Stay in historic paradores and pousadas as you explore lively cosmopolitan cities, striking Roman sites, medieval white hill towns, and rich Moorish strongholds that speak of the many cultures that graced southern Spain and Portugal.
Treasures of Southern Spain and Portugal
Featuring Historic Paradores and Pousadas
15 days from $5,674 | includes airfare, taxes and all fees
Stay in historic paradores and pousadas as you explore lively cosmopolitan cities, striking Roman sites, medieval white hill towns, and rich Moorish strongholds that speak of the many cultures that graced southern Spain and Portugal.
Tour Details
TOUR BROCHURE

WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Joan B.This was my first Smithsonian Journeys tour and I loved it. I would recommend it highly to anyone who is interested in history, art, architecture, and culture of Spain and Portugal.
JOURNEYS DISPATCHES
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* Click on hotel name to visit hotel web-site.
Corinthia Hotel Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal
Situated a short distance from the historic city center, the Corinthia Hotel Lisbon overlooks Monsanto National Park. The 518-room hotel features two restaurants and an indoor/outdoor lounge, indoor swimming pool, gym, spa with massage treatments, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, solarium, jewelry shop, and laundry and dry cleaning services. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, tea- and coffee-making facilities, in-room safe, TV, and phone.
Number of nights: 2
Pousada dos Loios
Evora, Portugal
A former 15th-century convent lovingly converted into a hotel, this building features fine architectural details including decorative arches, a marble staircase, a cloistered garden, and frescoed walls and ceilings. Small but comfortable guest rooms have been converted from a monastic cell, but you won't need to sacrifice your comfort to enjoy it, because your room is fully equipped with modern amenities, including air conditioning and private bath with hair dryer. The pousada has no elevators.
Number of nights: 2
Parador de Carmona
Carmona, Spain
Converted from a 14th-century Moorish castle and overlooking the scenic plains of Carmona, this hotel features an Andalusian Courtyard with Moorish columns and a fountain, a stone vaulted restaurant, swimming pool, and garden. Your room is equipped with a private bath with hair dryer, air conditioning, mini-bar, TV, and phone.
Number of nights: 3
Parador de Ronda
Ronda, Spain
Originally a medieval town hall, this parador boasts a stunning location on a cliff overlooking a dramatic gorge. It features gardens with footpaths and sweeping vistas of the gorge and surrounding mountains. Your room is equipped with air conditioning, private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, TV, and phone.
Number of nights: 2
Parador de Ubeda
Ubeda, Spain
Located in the main square in historic Úbeda, this parador is a former 16th-century Renaissance palace that has been converted to an intimate and lovely lodging. A beautiful inner courtyard highlights the parador's public rooms; other amenities include a restaurant featuring Andalusian specialties and a bar. High-ceilinged guestrooms have air conditioning, private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, TV, and phone.
Number of nights: 1
Wellington Hotel
Madrid, Spain
This old-world style hotel is located in Salamanca neighborhood, near several of Madrid’s most prestigious boutiques. The hotel features a swimming pool with terrace; Internet access; laundry and dry cleaning services; wellness center with sauna and massage; hair salon; snack bar; and two restaurants, including a Michelín-rated Japanese restaurant and a grille room. Fully air-conditioned guest rooms feature private bath with hair dryer, safe, mini-bar, TV, and phone.
Number of nights: 3
Activity Level 2: Moderate
Expectations: One of our Classic Land Journeys, this tour features visits to many cities, iconic sites, hidden gems, and various regions. Although comprehensive, it's not rushed, but well paced and finely tuned. Expectations include longer touring days with many full-day motor coach excursions and seven different hotels. Many hotels are historic buildings that have been restored or renovated as hotels; although modern in most amenities, they can sometimes require additional walking to get to guest rooms (and several do not have an elevator).
Mostly full-day excursions from four to six hours, with seven afternoons at leisure. Standing and walking for long periods of time during city tours, museum visits, and outdoor activities. Daily walks of up to three miles; walking over sometimes difficult terrain that includes cobblestones and city hills (especially in hilltowns), uneven pavement (especially archaeological sites), stairs without handrails, and absence of elevators; longer walks to get to city centers where coaches are prohibited. There are three longer coach rides of approximately four hours duration.
Please note that evening dinners in Spain are typically later in the evening than we are accustomed to here in the United States. The majority of the dinners on this tour will take place at approximately 8:30 pm.
Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with longer days of touring (both walking tours and coach time).
Barcelona Post-Program Option — 4 Days, 3 Nights
Enjoy this bustling seaport, Spain's cultural and commercial capital, with its medieval Gothic Quarter and popular Ramblas waterfront promenade. This optional excursion allows you the freedom to explore this exciting city on your own. Your tour price includes:
- Air transportation Madrid/Barcelona inclusive of airline taxes and departure fees
- 3 nights accommodations at Hotel Avenida Palace (Superior First Class)
- 3 meals: 3 breakfasts
- Transfers to/from airport
Hotel Avenida Palace
Built in 1952, Hotel Avenida Palace stands in the heart of Barcelona and offers a good location from which to explore. The 151-room hotel is just minutes from La Ramblas, the Picasso Museum, and the museum housing the works of modern architect Antoni Gaudi. The hotel features a restaurant and bar and laundry and dry cleaning services. Air-conditioned guest rooms offer private bath with hair dryer, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, in-room safe, mini-bar, TV, and phone. A Note about Air Conditioning: Hotels in Spain generally adhere to guidelines issued by the government regarding the availability of air conditioning. Many lodgings provide air conditioning in guest rooms only from late April or May until late September/early October.
WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Joan B.This was my first Smithsonian Journeys tour and I loved it. I would recommend it highly to anyone who is interested in history, art, architecture, and culture of Spain and Portugal.
Highly Recommended
Also Recommended
For the convenience of our travelers, Travel Guard provides an on-tour Insurance Plan. On-tour emergency evacuation insurance (up to $100,000), medical expense coverage (up to $25,000), dental expense coverage (up to $500), travel medical assistance and worldwide travel assistance (U.S. Residents only). It also includes up to $25,000 medical and up to $500 dental expense coverage, and 24-hour worldwide travel and medical assistance. Please click here to view complete coverage details.
Please visit www.TravelGuard.com/SmithsonianJourneys or call Travel Guard at 1-800-208-6142 to learn about additional (optional) coverage.