Portugal's River of Gold

Transfer to your hotel, then spend the rest of the day exploring the vibrant Spanish capital at your leisure. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Madrid so you can make the most of your visit. In the early evening, enjoy a Welcome Briefing to learn more about the next three days.

Embark on a comprehensive tour of Madrid. A panoramic drive takes you past the Royal Botanical Garden and the Royal Palace, home of the Spanish royal family. Later, walk through Madrid of the Hapsburgs, rich in baroque and Renaissance buildings set along streets leading to grand churches and picturesque fountains. Visit the famous Prado Museum, a repository of Spanish art from Velázquez to Picasso. This evening, you might enjoy an optional tapas dinner and wine tasting. (B)

Explore Madrid on your own today. You might return to the Prado Museum to browse its collections in depth or linger in a café to tap into the city’s social scene. Alternately, take an optional full-day journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Toledo, Spain’s open air museum of magnificently preserved architecture and art spanning Christian, Moorish and Jewish cultures. (B)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and fly to Lisbon, where you will join the other guests as they arrive. (B)

Depart your ship and transfer to the airport for your flight to Barcelona. Take time to explore this architecturally significant city on your own. Explore UNESCO sites and architectural masterpieces, or discover the boutiques and cafés located within the narrow cobblestone lanes of the Gothic Quarter. A Viking Host will be available to help you plan your time in Barcelona so you can make the most of your visit. (B)

After breakfast, board your motor coach for a panoramic drive to the La Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí’s famously unfinished masterpiece. After exploring inside, continue your drive through Barcelona’s upscale district, the Passeig de Gràcia, and view Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. At Montjuïc, pause to admire sweeping views of the city and the sea. Cap your tour with a guided stroll around the Gothic quarter and El Born, before returning to your hotel to enjoy an evening at your leisure. (B)

After a hearty breakfast, set out to discover the beautiful capital of Cataluña. A small city by some standards, it is easy to get around and has much to offer visitors. Spend the day exploring some of the main attractions independently, such as the Picasso Museum, Plaza Cataluña, the Via Laietana and the historic quarter. Or take a stroll down the iconic Las Ramblas and enjoy delicious tapas accompanied by a refreshing beverage. (B)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Welcome to Lisbon. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport by a Viking Representative who will accompany you to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing or begin exploring the city a bit on your own. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Lisbon so you can make the most of your visit.

This morning, discover the streets of Lisbon and ascend up to the Bairro Alto (Old Town) for panoramic views and a guided walk through the city’s most colorful district. The remainder of your day is free to explore the waterfront area or visit some of the lovely public parks, such as the Eduardo VII Park or the Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden). This evening, head out to enjoy a fado music performance or dinner at one of the city’s atmospheric restaurants. (B)

Today, you have free time to explore Lisbon on your own. You might like to visit the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in order to see its astounding collection of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Islamic, Asian and European art, or the Berardo Collection Museum, a museum of modern and contemporary art. You may choose to take a scenic ride up to the charming town of Sintra before continuing on to nearby Cascais and Estoril, where you can get a feel for Portugal’s world-famous beaches before heading back to Lisbon. (B)

After breakfast, disembark and begin your journey to Santiago. Stop in Braga to see the baroque church of Bom Jesus with its zigzag staircase, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy free time in Braga before continuing your journey, reaching Santiago de Compostela around dinnertime. After checking in to your hotel, enjoy a walk through the Old Town and perhaps a traditional Spanish dinner. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time so you can make the most of your visit.

Take a walking tour of Santiago’s city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin in the Plaza del Obradoiro, a wide city plaza that contains the striking medieval Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, one of the most famous sites for religious pilgrimages in Spain. Cap your tour with a visit to the Museum of Pilgrimages and Santiago, which will help you understand the history and emotional draw of the pilgrimage tradition. Afterward, enjoy a free afternoon in the charismatic Old Town. (B)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight. (B)