Historic Cities of Spain

 Classical architecture and captivating cultural experiences await as your vacation begins today in Madrid. As you arrive, make your own way to our central hotel, where you meet the Tour Manager and check in for the first of two nights.  

If time allows, you can spend the remainder of the day getting to know this exciting city at your own pace. Although Madrid is the European Union's second-largest city, its streets are easy to navigate thanks to a grid system. A short walk from our hotel is Puerta del Sol in the heart of the city, and three of Madrid's world-class art galleries: the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the Prado, which is a treasure chest of Spanish masters, including Diego Velázquez and Francisco Goya, and the Reina Sofía Museum that houses an impressive collection of 20th-century art. 

  Tonight, you are free to dine independently, and Madrid offers many enticing places to eat, from fashionable cafés serving a range of mouthwatering tapas to more traditional establishments offering specialties such as paella, regional wines and varieties of cured jamón (Spanish for ham). Overnight Madrid.

 This morning, we are taken on a guided sightseeing tour by coach and on foot to discover Madrid's main sights, historical buildings and the city's vast green park, "El Retiro." These beautiful gardens were originally built for Spain's royal family in the 1500s, but now, the park is a public space used by residents and tourists alike.   

Our tour takes us past the magnificent Palacio Real, or Royal Palace, still used for official state functions and filled with impressive paintings, sculptures and antiques. 

  With an afternoon and evening at leisure, you could walk along the wide boulevard of El Paseo del Prado to discover the famous Prado Gallery (booking in advance is recommended) or visit one of the city's other nearby museums. If you want to return to El Retiro, it offers a peaceful contrast to Madrid's lively streets, providing an oasis at the heart of the city. The park has a boating lake, and around that area are often street entertainers, from mime to puppet shows and folk musicians to Mexican Mariachi bands. Overnight Madrid.

• Breakfast

 This morning, we travel by First Class rail into Andalucía in Seville for a two-night stay. After checking in and some free time to find lunch independently, this afternoon we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the city, by coach and on foot.    

We weave through the city's historic Santa Cruz district before entering Seville's impressive Gothic cathedral in the center of the old town. The largest Gothic building in Europe, the cathedral was built on the site of a mosque and features medieval stained-glass windows and the Patio de los Naranjos - part of the original mosque.   

  After our tour, you are at leisure for the rest of the afternoon. You could stroll along the river to see the Torre del Oro, once a military watchtower and medieval prison. The golden tower is next to the Guadalquivir River, and late afternoon or early evening is a special time to view it, as the tower glows with the sun's rays stretching across the river.  

We reconvene for dinner at a local restaurant this evening. Overnight Seville.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Today brings a chance to continue sightseeing at your own pace, and many of the city's landmarks are within easy walking distance. You could visit the grand monument, Plaza de España, an area of colorful tiled arches, ornate fountains and alcoves, created for the 1929 "Fair of the Americas."

  You could also visit the Real Alcázar, or Royal Palace, whose interiors are a combination of Moorish, Mudejar and Christian architecture, with elaborate patios and geometric tiles. For art enthusiasts, Seville's Fine Art Museum, or Museo de Bellas Artes, is one of Spain's top art museums. Another emblematic site of Seville is the Triana Bridge, also known as the Isabel II Bridge.    

There are also several flamenco venues in Old Town with shows usually starting late in the evening. Booking ahead is advised. Seville is known as the birthplace of tapas, and there are many bars and restaurants where you can indulge in the delicious small plates independently this evening. Overnight Seville.

• Breakfast

 Our day begins with breakfast and a coach transfer to the station in Seville, where we board a train to the Moorish city of Granada for a two-night stay. The city is dominated by the Alhambra, which dates to the 13th and 14th centuries.  

  This breathtaking palace and fortress complex is one of the world's most important and well-preserved examples of Moorish architecture, set against the stunning backdrop of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We begin our explorations with a walking tour in the Albaicín Quarter. Once the Moorish quarters of the city, the area is now a UNESCO World Heritage site that retains the narrow, winding streets of its medieval past.    

After our tour, you are at leisure to continue exploring at your own pace. In the older streets, you will find Moroccan-style tea gardens, bohemian bars and craft shops. A must-visit area is the Mirador de San Nicolas, a wide, terraced area with fantastic views of the Alhambra and a popular spot to see flamenco players or artists selling their work. This evening, you are free to dine independently. Overnight Granada.

• Breakfast

 Following a relaxed breakfast this morning, we visit the UNESCO-listed Alhambra on a guided tour.  

  Once the residence of the Moorish leaders of Granada, this spectacular palace complex sits on a plateau overlooking the city with the fairytale Sierra Nevada Mountains as its backdrop. The Alhambra is listed as a World Heritage site for its outstanding aesthetic value as the world's only preserved palatine city of the Islamic period and the best example of its architecture. Our excursion takes us through the series of palaces with intricate carved wooden ceilings, colorful mosaics and astonishing plasterwork. We also enter the beautiful 14th-century Generalife, once a summer palace and country estate of the sultans.    

Afterward, we are transferred back to our hotel with time to relax before this evening's authentic Andalucían dinner at a traditional restaurant overlooking the illuminated Alhambra. Overnight Granada.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 After breakfast, we travel by coach to Córdoba. The third of Spain's great Moorish cities, this was once the largest metropolis in Western Europe and is another outstanding UNESCO World Heritage site. Arriving around lunchtime, we check into our hotel for the night and have some time to find lunch independently before we embark on a guided tour of this beautiful city.   

Entering the Old Town area, we cross the Roman Bridge, passing the 14th-century Calahorra Tower before continuing to the Mezquita - a mosque-cathedral considered one of the world's greatest remaining works of Islamic architecture. From its Moorish origins, the tower was transformed over the centuries after Andalucía was reclaimed by the Spanish crown. Today, its interior includes dozens of chapels and several Christian icons.     

Next, we explore the narrow streets of Córdoba's historic Jewish Quarter. We see its ancient synagogue, a statue of the Jewish philosopher and astronomer Maimonides, hidden stone patios, and other relics from this significant period in the city's history. You are free to dine independently this evening after the tour. Overnight Córdoba.

• Breakfast

 Leaving Córdoba, we travel by First Class high-speed rail to the Catalan capital of Barcelona after breakfast. We arrive in the afternoon and check into our hotel for the final two nights of our grand tour.   

The rest of the day is free to enjoy the city. It is impossible to visit Barcelona and not fall under the spell of renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. Our hotel on Passeig de Gràcia in the Modernist district places you near his masterpieces, Casa Milà and Casa Batlló. While some of the city's main attractions are easy to reach on foot, you could also use the efficient metro system to head further afield.   

In the Gothic Quarter, you could visit the Picasso Museum, with its many drawings from the artist's early work. For a relaxing experience, the city's botanical gardens provide a peaceful retreat, and Park Güell features colorful mosaic sculptures and stunning city views. You could also enter the Sagrada Familia and take an elevator to the top (booking ahead is recommended). You are free to dine independently in Barcelona this evening. Overnight Barcelona.

• Breakfast

 A guided tour of Barcelona by coach and on foot awaits after breakfast. After viewing the exterior of the Sagrada Familia, we walk along the tree-lined boulevard of Las Ramblas and end our tour among the attractive and labyrinthine alleys of the Gothic Quarter.   

If you would like to visit the interior of Sagrada Familia, you could do so independently with this afternoon's free time. Elsewhere, several neighborhoods sit along Barcelona's coast, including former fishing villages, such as Poblenou, which can be reached by metro. Alternatively, the 18th-century residential area of Barceloneta exudes Catalan coastal charm, with leafy squares surrounded by wine shops. Other areas of the city to visit include the expansive hilltop park, where you'll find the Montjüic Castle, and the Boqueria Market, just off the Ramblas, where you can sample the Catalan tapas. 

  This evening, we head to an authentic 17th-century Catalan farmhouse, just outside Barcelona. Now transformed into a stately restaurant, we enjoy an excellent dinner of traditional dishes in a private room - the ideal conclusion to our vacation. Overnight Barcelona.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 On our grand tour of Spain by rail, we explored Madrid's impressive historical landmarks, saw Seville's stunning Gothic cathedral and Royal Palace, and walked through the magnificent palaces of the Alhambra. Cordoba's Mezquita and Barcelona's architectural marvels completed our journey, enriched by time at leisure in each city.    

 With a final breakfast at the hotel this morning, your journey comes to a close. You are free to continue exploring Spain at your own pace or transfer to the local railway station or airport to begin your travels home.

• Breakfast