Idyllic Andalucia & Catalunya

Your journey begins with your arrival into the capital of Andalusia, Seville, known for its centuries-long legacy of flamenco and tapas culture. You’ll be met upon your arrival by our driver for a private transfer into your hotel in the city. Enjoy the rest of the day to yourself, perhaps relaxing after a long flight. One of the best ways to do that is to visit the Aire ancient baths for a soak in muscle-soothing waters, perfect for a jet-lagged body. Massage and wine bath experiences are available too. Or stretch your legs. Enjoy people watching and a preview of the city.

Meet our local guide this morning for a private walking tour that will reveal Seville’s fascinating history. Stroll the cobblestone streets of the old Jewish Quarter, which was a separate, walled part of the city during medieval times. Visit the magnificent UNESCO-listed, gothic-style Seville Cathedral, the largest of its kind in the world, and the stunning Royal Alcazar. With over a millennium of history dating back to Moorish times, it’s the oldest royal residence in Europe that’s still in use. The oldest remaining traces of the original 10th-century structure are the Patio del Yeso with its remarkable arches and the Justice Room.

Round-trip tickets are included for the high-speed AVE Sevilla-Cordoba train. This day trip brings you to Cordoba where you’ll be met by our guide for a walking tour. Discover the city’s history and most spectacular sights in the Jewish Quarter and areas around the ancient mosque, including the synagogue, Maimonides monument, and Flowers’ Street. Visit the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba (Mezquita-Catedral) with its 12 centuries of history and the early 14th-century Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs, a primary residence for Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, before taking in a tapas and flamenco experience this evening.

A private transfer brings you to your hotel in the rural countryside between Seville and Jerez. Enjoy the afternoon to yourself, perhaps taking advantage of the time to relax between all the sightseeing. Yoga, reflexology, reiki, aromatherapy, and massage are just some of the possibilities. Hiking, golfing, cooking classes, or even horseback riding through olive groves and orange trees and along sandy stretches are a few of the other options. Or you could just lounge around the pool soaking up the sun and the beautiful scenery. When hunger pangs hit, the on-site restaurant features fresh fish, local meats, and organic produce from the property’s garden.

Spain’s hilltop whitewashed villages are fascinating to explore, with influences from early settlers that include everyone from Romans and Jews to Muslims and Christians who built temples, castles, homes, mills, and more. You’ll follow your local guide through their winding streets while learning about the history behind them. Start in Arcos de la Frontera which sits along the banks of the Guadalete River that flows around three sides of the city, beneath soaring vertical cliffs. Enjoy a short tour and lunch at a family-run eatery in Medina Sidonia, followed by a tour of the old quarters of Vejer, one of the country’s most picturesque villages.

Start your day with a private transfer to your Granada hotel in the Andalusian countryside. After getting settled in, you’ll join our guide for a private tour of Granada’s two most enchanting quarters and the historic center. Start at Albaicin (Albayzin), the old Arab Quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It preserves stretches of the 11th-century Casbah walls, palaces, and cisterns while providing views of the majestic Alhambra citadel and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Enjoy views from the gypsy quarter, Sacromonte, and then walk along the Darro River to the impressive sites in the historic center, including the Royal Chapel and Madrasa.

Both the residential district of Albaicin and the Alhambra were developed during Spain’s Moorish history, set atop two adjacent hills forming the city’s medieval area. Today you’ll get to explore the citadel of Alhambra, its lush Garden of Eden-like gardens, and opulent palaces. Today, these are the only royal residences from an Islamic dynasty that are still standing ever since the Middle Ages. As you follow your guide, an Islamic art expert, you’ll learn about the symbols and the secrets behind these remarkable structures, including poems carved on the walls, mathematical achievements, and philosophical concepts that defined the civilization.

This morning, our driver will bring you to Granada’s airport to catch your flight to Barcelona. You’ll be met by another private transfer to your hotel in the city, with time to refresh before joining an expert guide for a tour of the historic center, including the Gothic Quarter. You’ll take a walk back in time to Barcelona’s origins as you stroll the narrow streets and alleyways, encountering medieval buildings, Roman ruins, and gothic cathedrals, including the stunning Cathedral of Barcelona. Visit Plaza del Rey, the City Hall, the Church of Santa Maria del Pi, the Boqueria Market, famous La Rambla street, and more.

Barcelona is renowned for its architecture, home to some of the most magnificent buildings in the country. Antoni Gaudi’s work is the highlight and today you’ll join our guide for a tour of his remarkable talent that can be seen in places like Sagrada Familia. One of the most visited landmarks in Europe, it fuses art nouveau and gothic styles. The bold colors, hyperboloids, and unconventional animal representations epitomize Gaudi’s belief that nature and the divine were inextricably linked. Discover fantastical works at Parc Guell and his series of dynamically designed buildings, including Gaudi’s House, which now serves as a museum.

Montserrat Mountain rises more than 4,000 feet into the sky at its highest peak. Known for its jagged rock formations and Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, it’s just an hour away from Barcelona. A sacred place of pilgrimage, the monastery is a little more than midway up the mountain, home to the Virgin Mary of Montserrat. The statue was uncovered on the site and restored in 1925. You’ll reach it the safest and easiest way, by a cable car that climbs the mountain in only 5 minutes, soaring through inclines of as much as 45 percent while providing panoramic vistas.

This morning you’ll take a private transfer from your Barcelona hotel to Costa Brava, which translates to “wild coast” in Spanish. One of the most unspoiled, romantic coastlines, it’s characterized by rugged pink cliffs that dip down to the turquoise Mediterranean below, framed by green pine trees. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, you’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy it at your leisure. With some of Europe’s finest Blue Flag beaches nearby, including everything from sandy stretches to secluded coves, you might want to relax among the scenery, enjoy a refreshing swim, or embark on a spectacular coastal walk.

A full-day tour explores awe-inspiring scenery, nature, and art, with a focus on Spanish artist Salvador Dali. You’ll walk the streets where he grew up in Portlligat, visiting the House-Museum where he lived to admire his eclectic works and unique décor, and discover the genius theater-museum he designed in Figueres. Explore the village of Cadaques, often called the most beautiful along the Costa Brava. It’s the place where Dali and other world-renowned artists like Pablo Picasso lived and found their inspiration. Throughout the excursion, you’ll learn about some of the most intimate details of the surrealist painter’s life from your expert guide.

After 12 unforgettable days in Spain, your journey comes to a conclusion today. Our private driver will bring you to Barcelona for your final transfer: to Barcelona’s airport to catch your flight home. Of course, if you’d like to explore more of Spain or elsewhere in Europe, our travel experts can help you plan the perfect addition to this itinerary.