Three destinations truly evoke and encompass Spain’s seduction. Madrid is the capital of atmospheric terraces, regal art, and astonishing monuments. Seville is the home of flamenco, vibrant Andalusian culture, and the legacy of conquistadores. And Barcelona is the icon of coastal pleasures, Catalonian pride, and Gaudi’s inspiration. Savor four days at each destination, two dedicated to the cities, and two reserved for private day-trips in the evocative surrounding regions.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Madrid – A Feast of Tapas Welcomes You to the Spanish Capital
Madrid always surprises, with visitors expecting a bustling city, but discovering the serene atmosphere of a city lounging in the past. Lunch time regularly extends until 4 pm, maze-like central lanes are great when you do not have a map, and the outdoor scents move from coffee to red wine as the day progresses. This is a city that lives outside, with chatter emanating from al fresco terraces, and the sense that what could be done today can be left for tomorrow. This laid-back style makes Madrid an excellent starting point, particularly if you are prone to jet lag. There is something going on at all hours of the day and something to enjoy whenever you are exploring.
You are greeted at the airport, and it is a short, chauffeured transfer into the city, where your hotel is nestled in the city’s old quarter, within a five-minute walk of the Plaza Mayor. The afternoon is at your leisure, and the central streets make for easy exploration. Then it is the scents that guide you through the evening, as a private tapas tour introduces the gastronomy of a country. Juxtaposed bars are run by chefs from distinctive regions. Sample octopus from Galicia, sea urchin pintxos (small plates) from Basque, hams and cheeses with regional flavors, and a simmering chorizo stew that sends its fragrances far down the street. Tapas is an accompaniment, of course, served with a drink.This tour of gastronomy also incorporates the wines of the country, starting with a Cava, moving through La Rioja, culminating with Ribera del Duero wines.
What's Included:
Day 2
Madrid – Immersed in Art and Atmosphere
Day 3
Madrid – Day-Trip to the Remarkable Imperial City of Toledo
Day 4
Madrid – Exploring the Fabulous Royal Legacy of El Escorial
Day 5
Seville – High-Speed Train across Rural Spain to Andalusia
Day 6
Seville – A Day Honoring Conquistadors and an Evening of Flamenco
Day 7
Seville – Day-Trip to the Iconic White Villages of Andalusia
Day 8
Seville – The Architecture Marvels of Cordoba
Day 9
Barcelona – Relaxed Introductions in the Barri Gotic
Day 10
Barcelona – Sensual Cava and Old Vintages in the Penedes Wine Region
Day 11
Barcelona – The Choir of Montserrat Monastery and the Excess of La Sagrada Familia
Day 12
Barcelona – Free Day in Barcelona
Day 13
Barcelona – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Effortlessly slip into the atmospheric Spanish rhythm, starting with four laid-back nights in Madrid
- Uncover Spain’s trademark vibrancy and color with four days in Seville, the capital of the passionate Andalusian region
- Immerse yourself in the proud originality of Barcelona, home of legendary Modernist architecture and a distinctly Catalonian style
- Feast your senses on the best of regional cuisines, from the tapas bars of Madrid to the lunch treats of Andalusia and the Michelin dining around Barcelona
- Journey into the legacy of the country’s history with day-trips to iconic World Heritage destinations, including the Imperial City of Toledo, the royal palace-cum-monastery El Escorial, and the Moorish heritage of Cordoba
- Spend a day in the Penedes Wine Region, home of Cava and traditional village cellars
- Listen to the choir song in Montserrat Monastery and be mesmerized by the white facade of Arcos de la Frontera, a tiny Andalusian village atop dramatic cliffs
- Two full days immerses you in each of the three destinations, followed by two days of private tours celebrating the best of the wider region
- Journey across southern Spain on a high-speed, first-class train, then fly to Barcelona from Seville, minimizing travel time
Detailed Description
Some European countries make for obvious itineraries. London is practically unavoidable in the UK. A first-time visit to France rarely misses Paris. How many people plan to visit Italy without seeing Rome? Spain is a little different. This is a country with so many iconic destinations, and each is as revered as the next. Regional diversity is alive in the language, cuisine, atmosphere, and style. Architectural wonder spans the centuries, from the Modernist movement to the mosques built by the Moors. Close to 50 World Heritage Sites dot the country, from opulent palaces to roving cathedrals and imperial cities. There are also the distinctive experiences, only available in a tiny part of the country. Here you will experience an authentic flamenco performance, sparkling Cava, idiosyncratic art, and architecture. Often, it can feel like there is too much choice.
This handcrafted private tour immerses you in Spain’s three most distinctive destinations, giving you a real flavor of country capital Madrid, Andalusian capital Sevilla, and Catalonian capital Barcelona. Spending four days in each city creates a relaxed program, two days dedicated to the best of the city and two days reserved for private tours in the wider region. So much comes together when you have this much time, although, like all handcrafted itineraries, this three-destination tour can be shortened to specific preferences. Authentic and intimate, this luxury tour is not just about the monuments and major sites. It also focuses on the local atmosphere, as told through culture, cuisine, and chatter on the outdoor terraces.
Start in Madrid, as relaxed a capital as any in Europe. Explore its legendary art galleries, take a tour through streets of tapas, settle into the ambience of plazas and terraces, and discover a city that always has time to stop and chat. Two days in the compact central city are followed by day trips to El Escorial, a remarkable palace that houses so much of the gold taken from the New World, and the old-world Imperial City of Toledo. Both are less than an hour’s travel from Madrid, and you return to the capital in time for the late afternoon, when terraces start getting busy, and the inviting ambience of the city is in full swing.
It’s two-and-half-hours by high-speed train to Seville, a first-class journey providing an easy window onto the landscapes of rural Spain. Wander the streets of cobblestone and curiosity, absorbing the fiery atmosphere of Andalusia and the south. Exploring the architecture honors the conquistadors who led Spain through Golden Age fame. Exploring the ambience is personified by a night of flamenco, a performance of improvisation and beauty in a local bar. The tiny white village of Arcos de la Frontera is your day-trip destination today, then the old Moorish capital of Cordoba holds you captive tomorrow. These two ancient places are completely different, yet both feel emblematic of Andalusia.
Fly to Barcelona, where your hotel is neatly located within Barri Gotic, on streets that have been around since the Roman era. Gaudi’s architecture takes centerstage but there is much more than La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, as a guide takes you to the casas (houses) that reflect early Modernist work. Discover various vintages with a day in the Penedes Wine Region, home of Cava and some exceptional cuisine. Then feel the spirituality of the old-world at Montserrat, where a choir sings, and the mountain engulfs you in silence. There is a free day to enjoy the coast along with some personalized dining recommendations to make the most of the Catalonian pleasures. Like Madrid, Barcelona offers extensive flight connections for your journey back home.
Begin planning your dream Spain vacation by visiting the best Spain itineraries page on Zicasso.
Starting Price
$5,100 per person (excluding international flights)
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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