Map of Premium Spain including Spain

Embrace the diversity of Spain from Madrid to Barcelona

Walk in the footsteps of Gaudi and Picasso, taste fine wines and tapas, and witness the white-washed villages that bring Spain to life. This comprehensive Premium journey from Madrid to Barcelona is a delight for the senses – see flamenco in Seville, taste paella in Valencia, feel the history of the Alhambra in Granada and discover the hidden corners of Cordoba. Let Spain’s eclectic architecture, revered cuisine and vibrant soul enchant you.


Start
Madrid, Spain
Finish
Barcelona, Spain
Destination
Spain
Style
Premium
Theme
Explorer
Code
ZMPS
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

premium accommodation

Our best accommodation and highest level of service.

premium experiences

Unusual, exceptional and authentic on-trip experiences.

premium knowledge

Led by our most experienced and highest rated local leaders.

  • Taste the best of Spanish cuisine during Exclusive Experiences – taste paella in Valencia, sample olive oil at a family-run farm in Andalucia and try delicious marzipan in Toledo.

  • See the enchanting Alhambra Palace in Granada by day and by night with an expert guide, a Premium Exclusive Experience. Avoid the crowds as you receive special insight into the complex’s fascinating history.

  • Cruise the tranquil Albufera Lake by boat during an Exclusive Experience and learn how fishermen and rice growers ply their trade here. Visit the island of El Palmar and discover its typical 'barraca' houses.

  • Spend two nights in a converted 18th-century mansion for your Feature Stay in Seville. From antique furnishings to first-class service and an unbeatable location, this family-run hotel is sure to delight.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Many of the wonderful cities and sites of this trip are explored on foot. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes, plus suitable luggage for navigating cobblestone streets.

  • Summer temperatures can be extreme (over 40°C), so it's important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please consider your suitability to the season you are travelling in.

  • During your discoveries you will visit a numerous religious sites. You will need to bring clothes that cover the arms, and pants or skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot. Your leader will advise when such clothing is necessary.

Itinerary

Beinvenido – welcome to Spain! Your adventure begins in Madrid, a city filled with elegant boulevards, manicured parks and superb cuisine. You will be collected from the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel, where you will meet your leader and small group for a welcome meeting this evening. If you arrive early, you may like to visit 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. Tonight, get to know your leader and group over dinner at a wonderful restaurant that showcases Madrid’s famous tapas.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Soho Boutique Congreso or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Madrid - (Tapas) Welcome Dinner
Optional Activities
  • Madrid - Royal Palace - EUR11
  • Madrid - Museo del Prado - EUR15
  • Madrid - Tapas Urban Adventure - EUR82
  • Madrid - Abono Paseo del Arte (3 museum combo voucher) - EUR30
  • Madrid - Real Jardín Botánico - EUR6
  • Madrid - Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza - EUR12
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Travel to the city of Toledo this morning. The unique old town of this city sits on a high craggy rock and is encircled by the Tagus River. As a former capital of Spain, Toledo has immense historic significance and holds many architectural treasures. Examples of buildings from most architectural periods in Spain’s history can be seen here, from the Gothic to the Baroque. Today you’ll experience Toledo’s culture in the form of a marzipan tasting. While a few countries compete for the rights, the Spanish argue that marzipan was invented in Toledo. Either way, the sweet treat made from almond meal, honey and sugar has been produced in this city for generations, and is some of the world’s best. Find out how it’s made, its significance to Toledo, and taste some yourself. Return to Madrid for a free afternoon – you may like to check out the Royal Palace, or stroll around the Parque del Retiro.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Soho Boutique Congreso or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Toledo - Marzipan Tasting
  • Toledo - Day Trip
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 2 hours.
Travel from Madrid to Seville by train. The largest city in southern Spain, Seville is famous for its cultural vitality and dazzling architecture. On arrival, check in to your Feature Stay accommodation, a gorgeous family-run boutique hotel. Converted from an 18th-century mansion, the hotel celebrates its roots with its elegant décor and antique furnishings. Personal touches are everywhere, from incredibly friendly service to hand painted details in the rooms and the owner’s great-grandmother’s shawl hanging in reception. Not to mention, the hotel boasts an unbeatable location on the Alameda de Hercules, lined with cafes, restaurants and music venues. This evening, join your group for a live flamenco show – a traditional Spanish style of dance with roots in Seville. This colourful, lively and rousing performance will certainly be one to remember.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Sacristia de Santa Ana or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Seville - Evening Flamenco Show
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 5.5 hours.
This morning, meet with a local guide who’s an expert on all things Seville and get to know the city during a walking tour. Explore narrow streets, hidden squares filled with orange trees and flower-adorned patios as your guide provides local insight into the history of the city and how it’s enjoyed today. Visit the Alcazar of Seville, a grand royal palace, and uncover its secrets with your guide. Known as one of the most beautiful in Europe, the Spanish royal family still to this day use the Alcazar as their residence in Seville. The rest of the afternoon is yours for further discoveries - you may wish to take an optional visit to the Giralda Tower and the famous Seville Cathedral, one of Europe’s largest cathedrals and home to Christopher Columbus’ elevated tomb.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Sacristia de Santa Ana or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Seville - Alcazar Visit
  • Seville - Walking Tour with Local Guide
Optional Activities
  • Seville - Indias Archive - Free
  • Seville - Cathedral & Giralda Tower - EUR10
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Today you will journey to the city of Cordoba, where Muslim, Jewish and Christian influences are present in the architecture, culture and cuisine, via a private transfer. Cordoba is also home to the Mezquita – a rare site which has served as both a mosque and a cathedral throughout the centuries. Today a cathedral stands within the centre of this amazing mosque – an interesting example of the interplay of Christian and Muslim cultures in Spain. Discover this supreme example of Islamic architecture on a comprehensive guided tour with your leader which continues outside of the Mezquita and explores the charming quarters and hidden corners of Cordoba.
Accommodation
  • Soho Boutique Cordoba or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cordoba - Walking Tour of the Mezquita & Cordoba City with Local Guide
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 3 hours.
Depart Cordoba and travel to Granada. Along the way, you will 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, along with olives, olive marmalade, olive pate and wine. On arrival, check in to your hotel. This evening, perhaps head out to explore Granada’s drinking and dining scene with your group.
Accommodation
  • Sercotel Gran Hotel Luna de Granada or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Andalucia - Olive Oil Mill Visit & Tasting
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s travel time is approximately 2.5 hours.
This morning you will get acquainted with Granada during an orientation walk with your leader. Learn the fascinating history of the city and discover Islamic architecture and Arab influences at every turn. Enjoy some time for your own explorations of the city – perhaps 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. With ancient defensive walls, turrets and fountains set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains, touring this magnificent site is an experience that will stick with you. After seeing the monumental Alhambra during the day, join your group for an included dinner at a nearby restaurant. After this break 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 are 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.
Accommodation
  • Sercotel Gran Hotel Luna de Granada or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Granada – Alhambra Alcazaba and Generalife Gardens Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Depart Granada and travel to Valencia. Along the way you will travel through the distinctive countryside of the region and pass through Elche, capital of the region of Bajo Vinalopó. The historic quarter of Elche preserves part of its Muslim past and Baroque splendour. Walk around 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. The palmeral consists of several parts spreading across downtown. Then it's on to Valencia, Spain’s third largest city, to soak up its unique cultural identity and explore the old town centre that dates back 2000 years. On arrival, you’re free to explore the city and discover the harmonious mix of Roman, Muslim and Christian influences in its buildings, monuments and magnificent gardens.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Dimar or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Valencia - Sagunto Castle - Free
  • Valencia - Treats & Tastes of Valencia Urban Adventure - EUR55
  • Valencia - Street Art in Old Valencia Urban Adventure - EUR35
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 5.5 hours
Start the day with a short drive south of Valencia to discover Albufera Lake, an important ecological site of the region. The lake is surrounded by beach, dunes, lagoons, wetlands and Mediterranean forest, and is home to six small islands. You will visit the island of El Palmar and discover its typical ‘barraca’ houses. Travel by boat to the middle of the lake and learn about the important agricultural crop of the area, namely the local rice. Finish off with an included lunch of the most famous Valencian dish – paella. The rest of the day is yours to explore Valencia. You may like to visit the city's major landmark – the City of Arts and Science, a large and futuristic museum complex designed by Calatrava. Or perhaps head out to a local cafe to enjoy the treats that Valencia has to offer – from horchata to artisan chocolates, the city is a gastronomical heaven.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Dimar or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lake Albufera - Boat Tour & Barraca Visit
  • Valencia - Paella Lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 2 hours.
After a leisurely breakfast, bid farewell to Valencia and travel to Barcelona. Barcelona's quirky character and fabulous Catalan cuisine mixes seamlessly with a ground-breaking art scene, Gothic architecture, superb dining and a non-stop nightlife, making it a city you won't soon forget. After a walking tour with your leader, today is yours to explore the city your way. You might like to head to one of the city’s galleries or historic corners or perhaps lose yourself in the wonders of Gaudi's bizarre La Sagrada Familia Basilica. The heart of Catalonia prides itself as a gastronomic centre and this evening you’ll get to enjoy it during an included 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 Belotta, Catalan cheeses, olive oil, and sweet desserts.
Accommodation
  • Catalonia Eixample 1864 Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Barcelona - Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Dinner in Restaurant - Barcelona
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 3.5 hours.
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you would like to extend your stay in Barcelona and delve deeper into this exciting city, please speak to your booking agent about arranging additional accommodation in advance (subject to availability).
Optional Activities
  • Barcelona - Museum of City History - EUR7
  • Barcelona - Picasso Museum - EUR14
  • Barcelona - National Art Museum of Catalonia - EUR12
  • Barcelona - Tapas Tour in El Raval Urban Adventure - EUR70
  • Barcelona - Casa Batllo - EUR24
  • Barcelona - Old Santa Creu Hospital - EUR10
  • Barcelona - Museum of Gaudi - EUR6
  • Barcelona - Guell Palace - EUR12
  • Barcelona - Barcelona Cathedral - EUR9
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, High-Speed Train

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Madrid - (Tapas) Welcome Dinner
  • Toledo - Marzipan Tasting
  • Toledo - Day Trip
  • Seville - Evening Flamenco Show
  • Seville - Alcazar Visit
  • Seville - Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Cordoba - Walking Tour of the Mezquita & Cordoba City with Local Guide
  • Andalucia - Olive Oil Mill Visit & Tasting
  • Granada – Alhambra Alcazaba and Generalife Gardens Tour
  • Lake Albufera - Boat Tour & Barraca Visit
  • Valencia - Paella Lunch
  • Barcelona - Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Dinner in Restaurant - Barcelona

Premium Inclusions

  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Premium Spain trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. There are a limited number of single supplements available per trip departure. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
3. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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