Best of Spain - 15 Days

Arrival Transfer: Depart Madrid-Barajas airport at 10:30, 13:00, 15:30

Welcome: Meet your Travel Director at 17:30

Welcome to the fiery Spanish capital that is Madrid. Take in the vibrant essence of Madrid before meeting up with your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a memorable welcome reception and orientation drive to see some of the city's most iconic sights.

Leave Madrid and travel north through the Guadarrama mountains, crossing into the wide plains of Castile. Stop in Burgos, once the capital of the region and an important point along the Camino de Santiago, where your Travel Director introduces you to the old town where you’ll see its impressive Gothic cathedral. Your journey continues through changing landscapes into the Basque Country. In Bilbao, take in the bold, modern design of the Guggenheim Museum as you view its striking exterior beside the river.  

Spend the morning soaking up the laid-back charm of San Sebastián. Wander along La Concha beach, explore the old town or enjoy a coffee in one of the city’s elegant squares. Later, travel inland to Pamplona, known for its bull-running tradition and medieval streets. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city at your own pace. Follow in Hemmingway's footsteps on an Optional Experience that uncovers Pamplona's highlights, or try the local pintxos in one of Pamplona’s bars.

Optional Experiences: (Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour).   

Views of San Sebastian and its Old Town - EUR 40 pp

Enjoy panoramic views of La Concha and the Bay of Biscay from the top of Mount Igueldo before joining our Local Specialist for a leisurely stroll through San Sebastián’s picturesque Old Town. Along the way, you’ll gain insights into the city’s rich history and vibrant culture, plus get insider tips on the best spots to sample pintxos during your free time.

Pamplona Discovery With Pintxos And Sangria - EUR 44 pp

Enjoy a walking tour of charming Pamplona with your Local Specialist. See the ancient walls with views over the city, explore the beautiful old town and the Cathedral before retracing the steps of the famous ‘Running of the Bulls’. Later, savour traditional Spanish pintxos and sangria at Hemingway’s favourite watering hole, the most beautiful and historic cafe in town!

Your journey continues through the Ebro Valley to Zaragoza where we’ll view the Basilica of El Pilar and Cathedral of La Seo. Later, arrive in Barcelona to soak up the charm of a city that professes two great loves – Gaudí and football. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps amble through the aromatic La Boqueria, or join us for an evening of discovery, rounded off with a traditional Catalonian-style dinner.

Optional Experiences: (Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour).     

Gothic Quarter and Dinner - EUR 86 pp

Work up an appetite with a walking tour of the old Gothic Quarter, where Barcelona was born. Meander through the beautiful medieval streets and century-old architecture with your Local Specialist. Then we’ll take you to down to the city immerse yourself in a Catalan feast in one of our favourite local eateries.

Montjuic Panoramic Drive with Catalan Dinner - EUR 79 pp

Take a scenic drive up to Montjuïc for sweeping views over buzzing Barcelona and a glimpse of the buildings used during the 1992 Olympics. Afterwards, indulge in a delicious Catalonian style dinner complemented by drinks and good company.

Consider joining a morning Optional Experience to the mountain-top monastery of Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia. Afterwards, the whimsical fantasy world of Gaudí is on display as you embark on a sightseeing tour to visit the inspiring, but as yet unfinished, La Sagrada Família* in the company of a Local Specialist.

*Please note that with the construction of the Sagrada Família nearing completion, access to the basilica may be restricted for special masses, pilgrim visits or official ceremonies, and we are unable to secure tickets to visit. Should this occur during your tour, you'll visit the Hospital de Sant Pau instead, a striking example of Catalan Art Nouveau designed by Gaudí’s contemporary, Domènech i Montaner. Afterwards, join your Local Specialist in the gardens surrounding the Sagrada Família and take in the extraordinary exterior of Gaudí’s iconic masterpiece.

Optional Experiences: (Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour).    

Mystical Montserrat - EUR 62 pp

Take a drive to the mystical mountain of Montserrat, known for its breathtaking views and spectacular scenery. Hear about the site's history from a Local Specialist, and visit the Benedictine monastery to view the famed Black Madonna. At the daily farmers' market, perhaps sample and purchase homemade cheeses, honeys and other local delights.

Travel south along the Costa Dorada to Peñíscola, where a fortified old town and castle take centre stage. Continue through the fertile huertas to Valencia, your home for the night. Your orientation reveals the city’s rich contrasts, from Mercado de Colón, the Bullring and Estación del Norte to the Towers of Serrano and Quart, before seeing the striking City of Arts and Sciences designed by Santiago Calatrava. During a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, enjoy horchata, Valencia’s signature drink. This evening, you could join an Optional Experience to cook paella with local chefs, then sit down to enjoy the dish in the city where it began.

Optional Experiences: (Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour).    

Valencia’s Golden Age, a Leisurely Walking Tour - EUR 37 pp

Valencia has a well-preserved medieval centre which our Local Specialist will bring alive as they take us back to the city's heyday, from Roman and Gothic times into the Golden Age, when Valencia was Spain’s most important city. We'll take a leisurely stroll through the medieval streets and also visit Lonja, an exquisite late gothic building, UNESCO-listed since 1996.

Valencia Dinner and Discovery - EUR 65 pp

Delve into the country's third-largest city to enjoy its Mediterranean verve. Vibrant and modern, Valencia still retains much of its past, going back to its Roman foundation 2,000 years ago. The iconic dish paella originated here, and tonight you’ll learn about its traditions and enjoy this quintessential Spanish fare during a typical meal in a local restaurant.

Paella Cookery Class and Dinner - EUR 69 pp

Join a paella cooking class in Valencia, where this much-loved dish has its roots. Cook with local chefs, learn how the ingredients come together and take part in each step before sitting down to enjoy the paella you’ve prepared.

Journey by the dramatic Sierra Nevada Mountain range to the city of Granada where you meet a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of the spectacular UNESCO-listed Alhambra. Its golden façades and extraordinary Moorish architecture reflect centuries of multi-cultural history, which you will have a rare opportunity to explore as you wander through its palaces and exotic water gardens. Check in to your hotel later, where you will dine tonight.

Set your watch to Spanish time and enjoy a leisurely morning on your terms, or consider taking an Optional Experience to explore the medieval Moorish Quarter of Granada - the Albaicín - with its narrow winding lanes, churches, minarets and palaces.Then leave Granada behind for the sun-kissed shores of the Costa del Sol, where you'll spend the next two nights.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Stroll along the beachside promenade, relax at one of the nearby beach cafes or visit the picture-perfect whitewashed Andalusian village of Mijas - the choice is yours.

Optional Experiences: (Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour).    

Albaicín and the Royal Chapel - EUR 47 pp

With our Local Specialist, you'll enjoy a leisurely walking tour through the Albaicín UNESCO World Heritage Site – a maze of narrow streets and Moorish splendour. You'll explore the Catholic Monarchs' tombs and some of their treasures at the Royal Chapel, and wander through the picturesque Alcaicería quarter.

Mijas Andalusian Hilltown & Mediterranean Dinner - EUR 77 pp

Visit this charming hilltop village, perched up high with splendid views of the coastline. With our Local Specialist, we'll traverse its narrow streets, pass white-washed houses and see the oval bullring, with time for hunting hidden gems in the shops. Our evening finishes with a Mediterranean dinner at a coastal restaurant.

Another day in paradise for you to kick back, worship the Spanish sunshine and taste la buena vida. Enjoy fresh seafood in Torremolinos, relax on the bleached beaches and soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere or consider an Optional Experience to the effervescent Andalusian capital of Málaga to explore centuries of history.

Optional Experiences: (Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour).    

Experience Málaga - EUR 54 pp

Uncover Málaga’s rich history with your Local Specialist in the city where Pablo Picasso was born. Take in panoramic views from the Moorish Gibralfaro fortress, see the Alcazaba ramparts and ancient Roman theatre, then round off your visit with an aperitif in one of the city’s most famous taverns.

A scenic drive takes you past the millionaires' resort of Marbella and on to La Linea. Cross to the Rock of Gibraltar for free time to explore or consider joining an Optional Experience to St. Michael's Cave to see the Barbary Macaques (Rock Apes). This afternoon, continue through the Andalusian countryside past Jerez - famous for its sherry production - to Seville. In the evening, connect with locals as you enjoy a Be My Guest experience, sharing dinner with Isaac at his family’s olive farm.

Optional Experiences: (Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour).    

A Guided Tour of the Rock of Gibraltar - EUR 77 pp

Experience a tour of the Rock of Gibraltar, one of the Pillars of Hercules, by private minibus. You’ll visit St. Michael’s Cave, see the famous Barbary apes, and enjoy magnificent views at this meeting point of the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas.

Join your Local Specialist this morning for a tour of Seville's leafy avenues. See the iconic Giralda Bell Tower and visit the Seville Cathedral, the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Stroll through Maria Luisa Park, with its tiled fountains, pavilions, palms and orange trees, and explore the architectural gems of Seville's 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. Explore the Jewish history of Spain in Seville's former Jewish Quarter, where a wall separated the Jewish community from the rest of the city during medieval times. Tonight, consider soaking up the fiery flamenco atmosphere in the city that made this passionate dance famous.

Optional Experiences: (Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour).    

The Moorish Alcázar and Plaza América - EUR 57 pp

Today, with a Local Specialist, you'll visit the elegant 14th-century Moorish Alcazar, set in its own beautiful gardens. The gardens were used as the setting for the Water Gardens of Dorne in the Game Of Thrones series. We'll also journey to the famous exhibition site of Plaza América - a must for any visitor to Seville.

Flamenco: Experience the Best Show in Town- EUR 49 pp

Discover the passion, rhythm and magic of an Andalusian flamenco show with us this evening. We've organised tickets to the best show in town, where you’ll experience memorable entertainment with an included drink. *On some departures, this experience might be operated on the previous night.

Flamenco, the Best Show in Town With a Three-Course Dinner - EUR 80 pp

This evening you’ll discover the magic, rhythm and passion of flamenco, while being served a three-course dinner of Andalusian specialities with drinks included. We've organised tickets to the best show in town. You won't soon forget this incredibly memorable ninety-minute experience.

Journey to Córdoba to meet a Local Specialist for a visit to the astounding Mosque of the Caliphs, a jewel of Hispano-Islamic art featuring striking arches and Byzantine mosaics. Then walk through the old Jewish neighbourhood, passing by the remains of the 14th-century Mudéjar-style synagogue. Continue to Toledo for an evening in Spain's former capital.

Your Local Specialist takes you on a walking tour of Toledo where you’ll Dive into Culture as you explore this ancient hilltop city. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to El Greco's masterpiece – 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz', and the synagogue, the oldest one still standing in Europe. Later, arrive in feisty Madrid, where you'll spend the next two nights. The grand plazas of Madrid welcome you as you join our Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Spain's capital city. See Gran Vía and the Cibeles Fountain before visiting the world-famous Prado Museum, featuring one of the world's finest collections of European art, including masterpieces by Velazquez. 

Optional Experiences: (Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour).    

Dinner and Discovery in Downtown Madrid - EUR 75 pp

Explore a different side of Spain’s capital city, away from the main boulevards and well-known landmarks. Discover local streets and stories that reveal another layer of the city before sitting down to dinner with live entertainment.

Spend today at leisure exploring the city. Visit the Royal Palace with its spectacular Goya artworks, relax in the leafy Buen Retiro Park or enjoy the flavours and aromas of jamon in the Market of San Miguel. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for an unforgettable dinner to celebrate an epic adventure through Spain.

Optional Experiences: (Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour).    

Segovia World Heritage Site - Its Ancient Aqueduct & Fairytale Castle - EUR 60 pp

Enjoy a visit to Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which sits on a rocky outcrop between two rivers. With your Local Specialist, you’ll visit the 13th-century castle, reputed to have inspired Walt Disney, as well as seeing the best-preserved Roman aqueduct which has remained intact for 2,000 years.

Our time together has come to an end. For now it's a fond adiós to Spain and newfound friends.  You can, of course, extend your stay.

Departure Transfer: Arrive at Madrid-Barajas airport at 08:30, 11:00