Portugal & Spain

Spain and Portugal were once the super powers of Europe, discovered the New World and left their influence in most of the rest of it! Today their beautiful cities, beaches, scenery climate, cuisines, traditions and colourful festivals put them high on the popularity poll.

Who wouldn’t be impressed by Barcelona’s Las Ramblas, Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum or Granada’s Alhambra Palace? In Madrid, see the priceless works of Spanish art at the Prado Museum and visit Plaza Mayor, historic site of executions, tournaments, bullfights, trials, feasts, weddings and markets!

Beyond the cities, soak some serious sun along miles of Mediterranean coastline, find quaint fishing villages and medieval hilltop towns where paella and sangria have never tasted better. Then venture onto some of Spain’s great multi day walks and bike routes like the 1000 year old St James Walkway that led pilgrims to Camino in Northern Spain.

The Portuguese live a life less worldly, but can still boast medieval villages, castles, vineyards, cork fields and Lisbon, once the world’s richest city. The Algarve Coast is a summer playground of white sand resorts and in Oporto a river cruise will deliver you to the caves that store the country’s famous and potent port wine!