Great trip--highly recommend! It was a quick trip, covering a lot of ground and history in a short time but it didn't feel rushed or as if we'd had to skip anything. The group was a good mix of nationalities and small enough to not feel like a herd (11). Unusually for group tours, Explore gives whole or half days to explore on your own--after introducing the group to the city/site and giving suggestions. This is great as some people like to stay longer at certain sites or prefer to check out something the other group members might not. My only concern with this strategy is that, on free days, you have to book your own tickets--no problem and may not even have to pre-book during non-busy times but during busy times it may be necessary to book several days in advance. Several people in our group hadn't pre-booked and missed out on some places--and I only pre-booked because I overheard others in the group doing so.
Our guide, Craig, was absolute magic--full of great stories, so knowledgeable, very efficient yet quite easy going, full of recommendations for what to see and where to eat. And the best part of the trip for me was spending 2 days at his B&B in a small village--seeing first hand what rural Spain is like, plus 2 lovely hikes in the beautiful hills of Andalucia!
The tour was well planned and the guide was amazing and very knowledgable. We were a great group of people, great guide, and a amazing tour itinerary. Can't really ask for more! Thanks
The blend of guided tours and personal time was perfect. I particularly loved the day in Seville; the city's vibrancy was contagious! The hotels were mostly great, with Porto being my favorite stop. I appreciated the professionalism of the staff and how smoothly everything ran. A must-do for anyone interested in the Iberian Peninsula.
Traveling with my partner who needed a motorized wheelchair can be difficult but our time in Spain was super easy and enjoyable thanks to the support of the guides and travel agents used. Highly recommend!
Follow an enticing trail of delicious tapas, avant-garde art, architectural triumphs and dramatic history on this 15-day tour through Spain and Portugal. Travel the scenic route from Madrid, relaxing on the beach in Algarve, sipping wine in Porto, enjoying the rolling green hills of Granada and being charmed by Andalusian Seville. Admire the masterpieces of Picasso, Dali and Gaudi, experience the passion of flamenco, taste some of the best port in the world and embrace the culture of these two spirited countries with a local leader to show you the way.
They are the best in spain. We were travelling with a small kid of 2 years and parents, however they made everything easy for us.
On the first day for our city tour we met sarah and she was warm, energetic and really helped us get an overview of the city. Tapas pf triana she selected was also amazing.
On the second day we went to alhambra with miguel which was again wonderful.
3 rd day was the best in the cities of cordoba and a stop at carmona. we went with two guides. I some how cudnt get his name, but he was the best we had in the entire tour. Warm, patient and considerate with just precise explanation pf monuments. I think njat is just so true to its name introduces you to their cities and culture as local. Thank you so much for giving us such wonderful memories.
Choose this eleven days self-drive tour and get inspired by discovering inland paths of Algarve, Alentejo and Andalucia. The natural diversity of these regions is undoubtedly one of the greatest riches. Starting in Faro, the fascinating capital of Algarve, you will drive to Portimão the largest city of Western Algarve and was traditionally a centre for shipbuilding, sardine fishing and fish processing. Follow the route through Costa Vicentina where you can enjoy marvellous landscapes and beautiful beaches. Once in Evora you will be allured by its unique romantic atmosphere, delicious gastronomy and captivating history. Proceed to Elvas one of Portugal´s hidden gems, this highly fortified and historic town is situated on the arid border region with Spain. There you can visit Merida, a destination that brings the old Roman Empire back to life. Don’t forget to pay a visit to Seville, famous for a mixture of the old and the new architecture. This trip will fill all your senses and will leave great memories for a lifetime.
Excellent choice of hotels, hire car was spacious and new. Friendly staff replied to my (many) questions in a friendly and helpful manner. Granada and Seville are truly amazing places to visit and so is Cordoba but 2 days in the both the former locations and 1 day in Cordoba was the perfect combination with a beach 1/2 day at Torremolinos at the start and the end to relax. Will use you guys again !
Over eighteen fascinating days you will discover the cultural riches of three countries: Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Starting in Andalusia, explore its legacy from Phoenician times all the way through the Roman, Muslim, Jewish and Christian periods. Visit spellbinding World Heritage sites such as Seville’s Alcazar and Cathedral, Cordoba’s Great Mosque and Granada’s Alhambra. Then explore Portugal’s most enchanting cities, beginning with a religious pilgrimage. See the first Portuguese Gothic-style church in Alcobaca, admire the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria, and attend the candle-lit procession at the Marian Shrine in Fatima. Explore one of the world’s oldest universities in Coimbra, stroll through the alleys of Alveiro, and make a stopover in Oporto,an acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage site. Lastly, see the magic and mystique of Morocco come to life in the impressive imperial cities of North Africa’s last kingdom. Visit the awe-inspiring cities of Marrakech, Fes, Meknes, Rabat and Casablanca.
I loved the experience with the tour that Destination Services created according to my needs and the time I had available. The organization was impeccable, the guides were wonderful and I loved especially in the case of Ronda that despite having people who spoke Spanish, English, and French, the guide was fluent in all these languages. Visiting these white towns full of history and incredible landscapes was the best decision I could have made.