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 670 reviews
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.
See more
See more
The trip was wonderful and we enjoyed every city and destination. Our local guides and drivers were knowledgeable and personable, and provided very good service.
Our two quibbles are that some of the hotels were a bit disappointing in terms of the size of the room and overall amenities, given the amount we paid for the trip. Our hotel in Porto was five stars and felt like it, but the room in Lisbon, which apparently was recently renovated, had a bathroom so tiny that we hit our heads on a metal overhang if we bent to wash our faces, the coffee maker was broken, and the toilet flushing button rattled and fell off.
See more
The trip was well planned by Zicasso's tour company, with only one scheduling snafu. The hotels were nice. The travel agents were very communicative and helpful.
See more
The trip itinerary and guides provided in Barcelona, Porto, the Duoro Valley, and Madrid were excellent. They were very knowledgeable, professional and personable, and spoke excellent English.
Most of the drivers were very good, but we were surprised that some of them did not provide bottled water for half-day tours (we had to ask and stop to buy it). This was a minor nuisance, but given the price of tours and previous experiences, a simple expectation, as well as having the car cooled down and AC on during hot days when being picked up.
The tour manager did an outstanding job overall, but could have improved on some specific requests that seemed to be either forgotten or missed regarding an electric scooter/wheelchair we rented that caused some issues during pick-up and drop-off. Otherwise, working with her was a very good experience.
See more
The travel agent from Zicasso's tour company planned for my family of four the most spectacular and luxurious two-week trip around Portugal. We traveled to and enjoyed the highlights of Lisbon, the romantic architecture in Sintra, the incredible history of Évora, the beautiful coastline of the Algarve, the laid-back atmosphere and gorgeous scenery of Madeira, the beautiful, historical, bustling city of Porto, and the stunning scenery of the Douro Valley.
The travel agent's suggestions and bookings were all perfectly aligned with what we envisioned and the accommodations booked were all beautifully appointed and family-oriented – five-star hotels that catered to the entire family, with indoor pools and kids greeted with backpacks and toys at the door, and nightly treats on pillows.
The tour guides booked were all very knowledgeable and kind. They were patient with my two- and four-year-olds, and taught us all so many new, amazing things.
Every day was a highlight, but I would say my girls really enjoyed the tile painting as well as the pastel de nata-making workshops.
My husband and I really enjoyed Évora and Sintra, and truly seeing the beauty and history of it all.
We absolutely fell in love with Portugal, the culture, and the food. My only regret is not having more time so we could’ve seen the Azores as well and stayed even longer.
We so look forward to this travel agent planning us another perfect vacation in the near future!
See more





