Paradores & Pousadas of Spain & Portugal - Premier Collection

After breakfast, you’ll travel to Lisbon for a guided tour. As you wander the narrow, steep cobbled and colourful streets, lined with the tracks of yellow historic trams, you’ll encounter centuries-old cathedrals, Moorish influences in architecture, and colourful tiles known as azulejos that tell stories of Portugal's past. 

Starting with the Alfama district, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, you’ll see Lisbon Cathedral, and the winding staircases leading up to the Moorish São Jorge Castle, or St George’s Castle. The Rua Augusta Arch, a stone memorial-like arch on Praça do Comércio is another highlight, as well as Rossio Square and Figueira Square, historic squares bustling with open-air cafés.

The coastal town of Estoril on the Portuguese Riviera is next, with its golden sandy beaches and sprawling promenade. One of Europe’s largest casinos can also be found here, and the town boasts a glamorous history as a haven for royal families and spies during World War II. Numerous luxury hotels, restaurants and entertainment options sit alongside a pristine seafront, which you’ll have time to discover.

Sintra set in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains, is next, and this UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts visitors with its 19th-century Romanticist, whimsical architecture, and lush, manicured gardens. A resort town and former royal sanctuary, Sintra is made up of a wooded landscape adorned with palaces, historic estates, and pastel villas. Sintra National Palace is the best-preserved medieval royal palace in Portugal with a minimalist Gothic façade and incredibly ornate rooms. You’ll also see Plácio Nacional da Pena, a multi-hued structure, ringed by enchanting gardens, and perched on a hilltop and Castelo dos Mouro, a walled Moorish fortress dating back to the 8th century. The historic centre of Sintra will be explored, with some time to admire the traditional Portuguese architecture.

Upon returning to the city, stop for a coffee break in the district of Belém. It was from here that explorers set sail during the Age of Discovery. This area is also home to Torre de Belém and UNESCO-listed Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Don’t miss trying the famous pastéis de nata (custard tart) at the Pastéis de Belém bakery – these treats are a local speciality. 

Later in the day, you’ll return to your hotel in Palmela, and you can opt to relax or join an optional Fado dinner and dance show. During this excursion, you’ll get to feast on Portuguese delicacies while enjoying the traditional genre of music, Fado, known for its heartfelt songs. Sitting in a softly lit venue and listening to soulful singing and strumming of a classic guitar will serve as a memorable and moving experience. 

Following breakfast, check out of the hotel, leave Lisbon and travel south towards the Algarve. This scenic journey involves crossing the famous Vasco da Gama Bridge, a marvel of modern engineering that spans the Tagus River. The longest bridge in Western Europe, this striking cable-stayed structure connects the northern and southern regions of the Greater Lisbon metropolitan area.

Alcácer do Sal, your coffee stop on route, is a charming town of white-washed buildings with roots tracing back to the Roman Empire. You’ll have some time to meander around its historic centre and observe its well-preserved medieval castle, which sits on a hill looking out over the city and the Sado River. 

As the afternoon progresses, you’ll also pause in Alentejo, a region often referred to as ‘Portugal’s Tuscany’ because of its picturesque countryside laden with vineyards. The coach will pass by Roman ruins, ancient castles, and pretty villages before calling at a winery to sample the local wine labels and learn about the production process.

In the evening, you’ll pass Monte Gordo, a coastal town, fronted by a stretch of sandy beach and promenade. Shortly afterwards, arrive in Pousada Vila Real de Santo Antonio, a delightful historic building.

When you’ve settled in, you have a free evening, perhaps to swim in one of the outdoor pools before settling in for dinner at the parador.  

Today, you’ll be free to spend the day as you see fit with a leisurely breakfast in San Antonio. If you’d prefer a more structured day’s exploration, you can delve even deeper into the real Algarve on an immersive optional tour.

The first stop will be Olhão, with its local market, a bustling hub of activity, offering a glimpse into the daily life of Portugal's fishing communities. You can walk along its waterfront promenade admiring views of the Ria Formosa lagoon and browse the vibrant market stalls brimming with fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables, and artisanal crafts.

Tavira, your next destination, is a pleasant riverside town with a 13th-century castle, a Roman bridge, and collection of Moorish churches. At the centre, the Praça da República is bounded by cafés and restaurants, where you can sip on a drink while people watching. The area is also known for its salt production, and you can see the surrounding salt flats.

Your last visit of the day will be Cacela Velha, a small, quiet village bounded by walls, with rows of white-washed houses built in a typical Algarve style. From the hill it’s located on, you can view the nearby Ria Formosa Natural Park and the Atlantic Ocean. You can also see the 16th-century church and the ruins of a medieval fortress.

Monte Gordo's long sandy beach, where you'll end the day, is a favourite among locals and visitors alike. It's the perfect spot to lounge, swim, and savour the beauty of the Algarve coastline as the sun sets.

Have breakfast, check out and board the coach to make the journey across the border into Spain in the middle of the Guadiana River.

You’ll then arrive in Seville, a lively, colourful city, abounding with grand monuments, and famed for flamenco dancing, which will be soaked up with the help of a guided walking tour. Traverse its narrow lanes, bordered with tightly packed shops, cafés, and bars by foot, pausing to rest in the shade of an orange tree-ringed piazza.

Towering over Seville, the Giralda bell tower is unmissable, as is the Royal Alcázars of Seville, a royal palace in Seville, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its chambers, towers, and gardens adorned in vibrant Moorish tiles. The Cathedral of Seville, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the largest churches in the world, as well as the largest Gothic church, and houses 80 chapels.

The city’s biggest and most eye-pleasing piazza, Plaza de España, built in 1928, will also be sought out, with its canal, mosaic-lined alcoves, trickling fountains, and Venetian-inspired bridges. You’ll then have a break for lunch, which is best enjoyed in the tapas bars of the old town and complemented by a cold beer or glass of wine – tapas is an integral part of life in Seville after all.

Later, the tour will continue to Jerez de la Frontera, a lesser-known city, and a hidden gem rich in history with a beautifully preserved old town. At its historic centre, you’ll discover Alcázar de Jerez, a Moorish fortress, which was built in the 11th century and is bounded by a pretty estate. The Catedral de Jerez is another highlight and was only built in the 17th century, despite looking medieval with its bell tower.

You’ll then partake in an activity to celebrate the city’s long heritage of port and sherry production. Visit a popular sherry bodega for a tasting and to learn about the fermentation process and the different styles. 

As the day ends, you’ll check into the Parador de Mérida, a vast baroque hotel based in a 17th-century Franciscan monastery. After a brief siesta, settle in for dinner at the parador’s restaurant in the company of your fellow guests.

Rise this morning ahead of another full day at leisure. After breakfast, you’ll have the freedom to explore nearby Badajoz or make the most of your pousada’s well-appointed facilities.

Alternatively, you can embark on a full-day optional exploration to historic Cáceres, a hilltop town originally founded by the ancient Romans. Here, you’ll join your Tour Manager for an in-depth introduction to the town’s colourful past and the architectural wonders that dot its cobbled streets.

Start at the Plaza Mayor, the heart of Cáceres’ old town and one of the largest squares in Spain, with some time to explore its porticoed arcades. Overlooking the city’s old town is the magnificent Cathedral of Santa María, a 15th-century Gothic co-cathedral, which offers panoramic views over Cáceres from the top of its imposing bell tower. Inside, you can admire the cathedral’s vaulted ceilings, intricate frescoes and carved 16th-century altar or perhaps pay the ecclesiastical museum a visit.

Next, you’ll learn about the city’s vibrant cultural heritage with a stop at the Bujaco Tower, once a bastion which housed the Order of the Knights of Santiago, which has stood watch over Cáceres for over 1,000 years. While here, you can walk around the Three Cultures visitors’ centre which showcases the confluence of Islamic, Christian and Jewish cultures that have coexisted in the town for centuries.

Finish your day’s exploration taking in the elegant facades and opulent interiors of the Palace of Golfines de Abeja, which was built to commemorate the death of Queen Isabella I. Once an estate for Caceres’ nobility, this 15th-century residence features a rich collection of period furnishings and artworks.

This evening, reconvene at the hotel.

Depart Badajoz this morning after breakfast at the parador and head west across the Portuguese border. En route to your final heritage hotel, the Pestana Cidadela Cascais pousada, you’ll have the chance to explore picturesque Evora, the capital of Portugal’s Alentejo region.

Stop first at the ruined Temple of Diana, a pillared roman structure which has stood watch over the city’s UNESCO-listed old town for almost two millennia. Next, marvel at the spectacular Cathedral of Evora, the largest medieval church in Portugal, with time to explore under your own steam. Admire the building’s palatial exterior, including its exquisite rose windows, manicured courtyards and turreted roofs, before heading inside for views of its opulent altar and remarkable granite cloisters.

Crown your time in Evora with a brief stop at the bustling Giralda Square, one of the best places in the city to find traditional artisanal handicrafts, and you’ll be free to browse its markets and cafés at your own pace.

Back on the road, you’ll continue west to glittering Cascais, a coastal suburb on the outskirts of Lisbon. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for a final included dinner at the pousada. 

Enjoy your last breakfast, and depending on the time of your flight, take advantage of the hotel’s amenities, visit the beach in front of the hotel or the nearby Plaza Mayor shopping centre.

A transfer will then collect you and take you the short distance to Lisbon airport for your flight home.