Best flight routings are to fly into Lisbon (LIS) and out of Faro (FAO). Faro and Lisbon are well connected by train (2 hours) so it is easy to fly in/out of the same airport if you prefer, we'd just need to add a train transfer at start or end.

This trip is enjoyable from September through to the end of June. July and August should really be avoided due to heat. Peak season is at Easter across the regions but there are then peaks relating to more local events, for instance the Feria de Abril in Seville.

On this trip you stay in a mix of our favourite small hotels, lodges and inns. Typically these will be owner hosted and have around 10 rooms. Comfort, character, service and location are the critical elements in our choices. Please enquire for full details.

This trip is really a balance of culture, history, cuisine and time in the great outdoors. It is not a trip where you can be out walking all day, every day. It is a trip which takes you through some wonderfully varied landscapes which are ideal for walking. The trip broadly breaks down into 1/3rd cultural/historic visits or time in towns, 1/3rd walking days and 1/3rd travel/exploring days.

A major advantage of having your own car is overall you have complete control over how much or how little you do on any given day. We, or our local hosts, provide you with maps and walking routes for a variety of walks in each place but you don't have to do them.

Other activities available include horse riding or mountain biking.

The roads are all paved and in a good to excellent state of repair. Given how quiet the roads are, how close everything is and how beautiful the landscapes are, driving is a pleasurable pursuit in these parts. It's not a price to pay to win your freedom, it's very much part of the experience.

For two people travelling to Spain and Portugal you can expect a medium-sized vehicle such as a VW Golf. We can’t guarantee specific make or model.

Sat Navs are not included but can sometimes be requested (and paid for) locally. We find that Google Maps and Waze are far easier and more reliable to use. You will be given instructions on how to download them on your smartphone and use them without needing data.

UK clients do not need anything other than their UK licence.

For any clients not based in Europe or the UK, an international driving licence is officially required, but we don't know of any local office in Spain or Portugal that has requested to see it. But it is officially a requirement. If you are in the US, visit https://www.usa.gov/international-drivers-license for more information and details of how to apply.

Not at all, no. Your hosts and guide all speak good English and you'll have little problem in major tourist centres such as Seville and Lisbon. In the countryside and on the coast, you'll find some restaurants and bars have limited English, but part of the fun is getting by and finding ways to communicate. Generally, if you're somewhere where English is not widely spoken, then that's a sign you're somewhere interesting...

For sure. The cultural aspect of this holiday is a very significant part of its appeal and is the reason why we are sure to include time with our local guides at key moments in the journey.

Absolutely. This trip can be tailored to suit you so speak to us if you would like to include more activities or extend your stay to include other parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

Please keep in mind that we also have 14-day and 21-day versions of this trip, which may suit you better.