Spain & Portugal for Second Timers: Aveiro Madeira Nerja

What to expect on this itinerary
During this 10-day off-the-beaten-path tour of Spain and Portugal, glide along the picturesque canals of the small Portuguese town of Aveiro as the sweet sounds of Fado music drift through the air. Delight in the natural beauty of Nerja as magnificent cliff faces rise from the sea, uncover these countries’ hidden treasures, and venture to locales that are rarely frequented, even by the locals. From the indulgent flavors of Madeira wine to the medieval charm of Salamanca, this journey will offer you a unique experience in two of Western Europe’s most spectacular countries.
Customizable Itinerary
Aveiro – Explore the Picturesque Canals
A country with much to discover, Portugal will delight you with its forgotten towns, hidden beaches, and splendid wine country. You will arrive in the city of Aveiro, which is Portugal’s charming version of Venice and where you will be met by your private driver at the airport’s baggage claim. You will be transferred to your luxurious accommodation that was formerly an intricate palace. Today, you will have the wonderful opportunity to glide through the charming canals that crisscross through the city in a private Moliceiro. These are long, narrow, and colorful boats that were traditionally rowed along Aveiro’s canals. On your leisurely ride, you will float through the entire city, finding yourself entirely enchanted by the colorful buildings and charming streets.
What's Included:
Aveiro – Tour the City and Visit Costa Nova
Madeira – Enjoy Breathtaking Views of Funchal
Madeira – Uncover the Magic of Fado
Madeira – Discover the Birthplace of Madeira Wine
Nerja – Relax at the Beach
Nerja – Luxuriate with a Day on the Mediterranean Coast
Madrid – Discover the Old-World Charm of Salamanca
Madrid – Private Tour of Segovia
Madrid – Visit Temple of Debod
Trip Highlights
- Discover the charming canals of Aveiro and be amazed by this hidden gem of a city, which is Portugal’s version of Venice
- Enjoy a private tour of Aveiro and visit the colorful, seaside neighborhood of Costa Nova
- Be delighted by breathtaking views of Aveiro when you ride the magnificent Funchal Cable Car in Madeira
- Marvel at the sounds of Fado as you watch a private show that is accompanied by a gourmet meal
- Discover the lesser-known, Spanish beach town of Nerja, where you will be absolutely stunned by the area’s serene beauty
- Luxuriate on a cruise around the shores of Nerja on a private yacht
- Delight in an excursion to the age-old town of Salamanca
- Immerse yourself in the town of Segovia and learn of the town’s rich history that dates back to ancient times
Detailed Description
From the gorgeous town of Frigiliana on Spain’s southern coast to the tropical vineyards of the Portuguese island of Madeira, Spain and Portugal are home to some of Europe’s most unique treasures. You will uncover the ancient secrets of Salamanca and Segovia, which are located only a short distance outside the Spanish capital of Madrid. Prepare to be captivated by the allure of Aveiro’s charming canals and winding streets, which are lined with colorful homes and cafes. On this luxurious, 10-day adventure of Spain and Portugal, you will venture off the beaten path to discover the very best of the hidden treasures that lie within these splendid countries.
Your tour will begin in Aveiro, which is Portugal’s version of Venice and where you will be enchanted by the lovely canals that wind through the city. You will enjoy exploring the town and learning about history on a private tour. Afterward, you will continue to the Portuguese island of Madeira, which is the birthplace of world-famous Madeira wine. You will indulge in a private excursion to the tropical vineyards of the island and experience a specially curated wine tasting. You will find yourself completely captivated by the melancholy sounds of Portuguese Fado music when you attend a private show. Your show will be accompanied by a gourmet dinner with wine pairing.
The following day, you will arrive on Spain’s southern coast, where you will have the unique opportunity to explore the stunning beach town of Nerja. Here, you will discover the unparalleled town of Frigiliana, which has often been renowned as the most beautiful town in Spain. Soon after, you will arrive in the Spanish capital of Madrid, where you will delight in excursions to the nearby towns of Segovia and Salamanca. On this off-the-beaten-track, 10-day adventure of Spain and Portugal, you will traverse these magnificent regions in utter luxury as you uncover the abundant hidden gems that exist within them.
Starting Price
$3,200 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 854 reviews
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This travel agent is superlative, would give her 6 stars if possible here. We were in Portugal, (Porto, Douro valley, Lisbon), Western Spain, Madeira and Azores Islands for a three week family trip with two teenagers. She works by giving a detailed, passionate overview of her country's regions on the phone, and several rough first drafts of an itinerary based on your feedback. She encourages a bespoke model-- when I last minute wanted to include Salamanca and Caceres in western Spain, she fully encouraged us to go ahead with that and made it work in the itinerary by swapping out other places.Her choice of hotel bookings were super, and presented in two tiers for budget reasons. She went an extra step fulfilling my request to secure restaurant reservations for dinner each night of the trip. The guides were also very good - courteous, on time and knowledgeable. Best one was from Lisbon, who had my children enthralled about 800 years of Portuguese history.The most unusual thing about this agent is her willingness to go the extra mile- literally. She travelled three hours from her home to meet us at the airport to deliver not only our docs, a cell phone and the fully programmed sat nav, but a camera battery charger for my Nikon that I'd left at home and had asked her to locate a store so I could buy it- and there it was, she astoundingly had stopped by a camera store on her way so that I did not have to! She is readily 'available' for the duration of the trip for any advice or problem solving. This was my first use of a travel agent, and Zicasso- I am a trip planner and have done many detailed itineraries for six other long summer trips, and decided to get some help this time and am thrilled I did.
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We had an amazing 6 weeks travelling to 13 places exploring Iberian food, architecture, people, culture and history. It was phenomenal, and it was made possible by the exceptional job done by this travel company and the knowledge and detail that this agent and his crew brought to the planning. Their value of deep in-country experience and pride was invaluable.
Our itinerary was: Lisbon, Porto, the Douro, Salamanca, Segovia, Madrid, Toledo (day trip), Seville, Granada, Nerja, San Sebastian, Salardu (Val D'Aran), and Barcelona. We consulted with this travel company to travel at the best season: when the south is not yet hot, and when the north is not still cold. We drove for three segments, had personal drivers for a few, took a train for two segments, and flew for the long segment. A detailed written description was provided for each locale, and for places to explore along our driving routes. We saw very historical and wonderful sites that tourists often do not visit. In each town, we were provided a personal local guide to orient us, and to provide us with a feel for customs of the place. Hotels were phenomenal. A lot of details for a long trip. And this travel company made impeccable plans that executed perfectly.
I am recommending this company to my friends seeking in country expertise for that... extra special experience.
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We outlined our desires to visit the Basque region of Spain and Portugal's Douro River Valley, with an emphasis on the culture, food, and wine of the two regions. We are in our mid-70s, so we asked that activities be designed at a pace appropriate for our age.
The itinerary designed by Zicasso’s travel team met all of these requests. Our guides/drivers were superbly prepared to explain the culture and culinary milieu throughout our trip. The guides were also universally punctual, open, and affable.
We were especially pleased with the excellent locations of our hotels. In San Sebastian, we had a really excellent pintxos restaurant across the street. The owner was exceptionally helpful in choosing items from the menu, as well as local beers. And in Porto, the hotel staff recommended a small, relaxed restaurant with excellent local cuisine just half a block away.
Our walking food tours of the two cities were excellent, both in the quality of the tastings offered and the pace through the cities. And our wine tours complemented our tastes perfectly. We could not have asked for more.
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My wife and I have been lucky enough to travel to many places around the world, but our April 2025 journey organized by Zicasso's tour company was easily one of the best. Our agent and her team thought of every detail. All we had to do was show up and enjoy these two beautiful countries!
We went to Four cities: Lisbon, Porto, San Sebastián, and Barcelona. The itineraries were thoughtfully planned to give us great experiences without wearing us out too much. And the guides in each city were fun, knowledgeable, and engaging. The transportation was always easy and on time, and the hotels were top-notch.
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