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
$3,900 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 3092 reviews
I couldn’t say enough positive things about Zicasso's travel specialists, from top to bottom. Airport service was excellent, daily guides were excellent, and management was excellent, a rare combination.
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Zicasso’s travel specialist is absolutely A+—BEST IN CLASS!!!
Planning the trip with him was delightful. He listened carefully during our initial call and we had several conversations and emails to design the itinerary. His recommendations were spot-on and he was very flexible and supportive of our requested modifications, and incredibly responsive. It was an excellent experience planning the trip!
We LOVED the travel app he uses—it was truly helpful during the time we were in Spain. Everyone in our family really appreciated it!
When on the ground in Spain, we were in texting contact with him throughout the trip, including requesting additional add-on experiences the day before, which he made happen, and other small and meaningful adjustments! All of the drivers and guides selected were on time, professional, with deep knowledge, and delightful and fun to be with.
We absolutely loved our trip and it was just fabulous to work with a travel partner as excellent as him!
We highly recommend!!
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My trip to Portugal was absolutely amazing. Zicasso’s travel company went above and beyond my expectations. The itinerary was amazing and all the guides were incredible. Everything was on time, the accommodations they booked were five-star and in great locations, and enough time was built in for me to be able to explore on my own. I feel the cost was well worth the value. Should I ever go back to Portugal, I would certainly use this travel company again, and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to have a great experience on a Portugal vacation.
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Zicasso’s tour company did a fabulous job in providing us with an exceptional Portugal vacation over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. They provided us the 24/7 coverage they promised over the holidays without a glitch, including addressing our weather-delayed arrival and multiple itinerary updates that this required without missing a step. We will be using this travel company again and recommend them without reservation.
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We enjoyed a relaxing trip to Portugal in December 2025. Zicasso’s travel company and their team were awesome, very present, tailored the trip based on our needs, and we got to explore much of the country, given the time of the year. The itinerary suggested was wholesome, relaxing, and covered most of the sights and sounds. I would highly recommend them to friends and family.
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Our family had an amazing time on our 10-day trip to Morocco and Southern Spain! The itinerary that was crafted for us was wonderful, where we saw multiple cities, with simple transfers.
The tour guides in each city were wonderful, with incredible knowledge of each city and site that we toured.
The hotels in Spain that were chosen for us were also great in quality and location—ideally situated in each city. In particular, our hotel in Córdoba was beautiful, located in an historic building.
All of the transportation services used had professional drivers in modern, clean vans.
In the event that we had an issue, question, or needed a recommendation, Zicasso’s tour company was very responsive and really helpful. We really were happy with our experience in the planning and execution of our family trip!
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