Spain’s Vibrant Cities

Welcome to Madrid. Your driver will meet you upon arrival at the airport for a private transfer to your hotel in the city. Once you’ve had time to settle in, a half-day private guided tour will bring you on a discovery of Spain’s capital. You’ll learn all about Madrid’s history as you explore its impressive architecture, including Renaissance and Baroque-style buildings. Visit iconic landmarks like City Hall, Puerto del Sol, and the Royal Theatre. Conclude at the Royal Palace, the majestic official residence of the Spanish royal family. The exterior and interior with its 3,418 rooms are impressive, including a remarkable collection of art.

A full day tour to the historic city of Toledo with an expert guide. Meet at your hotel and embark on a 70km excursion west of the Spanish capital to imperial Toledo. The city is one of Europe’s oldest towns and known as ‘the City of Three Cultures,’ showcases genuine Spanish architecture spanning Arab, Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Highlights include the famous Cathedral, Church of St. Tome with El Greco’s masterpiece, the Synagogue of Santa Mari­a la Blanca (Europe’s oldest synagogue building), and the Museum of Victorio Macho, home to the Royal Foundation of Toledo. Explore the Isabelline-style Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes and other renowned sites.

Enjoy a full day to take in what interests you most in Madrid. Art enthusiasts might visit Reina Sofia, the country’s national museum of 20th-century art, and the Prado Museum. The latter hosts hundreds of sculptures and thousands of paintings celebrating Spanish, Flemish, and Italian art. The historic El Rastro market draws locals and visitors alike with everything from clothing and jewelry to souvenirs, as well as hosting live music. When in need of a break, people-watch in Plaza Mayor. This evening, you’ll sample some of the best tapas in Madrid on a tapas tour in Barrio de las Letras and Chueca.

Say farewell to Madrid, taking a private transfer to the Madrid Athoca Station. You’ll have one-way tickets for the high-speed AVE Madrid-Barcelona train, disembarking at the Barcelona Sants Station. You’ll be welcomed by your driver for a private transfer to your hotel in Barcelona where you can rest and refresh before taking a walking tour in the Gothic Quarter. Located in the most historic part of the city, you’ll stroll back alleys and narrow streets discovering Roman ruins, gothic cathedrals, and medieval buildings. That includes the city’s gothic cathedral, City Hall, King’s and Royal squares, famous La Rambla street, and Boqueria Market.

Today you are free to enjoy Barcelona at you lesiure. However you might want to explore the architecture of Antoni Gaudi, who left a huge mark on the city. This private tour will reveal the highlights of his magnificent works, including La Sagrada Familia which fuses art nouveau and gothic styles in unprecedented ways. Think vivid colors, hyperboloids, and unconventional animal representations like turtles, chameleons, and pelicans. Visit Casa Mila and Parc Guell, where Gaudi created a fantasy-like world with remarkable stone structures, unique buildings, and a dragon adorned with colorful tiling. The terraced area at the top of the park offers fabulous views over the city.

Full-day excursion from Barcelona with a private driver guide to visit the Roman city of Tarraco (known as Tarragona today), which was one of the most important cities of the empire on the Iberian Peninsula. The city, known then as Tarraco, is home to several ruins, with the highlight being the amphitheater, which dates back to the 2nd century. From here you will continue to the charming Mediterranean town of Sitges. Once a quiet fishing village, it has now transformed into a lovely vibrant modern town, with a pretty whitewashed historical center. Return to Barcelona in the late afternoon.

Enjoy the day to explore on your own. There’s plenty of art to discover, including Fundacio Joan Miro, one of the world’s largest museums, displaying a collection of sculptures and paintings by the Spanish surrealist artist. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya focuses on Catalan art from the Romanesque period to the mid-20th-century. Be sure to stroll the city’s most animated artery, La Ramblas, a wide, shady boulevard that runs from Placa de Catalunya to Port Vell in the heart of Barcelona. Later, you’ll join a  sunset sailing excursion, watching the sun go down over the city from a luxurious yacht.

After a week in beautiful Barcelona and Madrid, it’s time for your journey to end. You’ll be met by our driver at your hotel for the private transfer to Barcelona’s airport. Catch a return flight home, or, if you’d like to extend your time in Spain or elsewhere in Europe, contact our travel experts who can create a bespoke addition to your itinerary. Otherwise, we wish you safe travels and hope to see you on another unforgettable trip in the future.