Laguardia view

Get Under the Skin of Iberia

Nikkita in the snow

Written by Nikkita Vass

Nikkita has travelled to 59 countries and more recently with a backpack and baby in tow! Her dream escape? Perched on a snowy mountain peak, gazing out over glacial lakes below...

Special things to discover in Iberia 

Iberia: a sun-drenched peninsula that brings together some of Europe’s most captivating cultures.  

You may have heard the term Iberia thrown around without knowing for sure just where it is... In short, Iberia covers the sun kissed, Mediterranean-infused nations of Spain and Portugal but also Andorra, a very tiny section of France, and Gibraltar. 

Together, they form a region full of stories, scenery and soul. This special spot is well worth adding to your 2026 travel wish-list, especially if you’ve yet to experience its magic for yourself... 

 

Taste the region’s tantalising flavours 

Pamplona cooking class

 

If there’s one thing we never tire of on our journeys, it’s sampling the local cuisine. In Iberia, food is truly part of the landscape. The Mediterranean diet stretches across much of southern Europe and is renowned for being one of the freshest and healthiest in the world, largely due to a focus on high-quality, seasonal, and local ingredients, incorporating rich flavours.   

Have you heard of the world’s “Blue Zones”? There are no official Blue Zones in Spain or Portugal just yet, but parts of Spain are considered potential new candidates due to their high rate of centenarians. This is largely attributed to lifestyles conducive to healthy diets and strong communities. We think that’s good enough reason to go and sample some of this cuisine for yourself... 

For more specific Mediterranean-diet inspiration, we cover the mouth-watering flavours of the region here. 

Flamenco the night away 

Seville flamenco dancing

 

Music is woven deep into Iberia’s cultural fabric. Over centuries, the peninsula has welcomed and been shaped by many civilisations, each leaving their own imprint on local rhythms and sounds. Few art forms express this as beautifully as flamenco. Watching a performance is a full-body experience: expressive footwork, glittering costumes and raw emotion carried by guitar and song. On our Iberian Inspiration tour, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in this passionate tradition, with a glass of regional wine in hand. 

Beyond flamenco, Madrid and Barcelona offer everything from intimate jazz clubs to vibrant rock festivals, while classical music lovers will find dedicated events across Spain. Whatever moves you, Iberia has a melody to match. 

Moments off the beaten path 

A starry wine bodega 

Laguardia vineyard

 

Travelling with Blue-Roads Touring means going beyond the surface. Rather than simply squeezing a winery in on a fast-paced itinerary, our Iberian Inspiration journey invites you to a family-owned bodega with its own constellation-worthy charm. Savour a leisurely lunch prepared by the family with love, featuring some of the local ingredients that make this region so famous.  

Sit back, relax and take it at your own pace in this charming rural location... 

A skyward ascent 

Bilbao cable car

 

If adventure is what you seek, how about ascending to the panoramic and jaw-dropping Picos de Europa? Although sightings are rare, this mountain range is home to the brown bear and Iberian wolf – so keep a look out just in case...  

Even if wildlife stays hidden, the views are surreal enough to keep you grinning and snapping away on your phone, capturing some jaw-dropping memories to share with friends or family back home. Summit this peak via the Fuente Dé cable car with a small, friendly group on A Taste of the Camino: Porto to Bilbao

A memory of monk's past 

Boltana monastery

 

What else can be experienced in this region that’s a little more ingrained in local life? On our Highlights of Northern Spain tour,  slumber where monks once pondered as we spend two nights at a former 17th-century monastery in the Pyrenees town of Boltaña. Its rustic stone walls, soothing spa and grand restaurant offer the perfect setting to reflect. 

Discover Iberia your way 

Tucked into Europe’s south-western corner, Iberia is a region layered with history, flavour, and surprising moments of beauty. From lively music to serene monasteries and mountain panoramas, every day offers something new to savour.  

Step into our tours in this region to find the journey that speaks to your soul…