Itinerary
- Day 1
Barcelona
You'll arrive in Barcelona and meet your Travel Director along with other travelers at La Pau restaurant for dinner. This place is a social enterprise that helps young people transition to adult life, so you'll get some insight into how the local community operates while you eat. It's a good chance to connect with everyone before the trip really gets going.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at La Pau restaurant with Travel Director and fellow travelers. Social initiative supporting young people's transition to adult life.)
Included Activities
- Dinner at La Pau restaurant with Travel Director and fellow travelers
Landmarks/POIs La Pau Restaurant - Day 2
Barcelona
Your Local Expert takes you through Barcelona's architectural scene, driving down Passeig de Gràcia to see the flamboyant Modernist buildings that define the city. Then you'll head to Gaudí's Sagrada Familia, where you can see the central nave with its tree-like pillars and the stained-glass windows. The afternoon is yours to do what you want, though there's an option to take an excursion up to Montserrat if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive along Passeig de Gràcia through Eixample district with Local Expert
- Visit Sagrada Familia with Local Expert (or alternative Hospital de Sant Pau if basilica restricted)
- Explore Sagrada Familia gardens with Local Expert
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to Montserrat and The Black Madonna
Landmarks/POIs Sagrada Familia Passeig de Gràcia Eixample District Hospital de Sant Pau Montserrat - Day 3
Valencia
You're heading south along the Costa Dorada, passing through rice fields in the Ebro Delta area. There's a stop in Peñiscola to see the hilltop castle that was used in the film 'El Cid', then you'll drive through orange groves on the way to Valencia. Once there, you'll see the City of Arts and Sciences and walk through the medieval Old City. Later, a local chef shows you how to make paella, and then you'll sit down to eat it for dinner with some wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Paella with glass of Sangria following cooking demonstration with local chef)
Included Activities
- Stop at Peñiscola and see the hilltop castle
- View City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia
- Explore Valencia's Old City with Local Expert
- Paella cooking demonstration with local chef
- Dinner featuring paella with glass of wine
Landmarks/POIs Peñiscola Castle City of Arts and Sciences Torres de Serranos Torres de Quart - Day 4
Granada
The drive south takes you through Andalucía past the castle at Lorca and troglodyte dwellings near Guadix, with Sierra Nevada mountains visible in the distance. Granada is your destination, a historic city with Moorish roots. Your Local Expert leads you through the Alhambra fortress, where you'll see arabesque gardens, fountains, and carved stone work throughout. You'll also visit the Generalife, the elegant royal summer gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel through Andalucía with views of Lorca castle and Guadix troglodyte dwellings
- Explore Alhambra Palace with Local Expert
- Stroll through Generalife Gardens with Local Expert
Landmarks/POIs Alhambra Palace Generalife Sierra Nevada - Day 5
Granada to Seville
The morning is free for you to explore Granada however you like. If you want a guide, there's an option to join a Local Expert in the Albacín Quarter to learn about Granada's important role in European history. After that, you're traveling to Seville, passing white villages and olive groves along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel to Seville through white villages and olive groves
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience: Visit Albaicín Quarter with Local Expert
Landmarks/POIs Albaicín Quarter - Day 6
Seville
You'll visit Seville Cathedral, where Christopher Columbus is buried. For the day's main activity, you have a choice: walk through the old Jewish Quarter with a Local Expert or take a scenic drive around the city. Later on, you'll go to the Cristina Heeren Foundation for a flamenco lesson followed by a performance from talented students and dancers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Seville Cathedral with Local Expert
- Insight Choice: Walk through Barrio de Santa Cruz with Local Expert OR scenic panoramic drive with Local Expert
- Flamenco lesson and performance at Cristina Heeren Foundation
Landmarks/POIs Seville Cathedral Barrio de Santa Cruz Giralda Tower Alcazar Cristina Heeren Foundation - Day 7
Córdoba to Madrid
An early start takes you through the Guadalquivir Valley past villages with Moorish towers and fortresses. You'll stop in Córdoba to see the 1st-century Roman bridge and meet a local historian who'll take you through the Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it. There's leisure time to wander the narrow streets before heading toward Madrid through La Mancha, following Don Quixote's route.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel through Guadalquivir Valley
- View Roman bridge in Córdoba with Local Expert
- Visit Mezquita with local historian
- Explore Córdoba at leisure
- Travel through La Mancha to Madrid
Landmarks/POIs Roman Bridge Mezquita La Mancha - Day 8
Madrid
In Madrid, your Local Expert walks you through the Old Quarter to show where the city began. You'll spend time at the Prado Museum with an art historian looking at works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and other masters. The afternoon is yours to rest, shop, or optionally visit Toledo. Dinner that evening is at a local restaurant where you'll have regional favorites and wine to celebrate the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Toast your adventures with delicious dinner of regional favorites and wine at local restaurant in heart of city)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing through historic Madrid neighborhoods with Local Expert
- Drive through Old Quarter and city origins with Local Expert
- Prado Museum tour with art historian
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to beautiful Toledo
Landmarks/POIs Prado Museum Plaza de Cibeles Puerta del Sol Royal Palace Cervantes Monument Toledo - Day 9
Departure
You'll transfer to Madrid-Barajas Airport, wrapping up your 9-day journey through Spain. This is your time to think back on the experiences you've had, the people you've met, and everything you've learned along the way.
Landmarks/POIs Madrid-Barajas Airport
