Trip Style
Small Group
Departures
Accommodation
Boutique
Max. Group Size
18
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
BIBML4
Overview
Read 8 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Back-Roads 12 Day Iberian Inspiration. East meets West and past meets present: Spain and Portugal offer a heady mix of treasures, from Arabic palaces and Roman temples to Catholic cathedrals and Jewish synagogues. Join us as we take to the scenic back roads on this journey into the heart of ancient Iberia.
Itinerary
Our tour will begin in vibrant Madrid, where we'll meet the group and kick off our adventure with a delicious welcome dinner. Salud! Stay: NH Madrid Alonso Martínez (or similar) (D)
After breakfast we'll take in all the highlights of this captivating capital on an orientation tour. Then we'll board the mini-coach and head for Toledo – a beguiling riverside city where centuries of history come alive. A guided city tour and visits to the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes and the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca will help us get a grip on the area's unique cultural heritage before we retire to our hotel for the night. Stay: Hotel Carlos V (or similar) (B)
Today our journey will continue south across the vast plains of La Mancha towards Valdepeñas – where we'll pause to visit a local bodega for a wine tasting session and tapas lunch. Appetites satisfied, we'll move on to beautiful Córdoba – our home for the next two nights. Stay: Las Casas de la Judería de Córdoba (or similar) (B/L)
Prepare to step back in time to the days of Islamic Iberia – a locally guided tour of Córdoba's Old Town awaits! After visiting the spectacular Mezquita (a UNESCO-protected mosque), you'll be free to explore the city at your own pace. Seek out hidden squares and local cafés, pamper yourself at a traditional hammam or simply sit back and marvel at the city's magnificent architecture – this afternoon is all about you. Stay: Las Casas de la Judería de Córdoba (or similar) (B)
Our next stop will be Úbeda, a World Heritage-listed town filled with spectacular Renaissance palaces. There will be just enough time to pause and taste some authentic Spanish olive oil before we move on to enchanting Granada. Stay: Villa Oniria (or similar) (B)
An energetic university city with an ancient past – Granada is yours to explore at leisure today. No visit here would be complete without wandering the lavish interiors of ancient Alhambra. Purchase your tickets well in advance to secure the opportunity to explore the intricately carved archways and vibrant gardens of this breathtaking Moorish palace. Stay: Villa Oniria (or similar) (B)
You can rest assured that today's journey will be just as much fun as the destination! From Granada, our path will turn east as we make the scenic journey to the mountaintop city of Ronda, where we'll get our bearings on an orientation tour. Tonight, we'll come together for dinner in a local restaurant. Stay: Hotel Maestranza (or similar) (B/D)
Today it's back on the road – with stops at the picturesque white villages of Grazalema and Arcos to look forward to. This afternoon we'll set our sights on Jerez – where we'll be treated to a sherry tasting session and tapas lunch at a local winery. Tonight, a traditional flamenco show will help us settle into Seville. Stay: Las Casas de la Judería (or similar) (B/L)
We've a full day to spend getting acquainted with the charismatic city of Seville. First, a locally guided walking tour and a visit to the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alcázar of Seville. Then, the day is yours to spend at your leisure. Whether you want to seek out Roman ruins, hunt down Moorish mosaics or visit classical squares, there are plenty of historic sites to keep you occupied here. Feeling hungry? You could always sample some Andalucían specialities at one of the city's abundant bars... Stay: Las Casas de la Judería (or similar) (B)
Back to nature today. After breakfast we'll make tracks to the Sierra de Aracena, an unspoilt mountain range peppered with castles, quaint villages and pastures. While we're here, we'll pay a visit a local pig farm – where we'll be lucky enough to taste some authentic jamón ibérico and local cheeses. Stay: Hotel Convento Aracena (or similar) (B)
Our first stop of the day will be Monsaraz, a charming Portuguese hilltop village with sweeping views of the Alqueva Dam. We'll take some time to explore its narrow streets before moving on to Estremoz for an afternoon of leisure time.
Tonight, we'll raise a toast to our Iberian adventure over a farewell dinner. Stay: Pousada Castelo de Estremoz (or similar) (B/D)
Onwards to Évora, the capital of the Alentejo region. This afternoon will see our tour come to a close in postcard-perfect Lisbon. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Experience the historic charm of Córdoba, Granada, Úbeda, Estremoz and Ronda with stays in charming old town hotels
- Sample authentic jamón ibérico at a traditional farm in Sierra de Aracena
- Enjoy a traditional flamenco show in Seville
- Visit the spectacular Córdoba Mezquita – a UNESCO-protected mosque
- 11 nights in hand-picked accommodation
- Premium mini-coach transportation
- Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader and Driver
- 11 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Prices are for land/cruise only. International flights not included.
Trip Reviews (8) View All Most Recent 'Iberian Inspiration' Reviews
4.9
5 Star
4 Star
3 Star
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1 Star
Iberian Inspiration 2 Pamela and Graeme, WA, Australia, Jun 2023
Wonderful time! Well done Backroads. Pamela, our guide, was so friendly, professional, helpful, a font of knowledge - we learnt so much about Spain. Would love to travel with her again. She managed the tour really well & had a great sense of humour. Our group were all Australians & everyone pretty easy going. Bus driver Sav was a nice person & a safe ...read more driver throughout the trip. Almost all the hotels were great picks at authentic memorable places. Convento Aracena Hotel was lovely as was the Castle at Estremoz hotel. The only hotel that we found difficult was Las Casas de la Juderia in Seville. Excellent location & historical but we found it complicated as it was a labyrinth of walkways, underground in some parts, to get to our room right at the rear. Toilet/shower were tiny. We kept getting lost trying to find our room. The first group evening meal on meeting in Madrid needs to be reviewed. Tour itinerary was well thought out with a mix of guided tours & free time to explore. Our first small group tour & I'm sure it won't be our last.
A great experience 1 Roger & Mary, NSW, Australia, Oct 2022
The Iberian Inspiration trip was well worth the wait post Covid. Commencing in Madrid and finishing in Lisbon 12 days later, it certainly gave us a excellent overview of southern Spain and a touch of Portugal. Our tour leader, Elaine, was fantastic. Nothing phased her. She is a UK citizen that has lived in Spain for about 19 years. Her knowledge of ...read more the country and her grasp on both the Spanish and Portuguese language was to be admired. Our group was fairly diverse from the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. It gelled together very well adding to the sense of fun on the road. Hotels were all very central to the old parts of cities and towns which again enhanced the experience. This was a trip 3 years in the making, thanks Hannah for you support getting us there.
11 days of driving through Spain and Portugal, visiting World Heritage sites on an almost daily basis. Wonderful organisation, careful driving and a truly professional guide made this a trip to remember.
Would definitely recommend Back-Roads' Iberian Inspiration 4 Kaye & Stuart, NSW, Australia, Jun 2019
Thank you Yvonne. We really appreciated your careful consideration of allowing sufficient time for connecting flights whilst still getting us the best flight deal. The Back-Roads trip was exactly what we had hoped for. Small number of great people, terrific tour and lovely guides who enhanced our travel experience with their knowledge and enthusiastic ...read more commentary, beautiful hotels and plenty of free time to explore. Would definitively recommend.
The trip was perfect in every way. Our tour guide Justin was friendly and approachable, very knowledgeable about the places we visited. Nothing was too much trouble and he often went out of his way to make our holiday memorable. Experienced some authentic centuries-old buildings, like palaces and convents etc. and that's just the hotels! They were great, ...read more some were in fact amazing as were the hand-picked locations. We found the middle of September was the perfect time to travel, not too hot, very comfortable to walk around and the nights were still warm. All the travellers on the coach got on exceptionally well and we made some great friends who we will keep in touch with. We would definitely recommend Back-Roads tours to our friends and family.
A great mix of wonderful historic towns and local culture 3 Jill Hogwood, NSW, Australia, Sep 2016
Well structured tour, great hotels, and good guide. We had perfect weather and a lovely group. Our only complaint was air cond in coach was too cold or too hot. Hopefully that will be rectified.
Brochure
Back-Roads Europe & UK (2024-25)
Back-Roads Touring's brochure offers deep-diving holidays, letting travellers experience destinations as locals do. For over 30 years, we've curated small group tours that balance iconic sights with hidden gems, paired with charming local retreats. It's not just about sightseeing; it's about immersion and independent exploration. Dive in.
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Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Back-Roads. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Back-Roads. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Back-Roads. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Back-Roads. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
