Madrid to Barcelona Superior - 9 days

Welcome to Spain. On arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to our hotel in the city. The rest of today is at leisure.

Please Note: This is a bi-lingual, large group coach tour, where a majority of travellers may be Spanish speaking. If this is the case, then English may 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 included city sightseeing.

Today we emabrk on a panoramic city tour of Madrid, tracing the city’s medieval origins, including the Arab fortress and the Barrio de la Moreria - renowned for its historic buildings and traditional taverns. Continue to the Hapsburg district, home to Renaissance and Baroque landmarks such as Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa.

Discover the Madrid of the Bourbons, shaped by Charles III’s urban planning, with highlights like the Royal Palace, Cibeles Fountain, Neptune Fountain, and Puerta de Alcala. Marvel at 19th-century icons, including the elegant Plaza de Oriente and the world-famous Prado Museum. Lastly, experience contemporary Madrid with bustling avenues like Gran Via and Paseo de la Castellana, the chic Salamanca neighbourhood, and modern landmarks such as the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid.

After our tour, the rest of the day is free for you to continue exploring Madrid at your own pace.

Madrid - Cordoba - Seville. Leaving the Spanish capital, we journey through the iconic landscapes of La Mancha, famously known as the land of Don Quixote. Passing by a charming typical site in Puerto Lapice, we cross the natural border of Despenaperros into Andalusia.

Arriving in Cordoba, we explore the magnificent Mosque-Cathedral, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. We also enjoy a stroll through the Jewish Quarter, with its narrow, winding streets. After some time to explore, we make the scenic 2-hour drive to Seville for the night.

Today we enjoy a panoramic city tour of Seville. Highlights include the impressive Cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peter’s in Rome, and the charming Santa Cruz Quarter, famously linked to "Carmen" and the legendary tale of Don Juan. We’ll also visit the picturesque Maria Luisa Park and the stunning Plaza de Espana.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Seville at your own pace, soaking up its vibrant atmosphere, unique flavours, and exclusive views. For those interested, an optional Flamenco show is available to book this evening.

Seville - Granada. We drive east along the Caliphate Road into the heart of Andalusia, passing endless olive groves en route to Granada, the final stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms until 1492. Here, we explore the world-renowned Alhambra complex (entrance included) and the stunning Generalife Gardens, which has inspired countless authors, including Washington Irving in his Tales of the Alhambra.

After the visit, we settle into our hotel for the evening. You can head out independently, or join an optional Flamenco Zambra show.

Granada - Valencia. We depart eastward, arriving in Valencia, one of the key capitals along the Mediterranean coast. This vibrant city is home to the impressive City of Arts and Sciences complex, which features six remarkable buildings: the Hemispheric, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanographic, Palau de les Arts, and Agora. Valencia is also celebrated as the birthplace of the world-famous paella, offering a rich culinary heritage alongside its modern attractions. There's free time for you to head out and explore this coastal city at your own pace.

Valencia - Barcelona. We begin the day with a morning city tour of Valencia. We’ll explore the old city, taking in its most notable landmarks, and then drive past the former riverbed of the Turia to the cutting-edge City of Arts and Sciences. Here, we’ll admire the striking exteriors of its six iconic buildings.

In the early afternoon, we head north along the scenic Mediterranean coast, passing through Tarragona, the historic Roman city of Tarraco. By evening, we’ll arrive in Barcelona, Spain's most popular Mediterranean city and home to the iconic works of Gaudi, a symbol of Catalan modernism.

We begin the morning with an included city tour of Barcelona, famously known for hosting the 1992 Olympic Games. We’ll drive along the main avenues, passing by stunning modernist buildings by Gaudi, such as La Pedrera (Casa Mila) and Casa Batllo, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Next, we head to Montjuic Park, where we’ll enjoy spectacular views of the city, explore the Olympic Ring, and see the monument to Columbus. The afternoon is free for you to continue exploring - perhaps take a wander along Las Rambla, or find yourself an authenitc Tapas bar and a glass or two of sangria.

Our tour comes to an end today after a final breakfast at the hotel and check out. An included transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flight.