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Italy, Southern Europe & Mediterranean

Andalucian Explorer

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A feast of Spanish cultural delights awaits your discovery on this 11-day voyage from Madrid to Barcelona.

You are viewing the 2021 itinerary. Select your departure year
20212022
11 days From $4,795 per person

2021 Tour code: GR-ASGA-21

About the tour

From dancing horses to delicious food and wine, Spain has a rich culture that is presented in many art forms. This is a country of gorgeous architecture and even more beautiful surroundings, and lucky for you, you get to experience it all over the course of 11 days. This rail vacation begins in the heart of the country, Madrid, where you have time to acquaint yourself with the country through guided touring and free exploration time. By high-speed train, we continue to Seville, a riverside city that is the home of dancing horses and the birthplace of Tapas. Moving on, other destinations to look forward to include Granada, with its medieval streets and unique buildings in the Albayzin; the Alhambra palace, a 9th-century kingdom; UNESCO World Heritage Site Cordoba; and Barcelona on the sparkling Balearic Sea. Guided tours in nearly every destination are complemented by free time to experience Spain with all your senses - through the delicious cuisine, the festive music, the local customs and the intense history. Complete with first-class travel aboard Spain's rail lines and luxurious hotel offerings, this vacation puts all the best of this sunny destination on display.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Biarritz

We meet at London St Pancras and take the  Eurostar to Paris, continuing to Biarritz or Bayonne for the night.

Includes
  • Dinner
  • Eurostar Meal
Day 2 - Madrid

Today we transfer to San Sebastián for the train to Madrid, where we spend two nights. Overnight Madrid.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 3 - Sightseeing in Madrid

Today we enjoy a sightseeing tour by coach and on foot, admiring the many architectural styles and attractive green spaces. We have a tapas lunch in a restaurant on Plaza Mayor, then the rest of your day is at leisure to revisit favorite sites from the tour or to continue your explorations. Overnight Madrid.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 - To Seville

This morning, we depart Madrid by high-speed AVE train for a journey south into Andalucía, to the fascinating city of Seville. This old port city is set on the Guadalquivir River and played a key role in establishing and continuing trade with South America. Today, it remains one of Spain's most active river ports. Seville is also credited with inventing tapas and hosts as many as 1,000 tapas bars throughout the city. We enjoy a guided tour through Seville this afternoon which introduces us to the city and presents the beautiful and historic Santa Cruz area, the Gothic Seville Cathedral and the Giralda Tower. Overnight Seville.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Seville at Leisure

Today is spent at leisure discovering this quintessentially Spanish city. Perhaps visit Alcázar, a UNESCO World Heritage palace that is still in use by the Spanish royal family, or walk around the Plaza de España. There are beautiful parks throughout the city, including Maria Luisa Park, and numerous museums to explore. For a true taste of Seville, catch a flamenco show and eat your way through the city's tapas bars. Overnight Seville.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 6 - Granada and the Albayzin

Today we travel by rail to Granada (Standard Class), an enchanting city scattered over seven small hills at the confluence of 2 rivers. Charming and romantic, Granada is dominated by the exquisite Alhambra, one of the most recognizable palaces in the world. After checking in at our hotel, the 4-Star Melia Granada Hotel, we begin our explorations with a sightseeing tour. The excursion highlights the unique beauty of the city, including the Albayzin area, which offers fantastic views of the Alhambra; the oldest street in Granada, Carrera Del Darro; the Church of San Salvador; Arab baths and Plaza Larga. Our evening concludes with dinner at a restaurant in the Albayzin Quarter. In addition to the delicious local fare, we also enjoy views of the beautifully illuminated Alhambra as we dine. Overnight Granada.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - The Alhambra

We continue our sightseeing today with a visit to the Alhambra, which was once the residence of the Muslim Kings of Granada. The Alhambra sits proudly on a plateau overlooking Granada, with the imposing Sierra Nevada mountains as its backdrop. Dating back to the 9th century, the palace complex boasts UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is one of Spain's most iconic monuments. During our guided tour, enjoy glimpses at the intricate art and carvings throughout the palace, and admire the luxurious furnishings that adorn each room. From the Alhambra's towers and great halls to the original fortress, the site is truly spectacular. Outside the palace, the gorgeous gardens are lush with Meditteranean flora. Following our tour, we visit a traditional restaurant for dinner. Overnight Granada.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Cordoba

Our journey today takes us by coach to Cordoba, a beautiful, relaxed city. We enjoy a sightseeing tour of the UNESCO World Heritage city, seeing its labyrinth of winding alleys and pretty squares. After crossing the Roman Bridge and passing the 14th-century Calahorra Tower, we continue to the famous Mezquita. We then tour the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter. Overnight Cordoba.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 - Barcelona

We make our way to the train station this morning to board our high-speed  AVE  train to Barcelona. We travel in Standard Plus class for this journey. Upon arrival, check-in at the 4-Star Hotel Catalonia La Pedrera, and then begin your explorations in this exciting city at your own pace. Barcelona has long been Spain's economic heart, and this wealth is reflected in the opulent buildings that encircle the various public squares throughout the city. You may wish to sample the food unique to Catalonia and this part of Spain in a local restaurant or café or to take a stroll along the beach to savor the sight of the blue waters of the Balearic Sea as the sun melts into the waves. Overnight Barcelona.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 10 - A sightseeing tour of Barcelona

Delight in the historic sites and beautiful views of Barcelona today, as we take a guided sightseeing tour through the city. Our excursion includes a visit to the beautiful Old Town, the Barri Gotic and the tree-lined boulevard of Las Ramblas. The rest of your day is free to enjoy the city. From the Gaudí architecture and the medieval churches to the boutiques, markets, art galleries and countless street performers, the lively atmosphere in Barcelona is all-encompassing. Join the group at a local restaurant this evening for a farewell dinner. Overnight Barcelona.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 - Return Home

After breakfast this morning, we depart by high-speed  TGV to Paris, where we join the  Eurostar, continuing on to London St Pancras International.

Includes
  • Breakfast
  • Eurostar Meal

Additional information

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

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.

Hotels

Hotel Catalonia La Pedrera

Hotel Catalonia La Pedrera, Barcelona

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Hesperia Cordoba

Hesperia Cordoba, Cordoba

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Melia Granada Hotel, Granada

Melia Granada Hotel, Granada

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Hotel Catalonia Gran Via, Madrid

Hotel Catalonia Gran Via, Madrid

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Casa Romana Hotel Boutique

Casa Romana Hotel Boutique, Seville

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Trains

AVE
Eurostar
TGV

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Upgrades

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Global Rail Adventures Brochure

Global Rail Adventures Brochure

The definitive guide to our 2021/22 Global Rail Adventures

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