Highlights
- Taste your way across Spain with tapas tours and cooking workshops
- Take a private tour of Barcelona's soaring Sagrada Família
- See the hidden corners of Valencia with a tuk-tuk tour
- Experience culture with a flamenco show in Madrid
- Explore Seville with a guided bike tour
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Barcelona, Evening Tapas Walk | Barcelona |
| Day 2 | Self-Guided Gothic Quarter Walk, Local Market Visit & Cooking Class | Barcelona |
| Day 3 | Extended Sagrada Família Visit, Train to Valencia, Evening Tapas Walk | Valencia |
| Day 4 | Seafood Paella Cooking Workshop & Market Visit, Beach Afternoon | Valencia |
| Day 5 | Tuk-Tuk City Tour, Train to Madrid, Flamenco Show & Dinner | Madrid |
| Day 6 | Guided Walk, Half-Day Madrid Wine Tour | Madrid |
| Day 7 | Jamón Ibérico Workshop, Transfer to Seville, City Bike Tour | Seville |
| Day 8 | Self-Guided Walking Tour of Seville | Seville |
| Day 9 | Visit an Andalusian Olive Oil Estate & Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona, Evening Tapas Walk
Hola, and welcome to Spain! You'll first land in Barcelona, the vibrant and charming capital of Catalonia. Expect a stunning Mediterranean feel with city beaches and a thriving culinary scene. A driver will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your hotel. Rest, refresh, and spend 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 today 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 fisherman's quarter of Barceloneta, and then end with traditional Catalan plates in El Born. At each stop, pair your bites with local wine and beer.
Day 2: Self-Guided Gothic Quarter Walk, 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 stunning medieval architecture, hidden plazas, and the breathtaking Barcelona Cathedral. Pause for a light lunch, maybe a tapa or two.
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
A private guide will lead you on an extended visit to the world-famous Sagrada Família, the stunning Roman Catholic church and UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Gain fast access to the popular monument and discover the church's fascinating history while admiring the detailed facades, unique interiors with arched ceilings and stained glass, and the views from atop the tower, Torre de la Pasión. From its 19-story height, you'll have one of the best panoramic views of Barcelona.
Enjoy a quick lunch, then return to the hotel to collect your luggage. A private car will take you to the train station for your three-hour train to Valencia, a dynamic and culturally rich coastal city. On arrival, a private vehicle will take you to your hotel. Drop your bags and 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 so vital to the city of Valencia.
Day 4: Seafood Paella Cooking Workshop & Market Visit, Beach Afternoon
Paella is Spain's most famous dish—and it's from Valencia. Learn how to cook 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 has prepared 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 gorgeous 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: Tuk-Tuk City 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. 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. 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. Drop your bags and get dressed up for a special flamenco show and dinner at one of the most emblematic tablaos in Madrid. Here you'll sit down to an exquisite tasting menu before watching more than a dozen of the best flamenco artists in Spain take the stage. Feel the fiery passion and witness the skills of these top-tier artists in a historic space that takes you back in time.
Day 6: Guided Walk, Half-Day Madrid Wine Tour
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Get to know Madrid on foot with a local tour of the Spanish capital's most emblematic places and lesser-known highlights. As a private experience, you can cater this half-day walk to your specific interests. Essential sights that reveal Madrid's past and cultural traditions include squares such as Plaza Mayor. You might stroll through the beautiful Jardines del Moro, look inside Almudena Cathedral, and explore one of Madrid's liveliest neighborhoods, La Latina. Regardless of the route you choose, you'll pause for a tapas stop and wine before parting ways.
After lunch, depart for Madrid's hidden wine region, which produces fantastic and internationally awarded wines. Meet your guide, then set off into the beautiful countryside, where rolling vineyards and historic villages await. You'll visit three wineries, including the oldest in Madrid, and discover the 900-year-old winemaking practice of the region. Taste the wines of kings past and tour the estates with wine experts. You'll learn how to properly taste the varietals and distinguish flavors of 10 different grapes while enjoying Spanish cheese, Ibérico ham, olives, olive oil, and more.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 learn everything you need to know about this symbol of Spain. Join a master carver for a special workshop where you'll learn about the origins of Jamón Iberico, 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, a private driver will transfer you to the train station for your high-speed service to Seville, the vibrant capital of Andalusia in southern Spain. On arrival, a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Drop your bags and get ready for this afternoon's active adventure. Mount a bicycle and, with a local guide, you'll peddle past Seville's many top sights, such as the Plaza de España, Guadalquivir Riverfront, Setas Marketplace, Plaza de San Francisco, and some of the city's top gardens. Hear anecdotes and stories about Seville as you explore the city in a fun, healthy, and educational way.
Day 8: Self-Guided Walking Tour of Seville
Today is yours to indulge in a self-guided walking tour of Seville at your pace. While you zipped by on a bike yesterday, today you can linger at the stunning Plaza de España, enter the Real Alcázar (Royal Alcázar) to admire the Moorish architecture, and visit inside the majestic Seville Cathedral—three key historic sites in Seville. To step inside the Royal Alcázar, you'll need to plan ahead—buying same-day tickets is nearly impossible.
Those three sights will easily fill a morning—or a whole day—but you'll need to stop for lunch. Usually, the biggest meal of the day, take your time and try Freiduría Puerta de la Carne, Vineria San Telmo, or La Azotea on Calle Zaragoza. Later, 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. Cross over the Guadalquivir River to explore the lively Triana district and visit the local market hall.
Day 9: Visit an Andalusian Olive Oil Estate & Depart
Drive through picturesque landscapes with olive groves and farmhouses like this one
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 oil estate, where you'll witness the production process of olive oil during an exclusive tour. It was right here back in the 17th century that Christopher Columbus' son Hernando began exporting olive oil to the New World. View the 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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