Treasures of Catalonia, Iberia & Andalucia

DAY 1

Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille, then onwards to Barcelona and our base for four nights, the H10 Metropolitan Hotel, where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

After breakfast this morning, we enjoy a panoramic tour of Barcelona taking a scenic drive through the city and visiting the highlights of the city including fantastic architecture, beaches, and neighbourhoods including the Gothic Quarter and La Rambla. This afternoon, we visit Antoni Gaudí's iconic cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring towering spires, stunning stained-glass windows, and intricate details. Afterwards, we return to our hotel for an evening at leisure.

DAY 3

This morning, we travel by coach to Montserrat, a scenic mountain range where we take the rack railway up to the Montserrat Monastery perched high in the mountains and still functioning to this day with over 70 monks. After our visit, we head to Bodegas Torres, one of Spain's most renowned wine cellars where we will learn about the wine-making process and the history of the Torres family before returning to Barcelona for an evening at leisure.

DAY 4

Today, we enjoy a coach tour to the charming coastal town of Vilanova i la Geltrú to visit the Railway Museum which showcases a fascinating collection of locomotives, carriages, and other railway equipment. This afternoon, we travel to picturesque Sitges, known for its stunning beaches and charming Old Town, we enjoy some free time to explore before returning to Barcelona in time for our evening meal together.

DAY 5

This morning, we board our train for our next destination, Madrid! On arrival, we enjoy a tour of the city providing a great introduction to Madrid's history, culture, and architecture as we pass iconic landmarks and fantastic highlights. We will journey through the city past the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and more before transferring to our hotel for the next three nights, the Catalonia Atocha, where we check in and enjoy our evening meal together.

DAY 6

After breakfast, we will embark on a walking tour in the centre of Madrid to experience the vibrant atmosphere and rich history visiting famous sights and admiring the beautiful architecture of the city. This afternoon, we enjoy time at leisure to explore further, why not visit the Railway Museum that showcases the history of Spanish railways, discover fantastic independent shops, or relax in a quaint café. This evening, we indulge in a delicious tapas dinner enjoying traditional Spanish dishes.

DAY 7

Today, we journey to two incredible destinations, the first being El Escorial where we enjoy remarkable sights including the Basilica of San Lorenzo, a grand church with an impressive dome and ornate decorations. We continue to the historic city of Segovia and enjoy time to wander the winding streets, picturesque plazas, and beautiful scenery before returning to Madrid for an evening at leisure.

DAY 8

This morning, we travel by rail to Seville and, on arrival, transfer to the Macia Sevilla Kubb, our hotel for the next three nights. Once we have checked in, we enjoy a walking tour of Seville's historic centre including the magnificent Cathedral of Seville and the Royal Alcázar of Seville and we have the opportunity to visit one of these remarkable landmarks. This evening, we enjoy a delicious tapas dinner together at a local restaurnat.

DAY 9

Today, we explore the beautiful city of Cádiz, an ancient port city known for its rich history, stunning beaches, and wonderful seafood. This afternoon, we visit the Sherry Wine Bodega to learn about the art of Sherry wine production, from grape harvesting to aging and blending, and discovering the different types of Sherry such as Fino, Manzanilla, and Oloroso. Afterwards, we return to Seville and enjoy our evening meal together.

DAY 10

After breakfast this morning, we embark on a full-day tour by private coach exploring the picturesque Route of the White Towns in the Sierra de Grazalema mountains through stunning scenery with rolling hills, olive groves and traditional villages. On arrival in Ronda, we enjoy a tour of the historic centre including the Ronda Bullring, an iconic symbol of Spanish culture and tradition. This evening, we enjoy a thrilling, authentic Flamenco Show, complete with passionate music, dance, and singing and our evening meal will be included.

DAY 11

Today, we bid farewell to Spain and enjoy a scenic journey by rail to Narbonne for our overnight stay at La Residence. On arrival, we spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore this beautiful city, charming Old Town, and stunning canal.

DAY 12

We bid farewell to Narbonne and to France, returning by rail to Lille, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all attractions within the itinerary are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions / amendments should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner