Highlights of Spain
Highlights of Spain
$3335
Tour Overview
Goya’s art and Gaudí's architecture, the magnificent Alhambra to pintxos and paella, Spain is showcased in style.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Seville: Stroll through Barrio de Santa Cruz with a Local Expert and learn about its history.
- Seville: See the city's top sights on a panoramic tour with your Local Expert.
Top Rated Highlights
- Barcelona: View the contrasting architectural styles of Gaudí's extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família, under construction since 1882.
- Barcelona: With your Local Expert, drive along the Passeig de Gràcia. Journey through the Eixample district to see Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerising Sagrada Família.
- Peñíscola: See the seaside castle featured in the film 'El Cid'.
- Valencia: See the ultra-modern Centre of Arts and Sciences and the huge gates of the old town, Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart.
- Seville: See the Giralda Tower, former minaret of the Great Mosque and now the cathedral's bell tower, as you stroll along meandering streets with a Local Expert.
- Seville: Admire the cathedral's immense golden altarpiece and see the Tomb of Columbus held aloft by four kings.
- Córdoba: See the 2,000-year-old Roman bridge and spend some time exploring the town.
- Córdoba: Visit The Mosque–Cathedral and its forest of arches with your Local Expert.
Make Travel Matter
Seville: Visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation to learn flamenco steps and watch an evocative performance. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 11: Quality Education, and Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Authentic Dining
Valencia: Learn the authentic recipe of paella joining a local chef for a Cooking Demonstration.
Madrid: Toast to your travels and enjoy local specialties in one of the city's elegant central neighbourhoods.
Insight Choice
Seville: Panoramic City Tour Drive with Local Expert or Old Jewish Quarter Walking Tour with Local Expert
Seville: Stroll through Barrio de Santa Cruz with a Local Expert and learn about its history.
Seville: See the city's top sights on a panoramic tour with your Local Expert.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Barcelona, the City of Gaudí Relaxed Start
Location: Barcelona, Sagrada Família, Montserrat
Accommodation Name: Meliá Barcelona Sarrià, Barcelona
Meals Included: Breakfast
With your Local Expert, drive along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and some of the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district for a visit inside Gaudí’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família, to see the central nave with its giant, tree-like pillars, spectacular vaulting and the beautiful rainbows flooding in through the intricate stained-glass windows. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore or perhaps join an Optional Experience to Montserrat and The Black Madonna.
Day 3: Along the coast to Valencia Relaxed Start
Location: Costa Dorada, Ebro Delta, Peñíscola, Valencia, City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia, Old City, Valencia
Accommodation Name: Barceló Valencia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Follow the sunny Costa Dorada, past the rice fields of the Ebro Delta. Stop at the seaside resort of Peñíscola and see the hilltop castle used in the film 'El Cid'. Pass through the famous orange groves to Valencia and see the City of Arts and Sciences. Later see the Old City and take in its medieval charm. Valencia is home to one of the world's greatest dishes, paella. Meet the chef of a local family-run restaurant in the heart of the Old City and learn how to make this local specialty during a Cooking Demonstration. Later, indulge in the delicious flavours of this classic dish with a glass of wine at your dinner.
Day 4: Exquisite Granada and Alhambra
Location: Lorca, Guadix, Granada, Alhambra, Generalife
Accommodation Name: Gran Hotel Luna de Granada
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel south toward Andalucía, passing the castle at Lorca and troglodyte dwellings hollowed out of the soft rock near Guadix. Enjoy views of the Sierra Nevada mountains from a distance as you reach glorious Granada. This historic city was a Moorish kingdom for almost eight centuries and was the last stronghold to fall to the Catholic monarchs of Spain in 1492. Overlooking Granada stands the Alhambra, one of the most remarkable fortresses ever built. Led by your Local Expert, explore this exquisite palace, built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century. A fantasy of arabesque gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace. Later, stroll through the elegant exotic gardens of the Generalife, the Royal summer residence.
Day 5: A Scenic Drive to Seville
Location: Granada, Seville
Accommodation Name: Meliá Sevilla
Meals Included: Breakfast
The morning is at your leisure to explore as you wish. Perhaps join an Optional Experience and visit the Albaicín Quarter with a Local Expert. Here, in addition to falling in love with Granada, you will also uncover its pivotal role in European history. Continue your travels to Seville, past gleaming white villages and olive groves that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Day 6: Seville, the City of Carmen Relaxed Start
Location: Seville, Seville Cathedral
Accommodation Name: Meliá Sevilla
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit the Seville Cathedral, the burial place of Christopher Columbus. Explore Seville with Insight Choice. Choose to embark on a walk through the old Jewish Quarter. Alternatively, join a scenic drive around the city. This evening, visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a private flamenco dance school and beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant, for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Put your rhythm to the test during a dance lesson, before witnessing emotions come to life in a flamenco performance.
Day 7: Moorish Córdoba and on to Madrid
Location: Córdoba, Madrid
Accommodation Name: Barceló Torre de Madrid, NH Madrid Balboa
Meals Included: Breakfast
Set off early along the Guadalquivir Valley, passing villages and towns studded with Moorish towers and fortresses. Stop in the perfectly preserved Moorish city of Córdoba and see the famous Roman bridge, built in the 1st century BC. Meet a local historian and visit the magnificent Mezquita, a beautiful 8th-century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it. Make the most of your time at leisure and stroll the narrow streets of the city. Follow in the footsteps of Don Quixote as you travel through La Mancha and on to the capital, Madrid.
Day 8: Madrid of the Bourbons Relaxed Start
Location: Madrid, Prado Museum, Madrid, Toledo
Accommodation Name: Barceló Torre de Madrid, NH Madrid Balboa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy sightseeing with your Local Expert as they guide you through the most historic neighbourhoods in the Spanish capital. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter to discover the origins of the city. Visit the renowned Prado Museum with an art historian who will guide you through the collective works of Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and more. With the afternoon at leisure, perhaps travel to Toledo with an Optional Experience. Join your Travel Director and newfound friends at a local restaurant to toast your adventures during a delicious dinner served with wine.
Day 9: Depart Madrid
Location: Madrid
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, your remarkable journey comes to an end as you transfer to the Madrid-Barajas Airport. Take a moment to reflect on the unforgettable experiences, meaningful connections and enriching encounters that have shaped your travels.
What's Included
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Choice Highlights
Choose between two carefully selected activities in Seville, including a stroll through Barrio de Santa Cruz with a Local Expert.
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Top Rated Highlights
Visit top attractions such as Gaudí's Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the seaside castle in Peñíscola, and the Seville Cathedral.
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Make Travel Matter
Visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation in Seville to learn about flamenco and its cultural significance.
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Insight Experiences
Explore the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens in Granada with a Local Expert.
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Well-being
Travel in comfort with Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned coach, featuring double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
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Additional Included Highlights
Enjoy personal radio headsets, hotel and restaurant tips, taxes, porterage charges, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as visiting Montserrat and The Black Madonna or the Albaicín Quarter in Granada are not included.
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Transfers Outside Scheduled Times
Transfers are only available at scheduled times; additional transfers may require extra arrangements.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style and comfort aboard Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom, ensuring a relaxing journey through Spain's stunning landscapes.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at the Meliá Barcelona Sarrià, Barceló Valencia, Gran Hotel Luna de Granada, Meliá Sevilla, and Barceló Torre de Madrid, NH Madrid Balboa, offering a blend of modern amenities and local charm.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Insight Experiences
- Granada: Visit the famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens.
- Madrid: Witness the world's finest collection of Spanish paintings as you tour the Prado Museum with an art historian.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Summary
- Visit the Sagrada Família • Seville Cathedral • Córdoba's Mezquita.
- City tours of Barcelona, Seville, Córdoba and Madrid, all with Local Experts.
- Welcome Dinner in Barcelona • Paella cooking demonstration in Valencia • Celebration Dinner in Madrid.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the Seville part of the tour?
In Seville, you will have the opportunity to visit the Seville Cathedral, explore the old Jewish quarter or enjoy a scenic drive around the city. Additionally, you will visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation, where you can learn flamenco steps and watch a passionate flamenco performance. ...more ...less
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What can I expect during the visit to the Alhambra in Granada?
During the visit to the Alhambra in Granada, you will explore the exquisite palace with a Local Expert. The Alhambra is a remarkable fortress built by the Moors in the 13th century, featuring arabesque gardens, fountains, and intricately carved stone. You will also stroll through the elegant gardens of the Generalife, the Royal summer residence. ...more ...less
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What is the significance of the Cristina Heeren Foundation visit in Seville?
The visit to the Cristina Heeren Foundation in Seville is part of a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. The foundation promotes the teaching and conservation of flamenco and supports young enthusiasts, particularly from the Andalusian region. The visit includes learning flamenco steps and watching a performance, contributing to the preservation of Andalusia and Spain's cultural heritage. ...more ...less
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What culinary experiences are included in the tour?
In Valencia, you will learn the authentic recipe of paella during a Cooking Demonstration with a local chef and enjoy the dish with a glass of Sangria. In Madrid, you will toast to your travels and enjoy local specialties in one of the city's elegant central neighborhoods.
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What historical insights will I gain in Córdoba?
In Córdoba, you will see the famous Roman bridge and visit the magnificent Mezquita with a local historian. The Mezquita is an 8th-century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it, symbolizing the city's religious changes over the centuries. You will also have time to explore the narrow streets of the city. ...more ...less
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Saturday - Sunday
Nov 07, 2026 - Nov 15, 2026Saturday - Sunday
Mar 27, 2027 - Apr 04, 2027Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Highlights of Spain
9 Days Starting in Barcelona, Spain and ending in Madrid, Spain
Visiting: Barcelona, Sagrada Família, Montserrat, Costa Dorada, Ebro Delta, Peñíscola, Valencia, City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia, Old City, Valencia, Lorca, Guadix, Granada, Alhambra, Generalife, Seville, Seville Cathedral, Córdoba, Madrid, Prado Museum, Madrid, Toledo ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SW936N26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
