land tour

In November 2025, one of our Boscov’s Travel Advisors embarked on a Spain & Portugal land tour! Read her incredible experience below:

Lisbon, Portugal

Q: Was this your first time visiting Spain or Portugal? – A: Yes, it was! Portugal has been sitting at the top of my personal bucket list since I was about 13 years old. I’ve been planning that visit in my head for years!

Q: Where exactly did the tour start and end, and which cities did you visit in between? – A: Our 8-day adventure kicked off in Lisbon, Portugal, and wrapped up in the vibrant city of Madrid, Spain. In between, we hit some incredible spots! We traveled through Portugal, stopping in Tomar, Fátima, and Porto, before crossing into Spain to explore Salamanca. The whole trip spanned from November 1st to 9th, 2025 (we left the evening of the 1st and arrived the morning of the 2nd).

Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal

Q: What was all included in the tour? – A: The tour covered all the big necessities: our hotel accommodations and motorcoach transportation. The best part was having the support of both a knowledgeable Tour Director and an excellent Coach Driver to handle the logistics. We also had great morning starts with breakfast included most days, and three memorable group dinners: the initial Welcome dinner, a dinner in Salamanca, and the final Farewell dinner.

Q: The tour you took travels in the “off-season.” Did you notice fewer crowds at the major sites? – A: Yes, this was absolute perfection for me! I genuinely love traveling in the off or shoulder season. We definitely noticed less crowds at the major sites, which is always a bonus, and it tends to be more cost effective. On top of that, I can often travel efficiently with only a carry on and a personal bag—making the whole experience simpler.

Q: What was the weather like during the November/off-season travel, and what advice do you have for packing for that time of year in Spain and Portugal? – A: The weather was fantastic—this is exactly why I love traveling to European cities this time of year! What I wear at home is generally what I pack, though I always pack with a caution for the occasional chill or rain. My wardrobe included just three pairs of pants (to rotate), four tops, two sweaters, a jacket, a scarf, and two pairs of comfortable shoes. My best advice? Color block everything so it all mixes and matches easily. Also, the outfit I wear on the flight out is always the one I wear on the way back!

Street in Madrid, Spain

Q: What documents or currency did you find most essential to have ready throughout the trip? – A: Only my passport was needed the majority of the time, especially when we were in transit. European travel is very easily navigated now using digital payments like Visa Tap to Pay or Apple Pay. If currency is needed for things like street vendors or quick street food, I always just use an ATM while in destination rather than exchanging any money ahead of time.

Q: Did you find it necessary to learn any specific phrases in Spanish or Portuguese, or was English widely spoken? – A: I came prepared for Spanish—I’ve been learning it since the 6th grade and have an impressive Duolingo streak going! However, I don’t speak Portuguese. For any language I don’t know, I always teach myself three phrases (‘Hello,’ ‘Thank you,’ and ‘Good Evening’ in the local dialect), and how to count to three. I found this incredibly useful and it almost always earns a positive reaction. Just making the attempt really goes a long way with locals! English was more widely spoken in Portugal (they often asked if we spoke it since Portuguese is a less common language for visitors). In Spain, however, they were a little less on wanting to speak English, but if you made an effort to speak Spanish first, they were much more open.

São Bento Railway Station Azulejo Murals in Porto, Portugal

Q: Out of the four hotels you stayed at (Lisbon, Porto, Salamanca, or Madrid), which hotel was your favorite, and why? – A: Yikes, that’s a tough ask because they were great for different reasons! For an adventurer’s convenience, I absolutely fell in love with the hotel in Lisbon—it was clean, modern, and perfectly central, allowing us to just exit and wander until we were tired. But for the ‘wow factor’ hotel, the one in Salamanca was unforgettable. It was a stunning hotel on a vineyard with big beds and beautiful, sprawling grounds—a real stunner in the middle of nowhere!

Hotel Room View in Lisbon, Portugal

Hotel in Salamanca, Spain

Hotel in Salamanca, Spain

Q: What was your favorite city that you visited and why? – A: That is absolutely not a fair question, haha! I truly loved them all, but Lisbon now has my heart. I know I have to return to spend more time exploring. Porto was also incredibly charming, being right by the sea gave it a unique energy, and the food there was delicious! And finally, Madrid was impressive in its own way—it was so clean, very walkable, and filled with fantastic restaurants and markets right at your fingertips.

Meal in Porto, Portugal

 Q: How was the pace of the 8-day tour? Did you feel you had enough time in each city? – A: The pace was actually pretty great! My strategy on these kinds of tours is always to participate in the included activities, and then play it by ear for any optional excursions. I knew going into this trip that I really wanted the freedom to explore independently and not be with the group at all times. The only optional tour I opted for was Toledo, because I knew I’d need both the transportation and the local guide to truly appreciate its history. This approach worked perfectly, and the overall pace still allowed me to make new friends each day!

Cobblestone Streets in Toledo, Spain

Q: The tour includes several UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Historic Centre of Porto, Old City of Salamanca, etc.). Which UNESCO site impressed you the most? – A: While the whole trip was packed with incredible history, the optional excursion to Toledo brought me to the UNESCO site that impressed me the most. It just blew me away due to its incredible mix of cultures. It’s famously known for the medieval Arab, Jewish, and Christian monuments packed within its walled Old City. You can truly feel the history in every street! The fact that it was also the former home of the legendary Mannerist painter, El Greco, just adds another breathtaking layer.

City Gate in Toledo, Spain

 Q: In Lisbon, what stood out most to you at the Monument to the Discoveries and Belem Tower? – A: While the monument itself is impressive, the most memorable feature for me was actually on the ground! The breathtaking 50-meter-wide rose compass mosaic is embedded right in the pavement, complete with a map of the world detailing the explorers’ routes.

Monument to the Discoveries in Lisbon, Portugal

Monument to the Discoveries Compass in Lisbon, Portugal

 Q: What was the atmosphere like at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fátima? – A: The atmosphere at Fátima was one of quiet and peace—it was incredibly powerful to witness. Across the very large courtyard, two individuals performing acts of penance—one on her knees and the gentleman full-body down. That sight immediately conveyed the severity and personal faith taking place in that sacred space.

Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fátima, Portugal

 Q: In Porto, what was the most impressive part of the Stock Exchange Palace? – A: By FAR… it has to be The Arab Room! It is an opulent and truly intricate space. The Moorish Revival design, which was inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada, is simply stunning. It features lavish gilded woodwork, brilliant gold leaf decorations, and a beautiful, complex painted ceiling.

Stock Exchange Palace Arab Room in Porto, Portugal

Q: The Prado Museum in Madrid is a highlight. Which masterpiece by artists like Goya or El Greco was your favorite? – A: Choosing a single masterpiece is impossible, the Prado is overwhelming in the best way! In fact, the scheduled tour time was too short for me, so we decided to stay longer, spending two and a half extra hours exploring independently. Highlights included Isabelle II Veiled, Goya’s incredible Black Paintings—they are so dark and unsettling—and El Greco’s intense portrait, The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest.

 Q: What was the most picturesque view you saw on the tour? – A: The most picturesque view was definitely the approach to Toledo! The moment the road revealed the city itself was spectacular—the iconic, panoramic sight of the walled city is simply unforgettable. Once inside, the architecture of Toledo continued to amaze, and the sheer grandeur of the Cathedral’s interior was equally remarkable.

Road to Toledo, Spain

Cathedral in Toledo, Spain

 Q: What was the most significant cultural difference you noticed between Portugal and Spain during the journey? – A: The cultural differences were fascinating! In Portugal, I noticed people tended to be more reserved. Here, English was more widely spoken, which I learned is often due to them watching subtitled media! However, Spain was marked by a vibrant, public passion, a clear sense of regional differences, and a much later social rhythm, particularly with their late-night meal times.

 Q: What was your favorite thing you ate on the trip? – A: Believe it or not, I found some of the best seafood and even the most amazing Italian dishes I’ve ever eaten. While the Mushroom Risotto was a decadent, cozy highlight, my favorite thing will always be the Pastel de Nata—chef’s kiss!

Mushroom Risotto

 Q: How was the included Welcome dinner in Lisbon and the Farewell dinner in Madrid? – A: Both the Welcome dinner in Lisbon and the Farewell dinner in Madrid were wonderful additions. They provided a much-needed time to get situated at the start and relax at the end, without having to worry about finding the right time or place on otherwise busy travel days. The real value is it’s the perfect way to gather with the group as like-minded people, sit together, and genuinely learn about one another outside of the daily touring schedule.

 Q: You had a Local Favorite experience with a wine tasting and dinner near Salamanca. Can you describe the setting and the local flavors? – A: This was a fantastic experience! For the tasting, we were presented with two varieties of wine: a white and a red. We learned about the difference in the age of the grapes and the fermentation process. The dinner that followed was well-balanced, not overbearing, and widely enjoyed by everyone.

Panoramic View of Salamanca, Spain

 Q: Did you try any of the optional dinner excursions, like the Fado Music and Dinner in Lisbon? – A: No, we actually skipped the optional dinner excursions. We preferred hitting the streets to try a more à la carte dining approach. That meant looking up local favorites and creating our own dinner: light snacks or appetizers along the way, followed by a seated dinner, and then dessert on our feet as we walked back to the hotel. It was a true culinary adventure!

Food in Lisbon, Portugal

Food in Lisbon, Portugal

 Q: The tour includes a Port wine tasting in Porto. How was the experience at the local cellar? – A: The Port wine tasting was a definite highlight! The Port wines were delicious and complex, and the cellar itself—with all its barrels—was beautiful in its own right. Simply remarkable!

Barrels at the Winery in Porto, Portugal 

Port Wine Tasting in Porto, Portugal

 Q: Is there anything else we did not discuss that you would like to mention? – A: Absolutely! If I had to summarize what makes Spain and Portugal so incredible, it’s the sheer diversity: the rich architecture, the sweeping landscapes that take you from beaches to rivers, the vibrant cultures with their unique food and music, and the countless historical sites. The best part is the constant discovery—literally every corner we turned, we were saying, ‘Wow,’ ‘Oh my goodness,’ and ‘That is stunning.’

 Q: Would you recommend this Spain & Portugal tour to other travelers? – A: I would highly recommend this Spain & Portugal tour! It’s an incredible journey that will inspire your tastebuds, expand your knowledge of history, and offer moments of spiritual enlightenment. It truly stands out because it’s so very different than the typical European cities that often get much more tourist traffic—this trip offers a unique, enriching experience.

Stock Exchange Palace Main Hall in Porto, Portugal

 Q: Would you visit Portugal & Spain again? – A: Absolutely, yes! Without a doubt, I will be returning. My heart and spirit need more time in Lisbon. Seeing these regions has only fueled my desire to go deeper into Spain—perhaps Mallorca or Seville for my next stop!

 Does this incredible experience incline you to take a tour of Spain & Portugal? Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to assist you in planning whenever you’re ready! Contact your local Boscov’s Travel or call 800-755-8020 or visit https://www.boscovstravel.com/