Day 2 - Barcelona: Gaudi's Masterpieces, Gothic Quarter, Chocolate Museum, Tapas Tour

Today enjoy a full day sightseeing tour (8 hours) in Barcelona with your guide and private vehicle. This morning discover the masterpieces of Catalonia's most famous architect, Gaudí: the Casa Mila with its wave-like facade and the impressive but unfinished Sagrada Familia Basilica. You will also visit the Parc Guell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Gaudi's most colorful creations.  

This afternoon transfer to the true heart of the old city - the medieval Gothic Quarter. Visit the magnificent 13th-century Cathedral, notable for its fine Gothic chapels, medieval choir stalls and shady cloister.  

You may also like to visit the Chocolate Museum where you can learn about how chocolate was made and see some impressive chocolate sculptures, or you may prefer to go for traditional churros and a unique Spanish hot chocolate in a local café.

This evening meet with your guide for a tapas tour – Barcelona abounds in colorful tapas bars and your guide will accompany you on a visit of some of the recommended establishments in the elegant Paso de Gracia district where the bars fill to bursting with locals at this time of day. Along with paella, tapas (roughly translated as snacks or appetizers) are one of Spain's greatest contributions to world food. 'Tapar' means to cover and originally a tapa was a free snack served in a small earthenware dish to be placed on top of a glass. Eating tapas also allows you to try out some mouth-watering Spanish delicacies.

Overnight: Mandarin Oriental

Meal Plan: B

Day 3 - Barcelona: Cooking class or Mosaic-making class, Cable car up Montjuic, Poble Espanol

This morning you will be met by your Guardian Angel and private vehicle and transferred to a cookery class. Visit La Boqueria market to buy ingredients for the meal. Participate in a cooking lesson making 2 kinds of tapas, paella and Crema Catalana, or another dessert if you prefer. Enjoy what you have made for lunch with drinks and coffee. 

Alternatively, meet your local guide and private vehicle and go to a mosaic-making class.  The 3-hour lesson will include a brief introduction to mosaic making, an explanation of materials and tools, some quick and simple cutting techniques and then you are involved in the creation of a design drawn by the teacher. Each student should be able to complete a piece of 30 x 21 cms. After the class you have lunch at leisure (payable locally)

This afternoon you will meet your guide for a half-day sightseeing tour (4 hours) by private vehicle.  Take the cable car and the funicular to the top of Montjuic, and enjoy the view over the sea and the city from the former fortress. You will also see the 1992 Olympic stadium and complex. 

On the way down stop in the Poble Español.  This is a reconstruction of houses, churches and villages from every corner of Spain, built for the 1929 Exhibition. 

Overnight: Mandarin Oriental

Meal Plan: B

Day 4 - Barcelona to Madrid

Today your driver will transfer you to the train station to board your train to Madrid. At 2,100 feet above sea level, Madrid is Europe’s highest capital city. Originally a provincial town, it was elevated to capital status in 1561 by Felipe II. Madrid’s city center is quite compact and many attractions and museums are located within close proximity to one another. The city has a lush abundance of parks and open spaces providing a welcoming retreat from its everyday hubbub.  

From gothic and baroque to neoclassical and modern, there are many types of architectural styles displayed in its buildings: Madrid has a profuse amount of fine shops, museums, art galleries and cultural activities to experience.  Spaniards dine and retire late and Madrileños are no exception.  

The city (and its inhabitants), never seem to sleep and the city center lures residents and visitors alike to the numerous restaurants, countless bars and music clubs. All who visit are quickly drawn to this city’s vibrant energy and charm, which is reflected in the spirit of its people. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

This afternoon, enjoy a half day sightseeing tour (up to 4 hours) with your local guide. Visit the Prado Museum, which for many visitors is one of Madrid's main attractions. Here you can view works by Spain's three great masters: Goya, Velazquez and El Greco. After touring the Prado, visit the Royal Palace, whose rooms are filled with art treasures and antiques.

Overnight: Hotel Orfila

Meal Plan: B

Day 5 - Madrid: Tapas Cooking Class or Scavenger Hunt at the Thyssen Museum, Tour of the Bernabeu Soccer Stadium

Today, enjoy a private cooking class, learning all the secrets to making tapas before enjoying the fruits of your labor for lunch. 

Alternatively meet your guide and vehicle for a half day tour to the Museo Thyssen for a fun and educational scavenger hunt.  Follow the evolution of art history throughout 7 centuries and learn more about European art in this fun and interactive activity.

This afternoon, return to the city and visit the Bernabeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid soccer team. Your tour will allow you to get behind the scenes and absorb the atmosphere where many victories, celebrations, defeats and commiserations have taken place. Admire the club’s trophy collection, see the dressing rooms, feel the anticipation of the footballers in the player’s tunnel and imagine you are part of the team walking out onto the pitch where you cannot fail to be impressed by the vastness of the stadium. During your tour you may also see the players’ benches, training areas and presidential balcony before having the opportunity to purchase those special souvenirs from the official store on your way out. (Access is restricted to some areas if you visit on a match day).

After the tour continue to El Retiro Park for a bike ride. (Subject to availability)

Overnight: Hotel Orfila

Meal Plan: B

Day 6 - Madrid to Seville via Cordoba

Today you are met at your hotel by your Madrid Guardian Angel and transferred by private vehicle to the Madrid rail station to board your train (Club Class carriage) to Cordoba, one of Spain's oldest cities. 

Upon arrival, you will be met at the rail station by your local guide and private vehicle for a sightseeing tour (2½ hours) of the city.  

Enjoy a walking tour through the flower-filled streets of the Jewish Quarter and visit the Mezquita, built between the 8th and 10th centuries and considered to be one of the most extraordinary buildings in all of Europe. In the 1520s, a Christian Baroque nave was constructed in the heart of the mosque, which fortunately is so large that the unity of the building was not destroyed by this resplendent but anomalous addition. 

After lunch at leisure, transfer by private vehicle through spectacular countryside to Seville where you are assisted with check in at your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Melia Colon

Meal Plan: B

Day 7 - Seville: Walking tour of Seville and time at leisure followed by an Evening Flamenco Class

This morning meet your guide for a half-day walking tour (4 hours) of Seville. Visit the 15th-century Cathedral, one of the most breathtaking in all of Christendom, and see La Giralda, Seville's most famous monument. The Moorish tower was erected as a minaret in the 12th century.

Also enjoy a walk through the Barrio de Santa Cruz, a maze of narrow streets, whitewashed houses, small squares and flower filled patios.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. If you are interested in finding out more about local cuisine, you may like to take the opportunity to learn the techniques of cutting jamon iberico, a local ham that is highly regarded throughout Andalusia.

This evening, meet your Guardian Angel and private vehicle for your transfer to a private Flamenco Class. (Please note the instructor may speak basic English only but your Guardian Angel will be able to translate to assist you.)

Overnight: Hotel Melia Colon

Meal Plan: B

Day 8 - Seville: Bull farm, Alcazar

Today enjoy a visit to a local bull farm. Upon arrival, you will be met by a member of the de la Maza family, owners of the Cortijo, for an exclusive visit. Your visit will include an excursion into the countryside in a 4x4 vehicle to see the fighting bulls in the pastures. Return to the Cortijo for an 'aperitivo' hosted by a member of the de la Maza family in their home. The aperitivo includes drinks and a variety of tapas to nibble - ham, olives, croquettes. You will be shown a capea (bloodless demonstration of bullfighting skills in the bullring), which is performed with a heifer.

Finish your day with a visit to the Alcazar, a magnificent 14th-century Mudejar palace that is one of the oldest royal residences in Europe still in use.

Overnight: Hotel Melia Colon

Meal Plan: B

Day 9 - Depart Seville

Today your jouney comes to an end as you are privately transferred to the Seville airport to board your international flight home. 

Meal Plan: B