Highlights of Spain's Splendor
8 Days
This itinerary of Spain offers an immersive journey through some of the country’s most iconic destinations, blending history, culture, and culinary experiences. The adventure begins with three nights in Madrid, where travelers explore the city’s rich heritage, including landmarks such as the Royal Palace and Retiro Park. A hop-on, hop-off bus tour provides a flexible way to see Madrid’s top sights, followed by a secret food walking tour showcasing local delicacies. A guided city tour delves into Madrid’s medieval roots, royal history, and Bourbon landmarks, while a full-day excursion to the ancient cities of Ávila and Segovia highlights their UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Ávila’s fortified walls and Segovia’s Roman aqueduct.
Next, guests travel by high-speed train to Seville for a four-night stay. Known for its Moorish and Christian influences, Seville offers a secret food tour, visits to the Gothic Seville Cathedral and the Royal Alcázar, and a walk through the historic Jewish Quarter. A day trip to Córdoba reveals the Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral and the city’s unique blend of Roman, Arab, and Catholic heritage. The tour concludes with an exploration of Ronda and Andalusia’s picturesque white villages, where stunning landscapes and historic architecture provide the perfect farewell to Spain. Travelers depart with memories of Spain’s diverse beauty and vibrant culture.
Highlights
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Madrid City Tour, Hop-On Hop-Off
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Madrid Secret Food Guided Walking Tour
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Madrid City Tour and Royal Palace
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Ávila and Segovia Sightseeing Tour with Gastronomic Lunch
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Seville Secret Food Guided Walking Tour
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Hidden Sevilla Walking Tour
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Seville Cathedral, Alcázar, and the Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
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Full Day Córdoba Tour from Seville
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Ronda and White Villages Tour
Itinerary Details
International Arrival
Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel
3 Nights
Madrid
Included activities
Day 1: Arrive in Spain!
Travelers arrive in Madrid! They should take their time getting acquainted with Spain's capital city by exploring via a hop-on, hop-off city tour. This evening they'll partake in a secret food walking tour with a knowledgable guide. Tomorrow they'll have a full day exploring the city on a guided city and royal palace tour.
Madrid City Tour, Hop-On Hop-Off - 24 Hours
The Madrid Hop-on Hop-off tour offers guests a fun and effortless way to explore the city aboard open-top double-decker buses. With a single ticket, guests can hop on and off at any of the 37 stops along two distinct routes, spending as much or as little time at each attraction as they wish. The flexibility allows travelers to admire Madrid's architectural and cultural wonders at their own pace. Onboard commentary is available through a multi-language audio system, offering insights in fourteen languages. Guests also receive a city map and discount vouchers for select shops and restaurants. Route 1 (Blue) includes stops at key landmarks such as the Museo del Prado, Puerta de Alcalá, Gran Vía, Plaza de España, the Royal Palace, and Puerta del Sol. Guests can immerse themselves in Madrid’s rich history and culture, visiting iconic sights like the Templo de Debod, Teatro Real, and the Almudena Cathedral. Route 2 (Green) covers attractions like the Plaza de Neptuno, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the Natural Science Museum, and the Puerta de Alcalá. Stops also include cultural hubs like the Serrano shopping district and the Archaeological Museum. With unlimited rides throughout the day, guests can customize their experience, making this tour a convenient and comprehensive way to discover Madrid.
Private Tour: Madrid Secret Food Guided Walking Tour
Food enthusiasts are in for a treat with this mouthwatering tour of Madrid’s culinary highlights. Guests will indulge in local delicacies, including artisanal chocolates, traditional pastries, the renowned fried calamari sandwich, and a selection of Spanish cheeses and hams. Naturally, the experience includes wine, and a secret dish is revealed along the way. Be sure to bring an appetite!
Day 2: Exploration of Madrid
Today guests continue to explore Madrid through a shared city and royal palace tour. Tomorrow they'll get outside the city to visit the iconic towns of Ávila and Segovia.
Shared Tour: Madrid City Tour and Royal Palace
This comprehensive tour is perfect for guests looking to get acquainted with Madrid and its rich history. The journey begins in the Barrio de la Morería, where guests explore the city’s medieval roots, including remnants of the Arabic fortress, alongside the charm of its ancient architecture and traditional restaurants. The tour continues through Habsburg Madrid, showcasing the Renaissance and Baroque beauty of landmarks like Calle Mayor, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa. Guests will also experience Bourbon Madrid, shaped by Carlos III, with visits to the Royal Palace, Cibeles Fountain, Neptune Fountain, and Puerta de Alcalá. The tour highlights 19th-century developments from the reign of Joseph Bonaparte, including a stop at the Prado Museum, and introduces guests to contemporary Madrid with stops along Gran Vía, Paseo de la Castellana, Barrio Salamanca, Plaza de Castilla, and Parque del Oeste. Modern commercial and financial landmarks, like the Ventas Bullring and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, are also part of the tour. Guests will then visit the Royal Palace, a stunning 18th-century masterpiece built on the site of a former Baroque Italian-style fortress of the Habsburgs. Known as one of the most beautiful and well-preserved palaces in Europe, it was the official residence of the Spanish monarchy from 1765 to 1931. Today, the palace hosts grand receptions, royal audiences, and important ceremonies, including the presentation of credentials to His Majesty the King by foreign ambassadors.
Day 3: The Beauty of Spain's Countryside
Today, travelers get outside Madrid to explore the historic cities of Ávila and Segovia. The tour begins in Ávila, where guests marvel at the 11th-century fortified walls and towers that have earned the city UNESCO World Heritage status. In Segovia, they will admire the well-preserved Roman aqueduct, the elegant Segovia Cathedral, and the stunning Alcázar. The day includes a delicious lunch featuring local specialties. Tomorrow travelers depart Madrid for Seville.
Private Full Day Ávila and Segovia Sightseeing Tour with Gastronomic Lunch
Guests will enjoy an exciting day exploring the historic cities of Ávila and Segovia, both rich in cultural heritage. The tour begins in Ávila, known for preserving the most complete and ancient fortified complex in Spain, dating back to the 11th century. The city’s impressive 2,500-meter-long wall, with 90 fortified towers, encloses much of its monumental treasures, including numerous Romanesque churches, Gothic palaces, and a 12th-century fortified cathedral. Guests will marvel at Ávila’s walls and towers, which have earned the city UNESCO World Heritage status. The tour continues in Segovia, famous for its remarkably preserved Roman aqueduct, which stretches 16 kilometers. Once home to Castilian kings, Segovia boasts one of Spain’s most important medieval architectural collections. Guests will visit the elegant Segovia Cathedral, known as the “Lady of the Cathedrals,” and the stunning Alcázar, considered one of the country’s most spectacular castles. The day includes visits to the Aqueduct, the Cathedral, and the Alcázar. A delicious gastronomic lunch is provided, featuring La Granja white beans, roasted suckling pig, and a dessert to complete the experience.
Private Transfer to Train Station from Hotel
Train Ride from Madrid to Seville
Private Transfer from Train Station to Hotel
Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport
International Departure
4 Nights
Seville
Included activities
Day 4: Arrive in Seville!
Today travelers arrive in Seville aboard a high-speed train. This Spanish city is known for its history, architecture, and tapas scene. It is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and exudes character at every turn, character guests can experience firsthand with an evening guided secret food walking tour. Tomorrow travelers will partake in several more city tours.
Private Seville Secret Food Guided Walking Tour
Guests can savor the authentic flavors of Spain on this culinary journey through Seville. As they explore the city's charming streets and historic landmarks, they will indulge in some of the region’s most delicious Spanish dishes. The experience begins with a selection of mouthwatering tapas and traditional oxtail, followed by tastings of local beer, tinto de verano, and the renowned jamón Ibérico (Iberian ham). Along the way, guests will also learn about Seville’s rich history and the stories behind its unique cuisine.
Day 5: An In-Depth Exploration of Seville
Today travelers get to experience several guided tours that highlight the culture and history of Seville. In the morning, guests will uncover the hidden history, stories, and legends of some of the city's more notorious kings. In the afternoon, they'll visit Seville's iconic cathedral, the Royal Alcázar palace, and the Jewish Quarter. Tomorrow travelers will venture from Seville to visit Córdoba.
Private Hidden Sevilla Walking Tour
Guests will uncover the untold stories and legends of Seville’s most notorious kings on this captivating journey through history. Walking along the same cobblestone streets once tread by Fernando III, Alfonso X "The Wise," and Pedro I "The Cruel," they will explore the city's medieval past, which made Seville the center of gossip in Medieval Spain. As they stroll through Seville’s historic streets and squares, guests will travel back to the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries, hearing tales of epic love stories, dramatic duels, and infamous rulers. The evening concludes with drinks, tapas, and lively conversation, ensuring history feels anything but boring.
Private Cathedral, Alcázar, and the Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
This walking tour highlights three of Seville's most renowned landmarks. Guests will first visit the Seville Cathedral, the world's largest Gothic church, which began construction in the 15th century on the site of a former mosque. They will ascend La Giralda, the cathedral's bell tower originally built in the 12th century as a minaret for the mosque. The belfry was later added in 1568, blending Moorish and Renaissance architectural styles. Next, guests will explore the Royal Alcázar, with its oldest section dating back to the 10th century as the palace of Seville's Muslim governor. This palatial complex, featuring extensive gardens, showcases a blend of Mudéjar, Gothic, Renaissance, and Romanesque design elements due to its significant renovations over the centuries. The tour concludes with a stroll through Santa Cruz, Seville's medieval Jewish quarter, renowned for its historic buildings and charming alleyways.
Day 6: A Full Day Exploring Córdoba
Today travelers get to experience the beauty and history of Córdoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its Roman, Arab, and Catholic influences, the town is a unique convergence of different chapters of Spanish history. For guests' final day in Spain tomorrow's tour will be the 'white villages of Andalusia'.
Shared Full Day Córdoba Tour from Seville
Spend a memorable day discovering the enchanting city of Córdoba, a place where Roman, Arab, and Catholic influences merge beautifully. The tour begins at the iconic Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral, a remarkable fusion of Moorish and Renaissance architecture that has stood for over 1,200 years. Originally a mosque, it was converted into a Christian church during the Middle Ages and remains one of Europe’s most unique places of worship, recognized by UNESCO. The exploration continues with a leisurely walk through Córdoba’s historic streets, including visits to the Synagogue, the Jewish Quarter, and the picturesque Calle de las Flores. The day concludes with free time to further explore Córdoba’s historic center independently.
Day 7: The White Villages of Andalusia
Discover the beauty of Andalusia with a day tour to Ronda and the whitewashed villages of Grazalema and Zahara de la Sierra, where stunning landscapes and historic landmarks await. Tomorrow, travelers depart for home, carrying unforgettable memories of this enchanting region.
Ronda and White Villages Tour
Guests embark on a captivating 10-hour tour of the enchanting White Villages and Ronda, with convenient pickups from their hotel or central Seville. Limited to 30 participants, this experience offers an intimate exploration of Andalusia’s scenic treasures. A knowledgeable local guide leads guests to the Sierra de Cádiz-Pueblos Blancos, named for the tradition of whitewashed houses adorned with vibrant flowers. Here, the natural beauty of sun-soaked mountains, lush green hills, and vivid blue skies creates a stunning contrast. Guests will visit the Sierra de Grazalema, Andalusia’s first natural park, renowned for its dramatic limestone cliffs, deep ravines, and unique Spanish fir forest. The tour stops in Zahara de la Sierra, a striking town dominated by its Moorish Torre del Homenaje, offering panoramic views of the surrounding park. Guests can admire the church of Santa María de la Mesa and sample local sweets called gañotes, made with almonds and cinnamon. Continuing to Ronda, one of Spain’s oldest cities, guests will stroll through the 19th-century Alameda del Tajo gardens and take in the breathtaking views. Highlights include the iconic Plaza de Toros de Ronda, one of Spain’s oldest stone bullrings, and the city’s emblematic New Bridge, which connects Ronda’s old and new quarters and offers stunning vistas of the Tajo de Ronda gorge. The tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, an official guide, a visit to an olive oil mill with a tasting of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and guided exploration of the White Villages, Sierra de Grazalema, and Ronda.
Day 8: Adiós Spain!
Say goodbye to Spain with a treasure trove of memories made and cultural experiences enjoyed.
Inclusions
Includes
- Activities and excursions as specified in the itinerary
- Accommodation: Madrid (3 nights) - Seville (4 nights)
- Meals where noted in the itinerary
- Train rides where noted in the itinerary
- Admission tickets as specified in the itinerary
Not Included
- Tips and personal expenses
- Visa and tourism charges
- Travel insurance
- Arrival and departure flights