Madrid, Valencia & Barcelona Explorer

Hit the Streets

Meet your private guide in the hotel lobby and set out on foot for a pleasant walking tour that reveals the secrets of the two must-see attractions of the Spanish capital: the Prado Museum, and the Royal Palace. Along the way, you’ll get to discover the most important buildings and avenues of the vibrant Madrid, from the time of the Habsburgs and the Bourbons up until today. The Prado Museum is one of the most important art galleries in the world. Its main corpus is nourished by the royal collections treasured for centuries by different imperial dynasties. Together with Las Meninas de Velázquez and Goya’s May 3rd, 1808, the galleries are full of masterpieces from the Spanish, Italian and Flemish schools. After your visit to the Prado, you’ll be treated to a coffee break to recharge your batteries and take in the local ambiance. From there, you’ll follow your guide on a walk to Madrid’s Royal Palace, the largest in all of Western Europe. Built during the 18th century by Felipe V, the first king of the Bourbon dynasty, it is used in modern times by the Spanish Crown. As you visit, admire the official reception rooms, the museum area, the Royal Chapel, the Throne Room, and the private rooms of King Carlos III and Queen Isabel II. After your tour, you may continue your Palace visit at leisure before an independent return to your hotel.

This evening, make your way independently to Corral de La Moreria Flamenco, an authentic tablao (the place where flamenco is performed) in the Old Quarter of Madrid. Here you’ll enjoy a three-course typical Spanish dinner with wine and mineral water, followed by a stunning performance of flamenco, a traditional Andalusian art form that combines professional singing, guitar, and dancing, for an overall dazzling experience.

A Healthy Dose of History

Spend a half-day venturing out to explore Toledo with a private driver and a local guide. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Toledo is Spain’s medieval capital, and an area of inspiration for 16th-century master, El Greco. Surrounded by the River Tajo, the atmospheric walled town is crammed with churches, museums, and even steel workshops of master artisans, carrying on the tradition of the renowned swordsmiths of medieval Toledo. Upon meeting your local guide, take a walk into the past along the city’s cobblestone alleyways. Witness the 14th century Toledo Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece, considered by some the magnum opus of the Gothic style in Spain. In the Jewish Quarter, you’ll see Europe’s oldest still-standing synagogue, the Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue. Spot the imposing Alcazar of Toledo, a historic fortress with its strategic stance gazing out over Toledo to the River Tagus and lands beyond, and see the exterior of the medieval Castle of San Servando, former home to the Knights Templar.

A Change of Scenery

Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.

Depart by train from Madrid to Valencia. The train ride takes approximately 2 hours.

Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.

Please note, drivers may or may not speak English, as their sole responsibility is to transfer clients from one location to another. If you would like to add an English-speaking assistant or guide to your transfer, please speak with your Travel Consultant.

Cultural Immersion

Meet your private guide and driver, and embark on a half-day tour of Valencia, the third-largest urban center in Spain, and a lively Mediterranean city. Stroll around the historic city center, buzzing with life, and host to countless shops, restaurants, and bars, from where you’ll be able to see the major monuments of Valencia. It’s here where you can witness City Hall Square, the historic railway station and bull ring, and see the grandiose 15th century Silk Exchange building, built at the height of Valencia’s commercial prosperity, and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its demonstration of “the power and wealth of one of the great Mediterranean mercantile cities.” At the Central Market, you’ll be treated to some samples of local delicacies. Nearby, you’ll also explore the Plaza de la Virgen, site of the 17th-century Basilica of the Virgin, the imposing 13th century Valencia Cathedral, and the late 14th century Gothic Towers of Serrans, where you can walk under their archway, in the same manner, the knights and royalty of medieval Valencia once entered the city. You’ll also visit the old riverbed of the Turia, the most avant-garde part of the city, where you’ll marvel at stunning exteriors of modern buildings by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava.

The Journey Continues…

Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.

Please note, drivers may or may not speak English, as their sole responsibility is to transfer clients from one location to another. If you would like to add an English-speaking assistant or guide to your transfer, please speak with your Travel Consultant.

Depart by train from Valencia to Barcelona. The train ride takes approximately 3 hours.

Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.

Audacious Architecture

Meet your private guide and depart on foot for a half-day walking tour of Old Barcelona’s historic Gothic Quarter. Take a journey back in time, and discover Roman remains and medieval palaces in the heart of the city. You’ll stroll past medieval Roman walls and towers dating back to the 4th century, meander through narrow stone alleyways of the old Jewish Quarter, and stand at the center of the governmental square Plaça de Sant Jaume. Walk past the 15th century Casa de l’Ardiaca, former residence of the archdeacon, and enjoy the visit to the 13th century Barcelona Cathedral, with its stunning neo-Gothic facade, and delightful stained glass windows. After soaking up Barcelona’s historic core, travel like a local as your guide hails a taxi to bring you to famed Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi’s iconic Sagrada Familia, where you’ll get to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site and a monumental masterpiece of architecture – still under construction over 100 years after building commenced. One of Barcelona’s must-see sites, it’s the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the entire world, and its unique style is not to be missed. After your visit, you’ll have another taxi ride back to your hotel, though you can choose to continue exploring on your own if you wish.

Lose Yourself in Nature

Enjoy a small-group day tour today, beginning with a drive-through Catalunya countryside to the sacred mountaintop monastery, Montserrat. Located nearly an hour outside of Barcelona, Montserrat has remained one of Spain’s most significant pilgrimage destinations for nearly 1,000 years and is home to an order of approximately eighty Benedictine monks. Your guide will outline several options of how you can spend your time here, offering suggestions like scenic walks, admission to the Montserrat Museum, or a ride on the rack railway or cable car. A visit to the sanctuary where the ‘Moreneta’ (the black virgin) is housed, is always a must. If you can catch the La Escolania de Montserrat boys choir performing (usually at 1:00 pm on weekdays, and noon at the weekend) it’s always a highlight. In the afternoon, you’ll depart Montserrat and head to a winery in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, situated in the Penedès wine-growing region. Tour the winery and enjoy a tasting of some of the best Cava the region produces, offering a refreshing and bubbly end to your day.