Spain and Portugal Exploration

Welcome to spend 15 days exploring Spain and Portugal with us! Your first stop is Madrid. Upon arrival, you need to get to the hotel by yourself. From the Madrid Airport, take the Airport Express Line 203 to Cibeles Station and then walk about 800 meters to the hotel downtown. A ticket costs €5 and it takes about 1 hour. If you take too much luggage, then taking a taxi would be more recommended. In Madrid, Uber and Cabify are both available and the fare would be around €30.

After check-in, the rest time is free. You can have a rest at the hotel or go to the Puerta del Sol to experience the vibrant vibe of Madrid. Puerta del Sol, aka Gate of the Sun, however, the gate was dismantled in 1570. Now it is the most famous cafe-rimmed central city square, which also features a variety of souvenir shops, century-old ham shops, and dessert shops. Also, you can see the iconic symbols of Madrid on the plaza, such as the statue El Oso y el Madroño and the kilometer zero of Spain.

► Reminder: Be Careful of Scams!
In the bustling Puerta del Sol, some elderly gypsy ladies may hand you a rosemary twig and then ask you to pay money to tell your fortune. It’s hard to reject as they may make a huge scene. The best way is to stay away from them. Sometimes fake police could also be a problem, who will ask to check your wallet and documentation and then steal money. For this kind of thing, demand to go to the nearest police station to confirm if they are real policemen.

► Dining Recommendation: Eat in the World’s Oldest Restaurant - Botin Restaurant
Hemingway claimed in “The Sun Also Rises” that this is one of the best restaurants in the world. And that is Botin Restaurant founded in 1725. It is entitled by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest restaurant. Piglets and Roasted Lambs are the most recommended specialties and you can enjoy them with a traditional decor. The average cost ranges from 20-50€ per person and booking ahead is a must.

Accommodation: Mercure Madrid Centro (4 stars) or similar

Today, your private guide will lead you first to visit Plaza de Espana where you can enjoy the statues of Cervantes and Don Quixote, and appreciate Spain’s tallest building, the 142-meter high (466 ft) Torre de Madrid. Then we’ll move to explore the nearby Royal Palace of Madrid, the third largest royal palace in Europe, combining neoclassical and Baroque architectural styles. It contains over 3,000 rooms though only a few have opened to the public. Following the guide, you will get cultured from room to room to see old stradivarius, luxury crowns, beautiful paintings and gorgeous furniture. After that, you will be guided to see Catedral de la Almudena next to the palace, where you can not only be amazed at its majestic structure but also enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the top. At noon, you will have a chance to Mercado de San Miguel, the most popular food market in Madrid.

Mercado de San Miguel – A Date with Spanish Tapas!
San Miguel Market boasts the most well-known food market in Madrid, alluring visitors and locals for its great variety of delicious specialties. Nestled in the central historical area, the diverse and trendy indoor market has more than 30 food stalls, offering hams, seafood, fried rice, pie, cheeses, desserts, and different hot and cold tapas, as well as beer, cocktails, red and white wines. It’s undoubtedly the best place for foodies. However, it is also very crowded and it may be hard to find any seat as there are long queues in front of the stalls. If you don’t like the atmosphere, the Mercado Anton Martin, another local market with fewer crowds is also optional for your choice.

After lunch, we will head to Plaza Mayor, the largest square in Madrid. You can enjoy a cup of coffee at an outdoor café while watching the world goes by. Then you will dive deep into the Prado Museum, the most important Spanish national art museum, with over 100 exhibition rooms, collecting fine artworks from Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, and Bruegel… After that, you will lose yourself in El Retiro Park, which offers great daytime escapes. You can also drop by the spectacular Alcalá Gate constructed in 1788. Today’s last stop is Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the second-largest stadium in Spain and the main stadium of Real Madrid.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Madrid Centro (4 stars) or similar

This morning, you need to take a train for about 4 hours from Madrid to Granada by yourself. The train ticket is included in the price and we will also offer you some transport suggestions. After arrival, check in at the hotel and you will enjoy a free afternoon to explore on your own.

► From Mercure Madrid Centro to Atocha Train Station:
As your hotel is only 1.2 km away from the train station, you can easily reach by Bus Line 14, 10, or 37 from Museo Del Prado - Jardín Botánico in 10 minutes. From the hotel to Museo Del Prado - Jardín Botánico, walk south about 200 meters.

► From Granada Train Station to Hotel Catalonia Granada:
The hotel we selected is just located near the train station and you only need to walk east about 600 meters to reach it.

Activities Recommendation:
You are recommended to soak in the Albayzin, Granada’s oldest neighborhood with Arabic style. Situated on the hill, you can roam around the winding narrow streets to appreciate the traditional white houses and feel its historical atmosphere. The Moorish Quarter, together with the Alhambra, was designated a World Heritage Site. One of the top things to do here is to enjoy the sunset with a beer in hand at Mirador de San Nicolás, where you will also overlook the Alhambra Palace in the sunset.
►Tips: 
1. If planning to watch the sunset and overlook the city, please arrive at Mirador de San Nicolás at least 1 hour in advance, or it is hard to occupy the first row.
2. The streets in Albayzin are narrow, winding, with many steep steps. Please wear a pair of comfortable sneakers. Don’t wear high-heeled shoes.
3. In Granada, you can buy a Bus Pass in any Tabasco Store for 5 euros. It can be used by a group of people, costing only 0.4 euros for every single ride while it’s 1.7 euros without the pass. The traffic pass for the whole Andalucia area is also available in the Tabasco Store, but it is not so easy to purchase.
 
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Catalonia Granada (4 stars) or similar

Your tour guide will pick you up from the hotel for today’s highlight, the Alhambra Palace, founded by the Moors in the 13th century. Composed of 5 parts, the complex fortress features brilliant architecture, picturesque courtyards, exquisite carvings, ancient halls, and enchanting gardens. Your guide will accompany you to spend about 3-4 hours on the magnificent palace complex.
► Visit Tips:
1. As the Alhambra is vast and huge, our travel experts recommend the following sightseeing route for a better exploration: Nasrid Palaces → Palace of Charles V → Alcazaba → Jardines del Paraíso → Jardines del Generalife → Cta. del Rey Chico. Nasrid Palaces would be the jewel of the crown so we will visit them first and spend more time. Your guide may also adjust the order according to the actual situation on the site.
2. Tickets for the Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces are both in great demand. So make sure to book with us at least 1 month in advance so as not to miss the grand palace complex.
3. When visiting, you may be required to wear your backpack in the front to protect the old statues or ornaments.

Then you will be led to Catedral de Granada (Granada Cathedral) and Capilla Real de Granada (Royal Chapel). The Granada Cathedral was first built on a mosque from 1523. Originally planned as a Gothic-style church, later it was constructed with the typical Renaissance style. After that, we will head to the Monastery of St. Jerome, said to be the first church after the city was conquered by Christians, featuring stunning vivid frescos and famous sculptures from Gil de Siloe. You will then be dazzled by the gorgeous Spanish Baroque-style monastery, Iglesia de San Juan de Dios, where you can admire spectacular ceilings and gilded statues of saints. Finish the visit, and you will be sent back to your hotel.

Activities Recommended: Night Tour of the Alhambra
If you are curious about what the Alhambra looks like at night, then you cannot miss it. The 1-hour special night tour covers the most spectacular palaces of the Alhambra, mainly containing the exquisite courtyards of the Nasrid Palaces. The tour generally starts when it’s getting dark and you must follow a predetermined route. A warm and magical atmosphere would be created by lights and you are like stepping into the world of the Arabian Nights.
► The open times are as follows: 
October 15th - March 31st: 20:00 - 21:30 Friday & Saturday
April 1st - October 14th: 22:00 - 23:30 Tuesday to Saturday
If you are interested, feel free to contact your travel consultant to book in advance!  

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Catalonia Granada (4 stars) or similar

This morning will be left to you to experience the charm of Granada.
► Morning Activities Recommended in Granada:
1. Experience Old Arab baths at Hammam Al-Andalus: After a big day of visiting the Alhambra, enjoying an authentic Arab bath and massages would be great to unwind. Choosing your favorite type from hot, warm, and cold options, you would be entertained by the mysterious atmosphere in the building decorated with a similar Moorish style to the Alhambra. Candles are all around and you can also enjoy a spa with some fabulous fragrance.
2. Enjoy Free Tapas in Granada: If you don’t like a spa, then just savor some local snacks before leaving. Believe it or not, the tapas in Granada are free as long as you order a drink. The old tradition applies to nearly all the bars and restaurants in the city. Grab a drink, paired with 3-4 tapas, and soak it all in like a local.

At noon, you will take a direct train on your own for about 3 hours to Seville, the heart of Andalusia. Since your hotel is only 600 meters from the train station, you can walk west for 8 minutes to reach the train station. After arrival, it is about 2 km away from your hotel in Seville and you need to access by yourself. It is possible to take the EA bus line from Auxiliar Kansas City (Est. Santa Justa) to Prado San Sebastián (Carlos V) and then walk southeast about 500m to reach. Uber is also recommended and the fare would be around 15-20 euros.

After check-in, rest at the hotel or wander around to feel the passion of the City of Oranges. Watching a passionate flamenco dance at its birthplace is recommended, which offers a true taste and costs much cheaper (about 25-30 euros) than that in Madrid or Barcelona. If time permits, you can also watch a brilliant bullfight in Seville, which mostly happens between April and September.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Melia Sevilla (4 stars) or similar

Today your guide will first accompany you to take in the charm of the city’s two largest churches: Iglesia Colegial del Divino Salvador and Seville Cathedral. The former one features supreme intricate sculptures, carvings, and woodcrafts with an elaborately decorated altar while the Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic-style cathedral in the world. You will be amazed at its awe-inspiring outer appearance and exquisite altarpiece inside. The cathedral also boasts the remains of the great explorer, Christopher Columbus and a towering bell tower La Giralda. Walk out of the impressive cathedral, and you will then roam around the Santa Cruz Area, an old Jewish quarter filled up with centuries-old buildings, artisan stores, and cafes.

After lunch, visit another highlight of this day, Real Alcazar de Sevilla (Royal Alcazar of Seville). The magnificent palace complex with a mix of Moorish and Gothic styles is one of the oldest palaces in Europe. If you have seen the famous series Game of Thrones, you may be familiar with some scenes, such as the royal residences in Kings Landing, which was filmed here. Your next stop is Torre de Oro. The 36-meter-high (118-foot) tower was first built in the 12th century as a fortress, but now here you can learn about the naval history of the city. Then we will move to Plaza de toros de Sevilla, aka Cathedral of Bullfighting, which is one of the most famous bullrings in Spain, also the oldest one. Following the guide, you will explore the bullfighting culture and equipment, and trace the route of a bullfighter from the prayer area to the central arena. After passing by the historical Puente de Isabel (Triana Bridge), you will come to Triana Market for today’s last highlight.

★ Special Arrangement: Enjoy a Typical Spanish Cooking Class in Seville
The guide will send you to the Triana Market, where you will follow the chef to learn to cook 3 traditional Spanish dishes including a tapas spinach with chickpeas, a cold soup gazpacho or salmorejo, paella, and a dessert. Finish the cooking, and you will enjoy the 3-course dinner with two cups of drinks (sangria, beer, wine, or soda water). Of course, the written recipes and some cooking tips will also be offered.
► Note: The cooking class and dinner may take 3 hours and after that, you need to go back to the hotel on your own by Light Rail T1.

► For Your Information: Try the Vibrant Feria de Abril (Seville April Fair)!
This is undoubtedly the most expected cultural event in Seville. Though called April Fair, sometimes it may also be held in May. If you happen to visit Seville during the period, then you cannot miss a series of fantastic celebrations like spectacular parades, passionate flamenco dances, lively music, mouth-watering food festivals and amusement parks for children. One of the highlights of the fiesta is local people’s traditional costumes. Ladies wear traje de gitana, meaning colorful flamenco dresses, and wear flowers on the head while gentlemen are always in old-fashioned Andalusian attire. Bullfighting is also an essential part of the festival and it would be held every day.
► Please Note: The celebration of the April Fair will generally last for about 1 week, and your itinerary can be adjusted according to your interests during the festival to take part in it.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Melia Sevilla (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, you will take a morning direct bus by yourself for about 5 hours to arrive in Lagos in Portugal. Here we offer you some traffic advice.

► From the Seville hotel to Seville Bus Station (Plaza de Armas): Walk northwest about 500 meters to take Bus Line EA from Prado San Sebastián (Carlos V) to Torneo (Estacion Plz. Armas).
► From Lagos Bus Station to the hotel: Our hand-picked hotel is only about 250 meters from the bus station, very convenient by walking.

After check-in, you can spend the rest time freely in the beautiful town. Situated on the southwestern coast of the Algarve area, with year-round comfortable temperatures, the coastal town Lagos boasts sunny beaches, old city walls, cobbled streets, various picturesque churches, and charming squares. As an important city during the Age of Exploration, Prince Henry the Navigator lived here for a long time and started Portugal’s Age of Discovery. Roaming around the old town, you can fully take in the history, appreciate impressive colonial architecture, drop by some interesting boutiques, and fancy bars, or just enjoy the sea breeze on the beach.

► Please Note: Since you have entered Portugal, the time zone is changed accordingly. Generally, Portugal’s time is 1 hour behind that of Spain.
 
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tivoli Lagos (4 stars) or similar

Today you will have a full day to explore the small coastal town and its surroundings on your own. Lagos offers visitors not only the historical town and white sandy beaches, but also scenic natural landscapes like rugged cliffs and grottoes, and exciting water activities such as kayaking, and paddle boarding. Last but not least, enjoying the lively nightlife here is really a treat.

Activities Recommended:
1. Enjoy Coastal Hikes
You may know Blue Flag Beach, considered one of the most recognized beach awards. Lagos boasts more than 20 high quality Blue Flag beaches. Walking south from the Old Town along the coastline, you will walk past some of the most famous ones like Praia dos Estudantes, Praia do Camilo, and Praia do Pinhão. The hike along the coastal wooden boardwalk is enjoyable and relaxing. You can also choose your favorite beach as your sunbath spot.
2. Watch Dolphins!
Lagos is home to a lot of dolphins so it is not very hard to view them in the wild. A dolphin-watching tour in Lagos generally takes about 1.5-2 hours and costs about 40 euros per person. The sighting rate is super high without disturbing them.
3. Go Kayaking
The long and spectacular coastline of Lagos endows it with unique cave landscapes and rugged cliffs. The most popular one is Ponta da Piedade sea caves and the best way to explore the rock formations is to go kayaking through the tunnels and caves.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tivoli Lagos (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, you need to take a bus to Lisbon on your own and we’ll book the bus ticket for you in advance. We offer the following traffic suggestions for you to arrive at the bus station by yourself and make sure you arrive there before departure. The bus journey takes about 4 hours. After arrival, the afternoon is free for you!

► From the Lagos Hotel to Terminal Rodoviário: Walk north about 250 meters to reach.
► From Lisbon Oriente Station to your hotel: Take Metro Vm from the Oriente Station to Saldanha Station and then transfer to Metro Am to Marquês de Pombal. After that, walk southeast about 300 meters to your hotel. In Lisbon, using Bolt is also much cheaper than a taxi and you can use it directly to the hotel.

Free Time Suggestion: Explore Lisbon’s Oldest Neighborhood - Alfama
Want to catch the first impression of Lisbon? Then strolling around the Alfama district is a must. The maze-like hilly old quarter with narrow alleyways and steep steps is a treasure waiting for your discovering. No matter the fine old houses, historical churches, charming coffee shops, or the lively balconies hung with laundry all make you breathe the old atmosphere of the medieval town.

Here we recommend a classical walking route for you:
The Elevador da Bica Funicular - Igreja de Sao Roque Church - Elevador de Santa Justa (an industrial-era elevator) - Rua Augusta Arch - Praça do Comércio (Commercial Square) - Lisbon Cathedral - Castelo de S. Jorge (São Jorge Castle)
Castelo de S. Jorge offers the most stunning sunset view of Lisbon over the castle and don’t miss it!

► Tips:
1. Wear a pair of comfortable sneakers as you may walk on a lot of cobbled streets.
2. Prepare a coat when watching the sunset at the viewing platform as it is rather windy.
3. In Lisbon, Bolt is more recommended than Uber, with more cars and much cheaper prices.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Marques de Pombal, Lisbon (4 stars) or similar

This morning you will be guided to visit the most iconic attractions of Lisbon. We will first view the Belém Tower from the outside, the symbol of Lisbon City. Situated on the northern bank of the Tagus River, this 500-year-old tower with a typical Manueline style was first built to protect trade ships during the Age of Discovery though later it also served as the prison for politicians. Next, we will move to see the Monument of the Discoveries (Padrao dos Descobrimentos). The spectacular monument was constructed to commemorate Prince Henry the Navigator and other Portugal’s great explorers. Here you will learn a lot about the incredible history of discovery from your professional guide. After that, we will head to Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos), also the resting place of Vasco de Gama, the famous Portuguese navigator who first sailed from Europe to India. You will be amazed at the extraordinary Manueline architecture characterized by exquisite scalloped arches, rib vaults, and rectangular columns with Plateresque-style ornamentation.

★ Special Arrangement: Taste Original Pastel de Nata at the Birthplace
Finish the visit, if time permits, your guide would like to lead you to taste delicious pastel de nata at Pstéis de Belém, said to be the world’s first egg tart shop, using an ancient original recipe until now.

Afterward, we will see different elaborate coaches, carriages, and even sedan chairs spanning from the 17th to 19th century at the National Coach Museum. After lunch, we will head to Sintra Town near the city, which is known for historical palaces and castles. First, you will be accompanied to Pena Palace, once served as the summer palace of Portugal’s royal family. The red-yellow-colored fairy tale palace is situated dramatically at the hilltop, featuring Romanticism-style architecture, lush gardens and magnificent viewpoints. Next, you can choose to visit one of the three palaces: Sintra National Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, or Monserrate Palace. After that, you will also drop by the fishing village Cascais, and see Europe’s westernmost point at Cape Roca. Finish the trip, and then you will be sent back to your hotel in Lisbon.

Night Activities Recommended:
1. Enjoy a Lively Nightlife at Pink Street
Pink Street, known as Rua Nova do Carvalho for locals, is a popular bar-hopping spot with chic cocktail bars, fancy pubs and noisy street music. Grab a nice local beer and just enjoy the lively vibe here.
2. Listen to Fado Music in Lisbon
Fado is a type of traditional Portuguese music characterized by mournful tunes and expressive lyrics, mainly depicting the heartbroken stories, thoughts of the departed, daily life and conquests. Listening to an authentic Fado show is a unique cultural experience to feel the charm of the city and it can be achieved in most Portuguese restaurants. A brilliant live performance generally costs around 20-30 euros.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Marques de Pombal, Lisbon (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, you will leave for Portugal’s northern gem Porto by train on your own. The train journey keeps about 3 hours and you need to get to the Lisbon train station on time. From your hotel to Lisbon Oriente Station, take Metro Line Am to Saldanha and transfer here to Metro Line Vm. Upon arrival, you also need to check in by yourself. From Porto Campanhã Railway Station to the hotel, it’s about 2km’s distance, easy to access by Bus Line 207 to Batalha. Get off the bus and walk south about 60 meters to the hotel. After that, decompress at the hotel for a while and take in the city’s charm on your own.

Recommended Activities:
After Lisbon, Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal, featuring a cozier atmosphere with a slower life pace. Aimless amble through the old town, Ribeira neighborhood, and get lost in the streets lined with different-style red-roofed buildings, which are sprawling to the Duero River. And then just pick a specialty café to sip a cup of coffee while enjoying the beautiful views of the Duero River to spend a leisurely afternoon. If you still feel unsatisfied, then take a boat cruise along the Duero River to soak in the stunning sunset view on the water. About 1-hour boat tour costs 15 euros and you can purchase a ticket at the site.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina (4 stars) or similar

This day you will travel with your private guide to explore highlights of Porto together. The first stop is the Chapel of Souls (Capela Das Almas), featuring the blue-white tiles depicting the stories of various saints. Then we will move to Mercado do Bolhão, the most famous local market offering various fresh produce, fruits, sea food and some local souvenirs. If time permits, you will also be led to walk past the prosperous Avenue of the Allie (Avenida dos Aliados) and drop by Cafe Majestic and Livraria Lello, which are both famous for being the inspiration of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series. After that, you will be guided to Porto’s most beautiful train station, Porto São Bento, which is characterized by blue-and-white pales. Then we will go to the city’s iconic building, Clerigos Church and Tower. With a height of over 75 meters (246 ft.), the city’s highest bell tower offers stunning 360-degree views of Porto.

Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto) would be your next destination, where you will view the city’s oldest and largest cathedral with typical Gothic style and historical cloisters built in the 12th century. Then we will go to Church of Santa Clara (Igreja de Santa Clara) to enjoy its super exquisite gilded wood carvings and its jaw-dropping intricate interior design. After that, head toward Bolsa Palace, a World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO. The neoclassical palace was built in the 19th century and served as a stock exchange and you will be marveled at its glorious rooms, among which the Arab room is most incredible.

★ Special Arrangement: Port Wine Tasting Tour
Next, we will pass by the Ponte Luís I Bridge to visit Caves Cálem, where you can have a basic understanding of the Port Wine, from wine grapes, barrels to aromas of wines. You will also taste some of the best wines here.

Today’s last stop would be Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, known as the best place in Porto to enjoy a gorgeous sunset view or night view.

► Dining Recommendation: Brasão Aliados
If you want to try some good local food, then don’t miss Brasão Aliados, which offers delicious Portuguese and Mediterranean food. Luckily, it is also a good option for those who are gluten-free. Some specialties include Meat, Mushroom and Truffle “Rissol”; Fried Onion with Black Garlic Mayonnaise; La minated Octopus with Green Sause; and Francesinha in the Oven with Egg. Francesinha is a typical monstrous Portuguese sandwich derived from Porto, featuring thick roasted bread with over 8 kinds of meat. The average cost of the restaurant ranges from 15 to 25€. Remember to book it in advance!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, you will take a bus on your own back to Spain, and the destination is Santiago de Compostela, a famous UNESCO-listed historical town in northern Spain, also famous for being the last stop of the ancient pilgrimage road. Walk south about 400 meters to take Bus Line 207 from L.go 1º Dezembro to Campanhã Station to the bus terminal for a 4-hour bus journey. After arrival, walk south about 800 meres to the hotel. You need to check in on your own and the rest time is free for you.

Activities Recommended:
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Catedral de Santiago de Compostela) is undoubtedly the most striking attraction in the old town, also the final destination of the pilgrimage road. It is said that Apostle St. James was buried here and thus why so many pilgrims choose to walk or cycle along the way of St James to come here. Here you can not only enjoy the magnificent Romanesque structure but also communicate with pilgrims to learn about their interesting stories. Apart from the church, Museo das Peregrinacións e de Santiago, a brightly displayed museum is also a good place to dive deep into the fascinating history of the pilgrimage road and the old town. The timings for mass are frequent: 7:30, 9:30, 12:00, and 19:30. It is possible for you to catch the last one, good luck!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Santiago Plaza affiliated by Meliá (4 stars) or similar

This morning you need to take an early train by yourself to Segovia for a historical exploration. Segovia is a city about 90 kilometers (56 miles) north of Madrid. The magic city boasts a lot of historical monuments including the legendary Roman Aqueduct, centuries-old cathedrals and medieval castle Alcazar de Segovia. The aqueduct along with the old town was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and you will take in the full charm with us today.

After about 3 hours’ train journey, your private guide will wait for you at the Segovia Railway Station. The first stop is the magnificent Aqueduct of Segovia, still standing after 2,000 years, also the best preserved Roman structure in Spain. It stretches about 17 km (10.6 mi), composed of 166 arches, and had been put into use until the 1970s. There are also a lot of restaurants and bars near the structure, where you can have a simple lunch at your own expense. Afterward, you will be guided to the city’s main squares Plaza de San Martin and Plaza Mayor. Walk past them and you will come to Iglesia de San Miguel, where Queen Isabel was proclaimed Queen of Castile. Your next stop would be the Cathedral of Segovia with incredible Gothic-style architecture, and some great paintings, murals, and statues just well displayed under the light. Today’s last destination is Alcázar of Segovia. The picturesque castle brings you into a fairy tale world and you may feel it so familiar because it is said that Disney Cinderella's castle is inspired by it. Besides the fabulous architecture, the ancient splendid rooms inside with stained glass windows are also worth exploring, showing a piece of magnificent history through old paintings and armor.

► Dining Recommendation: Try Traditional Suckling Pig at Mesón De Cándido
Segovia’s specialty suckling pig is unmissable. Restaurant Mesón De Cándido located near the Roman Aqueduct is a century-old brand that has offered delicious suckling pigs for many years and attracted a lot of celebrities like Spanish King, nobilities, writers, and famous actors. After being roasted for over 2 hours, it will be served to you and you will witness the traditional pig-cutting ceremony. The chef or waiter will cut the tender pig with a plate, interesting and enjoyable. After that, the plate would be dropped on the ground to show his welcome. Make sure to reserve a seat in advance as it is so hot. Its opening times are 12:30-16:30 and 20:00-22:30. The restaurant is also a little pricy, ranging from €37-60 per person.

► Finish the trip, and you will be sent back to the train station for a night train to Madrid, taking only 30 minutes. After arrival, you need to take Metro Line 1 from the train station to Antón Martín. Get off the train, and walk east about 500 meters to the hotel for check-in.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Madrid Centro (4 stars) or similar

This is the end of your Spain and Portugal family holiday package. It’s time to wave goodbye to Madrid and hope you enjoy the journey! After breakfast, you need to go to Madrid Airport on your own for a homeward journey. By public transport, walk north about 700 meters to Cibeles to take Bus Line 203 to the airport, taking about 45-60 minutes. Using Uber or a taxi would be more convenient but it costs higher, around 30 euros.

Activities Recommended:
If your flight time is late today and you are recommended to lose yourself in the Madrid old town or go to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, another world-famous art museum boasting modern artworks from the 19th century until now. Among a lot of masterpieces, Picasso's painting Guernica is the most famous one!

Meals: Breakfast