Itinerary
- Day 1
Barcelona
You'll arrive in Barcelona and meet your Travel Director along with other travelers. Head to a local restaurant for dinner this evening to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Barcelona Constanza, Meliá Sarrià, Barcelona, Torre Melina Gran Meliá, Barcelona)
- Day 2
Barcelona
Start the day with a Local Expert who drives along Passeig de Gràcia, pointing out the elegant Modernist buildings. Stop at Gaudí's Sagrada Família to see the central nave with its tree-like pillars and stained-glass windows (or Hospital de Sant Pau if needed). After that, the afternoon is yours to wander around Barcelona on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Barcelona Constanza, Meliá Sarrià, Barcelona, Torre Melina Gran Meliá, Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Drive along Passeig de Gràcia with Local Expert
- Visit Sagrada Família (or Hospital de Sant Pau as alternative)
- Explore gardens surrounding Sagrada Família with Local Expert
Landmarks Sagrada Família Passeig de Gràcia Hospital de Sant Pau - Day 3
Barcelona to Valencia
Travel down the Costa Dorada, passing rice fields and stopping in Peñíscola to see the sea-lapped castle from 'El Cid'. Continue through orange groves heading toward Valencia. Meet a chef at a family restaurant for a cooking demonstration on making traditional paella, then sit down and eat paella with wine for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch with Wine (Traditional paella with wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Valencia)
Included Activities
- View Peñíscola castle
- Paella cooking demonstration with local chef
- Dinner with paella and wine
Landmarks Peñíscola Castle City of Arts and Sciences Ebro Delta - Day 4
Valencia to Granada
Head south toward Andalucía, passing castles and troglodyte dwellings near Guadix. Once in Granada, a Local Expert takes you through the Alhambra palace with its arabesque gardens, fountains, and intricate stonework. Later, stroll through the elegant gardens of the Generalife, the Royal summer residence, before wrapping up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Gran Luna de Granada)
Included Activities
- Explore Alhambra palace with Local Expert
- Stroll through Generalife gardens
Landmarks Alhambra Generalife Castle at Lorca Sierra Nevada - Day 5
Granada to Seville
Take it easy this morning in Granada. If interested, join a Local Expert for a tour of the Albacín Quarter to learn about the city's medieval history. Travel to Seville later, passing white villages and olive groves. The evening is free to get to know this Andalucían capital on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Sevilla, Catalonia Giralda, Seville)
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Albacín Quarter with Local Expert
Landmarks Albacín Quarter - Day 6
Seville
See Seville Cathedral, which holds the burial place of Christopher Columbus. Choose between a guided walk through the medieval Jewish Quarter or a panoramic drive around the city. In the afternoon, head to the Cristina Heeren Foundation for a flamenco dance lesson and performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Sevilla, Catalonia Giralda, Seville)
Included Activities
- Visit Seville Cathedral
- Choose: Guided walk through Santa Cruz (Jewish Quarter) OR panoramic drive around Seville
- Flamenco dance lesson at Cristina Heeren Foundation
- Flamenco performance at Cristina Heeren Foundation
Landmarks Seville Cathedral Santa Cruz Quarter Torre del Oro María Luisa Park - Day 7
Seville to Córdoba to Madrid
Set out early through the Guadalquivir Valley past Moorish villages. Stop in Córdoba to see the 2,000-year-old Roman Bridge and check out the Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside. Spend some time walking the narrow streets at your pace, then continue toward Madrid through La Mancha.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Included Activities
- View Roman Bridge in Córdoba
- Visit Mezquita with local historian
Landmarks Roman Bridge (Puente Romano) Mezquita 
- Day 8
Madrid
Explore Madrid's historic neighborhoods with a Local Expert, driving through the Old Quarter to learn about the city's origins. Visit the Prado Museum, where an art historian guides you through works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and others. Have a relaxed afternoon, then join your group for dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner with Wine (Dinner with wine at local restaurant in the heart of the city)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Included Activities
- Guided drive through Old Quarter and historic neighbourhoods with Local Expert
- Visit Prado Museum with art historian
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to beautiful Toledo
Landmarks Prado Museum - Day 9
Madrid
Sleep in and take a full day at leisure to check out Spain's capital on your own. There's an optional tour available to the ancient city of Segovia with its fairy-tale castle and Roman aqueduct if you want a guided option.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Optional Activities
- Segovia Optional Experience - visit ancient city with fairy-tale castle and Roman aqueduct
- Day 10
Madrid to Santiago de Compostela
Journey through the Guadarrama Mountains into Old Castile's horizons, passing the impressive Castillo de la Mota that Queen Isabella conquered. Continue to Santiago de Compostela, where the tomb of the Apostle St. James was discovered centuries ago during the Middle Ages.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection, Santiago de Compostela)
Landmarks Castillo de la Mota Guadarrama Mountains - Day 11
Santiago de Compostela
Choose between a city tour with a Local Expert visiting Praza do Obradoiro to admire the cathedral facade, or take a scenic walk on part of the Way of St. James through parks and gardens. During free time, wander the narrow streets and old squares at your leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection, Santiago de Compostela)
Included Activities
- Choose: City tour with Local Expert visiting Praza do Obradoiro OR scenic walk on Way of St. James
Landmarks Praza do Obradoiro Way of St. James - Day 12
Santiago de Compostela to Oviedo
Pass through ancient forests of Galicia and the Green Coast of Asturias, known for its coastal beauty. Stop for a farm-to-table lunch featuring locally sourced produce and learn about traditional cider with a tasting. Travel through old villages and deep valleys to Oviedo, where you'll see 9th-century churches and visit the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour with its incredible altarpiece.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Farm-to-table meal with locally sourced produce and traditional cider tasting)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Oviedo Cervantes)
Included Activities
- Farm-to-table lunch with local ingredients and traditional cider tasting
- Explore 9th-century churches with Local Expert
- Visit Cathedral of the Holy Saviour
Landmarks Cathedral of the Holy Saviour Plaza Alfonso II - Day 13
Oviedo to Santander
Visit the Holy Cave of Covadonga, a shrine to Pelayo who achieved the first Christian victory over the Moors in 722. See the unique Roman bridge in Cangas de Onís and head into Picos de Europa national park with its spectacular mountain and gorge scenery. Walk through the rustic cobblestone streets of Santillana del Mar, then continue to the beach resort of Santander with free time to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Eurostars Real, Santander)
Included Activities
- Visit Holy Cave of Covadonga
- See Roman bridge in Cangas de Onís
- Explore Picos de Europa national park
- Stroll through Santillana del Mar
Landmarks Holy Cave of Covadonga Roman Bridge (Cangas de Onís) Picos de Europa Santillana del Mar 
- Day 14
Santander to Bilbao to San Sebastián
Travel to Bilbao to admire the striking modern Guggenheim Museum, one of the world's most notable buildings. Drive along Costa Vasca past fishing villages and pause in Getaria to see El Ratón, the mouse-shaped rock. Continue to San Sebastián for a city tour with a Local Expert exploring the harbour area and Basque maritime cultural heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián)
Included Activities
- Admire Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
- View El Ratón in Getaria
- City tour of San Sebastián with Local Expert
Landmarks Guggenheim Museum Bilbao El Ratón Plaza de la Constitución - Day 15
San Sebastián
Have the day to yourself in San Sebastián. Stroll along the boardwalk, watch fishing boats in the harbour, or try sporting activities on the large sandy beach. Optionally head to the nearby French village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz or walk the famous La Concha bay promenade and Old Town boutiques.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián)
Optional Activities
- Explore nearby French village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- Stroll La Concha bay promenade
- Explore Old Town boutiques
Landmarks La Concha Bay Saint-Jean-de-Luz - Day 16
San Sebastián to Pamplona to Barcelona
Head to Pamplona, famous for its Running of the Bulls festival. You'll have free time to explore, walk Estafeta Street, or visit Café Iruña, made famous by Ernest Hemingway in 'The Sun Also Rises'. Later, continue to Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Labtwentytwo, Barcelona)
Optional Activities
- Stroll Estafeta Street in Pamplona
- Visit Cafe Iruña in Pamplona
Landmarks Estafeta Street Cafe Iruña - Day 17
Barcelona
Take it easy this morning and have the whole day at leisure for last-minute shopping or to revisit Gaudí's unusual creations. Walk along the leafy Las Ramblas or optionally visit the ancient Monastery of Montserrat dedicated to the Black Madonna. This evening, join your group for a final dinner with friends at a local restaurant to celebrate your travels through Spain.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner with Wine (Delightful dinner with wine at local restaurant in Barcelona with Travel Director and newfound friends, toasting your travels)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Labtwentytwo, Barcelona)
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to ancient Monastery of Montserrat, dedicated to the Black Madonna
Landmarks Las Ramblas Monastery of Montserrat - Day 18
Barcelona to Madrid
Say goodbye to your journey through Spain as you transfer from Barcelona to Madrid.
