Itinerary

1. Arrive Barcelona
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Le Méridien Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. A transfer is included from Barcelona Airport to your first night’s hotel, Le Méridien Barcelona, located in the heart of the city on world-famous Las Ramblas. You’ll love the hotel’s central location! Join us this evening for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner. Meals D

2. Experience Barcelona
Walk along Las Ramblas to the Boquería and Plaça del Pi; explore the Gothic Quarter, where most of the architecture dates back to the 13th and 15th centuries. See Plaça Nova and Barcelona’s spectacular cathedral, completed over a period of 500 years. Drive to seaside Montjuic, site of the 1992 Olympics, and visit Antoni Gaudí I Cornet’s El Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, still unfinished. The remainder of the day is free to explore. Meals B

3. Granada / Ronda
A flight from Barcelona brings you to Granada, set within the foothills of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada. Tour the Alhambra, one of the world’s most exquisite palaces, built by Moorish rulers. Continue to Ronda along Tauck’s scenic Yellow Roads, and spend the night at one of Spain’s most famous paradors. Built in 1761, it boasts incomparable views from its perch overlooking Tajo Gorge. Meals BLD

4. Ronda / Drive through Andalucía to Seville
Spend the morning with a local guide exploring Ronda, renowned for its historic bullring, Moorish architecture, and dramatic views of Tajo Gorge. Travel on backcountry roads through the beautiful whitewashed villages of Andalucía to Seville, where you’ll learn the secrets of the flamenco at a private show and dinner tonight. Meals BLD

5. Sightsee Seville
Guided sightseeing includes Parque de María Luisa, displaying buildings from the Spanish-American Exhibition of 1929, Palacio de San Telmo, Murillo Gardens and the Royal Tobacco Factory where the fictional Carmen worked. Take a horse-and-carriage ride to the Cathedral, the third largest Roman Catholic church in the world; explore the maze of streets in the former Jewish Quarter. Meals B

6. Córdoba / Madrid
Journey to Córdoba where a walking tour takes you through the historic Jewish Quarter and the ornate 8th-century mosque, La Mezquita. The high-speed AVE train speeds you in style to Madrid this afternoon. Your landmark hotel is ideally located in the city center, facing Neptuno Fountain and Museo del Prado. Meals BL

7. Explore Madrid
A sightseeing tour of Madrid begins with a guided visit to Museo del Prado, one of the world’s most celebrated museums. See Palacio de Oriente, the opulent Royal Palace; grand avenues such as Gran Vía and Castellana; El Parque del Buen Retiro; and the bullring. Join us this evening for a festive farewell dinner featuring traditional Castilian entertainment. Meals BD

8. Journey Home
Tour ends: Madrid, Spain. A transfer is included from The Westin Palace, Madrid to Madrid’s Barajas Airport. Allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for check-in. Meals B

Dates & Prices

International airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on international air for travel originating in the U.S. (subject to availability).

Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our comprehensive Guest Protection Plan.

Note – Please note that dinner in Spain is usually after 10:00 PM. We’ve arranged for special availability as early as 8:30 PM in most restaurants.
 

Barcelona ~ Granada ~ Ronda ~ Andalucía ~ Seville ~ Córdoba ~ Madrid

Tauck’s Yellow Roads
Drive along scenic country roads for an overnight stay in one of Spain’s most famous paradors, historic Parador de Ronda, overlooking Tajo Gorge.

Private Flamenco Performance
The flamenco embodies Spanish people’s legendary passion for life; enjoy a private flamenco performance during your two-night stay in Seville.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride in Seville
In-depth sightseeing in Seville includes a horse-drawn carriage ride to the Cathedral, the world’s largest Gothic building and the third-largest church in Europe.

Guided Tour of Museo del Prado
Join our local expert for a guided tour of Museo del Prado, featuring the world’s finest collections of Spanish art from the 14th to the 19th centuries.

 

Itinerary

1. Arrive Barcelona
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Le Méridien Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Welcome to Barcelona! A transfer is included from Barcelona Airport to your first night’s hotel, Le Méridien Barcelona, ideally located on Las Ramblas. Join us for a welcome dinner tonight. Meals D

2. Art and Architecture in Barcelona
Walk to the city’s beautiful Cathedral in medieval Barrio Gótico, then take a drive to architect Antoni Gaudí’s extraordinary unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia – it is truly Europe’s most unconventional church. Continue on to Montjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium, situated high above the city with the harbor glistening below, before visiting the Picasso Museum. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Meals B

3. Country Roads of Catalonia
Discover the rural charms of Catalonia soon after you depart Barcelona. Travel along picturesque Yellow Roads to the spectacular mountaintop monastery at Montserrat, Catalonia’s holiest place and one of the most scenic pilgrimage sites in Spain, en route to Cardona. Dating back to the 9th century, it is today inhabited by Benedictine monks. Enjoy a taste of authentic Catalan cuisine during lunch in the medieval dining room of a 9th-century castle, the Parador de Cardona, before driving along the western edge of the Sierra del Cadi to tiny Castellciutat, near historic La Seu d’Urgell. Spend the next two nights indulging in the majestic beauty of the Pyrenees from one of the region’s most elegant resort hotels, where recreational activities and stunning views abound. Meals BLD

4. The Incomparable Pyrenees
Visit the 12th-century cathedral in La Seu d’Urgell this morning, one of the only preserved Romanesque cathedrals in the Catalan Pyrenees. You have a choice of activities this afternoon that includes a Catalan cuisine cooking demonstration, a pampering visit to the spa or a whitewater river-rafting trip. Feast on a 7-course dinner this evening at a hilltop 9th-century castle on the grounds of your hotel. Meals BLD

5. The Heart of Basque Country
Travel through wondrous mountain scenery to San Sebastián, in the heart of Basque country, for a two-night stay at one of the most spectacular Belle Époque hotels in all of Spain. Stop for lunch in Pamplona, site of Spain’s annual running of the bulls, enjoying free time to explore on your own. Your first view of Spain’s popular seaside resort is from the top of Mount Igueldo, providing a picture-perfect overview of the small city, shell-shaped bay and Cantabrian coastline. Meals BD

6. Enjoy Seaside San Sebastián
Join us for a walking tour of Old Town before experiencing San Sebastián, the aristocratic summer capital of Spain, as you wish. Stroll down the narrow medieval streets of La Parte Vieja (old town), sampling typical Basque food, and enjoy the city’s waterfront attractions. Its beaches are popular with surfers from around the world. Meals B

7. Art in Bilbao / Parador de Fuente Dé
Visit the world-renowned Guggenheim museum in Bilbao to view works of modern art and continue on to medieval Santillana del Mar. Drive into the impressive Picos de Europa, through gorges, remote villages and emerald valleys, en route to Fuente Dé. Overnight at a modern parador located in the foothills of the Picos amidst classic mountain-style decor. Meals BLD

8. Castile / Parador de León
Cross the Cantabrian Cordilleras on the way to the high Meseta Plateau of Central Spain. The mountains are now behind, with the endless flats and wheat fields of Castile ahead. Visit one of the finest gothic cathedrals in Spain when you arrive in León for an overnight stay at the ornate Parador de León. Meals BLD

9. Parador de Santiago de Compostela
Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims on the Camino of Santiago to Santiago de Compostela; take a guided walking tour of its narrow streets, and visit the cathedral. Stay the night at the Parador de Santiago de Compostela, one of Spain’s oldest and most beautiful hotels. Meals BLD

10. Journey to Porto, Portugal
Spend the morning at your leisure, before driving across the border to Porto, Portugal’s medieval port city, nestled on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Meals BLD

11. Sightsee Porto
Giving its name to its important export, port wine, it’s not surprising that the city’s historic sights are entwined with its many wineries. You’ll be able to sample this locally produced product during a wine tasting lunch, a fitting finale for your morning sightseeing excursion. Meals BL

12. Coimbra / Fatima / Lisbon
Portuguese history comes alive today as you journey to Lisbon, taking the time to visit Coimbra, home to the Portugal’s oldest university, founded in 1210 by King Dinis, and Fatima, world famous for reported sightings of the Virgin Mary in the early 20th century. Meals BL

13. Sightseeing in Lisbon
Portugal’s capital city intrigues with reminders of the “Great Period of Discoveries,” vividly chronicled on this morning’s sightseeing tour. See Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, the Tower of Belém and the Discoveries Monument. Join us for a farewell dinner tonight. Meals BD

14. Journey Home
Tour Ends: Lisbon, Portugal. A transfer from the Tivoli Lisboa to Lisbon’s Int’l Airport is included. Allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. Meals B

Dates & Prices

International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on international air for travel originating in the U.S. (subject to availability).

Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our comprehensive Guest Protection Plan.

Note – Please note that dinner in Spain is usually after 10:00 PM. We’ve arranged for special availability as early as 8:30 PM in most restaurants.
 

Barcelona ~ San Sebastían ~ Bilbao ~ Santiago de Compostela ~ Porto ~ Lisbon
Tauck’s Yellow Roads
Experience the culture and spectacular scenery of northern Spain as you travel along the Yellow Roads for overnight stays in historic paradors – authentically restored castles, palaces, and monasteries in stunning settings.

Medieval Castle Feast in La Seu d’Urgell
Step back in time to medieval Spain in La Seu d’Urgell, one of the most historically important towns in the Catalan Pyrenees, where a 7-course feast in an ancient castle includes cultural entertainment and regional cuisine.

Mountain-Top Montserrat Monastery
Indulge in outstanding scenic views of the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean during a visit to the beautiful Benedictine monastery atop saw-toothed Montserrat, renowned as the religious center of Catalonia and home to the shrine of La Moreneta, the Black Virgin of Montserrat.
 

Itinerary

1. Arrive Lisbon
Tour begins: 2:00 PM, Tivoli Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. A transfer is included from Lisboa Airport to the Tivoli Lisboa. A guided sightseeing tour of the city includes visits to Mosterio du Jeronimos, the Coach Museum, and the Discoveries Monument, where 15th-century caravels (sailing ships) set off for new lands in Portugal’s Period of Great Discoveries; see the Tower of Belém. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight. Meals D

2. Sintra / Cascais / Estoril
Journey into the surrounding countryside today to visit Sintra, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historic cultural landscapes, and tour the 14th-century Royal Palace. Travel through the seaside village of Cascais, a fishing village where brightly colored boats speckle the bay, and the resort town of Estoril on the Portuguese Riviera, en route back to Lisbon. Meals B

3. Explore Medieval Evora
Cross the Tagus River over Europe’s longest suspension bridge, the Vasco da Gama Bridge, as you travel to Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A guided tour through winding medieval streets flanked by 17th-century walls reveals Roman ruins, Moorish arcades, and more than 20 churches and monasteries, including the forbidding Capela dos Ossos (ossuary) in the 15th-century church of São Francisco. Your hotel tonight, a former 15th-century convent, is a member of The Luxury Collection. Meals BLD

4. Andalucía / Seville
It’s off to Andalucía, Spain’s storied southern province of whitewashed villages, seaside resorts, gypsies, flamenco dancing, and vast olive groves. You’ll visit Merida, which was one of the most important Roman capitals on the Iberian Peninsula; the ruins are among the best preserved in Europe. Arrive in the provincial capital of Seville for a two-night stay at Hotel Alfonso XIII, commissioned by the king in 1928 to be one of Europe’s most luxurious hotels. Attend a private flamenco performance tonight. Meals BLD

5. Discover Historic Seville
See Seville’s extraordinary array of historic attractions this morning, from Parque de María Luisa, the Tobacco Factory and Murillo Gardens to the Macarena district and the exhibition pavilions from the Expo of 1929. Visit Seville’s beautiful Gothic cathedral, and take a walking tour of Barrio de Santa Cruz, the city’s fascinating Jewish quarter. The rest of the day is free. Meals B

6. Jerez de la Frontera / Gibraltar
Surrounded by a sea of vineyards, the town of Jerez de la Frontera is world renowned for its sweet wines, sherry, fine horses and flamenco dancers. Visit the palatial Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Equestre (Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art), where the Andalucían horses are bred and perform their amazing “equestrian ballet.” Your visit is followed by lunch at a sherry bodega. Join us for a visit to the famed Rock of Gibraltar, then continue on to coastal Marbella for two nights at the beachfront Hotel Fuerte Miramar-Spa. Meals BLD

7. Day at Leisure in Marbella
A morning sightseeing tour introduces you to Marbella’s fascinating Old Town (Casco Antigua). The rest of the day is spent at leisure in this wonderful resort town. Meals B

8. Ronda / Granada
Depart Marbella and climb into the mountains – the views are breathtaking. Visit cliff-top Ronda, where a walking tour takes in the Moorish remains; see the Plaza de Toros, one of Spain’s oldest bullrings. Your final destination today is Granada, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada – Hotel Alhambra Palace is just steps away from the famous Moorish Palace. Meals BLD

9. Alhambra Palace / Córdoba
Visit the Moorish Alhambra this morning, considered one of the world’s most beautiful palaces. Tour the palace and adjoining terraced quarters of the Generalife. Your journey continues through some of Spain’s most beautiful landscapes to Córdoba. Meals BL

10. Sierra Morena / Parador de Almagro
Take a walking tour of Córdoba through the narrow cobblestone streets of the old Jewish Quarter and visit the candy-striped Mezquita. This afternoon, travel through the Sierra Morena mountains to Almagro in southern La Mancha. Stay overnight in the historic Parador de Almagro, formerly a Franciscan monastery. Meals BLD

11. Consuegra / Toledo / Madrid
Drive through Consuegra, where Cervantes’ Don Quixote de la Mancha jousted with windmills, en route to Toledo. Toledo is Spain’s historical and cultural heart, the adopted home of the artist El Greco. A walking tour takes you to the Church of Santo Tomé to see one of El Greco’s finest paintings, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, and to a synagogue in the historic Jewish Quarter. Arrive in Madrid for a three-night stay in the heart of the city. Meals B

12. Experience Madrid
Madrid grew from a 9th-century Arab fortress to the cosmopolitan capital city of Spain. Take a morning sightseeing tour of Madrid where you’ll view the Royal Palace, great squares, Neptuno and Cibeles fountains, Gran Via, and Paseo de la Castellana. The afternoon is spent at your leisure pursuing what interests you most. Meals B

13. Museo del Prado
A guided tour of Museo del Prado, one of the greatest art galleries in the world, is followed by free time to explore Madrid as you wish. Join us this evening for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner. Meals BD

14. Journey Home
Tour ends: Madrid, Spain. A transfer from The Westin Palace, Madrid to Barajas Airport is included. Allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. Meals B

Dates & Prices

International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on international air for travel originating in the U.S. (subject to availability).

Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our comprehensive Guest Protection Plan.

Note – Please note that dinner in Spain is usually after 10:00 PM. We’ve arranged for special availability as early as 8:30 PM in most restaurants.
 

Lisbon ~ Andalucía ~ Seville ~ Marbella ~ Gibraltar ~ Córdoba ~ Madrid
Family-Style Lunch in Andujar
Get an authentic taste of flavorful Andalucían cuisine at a traditional inn outside of Córdoba, sampling local specialties during a family-style lunch.

Royal Andalucían School of Equestrian Art
Andalucían horses are known for their impeccable breeding and pure bloodlines – the famed equestrian school trains in dressage, coach driving, and leather work. You might see a rehearsal of the famed horse ballet during your visit.

Lunch at Sandeman Sherry Bodega
The strong sun in the south of Spain produces sherry, very sweet wine; lunch at a sherry bodega shows you the process.