Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid and check into your hotel, then the afternoon is yours to spend however you like. Head to El Retiro Park for a walk, browse the shops on Gran Vía, or find a café for coffee and churros. Later this evening, your Travel Director leads an orientation drive through the city streets, and afterward you'll have dinner with your group.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Orientation drive through Madrid with Travel Director
- Dinner with Travel Director and fellow travellers
Optional Activities
- Explore El Retiro Park
- Shopping on Gran Vía
- People-watching at Puerta del Sol over coffee and churros
Landmarks/POIs El Retiro Park Gran Vía Puerta del Sol Royal Palace Cibeles Fountain - Day 2
Toledo - Madrid
Today you head to Toledo with a Local Specialist for a walking tour of this former capital. You'll stop at a traditional inlaid-steel factory to watch craftsmen work, then visit the Church of Santo Tomé to see El Greco's 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz'. After the synagogue, you'll drive back to Madrid to see the Royal Palace and Cibeles Fountain. Your evening is free, or you can join an optional experience if you prefer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Toledo with Local Specialist
- Visit to traditional inlaid-steel factory in Toledo
- Visit Church of Santo Tomé to see El Greco painting 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz'
- Visit synagogue in Toledo
- View Royal Palace exterior with Local Specialist
- View Cibeles Fountain with Local Specialist
Optional Activities
- Optional evening experience exploring sights and flavours of Madrid
Landmarks/POIs Toledo Church of Santo Tomé Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca Royal Palace Cibeles Fountain - Day 3
La Mancha - Córdoba - Seville
You travel through La Mancha's plains, the setting of Don Quixote, arriving in Córdoba. With a Local Specialist, you explore the Mosque of the Caliphs and the historic Jewish Quarter. From there, you continue on to Seville for a two-night stay. Later, you head to a family-run olive oil farm where you'll learn about growing and harvesting olives, hear local stories, and taste oils.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Mosque of the Caliphs in Córdoba with Local Specialist
- Explore Jewish Quarter in Córdoba
- Be My Guest experience at family-run olive oil farm near Seville - learn about olive growing and pressing, hear local stories, taste signature oils
Landmarks/POIs La Mancha Mosque of the Caliphs (Mezquita) Jewish Quarter, Córdoba - Day 4
Seville
A Local Specialist leads your sightseeing tour of Seville. You'll see the iconic Giralda Bell Tower, walk through Maria Luisa Park with its tiled fountains and pavilions, and view Christopher Columbus's ornate tomb inside the cathedral. After that, you wander the former Jewish Quarter's charming streets. This evening, consider catching an optional flamenco show if that interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Seville with Local Specialist
- View Giralda Bell Tower
- Explore Maria Luisa Park
- View tomb of Christopher Columbus in cathedral
- Walk through former Jewish Quarter
Optional Activities
- Optional evening flamenco show
Landmarks/POIs Giralda Bell Tower Maria Luisa Park Seville Cathedral Santa Cruz Quarter - Day 5
Granada
You travel to Granada and explore the multicultural city with a Local Specialist. The Alhambra is the main focus, showcasing Moorish architecture from Islamic Spain's final period. After that, you walk through the Generalife's exotic water gardens, the royal Summer Palace that once connected to other palaces through a covered walkway across the ravine.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Alhambra Palace with Local Specialist
- Explore Generalife gardens and royal Summer Palace
Landmarks/POIs Alhambra Palace Generalife - Day 6
Guadix - Valencia
Through the Mora Pass you head to Guadix in the Sierra Nevada foothills to see whitewashed troglodyte homes carved into ochre cliffs. Later you reach Valencia where you'll check out the Bullring, the medieval Quart and Serranos towers, and the City of Arts and Sciences. You try authentic organic horchata at a local sustainability experience, then dinner is at your hotel this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- See whitewashed troglodyte dwellings in Guadix
- View Bullring in Valencia
- View Quart and Serranos towers in Valencia
- View City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience - taste authentic organic horchata from local vendor supporting sustainable production and community employment
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Guadix Mora Pass Sierra Nevada Valencia Bullring Quart Tower Serranos Tower City of Arts and Sciences - Day 7
Peñíscola - Barcelona
You drive north along the coast through the Levant region to Peñíscola, the 'City in the Sea', to see the ancient castle built by the Knights Templar (featured in 'El Cid'). Continuing along the Costa Dorada, you reach Barcelona. A Local Specialist shows you Gaudí's architecture, the Sagrada Familia's exterior, upscale boutiques on Passeig de Gràcia, and Christopher Columbus's monument.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- View ancient castle of Peñíscola (Spanish Pope castle built by Knights Templar)
- Barcelona sightseeing with Local Specialist
- View exterior of Sagrada Familia
- Explore Passeig de Gràcia and view Gaudí architecture
- Visit Christopher Columbus monument
Landmarks/POIs Peñíscola Peñíscola Castle Sagrada Familia Passeig de Gràcia Christopher Columbus Monument - Day 8
Barcelona
The entire day is yours to explore Barcelona's history, contemporary culture, and architecture. Walk Las Ramblas if you like, or join an optional trip to Montserrat mountain monastery to see the Black Madonna, Catalonia's patron saint. This evening, you celebrate the journey with a final dinner alongside your new friends and Travel Director.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Dinner with Travel Director and fellow travellers
Optional Activities
- Explore Las Ramblas
- Optional excursion to Montserrat monastery to see Black Madonna
Landmarks/POIs Las Ramblas Montserrat Monastery - Day 9
Barcelona
You depart Spain, ending your memorable holiday through the country.
