Madrid, Andalusia & Barcelona

Ready to explore the historic cities and vibrant culture of Spain? Arrive at your Canadian departure airport, ready for a flight* to Madrid. Night on board.

*If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Touch down in Madrid, the enigmatic capital city of Spain, known for its fast-paced atmosphere, classical architecture and beautiful plazas and parks. Self-transfer to the hotel* and spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. Madrid is well-known for its brilliant gastronomic scene and lively nightlife, so be sure to get out after dark to experience the amazing atmosphere of the capital. Overnight stay in Madrid.

*Airport transfer in Madrid is not included. You will have the possibility to add a private transfer to your package for an additional cost in the next step of the booking process.

Breakfast at the hotel. Your guide will greet you at the hotel at 9am. Begin the day with a guided tour of Madrid. Uncover the medieval origins of the city in Barrio de la Morería, famed for its historic monuments such as the Muslim-era city walls. Uncover the Baroque-era heart of the city, known for its magnificent boulevards and grand buildings. See The Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Plaza España. Pass by the incredible Prado Museum before heading to the more contemporary parts of the city, such as the Gran Via shopping street and see both Cibeles and Neptuno Fountain.

The remainder of the day is free to enjoy the delights of the city at your leisure. Madrid has a number of rooftop bars and restaurants, so perhaps head to one of these to enjoy spectacular views of the city as the sun sets. Overnight stay in Madrid.

Breakfast at the hotel. Your guide will greet you at the hotel at 9am. Today, your journey takes you towards the south of the country where you’ll encounter the historic cities of Southern Spain. Along the way, make a stop in Consuegra, a village full of windmills famous for its connection to Don Quixote. Stop to visit a windmill and learn its importance in the history of the region.

Continue on your journey and cross the border into the region of Andalusia before arriving in Cordoba. Enjoy a city tour to uncover Cordoba's Islamic heritage. Begin by entering the renowned La Mezquita de Cordoba mosque, the interior sanctuary is famous as it's supported by 850 pillars. Visit the Puente Romano, the Puerta del Puente, the Triunfo de San Rafael, and finally, stroll through the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter ‘La Juderia’ and soak up the unique atmosphere.

In the afternoon, continue to Seville, a journey of approximately 2 hours. Seville is well known for its legendary tapas and Flamenco dancing. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the night at your leisure. Overnight stay in Seville.

Estimated transfer distance 340miles / 547km.

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, a local expert guides you through a guided half-day tour of Seville featuring the Cathedral and its famous Giralda Bell Tower. Discover the Archivo de Indias, the popular neighborhood of Santa Cruz, Maria Luisa Park and the beautiful Plaza de España.

In the afternoon, you will have few hours to explore the city and have lunch on your own before departing to Granada. We recommend a stroll through the city center and where you can pick between Seville's many fine tapas bars that are dotted around between architectural wonders.

Head to Granada, your final destination of the day, passing by Antequera, a city in Andalusia known for ancient burial mounds and dramatic limestone rock formations. Arrive at your hotel for check in. Overnight stay in Granada.

Estimated transfer distance 160miles / 258km.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, relish the opportunity to visit the exquisite Alhambra Fortress and Palace. Be inspired by one of the most famous monuments in Islamic architecture, of universal beauty, which also contains noteworthy examples of Spanish renaissance architecture. This spectacular architectural wonder is an expression of Moorish and Andalusian culture, and boasts incredible views of the surrounding city. Next, head east and uphill to discover the Generalife Palace and Gardens. The name has been ‘translated’ to Garden of Paradise, where the beautiful patio and gardens are lined by a striking long fountain, the true heart of the estate.

Afterwards, Head north by road to Valencia, a cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean, famed for its romantic plazas, modern Arts & Science Architectural Complex and its beautiful beaches. Check-in at the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the night free to enjoy at your leisure. Why not take a stroll through the leafy Turia Park, the main artery of the city, and check out the Barrio Carmen neighborhood famous for its tapas bars. Overnight stay in Valencia.

Estimated transfer distance 317miles / 511km.

Important note: To visit the Alhambra, it is mandatory to send copies of all passengers’ valid passports to customerservice@exoticca.com once you have made your reservation, as these details are necessary to purchase a ticket on your behalf. Please note that there are a limited number of tickets available each day and that the Alhambra is a large complex with multiple parts. If it is not possible to visit the Alhambra including the Nasrid Palaces, you will see the Generalife and the Alcazaba instead. For any change once the passport information has been entered, a cancellation fee of 20 EUR will be applied.

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a city tour of Valencia. Discover the atmospheric old town, home to historic buildings, and visit the Cathedral and El Miguelete, next head to the Plaza de la Reina, La Lonja, the Torres de Serrano and lastly see the juxtaposition of the city in the architecturally-modern City of Arts and Sciences.

After the city tour of Valencia, head north along the coast towards Barcelona in Catalonia with a stop in Tarragona, to break up the journey and give you insight into the lesser known yet still historically important cities in Spain.

Finally, arrive in Barcelona in the afternoon, a vibrant city known for its artistic heritage and the amazing architecture of Gaudi. Get settled at the hotel and enjoy the evening at your leisure, exploring the historic streets of the Gothic Quarter or strolling along the seafront in the old fishing neighborhood of Barceloneta. Overnight stay in Barcelona.

Estimated transfer distance 223miles / 360km.

Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the diverse history of Barcelona as you begin the day with a morning city tour by coach. Pass along the wide, leafy avenues of the Eixample neighborhood to see the modernist architecture of Gaudi, journey down the famous Paseo de Gracia shopping street and see Casa Mila. Next, discover Casa Batlló, head down toward the sea to see the famous Columbus Monument and the modern Olympic Port. Head up to the hills of Montjuïc to enjoy spectacular views of the old port and finally, see the impressive Sagrada Familia (entrance not included).

The afternoon is free at your leisure to explore Barcelona at your own pace. Why not hit the shops around Plaza Cataluña, walk down the renowned Ramblas or explore some of the city's incredible art galleries and museums? Overnight stay in Barcelona.

Breakfast at the hotel.* Sadly, it's time to bring your journey through Spain to an end. At the indicated time, self-transfer to the airport** for your flight back to Canada. Arrive in Canada and end your trip.***

*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

**Airport transfer in Barcelona is not included. You will have the possibility to add a private transfer to your package for an additional cost in the next step of the booking process.

***Depending on the return flight schedule, you may arrive in Canada the next day and the total duration of the trip would be 10 days.