Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

‍

Note: if you wish to spend more time in Madrid, ask your Personal Vacation Manager about the optional hotel extension – which will add a night to your Madrid hotel stay.

Discover the essence of Madrid through a day that blends history, culture, and local gastronomy. The morning begins with a visit to the magnificent Royal Palace, exploring its grand halls, artistic treasures, and centuries of royal heritage, followed by a stroll through a traditional market to sample authentic Spanish flavors and local products, paired with a tapas tasting alongside Spanish wine. In the evening, guests enjoy a flamenco show and dinner at one of Madrid's most iconic venues, celebrated as one of the best in the world for both its flamenco performances and its culinary offerings.

Depart Madrid and travel to Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage city known as the "City of Three Cultures" for its unique blend of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish heritage. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic tour of Toledo, including scenic viewpoints overlooking the city's spectacular skyline along the Tagus River, followed by a guided visit to Toledo Cathedral, one of Spain's most impressive Gothic masterpieces, renowned for its architecture, artistic treasures, and historical significance. Afterward, enjoy a special lunch at a beautiful traditional estate on the hills overlooking Toledo before continuing on to Cáceres, check in at the hotel and enjoy a free evening.

‍

Discover the essence of Cáceres with a private half-day tour through its impressive Monumental City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll explore Cáceres' medieval streets while learning the stories and legends that make Cáceres a unique destination. Afterward, we cross the border from Spain to Portugal, stopping en route at a traditional estate for lunch. Our next stop is the Coffee Museum, an interactive space dedicated to the history, science, and production process of coffee — from the origin of the bean to the cup — where we'll learn about growing, harvesting, roasting, grinding, and brewing, as well as the cultural traditions surrounding coffee around the world. We'll then continue on to Évora to check in at the hotel.

After a good night's sleep, we'll spend the morning and early afternoon getting properly acquainted with Évora, one of Portugal's best-preserved medieval towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our natural anchor is the Roman Temple of Évora, standing in the same square for nearly two thousand years, just a short walk from the Cathedral and the famous Chapel of Bones, its walls and columns lined floor to ceiling with human bones. We'll stroll through Praça do Giraldo, the arcaded main square that's been the heart of civic life here since the 1500s, then enjoy lunch in the historic center among restaurants serving regional dishes. The free afternoon is perfect for wandering the cobblestone streets and browsing the cork and ceramics shops Évora is known for.

We depart our hotel in Évora and head toward Setúbal, crossing the Alentejo countryside to arrive at one of Portugal's oldest and most prestigious wine estates. We'll enjoy a guided tour of the historic facilities, followed by a tasting of three wines — white, red, and the iconic Moscatel de Setúbal — before a lunch at the estate featuring regional cuisine paired with the local wines. From there, we continue on to Lisbon, where we'll check in at our hotel. The evening is left free to explore the city at our own pace.

‍

Today we'll discover the maritime heritage and cultural treasures of Lisbon through the district of Belém. We'll visit the Jerónimos Monastery, the iconic Belém Tower, and the Monument to the Discoveries, all part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with a tasting of the traditional Portuguese custard tart Belém is famous for.  Afterward, we'll head back into the city center for lunch on our own before regrouping to visit Castelo de S. Jorge, a medieval hilltop fortress with panoramic views over the city and the Tagus River. This evening, rejoin the group for dinner at one of Lisbon's most iconic fado venues, where the meal is accompanied by an authentic performance of traditional Portuguese fado music, recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the port, where you will board the Oceania Allura. The Director of Enrichment Journeys will bid you a Bon Voyage, as she will remain on land.

Ports of call include Malaga, Melilla, Alicante, Valencia and Barcelona, Spain; Provence (Marseille), France; Genoa and Florence/Pisa/Tuscany, Italy.

Enjoy breakfast onboard, then disembark the Oceania Allura and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

‍

‍

Note: if you wish to spend more time in Rome, ask your Personal Vacation Manager about the optional hotel extension.

‍

For meals not included in your la‍nd programs, all hotels chosen include a restaurant on property where you may relax and enjoy a meal. In addition, your guide is available to make suggestions on nearby dining, shopping or sightseeing.