Best of Spain Highlights Tour: Barcelona, Madrid & Seville - 12 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid, Explore Top Attractions

Welcome to Spain! Upon arrival at the nation's capital, you'll enjoy a private transfer to your hotel in the city center. Take some time to settle in before heading out to explore. You'll definitely want to see some of the highlights, like the Puerta del Sol, one of the most historic and expansive plazas in the city. There's also Madrid's famous Fountain of Cibeles. Located in the city center, it features a sculpture completed in 1782 and depicting Cybele, the Greek goddess of fertility, riding in a chariot pulled by lions.

Perhaps you could take in a show. Gran Vía is Madrid's answer to Broadway; on it, you'll find plenty of theaters showcasing plays and musical productions. Needless to say, the options for culture in this city are vast, and you could also visit museums, art galleries, and live music venues if the mood strikes.

When night falls, be sure to indulge in Madrid's world-class culinary scene. If you want to dine amid history, head to Botín. No less than Ernest Hemingway described it in his seminal novel "The Sun Also Rises" as the best restaurant on earth. 

Day 2: Private City Tour, Discover Madrid's Royal Legacy

Enjoy a half-day tour of Madrid led by an expert local guide today. Madrid has a long history, and today, the city adorns itself with that history in its architecture, public spaces, and culture. An organized tour is ideal, and your guide will reveal insight into how different periods influenced Madrid's neighborhoods and buildings and point out the most interesting sights.

One area you'll visit that's awash in splendor is the Madrid de los Austrias. It was built in the 16th century during the reign of the Hapsburg Dynasty's first ruler, Charles I. Located in the city center, it's home to one of the grandest plazas in Spain, the Plaza Mayor, once the heart of Old Madrid. Also here is the Royal Palace, which was the official home of the Spanish monarchs until 1931. You'll tour both the grounds and interior of this 3,418-room monument to opulence, entering the parade ground, the chambers of Charles III, several salons, the Royal Chapel, and the Hall of the Crown, which displays Charles I's crown, scepter, and throne.

Later you could visit El Retiro Park. This 308-acre expanse of verdure is the green lung of Madrid, abounding with sculptures, fountains, and a man-made lake perfect for taking a boat trip. There are also must-visit gardens here, including the Jardín de Vivaces (Garden of Vivacious Plants), Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez (inspired by the Andalusia region), and a garden home to over 4,000 roses—the best time to see these blooms is from May through June. 

Day 3: Train to Seville, A Night of Tapas & Flamenco

After breakfast, a driver will transfer you to Madrid's railway station, where you'll board a train bound for Seville. It's a three-hour journey, and upon arrival, another driver will transfer you to your hotel. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel and unwind before a lively evening in the city.

Whether in a small group or private tour, you'll head to Seville's historic old town for a night of delicious tapas and authentic flamenco, a musical style originating in Andalusia. Your expert guide will lead you through two family-run taverns where you'll taste a wide selection of dishes. Traditional tapas on offer include acorn-fed Iberian ham, gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp in oil), and bacalao (salt cod). Of course, throughout the dinner, you'll pair the tapas with delicious local wines.

You'll then switch to the flamenco, experiencing the most authentic version in the historic Santa Cruz neighborhood. Here, you'll enter a 15th-century building that hosts the evening's dance performance. It's the perfect ambience to experience the power, passion, and drama of real flamenco. After the performance, you'll visit yet another family-run tapas bar to cap the whirlwind evening with more incredible wines and equally delectable desserts. All in all, it's a perfect end to a magical evening in Seville.

Day 4: Private City Tour of Seville

After breakfast, you'll head off with a local guide to explore Seville, starting with a visit to the Seville Cathedral, a 15th-century Roman-Catholic church home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest Gothic church in the world, and a testament to religious grandiosity. You'll also see La Giralda, the cathedral's looming bell tower. There's a noticeable stylistic difference between the two structures, as this 12th-century pillar was originally built as a minaret for the Great Mosque back when Andalusía was ruled by the Moors.

You'll then walk to the fashionable Santa Cruz neighborhood, once the Jewish Quarter in the city. It's a colorful and well-preserved part of the historic center, with many cafés and tapas bars. Enjoy a break with some small plates and regional wine. You can also visit markets and local shops where artisans craft intricate silverwork and elegant garment embroidery. 

After completing the half-day tour, you can return to your hotel and relax or continue to explore the town. Not surprisingly, Seville's gastronomic scene is incredible. Know that locals love to compliment an evening of tapas with a nightcap at a favorite watering hole. 

Day 5: Day Trip to Córdoba, Private City Tour

In the morning, your driver will pick you up for a two-hour road trip east to Córdoba. On a guided tour of the city center, you'll visit all the amazing sites. These include the breathtaking Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba), a pagan temple that was converted into the great mosque of the Ummayad caliphate and later transformed into a Catholic church.

In addition, you'll visit the Alcázar de los Reyes, a palace built in the 14th century. This is where Christopher Columbus met with the Catholic monarchs and was granted approval for his voyage west in search of the Indies. The terraced gardens, fish ponds, flower beds, and orange trees here make for great photo opportunities. You'll also have the option to meander around the winding and narrow streets of the historic Jewish Quarter.

Day 6: Explore an Andalusian Olive Oil Farm

In the morning, a driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you outside the city to a special locale in the countryside. One of Spain's most popular exports is its high-quality olive oil, and today, you'll witness the production process firsthand on an exclusive tour of an Andalusian olive oil estate. This estate has quite the history, as it was right here back in the 17th century that Christopher Columbus' son Hernando began exporting olive oil to the New World.

You'll tour the old manufacturing center and view the 16th-century olive oil presses. You'll also visit the estate's working presses, which use modern methods to produce the olive oil they export today. The excursion ends with a tasting of olive oils from the estate, allowing you to put your newfound knowledge of this tasty ingredient to good use.

Day 7: Transfer to Ronda, Wine Tour

In the morning, a driver will meet you for your journey from Seville south to Ronda, an ancient city dating back to the 6th century when it was first settled by the Celts. It's a storybook locale carved out of a mountain and situated over a deep gorge and one of the most unique and dramatic cities in the country.

Ronda and its surrounding region are also known for producing great wines. Today, you'll enjoy a private visit to a boutique winery whose cellars are located in the ancient chapel of a former monastery. You'll enjoy an informative tour by an oenologist who will reveal the time-tested methods and traditions of the winemaking process here, as well as discuss the types of wines they produce. The tour ends with a tasting of the various wines.

After the winery, you'll head into Ronda to do some sightseeing. The city itself has a well-preserved historic center with an impressive Plaza de Toros (bullring) that's a physical representation of its bullfighting heritage. Most ideally, though, there are spectacular views of the gorge from many points in the city.

Day 8: Hiking Ronda, Transfer to Granada

After breakfast, you'll head to the outskirts of Ronda for a bit of hiking around the stunning countryside. There are many such routes outside of the city that pass through the green valley below. These are mostly easy day hikes, many of which can be completed in as little as an hour or two.

Some highlights of hiking around this bucolic landscape include passing by local farms and olive groves as well as hiking up ridges for more incredible views of Ronda and the valley. You might even pass by limestone caves and old hermitages that date back hundreds of years. As a bonus, you'll see beautiful displays of wildflowers and almond blossoms along the trails. Capping the experience will be a picnic lunch featuring seasonal produce.

Afterward, your driver will pick you up for the two-hour drive east to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the city of Granada. This is one of the most historic and beautiful cities in the south. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and have some time to relax and unwind.

Day 9: Private Tour of the Alhambra & Generalife Gardens

Granada was once the last bastion of Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain) when it was ruled by the Moors. You can see examples of this history in the form of Granada's most famous landmark, the Alhambra, which receives more than two million visitors annually. In the morning, you'll meet an expert guide for a private tour.

This imposing Muslim fortress was built atop a hill overlooking Granada and dates to the 9th century. It was rebuilt in the 14th century by the Nasrid Dynasty and served as a Moorish palace until 1492, when, after the Christian reconquest, it became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella. It's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and on tour, you'll walk through its grand halls and stroll the Generalife Gardens, which are filled with colorful flowers and fountains and offer panoramic views of the city down below.

After the tour, You'll have free time to enjoy Grenada on your own. You can walk around the labyrinthine streets of the Albaicín and Sacromonte quarters, the well-preserved historic neighborhoods of the city. In areas such as these, you can visit the Granada Cathedral, Royal Church, Alcaicería (old silk market), and Madraza (medieval Koranic school).

Day 10: Fly to Barcelona, Explore the City by Bike

In the morning, a driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport, where you'll catch a 1.5-hour flight to Barcelona. Upon arrival, you'll take another private transfer to your hotel. After checking in and unpacking, it will be time to head out and explore this jewel in the crown of Catalonia.

However, you won't be doing so on foot—you'll be touring this popular city by bicycle as you ride through its most famous area: the medieval Gothic Quarter and its trendy El Born neighborhood. After meeting your guide and hopping on the bike, you'll then be underway. As your guide leads you on a three-hour tour, he or she will point out the rich history of these neighborhoods as you pass Roman ruins, the grand Plaça Reial, and the Gothic Barcelona Cathedral, which dates to the 13th century.

But the tour doesn't end here. You'll cycle from the Gothic Quarter through Ciutadella Park, one of the largest green spaces in the city, and all the way to Barceloneta Beach. This is the main urban beach in the city, and it's always a hub of activity, lined as it's with cafés, restaurants, beaches, bars, and discos. Riding along the promenade fronting the water is the perfect way to cap your cycling tour of Barcelona's most famous areas.

Day 11: Visit Park Güell & Sagrada Família

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll meet a local guide who will whisk you away in a chauffeured vehicle for a half-day tour. The destinations are two of the most impressive works by the legendary Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí: Park Güell and the Sagrada Família.

First, you'll visit Park Güell. Located atop Carmel Hill in north Barcelona, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a fine example of Gaudí's boundary-pushing modernist style. The park takes up 42 acres, and you'll be able to marvel at every building as you stroll the walkways and gardens. There are also incredible views at many points in Park Güell that look out over the city.

Next is the Sagrada Família, the iconic Roman Catholic basilica with an impressive mix of Gothic, Catalan-modernism, and Art Nouveau architectural styles. Despite construction on the church beginning in 1882, it's still technically under construction and was only consecrated in 2010. Upon arrival, the guide will reveal insight into the Sagrada Família's fascinating history, and you'll glean even more info as you explore the interior.

Around lunchtime, you'll part ways with your guide. On your own, you can visit Ciutadella Park. Since 1881, this green lung of Barcelona has taken up 70 acres and features sculptures, lakes, gardens, playgrounds, and the Barcelona Zoo. You could easily spend the remainder of the afternoon here and not run out of things to do and see.

Day 12: Depart Barcelona

It's time to say farewell to Barcelona. Depending on the time of your flight or train reservation, squeeze in one more walk through the city, perhaps picking up some last-minute souvenirs. At the designated time, you'll be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport or train station for your departure. Have a good trip!

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