Essential France, Spain & Portugal

Visit the most famous landmark in France, the Eiffel Tower. Opt to climb the stairs or take an elevator to the top for a stunning view over the city. Hang out at dusk and watch the tower light up.

Examine the massive collection at the Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa and the Winged Venus. While it might take a lifetime to view everything in the museum, one of the largest in the world, make the most of the time you have and try to spend at least a few hours wandering around.

Climb aboard and set sail, enjoying the stunning Parisian architecture by water.

Climb to the top of Montjuïc hill for fantastic city views and a visit to a 17th-century fortress, once used as a prison and execution site.

Visit Gaudí’s most famous life work, the cathedral of La Sagrada Familia, an inspiring, yet, bizarre testament to the artist’s unique vision.

See and be seen on Las Ramblas, a large tree-lined pedestrian boulevard perfect for people watching and window shopping that ends at the harbourfront facing the Mediterranean Sea.

Get away from it all with a visit to the imaginative Parque Guell. The fantastical works of Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) are scattered throughout Barcelona, a grouping of these including Parque Guell, Casa Mila, and the Crypt of La Sagrada Familia were established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Stroll the tree-lined paths and admire Gaudi’s creative genius at play.

The Reina Sofia is Spain's national museum of 20th-century art, and currently boasts an art collection of over 21,000 works.

Enjoy some spectacular people watching with a visit to the Plaza Mayor, the true heart of the city. Enjoy a coffee in one of the plaza’s many cafes and watch the world go by.

Shop, stroll, and people watch on the capital's most exciting street, Gran Via. Go early or late, the street stays awake all hours.

Shop, stroll, and people watch on the capital's most exciting street, Gran Via. Go early or late, the street stays awake all hours.

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum displays an overview of art from the 13th century to the late 20th century.

Take in some culture with a trip to the Museo del Prado, one of the greatest art galleries in the world, and a definite highlight of any Madrid trip. Be inspired by its collections and exhibitions: the museum's main emphasis is 15th to 19th century Spanish, Flemish, and Italian art, but there is plenty of Goya and a wealth of paintings by Diego Velázquez.

See how kings and queens live, with a visit to the Palacio Real, the official (and uninhabited) palace of the King of Spain. Wander the rooms to take in some of the most elaborately decorated and furnished rooms you'll ever see.

Take a wander around this incredible, and beautifully ornate bookstore built in 1906.

Take some time to walk around this charming square and get in with the local hustle and bustle.

The blue painted tiles on the inside of São Bento railway station makes it one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. See for yourself.

Shop, stroll, and people watch on the capital's most exciting street, Gran Via. Go early or late, the street stays awake all hours.

Board a boat down Portugal's Douro River, or "river of gold". Float along this ancient route used for centuries as a port wine shipper's route.

Join a half-hour guided tour of this neoclassical monument.

Explore Lisbon’s past in Alfama, one of the city’s oldest quarters. Wander along narrow medieval streets lined with typical tile-covered façades and take a step back in time; the area largely survived the great earthquake of 1755, and still retains much of its original layout. Listen for Portugal's traditional music, fado, gracing the streets at night.

Climb up to this Moorish castle for a wander around the impressive grounds on a guided tour, and a great view over Lisbon and Tagus River.

Discover Belém, a western suburb that's linked to Portugal’s Golden Age of Discoveries – it was the site where famous navigators once set sail to discover the world. While there, take some time to tour nearby must-see attractions: the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Tropical Botanical Garden, and the Berardo Museum of contemporary art. Please note: most attractions in Belém are closed on Mondays.

Take a wander through this traditional open-air market, established in 1755.

Stop in this lively square to get a taste of the local hustle and bustle.

Take a wander through this traditional open-air market, established in 1755.

Take a break from reality to visit the fairytale-like town of Sintra. Get lost exploring the colourful manors, medieval palaces, and lush gardens of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Loacted in the lively Belém district, find dozens of ornately decorated horse-drawn carriages (fit for the kings and queens they used to carry) at the National Coach Museum. Housed in an old riding school, it's one of the most popular museums in Lisbon today.

Take a ride up 147ft from the lowest to highest points of Portugal. Sit back and enjoy the views.

Visit one of Europe's most impressive private art collections at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. With an eclectic mix of Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Islamic, Armenian, and Far Eastern art, it's beloved by art critics and locals for a reason.

Climb up to this Moorish castle for a wander around the impressive grounds on a guided tour, and a great view over Lisbon and Tagus River.

While tuk-tuks aren't a traditional mode of transport in Portugal, they're the perfect vehicle to explore the hilly streets of Lisbon in. There are lots of operators to choose from, with tours that visit popular sites and back alleys alike. Most use electric tuk-tuks, an eco-friendly way of sightseeing.

Explore Lisbon’s past in Alfama, one of the city’s oldest quarters. Wander along narrow medieval streets lined with typical tile-covered façades and take a step back in time; the area largely survived the great earthquake of 1755, and still retains much of its original layout. Listen for Portugal's traditional music, fado, gracing the streets at night.

Take a trip to the coastline to see this charming fort, built to protect Lisbon from raiders invading from the sea. Climb up the tower for great views of the ocean and surrounding city.

Explore the undiscovered side of Lisbon most tourists don’t venture out to see. Still very central, this area of Lisbon is rich in culture and history and hosts some of the best restaurants Lisbon has to offer. Wander up and down the tile-filled streets with us in two local neighborhoods – Baixa, which translates to “downtown” followed by Mouraria, which is the old Muslim neighborhood. Our food tour takes you away from the tourist traps to the traditional and trending restaurants that are loved and frequented by the locals of Lisbon. Explore and really get to know the city through its amazing food and drinks. Not only will you try typical Portuguese food and drinks, but you’ll also learn about the international influences in Lisbon and discover some beautiful street art. Get away from the crowds and join us for an unforgettable day of eating, drinking, making new friends, and – above all – having fun!

Take a visit to the best preserved Roman structure on the Iberian Peninsula, assumed to have been constructed in 1 AD.

The Évora Museum houses art and archaeological artefacts first collected by Portuguese friars in the early 20th century.

Visit the neighbouring Évora Cathedral and Roman temple to see two remarkable buildings built more than 1000 years apart.

Olhão is the busiest fishing point on the Algarve, and has a vibrant fish market to match. Take a wander!

Visit the true heart of Seville, the Santa Cruz quarter. A charming area with winding alleys, picturesque lime-washed houses, flowery patios, and small squares, you can wander, shop, or just soak in the neighbourhood's quaint atmosphere while enjoying a refreshing drink (sangria, perhaps) at one of the local restaurants.

Explore the wonderful interiors and gardens of the Alcázar, a royal palace that was originally a Moorish fort. Arrive during the evening in the summer months (until mid-September) and enjoy a series of concerts in the beautiful setting of the Reales Alcázares.

Climb the tower known as La Giralda, adjacent to the world's largest Gothic cathedral, for spectacular views and a walk among historic walls. The 76m (249 ft) Giralda was constructed by the Moors as a mosque between 1184 and 1197. In 1568, after the reconquest, Christians fit the minaret with its bell tower.

Described by Ernest Hemingway as the most romantic town in Spain, Ronda is a quaint city 2 hours outside of Seville. Take a day trip to tour highlights such as a traditional Spanish bullfighting ring, incredible views of the El Tajo River gorge, and the wine museum.

Take a visit to marvel at one of the grandest mansions in Seville. The home is still inhabited by the Medinaceli family, but remains open to visitor tours during operating hours.

Dating to 1220, the Golden Tower is the last major building constructed by Seville's historic Muslim population.

Take a visit to this beautiful historic convent. Established in 1475, this convent is still home to the Jerónimas nuns. Infrequent tours in Spanish are run here, but visitors are welcome to the modest museum displaying 16th-18th century ecclesiastical art and sculpture.