Highlights of Spain: Catalonia, Basque, Andalusia, Madrid Itinerary

After enjoying a leisurely morning, your first full day in Barcelona will be celebrated with a scenic walking tour of the city center. The old town of the city presents visitors with a head-spinning array of sights, such as numerous secrets plazas and award-winning eateries and restaurants. As your guide helps you get acquainted with Barcelona, you will hear stories about the impact of the Spanish civil war, early Roman ruins, and a host of other details that will help bring the city to life.

Arguably one of Barcelona's proudest sons, Antoni Gaudi was an artist and architect who contributed to the modern layout of the city more than any other. In one day, an ambitious traveler could see over five separate buildings that he designed, the most conspicuous being La Sagrada Familia. Today, you will enjoy a close encounter with the life and times of Mr. Gaudi on a guided tour of two of his most famous works: Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia. With one a city park and the other a basilica, you will be able to compare the two masterpieces during your visits.

Since you arrived, you have enjoyed the history, artwork, and architecture of this beautiful capital of Catalonia. Spain enjoys an international reputation for excellent food, and Barcelona is no different because it presents a Catalan take on the famous tradition of tapas, which are small dishes of well-prepared snacks. Today, you will be able to sample this tradition on a private food tour from a knowledgeable guide who is well-versed in the region's gastronomy.

After turning your back on the Mediterranean Sea, you will make your way out of Catalonia and into the adjacent community known as the Basque Country. Possibly the only other autonomous region of Spain with a strong national identity, the Basque Country's culture is as welcoming as it is passionate. During this visit, you will be able to enjoy all it and more. After departing Barcelona, you will fly to Bilbao, where a private transfer will ensure your timely arrival at your hotel in the heart of the city. Once you are ready, you will be able to celebrate your arrival with an evening tour of the city center.

Easily one of Bilbao's top attractions, the famous Guggenheim museum will be your to explore as you set off on your first full day in the Basque Country. After enjoying a delightful breakfast compliments of your attentive hotel staff, a private guide will escort you to the bizarre shapes and contours of the museum. As you wander the exhibits of this museum, your guide will happily provide context to any particular piece or installation in addition to allowing your imagination to run wild with each distinctive piece of artwork you encounter.

Whereas the Northern regions of Catalonia and the Basque Country are known for their passion, there may be no Spanish region that can claim to be more laid-back than the region of Andalusia. Today, you will depart the lush and hilly country around Bilbao for the hot and fertile agricultural center of Seville. A private transfer will whisk you to the airport, where you will enjoy a brief flight over Iberia to Andalusia. After settling in to your luxurious accommodations, a private guide will introduce you to the region's take on the famous tapas before capping your night with a flamenco performance.

As you will soon learn, there is no shortage of beauty in Seville between the magnificent Plaza Espana, the city's main cathedral, and the famous Alcazar. After enjoying a fortifying breakfast, you will be met by a private guide who will introduce you to all the major attractions as well as the lesser-known hotspots of the city. At the Alcazar, you will be able to witness the Mudejar heritage of the Muslims in the architecture of the fortress. You will also be able to visit Europe's third-largest cathedral before concluding your tour.

As the capital of Andalusia, Seville enjoys a unique position in the heart of the region and is well within driving distance of a number of noteworthy sites. You will be able to enjoy one such site today as you depart the placid banks of the Guadalquivir River and make your way into the Andalusian highlands to the whitewashed town of Ronda. As you enjoy a guided exploration of the city, you will appreciate Spain's rural side in the quiet plazas and cliffside overlooks of this timeless town.

Today, you will depart the warm embrace of Seville and make your way by private transfer to the iconic city of Granada. Here, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian residents once lived in relative harmony. Your arrival in this majestic city will be celebrated with a visit to the famous fortress known as the Alhambra. With it's many reflecting ponds, arched ceiling, and Arabic script, the influence of Islam on the site will be evident the moment you arrive. At the conclusion of your tour, you will have the remainder of the day to enjoy however you see fit.

A trip to Spain would not be complete without spending some time charting your own course through this rich atmosphere of charming culture and excellent food. Granada is an excellent place to enjoy a day with a vast menu of recreational or relaxing activities at your fingertips. A visit to the city's main cathedral will introduce you to the common practice of placing a Christian church atop the ruins of an Islamic mosque. Likewise, the city is known for its pastries, which can provide a tasty treat during a midday stroll.

Your tour of Andalusia will when you depart Granada and make your way to the stunning architecture and warm hospitality of Cordoba. After a private transfer ensures your effortless arrival at your luxurious hotel in the heart of the city center, you will be able to enjoy a thorough introduction to the city from a local guide who is well-versed in the main attractions and off-the-beaten-path sites. The Synagogue and Jewish quarter will demonstrate the role that religion played in the city, and you will conclude your tour with a visit to the city's famous mosque-cathedral.

On this tour, you have been circling the Spanish capital like a cat circles a mouse. Today, you will be able to pounce on your prey as you enjoy a scenic train ride from Cordoba to the vibrant and colorful city of Madrid. Upon your arrival in this stunning city, a private transfer will convey you from the train station to your luxurious hotel. Here, you will be able to settle in before an evening excursion. Tonight, the neighborhoods of Asturias and Las Letras will come to life during a guided visit along the cobblestone lanes and breathtaking plazas of the city.

Madrid is well-known among Europe for its excellent collection and curation of world-class artwork. No better ambassadors of this reputation can be found than in the famous Art Triangle of the Museo del Prado, the Thyssen- Bornemisza Museum, and the Reina Sofia Museum. Today, you will be able to immerse yourself in the work and lives of the masters on display during a guided art walk to these famous galleries. Upon the completion of your tour, you will have the remainder of the day to chart your own course through the beauty and charisma of Madrid.

For your final full day on this tour, you will be able to survey the sights of the nearby town of Toledo. After a fortifying breakfast, a private transfer will whisk you through the Spanish countryside to your riverside destination. For over 300 years, Toledo was under Islamic control before being reconquered by the Christians. Upon your arrival, a local guide will happily introduce you to this and many other aspects of this city's tumultuous past. By the time your tour concludes, Toledo will no longer be a stranger as your Spanish tour winds down.

From the stunning coastline of Catalonia to the agricultural charm of Seville, this tour of Spain will have left no stone unturned, and you can rest assured knowing that you have seen much of what this storied land has to offer. After a final breakfast from your charming hotel staff, a private transfer will carry you out of the city center and to Madrid's main airport for your departing flight.