A Grand Tour of Spain

We meet at London St Pancras and take the Eurostar to Paris, continuing to Biarritz for the night.

• Dinner
• Eurostar Meal

Beginning the final leg of our outward journey, we travel by rail to Madrid - home for the next two nights.

• Breakfast

Today includes a sightseeing tour by coach and on foot, where we're introduced to the main sights, historical buildings and attractive green spaces of Madrid. We see the magnificent Palacio Real, or Royal Palace, still used for official state functions and filled with impressive paintings, sculptures and antiques. After a morning of sightseeing, you are free to explore independently, maybe starting with a tapas lunch of patatas bravas, fresh seafood and Jamón Ibérico in the Plaza Mayor, or the San Miguel market. This afternoon you could walk along the Paseo del Prado to discover the famous Prado gallery, or visit one of the city's other leading art galleries. A perfect retreat from the lively streets is the central park, El Retiro - a vast green oasis with a boating lake and a glass palace.

• Breakfast

We travel by train into Andalucía, arriving in the fascinating city of Seville for a two-night stay. This afternoon we enjoy a tour of the historic Santa Cruz area and Seville's Gothic cathedral. The largest of its kind in Europe, it was built on the site of a mosque and is the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Lavishly decorated in gold, the cathedral's bell tower, La Giralda, was the minaret of the original mosque and rises above Seville's skyline. We also visit the Plaza de España to admire the beautiful buildings, ornate fountains and tiled alcoves created for the 1929 'Fair of the Americas'.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Make the most of a free day to continuing sightseeing. The Real Alcázar de Sevilla, the Royal Palace in the centre of town, was originally constructed as a Moorish fort and built in Islamic style. Today its superb complex of patios and halls combines several different architectural styles, from Mudéjar to Gothic. At its centre is the Palace of King Pedro I, who constructed his royal residence on the site of a Moorish palace. The palace gardens are a lovely sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of Seville's city centre, designed with fountains and pools between formal lawns and trailing floral borders. Known as the birthplace of tapas, Seville is the perfect place to sample some more Spanish cuisine

• Breakfast

We take the train to Granada, where we stay for two nights. An enchanting city scattered over seven small hills, Granada is dominated by the Alhambra, one of the most recognisable palaces in the world. We begin our explorations with a sightseeing tour, visiting the Albayzin - the old Arab Quarter, which retains the narrow winding streets of its medieval past and comes alive at night with colourful market stalls, lively cafés and al fresco bars.

• Breakfast

We visit the UNESCO-listed Alhambra itself today. Once the residence of the Moorish leaders of Granada, this medieval palace complex sits on a plateau overlooking the city and dates back to the 9th century. With the fairytale Sierra Nevada mountains as its backdrop, the Alhambra has UNESCO World Heritage status and is one of the world's most recognisable monuments. Originally a small fortress, the Sultan of Granada converted the building in the early 14th century. We enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful palaces and gardens, featuring pebble mosaics, pools and fountains, colonnades and pavilions. This evening, we visit a traditional restaurant for an authentic Andalucían dinner, enjoying views of the illuminated Alhambra.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Travelling by coach to Córdoba, a beautiful, relaxed city with UNESCO World Heritage status, we check into our hotel for the night. Afterwards, a guided tour introduces us to the city's labyrinth of winding alleys and pretty squares. Entering the Old Town area, we cross the Roman Bridge, passing the 14th-century Calahorra Tower, before continuing to the famous Mezquita, considered to be one of the greatest remaining works of Islamic architecture in the world. Next we explore the narrow streets of the historic Jewish Quarter with our local guide.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Taking the train to Barcelona, we check into our hotel for two nights. We set out on a guided tour of Barcelona, taking in the Gothic Quarter, known Barri Gòtic, and the tree-lined boulevard of Las Ramblas - with its market stalls, street performers and shops. The rest of your day is free to enjoy the city. It's impossible to visit Barcelona and not fall under the spell of renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. His unique style is intrinsically linked with Barcelona and many of his masterpieces can be found in the heart of the city. Perhaps start with the spectacular unfinished cathedral, the Sagrada Familia. Unwind at one of the local cafés, or take a stroll along the seafront and enjoy the catch of the day in a beachside restaurant as the Mediterranean sun sets.

• Breakfast

Today you're free to continue exploring this enchanting city. You could visit the Picasso museum in the Gothic Quarter. You'll find other Gaudí buildings - like Casa Milà and Casa Batlló - and exclusive shops in Eixample, the Modernist district. The city's botanical gardens provide a peaceful retreat from its lively streets. You could also visit Park Güell, another Gaudí creation, with colourful mosaic sculptures - set high above the city, the park has open spaces and fabulous views. Many of Barcelona's other top attractions are conveniently clustered together in the Ciutat Vella or Old City. This evening we enjoy a final farewell dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Boarding the train to Paris, we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras and our Spanish adventure comes to an end.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal