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- Day 1 Hola Madrid Welcome to the fiery Spanish capital that is Madrid. Take in the vibrant essence of Madrid before meeting up with your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a memorable welcome reception and orientation drive to see some of the city's most iconic sights. Locations Visited: Madrid ES.
- Day 2 Through Castile to San Sebastián Leave Madrid and travel north through the Guadarrama mountains, crossing into the wide plains of Castile. Stop in Burgos, once the capital of the region and an important point along the Camino de Santiago, where your Travel Director introduces you to the old town where you’ll see its impressive Gothic cathedral. Your journey continues through changing landscapes into the Basque Country. In Bilbao, take in the bold, modern design of the Guggenheim Museum as you view its striking exterior beside the river. Locations Visited: Madrid ES, Burgos ES, Bilbao ES, San Sebastián ES.
- Day 3 Onwards to Pamplona Spend the morning soaking up the laid-back charm of San Sebastián. Wander along La Concha beach, explore the old town or enjoy a coffee in one of the city’s elegant squares. Later, travel inland to Pamplona, known for its bull-running tradition and medieval streets. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city at your own pace. Follow in Hemmingway's footsteps on an Optional Experience that uncovers Pamplona's highlights, or try the local pintxos in one of Pamplona’s bars. Locations Visited: San Sebastián ES, Pamplona ES.
- Day 4 Continue to Gaudi Barcelona Your journey continues through the Ebro Valley to Zaragoza where we’ll view the Basilica of El Pilar and Cathedral of La Seo. Later, arrive in Barcelona to soak up the charm of a city that professes two great loves – Gaudí and football. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps amble through the aromatic La Boqueria, or join us for an evening of discovery, rounded off with a traditional Catalonian-style dinner. Locations Visited: Pamplona ES, Zaragoza ES, Barcelona ES.
- Day 5 Discover Barcelona Consider joining a morning Optional Experience to the mountain-top monastery of Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia. Afterwards, the whimsical fantasy world of Gaudí is on display as you embark on a sightseeing tour to visit the inspiring, but as yet unfinished, La Sagrada Família* in the company of a Local Specialist. *Please note that with the construction of the Sagrada Família nearing completion, access to the basilica may be restricted for special masses, pilgrim visits or official ceremonies, and we are unable to secure tickets to visit. Should this occur during your tour, you'll visit the Hospital de Sant Pau instead, a striking example of Catalan Art Nouveau designed by Gaudí’s contemporary, Domènech i Montaner. Afterwards, join your Local Specialist in the gardens surrounding the Sagrada Família and take in the extraordinary exterior of Gaudí’s iconic masterpiece. Locations Visited: Barcelona ES.
- Day 6 Off to Coastal Peñíscola and Valencia Travel south along the Costa Dorada to Peñíscola, where a fortified old town and castle take center stage. Continue through the fertile huertas to Valencia, your home for the night. Your orientation reveals the city’s rich contrasts, from Mercado de Colón, the Bullring and Estación del Norte to the Towers of Serrano and Quart, before seeing the striking City of Arts and Sciences designed by Santiago Calatrava. During a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, enjoy horchata, Valencia’s signature drink. This evening, you could join an Optional Experience to cook paella with local chefs, then sit down to enjoy the dish in the city where it began. Locations Visited: Barcelona ES, Peñíscola ES, Valencia ES.
- Day 7 Venture to Granada Journey by the dramatic Sierra Nevada Mountain range to the city of Granada where you meet a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of the spectacular UNESCO-listed Alhambra. Its golden façades and extraordinary Moorish architecture reflect centuries of multi-cultural history, which you will have a rare opportunity to explore as you wander through its palaces and exotic water gardens. Check in to your hotel later, where you will dine tonight. Locations Visited: Valencia ES, Granada ES.
- Day 8 On the Road to Sunny Costa del Sol Set your watch to Spanish time and enjoy a leisurely morning on your terms, or consider taking an Optional Experience to explore the medieval Moorish Quarter of Granada - the Albaicín - with its narrow winding lanes, churches, minarets and palaces. Then leave Granada behind for the sun-kissed shores of the Costa del Sol, where you'll spend the next two nights. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Stroll along the beachside promenade, relax at one of the nearby beach cafes or visit the picture-perfect whitewashed Andalusian village of Mijas - the choice is yours. Locations Visited: Granada ES, Costa del Sol ES.
- Day 9 Costa del Sol Your Way Another day in paradise for you to kick back, worship the Spanish sunshine and taste la buena vida. Enjoy fresh seafood in Torremolinos, relax on the bleached beaches and soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere or consider an Optional Experience to the effervescent Andalusian capital of Málaga to explore centuries of history. Locations Visited: Costa del Sol ES.
- Day 10 Explore Gibraltar and on to Seville A scenic drive takes you past the millionaires' resort of Marbella and on to La Linea. Cross to the Rock of Gibraltar for free time to explore or consider joining an Optional Experience to St. Michael's Cave to see the Barbary Macaques (Rock Apes). This afternoon, continue through the Andalusian countryside past Jerez - famous for its sherry production - to Seville. In the evening, connect with locals as you enjoy a Be My Guest experience, sharing dinner with Isaac at his family’s olive farm. Locations Visited: Costa del Sol ES, Gibraltar GI, Seville ES.
- Day 11 See the Sights of Seville Join your Local Specialist this morning for a tour of Seville's leafy avenues. See the iconic Giralda Bell Tower and visit the Seville Cathedral, the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Stroll through Maria Luisa Park, with its tiled fountains, pavilions, palms and orange trees, and explore the architectural gems of Seville's 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. Explore the Jewish history of Spain in Seville's former Jewish Quarter, where a wall separated the Jewish community from the rest of the city during medieval times. Tonight, consider soaking up the fiery flamenco atmosphere in the city that made this passionate dance famous. Locations Visited: Seville ES.
- Day 12 Journey to Córdoba and Toledo Journey to Córdoba to meet a Local Specialist for a visit to the astounding Mosque of the Caliphs, a jewel of Hispano-Islamic art featuring striking arches and Byzantine mosaics. Then walk through the old Jewish neighborhood, passing by the remains of the 14th-century Mudéjar-style synagogue. Continue to Toledo for an evening in Spain's former capital. Locations Visited: Seville ES, Córdoba ES, Toledo ES.
- Day 13 Admire Ancient Toledo then on to Madrid Your Local Specialist takes you on a walking tour of Toledo where you’ll Dive into Culture as you explore this ancient hilltop city. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to El Greco's masterpiece – 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz', and the synagogue, the oldest one still standing in Europe. Later, arrive in feisty Madrid, where you'll spend the next two nights. The grand plazas of Madrid welcome you as you join our Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Spain's capital city. See Gran Vía and the Cibeles Fountain before visiting the world-famous Prado Museum, featuring one of the world's finest collections of European art, including masterpieces by Velazquez. Locations Visited: Toledo ES, Madrid ES.
- Day 14 Discover Stylish Madrid Spend today at leisure exploring the city. Visit the Royal Palace with its spectacular Goya artworks, relax in the leafy Buen Retiro Park or enjoy the flavors and aromas of jamon in the Market of San Miguel. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for an unforgettable dinner to celebrate an epic adventure through Spain. Locations Visited: Madrid ES.
- Day 15 Farewell Madrid Our time together has come to an end. For now it's a fond adiós to Spain and newfound friends. Locations Visited: Madrid ES.
Name: Best of Spain
Brand: Trafalgar
Quality: First Class
Tour Type: Escorted
Start City: Madrid
End City: Madrid
Location Summary: Madrid, ES
Burgos, ES
Bilbao, ES
San Sebastián, ES
Pamplona, ES
Zaragoza, ES
Barcelona, ES
Peñíscola, ES
Valencia, ES
Granada, ES
Costa del Sol, ES
Gibraltar, GI
Seville, ES
Córdoba, ES
Toledo, ES
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Highlights
- Dining Summary - 7 Dinner (D). 14 Breakfast (B).
- Must-see Highlights - Explore Barcelona, Seville, Córdoba, Toledo and Madrid. Discover Burgos, Bilbao, San Sebastián, Pamplona, Peñíscola, Valencia and the Rock of Gibraltar. Visit La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Cathedral in Seville, the Mosque of the Caliphs in Córdoba, the Synagogue and Santo Tomé in Toledo and Madrid's Prado Museum. View the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, La Concha Bay in San Sebastián, the Cathedral of Zaragoza, the Castle of Peñíscola, the Serrano and Quart Towers and City of Arts and Sciences complex in Valencia.
- Iconic Experience - Madrid: Drive through central Madrid and see some of the city's famous features during an orientation with your Travel Director.. Burgos: Join your Travel Director for a walk through Burgos, once the capital of Castile. Discover the medieval old town and see the city’s impressive Gothic cathedral, a key stop along the Camino de Santiago.. Bilbao: Admire the striking exterior of Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, a modern icon of curved steel and glass that has transformed the city’s riverside. Designed by Frank Gehry, this bold building helped put Bilbao on the global art map. . Pamplona: Explore the historic heart of Pamplona, a city known for its medieval walls, lively plazas and rich traditions. Best known for the Running of the Bulls, it offers much more, from quiet alleyways to vibrant local cafes. . Zaragoza: See the impressive historic landmarks of this thriving Spanish metropolis. . Barcelona: With your Local Specialist, see the elegant Passeig de Gràcia and admire some of the city's finest Modernist architecture. Journey past the beautiful façades of the Eixample district, where you will visit Gaudí's extraordinary masterpiece – the mesmerizing Sagrada Família.. Peñíscola: See the castle featured in the film 'El Cid'.. Valencia: See the ultra-modern Center of Arts and Sciences and the historic bullring of Valencia during an orientation drive with your Travel Director.. Granada: Visit the famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. Explore with a Local Specialist keen to share insights into this Moorish landmark.. Gibraltar: Visit Gibraltar and delve into the typical British culture along Main Street. . Seville: Guided by your Local Specialist, see the Giralda Tower, former minaret of the Great Mosque and now the cathedral's belltower. Explore the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz Quarter and emerge by the great walls of the Alcazar.. Córdoba: Explore the incredible Mezquita with your Local Specialist. Admire the forest of horseshoe arches and learn how this building symbolises many of Córdoba's religious changes over the centuries.. Toledo: Explore this magnificent ancient city with your Local Specialist and visit the Church of Santo Tomé to see an El Greco masterpiece.. Toledo: The invincible swords of Toledo have defended cities for centuries. Visit an inlaid steel factory in Toledo to see local craftsmen forging the highest quality steel.. Madrid: See the highlights of the city with your Local Specialist. Visit the Old Town, traveling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the Cibeles fountain and Royal Palace.. Madrid: Visit the Prado Museum in Madrid, where you'll have time to admire its extraordinary collection of European art dating from the 12th to early 20th centuries..
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® - Valencia: Taste authentic Valencian horchata from a local vendor. This rich and flavourful nut-based drink loved by many is produced here using only locally sourced and natural ingredients, and respecting traditional methods of production. Alongside the local and organic production, they have been bringing the vibrant tradition of horchata back to its glory days, giving employment opportunities to people at risk of social exclusion. They have also built over 10 street carts from recycling materials, all working on solar energy and ice. Your visit supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities..
- Be My Guest - Seville: Spend time at a family-run olive oil farm and learn how olives are grown, harvested and pressed. As you explore the property, hear stories from your hosts and enjoy a tasting of their signature oils. A relaxed and flavourful glimpse into local life..



