Spanish Heritage (Small Groups, End Madrid, 18 Days)
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an unforgettable 18-day journey through the vibrant landscapes, historical sites, and cultural treasures of Spain. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of guided excursions and free time to explore at your own pace. From the Modernist buildings of Barcelona to the Moorish fortresses of Granada, the orange groves of Valencia to the flamenco rhythms of Seville, you'll experience the rich diversity of Spanish culture. Learn to cook traditional paella, marvel at the architectural wonders of Gaudi, and immerse yourself in the passion of flamenco. With comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and the expertise of local guides, this tour offers an immersive experience of Spain's most captivating destinations.
Included
2 nights stay at NH Collection Constanza / Hilton Barcelona
1 night stay at Barceló Valencia
1 night stay at Meliá Granada
2 nights stay at Meliá Sevilla, Seville
3 nights stay at Barceló Torre de Madrid/Melia Serrano Madrid
2 nights stay at NH Collection Santiago de Compostela
1 night stay at Barceló Oviedo Cervantes
1 night stay at Eurostars Hotel Real, Santander
2 nights stay at Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastian
2 nights stay at Kimpton Vividora Hotel, Barcelona
6 Dinner with Wine (DW)
17 Breakfast (B)
1 Lunch with Wine (LW)
Valencia: Learn the authentic recipe of paella when you join a local chef for a Cooking Demonstration. Savour the flavours of this classic dish for dinner, washed down with a glass of Sangria, during dinner.
Barcelona: At a typical Catalan restaurant, savour a delicious Celebration Dinner that incorporates classic cooking with the freshest produce.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
Seville: Stroll through Barrio de Santa Cruz with a Local Expert and hear how the Jewish community has shaped the city's history.
Seville: See the city's top sights on a panoramic tour with your Local Expert.
Santiago de Compostela: Join a city tour with a Local Expert and visit Praza do Obradoiro to admire the cathedral facade festooned with architectural frills.
Santiago de Compostela: Embark on a scenic walk on part of the Way of St. James with a Local Expert, through parks and gardens that transform with the seasons.
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
Granada: Visit the famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. While others wait in line, you'll be exploring accompanied by a Local Expert, keen to share insights into this Moorish landmark.
Madrid: Witness the world's finest collection of Spanish paintings, plus an impressive international collection, as you tour the Prado Museum with an art historian.
Barcelona: Dine at La Pau, an acclaimed restaurant for the quality of its seasonal menu and social impact. This social initiative generates quality employment to young people and guides them through their transition to adult life. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequality. La Pau gives a voice and life opportunity to young people who have been marginalised from the traditional educational and social systems.
Seville: The Cristina Heeren Foundation aims to promote the teaching and conservation of flamenco and is a beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Meet the students of the foundation, learn some basic flamenco steps, and then feel the passion as they perform an emotional show. The school enables students access to cultural education that otherwise may not have occurred. TreadRights sponsorship has helped students to complete their studies in advanced guitar, singing and dance. As students complete their training, they will carry on and safeguard the traditional flamenco dance, contributing to the protection of Andalusia and Spain’s cultural heritage. The Cristina Heeren Foundation advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education and UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Gijón: Meet locals for a delicious meal of locally sourced produce that has been prepared just for you. This experience supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Barcelona: Venture inside Gaudí's extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família and marvel at the contrasts of architecture. Above see its giant, tree-like pillars and spectacular vaulting. Admire the wonderful rainbow of the incredible stained-glass windows.
Barcelona: With your Local Expert, drive along the elegant Passeig de Gràcia to witness some of the finest Modernist architecture as you journey through the Eixample district to see Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerising Sagrada Família.
Peñíscola: See the seaside castle featured in the film 'El Cid'.
Valencia: See the ultra-modern Centre of Arts and Sciences and the huge gates of the old town, Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart.
Seville: Visit the Seville Cathedral with your Local Expert. Pass the altarpiece dripping with gold and see the Tomb of Columbus, held aloft by four kings.
Oviedo: Led by your Local Expert, see 1,000-year-old wall paintings in some of Europe's oldest churches. Admire the incredible altarpiece, one of the finest in Europe, when you visit the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour.
Picos de Europa: Visit the holy cave of Covadonga and see the tomb of Pelayo who is celebrated for winning the Battle of Covadonga against the Muslim Moors in 722 and later became the first King of Asturias.
Picos de Europa: Venture into this magnificent national park to admire the stunning picturesque scenery and rocky trails.
Santillana del Mar: Step back in time when you visit this perfectly preserved and 'most beautiful village in Spain.'
Getaria: See the rock known as El Ratón or the mouse.
San Sebastián: Led by your Local Expert, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Quarter including Plaza de la Constitucion.
Pamplona: The city is home to Café Iruña, a favourite of Ernest Hemingway.
Córdoba: See the 2,000-year-old Roman bridge and spend some time exploring the town.
Córdoba: Visit the incredible Mezquita with your Local Expert. Admire the forest of horseshoe arches and learn how this building symbolises many of Cordoba's religious changes over the centuries.
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Bilbao: See the spectacular modern Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry and sites of this Basque region gem during your orientation with your Travel Director.
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Welcome to Barcelona
- Barcelona - Arrival day
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Begin your Spanish adventure with a warm welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Barcelona, where you'll meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Barcelona
- Barcelona
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- La Sagrada Familia
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Join a Local Expert for a drive along the Passeig de Gràcia, home to elegant wrought-iron street lamps and flamboyant Modernist buildings. Visit Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família, and marvel at its intricate stained-glass windows. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore Barcelona at your own pace.
Day 3 – Day 3: Barcelona to Valencia
- Valencia
- Barcelona
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- Peniscola Castle
- Valencia Cathedral
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Travel along the sunny Costa Dorada, stopping at Peñíscola to see the sea-lapped castle featured in the film 'El Cid'. Continue through the famous orange groves to Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences. Learn how to make the local specialty, paella, during a Cooking Demonstration, and enjoy the delicious dish with a glass of sangria at dinner.
Day 4 – Day 4: Valencia to Granada
- Granada
- Valencia
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- Generalife
- Alhambra
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Head south toward Andalucía, passing the castle at Lorca and troglodyte dwellings near Guadix. Arrive in Granada, a historic city that was a Moorish kingdom for almost 8 centuries. Explore the Alhambra, a remarkable fortress built in the 13th century, and stroll through the elegant exotic gardens of the Generalife, the Royal summer residence.
Day 5 – Day 5: Granada to Seville
- Seville
- Granada
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Enjoy a leisurely morning in Granada before continuing your journey to Seville, passing gleaming white villages and olive groves. Seville, the stunning capital of Andalucía, is one of Spain's most charming highlights. Spend the evening at your leisure, exploring this delightful city.
Day 6 – Day 6: Discovering Seville
- Seville
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- Sevilla Aquarium
- Casa de Pilatos
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Visit the Seville Cathedral, the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Choose between a walk through the old Jewish Quarter or a panoramic drive around the city. Visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a dance school dedicated to promoting the conservation of flamenco. Experience the passion of this dance during a lesson and performance.
Day 7 – Day 7: Seville to Madrid via Córdoba
- Seville
- Córdoba
- Madrid
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Depart early for the perfectly preserved Moorish city of Córdoba. Visit the magnificent Mezquita, a beautiful 8th-century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it. Enjoy leisure time to explore the narrow streets of the city before continuing to Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain.
Day 8 – Day 8: Exploring Madrid
- Madrid
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- Naval Museum
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Join a Local Expert for a guided tour of Madrid's most historic neighborhoods. Visit the renowned Prado Museum with an art historian who will guide you through the works of Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and more. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a delightful dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 9 – Day 9: A Day at Leisure in Madrid
- Madrid
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Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Spain's capital. You may choose to join an Optional Experience to the ancient city of Segovia, complete with a fairy-tale castle and Roman aqueduct.
Day 10 – Day 10: Madrid to Santiago de Compostela
- Santiago de Compostela
- Madrid
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Journey through the Guadarrama Mountains to the infinite horizons of Old Castile and continue to Santiago de Compostela, where the tomb of the Apostle St. James was miraculously discovered in the Middle Ages.
Day 11 – Day 11: Exploring Santiago de Compostela
- Santiago de Compostela
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- Praza de Cervantes
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Explore Santiago de Compostela with Insight Choice. Choose between joining a city tour with a Local Expert and visit Praza do Obradoiro to admire the cathedral facade festooned with architectural frills. Alternatively, embark on a scenic walk on part of the Way of St James, through parks and gardens that transform with the seasons.
Day 12 – Day 12: Santiago de Compostela to Oviedo
- Oviedo
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Travel through the ancient forests of Galicia and cross to the Green Coast of Asturias. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a local host who will invite you to join her for lunch. Continue to Oviedo, where a Local Expert will show you the 9th-century churches and the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour.
Day 13 – Day 13: Oviedo to Santander
- Santander
- Oviedo
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- Roman bridge in Cangas de Onis
- Sanctuary of Covadonga
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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 as you head into the foothills of the Picos de Europa. Enjoy views of the Costa de Cantabria while travelling to Santillana del Mar, arguably the most beautiful village in Spain, before continuing to the sophisticated beach resort of Santander.
Day 14 – Day 14: Santander to San Sebastián
- Bilbao
- Santander
- Donostia / San Sebastián
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- San Telmo Ermita
- Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
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In nearby Bilbao, admire the striking modern architecture of the Guggenheim Museum. Enjoy the views as you are driven along part of the Costa Vasca, dotted with small coastal fishing villages. Pause in the seaside city of Getaria to see 'El Ratón', the mouse-shaped rock. Continue to San Sebastián and admire its beauty during a city tour with a Local Expert.
Day 15 – Day 15: A Day at Leisure in San Sebastián
- Donostia / San Sebastián
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Enjoy a day at leisure to stroll along San Sebastián's boardwalk and with the city harbour filled with fishing boats and pleasure crafts, you can enjoy a number of sporting activities on its large sandy beach. Perhaps you'll want to explore the nearby French village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, also known as Little Paris?
Day 16 – Day 16: San Sebastián to Barcelona via Pamplona
- Barcelona
- Donostia / San Sebastián
- Pamplona
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- Pamplona Bullring
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Journey to the famed town of Pamplona, known for its Running of the Bulls festival. With time free for you to explore, perhaps take a stroll to the famous Estafeta Street or visit Café Iruña, immortalised by Ernest Hemingway in the 'The Sun Also Rises'. Your travels continue to Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia.
Day 17 – Day 17: A Day at Leisure in Barcelona
- Barcelona
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Enjoy a relaxed start and a day completely at leisure for last minute shopping or to perhaps revisit some of Gaudí’s unusual creations? Walk along the leafy Las Ramblas or why not take an Optional Experience to the ancient Monastery of Montserrat, dedicated to the Black Madonna? In the evening, join your Travel Director and newfound friends at a local restaurant for a delightful farewell dinner.
Day 18 – Day 18: Farewell Barcelona
- Barcelona - Departure day
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Today, bid farewell to your journey through Spain as you transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
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