Highlights of Spain by Rail

Begin your adventure in Barcelona, a city bursting with art and architecture. The excitement builds with an orientation walk, a chance to see some of the city landmarks. Around 6pm, say hola to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. This evening your tour leader ensures a big Spanish welcome over dinner.
Want more time in Barcelona? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Stay: Hotel Catalonia Sagrada Familia/Hotel Catalonia Atenas (or similar) (D).

Discover Barcelona today, first exploring the fresh produce of La Boqueria, a bustling market filled with fresh produce. After lunch, we walk to Parque Güell, a city green space created by Catalan architect and designer, Antoni Gaudí. This World Heritage site is an open-air gallery, displaying work packed with religious and political symbolism, while also offering beautiful views over the city and pleasant gardens in which to stroll. Return to the hotel by public transport. Stay: Hotel Catalonia Sagrada Familia/Hotel Catalonia Atenas (or similar) (B).

Head to Barcelona-Sants railway station by taxi for our first train ride of the adventure. Arriving in Madrid, we take a taxi to the hotel for check-in. We then hop back on the metro to travel to the city centre for a two-hour walking tour of the capital's highlights, including the Plaza Mayor and Palacio Real. The day ends with a tapas crawl, dipping into different establishments to taste their fine dishes and eating like a local. After, we return to the hotel by metro. Stay: Hotel Gran Legazpi (or similar) (B/D).

Begin today at the Museo del Prado, Spain's national art museum. This historic establishment houses one of the finest European art collections in the world, including pieces by Goya, El Greco, Rubens and plenty more. Then head to the Museo Reina Sofia, where we can see Picasso's masterpiece Guernica, which represents the horrors of war. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city. There's plenty to discover and a great selection of historic tapas bars to sample; of course, your tour leader is happy to make recommendations. Stay: Hotel Gran Legazpi (or similar) (B).

Enjoy our second train ride of the trip today, reaching the station by taxi for our 2hr 50min train to Seville station.

Upon arrival, take a taxi to the hotel for check-in before an exploration of the city. Walk through the Jewish Quarter with its narrow streets towards River Guadalquivir, where we can see the Triana neighbourhood and Torre del Oro where gold-filled boats arrived from the American colonies during the Spanish empire.

This evening, we have dinner in the centre and attend a flamenco show in one of the popular tablaos – an establishment in which the artform is performed. Stay: Hotel Catalonia Giralda (or similar) (B).

Venture into the capital of Andalucia today to visit the highlights, including the Royal Alcazar palace, one of the most beautiful examples of Muslim architecture and art in Spain. We also enter Seville Cathedral, the largest gothic church in the world. Finally, we head to Plaza de España in Parque de María Luisa. Built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition 1929, it displays a magnificent collection of architectural styles. Stay: Hotel Catalonia Giralda (or similar) (B).

After a taxi ride to the station, enjoy the 45-minute train journey to the historic city of Cordoba, the capital of the Muslim kingdom that reigned Spain for centuries.

Upon arrival, take a taxi to the hotel for check-in, before we visit the Jewish Quarter, the emblematic flowery courtyards, and the Great Mosque of Córdoba, which was converted into a Catholic cathedral but maintains its very special Muslim heritage. The sightseeing takes four hours today. Stay: Hotel Sercotel Cordoba Medina Azahara (or similar) (B).

Enjoy your last train journey of this adventure after breakfast, taking a taxi to the station for our train ride to Malaga.

On arrival at Malaga train station, a transfer takes you to the airport for your onward flights. If you'd like a little more time to explore Spain, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay (B).