Spain's Classics

Welcome to Madrid, Spain's lively capital and largest city. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers and enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) Stay: Riu Plaza Espana (3 Nights)

During a locally guided panoramic tour of Madrid's historic center, see iconic sites such as the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, where events have been held since the 17th century. Join a local expert to explore the priceless masterpieces of the Prado Museum, which opened in 1819 and boasts the world's finest collection of art by masters such as Velazquez and Goya.

Tonight, you might choose to experience Madrid like a local with a metro ride, a walking tour and dinner with traditional entertainment at a local restaurant. (B)

Travel to the hilly town of Toledo (UNESCO), the capital of medieval Spain until 1560. Stop along the way at a local family-owned winery to learn more about Spanish wine, from how the grapes are grown to how the wine is made, and of course, how it tastes! In Toledo, a city shaped by a mix cultures, embark on a comprehensive tour, highlighting the magnificent Gothic cathedral and its historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its original medieval layout preserved, discover Toledo's narrow, winding streets, still very much alive. (B)

Travel to the extraordinary Moorish city of Cordoba by the AVE high-speed train to reduce travel time and allow you to enjoy more free time in Cordoba. Embark on a walking tour of Cordoba's well-preserved and historical old Jewish Quarter. Then visit La Mezquita (UNESCO), an 8th-century mosque that was converted into the city's cathedral in the 16th century. End your day in Seville, considered to be Spain's “cultural capital” with dinner at a local restaurant. (B) Stay: NH Sevilla Plaza de Armas (2 Nights)

This morning, head to an award-winning olive grove and learn about this family-owned business. Try their unique olive oil at lunch before returning to Seville for on a panoramic tour. Then decide on how you see Seville because it's your choice! Walk the charming and quaint Santa Cruz Quarter with an expert guide, admiring the orange trees and white-washed houses -OR- see the city from a different perspective with a boat ride on the Guadalquivir River, drifting by timeworn bridges and towers.

Later, visit the Seville Cathedral (UNESCO) – the largest Gothic church in the world – and see Columbus' tomb and the Giralda Bell Tower. This evening, enjoy an authentic flamenco show (UNESCO) featuring Seville's top performers. (B/L)

Travel to Granada, the last great capital of the Moors in Spain before it fell to the Catholic monarchs in 1492. Upon arrival, join a local expert for a tour of the world-famous Alhambra (UNESCO), a beautiful complex of buildings and gardens. Surrounded by lush, tree-lined walkways and water flowing from its fountains, behold a stone fortress overlooking the entire city – a mesmerizing example of Islamic architecture.

This evening, a tapas dinner is on the menu! (B/D) Stay: Barcelo Carmen

Travel through Spain's amazing landscape on your way to the Mediterranean coast. Enjoy some time in "Europe's orchard," the charming city of Murcia surrounded by a mountain chain. Pass by rolling hills dotted with picturesque olive and orange groves before arriving in the city of Valencia. A treasure trove of Roman and Arabic architecture, Valencia is Spain's third largest city melding historic and modern culture. (B) Stay: AC Hotel by Marriott (2 Nights)

Valencia is a place full of contrasts, where a charming old town lives next to futuristic buildings. Explore the city's old town on foot, discovering the history with a local expert. View the ornate towers before wandering through the bustling central market, where you'll shop side-by-side with the locals. Travel to Albufera, with its freshwater lake that evolved from an ancient marine gulf, which is one of the most important wetlands in Spain. This is the area where paella originated – and the best place to experience it for lunch today. Enjoy time on your own to explore as you wish back in Valencia. (B/L)

Travel to Barcelona, one of Europe's most beautiful and exciting cities. Be prepared to explore the city on foot during a walking tour of Barcelona's fascinating boulevards, including the famous Las Ramblas, dotted with colorful bird and flower stalls, and the famous Gothic Quarter. (B) Stay: NH Collection Barcelona Podium (2 Nights)

Spend this morning at leisure exploring Barcelona your way or choose an optional excursion to the quaint mountain village of Montserrat. Later, embark on a panoramic tour of Barcelona, showcasing the Columbus Monument, Parc de Montjuic, and Antoni Gaudi's Batllo House and Casa Mila building (UNESCO). A local expert accompanies you on a visit to the awe-inspiring La Sagrada Familia (UNESCO), considered to be the most famous of Gaudi's works. Work on the basilica began in 1882, and it is scheduled to be completed in 2026, on the 100th anniversary of the architect's death.

As the day draws to a close, enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating the end of your trip to Spain. (B/D)

Return home with memories of a beautiful land and a diverse cultural heritage or begin your Costa Brava post-trip extension. (B)