Spain and Portugal
From March 12–21, 2027, Hope College Alumni Engagement invites you on an extraordinary 10-day Iberian adventure through the vibrant cultures and rich history of Spain and Portugal.
Our journey begins in Madrid with world-class art at the Prado and the grandeur of the Royal Palace, before traveling south through the medieval and Moorish treasures of Toledo, Córdoba and Seville. Crossing into Portugal, we’ll explore the UNESCO heritage city of Évora, venture into lush cork forests by Land Rover and finish in coastal Lisbon. Complete with authentic tapas tours, local wine tastings and a soulful evening of traditional Fado music, this trip is designed to offer the perfect mix of deep history, local flavor and Hope College camaraderie.
Tour Highlights
The first part of our journey brings us to Madrid, Spain’s grand capital. After taking in lively plazas and broad boulevards on a historic walking tour, we’ll visit the world-renowned Prado Museum to admire masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and El Greco. We’ll also tour the majestic Royal Palace — the official residence of Spain’s royal family — and experience Madrid’s culinary culture through an evening tour of tapas, local wines and historic taverns.
From Madrid, we’ll travel south to Toledo, known as the “City of Three Cultures” for its rich Christian, Jewish and Muslim history. Here, we'll stroll through winding medieval streets, explore the magnificent Toledo Cathedral, visit the historic Jewish Quarter and stop at a local artisan workshop to see traditional damascene metalwork crafting in action.
Continuing into Andalusia, we’ll discover Córdoba, home to the famous Mezquita — one
of the world’s greatest works of Islamic architecture — and the picturesque, flower-draped
Calle de las Flores. Next is Seville, the vibrant heart of the region. We’ll visit the grand Seville
Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world, and wander through the
breathtaking Royal Alcázar, renowned for its intricate Moorish architecture and tranquil
gardens.
Departing Seville, we’ll cross into Portugal’s scenic Alentejo region, stopping at
a local estate for an olive oil tasting. We’ll then explore Évora, a beautifully preserved
UNESCO World Heritage city featuring whitewashed streets, the imposing Évora Cathedral
and the ancient Roman Temple of Évora. Our Portuguese countryside adventure continues
as we hop aboard Land Rovers to venture through local cork forests and vineyards,
learning about rural traditions while enjoying regional wine tastings.
We’ll then arrive in coastal Lisbon, Portugal's colorful capital. Sightseeing takes
us past historic waterfront landmarks tied to the Age of Discovery, including the
iconic Belém Tower and the stunning Jerónimos Monastery, followed by a delicious tasting
of authentic pastéis de nata (custard pastries). Day trips from the city include the 18th-century Queluz National
Palace, the relaxed seaside town of Cascais and Cape Roca — the westernmost point
of continental Europe.
On our final full day, we’ll participate in a hands-on Portuguese tile-painting workshop to create our own traditional azulejo souvenir, browse local dishes at Lisbon’s lively Time Out Market, and celebrate our journey together at a memorable farewell dinner accompanied by a soulful, live Fado performance.
- Tour Fee
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The program fee is $6,399 per person. Based on double occupancy, it includes:
- Hosting and community building provided by Hope College Alumni Engagement
- Roundtrip motorcoach transfers between West Michigan and Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Roundtrip flights from Chicago to Madrid, returning from Lisbon
- Eight nights of hotel accommodations in moderate first-class properties with private facilities
- Land transportation in accordance with the itinerary by deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach
- Meals consisting of daily breakfast and five group dinners
- An experienced European tour manager to accompany the group from arrival in Madrid through departure from Lisbon
- All sightseeing and admission fees listed in the itinerary
- Tipping and taxes for all included services, including gratuities for the tour manager and motorcoach driver
*Single Occupancy: A single room supplement is available for $890.
*Alternative departure cities and land-only pricing are available upon request.
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