TOUR PLAN
1 st DAY
MADRID
Get Settled
Meet your driver and vehicle to arrange a transfer from the airport.
Your welcome package will include a map of the city, tickets for trains (if applicable), and any other information we think you might find useful.
You’ll be walking for three hours, accompanied by a guide, to visit bars that are innovative and making a difference in Madrid’s tapas scene. The gastronomic culture of Madrid and Spain is constantly evolving. Three restaurants will be visited, each offering a drink and tapas. This tour is all about the unexpected. The restaurants will surprise you by offering a classic dish with a twist. Dig in!
Where you’ll be staying
- Hotel Atlantico
- Superior Room
2nd DAY
MADRID
Royal Palace – Discuss with an Expert
Your private guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and take you on a pleasant walking tour that reveals the secrets to the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum. You’ll discover some of Madrid’s most significant buildings and avenues, right from the time when it was ruled by the Bourbons and Habsburgs to today. One of the most important art galleries worldwide is the Prado Museum. Its main corpus is supported by royal collections that have been treasured over the centuries by various imperial dynasties. The galleries, which include Las Meninas de Velazquez’s May 3rd 18008 and Goya’s May 3rd 18008, are filled with masterpieces from the Spanish and Italian schools. After visiting the Prado, enjoy a coffee break to replenish your batteries and soak up the local atmosphere. You’ll then follow your guide to Madrid’s Royal Palace. It is the largest palace in Western Europe. It was built by Felipe V in the 18th century, the first king from the Bourbon dynasty. The Spanish Crown uses it today. Admire the Royal Chapel, Museum Area, Royal Chapel, Throne Room, and private rooms of Queen Isabel II and King Carlos III as you tour the Palace. You can continue your Palace tour at your leisure, or you can return to your hotel on your own.
Where you’ll be staying
- Hotel Atlantico
- Superior Room
3rd DAY
MADRID TO TOLEDO
Toledo – A Town Frozen in Time
Take the train from Madrid to Toledo. It takes about 30 minutes to travel by train.
Take a guided 3-hour walking tour of Toledo with a private guide. Toledo, Spain’s medieval capital and home to a wealth of famed artworks by El Greco (16th century master), is UNESCO World Heritage Site. The walled city is surrounded by the River Tajo and is filled with museums and churches. It is a beautiful city with incredible medieval architecture. Take a stroll through its cobblestone streets to discover the past. As you meander along cobblestone alleyways, take your time and admire the magnificent Toledo Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece of 14th-century Gothic, the Hospital de Santa Cruz (16th century) and the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca (the oldest standing synagogue of Europe). You will be taken by taxi to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking Toledo. This is a great photo opportunity. The Alcazar of Toledo is a historical fortress that commands a panoramic view over Toledo and the surrounding lands.
Take the train from Toledo to Madrid. It takes about 30 minutes to travel by train.
Where you’ll be staying
- Hotel Atlantico
- Superior Room
4th DAY
MADRID TO BARCELONA
The Journey Continues…
Meet your driver and vehicle to transfer you from the train station.
Take the train from Madrid to Barcelona. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to travel by train.
Meet your driver and vehicle to transfer you from the train station.
Where you’ll be staying
- Balmes
- Executive
5th DAY
BARCELONA
Sagrada Familia – Strolling the Magical Streets
Begin your half-day walking tour through Old Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter with your private guide. You will be transported back in time as you discover Roman remains and medieval palaces right in the center of the city. Walk past the ancient Roman walls and towers, meander through the narrow streets of the Old Jewish Quarter, and end up at the Placa de Sant Jume, the central square of government. You will pass the Casa de l’Ardiaca (15th century), former residence of archdeacon. Next, you’ll visit the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar (14th century), which is a Gothic Art architectural masterpiece with its magnificent interior, including a stunning central nave. After taking in Barcelona’s historical core, your guide will hail a taxi to take you to Antoni Gaudi’s famous Sagrada Familia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is still being built over 100 years later. It is a must-see site in Barcelona. It’s the largest unfinished Roman Catholic Church in the world. You’ll be returning to your hotel by taxi again after your visit. However, you have the option to explore on your own.
Where you’ll be staying
- Balmes
- Executive
6th DAY
BARCELONA
Montserrat – Enjoy the Mountain Air
Today’s small group tour takes you through Catalunya to Montserrat, a sacred mountaintop monastery. Montserrat is located just an hour from Barcelona and has been a significant Spanish pilgrimage destination for almost 1,000 years. It is home to approximately eighty Benedictine monks. The guide will give you suggestions on how to spend your time there, including scenic walks, entry to the Montserrat Museum or a ride on the cable car or rack railway. It is a must to visit the sanctuary where the “Moreneta” (black virgin) is kept. It’s always an unforgettable experience to see the La Escolania de Montserrat boys chorus perform (usually at noon on weekends and 1:00 on weekdays). Afternoon: You’ll leave Montserrat to visit a winery in Sant Sadurni d’Anoia in the Penedes wine-growing area. Enjoy a tour of the winery, followed by a tasting of Cava from the region. This will make your day refreshing and bubbly.
Where you’ll be staying
- Balmes
- Executive
7th DAY
BARCELONA
Bon Voyage
Meet your driver and vehicle to transfer you to the airport.