Premium Spain - 11 Days

Bienvenido! Welcome to Spain. When you arrive in Madrid, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6.30 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Museo del Prado or see the works of Picasso and Dali in the Museo Reina Sofia. After your meeting, you’ll join your local leader and small group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant that showcases Madrid’s famous tapas.

This morning, get an in-depth look at Madrid as you join your leader for a tour of the city centre. You’ll visit Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace on a walk that’ll bring the city’s history to life. After stopping to refuel at a local cafe, enjoy a free afternoon to relax or continue your explorations. You could wander along the Paseo del Arte for an expansive history of Western art. Start with the Museo del Prado, then discover modern Spanish masters, including Picasso and Dali, in the Museo Reina Sofia. Finish at the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, which displays eight centuries of European painting.

Travel from Madrid to Seville by train this morning. The largest city in southern Spain, Seville is famous for its cultural vitality and architecture. When you arrive, check into your Feature Stay accommodation – a gorgeous family-run boutique hotel housed in 27 Sevillian cottages with patios and corridors connecting them. The hotel celebrates its roots with its decor and antique furnishings like statues, columns and jugs, all creating the impression of a living museum. Personal touches can also be found throughout the hotel, like the hand-painted details in each room and the owner’s great-grandmother’s shawl hanging in reception. Tonight, join your group for a live flamenco show – a traditional Spanish style of dance with roots in Seville.

This morning, meet with a local expert and set off on a walking tour through Seville. Explore narrow streets, hidden squares filled with orange trees and flower-adorned patios, as your leader provides local insight into the history of the city. Visit the Alcazar of Seville – a grand royal palace. Known as one of the most beautiful in Europe, the Spanish Royal Family still use the Alcazar as their residence! The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the city at your own pace. Maybe visit the Giralda Tower or the famous Seville Cathedral – one of Europe’s largest cathedrals and home to Christopher Columbus’ elevated tomb.

Today, journey to the city of Cordoba, where Muslim, Jewish and Christian influences are present in the architecture, culture and cuisine. Cordoba is also home to the Mezquita – a rare site that has served as both a mosque and a cathedral throughout the centuries. Today, a cathedral stands within the centre of the mosque – an interesting example of the interplay of Christian and Muslim cultures in Spain. Discover Islamic architecture on a comprehensive guided tour with your leader which takes you outside the Mezquita and through the charming quarters and hidden corners of Cordoba.

Depart Cordoba and travel to Granada. Along the way, you’ll learn more about the importance of olive oil production in the Andalucia region by visiting an oil mill. Let the passionate owner of the family-run business walk you through the process of olive oil production and taste some different variations of the final result yourself, including olives, olive marmalade, olive pate and wine. This evening, maybe head out to explore Granada’s drinking and dining scene with your group.

This morning, take an orientation walk of Granada with your leader. Learn the history of the city and discover Islamic architecture and Arab influences at every turn. Then, you’ll have some time for your own explorations – maybe head to a local teahouse to sample some Moorish pastries. In the afternoon, join an expert local guide for a tour of Alhambra and its perfectly manicured gardens. Dating back to the 11th century, Alhambra represents Muslim art in its final European stages. Tonight, join your group for an included dinner at a nearby restaurant. Then, you’ll return to the Alhambra after dark and explore the famed Nasrid Palaces with your local guide. By now, the crowds have dispersed and you’re free to explore the site in all its glory. Your guide will bring history to life and provide expert insight as you explore the dominating red fortress towers, opulent palace decor and a multitude of architectural styles through the intricate Nasrid Palaces.

Depart Granada and travel to Valencia. Along the way, you’ll travel through the countryside through Elche – the capital of the region of Bajo Vinalopo. The historic quarter of Elche preserves part of its Muslim past and Baroque splendour. Walk around a palm tree grove – one of the largest and the only one in Europe. Your leader will explain how the grove was established by the Phoenicians and expanded by the Arabs in the 8th and 9th centuries. Then it's on to Valencia, Spain’s third largest city. When you arrive, you’re free to explore the Old Town centre that dates back 2000 years. Discover the harmonious mix of Roman, Muslim and Christian influences in its buildings, monuments and gardens.

This morning, join a local guide for a tour of Valencia. Hear the stories behind historical sites like the Puertas de Serrano, town hall and cathedral, then make visits to the central market and the Silk Exchange building. Along the way you’ll stop to try horchata (an iconic drink from Valencia) and Valencian’s most famous dish, paella, for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to explore Valencia at your own pace. Maybe visit the City of Arts and Science – a large and futuristic museum complex designed by Calatrava. Or, head out to a local cafe to enjoy the treats that Valencia has to offer.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Valencia and travel to Barcelona. The character and Catalan cuisine of this city mix seamlessly with a ground-breaking art scene, Gothic architecture, superb dining and non-stop nightlife, making it a city you won't soon forget. Once you’ve checked in to your accommodation, visit Antonio Gaudi's incredible La Sagrada Familia Cathedral. The architect worked on this hugely ambitious project for decades until his death and it remains in constant construction. Later, have dinner at a local restaurant with your group. Celebrate the final night of your trip as you dine on some of the region’s most delicious foods like olives, pickled garlic, lomo Iberico de Bellotta (pork loin), Catalan cheeses, olive oil and sweet desserts.

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay in Barcelona and delve deeper into this exciting city, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation.