Classic Spain
Classic Spain
Classic Spain
An Extraordinary Private Journey from Barcelona to Andalucía via Madrid
Days: 11 | From: $8,495/per person
- Accommodations at best in class boutique hotels
- Curated tours with superb private guides. You’ll have an instant local friend with insider access!
- Experience iconic art and architecture and savor Spain’s culinary delights and regional wines
Explore Barcelona on foot (or if you’re up for it, by bike!), learn about Gaudi and Picasso, and enjoy a superb paella-focused cooking class with local wines before spending a day hiking in the majestic Pyrenees mountains. Next, head south via bullet train to Madrid to take in the iconic highlights of this cultural capital, visit the world-famous Prado museum, and enjoy a privately guided gastronomy tour with an expert guide, sampling the city’s outstanding tapas bars and taverns. Continue your journey south to Andalucía, where you'll visit Granada and Seville. Explore the mesmerizing Alhambra and be captivated by the fascinating mix of cultures in this region.
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Talk to a Vaya Europe Specialist
We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.
We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.
At a glance
- Barcelona
3 nights: Discover the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, a world class culinary destination with art and architecture to match - Madrid
2 nights: Explore grand avenues and plazas and experience the renowned nightlife - Grenada
2 nights: Visit the Alhambra, a UNESCO site, and learn about the remnants of Moorish culture - Seville
3 nights: Dance the Flamenco, visit the Alcázar Real and wander the streets of the largest historic center in Europe
All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.
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Sample itinerary
Bienvenidos!
Arrive in Barcelona, the capital of Spain’s stateless nation of Catalonia. The city bursts with art, architecture, and culture and is a great place to start your travels in Spain. Barcelona’s façade combines playful modern architecture with medieval Roman relics. Located on the Mediterranean in North Eastern Spain, Barcelona has a welcoming climate year round. Spend your time wandering the barrios, taking in Gaudi’s masterpieces, visiting the Picasso museum and enjoying culinary delights. When you arrive, your private guide will be waiting to transfer you to your boutique hotel in the Eixample neighborhood, a perfect location for exploration. Once you’ve had a chance to settle in, head out on a private bike tour of the city.
Accommodations: H10 Casa Mimosa, 3 nights
Located on the same block as the La Pedrera building, the H10 Casa Mimosa is an ideal place to stay for your Barcelona exploration. Spacious rooms with modern décor complement the original elements of this 19th century Modernist building. There is a beautiful courtyard garden off the lobby bar full of Mediterranean greenery, such as a century-old palm tree, an impressive lime tree, and mimosas, the hotel's namesake. The hotel also offers a rooftop terrace with a plunge pool and sweeping views of the city.
*Includes: BreakfastUpgrades and alternatives: Serras Hotel, Cotton House, The One Barcelona, The Wittmore, Mercer Barcelona, Hotel Pulitzer, AND OTHERS.
Barcelona
Discover the art and architecture of Barcelona. Set out with your private guide for a walking tour focused on Pablo Picasso: See where he lived and studied and what inspired his art. Enjoy lunch, then set out to learn about Antoni Gaudi and his architectural masterpieces. Visit Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), and Block of Discord with your expert guide. This evening, trying your hand at making paella in a cooking class, complimented with regional wines.
Hiking in the Pyrenees
Stretch your legs in the Spanish Pyrenees, not far from Barcelona. Hike the paths that pilgrims traveled centuries ago. Learn about the flora and fauna of the region while taking in views all the way to the Mediterranean. Your private guide will tailor the day to suit your preferred pace, interests, and the length of time you want to hike. Afterward, head back to Barcelona and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Travel to Madrid
Take the fast train to Madrid, the capital of Spain, celebrated for its tree-lined boulevards, expansive green spaces, and rich royal history. Also known for its markets and nightlife, Madrid is a captivating city well worth exploring.
Your private guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel, located around the corner from the city’s major sites. After you’ve settled in, enjoy a private walking tour tailored to your interests.
Accommodations: Hotel Urso, 2 nights
Hotel Urso occupies a prime location nestled among the central districts of Chamberí, Tribunal, and Chueca. The hotel resides in a historic building constructed by José María Mendoza Ussía, seamlessly blending the classic grandeur of early 20th-century Madrid's bourgeois architecture with the modern comforts of a luxury hotel. This building once housed the renowned company 'Papelera Española.' It retains its neoclassical elegance with features like towers, corner chamfers, and traditional viewpoints supporting the grand balcony. The building's rich history is evident in its interior spaces, featuring original elements such as a central patio, colorful stained-glass windows, decorative tiles, a library, marble floors, and wooden walls.
*Includes: BreakfastUpgrades and alternatives: Totem, Hotel Orfila, Only You, Vincci The Mint, AND OTHERS.
Madrid
Enjoy a leisurely morning before exploring the Prado museum. You’ll have “skip the line” tickets and will be able to wander the halls on your own. This evening, join your guide for a private tapas tour. Visit several local taverns where you’ll dine like a local. Your guide will explain the history of gastronomy in Madrid while you enjoy different bites paired with Spanish wines.
Travel to Granada
Take the train to Granada, a historic city with Moorish roots. Your private guide will transfer you to your hotel, located in the heart of Granada. After you’re settled in, embark on a private walking tour of two of the most interesting neighborhoods in Granada: the Albacin, the oldest neighborhood in Granada, and the Sacramonte, the Roma neighborhood built into the surrounding cliffs.
Accommodations: Casa 1800, 2 nights
This charming boutique hotel is located in the heart of Granada. Set in a 16th century house that was once home to the Lords of Cañavera and Counts of Benalúa, the Casa 1800 is full of history. The rooms are quaint and the décor and color palate are calming. Its location is great for exploring the Alhambra and the surrounding neighborhoods of Granada.
*Includes: BreakfastUpgrades and alternatives: Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula, Seda Club Hotel, Hospes Palacio de los Patos, AND OTHERS.
The Alhambra and Generalife Gardens
Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Granada with your private guide. The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex set on the hillside over Granada. It’s one of the most famous representations of Islamic architecture left in the world. Dating back as far as the 9th century, this fascinating site has passed from conqueror to conqueror, religion to religion, and its walls are steeped in history. Your knowledgeable private guide will be there to answer your questions. Visit the neighboring Generalife Gardens, the sultan’s summer estate, and stroll the grounds among pools, trees, and colorful flowers.
Travel to Seville
Set off by train to Seville. Known as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, with a strong cultural heritage and several architectural treasures, Seville is a must see. Your private guide will be waiting to transfer you to your historic, centrally located hotel. Settle in, then head out to explore the city with your guide: Visit palaces and cathedrals, wander the orange tree filled courtyards, and stroll the old town, tasting tapas along the way.
Accommodations: Hospes Las Casas Del Rey De Baeza, 3 nights
Located in old town Seville, the Hospes Las Casas Del Rey De Baeza is a traditional Andalusian house turned hotel. The vibe is rustic-chic with cream, white and brown tones and finished with natural touches. Rooms are built around an interior courtyard full of potted palms and orange trees. A roof top pool and a restaurant serving traditional dishes add to the amenities of this chic hotel.
*Includes: BreakfastUpgrades and alternatives: Mercer Sevilla, Palacio Bucarelli, Alfonso XIII, AND OTHERS.
Day trip to Cordoba
Be swept back in time with a visit to nearby Cordoba. At one time an important Roman city and, at another, a major Islamic center, the city has a distinct cultural heritage. Explore La Mezquita, a mosque dating from 784 A.D., and wander the streets of the largest old town in Spain. This evening, back in Seville, enjoy the sultry rhythms and sensual dance moves of the Flamenco as you take in a show at a local tablao.
Tasting Seville
Sample the specialties of the region. Seville has several markets full of local delicacies and handicrafts. Your guide will take you through a few of the markets, where you’ll meet local vendors and taste their products. From cheese and ham to olives and seasonal fruits, enjoy this insider’s experience of market life in southern Spain. Spend the reminder of your day at leisure exploring the lively streets and colorful courtyards.
Adios
Your driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination.
Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary
Continue your exploration into art with a visit to the Dalí museum in Figueres, outside of Barcelona.
Customize your city touring to suit your interests; whether it’s food and wine, cooking and creating, or history and art, there is something for everyone in each city.
Add a few days to explore the beautiful Spanish beaches.
Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
Why Travel with Vaya?
We're TRUE specialists
We’ve not only traveled there, we’ve lived there. Our smart and engaging specialists are all current or former expatriates with years of experience in the region.
Uplifting service
From the first phone call to after you get back, we're here for you every step of the way. We listen, create, customize and advocate for you, and design experiences that go beyond the expected.
Thoughtful travel
Our discerning sensibility and good taste go beyond just choices in hotels and top guides; we have a walk the walk commitment to the environment and are genuine leaders in conservation efforts.