Exhilarating Adventure to Barcelona & Madrid Tour
What to expect on this itinerary
During this luxurious 7-day adventure through Madrid and Barcelona, you will experience some of the most exclusive experiences that these cities have to offer. Vivacious street life bursts from the central avenues and open-aired plazas of Madrid's downtown and local bands catch the attention of passersby. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, artistic whimsy emanates from every storefront and the intricate architecture amazes all its visitors.
Customizable Itinerary
Barcelona - Dinner in Placa Reial
You will arrive at the Barcelona airport, where you will meet your private transport who will escort you to your hotel. Soon, you will arrive at your luxurious accommodation in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. You can unpack your bags as the chatter below ensues. Then, later in the afternoon, you can venture into the city for some self-guided exploration. Later, as the sky begins to warm with the red-orange hues of sunset, you can indulge in dinner at the Placa Reial. Here, children play pick-up games of soccer and street vendors sell light-up toys and other souvenirs.
What's Included:
Barcelona - Gothic Quarter and Sagrada Familia
Barcelona - Architecture Tour of Park Guell
Valencia - Paella Cooking Class
Madrid - City Tour Highlights
Madrid - Reina Sofia Art Museum
Madrid - Departure
Trip Highlights
- Dine in the moonlit Placa Reial and discover Barcelona's eclectic history when you stroll through the streets of the city's Gothic quarter
- Marvel at the kaleidoscopic hues of La Sagrada Familia before visiting other masterpieces of famed architect, Antoni Gaudi, including Park Guell
- Admire the futuristic designs of architect, Calatrava, at the City of Arts and Sciences before attending an authentic paella cooking class
- Peruse the halls of Madrid's Royal Palace and indulge in an array of local tapas in the Plaza Mayor
- Visit Picasso's masterpieces at the Reina Sofia Art Museum and stroll through the luscious public park that is known as Parque El Retiro
Detailed Description
Whimsical and fantastical architecture overflows from every alcove in the charming city of Barcelona. Ocean waves will lap against the sandy shore as gulls fly overhead. Moreover, families and couples will gather along the coastline in the moonlit Gothic Quarter for a relaxing dinner. Meanwhile, in Valencia, expert chefs mix perfectly seasoned rice, vegetables, and seafood in large cast-iron skillets. In the center of Spain, Madrid's locals and visitors meander through the Plaza del Sol, past the Royal Palace, and inside the Parque El Retiro.
When you arrive in Barcelona on your first day in Spain, you will be met by your private transportation for your exciting, 7-day expedition. You will settle into your hotel and indulge in an initial dinner at the Placa Reial. Then, the following morning, you will follow your expert guide along the cobbled streets of the Gothic Quarter as you learn about the city's history. Later, you will delve into the eccentric aesthetic of architect Antoni Gaudi at such famed masterpieces, such as the Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, Park Guell, and La Sagrada Familia.
As you set out towards Madrid, you will make a brief stop in Valencia, which is the third-largest city in Spain. Here, you will participate in an authentic paella cooking class and visit the one-of-a-kind designs at the City of Arts and Sciences. Afterward, in Madrid, you will fall in love with the quickened pace and the leisurely attitudes of outdoor cafes, restaurants, and parks. Your expert guide will lead you to attractions, such as the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Plaza del Sol, and Parque El Retiro. Then, in the evenings, you can venture to the outlying neighborhoods of Malasana and Lavapies, where you can become lost in the vibrant arts and music scene.
Starting Price
$2,800 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
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 157 reviews
Our trip was fantastic. The guides were excellent. The Madrid wine tour guide was excellent, our guide for the walking tour of Barcelona was excellent, our guide for the walking tour of Madrid city was excellent, and our guide for Tarragona and Sitges was excellent. We were so pleased with all the tours that I will not change anything for our next trip with you guys. I appreciate your company and the way you handle things. Zicasso’s travel specialist was so helpful. Thank you so much. I can't wait to do this all over again.
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Every step organized with our Zicasso travel specialist was seamless. Everything went as planned. All the hotels, guides, and tours selected were wonderful, and all the transportation types (trains, planes) were mostly very easy to navigate going between Barcelona, Sevilla, and Madrid.
The travel specialist was always available to discuss any aspect of the trip, including during our stay in Spain. We give the travel company an excellent review and will recommend Zicasso to our friends!
Job well done to our travel specialist!
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A month later and we are still reminiscing over the amazing family vacation we had to Barcelona and Costa Brava. The unique sights, tour experts, delicious foods, cozy accommodations... none of this would have happened (quite literally) without Zicasso’s travel specialist.
Our vacation started with multiple flight delays and interruptions that delayed the start of our trip by nearly three days. Our travel specialist was in constant communication with us as she simultaneously helped reschedule our tour details and accommodations. All the while, she was always optimistic and genuinely happy to help us. I cannot express my appreciation for our travel specialist's help managing our schedule in Spain so I did not have to worry about those details while we worked to get our family's stressful travel situation resolved.
Our accommodations for myself, my husband, and our two teenagers were wonderful. Our travel specialist managed to find us a boutique hotel experience that fit well for our teenagers and ourselves. Every detail was turnkey and if we had questions, our travel specialist was quick to respond.
A few highlights of the trip:
Sagrada Família: We booked these tickets months in advance and missed our tour due to the flight delays. Our travel specialist managed against all odds to get us tickets and book us with the most incredible guide. If you are traveling to Barcelona, this is an absolute must-see. Stunningly beautiful. See as many Gaudí attractions as you can. There is nothing like his work and artistry.
Cadaqués day trip: If we return, I would definitely spend more time in this beautiful coastal town. Our guide grew up in the area and was very knowledgeable. We had a driver as well, which worked great, so we could relax and take in the scenic views. Salvador Dalí's home is also worth the visit! On our return, we stopped in Figueres to peruse the Dalí Museum which, all four of us greatly enjoyed.
On our last day, we went sailing, which was a first for us. Our captain was friendly and knowledgeable of the area. Our travel specialist organized a picnic for us, which was delicious. I'm still thinking about the gazpacho! We stopped at multiple locations to snorkel and use the paddle board.
Although our travels started out a bit rough, I am so glad we went and had the unforgettable experiences that we did. Thank you to the travel company and specifically our travel specialist! We are truly grateful for all the time and effort you put into making our family vacation so special.
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The trip exceeded our expectations and enlightened us about Spanish history and culture. We greatly appreciated the way Zicasso's travel specialist and his team worked to accommodate our travel needs, interests, and preferences, providing a thoroughly enjoyable adventure.
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What a great trip! The hotels were amazing, the transportation was seamless, and the tours were great!
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The owners of Zicasso’s tour company were amazing from start to finish. They curated a custom trip for us to Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Málaga, Toledo, and Granada. They listened to our requests and came up with a brilliant itinerary that included personal drivers, hotels, dining recommendations, and tour guides. They were also so quick to respond to our questions and pivot our plans when needed. This was a very special 30th-anniversary trip for us and they knocked it out of the park.
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