Best of Spain (15 Days)
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating 15-day journey through the vibrant landscapes and rich history of Spain. This multi-day tour is designed to immerse you in the country's diverse culture, stunning architecture, and delectable cuisine. From the fiery capital of Madrid to the sun-kissed Costa del Sol, you will traverse through pine-clad mountains, sophisticated coastal cities, and fertile huertas. Marvel at the whimsical creations of Gaudí in Barcelona, sip on Valencia's celebrated drink, horchata, and explore the UNESCO-listed Alhambra in Granada. This tour promises a blend of leisure and exploration, with ample time to soak up the Spanish sunshine and enjoy the buena vida. Whether you're a history buff, a food lover, or a sun-seeker, this tour offers something for everyone.
Included
6 Dinner (D)
14 Breakfast (B)
jain, vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, meat
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Rafael Atocha
Santemar
NH Iruña Park
INNSiDE Barcelona Apolo by Melia
Silken Puerta
Occidental
Meliá
NH Sevilla Plaza de Armas
Eurostars Toledo
Seville: Enjoy a traditional Andalusian Be My Guest dinner and the charming company of the Morillo family. A welcome drink of sangria in their sun-dappled courtyard before learning how they produce olive oil.
Toledo: Embark on a walking tour in the ancient hill-top city of Toledo, renowned for its medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian Monuments.
Madrid: Visit the Prado Museum in Madrid, where you'll have time to admire its extraordinary collection of European art dating from the 12th to early 20th centuries.
Madrid: Drive through central Madrid and see some of the city's famous features during an orientation with your Travel Director.
Burgos: See exterior of the cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bilbao: See the architectural landmark Guggenheim Museum.
Pamplona: Spend time exploring this city, known for its annual Running with the Bulls festival.
Zaragoza: See the impressive historic landmarks of this thriving Spanish metropolis.
Barcelona: With your Local Specialist, see Las Ramblas and the elegant Passeig de Gràcia to take in some of the city's finest Modernist architecture. Journey past the beautiful façades of the Eixample district to see Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerising Sagrada Família.
Peñíscola: See the castle featured in the film 'El Cid'.
Valencia: See the ultra-modern Centre of Arts and Sciences and the historic bullring of Valencia during an orientation drive with your Travel Director.
Granada: Visit the famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. Explore with a Local Specialist keen to share insights into this Moorish landmark.
Gibraltar: Visit Gibraltar and delve into the typical British culture along Main Street.
Seville: Guided by your Local Specialist, see the Giralda Tower, former minaret of the Great Mosque and now the cathedral's belltower. Explore the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz Quarter and emerge by the great walls of the Alcazar.
Córdoba: Explore the incredible Mezquita with your Local Specialist. Admire the forest of horseshoe arches and learn how this building symbolises many of Córdoba's religious changes over the centuries.
Madrid: See the highlights of the city with your Local Specialist. Visit the Old Town, travelling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the Cibeles fountain, Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace.
Valencia: Taste authentic Valencian street food from a local Horchata vendor. This rich and flavourful nut-based drink loved by many is produced here using only locally sourced and natural ingredients, and respecting traditional methods of production. This experience advances UN Global Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Alongside the local and organic production, they have been bringing the vibrant tradition of Horchata back to its glory days, giving employment opportunities to people at risk of social exclusion. They have also built over 10 street carts from recycling materials, all working on solar energy and ice.
: Explore Barcelona, Seville, Córdoba, Toledo and Madrid with a Local Specialist
: Discover Burgos, Santander, Bilbao, San Sebastián, Pamplona, Valencia, Peniscola and the Rock of Gibraltar
: Visit The Tomb of El Cid in Burgos, the Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Cathedral in Seville, the Mosque of the Caliphs in Córdoba, the Synagogue and Santo Tomé in Toledo and the Prado Museum in Madrid
: View the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, La Concha Bay in San Sebastián, the Cathedral of Zaragoza, La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the Castle of Peñíscola, the Serrano and Quart Towers and City of Arts and Sciences complex in Valencia
: An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
: Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
: All porterage and restaurant gratuities
: All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
: Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
: Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
: Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
: Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
: Optional Experiences and free time
: On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Optional Experiences and free time
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Madrid
- Madrid - Arrival day
- More
Welcome to Madrid, the fiery capital of Spain. Immerse yourself in the city's vibrant essence before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a memorable Welcome Reception. Embark on an orientation drive to witness some of the city's most iconic sights.
Day 2 – Day 2: Madrid to Burgos to Santander
- Madrid
- Burgos
- Santander
- More
- Mirador Del Castillo
- More
Journey over the pine-clad Guadarrama Mountains to Burgos, the historic capital of Castile. Visit the tomb of El Cid, a national hero and the protagonist of the most significant medieval Spanish epic poem. Cross the Ebro River and the Cantabrian Cordillera Mountains to reach the sophisticated capital of the Cantabrian region, Santander.
Day 3 – Day 3: Santander to Bilbao to San Sebastián to Pamplona
- Santander
- Bilbao
- Pamplona
- Donostia / San Sebastián
- More
- Guggenheim Museum
- More
Depart Santander and travel to Bilbao to view the striking Guggenheim Museum. Continue to San Sebastián, the gourmet capital of Spain with a rich maritime history. Enjoy an orientation of the city before heading to Pamplona, famous for its Running of the Bulls fiesta. Follow in the footsteps of Hemingway and enjoy a drink at Café Iruña, ramble along the brilliantly lit city ramparts or delight in the local pintxos.
Day 4 – Day 4: Pamplona to Zaragoza to Barcelona
- Pamplona
- Zaragoza
- Barcelona
- More
- Cathedral of the Savior in his Epiphany of Zaragoza
- Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar
- More
Continue through the Ebro Valley to Zaragoza where you'll view the Basilica of El Pilar and Cathedral of La Seo. Later, arrive in Barcelona, a city that professes two great loves – Gaudí and football. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps amble through the aromatic La Bouqeria, or join us for an evening of discovery capped off with a traditional Catalonian style dinner.
Day 5 – Day 5: Barcelona
- Barcelona
- More
- Textile Museum and Documentation Centre
- Sagrada Família
- More
The whimsical fantasy world of Gaudí is on display this morning as we embark on a sightseeing tour to see the inspiring, but as yet unfinished, La Sagrada Família. We'll see Las Ramblas, which lies at the heart of Barcelona, before paying tribute to Christopher Columbus at the monument that bears his name. Consider joining an Optional Experience to the mountain-top monastery of Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia.
Day 6 – Day 6: Barcelona to Peñíscola to Valencia
- Barcelona
- Valencia
- Peníscola / Peñíscola
- More
- Mercado de Colón
- City of Arts and Sciences
- Peniscola Castle
- More
Journey along the Costa Dorada to the fortified town of Peñíscola, where you'll see the ancient castle used in the film 'El Cid'. Continue through fertile huertas to sunny Valencia. Our orientation of this cultural city includes views of the modernist style Mercado de Colón, the Bullring, the Towers of Serrano and Quart, and the Art Nouveau Estación del Norte. Witness the modern verve of Valencia and view the City of Arts and Sciences. During one of our iconic MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, we will also enjoy horchata, the celebrated drink of Valencia.
Day 7 – Day 7: Valencia to Granada
- Valencia
- Granada
- More
- Alhambra
- More
Journey by the dramatic Sierra Nevada Mountain range to the city of Granada where we meet our 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 we will dine tonight.
Day 8 – Day 8: Granada to Costa del Sol
- Granada
- Marbella
- La Cala del Moral
- More
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. We then leave Granada behind for the sun-kissed shores of the Costa del Sol, where we'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.
Day 9 – Day 9: Costa del Sol
- Marbella
- La Cala del Moral
- More
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.
Day 10 – Day 10: Costa del Sol to La Linea to Seville
- Marbella
- Seville
- La Cala del Moral
- More
- Torre del río Guadalmedina
- More
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. This evening, we Connect With Locals over dinner at a Be My Guest experience with the Morillo family at their olive oil farm.
Day 11 – Day 11: Seville
- Seville
- More
- Sevilla Aquarium
- Puerta de la Macarena (Seville)
- Casa de Pilatos
- More
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 walk through the imposing Plaza de España. Explore the Jewish history of Spain in Seville's former Jewish Quarter. Tonight, consider soaking up the fiery flamenco atmosphere in the city that made this passionate dance famous.
Day 12 – Day 12: Seville to Córdoba to Toledo
- Seville
- Córdoba
- Toledo
- More
- Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
- More
We 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 visit the remains of the 14th-century Mudéjar-style synagogue in the old Jewish neighbourhood. Continue to Toledo for an evening in Spain's former capital.
Day 13 – Day 13: Toledo to Madrid
- Córdoba
- Toledo
- Madrid
- More
- Museum of Santa Cruz
- Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes, Toledo
- Naval Museum
- More
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, we arrive in feisty Madrid, where we'll spend the next two nights. The grand plazas of Madrid welcome you as we join our Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Spain's capital city. See Gran Vía and the Cibeles Fountain before we Dive Into Culture and visit the world-famous Prado Museum, featuring one of the world's finest collections of European art, including masterpieces by Velazquez.
Day 14 – Day 14: Madrid
- Madrid
- More
- El Retiro Park
- Royal Palace of Madrid
- More
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 Farewell Dinner to celebrate an epic adventure through Spain.
Day 15 – Day 15: Madrid
- Madrid - Departure day
- More
Our time together has come to an end. For now it's a fond adiós to Spain and newfound friends.
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