbah to find marvelous terraces and music drifting out of traditional fado houses.

Your family will travel with your private driver into the rolling mountains and dewy forests that surround Sintra. Fairytale castles and regal manors shine with pastel colors overlooking the cobalt Atlantic. The whitewashed walls and conical chimneys of Palacio Nacional de Sintra will reflect the city’s history with coats of arms from 72 noble Portugues families. At Cascais, you will find Golden bays, splashing waves, and a quiet marina decorating the medieval fishing village. The 19th-century Palacio da Cidadela de Cascais is a fascinating museum with grand tapestries, remarkable hardwood ceilings, and chandeliers adorned with gilded dragons and cherubs.

With a free day in Lisbon, your family can enjoy the stunning history and culture of the city at your pace. In the Belem district, you will find lush parks and elegant tree-lined plazas with views to the 16th-century Torre de Belem as it rises along the northern bank of the Tagus River. Inside the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, you can wander through the immense 16th-century complex. A soft gold light pours through the windows of the western portal, where thick columns sprout like trees to support the ceiling.

Your private driver will lead your family to Seville this morning. Along the way, you will find Evora nestled into the sunbaked hill, overlooking the Alentejo plain. The 14th-century walls represent one of the best-preserved cities in Portugal with an intricate medieval cathedral, an elegant cloister, and an ancient Roman bath. As your family explores the complex, you will visit the intriguing Chapel of Bones inside the Church of Saint Francis. The bones of 5,000 monks decorate the walls. The Roman temple was built between the 2nd and 3rd century AD and possesses 14 preserved columns.

You will explore Seville with your private guide to enjoy how the historic district disarms and enchants its visitors. The Gothic cathedral soars above the whitewashed walls and labyrinthine streets of the former Jewish district. Giralda Tower crowns the skyline beside the cathedral and stands over 305 feet in addition to shining with Moorish details that date back to its original construction as a minaret. The aroma of oranges will originate from the citrus trees that grow in the courtyard. Your family will be awestruck at the grandiose Gothic space that leads to a wood carving that features 45 scenes from the lives of Jesus and Mary.

Your family will visit charming White Villages to experience the quintessential culture of Andalusia, beginning at Zahara de la Sierra. The whitewashed walls of the town date back to the 14th century, reflect the former Moorish population of the region, and are framed by blooming bougainvillea. You will have a private olive oil tasting that will allow your family to learn the art, passion, and history of olive oil before enjoying a sample. After sampling delicious Payoyo cheese, you will reach the serene Ronda as it clings to the cliffs above El Tajo gorge.

You will reach Axarquia in the morning. Here, you can enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. The gorgeous landscape will welcome your family with deep terraced valleys and shimmering irrigation channels that date back more than five centuries. Vines and olive trees grow along the hillsides and bring natural beauty to the elegant whitewashed houses that reflect the preserved heritage of the region. You can enjoy the history of the region at the Museo de Artes y Costumbres, where exhibits focus on beekeeping and winemaking in the region. Here, you can also find an old blacksmith’s forge.

Your private yacht will weigh anchor for a day of sailing the Mediterranean Sea. Your captain will guide the boat in view of the coastline for pristine panoramas of the Almijara Natural Park mountains. You can find secluded beaches hidden by the jagged hills of Cerro Gordo Natural Park. Your family can also dive into the warm water for a snorkeling excursion in the sea. In the afternoon, you can spend time in the handsome village of Frigiliana, where pots of red geraniums add bursts of color to the surrounding whitewashed walls.

A day trip to Granada will immerse your family in preserved medieval splendor. The maze-like city celebrates the mixture of Islamic architecture, Arab flavor, and Spanish spirit beneath the opulent Alhambra. Your guide will lead you on a private tour of the city, beginning with the dazzling architecture that opens to vistas from the Sierra Nevada mountains to the lush trees below. Your family will marvel at the opulent Moorish design that is reflected in the Hall of Ambassadors. The former throne room retains a larch-wood dome and tall windows that create an ethereal ambiance.

The Caminito del Rey will inspire your family with views from 330 feet. A mixture of wooden boardwalks and glass floors provide tremendous panoramas of the Gaitanes Gorge. You can see remnants of the original walkway’s disrepair beneath the new boardwalk as you listen to the thunder of rushing water crashing against the rock face. The path leads to a thick pine forest that will fill the air with a refreshing evergreen scent. When you reach the glass-floor lookout, you will have a better view of the original trail and the depth of the steep gorge walls.

After taking the high-speed train to Madrid, your family will enjoy an introductory tour of Spain’s capital. Your private guide will take you through the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor to reveal the regal past and captivating aromas of hot chocolate and fresh churros. You will continue to the Prado Museum for a family-friendly tour of the galleries, which displays more than 2,300 artworks and spans more than 100 rooms. Your guide will reveal the highlights to your family, including the 17th-century painting Las Meninas by Velazquez. The portrait depicts the Spanish royal family and is centered on a young Margaret Theresa.

You will venture into the countryside for a comfortable ride on an electric bike. The safety of the trails will lead your family into the beauty of secluded towns and lush hills. As you pass the towns, your guide will point out the different colors of the buildings that range from red, black, and yellow. The different colors stem from the soil compositions from which the buildings were constructed. You will stop for lunch at a traditional taverna to sample local dishes, such as savory cheeses and a typical stew of chickpeas, chorizo, and vegetables, before returning to Madrid.

Today, your family will have the day to relax and explore Madrid at your preferred pace. The scent of cafe con leche and churros will fill Plaza Mayor in the morning as the cafes open their doors. For an exciting discovery, you can visit the lake in El Retiro Park, which is the former recreation gardens of the royal family. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner and a flamenco show, which will introduce you to the passion and rhythm that are imbued in every step. You will dine on delicious, traditional cuisine as the dancers move you with their classic movements.

The doors to Cafe Gijon will open in the morning to reflect the oldest established restaurant in the city. The sunlight will spread over the Neoclassical facade of the grandiose royal palace. Your private transfer will meet your family in the hotel lobby after breakfast. You will have plenty of time to reach Madrid Barajas International Airport, where you can check-in for your flight home. This will bring an end to your 20-day family tour of Spain and Portugal, but you can always stay longer by adding time in Mallorca or visiting the beautiful Lanzarote island.