The Best of Spain

DAY 1 | ARRIVAL IN BARCELONA

Arrival at the Barcelona airport and private transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure, for the first impressions of this captivating city on the Mediterranean. Overnight  in Barcelona.

DAY 2 | BARCELONA

After breakfast, meet your guide and begin your tour of this magical city. Your walking tour starts at Old Barcelona’s historic Gothic Quarter. Take a journey back in time and discover Roman ruins and medieval palaces nestled in the heart of the city. Stroll by medieval Roman walls and towers dating back to the 4^th century, meander through narrow stone alleyways of the old Jewish Quarter and stand at the center of the governmental square Placa de Sant Jaume. Enjoy a visit to the 14^th century Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, an architectural marvel of Gothic Art. Marvel at the impressive interior, including the magnificent central nave. Later, travel to the incredible Sagrada Familia Cathedral, designed by Barcelona’s famed architect Antoni Gaudi. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and monumental masterpiece of architecture. Considered one of Barcelona’s must-see sites.  Balance of the day is yours at leisure to continue your exploration of this fascinating city.   Overnight  in Barcelona. (B)

DAY 3 | BARCELONA – MADRID

This morning transfer to Barcelona’s main train station to board your high-speed train to Madrid. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure to begin your exploration of the Spanish capital. Overnight  in Madrid. (B)

DAY 4 | MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel. Explore this splendid city with a local guide. As we travel along Calle Gran Vía, Madrid’s equivalent to New York City’s Broadway, you will marvel at the Opera district, Plaza de Colon, the monumental 18th century Royal Palace (entrance included, upon availability), Puerto del Sol Plaza and Plaza de España, Madrid’s main square, where you will see an imposing statue of Spain’s literary giant, Miguel de Cervantes. Spend part of the day visiting the important Prado Museum (entrance included, upon availability), which holds one of world’s finest collections of art in the world. Highlight to the impressive collection of paintings from some of the greatest Spanish masters such as Velasquez, Goya, and Murillo, among others. Overnight  in Madrid. (B)

DAY 5 | MADRID | TOLEDO | MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel. Day tour to Toledo, one of the oldest towns in Europe and a beautiful city-museum declared as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. Toledo is also known as the “City of the Three Cultures”, since Christians, Muslims and Jews lived there together. It has a great artistic beauty and buildings from almost all periods in history (Arabian, Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque style). Walk through the old Jewish quarter with its narrow streets to visit the Church of St. Tomé where the very famous painting of El Greco “The Burial of Count Orgaz” is exposed, and the old Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca, which is as a strong symbol of the coexistence of the “Three Cultures”. Return to Madrid for overnight. (B)

DAY 6 | MADRID | SEVILLE

Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to Madrid train station. Train ride to Seville. After your arrival at Seville train station, your driver will transfer you to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to explore the emblematic Andalusian capital. Overnight in Seville. (B)

DAY 7 | SEVILLE (city tour)

Breakfast at the hotel. Private guided tour of Seville, covering the principal monuments of the city, such as the Cathedral, the third largest in the Catholic world after St. Peters in Rome (entrance included, subject to availability), the Alcazar, the oldest royal palace in Europe (entrance included, subject to availability), the Maria Luisa Park and the Spain square. You also walk around the Santa Cruz Quarter, the former Jewish Quarter, a natural scenario of “Carmen” and where the myth of “Don Juan” developed. Today, it is one of Seville’s most charming areas. Overnight  in Seville. (B)

DAY 8 | EN ROUTE

Departure transfer from Seville to the airport. (B)

This is a sample itinerary which can be further customized to suit your preference. Prices will be quoted upon request according to the date of travel and the number of passengers in your vehicle. For shorter programs or extensions, please inquire.