Length: 5 Days. Group educational tours for 12 or more students or adults. Self-designed custom tours typically led by teachers of high school juniors and seniors.
Highlights: Madrid City Tour, Prado Museum, Plaza Major Walking Tour, Toledo City Tour, Toledo Cathedral, Sword Workshop, Zaragoza Tour, Pilar Basílica, Barcelona City Tour, Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas Walking Tour, Picasso Museum
Itinerary: Madrid (2), Zaragoza (1), Barcelona (2)
Day 1 – USA-Madrid
Depart for magnificent Madrid.
Day 2 – Madrid
¡Buenos días! Your private bus and driver will escort you on a guided Madrid City Tour. See the Plaza de España, the statue of Cervantes, the Royal Palace, and the Puerta de Alcalá. Later enjoy a guided tour of the world-renowned Prado Museum, housing a collection of famous paintings such as Goya’s Majas and Spain’s all- time favorite, Las Meninas by Velázquez. This evening your guide will lead you on a Walking Tour to the historic Plaza Major in Madrid’s Old City.
Day 3 – Madrid
Travel past the windmills of La Mancha to historic Toledo, a small city set on a Castilian hill-top, where the influences of Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures can still be seen in the architecture and the art of the city. See masterpieces by El Greco in the magnificent Cathedral, the Old Synagogue, the Royal Palace, the Church of Santo Tomé, and visit a sword workshop to see damascene crafted.
Day 4 – Zaragoza
Transfer to Zaragoza, once the residence of the kings of Aragon. The city was founded some 2000 years ago, and Iberians, Romans, Goths and Arabians have all left their heritage here. A City Tour takes you to the baroque Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, one of the most visited places of pilgrimage in all Spain, consecrated to the Holy Virgin of Pilar. Also see the 3rd century Roman town-walls, the 13th century Moorish Palacio de la Aljafería, and La Audiencia, one of the most beautiful palaces in Aragón.
Day 5 – Barcelona
Transfer to Barcelona, located on the Mediterranean in the very north of the Spanish coast. Barcelona is a unique amalgamation of booming industrial city, charming university town and diverse cultural center. Explore the capital of Catalonia on a City Tour. Visit Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, the surreal Church of La Sagrada Família. See a panoramic view of the city from the top of Montjuïc, the Barrio Gotico, Plaza de España, the Palacio Nacional, the Olympic Stadium, Gaudi’s architectural curiosity, La Pedrera, and other highlights of this city by the sea. This evening your guide will lead you on a Walking Tour along the mosaic sidewalks of Las Ramblas, the most famous neighborhood in Barcelona. Here you will see everything from “living statues” to street artists, and one long, lively spectacle of pedestrians enjoying the scene.
Day 6 – Barcelona
Tour the Picasso Museum in the Palacio Aguilar and view the largest collection of the artist’s work including his first oil painting, a bullring scene done at the age of nine. The rest of the day is free for more exploration. You may want to walk the tree-lined Ramblas or do some shopping in the boutiques. Option: Travel through mountain landscapes of fantastically eroded crags and terraces to the famous pilgrimage monastery in Montserrat.
Day 7 – Depart
Bid farewell to Spain and board your flight home with great memories of your week traveling from Madrid to Barcelona.
Madrid
- Madrid city tour
- Prado Museum
- Reina Sofia Museum
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
- Flamenco show
- Casa Botin dinner
- Tapas dinner
Seville
- Seville city tour
- Mezquita in Cordoba
- Alhambra in Granada
- Gibraltar tour
Salamanca
- Salamanca city tour
- San Esteban monastery
- Casa Lis Art Museum
Bilbao
- Bilbao city tour
- Guggenheim Museum
- Museo de Bellas Artes
Barcelona
- Barcelona city tour
- Pueblo Español
- Picasso Museum
- Flamenco show
- Tapas dinner
- Language homestay
Valencia
- Valancia city tour
- Albufera wildlife boat tour
- City of the Arts and Sciences
- Bioparc Valencia (zoo)
Córdoba
- Córdoba city tour
- Mezquita
San Sebastián
- San Sebastian city tour
- Language homestay
Granada
- Granada city tour
- Alhambra