Portugal/Spain
Tales of Portugal and Spain: A Historic Journey Through Iberia
Program No. 21925RJ
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Tales of Portugal and Spain: A Historic Journey Through Iberia
Tales of Portugal and Spain: A Historic Journey Through Iberia
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Participant Reviews
Based on 127 Reviews
SHOWING
I learned so much about Portugal and Spain on this trip! Our group leader and our local guides were so informative and enhanced the experiences more than I expected. I could have looked at the same incredible places on my own, but their explanations and insights provided deeper learning and appreciation.
— Review left November 24, 2025
Tales of Portugal and Spain was a wonderful program filled with magical moments that we will treasure for a lifetime!
— Review left November 20, 2025
The Iberian tour was beautiful, informative, delicious and fun. Thank you Road Scholar. I am glad to have “found” you.
— Review left November 20, 2025
The Portugal/Spain program provided new insights and knowledge of history and culture in a well-organized and welcoming format. I highly recommend it!
— Review left November 17, 2025
In September of 2025 my wife and I participated in the Road Scholar "Tales of Portugal and Spain Tour". We experienced a wonderful educational, cultural and historical perspective of the Iberian Peninsula. The accommodations and all meals (both at the hotels and local restaurants) were excellent.
Our tour guide, Luisa Azevedo, deserves credit for conducting all facets of the tour at a 5 Star level. She herself deserves a 5 Star rating.
— Review left November 7, 2025
Rita Nazareth is an amazing group leader, and if you are lucky enough to be placed with her, you will be in great hands. Antonio was a pleasant surprise. Most drivers don't seem to interact with the guests and he did. I would highly recommend the Portugal and Spain tour!!! John Wysong
— Review left October 30, 2025
Tales of Portugal and Spain: A Historic Journey Through Iberia or Historic Hotels of Portugal and Spain is an outstanding choice for learning the complicated history of these two nations. Contrasting the cities of Lisbon, Seville and Granada today with the long history of global discovery and how these two nations were impacted is fascinating. Learning about the cork industry was value added.
— Review left October 28, 2025
The trip exploring Portugal and Southern Spain is a revelation. Besides wonderful hotels, you explore a history and culture of countries that explored and ruled the world for 400 years.
— Review left October 26, 2025
It was an excellent experience. Hotels, meals, activities, local guides and Luisa were all great. Only criticism was not a lot of free time. Almost over programmed.
— Review left October 21, 2025
The trip was fantastic. The travel getting there and back was horrible. My original flight was supposed to be St. Louis to Toronto to Lisbon. At the last minute, my flight was changed to St. Louis to Chicago to Toronto to Lisbon. In Chicago, they put us on a plane where we sat for a couple of hours while the mechanic "checked things out". During this time, I was receiving frantic texts from the baggage dept. I called and they "didn't know where to send my suitcase". I assumed it was because when it was tagged in St. Louis, it didn't plan on making a stop in Chicago. The baggage dept said they would "run my suitcase to the airplane". At that point, we were told to get off the plane, it was "broken". As we were getting off, I saw them put my suitcase on. I called the travel "hotline". They were NOT helpful. Pretty much just said that once I got to Toronto, I'd have to catch the "next" plane to Lisbon which would not be until the next night. I was told to check with the gait agent when I arrived in Toronto. The replacement plane was "OLD". Some of the seats were broken. We got to Toronto so late, that the airport was closed. I talked to several of the travel hotline agents. Finally found one that helped me. I still did not arrive for my scheduled tour until a day after it had started. I missed two lectures, the first evening dinner, and the next morning's tour. Also, my suitcase didn't arrive until 3 days later. I had to spend one of our 4 hour "free" time shopping for a few items to tie me over until my suitcase arrived. The flight home was no better. They overloaded the plane back to Newark. We sat for several hours while they decided what to do. Then made an extra stop in Boston to refuel. Only three bathrooms on the plane, and one of them didn't work. I missed my connection home and had to spend another 8 hours in the airport. I was supposed to arrive home at 4. Didn't get home until midnight.
— Review left October 20, 2025
5 Star. This was my first trip with Road Scholar. I was so impressed with our group leader, Mayra Noguerales, and our local guides, that I booked two more trips before the conclusion of the first week.
I have been privileged to travel extensively; however, I’ve rarely participated in group tours. Road Scholar appealed to me because of the educational & cultural facets combined with small groups, access to places not typically overrun by tourists, and the fact the organization is not-for-profit.
The freedom to visit sites not on the official itinerary is a bonus. I loved the National Palace at Sintra, a 14th Century Palace in the heart of Sintra.
The Conimbriga Roman Ruins at Coimbra are spectacular, likely the best example of ruins left by occupying Romans in Europe. Our guide Tiago is a professor of history who also guided us through the amazing library at the University.
Few experiences compare to the beauty of Ronda, Spain. Our guide, Jesus, was the best among top notch guides. I walked more than 19,000 steps during the day at Ronda, which took us to excavated Arab baths, the oldest bull ring in Europe, spectacular views of the gorge and unfathomable sunsets.
My favorite city is Seville, with its winding streets and alleys. The mosque at Cordoba is a wonder of historical architecture and engineering. The crème de la crème of the trip was Alhambra, which has been on my bucket list forever.
Do not hesitate to join the group as a single. 8 of 22 were women on their own. Everyone is welcoming.
Bring comfortable shoes. Do not overestimate your ability to walk several miles and climb hills on cobblestones. Try everything. Enjoy local food & wine. There are pickpockets, but situational awareness will serve you well. Avoid discussing politics. The shadows of Salazar & Franco are still present.
This trip reignited my curiosity, love of travel, joy at meeting new people with similar wanderlust, and confidence to keep going forward.
— Review left October 7, 2025
Terrific leader, great group, astonishing range of sites visited, from Roman village and Moorish masterpieces to charming white villages. Many lovely hotels. Very much ‘on the go’ with each day packed with adventures. We had several extended bus rides through beautiful landscapes—I was glad that I brought headphones and an eyeshade. Quite active—sturdy shoes a must for cobblestone streets.
— Review left October 5, 2025
This trip is an excellent value. We learned so much about the history and culture of both countries along with present day production of olive oil and cork. Our leader Natalia was an excellent! Be aware that this trip can be a physical challenge due to cobblestone sidewalks and streets along with some steep grades in some towns.
— Review left October 4, 2025
This was a wonderful learning adventure and fun tour. I highly recommend it.
— Review left June 6, 2025
This trip was all that was described, and more. So much information on the history and culture of both Portugal & Spain, plus visiting cities and towns gave us a view into both history and current lives. The accommodations were above average, and some were special, such as the Hotel Catalonia in Ronda.
Our trip leader, Mariola Alonso, was exceptional. This was my 7th Road Scholar trip, I would rate her the best. She was organized, always friendly and kind, with a smile. As I have a low salt diet, she made sure that I received the right meal. She kept us going.
— Review left June 2, 2025
I absolutely loved this trip!! We had such a wonderful group of travelers! Our group leader Mary Anne and bus driver Antonio were fabulous! Both went above and beyond to ensure that everyone was comfortable and having a great time! And the things we saw! I do recommend walking as well as going up and down stairs before taking this trip and having trekking poles handy. There will be some walking on uneven ground without handrails or anything else to hold on to. As usual, RS scheduled lots of out-of-the-way locations and activities. The Portuguese Cooking School was so much fun!!! And lunch in the home of a resident in a small white-washed village was an extra treat! I love small, boutique family-owned businesses, and that is exactly the experience RS provides! I would highly recommend this trip!
— Review left May 31, 2025
Wonderful trip, covered so many things, it's hard to remember them all.
Just keep in mind, when it's listed "let's Go" that is the pace you keep.
— Review left May 30, 2025
This is a demanding program in every way: physically, emotionally, intellectually. But our group, with members in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, quickly found a pace comfortable for all. There was enough down time on the bus to take in the spectacular scenery and prepare for the next event. 5 stars!!
— Review left May 25, 2025
This tour was amazing in every way! Our guide, Luisa was wonderful! The meals, accommodations ,lectures,activities etc were excellent. I highly recommend this adventure.
— Review left May 19, 2025
If you like experiences as well as sight-seeing this tour is for you. You'll visit a farm and a cork oak forest and see how bottle stoppers are produced. You'll get a chance to see the process of making olive oil and even cook a meal together. The accommodations are fantastic and the food is exceptional. I'm telling everyone to enroll in this tour.
— Review left May 11, 2025
This was a fabulous adventure, Luisa Azevedo was a great group leader, she was very knowledgeable about all the locations we visited and did a great job working with all members of group.
— Review left April 22, 2025
Luisa was a fabulous group leader and the combination of visiting UNESCO heritage sites, staying in unusual hotels such as a converted convent, visiting small towns and having lunch with local family, and seeing the countryside of Portugal and Spain was more than I could have imagined. I learned so much about this area of the world. I would highly recommend this program.
— Review left April 19, 2025
Very quickly, I would like to say that my wife and I loved our trip across Portugal and southern Spain. Luiza (i beleive) was a wonderful guide, very careful that nobody was lost or forgotten and always helpful and informative. Hard to pinpoint highpoints because the trip was always interesting and unexpected. The speakers and the representatives from the towns we visited and the guide at the roman ruins were universally good. Highlights have to include the visit to the cork factory, our time in Ronda, and hilltop villages of Spain and Portugal. And Lisbon, Sevilla, and Granada are hard to beat. No problems of any kind except maybe too much food. Could have spent more time everywhere. Thanks so much. Preston and Patricia Rose
— Review left April 12, 2025
This program is a wonderful in-depth exploration of the history and culture of Portugal and Spain. Our whole group was impressed with the variety of what we saw and experienced. We saw big cities, tiny towns and everything in-between. We also saw lots of the countryside and we were introduced to how cork is produced (in Portugal) and how olive oil is made (in Spain). We saw at least 10 treasures of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, places like the Alcazar and Cathedral in Seville, the Alhambra in Granada and the Monastery at Batalha in Portugal. The food was fantastic and the wine flowed freely! Even the places we stayed were incredible: two former palaces, a former convent and three hotels of great historical significance. All of the accommodations had updated and modern rooms with all the conveniences. And to top it all off, we had the best group leader ever! Luisa Azevedo was our guide and we were blessed! What a great group we had! It was an adventure I will always treasure!!
— Review left April 12, 2025
Hello,
Ulie was a fantastic guide, always felt cared for and he was wonderfully endearing with surprise treats, musical interludes and good spirit. Our fellow travellers were all interesting and kind people. The sites wonderful and the local docents informative and with their own personalities. We felt that we learned alot about Iberian history, putting what we saw in context with history and culture. We enjoyed the hotels immensely.
However, the scheduling on some days was very frustrating. We felt rushed through some sites particularly Cordoba mosque/cathedral, and Alhambra. I would have liked the docent led tour to be followed by free time within the sites to absorb the wonder of these places instead of exiting the site and being given free time for lunch and time to browse souvenir shops followed by an afternoon activity or bus ride. Much of the "free time" was in too small of a block of time to eat and go beyond the shopping areas and explore neighborhoods especially with the pressure to be back in time for the bus or the next activity. I would reduce the number of activities. We also thought that concentrating more on Spain and less on Portugal, especially since the Sintra trip did not include Pena Palace., which we had seen years ago.
My husband and I do not expect to take another Road Scholar tour soon, we enjoy traveling at our own speed. However, we are giving the tour good reviews with friends. You provide a really great option for many travelers.
Thank you,
Lisa
— Review left April 12, 2025
This is an excellent program that will give you an in-depth understanding of the areas included in the tour. The variety of activities enhances the overall experience. I can't recommend it enough.
— Review left April 9, 2025
Tales of Portugal and Spain was a great trip on many levels. We had a very interesting and talented tour director. We learned a lot. We saw many beautiful and stunning nature views in addition to palaces, castles, museums, and churches. Our appreciation grew for the contributions of the Moors, Portuguese and Spanish to our culture.
— Review left April 8, 2025
I had a wonderful time in Portugal and Spain. Everything was perfect, our guide Ulises was outstanding.
— Review left April 8, 2025
This was a great trip and Ulises was a wonderful guide! I would highly recommend.
— Review left April 2, 2025
For anyone who seeks to build a basis of cultural understanding and a historical foundation of knowledge about the countries of Spain and Portugal this is it. No college or university course could match what I learned. As an American at this time in US history, when there are good reasons to get the cold shoulder, I felt very comfortable and well received. These are VERY clean countries and proud good people that are well worth getting to know more about. Don't wait. This is our first Road Scholar trip and it was very hard to find anything wrong with any part of it. We are both 60 this year and this trip was our birthday present to each other. Best present I can think of. I have 1700 pictures and videos and I am going to share this trip with my whole family. This one deserves its own photo albumns too.
— Review left March 31, 2025
This was an excellent tour, filled with diverse and enjoyable learning experiences, outstanding accommodations and a very well organized program with strong leadership.
— Review left March 17, 2025
the trip exceeded my expectations. great tour guide and group comradery. I traveled solo and always felt included.
— Review left February 28, 2025
The trip was very good. Our tour coordinator Paula was very well organized, resourceful and energetic. She was also very helpful to us in two challenging situations. For one we arrived a day late due to cancellations and an incomplete booking by our air carrier TAP and missteps by Road Scholar emergency services in getting it straightened out. I communicated with Paula via email and she made the necessary arrangements to have local transportation waiting for us when we finally did arrive a day late. Also she provided critical assistance to my husband and me when he was injured due to a fall in the lobby of the Hotel Inglaterra in Seville. She guided us to a local hospital, acted as an interpreter for us communicating with the local hospital personnel, and lead me to a local pharmacy to fill prescriptions to address signficant swelling and pain caused by his injuries. We recognize that without her help we would have been very challenged to get the necessary care in a timely fashion. (We are submitting claims to AON for the trip delay at the beginning, the missed time in the program due to his injury and the medical charges associated with his care for that injury.)
The tour and our many activities were interesting and our subject matter expert guides were excellent. Two of the many highlights of the tour were the cooking class in Portugal and the Ålhambra - they come to mind among the many excellent activities provided for us throughout the tour. We also believe that Road Scholar attracts participants who are interested in learning about other coutries, curious about other cultures, and are generally open minded and interesting to meet and travel with. We give the tour high marks, the only significant criticism we have concerns the problems we had with our flights to the program and failures by TAP and Road Scholar to address these problems efficiently and smoothly..
— Review left November 17, 2024
This was an incredible trip on EVERY FRONT! From the first intro to our final farewell our fabulous ,personalbe, sweet and knowledgeable guide Mayra Noguerales ensured each part of each day was a spectacular experience. Such richness, such beautify, so much to learn and eat and experience. We cannot say enough about this trip, about Mayra, about Road Scholar and their partners abroad who made this trip an unforgettable part of our lives. Thank you. Debra & Martin D.
— Review left November 16, 2024
Excellent, well worth the time and money. I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in this part of the world
— Review left November 12, 2024
This trip was an 11 on a 1-10 scale. The hotels were quite spectacular, especially the palace in Lisbon and the monastery in Evora. The cities were terrific. The group leader Mayra was the best tour group leader I have ever had-organized, friendly, knowledgeable and personal. The meals were good and my wife's vegetarian requirements were always met. We did a lot of walking but really not a problem for anyone who is physically fit. Every day was a new adventure. I ended up taking a few thousand pictures because there were opportunities for picture taking everywhere, Loved the extra activities such as cooking school, two private concerts, and visits to a cork farm and factory and an olive oil facility. All the tour leaders in each stop were excellent. I could improve nothing on this trip.
— Review left November 12, 2024
This tour covers a lot of ground. We were on the go everyday. Our tour director, Sylvia, made the trip interesting and easy. Along with the amazing sites, we attended a Fado show, had a private Flamenco guitar performance, and ate lunch at a family home in Spain. The hotels (especially in Portugal) were top notch and very interesting! Our group was great and I felt like we bonded on the trip. I could do this tour again!
— Review left November 11, 2024
My wife and I enjoyed this trip and learned a lot from it. Our group leader, Luisa Azevedo, did an amazing job. Our local guides were knowledgeable and enthusiastic. All of the hotels we stayed were unique and gorgeous. Everyone in our group was so wonderful. It was our first time with Road Scholar, it would not be our last one based on our experiences. We plan to sign up other RS trips too and share our experiences with our friends. Thank you to Luisa and all of our friends and scholars in this trip for such a good memory we have. Continue to travel and learn.
— Review left November 8, 2024
Our group leader Paula did a great job in encouraging interaction among the participants. I learned a lot from other participants in informal interactions.
— Review left November 4, 2024
This is a super interesting program but it is physically challenging. Not for people with mobility problems.
— Review left October 27, 2024
The Road Scholar tour of southern Portugal and Spain was excellent for exposing us to the history and culture of the regions. Each destination offered engaging guided experiences, delicious local cuisine, and opportunities to connect with the traditions of the Iberian Penisula. I did two Road Scholar tours back to back (northern, then southern) of Portugal and Spain in 4 weeks and this allowed me to have a captivating journey in both countries to learn more about the history and culture.
— Review left October 22, 2024
This was a wonderful trip. I was amazed at the quality of the hotels and the food we were provided. The hotels were a lot nicer than I would have stayed at if I had gone on my own. The group leader (Silvia) and the local guides were so knowledgable and fun to travel with. We learned an incredible amount about the history of Portugal and Spain. I was impressed by how the program was built in a logical order. We learned about people and events in a lecture, then would go to places where having that knowledge helped make sense of what we were seeing. I enjoyed the people I traveled with on this tour. Most of them were experienced Road Scholar adventurers who were very welcoming to me as a solo traveler on my first trip. This is a very active trip that requires a lot of walking on every variety of cobblestone and tile that you can imagine, so wear very comfortable shoes. We had some rain on a few days which made the surfaces slippery, so good gripping shoes are a must. I think the distance we walked some days was further than what the itinerary describes, so I would make sure you are prepared for 4-5 miles on some days.
— Review left October 21, 2024
Wonderful trip (9/28-10/12)! The group leader (Silvia) was the perfect leader - on top of everything. The lecturers and guides specific to locations were also top notch - it was a feast. Hotels were amazing, food was wonderful (only 1 'dud' meal). In addition to the scenery and UNESCO sites, activities were fun and provided a break. We toured a farm and a cork forest/factory, an olive oil co-op, participated in a Portuguese cooking school, had lunch in a Spanish grandma's home, and enjoyed an amazing cheese tasting.
Wear sturdy shoes; consider a walking stick, the hills are killers. The activity level could use a "+" sign. Have a sun hat. I wouldn't do this trip earlier because of heat - we had a couple hot days. Then it turned cooler; had a couple days of showers but not bad.
A few of the sites fall into the over-touristed, crowded category. RS does well scheduling around crowds but that is not always possible, of course. There are good respites, with drives through the countryside and less crowded adventures.
Hotels had blow dryers, make-up mirrors, shampoo etc - the only thing several hotels didn't have was cream rinse.
This is a wonderful trip and no one wants to be sick. A cold virus was caught by many, followed by Covid at the end. If everyone had masked on flights would that have happened? I masked until the last couple of days (for air travel, on the bus, and crowds) and didn't catch the cold until the last day - now I regret letting my guard down. At least 2 now have Covid (fortunately didn't hit until the last day). Given the crowds of tourists from all over the world at a couple of the attractions, we were sitting ducks. If we had been wearing masks maybe illness could have been avoided? Sharing in case helpful. My advice: bring masks for air travel, the bus, and crowds, and use the hand sanitizer pump provided on the bus. Who wants to be sick on an amazing trip like this?
— Review left October 15, 2024
The Iberian Pennisula program was a great trip! Two weeks packed with history of the different cultures that formed their countries. It was also paired with meeting local people to see their trades demonstrated and immersion in local culture. Don't under-estimate the amount of walking, much on hilly, uneven cobblestone roads. I would highly recommend this program for those interested in the history and culture of the Iberian Peninsula.
— Review left October 13, 2024
This was a lovely program. It offered exactly as described in the material online.
Our trip leader was exceptionally gifted with knowledge of the area, relationships with hotel and restaurant hosts and expert lecturers. She made the trip run so smoothly.
The other travelers were delightful, knowledgable and easy to be with throughout the trip.
— Review left October 1, 2024
This trip was fascinating, informative, and fun. We saw many things we wouldn't have had access to if we were traveling on our own. Great guided excursions in addition to adequate free time to explore on our own. And great food!
— Review left October 1, 2024
Excellent educational tour of southern Spain and Portugal.
— Review left June 18, 2024
Who knew there was so much to learn and enjoy in the Iberian Peninsula? The food! The culture! The architecture! Wonderful accommodations. I can't wait to go back.
— Review left June 18, 2024
The Road Scholar trip "Tales of Portugal and Spain: A Historic Journey Through Iberia was an amazing look at regions of these two countries and their historic beginnings and evolution. The history and the architecture of the buildings that still exist are quite remarkable and I learned so much. I especially loved the experiences we got to share in from a cooking class, private musical concert in each country, visiting places that provide these countries with their products and exports, and exploring the countryside as well as the larger towns/cities. The guide was professional yet personable, knowledgeable, organized, helpful, and made this trip perfect. I highly recommend this trip!
— Review left June 17, 2024
On our own, we would never have experienced the Iberian Peninsula to the degree we did with Road Scholar. Sharing the trip with others greatly enhanced the experience.
— Review left June 17, 2024
I had a wonderful 2 weeks seeing these parts of Portugal and Spain for the first time. There's not much more to add to the reviews that have already been left....except to say that our tour guide Mary Anne Freitas was OUTSTANDING! She was very knowledgeable of the places we visited (as were the resident guides in each town.) If you see a trip where Mary Anne is your guide, sign up! She took great care of our group.
— Review left June 14, 2024
This was an adventure on my bucket list and it exceeded my expectations. It was a wonderful mix of lectures, tours and free time to explore. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is curious about visiting Spain. I love Seville, Cordoba, Ronda, and Granada and all the towns/villages in between. What a beautiful, artistic and historical adventure. And the ability to see how Christians, Muslims and Jews lived in peace and harmony until the Spanish Inquisition changed the course of history, which was a historical and political event, we should have never repeated but unfortunately, we haven't.
— Review left June 4, 2024
Fantastic program and group leader Luisa!
— Review left May 20, 2024
History comes alive when outstanding group leaders and local guides provide lectures and commentary on the sights and places.
— Review left May 19, 2024
A MOST enjoyable and instructive adventure through historic sights in Portugal and Spain - not to be missed!
— Review left April 25, 2024
Highly recommended....informative, nice mixture of large cities, smaller towns and rural areas to explore and learn about their history, culture and cuisine. If you like salted cod and Iberian pork you're in luck!
— Review left March 25, 2024
I've done 40 trips with Road Scholar and this one stands out as the best. Great itinerary, great accommodations, and great Group Leader, Ulises. We had a wide variety of experiences that were fun while still being educational. All of the local guides were outstanding--easy to understand and they presented at the right level of detail. Our tour bus was spacious and offered wifi. I feel that I really got to know Spain and Portugal. Couldn't have asked for a better trip!
— Review left March 17, 2024
This very physically active offering delivered everything promised in the syllabus. We left with a full experience and much greater knowledge of both countries than we had going in. An excellent value for the money. ...and if you get Luisa Azevedo for your guide, you are in for a real positive experience!
— Review left March 14, 2024
Can’t rave enough about this trip, great blend of knowledge sharing, experiences, time to explore along with fabulous leader & fellow travelers.
— Review left March 13, 2024
This trip was my first with ROAD SCHOLAR and I was very impressed and enjoyed my trip immensely.
— Review left March 10, 2024
We had a great time and our tour guides were great.
— Review left January 19, 2024
Tales of Portugal and Spain exceeded our expectations! The knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, outstanding meals, deluxe accommodations, and fun and respectful fellow travelers enhanced our time delving into the cultures and history of the spectacular places we visited.
— Review left November 28, 2023
Tales of Portugal and Spain was an educational, fun tour. It had the right balance of activities, and I learned a great deal about Portugal and Spain. The group leader was fabulous, and this was a great travel experience.
— Review left November 5, 2023
This is a fabulous tour and I highly recommend it. Busy, but not stressful at all. Hopefully you will have our outstanding guide, Luisa, who was warm, extremely well organized, very knowledgeable, and available at all times. She kept track of so many details and oriented us to every hotel and town/city. The food and accommodations were outstanding. The historic hotels in Portugal were beyond your imagination. Gorgeous views, outdoor pools in beautiful settings, large and luxurious rooms. Great variety of activities from tours of small, local cheese, olive oil and cork businesses to many gorgeous palaces, cathedrals and archaeological sites. Combination of cities and beautiful tiny towns and countryside. Fado and flamenco concerts were very high quality. Cooking class in Portugal at a local home was a great group hands-on activity and so much fun. And friendly, inclusive, fun fellow travelers. I did not find the walking to be hard at all-just a pair of walking shoes are fine. No hiking boots needed. Try to find a time of year that is not hot.
— Review left October 15, 2023
I had seen that others had rated this program highly and now I know why. It is a wonderful combination of large cities and small towns in two related but quite different countries. I felt I gained understanding of the countries, their history and their traditions. Terrific guides (Mariola was truly a gift), nice places to stay, and the opportunity to explore areas on your own. It was a totally engaging, never boring trip. I loved everything about it.
— Review left October 8, 2023
I had a blast on this most interesting trip.
— Review left September 21, 2023
The historical structures and monuments were beyond what I had imagined. They were spectacular and awe inspiring. The countryside of both Portugal and Spain are beautiful. I highly recommend this program to everyone. Firoz
— Review left June 30, 2023
This program is outstanding! So many wonderful sites to visit in Portugal and Spain; the lectures add so much to understanding the history and significance of the places we are seeing and visiting. Highly recommend this program.
— Review left June 19, 2023
This program exceeded our expectations in almost every way. The accommodations, food, and guides were exceptional. Visits to crowded sites was handled smoothly and efficiently. We especially enjoyed being taken to places off the usual tourist route and meeting the local people.
— Review left June 18, 2023
"A Historic Journey Through Iberia" was an amazing trip! Well designed and executed, with new wonders revealed each day. A great mix of information, history, and performances as well as urban palaces, mosques, and cathedrals vs. rural farms and villages. Lodging was often more luxurious than expected. The "Keep the Pace" description is accurate; challenging at times, particularly mentally, Would have enjoyed more chances for free time to digest the info and return to favorite spots. Our team leader and local guides were top notch! Particularly enjoyed opportunities to mingle with local families and individuals and have hands-on activities. Well worth the price.
— Review left June 18, 2023
Excellent trip. Our tour manager Mayra Noguerales was superior as were all the local guides and local talent (Fado & Flamenco). Great group of people on the tour and interesting locations. Nuño was an excellent driver and even though the roads were twisty and windy, he never flinched. Bravo to all.
Thanks
Judy Shulman
— Review left June 14, 2023
This was an excellent program, covering so much history, with plenty of activity so that the food could be enjoyed in extraordinarily beautiful landscapes and settings.
— Review left June 3, 2023
This trip was amazing and very educational. The guides, and especially Maria our trip leader, were organized, extremely knowledgeable, and entertaining. The hotels, especially the convent in Evora, were top class. And the food was amazing. A real winner.
— Review left May 25, 2023
This was my first trip with Road Scholar. After deciding on this trip and doing some research, my expectations were that this would be a great trip. It far exceeded them on every level.
Our group leader, Luisa, had everything run like clockwork. She prepared us for each daily activity with no surprises. And she made it all seem so effortless.
Pay attention to the Activity Level. It is a good deal of walking on uneven surfaces and even more challenging when the temperature gets warm or if it's raining.
We all learned a lot, and many, like me, want to continue to learn more about this amazing, culturally rich, and historic part of the world.
— Review left May 24, 2023
Five Stars!!
This was an amazing introduction to the history of Portugal and southern Spain. No matter how many books you’ve read, it’s not the same as being there in person with knowledgeable guides to put it all in context. Read the itinerary; it perfectly describes the daily activities. But reading the words “cobblestone walkways”, “steep inclines”, and MANY “stairs without rails” doesn’t convey the actuality of our daily walks. Be sure your shoes are up to the task. LET’S GO not only describes the activity level, but the constant movement from one location to another, in order to see so much in so little time. Our group of 22 were able to handle the daily activities, and were eager to learn. Our group leader, Luisa, had the logistics planned precisely, and the guides at our 10 locations were able to point out interesting facts that we would have missed on our own. They were all personable and knew their subject well. The cooking class was a lot of fun; don’t skip it! Lunch in the home of a local resident, cheese making (with samples), olive oil production (with samples), and the harvesting of cork (no samples) were experiences I’ll long remember. Meals on our own provided us the opportunity to enjoy sidewalk cafes, tapas bars, pastries, and gelato. Group meals were, without exception, very large, and wine flowed freely. The long drives through mountains and farm land provided eye candy and photo ops for those of us who didn’t take the opportunity to cat-nap along the way.
— Review left May 22, 2023
If you enjoy visiting Unesco World Heritage sites, this is the trip for you. Every day is packed with unique adventures. There is so much to experience in Portugal and Spain and you will come away wanting to learn more. Every detail of this trip is well planned and executed. Our group leader Louisa is a delight and the local experts were fantastic. The hotels were lovely and the food is delicious.
From mosques to palaces to museums to monoliths to large cities and small villages, there is so much variety and wonder. When they say "let's go" they really mean it!
Five stars!!
— Review left May 22, 2023
This trip was amazing. Each day we had three or four exciting experiences from museum visits, to farm or garden experiences, to cooking. You go well beyond the surface in a Road Scholar trip and this exploration of a somewhat hidden corner of Portugal and Spain was one I will cherish.
— Review left April 23, 2023
This trip exceeded our expectations! The food and local wines were delicious. The food portions were very generous. All the lecturers and guides were outstanding! They were both interesting and were very entertaining! The hotels were among the best quality we have stayed in on a Road Scholar trip. Every stop along the way was just amazing and there were so many marvels to take in. Each day was just as good or better than the day before!
— Review left April 22, 2023
A wonderful journey to one of the most beautiful part of the world
— Review left April 8, 2023
This was a superb trip!! Louiza, our guide, went above and beyond at every turn during the trip. Not only was she thoroughly informed about the various sites, but her selection of local guides was excellent. The schedule of the trip never missed a beat and given the number of local guides this was remarkable. We loved our time in Portugal and Andalusia, a wonderful part of the world. The mix of sites and activities was well orchestrated, and diverse enough to appeal to many different interests and tastes. I highly recommend this trip to others!
— Review left April 4, 2023
Our guide Luisa made the trip perfectly enjoyable. The sights and accommodations were spectacular. This trip allowed us to visit places that were off the beaten path, to meet local people and have a true feeling of cultural immersion.
— Review left April 3, 2023
In addition to be intellectually engaging, this program is so, so sensory rich!
— Review left April 2, 2023
I would highly recommend this trip for anyone interested in learning about the history of Portugal and Spain. It goes beyond the usual tourist attractions and takes you into the homes, occupations and lives of people in Portugal and Spain. This trip went beyond my expectations. Be prepared to walk on cobblestone streets!
— Review left March 31, 2023
A wonderfully entertaining and educational trip through Portugal and Spain, featuring a variety of activities, visits to spectacular sites, enlivened by engaging talks with local experts.
— Review left March 28, 2023
This was the trip of a lifetime for me. Every day there was so much beauty and history to explore. The lecturers and local guides were terrific, especially our intrepid Road Scholar guide Mayra. March was a lovely time to visit Portugal and Spain. We enjoyed mild weather, sunny skies, and the sweet fragrance of the orange tree blossoms. Every day added to our understanding of the fascinating history of these two countries. The art and architecture were stunning, especially the Alcazar and Alhambra. Walking up and down the cobblestone streets and stairs was a challenge at times. But fortunately, by the morning my feet had recovered enough to enjoy the next day. I highly recommend this trip.
— Review left March 27, 2023
An unbelievably FABULOUS TRIP! Very reasonable and full of wonderful historic sites with great lecturers. Also beautiful scenery as well. The Moroccan influences are truly unique and exquisite to witness!
— Review left February 7, 2023
Great trip to explore Portugal and Southern Spain!
— Review left November 29, 2022
This program visited a broad range of historical sites across southern Portugal and Spain in a whirlwind 14 days with lots of good walking exercise over cobblestone streets. From amazingly extensive Roman ruins to incredibly intricate decorative Christian artwork and astonishing Muslin geometrical tiles and carvings. I could not have predicted how interesting it was to absorb some of the history of this part of the world. I would recommend thick soles, as with hiking shoes for the cobblestone streets.
— Review left November 28, 2022
A great and varied program with a fantastic group leader.
— Review left November 27, 2022
Tales of Portugal and Spain: A Historic Journey Through Iberia was everything I wanted it to be and then some. Visits to Monsaraz, the Palace of Queluz, the White Villages of Andalusia, and the Alhambra to name a few were spectacular. Our Program guide Anthony (Tony) Muldoon was outstanding! I had a great time!!
— Review left October 27, 2022
This program is a well-paced and fascinating tour. The guides and accommodations are excellent, the cooking class is great fun, and the education is terrific from farm to cathedral to monolithic remains. You won't believe the variety! Put on your comfortable shoes and go!
— Review left October 3, 2022
This program is quite strenuous but worth the effort. Great scenery and the culture and people are wonderful
— Review left October 3, 2022
This was a very interesting tour and I do recommend it. I also recommend trip insurance in case you test positive for Covid while touring. Save all receipts ahead of time, and make a contingency plan just in case.
— Review left October 3, 2022
This program is the best of my 16 Road Scholar trips. Wonderful sites, live entertainment, hotels, and local guides. "Superlative" is not high enough rating for Group Leader Paula. Be prepared to walk on steep cobblestone streets.
— Review left October 2, 2022
We fell in love with the Iberian Peninsula and people. This Roads Scholar learning adventure was life-giving.
— Review left September 26, 2022
This is a great program with a wide variety of sites, foods, history and experiences. You will return with a much better appreciation for this part of the world.
— Review left September 23, 2022
This was a wonderful trip. Tour guide Luisa was fabulous! She provided historical and cultural information to enhance our experience and gave clear and precise information about schedules and meeting places to keep her 21 ducklings together.
The local guides were also excellent. Each of them was experienced in leading tours and describing local edifices, art and culture and the history of the area. To see places that had been inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous people, Romans, Visigoths, Moors and modern Iberians was amazing!
Hotels and transportation were top-notch, some hotels having been monasteries and convents, still containing ornate chapels.
Fun portions of the trip included the Portuguese cooking school, where we prepared a fabulous meal and the meal in a private home, where we could talk to the host about life in a small town and the dishes that had been prepared.
The only negative was that upon arriving home, 17 of the 21 developed Covid, despite having been fully vaccinated and having tested negative before entering Portugal. One of the members has mentioned in e-mails after arriving home that she felt feverish mid-way through the tour, but thought it was the result of heat. (it was over 100 F on many days of the tour. ) I am not sure whether that person reported it to Luisa, but from the e-mail it sounds like she may not have. The rest of the group became sick after arriving home eight or ten days later. Since the existing policies did not work in this case, I would suggest daily temperature checks to rule out Covid during tours. It would be a minor inconvenience, but could prevent future outbreaks. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on your point of view), the US had stopped requiring negative Covid testing before returning home, so the tour was not quarantined in Spain. Instead we brought it back with us.
— Review left July 7, 2022
“I thought Road Scholar was stellar.....very organized, very educational, prompt, congenial group, wonderful guides and local experts, interesting choices of what to do, stayed in palaces and monasteries......all so well done. We experienced the 110 degree heat wave and sand from N. Africa, but still walked 3-6 miles/day. However....and it's big.....there was no policy in place when someone got the sniffles and the next a cough....and! And you guessed it....COVID. 16/21 of the group got it, and one is pretty sick. One person had a bad cough...... she went to the leader who said to take it easy, but no suggestions of a mask or testing. I think this was negligence on our leader's part, because I looked up the RS policy and it includes isolating those who are ill. Otherwise......a 5 star trip!”
— Review left July 6, 2022
Wonderful trip to learn the history, see the sights, hear the music, taste the foods of Portugal and southern Spain!
— Review left June 9, 2022
Tales of Portugal and Spain is an absolutely fantastic program. The itinerary includes a balance of big cities, smaller cities, and villages with excellent experiences at all locations. The local experts were all great and our tour leader Luisa Azevedo was wonderful. Be ready to be very active! I highly recommend this program.
— Review left June 2, 2022
This trip brings to life the time of the Age of Discovery and the many cultures that populated the Iberian Peninsula before and after the centuries when Portugal and Spain were world powers. I will not forget the grandeur and beauty of the mosques, palaces, and cathedrals; the great cities; the rolling fields of cork, grapes, and cattle; the white mountain villages; and the vibrant culture. Deep gratitude.
— Review left May 26, 2022
OUTSTANDING TOUR GUIDE>> Emma was 5 star!!!! It couldn't get much better
I have already filled out survey so I am being BRIEF
— Review left April 6, 2022
This trip was one of the best RS tours we have done! It had all those magical elements; great tour leader, Luisa Azevedo, amazing itinerary with the best of Portugal and Southern Spain, wonderful lodging ( 2 of the best hotels I have ever experienced, Palacio dos Arco and Convento de Espinheiro), superlative dining, professional tour guides in every city, amiable touring companions, and some more Wow's along the way. We experienced a personal Flamenco guitar concert with Celia Morales.
Roads Scholar never disappoints,. We can say that after 9 adventures. We look forward to our next RS wow adventure!
— Review left November 5, 2021
Can't begin to describe how much I enjoyed this romp through Iberia. The pace was quick and challenging, areas visited were diverse and spectacular, history complicated and often brutal, architecture ancient and stunning, presenters were knowledgeable and articulate, hotels were elegant, food and wine plentiful, all meals late and leisurely as per Portuguese and Spaniard habit. You need to be physically fit and robust to fully enjoy this program; good footwear a must; steps are steep and cobblestones are rough even after hundreds of years wear. Road Scholar did a fine job squeezing this one full of adventure in a land of charming, sophisticated and welcoming people. Couldn't have asked for more. Covid precautions were sensible and presented no problems. Enthusiastically recommend this trip. 5 Stars.
— Review left November 3, 2021
This was a super fun trip with a wonderful range of activities and sites to visit. It's my new favorite trip!
— Review left October 28, 2021
I have enjoyed group travel with several organizations and Road Scholar is Tops in my book.
— Review left October 28, 2021
Just finished the Tales of Portugal and Spain: A Historic Journey Through Iberia program. An amazing experience and a fantastic guide Rui Lima. Not only educational, but beautiful scenery and wonderful hotels and food. The activity level was perfect and our local guides in each location made this an A+++ vacation. Add this trip to your bucket list for sure.
— Review left October 18, 2021
The Tales of Portugal and Spain program offers very good coverage of the history, culture, and beauty of this part of Iberia. It's a very active program and you have to be careful with the stones and uneven cobblestones typical especially in Portugal. This is an excellent tour to consider.
— Review left October 14, 2021
Small towns, lots of history/education, beautiful scenery - even in the rain - lovely co-travelers, and a smart, funny, warmly welcoming leader made made this an experience that exceeded expectations. (If you're traveling solo, though, emphasize getting a fair sized room.) Go for it!
— Review left December 16, 2019
Wonderful trip, much better than expected! Great leader.
— Review left November 18, 2019
This was an excellent program with many sites to see, excellent guides. I learned alot. Accomodations were excellent and varied. We did some unusual things: a meal in a home; seeing a small cheese production and olive mill. I enjoyed the two music events: fado and flemenco, just for us.
— Review left October 31, 2019
This was the trip of a lifetime that I never expected to experience!
— Review left October 16, 2019
Take this trip if you can. You will experience the past and present in delightful settings and come home astounded at all you've taken in. Definately prepare to be on the go!
— Review left October 15, 2019
Great adventure into the past of Portugal and Spain. Loved the historic hotels. Overall, the program exceeded my expectations.
— Review left September 29, 2019
Rui Lima, our guide, is a wonderful, informative, and conscientious leader. This trip is a introduction to Portugal and Spain. You will be exposed to the history, the culture, the people, the music, the architecture, the food, and landscape, so many intriguing aspects and locations to revisit.
— Review left July 5, 2019
This is a wonderful program, but it really is a Level 4. Don't go if you can't walk fast on really rough cobblestones all day. Also, be aware that it includes only two meals a day. You'll have to find and pay for a meal on your own every day. The historic hotels are a nice plus.
— Review left June 18, 2019
Excellent program with a very well planned & executed exposure to the culture, history, food, hospitality and important sights of the areas visited.
— Review left June 10, 2019
Great two-country tour combining historic sights in major cities with beautiful county villages! There are diverse sights and activities led by very professional guides. These are very informative, yet well-planned and paced so that you never wait in line- so you never feel rushed. This trip is a very good value!
— Review left June 2, 2019
Road Scholar continues to deliver one excellent program after another! After just finishing their Portugal & Spain, Staying at Historic Hotels, I have already signed up for their Egypt, Israel & Jordan tour! This is travel as it SHOULD be!!
— Review left May 19, 2019
When Road Scholar rated this program as “Let’s Go” they weren’t kidding. It is strongly recommended that everyone believe the physical description as to how strenuous it will be on the trip. It is enjoyable but be ready to be on the go. Don’t be the one holding the group back.
— Review left May 7, 2019
One of my very favorite RS programs! Each historical hotel was unique and charming, meals were uniformly fresh and tasty, and Luisa’s leadership was outstanding. The itinerary was exactly what I wanted, a mix of field trips/planned activities and free time to explore on our own. The pace was accurately described as active, and group members were energetic and positive. In addition to RS preparation materials, I found that the Great Courses audio lectures on the Other 1492 provided helpful background and context for the lectures and field trips.
— Review left April 21, 2019
Portugal and the Andalucia region of Spain are beautiful areas of the world with rich histories touched by multiple cultures and religions. This trip will take you to visit amazing sites related to those cultures and religions of the past....and with hands on experiences like musical performances, a cooking class and visits to local farms and food processing places....introduce you to aspects of modern life in this area. Each of the hotels we stayed at is itself a destination worth visiting....the food is fabulous....and the many local people you will meet outstanding! Tales of Portugal and Spain is an absolutely wonderful, life changing adventure - put it on the top of your list!
— Review left April 15, 2019
Just came back from Road Scholar's Tales of Portugal and Spain. What a fascinating, whirlwind of a trip! A two-week melange of educational and cultural sights and sounds of both countries. Our tour director, Rui Lima was fantastic: warm, funny, informative, intelligent, and totally approachable. And his organizational skills were second to none. Those of us with non-standard food requirements were always taken care of. I highly recommend this tour. I do suggest that you arrive a day or two early to settle in and see a bit of Lisbon on your own. We didn't, but will do the same on our next trip. We travel again with RS in November, and it won't be our last Road Scholar trip.
— Review left March 28, 2019
Every day was an exciting adventure of history, art food and camaraderie. Learned so much about Portugal
— Review left March 27, 2019
This was my first organized group trip having previously only traveled solo or with friends. I chose this itinerary as I was keen on learning more about the Moorish influence in Iberia. I had never been to Portugal before nor to Andalusia, so both destinations were on my "bucket list."
I traveled as a solo female traveler and found the small group experience very accommodating. There were several other "singles" in our group of 24. Was a good choice for feeling that comfort and support of a group and not being overwhelmed by a large group tour.
I enjoyed the excursions, the local guides were exceptional and I learned a great deal. The convent at Evora was the highlight in terms of accommodations. The food on the tour was ho hum for the most part, especially when we dined in the hotels. The lunch in a Spanish home was a highlight as well as the restaurant in Sevilla and our last lunch in Granada. I would back out the hotel meals and perhaps let us have more time to dine on our own for a more authentic experience.
I would have liked more free time to explore a bit on our own as the 1.5 hours of "free time" on our excursions, which also needed to include lunch barely allowed time enough to eat, unless you grabbed a sandwich from a street cart.
More time needed for towns like Sintra and Cordoba.
Overall, a good trip, a solid experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.
— Review left March 24, 2019
I AM 77 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I TRAVELED ALONE. THIS PROGRAM WAS PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING BUT EVERYONE WAS ACCOMODATING AND WE DID SO MANY INTERESTING THINGS. I LOVED BOTH COUNTRIES AND OUR GUIDE WAS GREAT.
— Review left March 3, 2019
This trip exceeded my expectations. Rui Lima is an outstanding trip leader. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone with an interest in Southern Portugal and Spain. Many great meals, adventures, experiences, plus great educational content and lots of fun!
— Review left March 2, 2019