Tailor Made Spain: Inspiring Iberia

Barcelona, Spain

Arrive in Barcelona, where you are met by your Guardian Angel, transferred to your hotel and assisted with check-in. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

Accommodations:  El Palace

Barcelona

Accompanied by your private guide, discover the masterpieces of Catalonia's famed architect, Antoni Gaudí, starting with the Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera. Next, visit the visually arresting Sagrada Familia Basilica. Started in 1882 and still not complete, it combines Gothic influences with Art Nouveau. Finally, stop at Parc Guell, a beautiful municipal garden with a gatehouse where Gaudí lived during his later years, to view furnishings he designed as well as personal memorabilia. This evening, enjoy a tapas tour, strolling between several of Barcelona's most interesting tapas bars to sample the savory snacks.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodations:  El Palace

Barcelona

Discover the true heart of the old city — its medieval Gothic Quarter, where you explore narrow, labyrinthine streets and quiet squares that are quite distinct from the rest of the city. Take in the magnificent 13th-century cathedral, notable for its fine Gothic chapels, medieval choir stalls and shady cloister. Then, visit the spectacular Palau de la Música Catalana, a symphony of stained glass, ceramics, ironwork, stone and brick created by Gaudi’s great contemporary Domènech i Montaner that is now classified as a World Heritage Site. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
Accommodations:  El Palace

Madrid

This morning, transfer to the rail station to board the AVE train to Madrid, where you are met on arrival and privately transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, tour Spain’s capital city, visiting the Royal Palace, its rooms filled with art treasures and antiques. Continue to the world-famous Prado Museum to admire works by Spain's three great masters: Goya, Velazquez and El Greco.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
Accommodations:  Hotel Orfila

Toledo Or Segovia

Today, you may choose a full-day excursion to Toledo, visiting its sixth-century Cathedral, and proceeding to the church of Santo Tome, to view El Greco’s The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. Stop at the 14th-century El Transito Synagogue, and tour the House and Museum of El Greco. Alternatively, head out of the city today and travel through the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range to explore one of Castile y Leon’s most enchanting cities, Segovia. Enjoy a walking tour of the city, taking in its marvelous Roman aqueduct and its narrow streets. You also visit the Alcazar, an archetypal fairy-tale castle with gabled roofs, turrets and crenellations. You may like to enjoy a lunch on your own of the traditional suckling pig for which Segovia is famous. Continue your explorations just outside Segovia with a visit the sumptuous royal palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, with its delightful gardens and elegant rooms.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
Accommodations:  Hotel Orfila

Cordoba

Privately transfer to the Madrid rail station to board a train to Córdoba, one of Spain's oldest cities. On arrival, meet a local guide to walk through the flower-filled streets of the Jewish Quarter and visit the medieval Mezquita, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From its humble beginnings as a small Christian Visigoth temple, the site was greatly expanded by the Muslims who conquered Spain in 711 and is today considered a superb example of Moorish architecture. View its Christian Baroque nave, in the heart of the former mosque. This afternoon, ride through spectacular countryside to Granada.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
Accommodations:  Hospes Palacio De Los Patos

Granada

Visit the Alhambra, a remnant of the Muslim occupation of Andalusia. Admire the Alcazaba fortress and Royal Palace of this once mighty citadel, and then stroll through the lovely gardens of the nearby Generalife Palace. Continue to the city for a walking tour that includes the Royal Chapel, burial place of the Catholic Monarchs who financed the explorations of Christopher Columbus, as well as the cathedral. Time permitting, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Albaicín to learn about its Moorish history or the Sacromonte area, noted for its cave houses.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
Accommodations:  Hospes Palacio De Los Patos

Ronda & Seville

Journey to Seville, stopping en route in Ronda, a city dramatically perched high above a deep gorge, where you join your local guide on a stroll along narrow streets and visit the Plaza de Toros (bullring), an impressive arena with Moorish architecture. Continue to Seville and settle into your luxurious hotel. This evening, transfer to Tablao El Arenal for an authentic flamenco show. The Tablao El Arenal is situated in a building dating from the 17th century and its architecture and decoration are typically Andalusian. Enjoy a complimentary beverage during the show, and afterward, return to your hotel.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
Accommodations:  Hotel Alfonso Xiii

Seville

Explore the historic heart of Seville, starting with the immense 15th-century Seville Cathedral, a breathtaking jewel of medieval Christendom. Then, behold the delicately carved La Giralda, a soaring Moorish minaret from the 12th century. Visit the magnificent 14th-century Alcázar and enjoy a walk through the charming Barrio de Santa Cruz.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
Accommodations:  Hotel Alfonso Xiii

Seville

This morning, transfer to the Seville airport to board your homebound flight.