About This Tour

Embark on a Spanish adventure as you take in medieval architecture, idyllic landscapes and delectable cuisine. Explore the wonders of the Prado Museum, one of Europe’s greatest museums. See the Cathedral of Seville, the third largest in the world. Enjoy reserved seating at a flamenco show and feel the passion of this famous dance. Visit the exotic and expansive Alhambra palace. Become part of an authentic “paella experience.” View Antonio Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces, including a visit to La Sagrada Familia. Explore Spain’s priceless treasures of art, history and culture set against a backdrop of sunny Mediterranean shores and grand mountain ranges.

February 25 – March 7, 2024
Other dates available!

Travel: 12 Days
Meals: 16

Highlights and Inclusions

Your Tour Includes
5 Handpicked Accommodations
16 Meals
2 Choice on Tour Options

Must-See Inclusions:
Explore Madrid’s Prado Museum to view masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya and others.
Visit Antonio Gaudi’s final masterpiece, the awe-inspiring La Sagrada Familia.
Visit the Alhambra, a stunning example of Islamic architecture.

Cultural Experiences:
Feel the energy of Spain at a flamenco performance in Seville.
In Cordoba, take a walking tour of the Mezquita, a religious marvel.
Step back in time in Toledo, the former capital of the Spanish Empire.
Experience the AVE high-speed train from Madrid to Cordoba.

Culinary Inclusions:
Savour a “paella experience” including a paella-making demonstration and lunch.
Take a bite of the local culture on a tapas tasting food tour in Granada.
Indulge in Spanish wines with every included dinner.

Highlights

  • Madrid
  • The Prado Museum
  • Toledo
  • Cordoba
  • La Mezquita
  • Seville
  • Choice on Tour
  • Flamenco Show
  • Granada
  • The Alhambra
  • Valencia
  • Paella Experience
  • Barcelona
  • La Sagrada Familia

Itinerary

You are on your way to a colourful and cultural adventure featuring the best of Spain.

Welcome to Madrid, Spain’s lively capital and largest city. Tonight, gather with your fellow travellers and enjoy a welcome dinner.

During a locally guided panoramic tour of Madrid’s historic centre, see iconic sites such as the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, where events have been held since the 17th century. Join a local expert to explore the priceless masterpieces of the Prado Museum, which opened in 1819 and boasts the world’s finest collection of art by masters such as Velazquez and Goya. Tonight, you might choose to experience Madrid like a local with a metro ride, a walking tour and dinner with traditional entertainment at a local restaurant.

Travel to the hilly town of Toledo (UNESCO), the capital of medieval Spain until 1560. Embark on a comprehensive tour, highlighting the magnificent Gothic cathedral. Then, visit the Church of Santo Tome and view El Greco’s masterpiece painting, The Burial of Count Orgaz, before returning to Madrid.

Travel to the extraordinary Moorish city of Cordoba by the AVE high-speed train to reduce travel time and allow you to enjoy more free time in Cordoba. Embark on a walking tour of Cordoba’s well-preserved and historical old Jewish Quarter. Then visit La Mezquita (UNESCO), an 8th-century mosque that was converted into the city’s cathedral in the 16th century. End your day in Seville, considered to be Spain’s “cultural capital” with dinner at a local restaurant.

Embark on a panoramic tour before arriving at the iconic Plaza de España. Then decide on how you see Seville because it’s your choice! Walk the charming and quaint Santa Cruz Quarter with an expert guide, admiring the orange trees and white-washed houses -OR- see the city from a different perspective with a boat ride on the Guadalquivir River, drifting by timeworn bridges and towers. Later, visit the Seville Cathedral* (UNESCO) – the largest gothic church in the world – and see Columbus’ tomb and the Giralda Bell Tower. End the afternoon with a light tapas lunch, overlooking the cathedral. This evening, enjoy an authentic flamenco show (UNESCO) featuring Seville’s top performers.

Travel to Granada, the last great capital of the Moors in Spain before it fell to the Catholic monarchs in 1492. Upon arrival, join a local expert for a tour of the world-famous Alhambra** (UNESCO), a stone fortress overlooking the entire city and serving as a mesmerizing example of Islamic architecture. This evening, a guided tapas tour on foot is on the menu!

Travel through Spain’s amazing landscape on your way to the Mediterranean coast. Pass by rolling hills dotted with picturesque olive and orange groves before arriving in the city of Valencia. A treasure trove of Roman and Arabic architecture, Valencia is Spain’s third largest city melding historic and modern culture.

On a panoramic tour of Valencia, see the City of Arts and Sciences – an ultramodern educational institution. Explore the city’s old town on foot, discovering the history with a local expert. View the ornate towers before wandering through the bustling central market, where you’ll shop side-by-side with the locals. Enjoy time on your own to explore as you wish. Travel to Albufera, the area where paella first originated. Enjoy a boat ride on the canals surrounding the rice field plantations. Visit a traditional fisherman’s home, known as a barraca, and enjoy a paella-making demonstration and an authentic paella lunch.

Travel to Barcelona, one of Europe’s most beautiful and exciting cities. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Barcelona’s fascinating boulevards including the famous Las Ramblas, dotted with colourful bird and flower stalls.

Embark on a panoramic tour of Barcelona, showcasing the Columbus Monument, Parc de Montjuic, and Antoni Gaudi’s Batllo House and Casa Mila building (UNESCO). A local expert will accompany you on a visit to the awe-inspiring La Sagrada Familia*** (UNESCO), considered to be the most famous of Gaudi’s works. Work on the basilica began in 1882, and it is scheduled to be completed in 2026 on the 100th anniversary of the architect’s death. As the day draws to a close, enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating the end of your trip to Spain.

Return home with memories of a beautiful land and a diverse cultural heritage or begin your Costa Brava post-trip extension.