Flavors of Spain: Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid & Seville - 9 Days

Highlights

• Taste your way across Spain with tapas tours and cooking workshops
• Take a private tour through Barcelona's soaring Sagrada Família 
• Discover the hidden corners of Valencia by tuk-tuk 
• Go wine tasting in the countryside outside Madrid
• Cycle along the Guadalquivir River in Seville

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona, Evening Tapas Walk

Hola, and welcome to Spain! You'll land in Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia, where medieval architecture and modernism collide alongside city beaches and a thriving culinary scene. A driver will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your hotel, where you can rest and refresh before spending the rest of the day exploring the city at your own pace. 

An evening tapear (tapas walk) is a quintessential night out in Spain, and tonight a local foodie will lead you through three suburbs in one of the country's top culinary cities. Duck into alleys to find beloved tapas spots as you learn about Spanish gastronomy and discover how eclectic Catalan cuisine can be. Start with cheese and Iberian ham in the Gothic Quarter, transition to seafood by the beach in the old fishermen's neighborhood of Barceloneta, and end with traditional Catalan plates in El Born. At each stop, you'll wash down your small bites with local wines and beers.

Day 2: Explore the Gothic Quarter, Local Market Visit & Cooking Class

After breakfast, lace up your sneakers and take yourself on a self-guided walk through Barcelona's oldest district—the Gothic Quarter. This hip neighborhood is filled with trendy bars, restaurants, and small boutique shops, offering a taste of where the historic and modern Catalan capital collide. Stroll narrow cobblestone streets, passing ancient medieval architecture, hidden plazas, and the soaring Barcelona Cathedral, pausing for a light lunch along the way.

A country's gastronomy says a lot about its culture, and this afternoon you'll dive deeper into Spanish food with an immersive cooking class. A professional chef will lead you around Mercat de la Boqueria, where you'll pick up local ingredients and learn about Spanish culinary traditions. After, venture into the kitchen for a hands-on workshop where you'll prepare four courses, including a classic paella dish, soup, appetizer, and dessert. When everything is ready, toss out the apron and sit down to enjoy your feast, paired with Spanish wines from Rioja and Galicia.

Day 3: Extended Sagrada Família Visit, Train to Valencia, Evening Tapas Walk

Meet your private guide this morning for an extended introduction to the Sagrada Família, Barcelona's remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. With skip-the-line tickets, you'll gain fast access to the popular monument and discover the church's fascinating history while admiring the detailed facades and soaring interiors with arched ceilings and stained glass. Climb to the 19-story Torre de la Pasión to end the visit with some of the best panoramic views of the city. 

Enjoy a quick lunch, then return to the hotel to collect your luggage and transfer to the train station for the three-hour train south to Valencia, a dynamic and culturally rich coastal city. Drop your bags at your new hotel, then join a traditional tapas walk, starting at the famous Mercado Central. A local foodie will lead you through the Old Town, stopping at three bars to taste tapas with drinks. Soak up authentic vibes while learning about Valencian cuisine, the differences between tapas and pintxos, and why paella is such a vital part of the city's culture.

Day 4: Seafood Paella Cooking Workshop & Market Visit, Beach Afternoon

Paella is Spain's most famous dish—and you'll learn how to make this iconic dish in its place of origin with today's cooking experience. Start at the Ruzafa Market to gather seasonal and local ingredients. Then, you'll enter the kitchen, where the work begins. Your chef will prepare a delicious tapa and sangria to enjoy while you roll up your sleeves and learn how to make paella step-by-step. Finally, you'll sit down to taste the rice dish paired with a Valencian tomato salad, regional wines, seasonal fruit, a typical Valencian sponge cake, sweet wine, and coffee.

This afternoon, bask in the sun-drenched beauty of Valencia at one of its sandy beaches. Head to Malvarrosa, where golden sands stretch along the turquoise Mediterranean waters. Or, for a more tranquil experience, make your way to El Saler, a serene oasis nestled within Albufera Natural Park south of the city. After your grand paella feast, a little siesta on the sand might be just the antidote.

Day 5: Valencia Tuk-Tuk Tour, Train to Madrid, Flamenco Show & Dinner

Modern buildings sit side-by-side with the well-preserved historic center in Valencia, and today you'll explore both sides with a two-hour tuk-tuk tour. Your route will pass through the picturesque neighborhoods of Ciutat Vella and El Carmen, and you'll explore alleyways leading to the Valencia Cathedral and the famous Serranos and Quart towers. Visit the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Plaza de Toros, and the neighborhoods of Russafa and Colón, then continue through the Turia Gardens toward the avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences complex before ending at the Royal Marina.

Return to the hotel, where a private car will take you to the train station for your 2.5-hour train journey to Madrid, the capital of Spain. On arrival, a private driver will take you to your new accommodation to drop your bags and get settled. As evening falls, get dressed up for a special flamenco show and dinner at one of Madrid's most emblematic tablaos. Here you'll sit down to a tasting menu before watching more than a dozen of the best flamenco artists in Spain take the stage.

Day 6: Madrid Neighborhoods Walk, Afternoon Wine Tour

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Day 7: Jamón Ibérico Workshop, Transfer to Seville, City Bike Tour

Jamón Ibérico is considered one of the world's top delicacies, and this morning you'll discover everything you need to know about this symbol of Spain. Join a master carver for a special workshop to hear about the origins of jamón Ibérico, how farmers raise the pigs, and the curing process. Then, you'll learn how to carve these prized ham legs. Using a special long and narrow knife, you'll even get to try carving one yourself! Of course, at the end, you'll sit down to enjoy traditional tapas of Ibérico charcuterie and Spanish cheese paired with another glass or two of wine.

Later today, you're on the move again as a private driver transfers you to the train station for your high-speed 2.5-hour train ride to Seville, the vibrant capital of Andalusia in southern Spain. Drop your bags and settle in, then get ready for this afternoon's active adventure. Mount a bicycle and, with a local guide, you'll pedal past Seville's most important landmarks and historic sites, including the Plaza de España, Setas Marketplace, and Plaza de San Francisco—all while your guide shares fascinating stories about the Andalusian capital and its history along the way.

Day 8: Seville Walking Tour: Cathedral, Alcázar & Santa Cruz

Day 9: Visit an Andalusian Olive Oil Estate, Depart Seville

On your final morning in Spain, you'll escape to the countryside, venturing outside the city through rolling hills of olive trees and Mediterranean vistas. Your destination is a beautiful Andalusian olive estate, where you'll witness the production process of olive oil during an exclusive tour. View the historic estate's 16th-century olive oil presses and more modern technology before sampling a range of smooth and zesty olive oils from the estate.

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