Your Small-Group Discovery Begins!

At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

The Sun Also Rises

Join your small group for a guided tour that traces the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway, the Nobel Literature Prize-winner who frequented Madrid over three decades with a fascination for the city and its culture in works including For Whom the Bell Tolls, Death in the Afternoon, and The Sun Also Rises. Hear about the deep connections between U.S. and Spain through those who knew Hemingway in depth, such as John Dos Passos and Ava Gardner. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE: During your city sightseeing, learn about the traditions and day-to-day life in Madrid including the painter's market where artists show their works and some of them work onsite. Walk to Plaza de Oriente, and the old town hall from which narrow streets lead to the Carboneras convent where the cloistered nuns maintain the tradition of baking sweets.

ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME

CULINARY EXPERIENCE: Take advantage of the small group experience with an exclusive gastronomic experience. Browse different venues to taste culinary specialties and feel free to imbibe in establishments chosen for their authenticity, local character, and quality.

The Artist Within

Board your AVE train and ride to Malaga to enjoy an intimate walking tour to explore the sights. Visit the Picasso Museum for a unique opportunity to explore the life and works of the artist in the city where he was born. Later join your small group for dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - PAINTING A PICTURE: Learn about the profound connection between Malaga and Picasso, as the city significantly influenced the early years of one of the 20th century's most renowned artists. Whether you're an art aficionado or a curious Traveller, exploring Malaga through the lens of Picasso provides a unique and enriching experience.

Bandits & Bullfighters

Continue through the Guadalhorce Valley towards the Ronda Mountain Range en route to Setenil de las Bodegas, one of the most unique pueblos blancos (white villages) in Andalusia. Continue to Ronda, one of the most fascinating of Andalusian cities with its dramatic landscape and legendary romantic tales of bandits, bullfighters, and artists throughout history. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - EN GARDE, TOREADOR!: Stroll down the narrow, winding streets of Ronda and take in the well-preserved Moorish architecture. See The Plaza de Toros de Ronda, its famous bullring completely built in stone and dating back to 1784-considered the oldest in Spain.

Splendid Spain

Today, visit the Alhambra Palace and the Water Gardens of the Generalife. (B)

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.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT: Enjoy a special stay with your small group with a special overnight at the inspiring Nasrid Palace, now the Alhambra Palace hotel. A symbol of luxury and elegance, this historic hotel overlooks the city of Granada from a lofty hilltop perch in the heart of Alhambra.

Mint Condition

Join your guide through Granada Albaicin district and taste a refreshing and traditional mint tea. In Valencia, your guided walking tour includes a photo stop at the science complex and a traditional Horchata beverage with delicious farton pastry. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - MOOR TEA, PLEASE: The legendary Albaicin district is one of the city's oldest centres of medieval Moorish culture. Discover the essence of Islamic Granada as you wind through the labyrinth of narrow streets past stunning architecture, public fountains, and charming terraces. Stop at the Mirador de San Nicolas for breathtaking panoramic views of the city, Alhambra, and Sierra Nevada mountains, then head to a local tearoom for a traditional tea break.

On the Water

Take advantage of your small group size to explore Albufera National Park aboard a traditional albuferenc boat in the waterways where famed Valencian rice is grown for the local favourite dish, paella. Cruise the lake with an eye out for a menagerie of flora and fauna, including flamingos, herons, storks, and other water birds who migrate here. See the traditional barracks of local farmers and see eel-fishing stations as well. Later, enjoy a delicious dish of authentic paella. (B/L)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - LOCAL TASTES: Enjoy an authentic Spanish paella lunch with a traditional recipe of Paella Valenciana made with chicken, sweet paprika, and golden saffron in a slow simmered broth for a sumptuous, heart-warming hallmark of traditional Spanish cuisine.

Barcelona Beauties

Explore the hidden gems of the city of Barcelona with ease in your small group. Visit Mercat de la Concepcio, located in l'Eixample neighbourhood-easily recognizable for its geometric grid pattern and Modernist architecture-with designer shopping, dining, and bars in Barcelona. Today, celebrate your adventures in Spain by sharing a traditional tapas lunch with your small group travel companions at the famed El Nacional. (B/L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CELEBRATING SPAIN: El Nacional is a unique food hall housed in a symbolic place, full of history. The famous eatery has stood witness to Barcelona's industrial revolution to today since it was built in 1889. Initially housing a cafe-theatre, a fabric-dye factory, a pre-Civil War car dealer's shop, and finally a garage, with its remaining large windows and metal pillars lending a unique charm as a welcome respite to end an epic journey through Spain.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Your Small-Group Discovery Begins!

At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

The Sun Also Rises

Join your small group for a guided tour that traces the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway, the Nobel Literature Prize-winner who frequented Madrid over three decades with a fascination for the city and its culture in works including For Whom the Bell Tolls, Death in the Afternoon, and The Sun Also Rises. Hear about the deep connections between U.S. and Spain through those who knew Hemingway in depth, such as John Dos Passos and Ava Gardner. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE: During your city sightseeing, learn about the traditions and day-to-day life in Madrid including the painter's market where artists show their works and some of them work onsite. Walk to Plaza de Oriente, and the old town hall from which narrow streets lead to the Carboneras convent where the cloistered nuns maintain the tradition of baking sweets.

ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME

CULINARY EXPERIENCE: Take advantage of the small group experience with an exclusive gastronomic experience. Browse different venues to taste culinary specialties and feel free to imbibe in establishments chosen for their authenticity, local character, and quality.

The Artist Within

Board your AVE train and ride to Malaga to enjoy an intimate walking tour to explore the sights. Visit the Picasso Museum for a unique opportunity to explore the life and works of the artist in the city where he was born. Later join your small group for dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - PAINTING A PICTURE: Learn about the profound connection between Malaga and Picasso, as the city significantly influenced the early years of one of the 20th century's most renowned artists. Whether you're an art aficionado or a curious Traveller, exploring Malaga through the lens of Picasso provides a unique and enriching experience.

Bandits & Bullfighters

Continue through the Guadalhorce Valley towards the Ronda Mountain Range en route to Setenil de las Bodegas, one of the most unique pueblos blancos (white villages) in Andalusia. Continue to Ronda, one of the most fascinating of Andalusian cities with its dramatic landscape and legendary romantic tales of bandits, bullfighters, and artists throughout history. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - EN GARDE, TOREADOR!: Stroll down the narrow, winding streets of Ronda and take in the well-preserved Moorish architecture. See The Plaza de Toros de Ronda, its famous bullring completely built in stone and dating back to 1784-considered the oldest in Spain.

Splendid Spain

Today, visit the Alhambra Palace and the Water Gardens of the Generalife. (B)

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.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT: Enjoy a special stay with your small group with a special overnight at the inspiring Nasrid Palace, now the Alhambra Palace hotel. A symbol of luxury and elegance, this historic hotel overlooks the city of Granada from a lofty hilltop perch in the heart of Alhambra.

Mint Condition

Join your guide through Granada Albaicin district and taste a refreshing and traditional mint tea. In Valencia, your guided walking tour includes a photo stop at the science complex and a traditional Horchata beverage with delicious farton pastry. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - MOOR TEA, PLEASE: The legendary Albaicin district is one of the city's oldest centres of medieval Moorish culture. Discover the essence of Islamic Granada as you wind through the labyrinth of narrow streets past stunning architecture, public fountains, and charming terraces. Stop at the Mirador de San Nicolas for breathtaking panoramic views of the city, Alhambra, and Sierra Nevada mountains, then head to a local tearoom for a traditional tea break.

On the Water

Take advantage of your small group size to explore Albufera National Park aboard a traditional albuferenc boat in the waterways where famed Valencian rice is grown for the local favourite dish, paella. Cruise the lake with an eye out for a menagerie of flora and fauna, including flamingos, herons, storks, and other water birds who migrate here. See the traditional barracks of local farmers and see eel-fishing stations as well. Later, enjoy a delicious dish of authentic paella. (B/L)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - LOCAL TASTES: Enjoy an authentic Spanish paella lunch with a traditional recipe of Paella Valenciana made with chicken, sweet paprika, and golden saffron in a slow simmered broth for a sumptuous, heart-warming hallmark of traditional Spanish cuisine.

Barcelona Beauties

Explore the hidden gems of the city of Barcelona with ease in your small group. Visit Mercat de la Concepcio, located in l'Eixample neighbourhood-easily recognizable for its geometric grid pattern and Modernist architecture-with designer shopping, dining, and bars in Barcelona. Today, celebrate your adventures in Spain by sharing a traditional tapas lunch with your small group travel companions at the famed El Nacional. (B/L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CELEBRATING SPAIN: El Nacional is a unique food hall housed in a symbolic place, full of history. The famous eatery has stood witness to Barcelona's industrial revolution to today since it was built in 1889. Initially housing a cafe-theatre, a fabric-dye factory, a pre-Civil War car dealer's shop, and finally a garage, with its remaining large windows and metal pillars lending a unique charm as a welcome respite to end an epic journey through Spain.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)