Itinerary
- Day 1
Barcelona
You'll land at Barcelona airport and take the shuttle to your hotel on Las Ramblas, the city's cultural heart. After meeting your tour leader and other travelers, there's an option to walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner, so you can settle in and get oriented to the city.
Included Activities
- Airport shuttle transfer to hotel
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Las Ramblas - Day 2
Barcelona
This is a full day exploring Barcelona's different eras. Start in the Gothic Quarter to see Cathedral Santa Maria del Mar and Temple d'August, then take a panoramic bus tour of the waterfront, Old Port and Montjuic Hill with the Olympic Ring. Later you'll join a Spanish chef at the local market for a hands-on paella and sangria cooking class, and then get to eat what you've prepared.
- Meals
- Lunch (Hands-on cooking of paella and sangria at local market with private Spanish chef, followed by tasting the prepared dishes)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Gothic Quarter
- Tour of Barcelona Cathedral (Santa Maria del Mar)
- Panoramic tour of Barcelona including waterfront and Montjuic Hill
- Hands-on cooking class - paella and sangria with private Spanish chef at local market
- Meal included with cooking class
Landmarks Gothic Quarter Temple d'August Santa Maria del Mar Montjuic Hill Olympic Ring - Day 3
Barcelona
After breakfast, hop on the hop-on hop-off bus heading to Sagrada Familia, Gaudí's unfinished basilica. You'll walk through the crypt where Gaudí is buried, see the central nave with its tree-like pillars, and take an elevator plus climb up a tower for views across Barcelona. Your afternoon is free to use the bus however you want to check out more of the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hop-on hop-off bus access
- Visit Sagrada Familia including crypt, central nave and tower access
Landmarks Sagrada Familia - Day 4
Barcelona to Seville
You'll head to Barcelona train station and board a high-speed train to Seville, traveling 620 miles through the countryside. Once you check into your hotel, the evening brings you to Tablao Flamenco El Palacio Andaluz for dinner and an award-winning flamenco performance featuring different styles like bulerias, soleares, fandangos and sevillanas.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at Tablao Flamenco El Palacio Andaluz with flamenco show)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Barcelona train station
- High-speed train to Seville
- Transfer to hotel
- Flamenco show and dinner at Tablao Flamenco El Palacio Andaluz
Landmarks Tablao Flamenco El Palacio Andaluz 
- Day 5
Seville
A guided walking tour takes you through Seville starting with the Maestanza Bullring from 1761, then the Alcázar royal palace with its Moorish architecture, and the Giralda Tower for city views. You'll visit Seville Cathedral, the world's largest Gothic cathedral, then take a river cruise along the Guadalquivir to see the Tower of Gold, Maestranza and Saint Telmo Palace. The rest of the day is yours to wander.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Maestanza Bullring
- Visit Alcázar of Seville
- Climb Giralda Tower for views
- Visit Seville Cathedral
- Guadalquivir River cruise
Landmarks Maestanza Bullring Alcázar of Seville Giralda Tower Seville Cathedral Tower of Gold Saint Telmo Palace Guadalquivir River - Day 6
Cordoba
A short morning train brings you to Cordoba, a thousand-year-old city shaped by Carthaginian, Roman and Arab cultures. Your local guide walks you through the historic quarter to see the Great Mosque, one of the world's largest, plus Medina Azahara's ruins, El Puente Romano, Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos with its Arabian baths and Roman mosaics, and an ancient Jewish synagogue. Tonight you'll watch the Passion and Duende Equestrian show in the 15th century Royal Stables, featuring native Andalusian horses and riders.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner included with Passion and Duende Equestrian show)
Included Activities
- Train transfer to Cordoba
- Guided tour of Great Mosque (Mesquita)
- Visit ruins of Medina Azahara
- Visit El Puente Romano
- Visit Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
- Visit ancient Jewish synagogue
- Passion and Duende Equestrian show in Royal Stables
Landmarks Great Mosque (Mesquita) Medina Azahara El Puente Romano Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos Ancient Jewish Synagogue Royal Stables - Day 7
Madrid
Take a final train to Madrid, once an Arabian fortress and now a cultural center. After checking into your hotel near Atocha Train Station, a guided panoramic tour walks you through historic neighborhoods, medieval streets and grand squares spanning 1200 years. You'll ride the Cable Car to see both historic Madrid and the modern skyline with its Four Towers, visit Plaza Mayor which was Madrid's historic festival center, and explore Mercado de San Miguel, an iron market hall with tapas cafés and specialty food vendors.
Included Activities
- Train transfer to Madrid
- Hotel check-in and transfer
- Guided panoramic tour of Madrid neighborhoods
- Cable Car ride with views of historic and modern Madrid
- Visit to Plaza Mayor
- Visit to Mercado de San Miguel
Optional Activities
- Dining at Mercado de San Miguel cafés and restaurants
Landmarks Madrid Atocha Train Station Plaza Mayor Mercado de San Miguel Four Towers - Day 8
Madrid to Toledo
A guided morning tour takes you through Madrid's twisted medieval streets and grand boulevards to see the city's center. You'll visit the Royal Palace of Madrid to see the Plaza de Armas, main staircase, Throne Room, Gasparini Hall and Royal Chapel with its decorative art and furniture. Then travel 43 miles to Toledo for an afternoon guided tour of this imperial city where Christians, Jews and Arabs once lived together, viewing the medieval castle with its fortified towers and the Moorish architecture of Santa Maria La Blanca Synagogue, Europe's oldest.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Madrid
- Visit Royal Palace of Madrid including Plaza de Armas, main staircase, Throne Room, Gasparini Hall and Royal Chapel
- Transfer to Toledo
- Guided afternoon tour of Toledo
- Visit medieval castle
- Visit Santa Maria La Blanca Synagogue
Optional Activities
- View works of El Greco's art
Landmarks Royal Palace of Madrid Plaza de Armas Toledo Santa Maria La Blanca Synagogue Toledo Medieval Castle - Day 9
Madrid
You have the full day free to explore Madrid at your own pace, whether that's visiting the art museums or shopping around the city. This evening brings everyone together for a Farewell Dinner at a local Spanish restaurant to celebrate the time you've spent with your travel companions.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell Dinner at local Spanish restaurant)
Included Activities
- Farewell Dinner at local Spanish restaurant
Optional Activities
- Visit Madrid art museums
- Shopping
- Day 10
Madrid
After a final breakfast, you'll say goodbye to your travel friends before heading to the airport for your flights home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Final breakfast
- Transfer to airport
