DAY 1

• BARCELONA

slide 1 of 1

• The Adventure Begins
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.
• For your added comfort, an English-speaking assistant will meet you at your hotel lobby to walk you through your welcome package documents and assist with hotel check-in, if required.
• A welcome package with a city map, train tickets (if relevant), and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

DAY 2

• BARCELONA

slide 2 of 3

• Audacious Architecture
• Meet your private guide and transportation, and embark on a full-day tour of Barcelona. Learn about famed modernist architect Antoni Gaudí and his extraordinary achievements throughout the city along the way.  Head along the elegant avenue Paseo de Gracia, one of Barcelona's most important shopping and business areas, where you'll find several of the city's most celebrated pieces of architecture, including two of Gaudi’s houses which you'll visit: Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà (known as La Pedrera). Casa Batlló is a surprising building with enigmatic forms, a colorful façade, and refined architectural details. La Pedrera is a sculptured residential building, and a fine example of how the wealthy lived at the beginning of the 20th century. From there, head to Gaudi's iconic Sagrada Familia, where you'll get to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and monumental masterpiece of architecture - still under construction over 100 years after building commenced. One of Barcelona's must-see sites, it's the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the entire world, and its unique style is not to be missed. You'll then admire the 4th century Roman Walls and 13th century Cathedral of Barcelona's old Gothic Quarter, before continuing to the world famous tree-lined pedestrian avenue Las Ramblas, where you can watch Barcelona's bustling local culture come to life. Round out your day with a visit to Parc Guell, in upper Barcelona, enjoying beautiful views out over the city. Built at the start of the 1900's, and though never fully completed before his death, it still remains one of Gaudi's most colorful and imaginative works, and one of the most impressive public parks in the world.

DAY 3

• BARCELONA

slide 4 of 2

• Breathe the Mountain Air
• Meet your private driver and guide for a half day tour through Catalunya countryside to the sacred mountaintop monastery, Montserrat. Located nearly an hour outside of Barcelona, Montserrat has remained one of Spain's most significant pilgrimage destinations for nearly 1,000 years, and is home to an order of approximately eighty Benedictine monks. Upon arrival, you'll be guided through the monastery complex, as well as a Renaissance Basilica from the 16th century. Here you can view the 12th century carving of the Black Madonna, the Patron Saint of Catalunya. Perched on a protruding piece of rock, the Monastery of Montserrat offers stunning views out over the surrounding landscape.

DAY 4

• BARCELONA TO MADRID

slide 4 of 2

• En Route
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.
• Depart by train from Barcelona to Madrid. The train ride takes approximately 2.5 hours.
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.
• Departing on foot with a private guide, enjoy a half-day walking tour that will take you through Madrid's oldest quarters, tracing the legacy of the Habsburg and Bourbon dynasties. Admire the many churches, convents, inns, palaces, theaters, narrow medieval streets and traditional shops, all steeped in history that no visitor should miss. Discover the capitol’s key sights like Puerta del Sol, renowned as the bustling heart of Madrid since the 17th century, and Calle Mayor or Plaza Mayor, a porticoed square that will take you back to the times of swashbuckling swordsmen and medieval rogues. Scamper through the Arco and Calle Cuchilleros where you'll find centuries-old taverns dug into caves under the square, and the Plaza de la Villa with excellent examples of Spanish architecture. Marvel at the impressive Royal Palace, the largest in Western Europe, and the elegant Plaza de Oriente, lined by gardens and grand statues of Spain’s early rulers.

DAY 5

• MADRID

slide 4 of 2

• A Town Frozen in Time
• Spend a half-day venturing out to explore Toledo with a private driver and a local guide. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Toledo is Spain's medieval capital, and an area of inspiration for 16th-century master, El Greco. Surrounded by the River Tajo, the atmospheric walled town is crammed with churches, museums, and even steel workshops of master artisans, carrying on the tradition of the renowned swordsmiths of medieval Toledo. Upon meeting your local guide, take a walk into the past along the city’s cobblestone alleyways. Witness the 14th century Toledo Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece, considered by some the magnum opus of Gothic style in Spain. In the Jewish Quarter, you’ll see Europe’s oldest still-standing synagogue, the Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue. Spot the imposing Alcazar of Toledo, a historic fortress with its strategic stance gazing out over Toledo to the River Tagus and lands beyond, and see the exterior of the medieval Castle of San Servando, former home to the Knights Templar.

DAY 6

• MADRID TO SEVILLE

slide 4 of 2

• Sights and Insights
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.
• Depart by train from Madrid to Seville. The train ride takes approximately 3 hours.
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.
• Enjoy a slice of Seville nightlife and hospitality with a dinner and show this evening. Make your way independently to El Arenal Tablao Flamenco where you'll begin your evening with a magical night of authentic flamenco performance, celebrating Andalusia's unique, world-renowned combination of song and dance. Relax, enjoy a courtesy drink, and watch a show with up to 17 professional artists on stage at once - bringing the mesmerizing art of flamenco to life. Afterward, continue to nearby Bar Postiguillo where you'll be treated to a delicious, traditional tapas dinner in a unique Andalusian ambiance. Bull heads grace 18th century stone walls, lamps hang from the ceiling and glow with warmth, creating an inviting and social feel, while creative twists in the kitchen make this tapas bar a buzzworthy favorite.

DAY 7

• SEVILLE

slide 2 of 3

• A Healthy Dose of History
• Meet your private guide and set out on foot for a walking tour today, visiting a pair of Seville's most outstanding monuments: Seville Cathedral, and the Seville Royal Alcazar. Begin with a stroll around Barrio de Santa Cruz, formerly the Jewish quarter, and the most picturesque and delightful part of the city, with narrow winding cobbled streets and whitewashed houses. From there, head to the Seville Royal Alcazar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, housing different palaces of various periods, and its gardens, which evoke its Muslim past. The upper levels of the Alcazar are still used by the royal family as the official Seville residence. Afterward, you’ll visit the largest Gothic cathedral in the world; the Seville Cathedral, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus. This Roman Catholic cathedral stands on the site of the 12th century Great Mosque, of which only the minaret remains. Locally known as “La Giralda”, it was converted to the cathedral’s bell tower in the mid-13th century.

DAY 8

• SEVILLE

slide 4 of 2

• Cultural Immersion
• After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and transfered by private vehicle to Ronda, situated 130 km away (aprox 2 hr car drive). Discover the impressive town of Ronda, one of Andalusiaʼs most beautiful towns. It is famous throughout Spain for the gaping river gorge with a sheer drop of 120m which divides the medieval from the 18th century parts of the town. A spectacular bridge constructed in the 18th century spans the gorge and the view looking down from it is not for the faint-hearted. You will have time to explore the wonderful town of Ronda town with its Moorish and Christian legacy. You will also be able to take in some superb views of the surrounding mountain ranges and of course the plunging gorge. You will then head back to Seville.

DAY 9

• SEVILLE TO CORDOBA

slide 4 of 2

• The Journey Continues…
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.
• Depart by train from Seville to Cordoba. The train ride takes approximately 1 hour.
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.
• Enjoy a private walking tour with an expert local guide, setting out to explore the impressive historic and cultural monuments of Cordoba. Historically of great importance to both the Christian and Islamic powers in Europe, Cordoba was formerly a capital of the Roman Empire, and later the Umayyad Caliphate. The UNESCO organization recognized the universal importance of Cordoba's historic legacy, and extended the title of World Heritage Site not only to the city's impressive Mosque-Cathedral, but also to all the streets and buildings around it. Enjoy a visit of the Mosque-Cathedral, with sections dating back as far as the 8th century, highly regarded as one of the most accomplished Moorish complexes ever built. Your guide will take you through the flower-lined streets of the Jewish Quarter, where you'll visit the exceptional 14th century medieval Synagogue. Round out your day with a stroll through the magnificent gardens and courtyards of the royal Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (Castle of the Christian Monarchs), part of the UNESCO-listed city center near the Grand Mosque.

DAY 10

• CORDOBA TO GRANADA

slide 4 of 2

• A Change of Scenery
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.
• Depart by train from Cordoba to Granada. The train ride takes approximately 1.5 hours.
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.
• Please note, drivers may or may not speak English, as their sole responsibility is to transfer clients from one location to another. If you would like to add an English-speaking assistant or guide on your transfer, please speak with your Travel Consultant.
• Meet your private local guide at the Alhambra Palace for a tour of this wonderfully picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site. On a rocky hill, on the banks of the River Darro, protected by mountains and within the eldest quarter of the city, the Alhambra rises up like an imposing castle, with its distinctive reddish stone in its ramparts which prevent the outside world from seeing the delicate beauty enclosed within. The Alhambra ranks among the world’s finest examples of Islamic art with carved cedar, intermittent stucco work, and gorgeous mosaics. Originally designed as a military area, the Alhambra became the residence of royalty and the court of Granada in the middle of the 13th century. The complex of monuments is formed by the stunning Moorish palaces, including the Palace of King Charles V, and the Generalife, which is surrounded by orchards, tranquil pools, fountains and beautiful gardens, which you'll also visit.
• At the end of your tour, you can either choose to walk back down the hill to explore the city, or return by taxi (paid locally). If you prefer us to arrange private transfers, please let us know.

DAY 11

• GRANADA

slide 4 of 2

• See the Signature Sights in Style
• Enjoy a relaxed, informal exploration of the Albaicín district, the one-time Moorish quarter of Granada, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Setting out from your hotel on foot, your resident private guide will show you how this medieval Islamic city has kept its identity into the modern age, explaining its social history and character in anecdotal style. As you walk through its twisting alleyways, you'll come across stunning views of the city, the majestic Alhambra palaces and, beyond, the often snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada. You'll pass by churches built on the sites of mosques, stroll underneath the walls of the scented gardens of Carmenes, and stop in squares to take in the slow rhythms of daily life in this most traditional and yet singular neighborhood. After your 3-hour walking tour, your guide will show you to a restaurant with a delightful terrace featuring a stunning view of the Alhambra Palace, where you'll be served a lovely lunch, sampling an exclusive tasting menu of local specialties paired with wines from Granada and Andalusia.

DAY 12

• GRANADA TO MARBELLA

slide 1 of 1

• A Change of Scenery
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for a transfer to Marbella. Approximate travel time is 2 hours.

DAY 13

• MARBELLA

slide 4 of 2

• Sun and Sand
• Enjoy a day at the beach today! With 24 individual beaches along a 17 mile coastline, Marbella offers numerous and varied opportunities to soak up the sun. The prestigious Blue Flag award (denoting best-of-class water quality, safety, and environmental management) graces several of the sandy stretches, while the Costa del Sol offers showers, public restrooms, lifeguards, parasols and sun loungers for rent in various areas. For those interested in a potential brush with celebrities, A-listers typically make their way to luxurious beach clubs at Nikki Beach and Sala Beach.
  
  Away from the beach, theme parks can be found in the area surrounding Marbella, and a weekly market runs Mondays from 9 am to 2 pm at the Fair site (Las Albarizas area), with food, flowers, clothes and shoe stalls. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if you would like more information on tour and activity options.

DAY 14

• MARBELLA TO MALAGA
• Until Next Time…
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for a transfer to Malaga. Approximate travel time is 1 hour.

‍

Condes de Barcelona

Iberostar Las Letras Gran Via

Las Casas de la Judería

Villa Oniria

NH Marbella