Compare A Week In... Spain 2023 by Tauck vs Spain in 9 days - Madrid, Andalusia & Costa del Sol - Superior by Exoticca

Day 1 Arrive Barcelona

Tour begins: 6:00 pm, The One Barcelona, Spain. A transfer from Barcelona Airport or the Barcelona Franca train station is included to your hotel, The One Barcelona, ideally situated minutes by foot from luxurious Passeig de Gracia and landmarks by Antoni Gaudi. Meet the traveling companions who will experience Tauck's one-week Spain vacation with you at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight.

MEALS : D

LODGING : The One Barcelona

PORTOFCALL : Barcelona, Spain

Day 2 Gaudí, la Sagrada Família, Montjuic & tapas in Barcelona

Barcelona is an exceptional city overflowing with history, art and culture. Your day begins with a drive to seaside Montjuic, site of the 1992 Olympics, and a visit to la Sagrada Família, the fanciful, unfinished cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudí I Cornet. For lunch, sample local tapas on an included tasting tour through several of Barcelona's iconic tapas restaurants; discover more of the city as you please for the remainder of the day and evening.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : The One Barcelona

PORTOFCALL : Barcelona, Spain

Day 3 Málaga, then on to Granada

From Barcelona, take an included morning flight to the seaside city of Málaga on the Costa del Sol, hometown of the artist Pablo Picasso. Upon arrival, begin your discoveries with a panoramic tour and walking tour of this historic Andalusian city, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth, chronicling some 3,000 years of civilization. After time for lunch as you please, if you wish, visit the Museo Picasso Málaga – a modern museum opened in 2003, displaying nearly 300 works by native son Picasso, converted from a former 16th-century palace and other historic buildings just a few hundred meters from the artist's actual birthplace. Continue overland to Granada, a jewel of the Sierra Nevada foothills in southern Spain, where you'll enjoy dinner with wine at your palace hotel tonight.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Hotel Alhambra Palace

PORTOFCALL : Granada, Spain

Day 4 From Granada's through Andalucía and on to Seville

Join us for a guided walking tour of Granada where you'll explore Alhambra Palace on a guided tour through its intrepid halls as well as Generalife, the summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid rulers. After lunch it's on to Seville via Andalucía, a melting pot of different cultures sometimes referred to as the bridge between two continents; journey through Andalucía's rolling hills and view charming villages with whitewashed houses clinging to the hillsides. Arrive in romantic Seville, where your two-night stay in the heart of the city at the Hotel Alfonso XIII – enjoying a reputation as one of the world's finest hotels – kicks off this evening with a private performance of flamenco dancing followed by dinner.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Hotel Alfonso XIII

PORTOFCALL : Seville, Spain

Day 5 Unforgettable sights of Seville

No Spain vacation would be complete without a visit to charming Seville; get your bearings on an orientation tour of this spectacular city dating back nearly 2,000 years. A horse and carriage ride transports you through Maria Luisa Park, before a walking tour of the Barrio de Santa Cruz and the maze of old streets in the former Jewish Quarter. Enjoy a guided tour of Seville Cathedral, the third-largest Roman Catholic church in the world; tour the Cathedral, containing the final resting place of Christopher Columbus and home to the famed Giralda Bell Tower. The remainder of the day is free for you to pursue what interests you most in Seville.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Hotel Alfonso XIII

PORTOFCALL : Seville, Spain

Day 6 Córdoba & on to Madrid by rail

A panoramic tour of the charming Moorish-influenced city of Córdoba with your local guide leads to a walking tour through the historic former Jewish Quarter and a visit to the ornate 8th-century La Mezquita, once one of the world's largest mosques, and now a Roman Catholic cathedral. Board the high-speed AVE train and have lunch as you travel in Preferente class to Madrid for a two-night stay in Spain's marvelous capital city, which you'll enjoy as you please this evening.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : The Westin Palace, Madrid

PORTOFCALL : Córdoba, Spain

Day 7 The Prado, grand palaces & parks in old Madrid

Your day in magnificent Madrid kicks off with a guided tour of the famed Museo Nacional del Prado, one of the finest art museums in the world. Later, a city sightseeing tour takes you to highlights including Palacio de Oriente, the ornate Royal Palace built in the 18th century; grand avenues such as Gran Via and Castellana, and El Parque del Buen Retiro. The afternoon is free to explore and have lunch as you please in Madrid. Enjoy typical Castilian entertainment at our farewell cocktail reception and dinner this evening... a fitting finale to your weeklong travels through Spain.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : The Westin Palace, Madrid

PORTOFCALL : Madrid, Spain

Day 8 Journey Home

Tour ends: Madrid. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Westin Palace, Madrid to Madrid's Barajas Airport or the Madrid Atocha railway station; allow 3 hours for flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Madrid, Spain

Day 1: US - Night on board

Ready to explore the historic cities and vibrant culture of Spain? Arrive at your US departure airport, ready for a flight* to Madrid. Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Madrid

Touch down in Madrid, the enigmatic capital city of Spain, known for its fast-paced atmosphere, classical architecture and beautiful plazas and parks. Transfer to the hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. Madrid is well-known for its brilliant gastronomic scene and lively nightlife, so be sure to get out after dark to experience the amazing atmosphere of the capital. Overnight stay in Madrid.

Day 3: Madrid

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a panoramic tour of Madrid. Uncover the medieval origins of the city in Barrio de la Morería, famed for its historic monuments, such as the Muslim-era city walls. Drive through the Baroque-era heart of the city, known for its magnificent boulevards and grand buildings. See the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace and both Cibeles and Neptuno Fountain. Pass by the incredible Prado Museum before heading to the more contemporary parts of the city, such as the Gran Via shopping street and the upmarket Salamanca neighborhood. Finally, continue past Parque del Oeste to see the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy the delights of the city at your leisure. Madrid has a number of rooftop bars and restaurants, so perhaps head to one of these to enjoy spectacular views of the city as the sunsets. Overnight stay in Madrid.

Day 4: Madid - Caceres - Cordoba

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the capital behind as you set off for Caceres, in the western region of Extremadura. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Caceres is famed for its fusion of Roman, Islamic, Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. After a journey of around 3-hours, take a walk through the Plaza Mayor and soak up the atmosphere of the Medieval Quarter in the Old Town. Afterwards, continue towards Cordoba, once the capital of the Islamic caliphate in Spain and a beautiful, historic city, perched on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. Arrive after a journey of around 3.5 hours and get settled at the hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel and you can enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure. Overnight stay in Cordoba.

Day 5: Cordoba - Seville

Breakfast at the hotel. Start the day with a tour of Cordoba to discover its ancient Islamic heritage and famous mosques. Stroll through the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter and soak up the unique atmosphere. In the afternoon, continue to Seville, a journey of just 2-hours through the landscapes of Andalusia. Arrive in Seville, known for its legendary tapas and Flamenco dancing. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Seville.

Day 6: Seville

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, a local expert will guide you through a panoramic city tour of Seville featuring the Cathedral and its famous Giralda Bell Tower. Discover the popular neighborhood of Santa Cruz, Maria Luisa Park and the beautiful Plaza de España. In the afternoon, we recommend a stroll through the historic city center and enjoying Seville's fine tapas bars at your leisure. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay in Seville.

Day 7: Seville - Ronda - Costa del Sol

Breakfast at the hotel before leaving Seville behind as you depart southwards, headed for Ronda. Arrive in Ronda, a mountain-top city of Celtic origin, known for its impressive views and scenic surroundings. After some free time here, continue towards the coast and to the idyllic Costa del Sol, one of the most modern and important international tourist areas in Spain. Take in the beautiful sea views and get settled at your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay on the Costa del Sol.

Day 8: Costa del Sol - Granada

Breakfast at the hotel. Head inland today as you journey towards historic Granada. Arrive in this ancient city, known as the last Moorish stronghold in Spain, and begin a tour of the Alhambra Complex, including the beautiful Generalife Gardens. Be inspired by the Islamic architecture and incredible views of the surrounding city. Afterwards, get settled at the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Granada.

Day 9: Granada - Toledo - Madrid

Breakfast at the hotel. Journey northwards this morning to the imperial city of Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, Christianity, Islam and Judaism have coexisted side by side for centuries. The entire city is like a living museum, with atmospheric streets and an eclectic collection of monuments. Take a short guided tour of Toledo to get to know its historic old town. Afterwards, visit a famous Damasquinado Factory, where gold and silver are inlaid into iron to create spectacular decorative arts. Continue back to the capital of Madrid and transfer to the hotel. Your final evening in Spain is free at your leisure to make the most of the delicious Spanish cuisine and lively atmosphere of Madrid's bars and cafes. Overnight stay in Madrid.

Day 10: Madrid - US

Breakfast at the hotel.* Sadly, it's time to bring your journey through Spain to an end. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the US.** Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. ** Depending on the return flight schedule, you may arrive in the US the next day and the total duration of the trip would be 11 days.