Highlights
- See Madrid's famous sights on a guided tour
- Learn the secrets to great sangria from a professional bartender
- Travel to Seville and visit the most historic landmarks in Andalusia
- Enjoy a live flamenco performance in an intimate venue
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Madrid, Evening Tapas Tour | Madrid |
| Day 2 | Exclusive City Tour, Evening Sangria Workshop | Madrid |
| Day 3 | Train to Seville, Flamenco Performance | Seville |
| Day 4 | Half-Day City Tour of Seville | Seville |
| Day 5 | Depart Seville |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Madrid, Evening Tapas Tour
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 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 depicting Cybele, the Greek goddess of fertility, riding in a chariot pulled by lions.
In the evening, you'll dig into Madrid's culture on a food tour. A local expert guide will lead you on a two-hour walking excursion that stops at some great tapas bars. On this tour, you'll visit Barrio Las Letras, which is known as the "literary quarter." This historic neighborhood in the city center was once home to Spanish-lit legends like Cervantes and Quevedo. Besides visiting some historic sights around here, you'll also stop at Calle Huertas for a bite at one of the many tapas bars that line the street.
Day 2: Exclusive City Tour, Evening Sangria Workshop
In the morning, you'll embark on a half-day tour of Madrid led by an expert local guide. Over the course of its long history, Madrid has seen many different eras, and today, the city adorns itself with that history in its architecture, public spaces, and culture. One area you'll visit is Madrid de los Austrias, the heart of Old Madrid. Located in the city center, it's home to one of the grandest plazas in Spain, the Plaza Mayor.
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.
After the tour, return to the hotel and relax. In the evening, you'll learn how to prepare Spain's most famous wine cocktail, sangria. The secret to a great sangria is more art than science, which you'll learn in a one-hour private workshop in a stylish city-center venue with an expert barman. You'll learn the history of this drink as well as traditional recipes you can take home to prepare the perfect sangria for friends and family.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Train to Seville, Flamenco Performance
After breakfast, a driver will transfer you to Madrid's railway station, where you'll board a train to Seville. It's a three-hour journey, and upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. After checking in, you'll have plenty of time to unpack and unwind before your big night out.
Then it will be time. You'll head to Seville's historic center and the Museo del Baile flamenco, an interactive museum and live music venue dedicated to flamenco. This musical style was birthed right here in Andalusia, and a visit to the museum before the show will reveal flamenco's rich history, from its origins to its current global renown.
After the museum, you'll sit down for a live performance of the real thing. Enjoy the performance because there's nothing quite like seeing this sultry music performed in an intimate venue in the heart of the region where it was created. Once the show is over, you'll complement the evening with a horse-drawn carriage ride back to your hotel.
Day 4: Half-Day City Tour of Seville
After breakfast, you'll head off with a local guide to explore Seville. Start with the Seville Cathedral, a 15th-century Roman-Catholic church home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus. 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 Andalusia was ruled by the Moors.
Then, travel back to the era of the Christan conquest when you visit the Alcázar of Seville. This royal palace was commissioned for King Peter of Castile in the 14th century and was built over the site of a former Muslim fortress. It features well-manicured gardens, and the building itself is one of the finest examples of Mudéjar architecture in the nation.
After stopping at the Alcázar, you'll walk to the fashionable Santa Cruz neighborhood, which was once the Jewish Quarter in the city. It's a colorful and well-preserved part of the historic center, with many options for cafés and tapas bars. You can also visit crafts markets and local shops where seasoned artisans produce 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. If you decide to head out for a night on the town, do like the locals and complement an evening of tapas with a nightcap at a favorite watering hole.
Day 5: Depart Seville
In the morning, at the appropriate time, a driver will transfer you to the airport where you'll catch your flight home. We hope you enjoyed your trip!
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