Magic of Spain in March: Best Spring Tour

The owners of Zicasso’s tour company were amazing from start to finish. They curated a custom trip for us to Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Málaga, Toledo, and Granada. They listened to our requests and came up with a brilliant itinerary that included personal drivers, hotels, dining recommendations, and tour guides. They were also so quick to respond to our questions and pivot our plans when needed. This was a very special 30th-anniversary trip for us and they knocked it out of the park.

I know we worked together on content, so none of the activities or the schedule were a surprise. We enjoyed every activity and just loved Spain. Our trip was worry-free and we were in the country during the power outage. We were not able to visit a cathedral due to the power outage, but were able to do a different tour. Our guide was enthusiastic and we barely noticed any inconvenience.

Each guide was on time and personable. We had a couple of substitutes and that was not noticeable at all. In general, each guide was knowledgeable and we learned so much. 

Our first guide, in Madrid, was so kind when he realized jet lag was going to cut our tour short – not his fault. He was the best choice for our first tour. He was so knowledgeable and helped to orient us to Madrid. It was so great to have a personal guide so we could ask questions. 

Toledo was fantastic. We loved the guide and the city. The train ride was our first and we had to navigate the train station, but we did just fine after a few wrong turns. We took the bus to the station. The bus worked great. We were exhausted from our day in Toledo, but still walked from the train station. The information on how to get to the station was accurate and it was a lovely walk.

Sevilla was magical. We were surprised when our driver drove through a public square to let us out to walk to the hotel!  We loved our tour, really liked the hotel, and had great meals in the restaurant. We got to know the bartender and she helped us experiment with local wines. 

Our trip to Ronda was beautiful and our guide and driver were both excellent, especially our driver, who had to work around a running and walking event going on that meant our meeting spot was inaccessible. But he was on time and close, and we made it work! 

Our trip to the olive oil museum was great, but we were part of a group and some of the people in the group were just stupid. I am allergic to olive trees and my allergies completely kicked up. We enjoyed the tour and bought olive oil, but I just couldn’t understand why some people on the tour were so rude.

The wine tasting also got us a spontaneous flamenco demonstration, which was fantastic. We stayed and did a wine tasting with the owner. We could have stayed all afternoon. She was lovely and interesting, and we enjoyed our time there very much.

Málaga was a joy and it was there we had the power outage. We had a great tour with our guide, who took so many pictures of us and slowed down to compensate for my tired legs. Touring was catching up with me. The Picasso Museum was open and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We loved our hotel and were very grateful there was a good restaurant with an excellent bar, and we took advantage of that! 

Granada was worth a visit and our trip to the Alhambra was amazing; our guide was five-star.

Overall, we had a wonderful trip. All of the locations were great and met our expectations. A few of our hotel accommodations could have been a little bit better, but overall, they met our needs. The tours and our guides were wonderful, very knowledgeable, and friendly.

The river ride in Seville, Spain, was the only activity that wasn't very good, as it seemed more like a boat ride versus a tour. Also, the communications with the travel company in Greece and Spain were excellent. They provided all the information we needed via text and WhatsApp.

We were very pleased with Zicasso’s travel specialist. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and always available to answer our questions.

The recommended activities were amazing for our trip.

We started in Madrid, then went to Toledo, Seville, Córdoba, and Barcelona. Highlights for my kids (15, 13, and 13) were the cathedrals, mosque, cooking class, walking tapas tour and e-bike tour.

All of our drivers and tour guides were prompt, knowledgeable, and listened to our preferences.

The hotels in Madrid and Seville were perfection and located close to major areas.

The only reason I gave the trip four instead of five stars was that the travel company made a mistake booking our hotel in Barcelona. We found out the night before that our hotel was switched and the new hotel was not in the best area and far from major attractions. The company did offer to reimburse us for taxis and sent us a gift and apology letter. However, I would have preferred to book my own hotel in Barcelona but the day before it was too late for me to research and change the hotel. That particular experience marred what was an otherwise fantastic trip.

Zicasso’s travel agency helped us plan a 17-day, three-country tour (Morocco, Portugal, and southern Spain). We were able to enjoy all the highlights of each city we visited with a very well-paced schedule!

The travel company's staff were flexible too! Adjusting the initial itinerary for cost and sites to visit was not an issue. We cut out a leg to Barcelona and some private drivers where prudent. We also adding things back in (i.e., a sherry-tasting experience, etc., was accommodated).

During our trip was where this travel company truly excelled. The staff very conscientiously checked in on us as our tour progressed and were proactively reminding us (via a messaging tool) of meeting places and the names of guides for the next day. They stayed on top of our itinerary and continuously inquired if they could do anything else! I enlisted their help when I had trouble checking in to our flight from Casablanca to Porto. At my request, she stepped in and helped successfully check us in! Knowing of my difficulties in checking in to intra-EU flights, she then took the initiative to check us in to our next flight from Lisbon to Sevilla! I even had a scare when I forgot some valuables in the safe in our hotel in Málaga, but she was able to retrieve them and send them to me in Madrid! It was comforting to know we had someone in our corner looking out for us!

We have gone with Zicasso on many trips, but this tour operator met and far exceeded our expectations for this trip! The travel company not only saved me a great disappointment for my forgetfulness, but provided very informative private guides, courteous drivers, and exceptional personal service throughout our itinerary! This was our 43rd-anniversary trip and they provided us with wonderful memories that will last us a lifetime!

Our experience with Zicasso and the tour operator was nothing short of amazing. From start to finish, everything was thoughtfully planned and beautifully executed. The tours in Madrid and Seville were incredible, each filled with history, culture, and stunning sights. Our guides were knowledgeable and engaging, bringing the stories of these cities to life and making the experience even more special.

After the busy city days, Estepona was the perfect place to slow down and relax. We enjoyed exploring the charming streets, indulging in a little shopping, and taking part in a fun and memorable cooking class that gave us a true taste of Spanish culture. The balance between sightseeing, cultural immersion, and relaxation made the trip feel perfectly designed just for us.

A special thank you goes to our travel agent, who was simply wonderful throughout the entire process. He was patient with all of my many questions, quick to respond, and flexible in accommodating every addition or change to the itinerary. His attention to detail and genuine care ensured we felt supported and stress-free from the moment we began planning to the very last day of our travels.

The accommodations, transfers, and overall flow of the trip were seamless, allowing us to simply enjoy the journey without worry. This trip exceeded our expectations and created memories that we will truly cherish.

We highly recommend Zicasso and the tour operator, and especially our travel agent. If you’re looking for a personalized, well-organized, and unforgettable travel experience, this is the way to go.