Take your family on an unforgettable, 10-day adventure to the vivacious cities of Barcelona and Madrid. Live like kings and queens in the Royal Palace of the nation’s capital before rediscovering your artistic side amongst the whimsical architecture of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona. Treat your taste buds to an explosion of flavor as you sample authentic paella in the coastal city of Valencia, and then, take off on a thrilling zipline adventure across Toledo’s Tagus River. Along the way, you...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Barcelona - Airport Arrival and Dinner Along Las Ramblas
As you and the family glide onto the tarmac at the El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport in Barcelona, the excitement of your 10-day, Spanish getaway will surely be overflowing. You will make your way through customs where you will meet your private ground transportation.
Once you are free of the airport, you will whiz along the bustling streets of this major metropolis as mopeds weave in and out of traffic and taxis hurry drivers along the busy boulevards. You will smell the sweet fragrance of sugary churros as it wafts through the morning air.
Shortly, you will arrive at your luxurious hotel in the city's center, which is known as the Gothic Quarter. You can unpack your bags and then venture out of your hotel for some self-guided exploration. You can peek your heads into shops and kiosks along Las Ramblas, which is a beautiful pedestrian boulevard that is shaded by towering trees and dotted with outdoor cafes and restaurants. Later, you will peel off from the central avenue for a gorgeous display of color at the Mercado de La Boqueria, which is an enormous open-aired market that features produce, wines, and cheeses of every variety. As night begins to fall and bellies grow hungry, you will enjoy a lovely meal along Las Ramblas or just beyond at the Placa Reial, which is the centerpiece of late-night dining in the Gothic Quarter. Your children can join in on an impromptu game of soccer at the plaza square while parents sip a glass of red wine from nearby wine country in La Rioja. As a family, you will sample tapas of all varieties: cheese, ham, olive, seafood, and more.
What's Included:
Day 2
Barcelona - Gothic Quarter and Sagrada Familia
Day 3
Barcelona - Antoni Gaudi Tour and Parque Guell
Day 4
Valencia - Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and L'Oceanogràfic
Day 5
Valencia - Mercat Central and Plaza de Toros
Day 6
Cuenca - Hanging Houses and San Pablo Bridge
Day 7
Madrid - Plaza del Sol, Royal Palace of Madrid, and Dinner at Plaza Mayor
Day 8
Toledo - Alcazar de Toledo and River Zipline
Day 9
Madrid - Parque El Retiro and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
Day 10
Madrid - Airport Departure and International Flight Connection
Trip Highlights
- Venture inside the kaleidoscopic fairytale of Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia and amble down the cobbled streets of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter
- Tour Valencia's famed City of Arts and Sciences and witness an authentic bullfight at the city's Plaza de Toros
- Take pictures at Cuenca's Hanging Houses and cross the scenic San Pablo Bridge for a lovely sunset dinner
- Live like kings and queens in Madrid's Royal Palace before keeping up with the quickened pace of city life in Plaza del Sol
- Uncover Toledo's storied past atop the famed Alcazar before ziplining across the city's beautiful river
- Row paddle boats in the enchanting Parque El Retiro and then admire famous artwork at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
Detailed Description
You will feel as if you are stepping into a storybook when you land on Spain's shimmering coastline. Mountains cut across Catalonia in the north and dot along central Spain as well. Small villages hug tight to the cliff's edge while iridescent river waters snake below. Beauty in Spain is not limited to the terrain, and it also exudes from the vibrant architecture and abounding hospitality of its people.
You will begin your family's journey in the hip and trendy metropolis of Barcelona. This international megacity is the epicenter of much of the country's hustle and bustle. At every turn, you will be confronted with precious jewels from centuries past. You will tour the exquisite Gothic Quarter as you admire gorgeous balconies and intricate stonework before strolling down cobblestone streets that wind past the major plazas and hidden alcoves that are on the way to the city's most prized cathedrals, palaces, synagogues, fortresses, and mosques. As you journey south, you will delve into local culture in the stunning city of Valencia, where tantalizing aromas of saffron and rosemary will entice you to sample delicious paella.
You will stop in the quaint village of Cuenca and the opulent city of Toledo as you make your way to the nation's capital. You and your family will soon realize that Madrid is a rich, eclectic mix of cultures that have prevailed throughout the centuries. Walk the gold-leafed halls of the Royal Palace and dine like locals in the Plaza Mayor before taking an afternoon respite amongst the luscious foliage of Parque El Retiro. You will then transfer to admire the great artwork of Picasso and Dali at the national art museum. In just two weeks, you will have experienced so much that will have you planning your return trip before you even leave the country. Don’t take just our word for it - consider reading some of our travelers’ reviews of Spain, and see how you can customize your own dream vacation.
Starting Price
$3,900 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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