Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll have dinner at La Pau, a local restaurant run as a social enterprise that helps young people transition into adulthood. Your Travel Director and fellow travelers will join you, and you'll get to hear directly from the staff about what local life is really like from their perspective.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at La Pau restaurant)
Included Activities
- Dinner at La Pau restaurant with Travel Director and fellow travellers - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supporting youth transition programmes
Landmarks/POIs La Pau - Day 2
Barcelona
The morning takes you along Passeig de Gràcia to see the Modernist architecture throughout the Eixample district. You'll visit Gaudí's Sagrada Familia to see the distinctive tree-like pillars and intricate stained-glass windows. After that, the afternoon is yours to do what you want, though there's an optional excursion available to Montserrat and the Black Madonna if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive along Passeig de Gràcia with Local Expert to view Modernist architecture
- Visit Sagrada Familia - explore the central nave with tree-like pillars, spectacular vaulting and stained-glass windows
- Tour gardens surrounding the Sagrada Familia exterior
Optional Activities
- Montserrat & The Black Madonna - ascend the sacred mountain to view panoramic vistas and the ornate Basílica Real with the mystical Black Madonna (EUR 40.00)
- Barcelona Evening with Montjuïc & Olympic Drive - enjoy sunset views from Montjuïc hill overlooking the city and harbor, includes dinner in a Catalan restaurant (EUR 26.00)
Landmarks/POIs Sagrada Familia Hospital de Sant Pau Passeig de Gràcia Montserrat - Day 3
Valencia
You'll drive along the Costa Dorada, passing rice fields and stopping at Peñíscola, the seaside castle that was used as a filming location for 'El Cid'. From there, you'll head through orange groves toward Valencia. Once you arrive, you'll see the ultra-modern City of Arts and Sciences, then walk through the medieval Old City. Later you'll meet a local chef for a paella-making demonstration, and afterward you'll have the dish for dinner along with wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Paella with glass of Sangria - learn authentic recipe from local chef, enjoy at family-run restaurant in Old City)
Included Activities
- See seaside castle at Peñíscola - former papal palace and 'El Cid' filming location
- Visit City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia
- View Old City with Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart gates
- Paella cooking demonstration with local chef in Old City restaurant
- Dinner - paella with glass of Sangria
Landmarks/POIs City of Arts and Sciences Peñíscola Castle Torres de Serranos Torres de Quart - Day 4
Granada
You're heading south through Andalucía, passing Lorca castle and the troglodyte dwellings near Guadix with views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. When you reach Granada, you'll explore the Alhambra Palace with its arabesques, gardens, fountains, and intricate stonework. Later in the day, you'll stroll through the Generalife gardens, which served as the royal summer residence.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Alhambra Palace - 13th century Moorish citadel with arabesque gardens, fountains and ornate stonework
- Stroll through Generalife gardens - royal summer residence
Landmarks/POIs Alhambra Palace Generalife - Day 5
Granada to Seville
You have the morning in Granada to spend however you like. If you want guidance, there's an optional walk available with a Local Expert through the Albacín Quarter, which has significant connections to European history. Afterward, you'll continue on to Seville, traveling through gleaming white villages and olive groves along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Albaicín Quarter - leisurely walk with Local Expert through the last bastion of Islam in Spain, explore maze of narrow streets with whitewashed houses and Moorish patio gardens, visit Royal Chapel with tombs of the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella (EUR 37.00)
Landmarks/POIs Albaicín Royal Chapel - Day 6
Seville
You'll visit Seville Cathedral, where Christopher Columbus is buried. During the day, you can choose between a guided walk through the historic Jewish quarter of Barrio de Santa Cruz or a panoramic drive around the city. This evening, you'll head to the Cristina Heeren Foundation for a flamenco dance lesson followed by a passionate performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Seville Cathedral - see the burial place of Christopher Columbus with Local Expert
- Insight Choice - Option A: Stroll through Barrio de Santa Cruz (historic Jewish quarter) with Local Expert
- Insight Choice - Option B: Panoramic tour of city highlights with Local Expert
- Flamenco dance lesson at Cristina Heeren Foundation
- Flamenco performance
Optional Activities
- Seville Alcázar & Plaza América - visit Real Alcázar royal residence with Moorish design, arabesque domed halls, horseshoe arches and jewel-box courtyards, see pavilions and romantic Plaza de América in Maria Luisa Park (EUR 40.00)
- Dinner in Seville with Horse and Carriage Ride - traditional Andalusian specialities with wine, beer and soft drinks, followed by evening horse and carriage ride through old town (EUR 66.00)
Landmarks/POIs Seville Cathedral Giralda Tower Barrio de Santa Cruz Cristina Heeren Foundation Real Alcázar Plaza de América - Day 7
Córdoba to Madrid
You'll travel early through the Guadalquivir Valley, passing villages with Moorish towers and fortresses. You'll stop in Córdoba to see the 2,000-year-old Roman bridge and visit the Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside. After exploring the narrow streets on your own, you'll continue through La Mancha (following the Don Quixote route) toward Madrid.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- See Roman bridge in Córdoba - built in 1st century BC
- Meet local historian and visit Mezquita - 8th century mosque with Christian cathedral interior
- Explore narrow streets of Córdoba
Landmarks/POIs Roman Bridge Mezquita - Day 8
Madrid
You'll do sightseeing with a Local Expert through historic Madrid neighborhoods and the Old Quarter. Then you'll visit the Prado Museum with an art historian who'll walk you through works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens, and others. The afternoon is free to relax at a café, shop, or optionally visit the city of Toledo. This evening, you'll have a farewell dinner with fellow travelers featuring regional favorites and wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Regional favourites with wine - toast your adventures with Travel Director and fellow travellers)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing through historic neighbourhoods with Local Expert
- Drive through Old Quarter to discover city origins
- Prado Museum tour with art historian - view works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and others
- Dinner at local restaurant - regional favourites with wine
Optional Activities
- Toledo Excursion - specialist guide leads walk through Spain's golden-era capital where El Greco lived and worked, visit fine Gothic cathedral, view old city along Tagus gorge, visit specialist workshop for authentic Damascene ware - ancient Moorish art form (EUR 44.00)
- Madrid by Night - evening drive through historic area with panoramic city views and walk through lively streets and squares of old Madrid, free time for dinner (EUR 19.00)
- Madrid by Night with Dinner - evening out with dinner in carefully chosen venue, Spanish wine and local entertainment (EUR 61.00)
Landmarks/POIs Prado Museum Royal Palace Puerta del Sol Plaza de Cibeles Toledo - Day 9
Departure
You'll transfer to Madrid-Barajas Airport as your trip comes to an end. Take some time to reflect on everything you've experienced during the journey, the connections you've made with other travelers, and all the places you've seen.
Landmarks/POIs Madrid-Barajas Airport
