Tour Details

Join us for this captivating 12-day adventure through Portugal and Spain

May 3-15, 2026

Group Flight Information

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Sunday, May 3

  • United Airlines #1788 – Depart Houston- Bush @ 5:05pm/arrive Washington Dulles @ 9:12pm (3 hour flight)
  • United Airlines #942 – Depart Washington Dulles @ 10:10pm/arrive Lisbon @ 10:30am (May 4 – (7 hour flight)

Friday, May 15

  • United Airlines #8602 – Depart Barcelona @ 12:05pm/arrive Montreal Canada @ 2:20pm (8-hour flight)
  • United Airlines #8706 – Depart Montreal CA @ 4:35pm/arrive Houston @ 7:41pm (4-hour flight)

If Prelude Tours purchased your ticket

You will need to arrive at Houston Bush Airport, Terminal C by 3:00pm on Sunday, May 3 to begin the check in process. Upon arrival, you will present your passport to a ticket agent or a kiosk to check in and receive your boarding pass and check your luggage. If applicable, verify your global entry number and\or your United mileage plus number with an agent to be sure it is linked to your ticket. Also, it is recommended to inquire about your seats for the flights. The airlines assign seats with groups and it is not always what was requested. Once you have tagged and dropped your checked bag, you are free to proceed through security to the gate.

Upon arrival to Lisbon, please proceed to immigration and customs to clear customs. Once you have cleared customs, please proceed to baggage claim to collect your baggage. When you have your luggage, please proceed to the exit and Jeff and Sarah Bennett will meet you outside of baggage claim.

If you are not flying with the group

The tour officially begins when the group arrives to the Lisbon airport @ 10:30am on Monday, May 4. As of now, you are responsible for meeting the group at the airport to begin the tour. As the tour start date gets closer, there may be a change in the starting location of the tour and we will keep you posted.

On the departure day, you are welcome to ride the motorcoach to the airport for your departing flight. If you arrive to the hotel earlier than the group and have booked additional nights, you can inquire at the reception about linking your reservation together to avoid moving rooms.

Luggage/Weight Restrictions

Each person is allowed one checked bag (up to 50lbs), one carry-on bag (no handles or wheels), and one personal item. To clarify, you are only allowed one bag with wheels and retractable handle. Be sure your checked bag is tagged with your name and contact number. It is recommended to carry a change of clothes, valuables and medication in your carry on in case of lost luggage.

Travel Insurance

If you have purchased travel insurance, it will be helpful to have your policy number accessible in case of emergency. If you have not purchased travel insurance, you can purchase up to 24 hours before departure. Travel insurance not only protects your tour in case of cancellation or interruption but also offers coverage for medical and dental expenses while traveling as well as lost and\or delayed bag coverage. Information for travel insurance can be found at www.preludetours.com/travel-insurance/.

Time and weather in Spain\Portugal

The average temperatures will range from highs in the upper 80’s to lows in the mid 50’s. Southern Spain (Seville, Granada and Cordoba (will be warmer with highs in the 80’s).  Spain\Portugal time is 8 hours ahead of CST.

Recommended Dress

It is recommended to “dress like an onion” and wear different layers of clothing. As the day progresses, you can take off layers and then add them back as the day ends. No dress clothes are needed and very comfortable walking shoes are a must!

Packing Suggestions

It is difficult to not overpack but we encourage you to “lighten your load” with your luggage. The weather will be cool and you can “recycle” your clothing a couple of times during the tour. Dry wicking clothing and Athleisure clothing are available at many stores and make for great travel clothes. It is not necessary to change clothes prior to dinner each evening and the main goal of a tourist is to “blend in” with the locals.

Passport

You should make a copy of your passport and leave at home while you are traveling in case your passport is lost or email a copy of your passport to yourself so that you will have access to it. You will not need to carry your passport while we are traveling during the day. We recommend to leave in the hotel safe. (But don’t forget to get it upon departure). A quick hack to remember the items in your safe is to place a shoe in the safe at night so you will have to remember the safe when you are looking for your shoe 🙂

Medications

Medications do not need to be carried in their original bottles. We do suggest that you have a list of your medication in your wallet or emailed to you in case of lost medication or an emergency.

Electrical adapter

The voltage supply in Spain\Portugal is different than the United States and you will need a Type C adapter which has two round pins for your electrical appliances.  We recommend purchasing a universal adapter with USB ports. These can be purchased for appr. $20 either online or at retail stores. If you use a hair straightener or curling iron, it is highly suggested to purchase a “dual – voltage” appliance that automatically adapts to the local voltage. These can be purchased online or at local beauty supply stores such as Ulta.

Local Currency\credit cards

Spain\Portugal currency is the Euro and one Euro is equal to $1.17USD. Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Spain\Portugal and are preferred over cash. You will need a small amount of either Euros or USD for street vendors and small purchases. It is not necessary to pre order Euros as you can exchange USD at the airport currency exchange. You can also use the local ATM in Spain\Portugal to access euros for your purchases. For USD, it is best to bring small denominations of currency (i.e. $1, $5, $10 bills). It is suggested to let your bank\credit card company know that you will be travelling internationally and to know the specific rules of your credit card regarding international transaction fees daily ATM withdrawal limits and any other fees.

Cell Phone usage

All cellular providers offer an international day pass for a nominal fee and it allows your cell phone to work as if in the United States. If you prefer to not purchase an international plan, there will be wi-fi spots in the hotels that will allow you to use your phone. It is recommended that you learn how to use your phone abroad before departure to avoid any “surprise fees” upon returning home.

Tipping and entrance fees

All gratuities and entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary are included in your tour cost have been included in your tour cost. When dining apart from the group, a 5-10% gratuity is standard and appreciated. For dining in casual cafes, a 1-2 euro is sufficient.

Cameras\iPad\Laptops

You are encouraged to take photos throughout the tour to share with your friends and post to social media. We do not recommend packing valuable electronics in your checked baggage but rather in your carryon bag.

Emergency contact number while traveling

The Prelude Tours office number 281.667.1057 will be forwarded to a cell phone and will be answered 24 hours a day while on tour in case of emergencies. The Prelude Tours email address, preludetours@gmail.com,  will also be checked frequently during the tour.

Typical tour day

A typical day of touring begins with a 7:00am breakfast (usually buffet) in the hotel restaurant followed by an 8:00-9:00am departure for the day. The motor coach will stop every 75-90 minutes through the day for coffee breaks and rest stops. Lunch will be served between 11:00am -1:00pm depending on the tour schedule. It is recommended to have a back pack with you each day with a few snacks, and an extra phone battery or charging cable for your phone. Some buses may be equipped with USB outlets and\or wi-fi. 2 complimentary bottles of water per person will be available each day on the bus.

Hairdryers and Washcloths

All hotels will provide hairdryers in the room. Most European hotels do not provide wash clothes.

Hotels