Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Cordoba & Torremolinos

Travel by high speed AVE rail from Madrid to Torremolinos on this unforgettable 13 day vacation through five of Spain's most famous cities.

Tour Description

“Lady of Spain, I adore you. Right from the night I first saw you.” We’re sure you’ll be joining Bing Crosby and Eddie Fisher in singing these lyrics when you return from this 13-day vacation to Spain—you may even be inspired to grab an accordion and sing along! Your vacation begins when you arrive in Barcelona, Spain's second-largest city. We can pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel, where your Local Host will be waiting for you with a set of materials to help familiarize you with the city. The next morning, after an included breakfast, we’ll pick you up at your hotel for guided sightseeing. Hear the inside stories and fascinating details of the must-see attractions, and visit works by the famous architect Gaudí, including Casa Batlló and the unfinished La Sagrada Familia Basilica. A day at leisure in Barcelona gives you time to explore on your own. You may want to take an excursion to Montserrat with its unique natural park and 1,000-year-old Benedictine monastery, visit the Camp Nou football (soccer) stadium, or relax at the beach.

Then, it’s off on the high-speed train to Madrid, where your guided sightseeing with a local expert features the Prado Museum, where you’ll see the world's finest collection of European art by masters such as El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya. From Madrid, we’ll also take you on an excursion to Toledo, where you’ll visit an early synagogue, the 13th-century Gothic cathedral, and the Church of Santo Tomé, home to El Greco's painting The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. From Madrid, you’ll travel once again by high-speed train to Seville, where we've arranged for you to enjoy guided sightseeing with a local expert. You'll hear the inside stories of must-see attractions, such as the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. We’ll take you to the Santa Cruz Quarter and to Seville's Alcazar, founded in the 11th century as a Moorish fortress. A full day in Seville will also give you the opportunity to explore on your own. Your Local Host will have suggestions and can help arrange the activities you desire, such as a Flamenco show or a cruise on the Guadalquivir River.

Next up is Cordoba for one night. Here, we’ve arranged for you to have sightseeing with a local expert. You’ll see the city’s Alcazar (royal castle), the Roman Bridge, and the medieval Jewish Quarter. You’ll also visit the Mosque of the Caliphs, built in the 8th century. Finally, after all this exciting sightseeing and time spent in the cities, there’s time for relaxation. Like we’ll do in each city, we’ll pick you up at your Cordoba hotel, take you to the train station, and get you on the correct train. You’ll journey to Malaga, where we’ll pick you up at the train station and take you to your hotel in the resort town of Torremolinos. Here, you’ll relax and have time to explore. You may want to visit the local amusement park, take a trip to the botanic gardens, stroll along the Costa del Sol’s extensive beaches, or just relax and sample the seafood restaurants for which this area is famous. Be sure to ask your Local Host for suggestions on where to go.

And did we mention that your train travel will be first-class on Spain’s high-speed trains? Between the transfers and transportation we've included, the sightseeing and guides we've arranged, and the hotels we've booked, all you have to do is have fun. Add the comfort of knowing you’ll have a Local Host in each city to help you navigate, translate if needed, and feel at ease, and you've got yourself a vacation that is more like a fiesta.

Tour Photos

Highlights and Inclusions

• First class AVE rail between destinations
• 11 nights hotel accommodations
• Breakfast buffet daily
• Guided sightseeing of Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Cordoba
• Leisure days in each city
• Baggage handling and portage included

Itinerary

Day 1 - International Flight to Barcelona 
Embark on your international flight to Spain from your U.S. gateway. (International flight not included in tour price)

Day 2 - Arrive in Barcelona
Bienvenido—welcome! Time to relax or to begin exploring Spain’s second-largest city, and the capital of Catalonia. Your Local Host is on hand to help you maximize your time.

Day 3 - Barcelona Sightseeing
Morning guided sightseeing, starting from Plaza Catalunya, includes a drive along elegant Passeig de Gràcia to see the captivating façade of La Pedrera, and to visit Gaudi’s Casa Batlló. Passing through the central Eixample district, reach the extraordinary but still unfinished Sagrada Familia Basilica. Your included entrance fees contribute to its completion.

Day 4 - Barcelona at Leisure
A full day to enjoy this splendid city at your own pace. Spend time at the Olympic Port with its modern sculptures, restaurants, and bars; or visit the Camp Nou football (soccer) stadium. Your Local Host can help you organize your day.

Day 5 - Barcelona to Madrid
Transfer to Atocha Station with its beautiful interior garden, and catch the high-speed AVE train (first class) to Madrid.

Day 6 - Madrid Sightseeing
Morning guided sightseeing features a visit to the palatial Prado Museum to admire one of the world’s finest collections of European art. Also see Plaza de España, Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, Orient Square with the ornate Royal Palace, Parque del Buen Retiro (Park of the Pleasant Retreat), and Puerta de Alcalá. Your Local Host will have suggestions for your afternoon at leisure.

Day 7 - Excursion to Toledo
Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Toledo, spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River. See the Moorish bridge, an early synagogue, the 13th-century gothic cathedral, and the Church of Santo Tomé, home to El Greco’s painting, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.

Day 8 - Madrid to Seville  
Travel by high-speed AVE train (first class) to Seville. During your guided sightseeing, hear about the city’s role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712 AD, and its contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire Maria Luisa Park, the Golden Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Then, stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming Santa Cruz Quarter. The highlight is a visit to Seville’s Alcazar, founded in the 11th century as a Moorish fortress, with its Palacio de Don Pedro.

Day 9 - Seville at Leisure
Your Local Host will have suggestions for things to see and do, such as a visit to Casa de Pilatos, an Andalusian palace adorned with precious azulejos tiles; and where to shop for locally produced food items.

Day 10 - Seville to Cordoba
Journey by high-speed AVE train (first class) to Cordoba. During your guided sightseeing, admire this city’s Alcazar (royal castle), the Roman Bridge, and the medieval Jewish Quarter. Visit the magnificent 8th-century Mosque of the Caliphs, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry, marble, and jasper.

Day 11 - Cordoba to Torremolinos
Travel by high-speed AVE train (first class) to Málaga, then transfer to your hotel in the resort town of Torremolinos to relax, soak up the atmosphere, and sample the seafood restaurants for which this resort is famous.

Day 12 - Torremolinos at Leisure
Your local host will have many ideas for your day at leisure, such as a trip to the botanic garden with its massive stone water wheels, or a visit to the local amusement park, Tivoli World.

Day 13 - Return Home
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning (nearest airport is Malaga).

Dates & Prices

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