Best of Spain

Best of Spain
Explore bustling Madrid where medieval and modern blend seamlessly, bask on the sparkling Mediterranean Costa del Sol with its white-sand beaches and charming resort towns and join locals in performing their traditional Flamenco dance.
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Day 1 Overnight Flight to Spain (Madrid)
Day 2 Hola Madrid
Details: Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure. You’ll also have a private coach and driver while touring .
Details: Madrid city walk
Life in Madrid is centered around talking, toasting and tapas-eating. In a walk through this crowded and social city, your Tour Director will help you get to know the lay of the land. Then stroll over to the Puerta del Sol, the bustling city center. Next, you'll relax at the Plaza Mayor, a grand square where every sort of human drama has taken place—trials of faith, public burnings of heretics, royal marriages, the canonization of saints, and countless balls and bullfights. End at the Plaza de España for a stop at an outdoor café.
Details: Puerta del Sol
Explore the Puerta del Sol, one of Madrid's busiest and most historic squares. While here we will view the Kilometre Zero marker, from which all distances in Spain are measured, and Madrid’s symbol, the Madrono.
Details: Plaza Mayor
Spend time in the Plaza Mayor, Madrid's most famous square. Throughout its long history the square has hosted markets, bullfights, soccer games, public executions, and the Spanish Inquisition. It is now ringed by shops and cafés and is often filled with artists and musicians.
Details: Plaza de España
The Plaza de España is a popular place to gather in Central Madrid. It features a large monument to Miguel de Cervante, author of Don Quixote.
Details: Reina Sofia Museum visit
Officially recognized as Spain’s National Museum of 20th Century Art, The Sofia—as it is more commonly known—is home to an impressive collection from Spain’s two greatest 20th century masters. Hosting works of both Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí, it’s no wonder that The Sofia has risen to such a prominent place in the world of art. Certainly the most famous piece in the museum is Picasso’s Guernica, but in addition to this wonderful masterpiece, you’ll also find a vast library, archive, bookstore and restaurant.
Day 3 Madrid landmarks
Tapas dinner
Details: Madrid guided sightseeing tour
Get a taste of Spain's cultural, political and economic center with a tour led by a licensed local guide. See Madrid's mix of traditional and modern as you visit the Royal Palace, an 18th-century masterpiece. The enormous Baroque palace currently has more rooms (2,800) than any other European palace, but it was originally supposed to be four times as large. The palace is dripping with porcelain, jeweled clocks, amazing ceiling frescoes—the most magnificent, in the Throne Room, was done by the Venetian artist Tiepolo when he was in his seventies. Next take a look at the Neoclassical architecture of the Prado Museum and the Puerta de Alcalá triumphal arch, built to honor Carlos III’s entry into Spain.
Details: Gran Vía
Stroll down the Gran Via, Madrid’s lively signature boulevard featuring magnificent shopping and cafés.
Details: Cibeles Fountain
The Fountain of Cybele, one of the most recognizable fountains in Madrid, depicts Cybele, a Phrygian earth and fertility deity.
Details: Puerta de Alcalá
See the Puerta de Alcalá, the ceremonial gateway to Madrid commissioned by Carlos III. The Neo-classical structure is located in the Plaza de Independencia and is named for the old path leading from Madrid to nearby Alcalá de Henares.
Details: Royal Palace visit
Browse through the 3,418 rooms in the largest palace in Europe. Art lovers will marvel at the walls lined with priceless paintings, but don’t expect to catch a glimpse of the Spanish royal family—they reside elsewhere.
Details: Toledo Cathedral visit
Walk to Toledo Cathedral, considered one of the greatest Gothic structures in Spain. The cathedral actually reflects several architectural styles and features many art treasures, including: the Transparente, a Last Supper in alabaster, El Greco's Twelve Apostoles, and works by Juan de Borgona. The Treasure Room features a 500-pound, 15th Century gilded monstrance, allegedly made with gold brought back from the New World by Colombus. It is still carried through the streets of Toledo during the feast of Corpus Christi.
Details: St. Mary’s Synagogue visit
Visit The Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, the oldest intact synagogue building in Europe. As it was constructed by the Christian Kingdom of Castile and designed by Islamic architects for Jewish use, it is considered a symbol of cooperation among the three religions.
Details: Sword factory visit
Toledo is famous for its traditional crafts, especially sword-making. Find out more at a local Toledo sword factory.
Day 4 Madrid--Seville
Mezquita guided visit
Details: Travel to Seville via Córdoba
Stop at Córdoba to visit one of Spain’s most impressive monuments, the Moorish Mezquita, which dates from the 8th to the 10th centuries. Walk through narrow white-washed alleys, passing tile covered patios, dotted with vibrant colored flowers. Don’t miss the beautiful back quarters.
Day 5 Seville landmarks
Seville guided sightseeing tour
Plaza de EspañaOld Jewish Quarter (Santa Cruz and San Bartolomé)Casa de Pilatos visitSeville Cathedral visitGiralda Tower ascentColumbus’ gravesite
Optional  Italica guided visit  $60
Details: Seville guided sightseeing tour
See the twisted alleyways and cobbled streets of this flamboyant Spanish city with a local guide. Discover the enchanting Plaza de España, the Giralda Tower, within the largest gothic cathedral in the world, and explore the Casa de Pilatos considered the prototype of the Andalusian palace.
Details: Flamenco evening
Originating from gypsy music and dance in Southern Spain, flamenco dancing has become a Spanish institution. Dancers use intricate footwork and elaborate arm gestures to convey the mood of the music, which can range from lamentation to celebration.
Day 6 Seville--Costa del Sol
Travel to Costa del Sol
Malaga guided sightseeing tour
Malaga Cathedral visitPicasso museum visitHarborGibralfaro Castle
Details: Malaga guided sightseeing tour
Take a guided sightseeing tour of Malaga, Picasso’s birthplace and a city known for its beaches and citadels. Stop at the town’s Renaissance-style cathedral and visit Museo Picasso, which contains an incredible 285 of Picasso’s original works. See one of the busiest ports of the mediterranean before heading to the colorful market and Gibralfaro castle, the hilltop fortification with a beautiful view of the city from above.
Day 7 Costa del Sol
Optional  Gibraltar excursion  $95
Rock of GibraltarMoorish CastleThe Tower of HomageSt. Michael's Cave visit
Day 8 Costa del Sol--Granada
Travel to Granada
Alhambra guided visit
Alhambra gardensSummer PalaceThe MedinaRoyal Arab BathsAlcazaba fortress
Dinner
Details: Alhambra guided visit
Granada sits on three gentle hills, which are dwarfed on a clear day by the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Atop one of these hills sits the imposing but delicate Alhambra palace. Golden pink hues give this sprawling renaissance gateway an otherworldly aura. One of the best rewards of climbing up to see it is the view of the city mixed in with orchards, tobacco fields and poplar groves. Please note the guided tour will include entrance to the gardens and halls surrounding the palace but entrance to the main palace building may not be accessible at all times due to limited availability.
Day 9 Granada--Valencia
Travel to Valencia
Day 10 Valencia--Barcelona
Travel to Barcelona via Tarragona
Day 11 Barcelona landmarks
Details: Barcelona guided sightseeing tour
See brilliant Barcelona, a city of graceful Gothic churches, wrought-iron balconies and wide, grand avenues filled with outdoor cafés. Throughout the city, daringly innovative buildings sit side-by-side with the medieval past. A licensed, local guide will show you some of the high points of this architectural showcase. First stop, the pointy spires of the La Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family), a half-finished church complex that became the obsession of Barcelona's famously eccentric architectural genius, Antoni Gaudí. At the top of Güell Park, another of Gaudí's masterpieces, is a terraced area where you get a wonderful view of the park and Barcelona City. The vibrant colors of the tiles are breathtaking. Then step back to the past with a journey up to Montjuïc (Hill of the Jews), a fortress built atop an ancient Jewish cemetery. This was the site of numerous battles to control Barcelona, and also the location of the 1992 Olympics.
Details: Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia
This breathtaking church, said to be the master-work of architect Antoni Gaudí, has been under construction since 1882 and is not expected to be completed until 2026!
Details: Montjuïc Hill
Travel to Barcelona’s mountain of Montjuïc, the focal point of two of the city’s key international events: the World’s Fair of 1929, of which many structures still remain; and the 1992 Olympic Games. Montjuïc features the largest "green zone" in the city with miles of forests and parks.
Details: Park Güell visit
Spend time in Parc Güell, part of the UN ESCO World Heritage Site, 'Works of Antoni Gaudi'. Designed primarily by Gaudí, particularly interesting areas of the park include a mosaic pagoda, a lizard fountain spitting water, an undulating bench decorated with ceramic fragments, and an array of unique Doric columns, which are hollow and serve as part of Gaudí's drainage system.
Details: Las Ramblas treasure hunt
Take interactive learning to another level with a Tour Director-led treasure hunt of Las Ramblas, the most famous pedestrian street of Barcelona! Complete exciting activities and solve fun clues. Each clue and every activity is built to maximize on-tour experiential learning.
Day 12 Barcelona--Basque Region
Travel to San Sebastián via Pamplona
Day 13 Bilbao
Bilbao excursion
Guggenheim Museum visit
Details: Bilbao excursion
This commercial center of the Basque country has been transformed in the past few years into a showplace of modern city-planning and world-class art. Architect Frank Gehry’s stunning new Guggenheim museum leads the way, along with Norman Foster’s futuristic subway and the Santiago Calatrava glass footbridge, which allows visitors to practically walk across water.
Day 14 Basque Region--Madrid
Details: Travel to Madrid via Segovia
Located on a ridge on a dramatically barren plain, Segovia has dramatic Roman and medieval monuments. As you approach town, a giant cathedral greets you first. Only after passing does the town come into view through a steep and narrow valley. Stop to examine the Segovia basilica and the Santo Domingo de Silos Benedictine Monastery.
Details: Segovia Alcazar visit
A castle fit for a king! This stone fortification rises up imposingly from a rocky crag in the old city of Segovia. See its towering round turrets, spindly spires, luxurious throne room and fully stocked armory.
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Day 15 Flight home from Madrid

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    Day 15 Start extension to Salamanca
    Travel to Salamanca
    El Escorial & Avila guided excursion
    El Escorial visit
    Avila city walk
    Day 16 Salamanca landmarks
    Details: Salamanca guided sightseeing tour
    The past and present meet in Salamanca. Like many great medieval cities, Salamanca has a multitude of towering cathedrals and convents. Yet, the city’s university students give it a hip, international vibe. One of the leading institutions of Europe, the university has attracted countless Spanish intellectuals, including Antonia de Nebrija and Miguel de Unamuno.
    Details: Casa de las Conchas
    Visit the Casa de las Conchas, currently a public library. The building, constructed in the late 15th century, is covered with 300 carvings of scallop shells, the symbol of the famous pilgrimage The Camino de Santiago.
    Details: New Cathedral
    Visit the Catedral Nueva (New Cathedral), one of the two cathedrals in Salamanca. During a 1992 restoration, some unusual carvings were added to the façade, including a faun eating ice cream and an astronaut.
    Details: Old Cathedral visit
    The Catedral Vieja de Santa María (also known as the Old Cathedral) was built in the 14th century. It is joined to the new cathedral.
    Details: University of Salamanca visit
    Visit the University of Salamanca, founded in 1134 as a "cathedral school". Here, Christopher Columbus presented his case for a new West Indies Route to geographers. Today, the University is known for its language studies.
    Day 17 Salamanca--Madrid
    Travel to Madrid
    Day 18 Flight home from Madrid
    Map of Best of Spain Educational Tour
    Tour Includes:
    • Round-trip airfare
    • 13 overnight stays (16 with extension) in hotels with private bathrooms
    • Full European breakfast daily
    • Dinner daily
    • Full-time services of a professional tour director
    • Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary
    • Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
    • Tour Diary™
    • Local Guide and Local Bus Driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
    • Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
    • Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid Tour Director and multi-day bus driver tipping, among other individual and group customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.
    We are better able to assist you with a quote for your selected departure date and city over the phone. Please call 1.888.310.7120 to price this tour with your requested options.
    Please select a postal code
    4363.00 total fee
    Basic Options


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