Spanish Wonders A Journey Through History
Begin in Madrid and end there on a 12 day journey through Andalusia, Catalonia and beyond. Zip by high speed train to Córdoba – explore the Mosque–Cathedral and the Jewish Quarter – then continue to Granada for the Alhambra. Expect sea views and white villages along the Costa del Sol, Ronda’s gorge and a sherry and equestrian taster in Jerez, with a boat hop to Cádiz. Seville delivers Italica’s Roman ruins and a Guadalquivir cruise, before Zaragoza’s basilica and Goya. Catalonia brings Poblet Abbey and Barcelona’s Gaudí icons. Round things off via Peñíscola and Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences – returning to Madrid.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
12 daysHotel Rating
3-4 star hotelsStarts
MadridEnds
MadridMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Spain that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
NoDeparture Transfer
NoTour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Country
SpainPassengers
£4,292.50
£2,146.25
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65
Trip Type
Large Coach Tours
Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Large Coach ToursPlaces You'll See
Madrid
Córdoba
Baena
Granada
Nerja
Frigiliana
Malaga
Puerto Banús
Ronda
Setenil de las bodegas
Olvera
Jerez de la frontera
El Puerto de Santa María
Cádiz
Seville
Palos de la frontera
Huelva
El rocio
Zaragoza
Poblet
Barcelona
Peniscola
Valencia
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Madrid - Cordoba
Our high-speed train departs around 11:00 – time to be confirmed. In under two hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h, we arrive in Córdoba, once the capital of the Islamic Caliphate. After lunch, we meet our local guide to visit the city’s standout monument, the superb Mosque–Cathedral (admission included), and continue through the Jewish Quarter with its narrow lanes and flower-filled patios – hallmarks of the city’s identity.You’ll then have free time to stroll at your own pace before we transfer to the hotel.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.
Day 2 - Cordoba - Baena - Granada
After breakfast, we drive through vast olive groves to Baena, a town with Roman roots renowned for its high–quality olive oil. We visit the Núñez de Prado Olive Oil Mill, one of the oldest in the Mediterranean, housed in an 18th century building, to learn about production and sample pan con aceite – bread with olive oil. We then continue to Granada for an included guided visit of the Alhambra – a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece of Islamic architecture – with admission included. Lunch is included. The afternoon is yours – you could visit the cathedral or wander the Albaicín neighbourhood for superb views of the Alhambra.
Day 3 - Granada - Nerja - Frigiliana - Malaga
We travel across the Sierra Nevada, taking in striking mountain scenery, then follow the Mediterranean along the Costa Tropical – its mild climate supports crops such as guava, mango and avocado, and in the past sugar cane. We stop in Nerja, a coastal town with dramatic cliffs, before continuing to Frigiliana, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in Andalusia, known for its steep lanes and whitewashed houses. We then continue to Málaga, capital of the Costa del Sol, noted for its museums, as Picasso’s birthplace, and for its unfinished cathedral known as La Manquita – the One Armed Lady. You will have time for lunch and to explore the city centre, or, if the weather allows, you can head to the beach for a swim.
Day 4 - Malaga - Puerto Banus - Setenil de las bodegas - Ronda - Jerez de la frontera
Leaving Málaga, we travel through the Andalusian mountains and the White Villages. We begin at Puerto Banús in Marbella – a glamorous marina known for its yachts and designer boutiques – before continuing to Setenil de las Bodegas, famed for its whitewashed houses built into the rock. We then head to Ronda, dramatically set above the Tajo Gorge. A typical lunch is included, after which you’ll have free time for a stroll. We finish with an included visit to Ronda’s historic bullring – among the oldest and most monumental in Spain. Later, we continue to Jerez de la Frontera, arriving with time to wander the historic centre and enjoy tapas in its traditional tabancos.
Day 5 - Jerez de la frontera - El Puerto de Santa Maria - Cadiz - Seville
After breakfast in Jerez de la Frontera, we delve into the city’s equestrian heritage at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art – tickets included – to explore the Carriage Museum and watch the training of Andalusian horses. Before leaving Jerez, we pause for a brief photo stop at the exterior of the Moorish Alcázar.We then continue to El Puerto de Santa María, a coastal town noted for its fine wines and seafood. We visit the Osborne wineries – tickets and tasting included – and you’ll have a little free time to enjoy the surroundings. Next, we board a boat for Cádiz for a scenic crossing of around 30 minutes. In this city – one of the oldest in Europe – you’ll have free time to explore the cathedral and wander the historic old town. Later in the afternoon we cross the magnificent bridge and continue to Seville, arriving by the end of the day.
Day 6 - Seville
After breakfast, we set out for Italica – an ancient Roman city where the emperors Trajan and Hadrian were born. With a local guide, we tour the site, visiting the amphitheatre that once held around 25,000 spectators, along with its baths and mosaics. We then continue to Palos de la Frontera – the port from which Columbus’s ships set sail for America in 1492 – to explore the Monastery of La Rábida and the Wharf of the Caravels, where entrance is included to view the replicas of his ships.You’ll have free time for lunch in Huelva. In the afternoon, we follow the Atlantic coast near Doñana National Park, noted for its biodiversity, and stop in El Rocío – a village renowned for its pilgrimage and rural character – to visit its sanctuary and enjoy views of Doñana. We return to Seville in the late afternoon.
Day 7 - Seville - Zaragoza
We begin with a panoramic tour of Seville – taking in the cathedral and its Giralda tower, the banks of the Guadalquivir, and the characterful neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana. After the tour, we board a boat for a cruise along the Guadalquivir.In the afternoon, we transfer you to the station for the high-speed train to Zaragoza, scheduled to depart around 16:30 and covering approximately 850 km in just under four hours. On arrival, we transfer you to your hotel. Please note – the train journey is not accompanied by a tour guide.
Day 8 - Zaragoza - Poblet - Barcelona
This morning we take a panoramic tour of Zaragoza with a local guide, beginning at the Cathedral–Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. We then explore works by Goya, continue to the Roman theatre and a Renaissance palace, and enjoy a stroll by the Aljafería Palace.After lunch, we travel into Catalonia to visit Poblet Abbey – a walled monastery set amidst beautiful scenery and one of the best preserved medieval monasteries in the world – with tickets included. We then continue to Barcelona, arriving in the evening.
Day 9 - Barcelona
In the morning, we take a panoramic tour of Barcelona – a Mediterranean city renowned for Gaudí’s modernist architecture, the lively Ramblas and the legacies of its World Expositions and Olympic Games. We finish at Maremagnum by Columbus Square – a waterfront complex of shops and restaurants – where you can stroll along the seafront. The afternoon is at leisure, and we return to the hotel at the end of the day.
Day 10 - Barcelona - Peniscola - Valencia - Madrid
Leaving Barcelona, we travel south along the Mediterranean coast and stop in Peñíscola – a walled seaside town – with time for a relaxed stroll. We then continue to Valencia, arriving around lunchtime; you could try the city’s famous paella. At approximately 16:30 we set off for Madrid, making a brief stop to view Valencia’s avant garde City of Arts and Sciences. We expect to reach Madrid between 20:30 and 21:00, and we include an evening transfer to Plaza Mayor – a lively spot for pinchos or wine at one of its many restaurants. Note: depending on passenger numbers, the Valencia–Madrid sector may be operated by high speed train.
Day 11 - Madrid
This morning we take a panoramic tour of central Madrid, taking in Paseo del Prado, the fountains of Cibeles and Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor. We then continue to Retiro Park to see the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. Admission is included to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – home of Real Madrid. You have the afternoon at leisure to explore as you wish. In the evening, we provide a return transfer to the hotel.
Day 12 - Madrid
After breakfast, we conclude the tour in Madrid – our services end here. We hope you depart with lasting memories of your journey.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post-Tour Accommodation - Madrid
Pre-Tour Accommodation - Madrid
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Confirmation of the hotels used may not be available until 48 hours before the tour departs.
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are for solo travellers who are happy to share with another solo traveller of the same sex in a twin room - a single room will be provided at no additional cost if there are no suitable travellers to share with.
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