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Madrid & Highlights of Andalucia

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
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9 days From $3,000 per person
4.6 stars(8 reviews)
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Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, and Granada: Four incredible cities that infuse hallmarks of Spanish culture throughout your 9-day rail journey.

Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary

2024 Tour code: CI-MHAR-24

About the tour

Lively cities and wondrous sites greet you in beautiful Spain, a country whose history and culture run deep. This roundtrip vacation explores several renowned destinations, including Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, and Granada, and provides a memorable introduction to Spain's culture while lavishing you with all the amenities of high-end travel. Enjoy four-star hotels in convenient locations, transfers in private cars, and a mixture of private and small group tours that explore each destination to the fullest. Your journey begins in Madrid, where you are treated to a showcase of art at the Prado Museum. A high-speed train provides transit to the next impressive city, Cordoba. Here, see purebred Spanish Andalusian Horses perform alongside trained dancers at the Castle of the Christian Monarchs. Seville - the home of tapas - is the next stop on the itinerary, and following, you have a chance to explore layers of cultural and religious influences in Granada. As you move between cities, enjoy outstanding guided touring opportunities and access to notable sites that tell the story of each region. Andalucía is known for many wonderful things, ranging from dances to structures built centuries ago. This independent journey is your chance to dive right in and enjoy its offerings to the fullest.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Madrid

Spain's colorful capital city offers a warm and sunny embrace upon your arrival on the Iberian Peninsula today. Meet your private driver at the airport before you are transported to your downtown hotel. Take some time to relax before you are shown the sites of the city on your private walking tour. Plaza Mayor, Puerta de Alcalá and the Royal Palace are just a few of Madrid's most important attractions you will see as your local guide gives you an in-depth introduction to the city. Take the rest of the evening to soak in the city's ambience on your own. Overnight Madrid.

Day 2 - Prado Museum

Begin your day with a buffet breakfast at the hotel, then ready yourself to see one of the world's most comprehensive collections of Spanish artwork at the Prado Museum. Your guided visit showcases essential pieces by artists like El Bosco and Goya and offers plenty of time to explore the French and Italian paintings, the Flemish and Northern School artworks, and the various sculptures, drawings, and photographs throughout the museum.

Following your visit here, you are free to continue your explorations of the city independently. You may wish to embark on an excursion to Toledo, where diverse architecture sits atop cobbled streets, and deep medieval history lends itself to UNESCO World Heritage status. Staying in Madrid, Plaza Mayor is the city's beating heart, and El Retiro Park is a beautiful place to enjoy the day. Overnight Madrid.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 3 - Madrid to Cordoba by Train/Cordoba Equestrian Show

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, a private driver escorts you from your hotel to Madrid's train station, where your high-speed train to Cordoba awaits. The southerly route takes approximately two hours to complete and paints a beautiful picture of Spain's interior, including its small towns and protected parklands. A private transfer takes you from Cordoba's train station to your luxury hotel, and you have a few hours to settle into your new surroundings. This evening, visit the birthplace of the purebred Spanish Andalusian horse in the Royal Stables of Córdoba and watch them perform. As guitar sounds fill the air, see these impressive horses trot in rhythm as dancers in beautiful costumes perform traditional dances. Overnight Cordoba. 

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Cordoba Sightseeing/To Seville

Cordoba's beautiful architecture and historic sites lie ahead as you embark on a private walking tour of the city after breakfast. Alongside a guide, stroll through the city's historic quarter to see the Mosque-Cathedral built in 988 AD and stands today with its gorgeous archways and intricate high altar. From the cathedral, the tour continues to the 14th-century Cordoba Synagogue and the Alcazar. The excursion concludes as you enter the walled Jewish Quarter. Wander along its two main streets and narrow side streets to see focal points like the Almódovar Gate, Maimonides Square, and the ever-popular Street of the Flowers, where charming white homes are covered in colorful blooms.

Following the tour, a private transfer takes you from the hotel to Cordoba's train station to board a high-speed train to Seville. This jewel of Southern Spain is set just an hour from Cordoba, and as the train pulls into the station, your private transfer takes you to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free to get acquainted with Seville. The city's vibrancy is unmatched in the birthplace of flamenco and the capital of Andalucía. Incredible architecture greets you at every turn, and rich history runs through the veins of each street and plaza. Overnight Seville.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - Seville Touring

Indulge in a formal introduction to the wonders of Seville this morning on your majestic tour of Seville. Unravel centuries of history one landmark site at a time as the tour takes you to the University of Seville, founded in 1551; the Palacio de San Telmo; the Torre del Oro watchtower; and the beautiful arched metal bridge known as Puente de Isabel II. Other highlights may include the Plaza de España and the Basilica Macarena and crowning jewels of the city's landscape, including the Real Alcazar of Seville, which is the oldest royal plaza in Europe, and the Cathedral of Seville, the world's largest Christian Gothic cathedral. You may continue exploring these attractions and the many others found within this historic city at your own pace following the tour.

Taste your way through the bars and restaurants of Seville this evening as you explore the city's most beloved food form, tapas. It is said that Seville is the birthplace of these small plates, and as such, there is no better way to experience the full scope of the city's offerings than with a fork. Your tapas tour is led by a knowledgeable local that takes you to hotspots where traditional - and reimagined - dishes composed of seafood, pork, vegetables, and even snails showcase the flavors of Andalucía. Overnight Seville.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Seville to Granada by Train

Savor a buffet breakfast at your hotel this morning before meeting your driver for a private transfer to Seville's train station. Here, you board a train bound for Granada, a destination framed by the imposing peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains. You are transferred to your hotel with the remainder of the afternoon at leisure on arrival. You may wish to explore the labyrinthine streets of the UNESCO World Heritage Albayzin district or seek out the city's imaginative street art. The stalls at the Alcaiceria Market are set up in a bazaar style and are simply brimming with traditional wares, clothing, handmade art, and painted tiles.

This evening, an experience that speaks to the customs and culture of Granada awaits as you dine in a cave of the Sacromonte. There are a series of these hillside caves, many of which are hotspots for traditional Flamenco dancing. Your experience tonight is one that locals relish - dinner, music, and plenty of dancing. Enjoy a lively performance while savoring a dinner highlighting local flavors. Overnight Granada.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - The Alhambra

The centerpiece of Granada, the mighty Alhambra, is yours to behold on today's excursion into the city. Prepare for the day's adventure with breakfast at your hotel, then depart for the fortress named for its red coloration. It is an easy and scenic walk through the city center if you prefer to get there on foot. You may enter this way through the Pomegranates Gate, built in the early 1500s. On arrival at the hilltop fortress, join a guide for an immersive look at this Arab citadel. The architects and designers of the Alhambra had the goal to make sure every space was decorated - a goal they achieved beautifully. Look upon the careful carvings and imprinted plaster as you walk through the complex. Marvel at the false archways and lavishly decorated walls. Your time here also includes a visit to the Generalife Gardens, which long served as an area of respite for kings. Beautiful yet simple buildings join perfectly kept shrubbery, flowers, and fountains to create a peaceful scene. Between the stunning fortress and the gardens, it is easy to see why the last Arab king wept as he left the Alhambra.

The remainder of the day is yours to continue exploring Granada. Perhaps wander along the cobbled Carrera del Darro, which runs alongside the Darro River and offers an array of restaurants and shops to explore. If it is relaxation you need, there are several authentic Arab baths throughout town that provide massages, Turkish steam baths, and pools of different temperatures. Overnight Granada.

*Due to Alhambra entrance times, this may be a free morning with an afternoon visit to Alhambra.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 8 - Granada to Madrid by Train

After breakfast, a private car picks you up at your hotel and takes you to Granada's rail station for your high-speed train journey to Madrid. Settle into your seat for a trip filled with outstanding Spanish views. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a day at leisure to rediscover the city's wonders.

This evening, enjoy one last taste of Spanish culture on your Taverns and Markets tour. Meet a knowledgeable local who guides you through local establishments that specialize in tapas. As you meander between businesses at a leisurely pace, enjoy tastings of three wine varietals and two types of ham and cheese. Overnight Madrid.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 – Return Home

Your adventure through Andalucía concludes after breakfast this morning. A transfer is included to Madrid's International Airport for your convenience. 

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

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Reviews

4.6 stars4.6 / 5 · 8 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (5)
  2. 4 stars
    (3)
  3. 3 stars
    (0)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

CHARLENE MARIE BETTS

5 stars

Submitted 02 Mar 2024

All the appointments were kept on time. The hotel room in Seville had a bad smell, they could not move us to another room until the following day. Tours were good.

Collected by Trustpilot

JACKIE

4 stars

Submitted 04 Nov 2023

the taxi drivers need to tell us at what exit we will find them at each train station. At one point, it took us half an hour to find our driver.

Collected by Trustpilot

MARILYN J LEUTY

4 stars

Submitted 02 Nov 2023

The individual guides in Madrid, Cordoba and Granada were exceptionally good; the small group guide in Seville was quirky and energetic and knew his sites. 3 of 4 hotels and their breakfasts were very, very nice and the 4th was fine. Having drivers between train and plane to hotels was very convenient, though we had some mix up at Cordoba. We enjoyed the train travel and the flexibility of free time and finding our own meals. An error was made in booking our tour to the Prado - we don't know by whom - so we missed it and were disappointed, but overall the experience was very good.

Collected by Trustpilot

PETER ANDREW HRUSKOCI

5 stars

Submitted 03 Oct 2023

The trip ran very smoothly once set in motion. Transfers always on time or early, courteous and friendly…All hotels very nice. Guides sometimes were not clear on what happens at end of event as sometimes we were left to find own way home.

Collected by Trustpilot

Robert G Mukai

5 stars

Submitted 02 Oct 2023

Truly enjoyed the efficient transfers and comfortable hotels. The guided tours were great and the amount of independent time was perfect.

Collected by Trustpilot

Tom F

5 stars

Submitted 17 Aug 2023

Well organized and comprehensive trip. Good guides and very nice hotels. Actually better hotels than we usually get for ourselves! But we have to use brochures or internet. Planning another excursion by rail with these folks.

from Vacations By Rail
We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your vacation! We look forward to traveling with you again. :)
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