Madrid, Andalucia & Southern Spain - 10 Days

On arrival at Madrid Airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation, where you can settle in ahead of the tour.

This evening, we meet our tour leader and fellow travellers over a Tapas Welcome Dinner at a carefully selected local restaurant. It is a chance to enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine and get to know the group.

We start our exploration of Madrid with our Local Guide, taking in the city's historic centre and the medieval Barrio de la Moreria, Habsburg Quarter, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa. We then move into Bourbon Madrid, where the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptune Fountains and Puerta de Alcala feature among the sights.

Our tour continues through the cosmopolitan parts of the capital, including Gran Via, the Salamanca District and Paseo de la Castellana, with the legendary Santiago Bernabeu Stadium also on our route.

The rest of the afternoon is yours. You might visit one of Madrid's celebrated museums, explore its neighbourhoods, shop or settle into a local cafe and take in the city's atmosphere.

Please note: If the panoramic tour of Madrid cannot be operated due to technical reasons, it will be replaced, at the Tour Operator's discretion, by a 1-day Madrid Hop-on Hop-off Bus ticket or a walking tour

Madrid - Cordoba - Seville. Today, we depart Madrid; our journey south takes us across La Mancha, the legendary setting associated with Don Quixote, and through the Despenaperros Natural Pass, the gateway to southern Spain.

Arriving in Cordoba, our Local Guide leads us to the magnificent Mosque-Cathedral before we explore the narrow streets of the historic Jewish Quarter. We then continue onwards to Seville.

This morning we set out with our local guide to discover Seville, the Andalusian capital set beside the Guadalquivir River. The Giralda and Cathedral dominate the skyline, with their medieval towers and elegant domes.

From here, we visit Maria Luisa Park and magnificent Plaza de Espana, then head into the Santa Cruz Quarter, where narrow streets and picturesque squares capture the city's Andalusian character.

The remainder of the afternoon is yours to discover more of Seville at your own pace.

Seville - Granada: After breakfast, we leave Seville behind and follow the historic Caliphate Route through the heart of Andalusia, travelling past seemingly endless olive groves towards Granada.

Our visit here takes us to the world-renowned Alhambra and Generalife Gardens. The UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases Moorish architecture through elegant courtyards, intricate decorative details and lush gardens, with views across Granada towards the Sierra Nevada mountains.

You will then have the rest of the day at leisure to explore Granada at your own pace, grab a meal or relax.

Granada - Valencia. Today we head for Spain's Mediterranean Coast and continue to Valencia. Spain's third-largest city combines centuries of history with cutting-edge architecture and looks out across the Mediterranean Sea.

Valencia brings together an elegant Old Town, lively atmosphere, the world-famous City of Arts and Sciences and a cuisine for which the city is known.

Valencia - Barcelona. This morning, we set out with our local guide, who will introduce us to Valencia's historic centre, from its elegant squares and impressive Cathedral to the lively Central Market area. We also see the exterior of the City of Arts and Sciences, the spectacular architectural complex that has become a symbol of modern Valencia.

Afterwards, we will enjoy a tasting of the city's traditional horchata, a refreshing drink made from tiger nuts.

We then leave Valencia and travel onwards to Barcelona, a vibrant Mediterranean city where history, art and modernity meet.

We join our local guide, who will take us around Barcelona this morning, following the city's elegant avenues and showcasing Antoni Gaudi's Modernist architecture, including La Pedrera and Casa Batllo.

We head up Montjuic Hill for panoramic views across the city and harbour, passing the Olympic Ring, Columbus Monument and lively waterfront. Our sightseeing culminates at the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece and Barcelona's most emblematic landmark, where entrance is included.

The afternoon is yours to continue exploring. You could wander through the Gothic Quarter, browse the boutiques of Passeig de Gracia or relax beside the Mediterranean.

This evening, we come together for a farewell dinner with our fellow travellers.

Barcelona - Zaragoza - Madrid. We set off southwest towards Madrid, crossing one of Europe's important agricultural and industrial regions. Our journey includes a stop in Zaragoza, the historic capital of Aragon, situated beside the mighty Ebro River.

Here, we have time to explore the city's heritage and see the magnificent Basilica of Nuestra Senora del Pilar. One of Spain's most important pilgrimage sites, the basilica is also a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. We then continue to Madrid.

After your final breakfast, you might have some time to do some last-minute shopping, exploring or relaxing before being transferred at the designated time to the Madrid airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!