Essence of Spain

(8 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Madrid, Seville, Barcelona

This tour visits Spain's three main cities, each with their own distinctive culture, architecture, cuisine, and history.

Begin in Madrid, the Spanish capital known for its elegant squares, stately Habsburg architecture, leafy boulevards and superb museums. With your expert private guide, explore the highlights of the city. See world-renowned museums such as the Prado Museum, Reina Sofia, CaixaForum, and/or the Thyssen-Bornemisza. Tour the majestic Royal Palace. Stroll through the exclusive shopping and residential districts. Also visit historic squares and lively markets, including the gourmet San Miguel Market.

Continue to Seville, the capital of Andalusia and a city flavored as much by the sounds of flamenco and the smell of orange blossoms as by its 500-year domination by the Moors. Take an insider’s tour of this beautiful city. Explore the charming Santa Cruz neighborhood, tour the gardens and mosaic tile-covered rooms of the Reales Alcazares—a spectacular Moorish palace, see the world's largest Gothic cathedral (which contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus), browse specialty boutiques and markets, and other cultural highlights. Also enjoy a private tasting tour that visits some of Seville’s most beloved tapas bars. One evening, you may wish to attend a local flamenco performance or a bullfight at the famed bullring.

Next, enjoy comprehensive private touring in Barcelona, one of Europe's most dynamic centers of modern design and cutting-edge cuisine. Discover Gaudi’s fantastical structures such as Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo or the hillside Parc Guell. Visit some of the city’s excellent museums, such as the Picasso Museum or Miro Museum. Stroll along Las Ramblas—Barcelona’s most famous boulevard—and explore the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter and La Ribera. If desired, explore the city’s shopping districts, stopping at upscale boutiques along the broad Passeig de Gracia and design shops in the stylish Born and Raval neighborhoods. Also visit the city’s leading food markets, including the Santa Caterina Market and La Boqueria Market.