Spain & Portugal: Tapas & Traditions

Your first taste of Portugal.

Olá, Porto: tonight's all about settling in and meeting your fellow travellers. After checking in, follow your Trip Leader into the golden-lit streets for a welcome dinner that will set the pace for the two weeks ahead. You'll dig into hearty northern Portuguese dishes, have the chance to sip on some local wine, and take time to get to know the comrades who'll be sharing the road with you. Porto cooks with soul, and tonight you'll understand why. Stay: Hotel Cliphotel Porto (or similar) (D)

These streets are made for walking.

Walk this way: this morning, lace up and follow your Trip Leader through Porto's medieval streets and crooked alleyways. Think soaring Porto Cathedral, the gilded Palácio da Bolsa, the Gothic arches of San Francisco Church and the azulejos (ceramic tiles) at São Bento Station that could fill your entire iPhone storage.

A toast to tradition: later, sip your way through an included port wine tasting – because you can't come to Porto and not try the city's namesake (which is fruity, sweet and deceptively strong). Still thirsty? Head to a tucked-away mercearia where the tavern below serves wine, food and family stories straight from the heart. This is Portugal, poured. Stay: Hotel Cliphotel Porto (or similar) (B)

Lisbon, rolling in.

Tuk tuk takeover: after arriving in the capital, get whisked from your hotel on a tuk tuk tour of Lisbon's old town. Rumble through cobbled lanes, past pastel-painted houses, tiled façades and laundry swaying from the balconies. Your driver knows the shortcuts and scenic stops – from secret miradouros (viewpoints) to neighbourhoods buzzing with cafés and street art. Call it a crash course in Lisbon life, minus the crash, and with a lot more fun. Stay: Hostel Room00 Lisboa (or similar) (B)

Lisbon, your way.

Make it yours: today's free for exploring – linger in leafy squares, hop between pastelarias (an old-style café) for pastéis de nata (those famous custard tarts), or let yourself get lost in Alfama's maze of cobbled lanes, where the sound of fado (traditional Portuguese music) drifts from tiny taverns, and unexpected viewpoints open onto the glittering Tagus River.

Hungry for more: dive fork-first into a Lisbon food tour. You're guaranteed to roll home happy. Stay: Hostel Room00 Lisboa (or similar) (B)

History on a plate.

Classic hits: this one's yours to shape. You could ride the rattling yellow Tram 28 before the crowds, passing the Sé Cathedral and sweeping river views, before wandering around the Doll Hospital – a whimsical nook that restores dolls – and MAAT, Lisbon's striking riverside museum of art and futuristic design.

Sweet rewards: climb São Jorge Castle for skyline views and a lesson in Moorish history, then refuel at Manteigaria – home of Lisbon's most addictive custard tarts (yes, we know you ate four yesterday, but there's always room for more). Today's mission? Soak up as much Lisbon magic (and sugar) as you can. Later, there's a group dinner to compare custard tart conquests. Stay: Hostel Room00 Lisboa (or similar) (B/D)

Seville, here we come.

Road to Spain: today's a travel day as we cross the border from Portugal into Spain. Stock up on snacks, queue the playlists and watch the landscapes shift.

Orange skies: by the time we reach Andalusia's capital, you'll be itching to stretch your legs under Seville's sunset glow. The big sights start tomorrow – tonight, take a slow paseo (that's Spanish for stroll) through Santa Cruz's jasmine-scented lanes or settle into a tapas bar for your first taste of the city. Stay: StepHouse Sevilla Carande (or similar) (B)

Seville, centre stage.

Walk this way: this morning your Trip Leader will show off Seville's showstoppers – from Plaza de España, where each tiled alcove tells a story of Spain's provinces (and a Star Wars cameo), to the riverside Torre del Oro with its legends of New World gold. With rooftop views from Las Setas, hidden patios like Casa de Pilatos and tales of flamenco legends in Triana, you'll soon see why Seville steals hearts.

Choose your own adventure: later, the day is yours to play with. Step into royal splendour at the Real Alcázar (but you'll need to book ahead), hop on a boat along the Guadalquivir or gaze up inside Catedral de Santa María de la Sede – the world's largest Gothic cathedral. And to top it all off – quite literally – why not hunt out a rooftop restaurant to finish your first full day in Seville, where the city's spires sparkle just for you. Stay: StepHouse Sevilla Carande (or similar) (B)

Granada, with secrets to spare.

Streets with stories: after arriving in Granada, lace up and join your Trip Leader for a wander through the cobbled lanes of this rhythmic city. Pass the cathedral and Royal Chapel, where monarchs rest, then meander through the Alcaicería – where Granada's silk-trading past meets today's lively labyrinth of crafts and curiosities.

Moorish magic: climb into the Albaicín, Granada's old Moorish quarter, where whitewashed houses and flower-filled balconies frame incredible Alhambra views. With flamenco music drifting through the air, it's easy to imagine yourself striding through Granada like a matador, cape optional, flair absolutely required. As night falls, settle in for your included dinner in Granada, a feast of vibrant flavours, aromatic spices and the lively soundtrack of the city's evening buzz. Stay: Hostel TOC Granada (or similar) (B/D)

Follow in a sultan's footsteps.

Alhambra unlocked: today you've got a guided walk through the Alhambra – Granada's crown jewel and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meander through ornate palaces, duck into delicate courtyards, and soak up the Generalife gardens – sultans once walked here, now it's your turn.

History, etched in stone: here, every surface tells a story. There's swooping Arabic calligraphy, intricate tiles, and fountains murmuring centuries of secrets. You could stare at one wall for hours and still spot something new – this palace is basically a visual treasure chest. Then wrap up your first day in Granada with a sweet bite of piononos (a delicious sponge cake) or a tapas crawl through the city. Stay: Hostel TOC Granada (or similar) (B)

Palaces fit for a king (or queen).

Plazas and palaces: today you're zooming north and rolling into Spain's capital. After check-in, your Trip Leader will take you on a whistle-stop walking tour, with tasty treats along the way to get your bearings (and your appetite) sorted. You'll tick off the Palacio Real, the Cathedral de Santa María, Plaza de la Villa and the lively Plaza Mayor, before wrapping up the day with delicious tastings. All the bites, all the buzz. Stay: Hostel Latroupe Madrid Prado (or similar) (B/L)

Madrid, your way.

Art or air: spend your morning soaking up masterpieces at the Prado or Reina Sofía, or stretch out in the leafy calm of El Retiro Park. Then wander Gran Vía, Madrid's very own Broadway, brimming with theatres and shops where it's impossible not to loosen the purse strings a little. Don't forget to snap the Royal Palace while you're there – grandeur *never* goes out of style.

Tapas temptations: tonight, join an optional tapas tour for an evening of nibbling, sipping and uncovering Madrid's hidden foodie gems. The city is yours to enjoy – eat, drink and be merry. Stay: Hostel Latroupe Madrid Prado (or similar) (B)

Spirals and stained glass.

Gaudí magic: this morning, you're heading for Catalonia's capital. Here a local guide will fill you in on Gaudi's Sagrada Familia – part cathedral, part fever dream. Marvel at the twisting, organic columns that feel like a forest frozen in stone, the kaleidoscope of stained glass that turns sunlight into rainbow streams, and the quirky details tucked into every corner, from insects to angels.

Later, your way: with a free evening in Barcelona, the city is yours to explore. Grab a cocktail on a rooftop terrace and watch the city lights twinkle, hunt down the quirkiest tapas bars in El Born or stroll along the sparkling waterfront at Barceloneta. The night is young, the streets are alive and Barcelona is ready to show you its playful side. Stay: Hostel Room00 Casa Gracia (or similar) (B)

Barcelona, bite by bite.

Gothic gems: join your Trip Leader for a guided wander through the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter. Think medieval squares, hidden courtyards and weathered walls that have seen it all. Along the way, you'll follow your taste buds through Mercat de Santa Caterina, sampling jamón, cheeses, croquettes and olives. Who needs a formal lunch when the city itself is serving up a tasting menu?

Evening delights: wrap up your last night with an included dinner (and probably more friendly food envy). Third included meal today? Perfect excuse to indulge – it is your grand finale after all. Stay: Hostel Room00 Casa Gracia (or similar) (B/L/D)

Barcelona, adios.

Last morning: after breakfast, it's time for farewells. Take one last stroll, sip a final Spanish coffee and let the city sink in before wrapping up an incredible two weeks. With memories – and maybe a few ceramics from Seville, hand-painted tiles from Granada or a to-go bottle of local sherry – packed, the adventure closes… for now. (B)