Flavors of Portugal & Spain:

Get a different perspective on Porto as you step across the threshold of your hosts’ home and inhale the tantalizing aroma of traditional Portuguese cooking. Enjoy the warm hospitality of a local family welcoming you with open arms. Feel like a local in their cozy, inviting home on the outskirts of Porto, and savor a homemade meal warmly seasoned with laughter and paired with delicious Portuguese wine.

Take a step away from the bustling streets of Lisbon for an excursion to charming seaside Ericeira, once a thriving fishing village. This beach town is now world-renowned to surfers and that aesthetic can be seen everywhere from the coast to the cozy cafes. Take some time to tour the quaint downtown along with your Tour Manager. Next, explore the town of Sintra (UNESCO), the summer residence of Portuguese kings. Your Tour Manager will show you around the Old Town before letting you explore as you’d like. After, venture to one of the most notable Romanticism inspired landscapes in Portugal, the Park of Monserrate. Find the pathways running between the ruins, lakes and waterfalls into the property’s palace, which itself is the exotic dream of a 19th century British visionary.

Fado: the perfect blend of voice and guitar. A shawl, a guitar, a voice and heartfelt emotion – these are the ingredients of Fado, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Patrimony, as a celebrated form of world music that captures what it is to be Portuguese. No one knows quite how Fado first came into being, but to this day Portugal's traditional music remains at the very heart of the country's culture. In one of Lisbon’s most popular Fado restaurants, professional performers entertain you while you enjoy a three course, candlelit dinner of regional Portuguese cuisine and wine. A Fado dinner and show is an experience that you simply have to include when visiting Portugal.

Say bonjour to France on a day trip featuring Bayonne and Biarritz. The city of Bayonne, in southwestern France, is famed for its medieval architecture, half-timbered houses, and delicious chocolate. Thanks to its proximity to Spain, where cocoa beans were first introduced back in the 16th century, the city played a pivotal role in the spread of chocolate throughout Europe and is known as the “chocolate capital of France.” Stroll past dozens of chocolate shops and satisfy your sweet tooth! Next, travel to Biarritz, known for its beautiful beaches, seaside casinos, and surf culture. Walk along the shore, taking in brilliant views of the sea, and discover a historic lighthouse that’s an impressive 144 feet (44m) tall. From the beach, head to Les Halles, the city’s bustling marketplace, and enjoy free time for lunch and plenty of people-watching. Later, start the coastal journey towards Saint Jean de Luz, passing through Basque villages filled with charming white houses with iconic red and green shutters. Sights of lush hills, soaring cliffs, and beautiful beaches accompany you back to San Sebastian.