Mediterranean Circuit - 9 Days

On arrival at Barcelona Airport, we transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing you to begin discovering this vibrant Mediterranean city at your own pace. Please note: During the stay in Madrid and on the first arrival night in Barcelona, there will be no accompanying guide service.

Tour Style:Please note that this is a bi-lingual, large group coach tour, where a majority of travellers are Spanish, so English will be the second language. For groups of 12 or more the tour is escorted by a bilingual (Spanish & English speaking) tour leader/escort. They will provide explanations about the itinerary, coordinate accommodation services, and ensure the smooth running of the tour, making your trip an enjoyable experience. When the group size is less than 12, this service may be provided by the driver. There will be experienced bi-lingual local guides for city sightseeing.

Barcelona - Zaragoza - Madrid. After breakfast, we depart Barcelona travelling south-west through one of Europe’s most important industrial and agricultural regions. We arrive in Zaragoza, capital of Aragón, set on the banks of the Ebro River - the longest river entirely within Spain. Known as Caesar Augusta during Roman times, Zaragoza has played a significant role in Spanish history. You have free time to visit the impressive Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, one of the country’s most important pilgrimage sites. We then continue to Madrid, where we stay overnight.

Madrid - Cordoba - Seville. After breakfast, we travel south through La Mancha, the land that inspired Cervantes’ Don Quixote, passing the traditional village of Puerto Lápice. We cross the Despeñaperros mountain pass, the natural gateway into Andalusia, a region shaped by centuries of diverse cultural influences. On arrival in Cordoba, we enjoy a guided visit to the Mosque-Cathedral, with entrance included, followed by time to stroll through the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, we continue to Seville, arriving after a short drive.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, we enjoy a panoramic and monumental city tour, including entrance to Seville Cathedral - the second largest Catholic cathedral in the world after St Peter’s in Rome. We also visit the Barrio de Santa Cruz, once the city’s Jewish quarter and later the setting for legends such as Carmen and Don Juan. Our tour continues through María Luisa Park and the iconic Plaza de España. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore Seville’s lively atmosphere and local flavours.

Seville - Granada. After breakfast, we travel east along the historic Caliphate Road, passing endless olive groves on our way to Granada. This city was the last stronghold of the Moorish kingdoms until 1492 and remains one of Spain’s most evocative destinations. We visit the world-famous Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, whose architecture, water features and gardens have inspired writers such as Washington Irving.In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional Flamenco Zambra show. Please note: If Alhambra and Generalife tickets are unavailable on certain dates, alternative compensation will be offered at the operator’s discretion

Granada - Valencia. Breakfast at the hotel. We depart Granada heading east towards Valencia, one of the main cities on Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Here, we discover the striking City of Arts and Sciences, a modern architectural complex featuring the Hemisfèric, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanogràfic, Palau de les Arts and Ágora. Valencia is also known as the birthplace of paella, Spain’s most iconic dish

Valencia - Barcelona. After breakfast, we enjoy a morning city tour of Valencia, including a drive through the historic centre to view its most notable buildings. We then pass through the former riverbed of the Turia to see the futuristic exteriors of the City of Arts and Sciences. In the early afternoon, we depart north along the Mediterranean coast towards Catalonia, passing Tarragona, once the Roman city of Tarraco. We arrive in Barcelona, the cosmopolitan home of Antoni Gaudí and a showcase of Catalan Modernism.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, we enjoy a city tour of Barcelona, internationally recognised for hosting the 1992 Olympic Games. We drive along the city’s main avenues, viewing Gaudí’s modernist masterpieces such as Casa Milà - La Pedrera - and Casa Batlló, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Our tour also includes Montjuïc Park, with panoramic views over the city, the Olympic Ring and the Columbus Monument. The afternoon is free for you to continue exploring Barcelona’s diverse neighbourhoods, culture and cuisine.

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our onward journey.