Itinerary
- Day 1
Frankfurt to Madrid
You'll fly into Madrid and head to your hotel for check-in. If you arrive with time to spare, there's plenty to do on your own terms. Retiro Park is a nice spot for a walk, or you could wander the Movida district and browse the shops. Later in the evening, you'll meet up with the group for tapas and introductions before the tour officially kicks off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Tapas in a restaurant)
Included Activities
- Tapas dinner in a restaurant
Optional Activities
- Walk in Retiro Park
- Explore Movida shopping streets
- Self-guided exploration of Madrid
Landmarks Retiro Park - Day 2
Madrid
Start the day exploring Madrid's royal side, beginning with Palacio Real and moving through Plaza Mayor and Puerta de Sol. You'll visit the Ateneo, a historic cultural hub where you can learn about women who broke into male-dominated spaces. After that, head to the Prado Museum to see works by Velázquez, Greco, and Goya. By evening, you'll sample dishes from different regions of Spain at local bars and restaurants around the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Palacio Real
- Explore Plaza Mayor
- Visit Puerta de Sol
- Visit Plaza de España
- Visit Ateneo de Madrid
- Meet members of the women's movement
- Visit Prado Museum
- Tapas and Spanish specialties dinner
Landmarks Palacio Real Plaza Mayor Puerta de Sol Plaza de España Ateneo de Madrid Prado Museum - Day 3
Madrid to Segovia
You'll drive north through the Sierra de Guadarrama into Old Castile's wide open landscapes. In Segovia, see the dramatic Roman aqueduct and the Alcázar fortress sitting high above the valley with mountain views surrounding it. Spend time walking through the cathedral, the Jewish quarter, and the medieval old town. Dinner is traditional suckling pig at a well-known local spot.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional suckling pig dinner at Candido restaurant)
Included Activities
- Drive through Sierra de Guadarrama
- Visit Segovia Roman aqueduct
- Visit Alcázar fortress
- Walk along castle wall
- Visit cathedral and Jewish quarter
- Explore medieval old town
- Traditional suckling pig dinner at Candido restaurant
Landmarks Sierra de Guadarrama Aqueduct of Segovia Alcázar of Segovia Segovia Cathedral 
- Day 4
Segovia to Salamanca
Travel south following Isabella's path through medieval Castile. You'll pass through Arévalo where Isabella spent time in exile, then Madrigal de las Altas Torres where she was born, and Medina del Campo with its Castillo de la Mota. The route continues through the Rueda wine region before arriving in Salamanca. Check out the Plaza Mayor and have tapas and local wine with locals in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Tapas and tinto wine)
Included Activities
- Visit Arévalo
- Visit Madrigal de las Altas Torres and birthplace of Isabella
- Visit Medina del Campo
- Visit Castillo de la Mota
- Drive through Rueda wine region
- Explore Plaza Mayor in Salamanca
- Enjoy tapas and tinto wine
Landmarks Castillo de la Mota Plaza Mayor of Salamanca - Day 5
Salamanca
Spend the day in Salamanca learning about its famous university, the third oldest in Europe from 1218. You'll see the intricate Plateresque façade on the main building and visit two cathedrals. Walk over to the Roman bridge and San Esteban monastery, where the School of Salamanca developed ideas about human rights. Later, meet with female university students and lecturers to talk about language and current topics.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Salamanca University
- View Plateresque façade
- Visit 2 cathedrals
- Walk to Roman bridge
- Visit San Esteban monastery
- Meet with female students and lecturers
Landmarks University of Salamanca San Esteban Monastery Roman Bridge of Salamanca - Day 6
Salamanca to Toledo
Head to Ávila, which sits inside a complete Romanesque city wall, a medieval architectural highlight. Learn about Saint Teresa, who entered a convent at 20 and later founded her own women's monasteries despite church resistance. Meet with a nun to understand Teresa's spiritual world better. In the afternoon, cross the Sierra de Gredos mountains and arrive in Toledo, the City of Three Cultures, with views showing why its hilltop location earned UNESCO recognition.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ávila's Romanesque city wall
- Explore medieval Ávila
- Meet a nun from the Carmelites convent
- Learn about Saint Teresa
- Cross Sierra de Gredos
- Panoramic drive of Toledo
Landmarks Ávila City Walls Sierra de Gredos Toledo - Day 7
Toledo
Explore Toledo's ancient layers starting with its Roman foundations and the medieval period when Christians, Muslims, and Jews lived together after 1085. Walk the streets to see Mudéjar architecture, the Islamic style used by Christian builders. Visit synagogues to understand Jewish life in the city and its complexities. Check out the monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, built by Queen Isabella as her intended tomb following her victory at Toro. Dinner features Spanish and Jewish dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Spanish and Jewish dishes)
Included Activities
- Walk through Toledo's medieval streets
- Visit churches in Mudéjar style
- Visit city's synagogues
- Visit monastery of San Juan de los Reyes
- Spanish and Jewish dinner
Landmarks Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes - Day 8
Toledo to Córdoba
Drive south through Castile and La Mancha, Don Quixote's territory, then through the Sierra Morena mountains into Andalusia. You'll reach Córdoba in the Guadalquivir valley, an oasis Romans valued and Muslim poets praised. Stroll through narrow streets with flower-covered patios, then visit the Great Mosque, so large that a cathedral was built inside it after Christian conquest. Try Arabic specialties for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Arabic specialties)
Included Activities
- Drive through Castile and La Mancha
- Cross Sierra Morena
- Stroll through Córdoba's narrow streets
- Visit flower-decorated patios
- Visit the Great Mosque (Mezquita)
- Arabic specialties dinner
Landmarks Great Mosque of Córdoba Sierra Morena 
- Day 9
Córdoba to Granada
Travel to Baena to visit a traditional olive oil mill and learn how quality oil is made. Continue past castles and white villages through olive groves toward Granada. Head up Albaicín Hill for the best views of the Alhambra, walk through the winding old streets, and relax with a fino drink. Then visit Sacromonte, the sacred mountain, where cave homes of the Gitanos (Spanish Roma) dot the hillside. Tour the museum to learn about their history and culture, which inspired Bizet's Carmen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit traditional olive oil mill in Baena
- Learn olive oil production secrets
- Drive through Albaicín district
- View of Alhambra from Albaicín Hill
- Explore maze of old streets in Albaicín
- Visit Sacromonte cave dwellings
- Visit Gitanos museum
Optional Activities
- Enjoy fino drink in Albaicín
Landmarks Albaicín District Alhambra Sacromonte 
- Day 10
Granada
Explore the Alhambra palaces and their water features, flowing fountains, and Arabian architecture designed to evoke paradise. Hear stories about the Nasrid people and powerful harem women who fought to keep their influence, tales that feel modern today. Visit the burial chapel of Isabella and Ferdinand, the Catholic Monarchs who conquered Granada and received a rare papal honor. The afternoon is free to browse oriental markets with fabrics and spices, have Arabic sweets at tetería, or eat at trendy restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Generalife gardens
- Visit Alhambra palaces
- Visit Capilla Real (burial chapel of Isabella and Ferdinand)
- Tour of Alhambra and Capilla Real
Optional Activities
- Explore oriental markets
- Visit traditional teterías (Arabic tea houses)
- Dine in trendy restaurant districts
Landmarks Generalife Capilla Real - Day 11
Granada to Málaga
Drive into the beautiful mountain landscape of Las Alpujarras, where small villages practice traditional farming and make jamón serrano. Visit Secadero Casa Juan to see ham production and taste it. The route follows the coast with views of Costa de Sol beaches before reaching Málaga. Explore the port city and learn about Picasso, its famous son, plus notable women like philosopher Maria Zambrano and lawyer Victoria Kent. Meet female footballers from MCF to hear about their experiences. End with dinner in the old town and a toast to Spanish women.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Typical dinner in old town district)
Included Activities
- Visit Las Alpujarras villages
- Visit traditional ham production (Secadero Casa Juan)
- Ham tasting
- Drive along Costa de Sol coast
- City tour of Málaga
- Learn about Picasso in Málaga
- Meet female footballers of MCF
- Typical dinner in old town district
Landmarks Las Alpujarras Costa de Sol - Day 12
Málaga to Frankfurt
Depending on flight times, you might have the morning to explore Málaga on your own. Then head to the airport for your return flight to Frankfurt. Your journey through Spain's history and its remarkable women comes to an end.
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Málaga
