Best of Spain by Train

DAY 1 WELCOME TO SPAIN

Arrival at Barcelona airport, and transfer to your hotel.  Enjoy some free time in Barcelona.  The city has a wide range of original leisure options that encourage you to visit time and time again. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and famous for Gaudí and other Art Nouveau architecture, Barcelona is one of Europe’s trendiest cities.
Accommodation: Barcelona for 3 nights

DAY 2 BARCELONA

Leisure time in Barcelona. Visit some of the city’s fashionable neighborhoods such as The Passeig de Sant Joan area.  It has the advantage of being easy to walk or cycle around, it’s close to the city centre, and it has a wide range of interesting shops, bars and other businesses. It runs between Gràcia (one of the leading retail hubs) and Arc de Triomf (next to one of the city’s green spaces, Parc de la Ciutadella). In this area you will find a range of trendy places.  The Poble-Sec may be the Barcelona district with the longest tradition of theatre and show-business.  Its theatre and concert halls are very popular. The area also features lively taverns and wine bars. Overnight at your hotel. (B)
Optional Excursions (+$): The Best of Barcelona HD or Tapas, Tavern & History of Barcelona (by night)

DAY 3 BARCELONA

Free time in Barcelona.  Rent a bicycle and start along the coast, with the 10 km stretch that connects the Plaça Portal de la Pau to Fòrum Beach. While you enjoy a pleasant bike ride along the coast, you will discover Barcelona’s beaches, the Olympic Port and the city’s old fishing district, La Barceloneta. You can relax on any of the beaches or enjoy some Mediterranean cuisine at one of the area’s delicious restaurants. Overnight at your hotel. (B)
Optional Excurson (+$): Montserrat & Cava Wine Trail

DAY 4 BARCELONA – MADRID (by train)

Take the high-Speed train from Barcelona to Madrid (tickets included, transfers NOT included). Check into your hotel in Madrid and free time to enjoy the capital city with a thousand options!  A perfect spot to begin getting to know Madrid is its famous Puerta del Sol. It is always full of life and is where you will find the iconic “Bear and the Strawberry Tree” statue, the delicious cakes of La Mallorquina and a plaque marking kilometer 0, the central point of Spain. From here, you can head to Plaza Mayor, which turned 400 years old in 2018, and have a drink on its terraces or in the nearby San Miguel market – one of the several historical markets that have been restored in the capital to offer all types of gourmet products. (B)
Accommodation: Madrid for 2 nights

DAY 5 MADRID

Free time in Madrid.  Madrid has some of the best museums in the world – start by walking along the entire Paseo del Prado. It is also known as the “Paseo del Arte” because this two-kilometer stretch of road is home to the museums containing some of the most significant works in history: the Reina Sofía National Art Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and the Prado Museum. All of these museums deserve a lengthy visit, but with limited time, the best option is to spend a couple of hours in the Prado (don’t forget to look at the “Las Meninas” by Velázquez!) This area is also where you will find the Royal Botanical Gardens and the most famous park in Madrid, the Buen Retiro Park. The Paseo del Prado together with the Retiro Park and its surrounding area make up the UNESCO World Heritage site “The Landscape of Light”. Overnight at your hotel. (B)
Optional Excursion (+$): Madrid Highlights & Toledo Afternoon

DAY 6 MADRID – SEVILLE (by train)

Take the High-Speed train from Madrid to Seville (tickets included, transfers NOT included). Check into your hotel in Seville and free time to enjoy the city. Seville is a very happy city with bustling streets and very popular spaces to discover the most traditional Andalusia. It is a city for strolling around or taking a horse-drawn carriage around the floral aromas of its gardens. You can also try a really pleasant route along the river. The photogenic Calle Betis stands out in the Triana neighbourhood. It is full of colours and terraces where you can have a drink and enjoy the views of the city’s monuments. The Paseo Colón is on the opposite side of the river and includes gastronomy, decoration, and local fashion shops. The Callejón del Agua and the Calle Judería are must-visit streets in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. On these streets you will be surrounded by the pleasant scent of the flowers in the gardens of the area. (B)
Accommodation: Seville for 2 nights

DAY 7 SEVILLE

Leisure time in Seville. You can start your morning walk at Plaza del Triunfo. This central location boasts Seville’s three World Heritage Sites: the Real Alcázar, the General Archive of the Indies and the world’s largest Gothic cathedral with its Giralda, a belltower over 90 metres tall with fantastic views over the entire city. It is also the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Visit the Arenal neighbourhood in the afternoon, less than 10 minutes’ walk from the cathedral. Next to the Guadalquivir, the river at the city’s heart, is one of its most authentic neighbourhoods. Here you have another taste of history in the Torre del Oro, now a maritime museum. Just ten minutes away is one of the most iconic sights in Seville: The Maestranza bullring, with its colourful exterior. Depending on the season, there may even be a bullfight scheduled. To end the afternoon with a good dinner, there are plenty of traditional taverns less than five minutes away offering excellent tapas, such as pescaíto frito (tiny fried fish) or a platter of delicious Iberico ham. Overnight at your hotel (B)
Optional Excursion (+$): Unusual Sevilla

DAY 8 ADIOS SPAIN

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport. (B)

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OPTIONAL – Add a train to Malaga and, an extra week on the Costa Del Sol!
Ask your travel agent for this option!

*The visits mentioned in this itinerary are only suggestions. Clients are free to explore according to their own interests