Culture, Cuisine & Cruise: Valencia, Madrid, Seville & Barcelona - 11 Days

Highlights

• Sit down to a 10-course tapas feast inside an 11th-century Moorish cave in Valencia
• Float along Europe's longest navigable underground river, the Coves de Sant Josep
• Wander 200-year-old grapevines and sample local wines outside Toledo 
• Join an interactive pottery class in Seville's artsy Triana neighborhood
• Lie out on an inviting beach along Barcelona's picturesque Costa Brava

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona, Train to Valencia, Historic Walking Tour & Tapas Feast

Hola, and welcome to Spain! You'll first land in Barcelona, Catalonia's vibrant and charming capital. A private car will take you to the train station for the three-hour high-speed service to Valencia, a dynamic and culturally rich Spanish destination. Upon arrival, a private vehicle will meet you and take you to your hotel. Drop your bags and refresh ahead of this afternoon's walking tour and food experience.

Combine the charms of the Old Town with a 10-course tapas feast on today's walking tour. Follow a local expert through the old streets within the city's 11th-century walls and learn about the rich history and patchwork of architectural styles. Over 90 minutes, you'll pass some of the city's most iconic sites, including La Lonja, Plaza de la Virgen, and Mercado Central. Finally, you'll enter an 11th-century Moorish cave for your 10-course tapas feast. Over a few hours, you'll enjoy a parade of plates highlighting local ingredients, unique techniques, and award-winning wines.

Day 2: Morning Panoramic Albufera Cruise, Afternoon Beach Time

This morning you'll take a private panoramic boat ride through L'Albufera de València, a natural park close to the city. The park centers around a freshwater lagoon and estuary on the Gulf of Valencia, where diverse flora and fauna thrive year-round. A driver will take you to the village of El Palmar, where you'll board your cruise with a guide to discover Valencia's hidden nature and history. Learn how fishermen and rice growers have traditionally worked in the Albufera Lake and visit a barraca, a traditional high-peaked thatched fisher or farmer's cottage with a design that dates back hundreds of years. 

Back on dry land, choose to enjoy lunch at one of the top local restaurants and enjoy an authentic Valencian rice dish that uses locally grown rice. The rest of the afternoon is yours to bask in the sun-drenched beauty of Valencia at one of its beautiful sandy beaches. Stay south of the city and seek out the tranquil El Saler Beach, a serene oasis nestled within Albufera Natural Park. Or head to Malvarrosa Beach, where golden sands stretch along the turquoise Mediterranean waters, and you can strut the promenade at sunset. 

Day 3: River Floating Experience, Train to Madrid & Self-Guided Walking Tour

This morning, you'll float along Europe's longest navigable underground river, the Coves de Sant Josep (Saint Joseph's Caves), which stretches for nearly 2 miles (3 km). Meet your guide for a 40-minute transfer to Sierra de Espadan Nature Park, where you'll board a boat. Enjoy an hour floating through large open spaces with ceilings dripping with dramatic stalactites, and learn the history and geology of this unique river system and cave network. You might be able to swap to a kayak afterward and paddle out of the caves. When it's time, you'll return to Valencia with your guide.

Day 4: Morning Food Tour, Afternoon City Tour, Evening Hammam Experience

Madrid is a melting pot of Spanish food and culture, so there's no better place to join a four-hour eating tour. Start your day at a 100-year-old bakery with a cup of thick Spanish hot chocolate, then visit a family-run jamón shop. Afterward, you'll visit authentic taverns, taste the city's famous stew at one of Madrid's oldest kitchens, open since 1870, and try Spain's actual national dish: tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelet). Finally, enjoy Madrid's signature calamari sandwich and finish at a gourmet candies shop with three types of Spanish turrón (a nougat confection) and a shot of local liqueur. 

Walk off the morning's feasting with a half-day panoramic tour this afternoon. Led by a local expert, you'll journey through history as you explore Madrid's famous avenues, including Gran Vía and Castellana, famous squares like Plaza de España, Puerta del Sol, and Puerta de Alcala, and Madrid's historic quarters and famous parks, including Casa de Campo and Retiro Park. After a big day on your feet, a relaxing hammam spa is just what you need. This evening, indulge yourself with an immersive experience with traditional steam baths and a massage that will leave you feeling renewed.

Day 5: Day Trip to Toledo, Winery Tour & Tasting

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In the Middle Ages, Toledo was a city where Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities peacefully coexisted. Today, you'll join a private guide to explore the former Spanish capital and UNESCO World Heritage City. Your guide will collect you from the hotel for the one-hour drive south. Once in Toledo, your guide will share stories of the "city of the three cultures," showing you remnants of Arab, Muslim, and Christian monuments, including the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, the former Roman palace Alcázar de Toledo, and the Moorish Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca.

Pause for lunch, then swap the small city for a countryside winery. Wander through 200-year-old vines while a local viticulturist in the vineyards explains everything there is to know about winemaking in the region. After exploring the fields, you'll sit down to taste three excellent local wines. When the day is done, you'll return to Madrid.

Day 6: Train to Seville, Private Triana Pottery Class

After breakfast, a private driver will collect you from your hotel for a transfer to the train station. You'll board the 2.5-hour high-speed service to Seville, the vibrant capital of Andalusia in southern Spain. Upon arrival, meet your driver for a transfer to your hotel. Drop your bags and get ready for this afternoon's artisanal adventure.

Make your way to Seville's historic and artsy district for a private ceramics workshop. Triana, which sits across the Guadalquivir River, has solidified its reputation as an artistic center of Seville. This working-class neighborhood is known for its talents in flamenco dance, azulejos (painted ceramic tiles), pottery, and textiles. You'll discover the history of ceramic making and decoration in Triana with a fun and interactive pottery class. After hearing fascinating stories and watching a demonstration, you'll put your creativity to work and paint a tile—a perfect memento of Seville.

Day 7: Self-Guided Walking Tour, Guadalquivir River Cruise

This morning is yours to explore Seville at your own pace. Start at the stunning and colorful Plaza de España, admire the Moorish architecture of the Real Alcázar, and visit the Seville Cathedral—three key historic sites in Seville. Meander through the Santa Cruz neighborhood and walk above the city on the Metropol Parasol, an impressive wooden structure that looks like a mushroom and offers panoramic views across Seville. 

Day 8: Private Cooking Class, Fly to Barcelona, Sunset Sailing

Discover the best of Andalusian food with a private Spanish cooking class. The culinary adventure begins at a local market, where you'll handpick fresh ingredients with the help of a local chef. Then, pop on an apron and get to work whipping up a delicious three-course Spanish meal with staples like gazpacho, Spanish omelet, or paella. You'll learn about Spanish cuisine and discover traditional techniques as you cook. When everything is ready, sit down to enjoy your homemade meal paired with local wine.

Day 9: Barcelona & La Sagrada Familia Tour, Visit Park Güell, Exclusive Food Tour

This morning you'll experience the world-famous Sagrada Família up close. A private guide will lead you through the stunning Roman Catholic church and UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Discover the church's fascinating history while admiring the detailed facades and unique interiors, then continue with a half-day exploration of Barcelona. Together, you'll explore some of the city's most emblematic spots and hidden corners. Your local guide will take you to one of their favorite tapas restaurants before parting ways.

After, you'll visit one of Gaudí's other masterpieces: the iconic Park Güell. Located atop Carmel Hill in north Barcelona, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a fine example of Gaudí's boundary-pushing modernist style. Get lost in the expansive park, which covers 42 acres (17 ha). Marvel at every unique and whimsical building as you stroll the walkways and colorful gardens, seeking panoramic views over the city.

Day 10: Barcelona Beach Day

You don't have to go far if you want a morning swim in Barcelona. After breakfast, pack a bag with a towel, sunscreen, and a swimsuit and head for the Mediterranean Sea. Choose to visit one of the city beaches close to the center, or make a day of it and venture out to more remote destinations down the coast. Laze on the sand, enjoy a swim, or try watersports, like kayaking, snorkeling, or paddleboarding. If you want to make the most of your beach day, consider a day trip to the southern end of the picturesque Costa Brava, just about an hour's drive north.

Day 11: Morning Visit to Montserrat, Farmhouse Lunch, Depart Barcelona

Squeeze one last adventure into your final day in Spain. A driver will pick you up from your hotel, destined for Montserrat, the region's most emblematic mountain. Your guide will reveal the history of the famous 11th-century Benedictine monastery, Santa María de Montserrat, which sits atop the mountain at 4,055 feet (1,266 m). Continue to the 16th-century basilica, where you might hear the boys' choir singing from Escolanía de Montserrat. You'll have time to explore solo and might like to ride the funicular to Santa Cova, visit the Museum of Montserrat, or grab a snack.

Later, you'll return down the mountain via a cable car, then arrive at a beautiful farmhouse for a homemade three-course farm-to-table meal. Enjoy a fresh salad, a traditional barbecue meal, and dessert as you take in views of the Montserrat mountain range and farmlands. Visit the resident farm animals and learn about the historic olive oil press before returning to the city. Back in Barcelona, collect your bags and wait for a private driver to take you to the airport in time for your flight home or onward. Safe travels!

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