Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll arrive in Barcelona this evening and meet up with your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.
- Day 2
Barcelona
A Local Expert takes you along Passeig de Gràcia to see the elegant Modernist buildings throughout the Eixample district. Then you'll head to Gaudí's Sagrada Familia, where the tree-like pillars and stained-glass windows are really something to see. The afternoon is yours to explore the gardens that surround the basilica at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive along Passeig de Gràcia with Local Expert
- Visit Sagrada Familia (or Hospital de Sant Pau as alternative)
Landmarks/POIs Sagrada Familia Hospital de Sant Pau Passeig de Gràcia - Day 3
Valencia
You'll travel along the Costa Dorada, passing rice fields in the Ebro Delta before reaching Peñíscola's sea-lapped castle. From there, you continue through orange groves to Valencia and the City of Arts and Sciences. Later, a chef will show you how to make paella during a cooking demonstration, and then you'll have the finished dish with wine for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Authentic paella with a glass of Sangria)
Included Activities
- Drive past Peñíscola castle
- Paella cooking demonstration with local chef
- Dinner with paella and wine
Landmarks/POIs Peñíscola Castle City of Arts and Sciences - Day 4
Granada
Heading south toward Andalucía, you'll pass by Lorca castle and the troglodyte dwellings near Guadix. Once you reach Granada, a Local Expert guides you through the Alhambra palace, a remarkable 13th-century Moorish fortress. After that, you'll stroll through the elegant gardens of the Generalife, which was the Royal summer residence.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Alhambra Palace with Local Expert
- Explore Generalife gardens
Landmarks/POIs Alhambra Generalife - Day 5
Granada to Seville
The morning in Granada is free for you to do whatever you'd like. Then you'll travel to Seville, passing white villages and olive groves along the way. This charming Andalucían capital is where you'll spend the evening, which is also free for exploring on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience: Albaicín Quarter tour with Local Expert
Landmarks/POIs Albaicín Quarter - Day 6
Seville
You start at Seville Cathedral, the burial place of Christopher Columbus. Then you have a choice: either walk through the old Jewish Quarter or take a panoramic city drive with your Local Expert. Later, you'll experience flamenco at the Cristina Heeren Foundation, which includes both a dance lesson and a performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Seville Cathedral
- Flamenco dance lesson at Cristina Heeren Foundation
- Flamenco performance
Optional Activities
- Insight Choice: Walk through the old Jewish Quarter (Barrio de Santa Cruz) with Local Expert
- Insight Choice: Panoramic city drive with Local Expert
Landmarks/POIs Seville Cathedral Barrio de Santa Cruz Cristina Heeren Foundation - Day 7
Córdoba to Madrid
Traveling through the Guadalquivir Valley, you'll reach Córdoba and see the famous 2,000-year-old Roman Bridge. Then comes the Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside. You'll have free time to wander the narrow streets before heading through La Mancha toward Madrid.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Roman Bridge in Córdoba
- Visit Mezquita (mosque) with Local Expert
Landmarks/POIs Roman Bridge Mezquita - Day 8
Madrid
In Madrid, a Local Expert takes you through the city's historic neighbourhoods. You'll visit the Prado Museum with an art historian who'll show you works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, and Rubens. The afternoon is free to relax or shop, and later your Travel Director hosts a celebration dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine (Celebration dinner at a local restaurant in the heart of the city)
Included Activities
- Drive through Old Quarter and historic neighbourhoods
- Visit Prado Museum with art historian
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience: Visit Toledo
Landmarks/POIs Prado Museum - Day 9
Madrid
You have a relaxed start this morning and the full day to explore Spain's capital at your own pace, with no scheduled activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience: Segovia - ancient city with fairy-tale castle and Roman aqueduct
- Day 10
Santiago de Compostela
You'll journey through the Guadarrama Mountains into Old Castile, passing Castillo de la Mota, which Queen Isabella conquered. Then you continue to Santiago de Compostela, where the tomb of the Apostle St. James was miraculously discovered back in the Middle Ages.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Castillo de la Mota - Day 11
Santiago de Compostela
Exploring Santiago de Compostela, you can choose your own experience: either a city tour with a Local Expert visiting Praza do Obradoiro and the cathedral facade, or a scenic walk through part of the Way of St James with parks and gardens. You'll have free time to relax in the narrow streets and old squares.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Insight Choice: City tour with Local Expert - visit Praza do Obradoiro to admire cathedral facade
- Insight Choice: Scenic walk on part of the Way of St James through parks and gardens
Landmarks/POIs Praza do Obradoiro Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Way of St James - Day 12
Oviedo
You'll pass through ancient forests of Galicia before reaching the Green Coast of Asturias. There's a farm-to-table meal with traditional cider tasting on this leg. Then you head to Oviedo, where a Local Expert shows you 9th-century churches from when the city was Christian Spain's capital, including the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour with its incredible altarpiece.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Farm-to-table meal with traditional cider tasting), Dinner
Included Activities
- Farm-to-table meal with traditional cider tasting
- Visit 9th-century churches with Local Expert
- Visit Cathedral of the Holy Saviour
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of the Holy Saviour - Day 13
Santander
You visit the Holy Cave of Covadonga, a shrine marking Pelayo's first Christian victory over the Moors back in 722. Then you'll see the Roman bridge in Cangas de Onís before heading into Picos de Europa national park for its spectacular mountain scenery. Later comes Santillana del Mar, arguably Spain's most beautiful village, with cobblestone streets and stone houses. By evening, you'll reach Santander beach resort with free time to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Holy Cave of Covadonga
- See Roman bridge in Cangas de Onís
- Visit Santillana del Mar
Landmarks/POIs Holy Cave of Covadonga Roman Bridge in Cangas de Onís Picos de Europa Santillana del Mar - Day 14
San Sebastián
Near Bilbao, you'll see the striking modern Guggenheim Museum. Traveling along the Costa Vasca, you'll pass coastal fishing villages and pause in Getaria to see 'El Ratón', the mouse-shaped rock. Then you continue to San Sebastián for a city tour with a Local Expert, exploring the harbour area and Basque maritime heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Guggenheim Museum
- See El Ratón (mouse rock) in Getaria
- City tour of San Sebastián with Local Expert
Landmarks/POIs Guggenheim Museum El Ratón San Sebastián Old Quarter - Day 15
San Sebastián
You have a full day at leisure in San Sebastián. Stroll along the boardwalk and sandy beach where the harbour fills with fishing and pleasure boats. There are various sporting activities you can try, or you could head to the nearby French village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, check out the La Concha bay promenade, or explore Old Town boutiques.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore San Sebastián's boardwalk and beach
- Explore French village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- Visit La Concha bay promenade
- Shop in Old Town boutiques
Landmarks/POIs La Concha Bay Saint-Jean-de-Luz - Day 16
Pamplona to Barcelona
You'll journey to Pamplona, famous for its Running of the Bulls festival. There's free time to explore Estafeta Street or visit Cafe Iruña, which Ernest Hemingway immortalized in 'The Sun Also Rises'. After that, you continue back to Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Estafeta Street
- Visit Cafe Iruña (Hemingway connection)
Landmarks/POIs Estafeta Street Cafe Iruña - Day 17
Barcelona
You start with a relaxed morning and have the day at leisure for last-minute shopping or to revisit Gaudí's creations. Walk along the leafy Las Ramblas whenever you'd like. This evening, your Travel Director hosts a celebration dinner with your newfound friends at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine (Celebration dinner at a local restaurant with newf ound friends)
Optional Activities
- Explore Gaudí's creations
- Walk along Las Ramblas
- Optional Experience: Ancient Monastery of Montserrat, dedicated to the Black Madonna
Landmarks/POIs Las Ramblas Monastery of Montserrat - Day 18
Barcelona to Madrid
You'll say goodbye to your journey through Spain today as you transfer from Barcelona to Madrid.
