Spain, Portugal Rail Tour
- Hotels
- Meals
- Sightseeing
- Transfers
Day 1
Barcelona
Airport to hotel transfer. Checkin at Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Barcelona.
Day 2
Discover the exuberance and beauty of Barcelona on a 4.5-hour morning tour of this exquisite Catalan city
Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the exuberance and beauty of Barcelona on a 4.5-hour morning tour of this exquisite Catalan city. Perfect for first-time visitors, this tour is the ideal introduction to Barcelona’s famous sights, including the Barcelona cathedral, Gothic quarter, the Olympic Village (Vila Olimpica) and the beautiful Montjuic castle. Sample a glass of cava at the Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol), then take in aerial views of Barcelona’s skyline and the city harbor from a cable car (included).
Meet your local guide in central Barcelona and start your morning tour with a stroll through Plaza de Catalunya, with its many fountains and statues, then wander along the narrow medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter with your local guide. You will see many buildings dating from the 15th century, including the Barcelona Cathedral, as you continue to Plaza Sant Jaume, where the important government buildings are located, including the Palace of Generalitat and the Town Hall.
Next, take in views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Barcelona Coast on the way to the Olympic Village (Vila Olimpica), home to athletes during the Olympics, and the Port Olympic.
Continue to the Montjuic Mountain for a panoramic view of the city and harbor. When you arrive, tour the Llus Companys Olympic Stadium, the Palau Sant Jordi and the Calatrava Tower. Then, visit the Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol) to see typical architecture and traditional crafts from different regions of Spain, and taste Catalan cava (included), the renowned local sparkling wine.
Next, get on a cable-car (included) and take in aerial views of the Barcelona skyline, on the ride down to Montjuic Castle. From there, head back to central Barcelona, where you will have the afternoon free to explore the city at your leisure. Overnight in Barcelona.
Day 3
Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. Checkout From Barcelona to Station for Madrid. On arrival Checkin at Madrid Hotel.Rest of the Day at leisure on your own.Overnight at Madrid.
Day 4
Marvel at the sights of Madrid on this tour of the city and the Royal Palace
Breakfast at hotel. Later Marvel at the sights of Madrid on this tour of the city and the Royal Palace. Learn about Madrid’s past and the events that have shaped the city you see today.Discover Madrid’s multi-faceted history, from its Arab origins to the reigns of Phillip II and Charles III, and finally to present day Madrid. It was during the reign of Charles III in the 18th century that artistic and cultural ideas were introduced, enabling Madrid to become an important cultural and scientific center.
Walk past such well known sights and squares as Monumento de la Encarnacion, Plaza de Oriente, Mayor, Puerta de la Operal, Ramales, de la Villa, Sacramento, Puerta del Sol and Coln square, where you can stop, relax and enjoy a complimentary soft drink.
Continue to Madrid’s Royal Palace. Built in the 18th century on the site of an ancient alcassar (Arab-fortress) in the classical Italian baroque style, it is one of the most beautiful and best preserved palaces in Europe. Your tour of the palace reveals rich tapestries, exquisite china pieces, clocks in every room.
Overnight at Madrid.
Day 5
Lisbon
Breakfast at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure at your own. In Evening Checkout from Hotel to Station for Lisbon. Overnight at Train to Lisbon.
Day 6
Overnight at Lisbon
Checkin at Lisbon Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure at your own. Overnight at Lisbon.
Day 7
Spend a lovely afternoon in Sintra and more..
Breakfast at Hotel . Spend a lovely afternoon in Sintra, a fairytale-like hillside town, which was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, just outside Lisbon. This half-day tour includes a guided element, but you’ll have two hours of free time to explore on your own. Then, bring your camera to capture a shot of Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point in mainland Europe. On your way to Cascais, a beautiful coastal town with pretty beaches, you will also pass Hell’s Mouth (Boca do Inferno), a chasm in the seaside cliffs.
While you’re in Lisbon, don’t miss a trip to Sintra, full of palaces and villas perched in the hills. The dream-like scape is why Sintra is so often called a fairytale town – find out for yourself if it lives up to its reputation on this half-day trip!When you arrive in Sintra, your guide will give you the lay of the land, answer your questions and tell you the must-see sights, including the gorgeous Sintra National Palace (Palcio da Vila) and the whimsical Pena Palace (Palcio da Pena), famous for its Romanticist architecture. You’ll have two hours of free time to explore on your own and visit the attractions that interest you.
After your two hours, continue your tour to Cabo da Roca (20-minute break in March to October only), a cliff famous for being mainland Europe’s westernmost point. Take pictures of the beautiful landscape and the cape’s small lighthouse.
On the way to your last stop, Cascais, a former fishing village and preferred resort for European royals in the early 20th century, keep your eyes open, and you’ll be rewarded with views of the coast and beautiful Guincho Beach. In Cascais, enjoy your 10-minute break, stroll along one of the small beaches and enjoy the sea views before heading back to Lisbon. Overnight at Lisbon.
Day 8
Discover the beauty of Lisbon on a half-day trip that covers all of the city’s highlights
Breakfast at Hotel. In Afternoon Discover the beauty of Lisbon on a half-day trip that covers all of the city’s highlights. Enjoy a walking tour of the Moorish Alfama quarter and learn interesting facts about the city from your guide as you wander through the neighborhood’s cobblestone streets and alleyways. Sample Port wine at a local shop; then, head to the Belm district to see the Belm Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jernimos Monastery and discover the world’s most opulent historical carriages at the Coach Museum.
Meet your guide in central Lisbon or enjoy pickup from your Lisbon hotel and relax on a comfortable, air-conditioned coach as you head to the Alfama district. With your guide, wander around the streets of this neighborhood, the oldest in Lisbon and the birthplace of Fado, Portugal’s own musical genre. Stop at a local store to sample Portugal’s famous Port wine.
Get back on the coach and continue along the waterfront towards Commerce Square (Praa do Comrcio) in the heart of Lisbon. Take in views of the Tagus River and S de Lisboa cathedral , one of Lisbon’s oldest churches.When you arrive in Belm, see the Belm Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries, both of which commemorate Vasco da Gama’s expedition to the Americas. Visit the 16th-century UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jernimos Monastery, one of the greatest examples of Manueline art, located by the riverfront.
Next, browse through the amazing 17th-century luxury coaches built for the aristocracy at the Coach Museum. On Mondays, when the Jernimos Monastery and Coach Museum are closed, you will instead visit the neoclassical Palcio Nacional da Ajuda (Ajuda Palace ) or the Casa-Museu Medeiros e Almeida, which showcases an exhaustive collection of artwork by the Portuguese artist Antnio de Medeiros e Almeida. Overnight at Lisbon.
Day 9
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer for your airport to return home.
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer for your airport to return home.
- 2 night’s accommodation in Barcelona.
- 2 night’s accommodation in Madrid.
- 1 Overnight Train from Madrid to Lisbon.
- 3 night’s accommodation in Lisbon.
- Daily Breakfast.
- Airport to Hotel Pvt Returns Transfer.
- Barcelona Morning Sightseeing Tour.
- Madrid City Sightseeing and Royal Palace Tour with English-speaking guide.
- Lisbon City Sightseeeing Tour.
- Sintra Half Day Trip from Lisbon.
- Barcelona to Madrid 2nd Class Eurail Ticket.
- Madrid to Lisbon 2nd Class Eurail Ticket. Overnight Train