9 DAY SPAIN'S FINEST - OF GASTRONOMY AND ARTS

Transfer: Airport to hotel

You would be met and transferred to your accommodation.

History of Madrid including Royal Palace Half Day Walking Tour

We will explore the corners of the historical district, known as Austrias due to its connection with the Habsburgs. The old city will pop up around us through the Plaza Mayor and the stone-cobbled streets in the area, and proudly reveal corners that preserve the flavor of times gone by. We will also step into site in the historical city you can’t miss: the magnificent Royal Palace. Built over the foundations of the medieval Arab fortress, over the centuries different monarchs have left their mark both in the décor and the design of its gardens. A stroll through the Royal Palace’s halls is a journey to the last 400 years of Spain’s history.

Prado Museum with Art Specialist and Tapas Tasting Half Day Walking Tour

Meet your guide at the hotel lobby for this walking tour. Opened in 1819, Museo del Prado is one of the world’s most important art museums. With an overwhelming concentration of Spanish painting and European masters from the 16th to the 19th century, the quality of its collection is truly singular. Enjoy a leisurely, expert guided walk of the museum and its surroundings, exploring its impressive concentration of historical buildings, sculptures, green areas and fountains, and discover the treasures of the Museo del Prado and its collection. End your tour with a tasting of Spanish Tapas to sample local gastronomy.

Toledo Full Day Tour

Meet your driver at the hotel lobby for transfer to Toledo. Start your tour with a visit to Toledo’s great Cathedral, seat of the Spanish Church, with its collection of great paintings in the sacristy. Then, we will walk along the cobbled streets of this well-preserved city, full of churches, convents and Synagogues. Not to be missed during this tour-Church of Santo Tome and Synagogue of El Transito. At the end of the tour, you will be met by your driver for transfer back to Madrid.

Transfer: Hotel to Airport

You would be met and transferred to the airport for your onward journey.

Transfer: Airport to hotel

You would be met and transferred to your accommodation.

Bilbao and Guggenheim Highlights Tour (Half Day)

The Guggenheim, designed by Frank O. Gehry, is a masterpiece of design and a wonder of construction. Learn about how it has sparked a renaissance in Bilbao, with creative urban projects transforming the landscape. Visit the museum with its intriguing collection of vanguard works from the 19-20th centuries. Discover the Bilbao city and see how the Arts changed what was once a dull industrial city.

La Rioja Full Day Insider’s Access Wine Experience (7 hrs)
Drive 1.5hours to La Rioja, synonymous with great Spanish wines, for a Full Day Insiders’ Access Wine Experience (7 hours). Enjoy a specially designed wine tour, crafted to your tastes and includes a tasting with a Master Sommelier in the medieval town of Laguardia. Our tour focuses on wonderful characters who maintain the traditions and excellence of La Rioja through our personal network with well-known and innovative wine makers.

Continue another 2h 15m to San Sebastian, provincial capital of the Basque Country, one of the world’s top gastronomic destinations.

San Sebastian Walking Tour with Pintxo Experience (4 hrs)
On this walking tour, discover why aristocrats and royal families chose Donostia / San Sebastian as a summer resort. Visit the Old Town of Parte Vieja where you see the Renaissance-Baroque church of Santa Maria and the Gothic Church of San Vicente. Head towards the Plaza de la Constitucion where, among its many balconies – numbered and painted white, revealing its origin as a bullring – stands the old neoclassical city hall. La Alameda del Boulevard leads into the so-called romantic city, and at the end of the Bay of La Concha, you will enjoy the unique view of Santa Clara Island from Monte Igueldo. Your tour includes a visit to 1 pintxo bar, a light snack experience unique to the Basque Country.

French Basque Country Excursion (Full-Day)

Cross the border to France and enjoy a full day exploring the French Basque Country. Start in Biarritz, the ‘king of beaches and the beach of kings’, ever since Eugenie de Montijo and her husband Napoleon III made it the favourite resort of the European aristocracy. Continue to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, an Atlantic Fishing Village with Basque charm. On your way back to the Spanish border, you will stop in Hondarribia. Wander through Hondarribia’s old town, visiting the restored sixteenth century gothic church of Santa Mara de la Asuncion and the 10th century castle, now a parador.

Transfer: Hotel to Airport

You would be met and transferred to the airport for your onward journey.

Transfer: Airport to hotel

You would be met and transferred to your accommodation.

Barcelona Gothic Quarter Walk

Take a city walk of Gothic Quarter, the ancient heart of the city dating back to 2000 years of Roman colony of Barcino. Visit the Augustus Temple, the cathedral and the palatine chapel of Santa Agata as you discover the streets and squares.

For those who are interested or have more time, you may want to include a visit to the Picasso Museum.

Excursion to Montserrat

Meet your driver at the hotel lobby for transfer to Montserrat. It is located in a nature park west of Barcelona, where Catalonia’s patron saint, The Virgin of Montserrat is worshipped at the shrine in the monastery. 80 Benedictine monks still serve this shrine. You may visit the legendary statue of the Black Madonna. Monserrat is also home to the oldest boy’s choir in Europe and this choir trains in the Escolania with a high level of musical training, which you can consider visiting if time permits and depending on your interest. Your driver will drive you back to Barcelona.

Gaudi Half Day Tour

Barcelona is famous for its Gaudi and other Art Nouveau architecture. On this tour, we will visit the magnificent Church of the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, displaying Gaudi’s full artistic powers and innovative ideas in construction. After the tour, meet your driver for transfer to hotel.

Transfer: Hotel to Airport

You would be met and transferred to the airport for your onward journey.