Andalucia Mediterranean Barcelona Exploration - 7 Days

We meet the group at 08:30 at the designated departure point in Madrid - please refer to your documents for exact details. We then travel south through the plains of La Mancha, the setting of Cervantes’ Don Quixote. After a short stop in Puerto Lápice, we cross the Despeñaperros pass into Andalusia, a region shaped by a rich Moorish and Spanish heritage.

In Cordoba, we visit the remarkable Mosque-Cathedral, a symbol of the city’s layered history, and walk through the narrow streets of the former Jewish Quarter. Later, we continue to Seville, arriving after a short drive.

Overnight in Seville.

After breakfast, we explore Seville on a panoramic city tour. We view the exterior of its vast cathedral - one of the largest in the world - and stroll through the Santa Cruz quarter, once the old Jewish district and closely linked to the legends of Don Juan and the opera Carmen.

We also visit María Luisa Park and the impressive Plaza de España, built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. The afternoon is free for you to explore Seville at your own pace - perhaps sampling local tapas or discovering quieter corners of the city.

Overnight in Seville.

Following breakfast, we travel east along the historic Caliphate Route towards Granada. Along the way, we pass vast olive groves that define the Andalusian landscape.

Granada, the last Moorish stronghold until 1492, is known for its rich cultural legacy. We visit the Generalife Gardens, once the summer residence of the Nasrid rulers and later immortalised in Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra.

Overnight in Granada.

After breakfast, we journey towards the Mediterranean coast. Passing through Murcia, a fertile agricultural region along the Segura River, we continue north via Alicante before arriving in Valencia.

Valencia is known as the birthplace of paella and a key city on Spain’s Mediterranean coast. You may wish to try this iconic dish during your stay.

Overnight in Valencia.

We begin the day with a guided tour of Valencia. We drive through the historic centre, see key landmarks, and follow the former Turia riverbed to the City of Arts and Sciences - a striking modern complex of six futuristic buildings.

In the afternoon, we travel north along the Mediterranean coast, passing Tarragona - once the Roman city of Tarraco - before arriving in Barcelona, renowned for its modernist architecture and the work of Antoni Gaudí.

Overnight in Barcelona.

After breakfast, we explore Barcelona on a city tour. We drive along its main avenues and see Gaudí’s distinctive buildings, including La Pedrera and Casa Milà, many of which are UNESCO-listed.

We also visit Montjuïc for views over the city and harbour, see the Olympic Ring from the 1992 Games, the Columbus Monument, and the Olympic Port. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy Barcelona’s vibrant atmosphere, culture, and cuisine.

Overnight in Barcelona.

After breakfast, we travel back towards Madrid, passing through Zaragoza, the capital of Aragón, set on the banks of the Ebro River. Known as Caesaraugusta in Roman times, the city has played an important role in Spain’s history.

You will have free time to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, an important Baroque landmark. We then continue to Madrid, where the tour concludes.

Breakfast included.