Iconic Cities of Spain: Barcelona to Madrid

Your vacation begins today as you arrive in the artistic city of Barcelona, making your way independently to our welcoming hotel. On arrival, you meet the Tour Manager and rest of the group, gathering for a relaxing welcome drink as your fellow travelers arrive.

If time allows, you can spend the remainder of the day getting to know your new surroundings, and you might choose to begin exploring the city's lively streets and atmosphere. Hidden courtyards and tapas bars sit alongside centuries of history, making it a wonderful city to explore at your own pace. Overnight Barcelona.

A guided tour of Barcelona by coach and on foot awaits after breakfast. Taking in the exterior of the Sagrada Família, we continue along the tree-lined boulevard of Las Ramblas and end our tour among the attractive and labyrinthine alleys of the Gothic Quarter.

If you would like to visit the interior of Sagrada Família, you could do so independently with this afternoon's free time. Elsewhere, several neighborhoods sit along Barcelona's coast, including former fishing villages, such as Poblenou, which can be reached by metro. Alternatively, the 18th-century residential area of Barceloneta exudes Catalan coastal charm, with leafy squares surrounded by wine shops. Other areas of the city to visit include the expansive hilltop park, where you'll find the Montjüic Castle, and the Boqueria Market, just off the Ramblas, where you can sample the Catalan tapas.

This evening, we head to an authentic 17th-century Catalan farmhouse, just outside Barcelona. Now transformed into a stately restaurant, we enjoy an excellent dinner of traditional dishes in a private room. Overnight Barcelona.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer to the station and leave Barcelona behind as we board the train in First Class to Valencia for a two-night stay. Along the way, enjoy scenic coastal views, particularly between Tarragona and Castellón where the train runs close to the Mediterranean shoreline.

Set on Spain's sunny Mediterranean coast, Valencia is a city of striking contrasts, combining over two thousand years of history with futuristic architecture and golden beaches. From the winding streets of the old town to the iconic City of Arts and Sciences, there's a wealth of culture and character to discover.

On arrival, we take a short walk to our hotel where we check in and enjoy a welcome drink and a selection of canapes, offering a taste of the region. Overnight Valencia.

• Breakfast, Light Dinner

This morning after breakfast, we set out on a tour of Valencia led by a knowledgeable local guide. Alongside hidden corners and elegant plazas, we visit the impressive La Lonja de la Seda, a UNESCO-listed Gothic masterpiece which was once the heart of Valencia's silk trade.

Continuing through the historic center, we head to the uniquely beautiful Valencia Cathedral, built on the site of a former mosque and Roman temple. The cathedral is also home to a chalice of polished agate believed to be the Holy Grail, which can be viewed in its lavish golden setting. To round off our tour, we stop to sample a traditional Valencian delicacy: horchata and fartons. Horchata is a sweet refreshing drink made from tiger nuts and pairs perfectly with fartons, a spongy pastry treat.

After the tour, there's free time to continue exploring the city's sights and you might choose to stroll through the leafy Turia Gardens or venture towards the striking City of Arts and Sciences. We reconvene this evening for dinner in a local restaurant to savor an authentic paella, Valencia's most famous culinary creation. Overnight Valencia.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A free morning allows you to continue soaking up the sights at your own pace. Valencia is a wonderfully walkable city, and you might choose to wander through the atmospheric streets of the Old Town, browse the colorful stalls of the Central Market of Valencia or pause for a coffee in one of its sunlit squares.

We regroup around midday and transfer by coach to the station, where we board the train in First Class for a journey inland to the Spanish capital, Madrid. Watch the scenery shift from the Mediterranean coastline to rolling plains as we travel toward the heart of the country.

On arrival later this afternoon, we transfer to our hotel and there's time to settle in and familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Madrid's grand boulevards, elegant squares and lively cafés offer a memorable first impression of a city that blends history with modern energy. We dine together this evening at the hotel restaurant. Overnight Madrid.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we are taken on a guided sightseeing tour by coach and on foot to discover Madrid's main sights, historical buildings and the city's vast green park, El Retiro. These beautiful gardens were originally built for Spain's royal family in the 1500s, but now, the park is a public space used by residents and tourists alike.

Our tour takes us past the magnificent Palacio Real, or Royal Palace, still used for official state functions and filled with impressive paintings, sculptures and antiques, before we conclude with a tapas lunch, sampling a selection of traditional Spanish dishes.

With an afternoon and evening at leisure, you could walk along the wide boulevard of El Paseo del Prado to discover the famous Prado Gallery (booking in advance is recommended) or visit one of the city's other nearby museums. If you want to return to El Retiro, it offers a peaceful contrast to Madrid's lively streets, providing an oasis at the heart of the city. The park has a boating lake, and around that area are often street entertainers, from puppet shows to folk musicians. Overnight Madrid.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Our day begins with breakfast and a coach transfer to the station in Madrid, where we board a train to the Moorish city of Granada for a two-night stay. The city is dominated by the Alhambra, which dates to the 13th and 14th centuries.

This breathtaking palace and fortress complex is one of the world's most important and well-preserved examples of Moorish architecture, set against the stunning backdrop of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We begin our explorations with a walking tour in the Albaicín Quarter. Once the Moorish quarters of the city, the area is now a UNESCO World Heritage site that retains the narrow, winding streets of its medieval past.

After our tour, you are at leisure to continue exploring at your own pace. In the older streets, you will find Moroccan-style tea gardens, bohemian bars and craft shops. A must-visit area is the Mirador de San Nicolas, a wide, terraced area with fantastic views of the Alhambra and a popular spot to see flamenco players or artists selling their work. This evening, you are free to dine independently. Overnight Granada.

• Breakfast

Following a relaxed breakfast this morning, we visit the UNESCO-listed Alhambra on a guided tour.

Once the residence of the Moorish leaders of Granada, this spectacular palace complex sits on a plateau overlooking the city with the fairytale Sierra Nevada Mountains as its backdrop. The Alhambra is listed as a World Heritage site for its outstanding aesthetic value as the world's only preserved palatine city of the Islamic period and the best example of its architecture. Our excursion takes us through the series of palaces with intricate carved wooden ceilings, colorful mosaics and astonishing plasterwork. We also enter the beautiful 14th-century Generalife, once a summer palace and country estate of the sultans.

Afterward, we are transferred back to our hotel with time to relax before this evening's authentic Andalucían dinner at a traditional restaurant overlooking the illuminated Alhambra. Overnight Granada.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We leave Granada after breakfast this morning and travel by coach toward Seville, pausing enroute to visit the historic city of Córdoba. The third of Spain's great Moorish cities, this was once the largest metropolis in Western Europe and is another outstanding UNESCO World Heritage site.

Entering the Old Town area, we cross the Roman Bridge, passing the 14th-century Calahorra Tower before continuing to the Mezquita - a mosque-cathedral considered one of the world's greatest remaining works of Islamic architecture. From its Moorish origins, the tower was transformed over the centuries after Andalucía was reclaimed by the Spanish crown. Today, its interior includes dozens of chapels and several Christian icons.

Continuing to Seville by coach, we arrive later this afternoon and check in to our hotel for the night. This evening, we experience a captivating flamenco show before dinner- a wonderful way to experience one of Spain's most iconic traditions. Overnight Seville.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Setting out on a guided tour after breakfast, we get to know Seville with a knowledgeable local guide who brings the city to life.

We wander through the city's historic Santa Cruz district, a maze of winding lanes and flower-filled squares, before we admire Seville Cathedral, an impressive Gothic masterpiece in the center of the old town. The largest Gothic building in Europe, it was built on the site of a former mosque and features medieval stained-glass windows and the Patio de los Naranjos - part of the original structure. Continuing our exploration, we visit the Real Alcázar of Seville. This UNESCO-listed palace is a masterpiece of Moorish, Mudejar and Christian architecture, and we explore the elaborate patios, tranquil gardens and intricate tilework at leisure.

Later, we transfer to the station and return to Madrid in First Class, where there's time to relax after checking in before we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Madrid.

• Breakfast, Dinner

On this unforgettable exploration of Spain by rail, we've experienced a rich blend of culture, history and flavor, from grand capitals to sun-drenched cities. We've admired the architectural wonders of Barcelona, discovered the contrasts of Valencia and explored the elegant boulevards of Madrid. In Granada, we wandered through the breathtaking palaces of the Alhambra, visited the remarkable Mezquita of Córdoba and soaked up the spirit of Andalucía in Seville, from its magnificent Royal Palace to the passion of traditional flamenco.

After a final breakfast at the hotel, your exploration of Spain comes to an end. You are free to continue exploring Madrid at your own pace or transfer to the local railway station or airport to begin your travels home.

• Breakfast