10-Day Spain and Italy Cultural Cornucopia Tour

Madrid is a city known for its vividness. The city combines art, cuisine, and architecture along streets that are lined with medieval mansions, royal palaces, and extravagant confections. Your flight will land at Madrid Barajas International Airport, where your private transfer will greet you upon your arrival. After settling into the comforts of your hotel, your guide will lead you through the fascinating city on an introductory of Plaza Mayor. What once held lavish events like bullfights and parades continues to act as a center for life in Madrid.

After breakfast, you will venture to the royal palace gates with your guide. The exceptional grounds encompass one of the largest palaces in Europe. You will continue to the Prado Museum, which displays approximately 2,300 of its 5,000 paintings at any given time. The marble halls clamor with footsteps beneath the towering ceilings. Your guide will introduce you to the masterpieces and hidden gems around the galleries, including the painting of Jacob’s Dream by José de Ribera.

The city of Toledo is a masterfully preserved medieval labyrinth that sits on a hill overlooking the Tagus River. Churches, synagogues, and mosques flourishes alongside palaces and fortresses. Secluded shops continue to make handmade crafts, such as delicious marzipan or antique-inspired swords. The Catedral de Toledo towers above the plaza beside the former Jewish quarter. After breakfast this morning, your guide will lead you on an extensive tour of the complex.

In the morning, you will travel by high-speed train to Barcelona, which is a city that is known for its relaxed attitude, Mediterranean ambiance, and fascinating architecture. Your guide will greet you at the hotel and introduce you to the beauty of Barcelona’s effortless blend of contemporary grandeur and Old-World charm, beginning with the Gothic Quarter. Your tour will also lead you to other noteworthy sites, such as the Palaça del Rei and a historical Museum.

After breakfast, your guide will greet you at the lobby and lead you on a tour of the iconic architecture of Antonin Gaudi. Few visionaries have left such an indelible mark on Barcelona. The most famous structure that Gaudi designed was the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, which is an unconventional church with 18 towers. Construction on the site began in the 19th century and continues to this day.

Rome is a city of relics, ruins, art, and artifacts that represent the eternal heart at the center of the Western World. Your flight will land at Rome Fiumicino Airport, where your private transfer will greet you upon arrival. The brief flight from Barcelona will afford you more time to settle in to the comforts of your luxurious hotel in the city center before meeting your guide. When you are ready, you will journey deep into the past at the Colosseum. You will be led on an extensive tour of the site before having the rest of the day at your leisure.

After breakfast, you will venture to St. Peter’s Square and meet your guide near the Egyptian obelisk that crowns the heart of the public piazza. Before stepping into the mixture of enchanting antiquity and breathtaking artwork, your guide will lead you to the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica. The interior of the basilica can host a congregation of up to 60,000 people. Your guide will lead you to Michelangelo’s Pietà, which is a stunning sculpture that depicts Mary grieving over Jesus.

After breakfast, you will have a private transfer to the Termini train station for your first-class ride to Florence. You will quickly glide through the golden hills of Lazio and into the lush greenery for which Tuscany is famous. Cypress trees line the country lanes, and vineyards spread across the valleys. Florence is the capital of the Renaissance and a prized treasure among the cities of Italy. Here, you will follow your guide through the winding streets, past the Duomo, and through the famous gallery known as the Accademia dell’Arte.

This morning, you will travel outside of Florence for the day with your guide to the proud city of Pisa. The most iconic destination in Pisa is the Leaning Tower. The structure stands nearly 184 feet tall and was officially planned to be the bell tower to the accompanying Duomo in the 12th century. You will then leave Pisa for the tranquil town of Lucca. The long history of invaders and prominent architectural features of the town reflect a preserved Tuscan culture. Your guide will lead you on a customizable tour of the enclave before returning you to Florence.

After breakfast this morning, your private transfer will greet you at the hotel and escort you to Firenze-Peretola Airport for your flight home. You can always extend your Spain and Italy tour with more time to the rich cultural history of northern or southern Italy.