Overview
Itinerary
Welcome to Madrid!
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Masterpieces in Madrid
MADRID: Guided sightseeing includes the Prado Museum and sights of the Cibeles Fountain and Calle Alcala. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ART & ARCHITECTURE: The Prado Museum houses one of the world's largest art collections, including its amazing assortment of masterpieces by historic artists like Velasquez, Goya, and El Greco. The famous museum also displays the works of renowned European masters, including Rubens and Rembrandt, along with a stunning collection of Greco-Roman statues.
Treasures of Cordoba
CORDOBA: Guided walking tour includes the Mosque of the Caliphs. Enjoy free time to browse before departing for Seville. (B/D) 354 mi / 570 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE: The Mosque of Cordoba (Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba in Spanish) today is a Catholic cathedral but was originally a mosque built for Muslim prayer by Abd ar-Rahman I in the 8th century. The mosque's architecture is rich in dazzling detail, with over 800 granite and marble pillars supporting its beautiful brick and stone arches - a major focal point in the mosque along with the soaring bell tower - the tallest structure in the city.
The Squares of Seville
SEVILLE: Visit Plaza de Espana. Guided sightseeing includes Casa de Pilatos, and a walk through the Santa Cruz quarter. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - HISTORIC SPOT: Walk through Seville's picturesque Plaza de Espana, originally built for Seville's Ibero-American Expo at the 1929 World's Fair. The 540,000-square-foot plaza features a sprawling mosaic patio. Explore the historic Santa Cruz quarter and its magical maze of tapas, flamenco, and cafes
Splendid Spain
GRANADA: Guided walking tour includes the Alhambra complex and the Water Gardens of the Generalife. (B) 155 mi / 250 km
NOTE: Alhambra complex: Entrance to Nasrid Palace is not guaranteed
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ARCHITECTURAL GEMS: Granada's Alhambra Complex stands as one of the largest ancient aristocratic sites of Western Muslim culture. Its leafy lanes and streams enhance the grand water gardens of Generalife, at the once summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid rulers.
Spanish Specialties
VALENCIA: Guided walking tour includes a photo stop at the science complex and a traditional Horchata (rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon drink) tasting. Enjoy a traditional Paella dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D) 311 mi / 500 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE - LOCAL TASTES: Enjoy an authentic Spanish paella dinner in Valencia. Traditional Paella Valenciana is made with chicken and sweet paprika and golden saffron in a slow simmered broth for a sumptuous, heart-warming hallmark of traditional Spanish cuisine.
The Boulevards of Barcelona
Scenic drive along the coast en route to Barcelona.
BARCELONA: Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. (B) 211 mi / 340 km
FREE TIME TIPS - EXPLORE MORE: in Barcelona in the footsteps of Picasso through the historic heart of the old city. Indulge in the tradition and tastes of 2,000 years in the Gothic Quarter. Take in the charm and captivating history with a walk down the tree-lined avenue of La Rambla amid the terraces and street performers on Barcelona's famous thoroughfare.
Adios, Barcelona!
BARCELONA: Guided sightseeing includes the Columbus Monument, Plaza de Cataluna, and panoramic view of the city and harbour from Montjuic Hill. Visit the Sagrada Familia Basilica. Enjoy Sangria and a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
LOCAL FAVOURITE - LOCAL TASTES: Say farewell to Spain with Sangria and culinary specialties at a local city centre restaurant. Often considered the signature drink of Spain and taking its name from its ?blood red color?, Sangria?s origins are thought to go back to Roman times, when it was simply wine added to water. Since then, the recipe has been revisited many times and there are many delicious local variations. Tonight, lift your glass for a toast to your Best of Spain tour.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- 8 Breakfasts
- 4 Dinners
- Madrid Novotel Madrid Center (First-Class)
- Seville Macia Sevilla Kubb (First-Class)
- Granada Tent Granada (First-Class)
- Valencia NH Center (First-Class)
- Barcelona HCC St. Moritz (First-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Don't waste your precious time qeuing up, skip the lines with special VIP access at the must-see sites. Read more
Travel with expert Tour Directors and Local Guides who share their vast knowledge of the destination. Read more
Globus has the recipe for a great holiday. Savour the flavours of Europe through its regional cuisine. Read more
Globus picks hotels picked on their centralised location, so you'll stay right in the heart of the destination. Read more
Globus' coaches offer one of the most comfortable, stress-free and eco-friendly ways to travel. Read more
Do as the locals do and enjoy unique experiences that you wouldn't find touring on your own. Read more
Trip Reviews (7) View All Most Recent 'The Best of Spain' Reviews
The tour itself was from Madrid and finished in Barcelona. It was very well organised with enough time to enjoy each ...read more city. Optional excursions were offered and we joined in two of them, wished we had joined in more. The tour director was Rui, and he was really very good in making sure everyone was taken care of and communicated very clearly the itinerary each day. He was always pleasant, friendly, patient and funny. It was always great to be greeted by him each morning as we started the tour. The motor coach was comfortable with ample room for everyone and we rotated seats daily. The driver was good and drove us to our destinations safely and also made sure that we got on and off the coach safely.
The meals provided were delicious. The location of the hotels were convenient to explore each city by foot during our free time. The local guides were very knowledgeable and were prompt in meeting us at each specific city. We needn’t queue to enter the major attractions such as Alhambra and La Sagrada Familia, as tickets were already organised for us. It was most certainly a wonderful way to see Spain with Globus.
The hotels were excellent with the exception of the HCC St. Moritz in Barcelona where we felt that the staff were rather abrupt and the room was a little dusty. It was in a wonderful location, however, as were all of our hotels. Included meals were very good and we got ample opportunity to experience the local cuisine. The Optional Tours are well worth doing, in particular, Toledo and Montserrat. We were fortunate in that everyone on our tour got along very well largely due to Rui’s encouragement and positive approach and we all kept healthy which was a bonus. I would highly recommend this tour for a taste of southern Spain. Many thanks to Hannah for once again doing all arrangements for this tour in a highly professional yet friendly manner. We could not speak more highly of both Globus and Hannah at Global Journeys based upon this tour.
Brochure
Globus Worldwide (2023-24)
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Globus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Globus. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
