Tastes of Four Tours in Spain and Portugal
 |
| What does Rick think? Sit back and watch his half-hour "Test Drive" class video on our Spain with Morocco in 16 Days tour! |
Ready to pump up the "vivid" in your travels? Rick Steves offers four exciting ways to marvel at Iberia, Europe's most colorful corner. Have a little taste of each itinerary below...along with a tapas-bar assortment of interviews and articles on all this region has to offer!
Take a bite of one day...and another...and another
To give you a taste of our four tours covering Spain and Portugal in 2012, we've picked one day from each. Go ahead, we have plenty to share!
Best of Barcelona & Madrid in 8 Days Tour
Day 3: Barri Gòtic and Picasso — This morning, we'll explore Barcelona's maze-like Gothic Quarter, from its Roman foundations to the spires of its candle-, relic- (and geese-!) strewn cathedral. We'll end our tour at the Picasso Museum, Europe's best collection of Picasso paintings, where we'll trace the story of this hometown boy-genius' art as he evolved from a kid who painted like an adult...to an adult who painted like a kid. This evening we'll toast to our last night in Barcelona with a paella dinner together. Let's try a little more...
Basque Country of Spain & France in 8 Days Tour
Day 5: Camino de Santiago — We'll spend our day along the camino that leads to Santiago de Compostela, and experience first-hand the historic path trod by a thousand years' worth of pilgrims. This part of the trail is also a popular recreational hiking route, surrounded by vineyards that produce some of Spain's finest wines. We'll walk a level section of the trail, meeting a mix of devoted pilgrims and happy day-hikers. We'll stop for a well-deserved lunch and tasting of Navarre vintages at a local winery, then resume our pilgrimage. We'll return to San Sebastián in time for you to sample more of the region's gourmet cuisine. Just one more taste, please...
Heart of Portugal in 12 Days Tour
Day 5: Olives, Oil and Cork — This morning begins with a memorable visit to a working farm and estate. We'll have a chance to meet farming locals, and taste-test their olives and oil. Then we'll wander through their forest of cork oaks, learning how the bark is harvested and how it's being regulated today. We'll cap off our visit with lunch together, including some of the estate's wines. This afternoon we'll follow the sun as we make our way to the old fishing town of Nazaré. Upon arrival we'll take an orientation walk, and learn why old women still wear seven layers of petticoats. Maybe another nibble...
Best of Spain with Morocco in 16 Days Tour
Day 10: A Taste of Morocco — This morning we'll barrel downhill till we hit the Mediterranean, and follow Spain's sun-worshipping Costa del Sol to the port town of Tarifa, where we'll catch a ferry to Morocco's vibrant city of Tangier. Upon arrival, our local guide will join us as we hop on a bus for a rolling tour of the countryside around Tangier, including a view of the King of Morocco's palace. After pausing at Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules, we'll stop to explore the seaside town of Asilah. After returning to Tangier this evening, we'll enjoy a family-style Moroccan dinner together Did someone say dinner...?
Get to Know our Tour Guides...
New: Interview with Javier Menor de las Casas
A Spaniard who loves spending more time with our groups.
Interview with Cristina Duarte
For tour members, her passion for Portugal is happily contagious.
Interview with Federico Garcia Barroso
He leads a bunch of our tours in Spain...and in song!
Interview with Carlos Galvin
Our longtime Spain guide has also done "surprise" TV with Rick.
Spain and Andalucia (Audio, 47 minutes)
From the lively cities to the white-washed hill towns, Federico Garcia Barroso shares tips on how easy it is to zip around Spain on its high-speed bullet trains. (Travel with Rick Steves airdate: April 4, 2009)
Madrid (Audio, 28 minutes)
Sampling the sites of central Spain's Castille region, Federico Garcia Barroso gives us an understanding of what gives the heart of Spain its vibrant character. (Travel with Rick Steves airdate: September 15, 2007)
Spain (Audio, 34 minutes)
Carlos Galvin, who lives in Madrid, joins Rick to describe today's scene in his homeland, and to take listener calls about visiting Spain. (Travel with Rick Steves airdate: September 9, 2006)
Portugal (Audio, 28 minutes)
Guides Cristina Duarte and Robert Wright join Rick to discuss Portugal's economic challenges today, and opportunities for the traveler. (Travel with Rick Steves airdate: June 12, 2010)
Read All About It...
Spanish History 101
Iberia has long been a remarkable place to call home.
Lisbon's Gold Still Shines
Portugal's capital is rich with nuggets of local culture.
Barcelona: A Visual Feast
It's a permanent festival of architecture and art.
Eating Tapas in Spain
Assembling a pub crawl dinner, Madrid-style.
Spain's Basque Country
A vibrant, thriving culture worth a closer look.