Best of Spain

Upon arrival, you need to reach the hotel by yourself. The hotel we booked for you is located in the city center, and the best way to access is by the Airport Express Line 203 from the airport to Cibeles Station. Getting off the bus, walk south along Prado Avenue about 800 meters to the hotel. A single journey costs €5 and takes about 1 hour. Using Uber would be more convenient and faster, while the price is around €30.

Activities Recommendation: 
► Stroll Around Puerta del Sol and Gran Via!
If you arrive early, taking a stroll at Puerta del Sol is a must-do activity. In this central city square, you can get a first impression of Madrid and experience the vibrant local vibe. Apart from seeing the famous statue El Oso y el Madroño, you can also glimpse the kilometer zero marker of Spain’s road network, enjoy street performance, and explore the nearby boutiques and stores. However, be careful with your belongings as Puerta del Sol has serious pickpocket problems. Finish the square visit, and you can continue to Gran Via, the most famous business street in central Madrid, lined with historic buildings, luxury brands, hotels, and restaurants. Also, enjoying an amazing panoramic city view on the rooftop of the RIU Hotel at Gran Via is possible at the cost of €10.

► Eat Healthy Food at Honest Greens
This restaurant is just located at Gran Via 7, featuring seasonal healthy food, also tasty as well. No processed or refined food will be offered and they don't even have Coke or any kind of soda water. ️For the average price of €10-20 per person, the food quality is beyond your imagination. Grilled vegetables, paired with a choice of meat, restore the taste of the food, and let you love it in just one bite! The restaurant also boasts an inviting ambiance, predominantly adorned with wooden furnishings.

Inclusions:
Accommodation: Mercure Madrid Centro (4 stars) or similar

Today, you are suggested to have a whole day for Madrid city exploration. In the morning, roam around the Plaza de Espana to see the statue of Cervantes, the famous Spanish writer and his famous character, Don Quixote. Next, head to the Royal Palace of Madrid to view the typical palace masterpiece of the Bourbon Dynasty and its beautiful Sabatini Gardens. After that, explore the Catedral de la Almudena next to the palace, and it features a beautiful ceiling and vault with colorful stained glass windows. You will also have a chance to overlook the whole city standing on the rooftop of the church.

► Mercado de San Miguel or Mercado Anton Martin?
At noon, you can move to Madrid’s most popular food market, the Mercado de San Miguel, to taste tapas. Mercado de San Miguel features a large variety of Spanish specialties like paella, fresh seafood, ham, and tasty fruits. Having a cup of Sangria and paired with 2-3 kinds of tapas, just enjoy a simple lunch like locals do. As the most famous food market in Madrid, Mercado de San Miguel’s food does have a higher price and you can see long queues in front of many stalls. Compared to San Miguel, Mercado Anton Martin has a fairer price and more locals love to go there. However, it features separate restaurants and you may not taste many kinds of snacks at one time.

After lunch, walk around the central city square, Plaza Mayor, and then you will go to today’s highlight, Prado Museum, the most important museum in Spain which ranks among the world’s top museums, collecting the finest European artworks from the medieval to early modern period (11th-18th centuries). Finish enjoying the masterpieces of Velasquez, Goya and El Greco, and you can then wind down at El Retiro Park, featuring beautiful fountains and a special monument to Lucifer. It is a good place to take a gentle and relaxing pace to stroll around. Getting out of the park, you can see the spectacular Alcalá Gate. Today’s last stop, you are suggested to visit Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the iconic football venue of the world’s most successful football club Real Madrid.

Mealtimes in Spain: Why Do Spaniards Eat Late?
Traveling in Spain, you may find Spaniards always eat late. The lunch time is around 14:00-16:00 and the dinner time is almost after 21:00. Before 1942, Spain used Greenwich Mean Time, which corresponds to its geographical location. However, during the WWII, General Franco changed Spain's time to be the same as that of Nazi Germany. Spanish people didn’t surrender it and kept the original schedule, and thus the meal times had become 1 hour later than before.

Inclusions:
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Madrid Centro (4 stars) or similar

We will book a morning train ticket for you to the next destination, Seville. You need to go to the Madrid Atocha Train Station by yourself. The train station is only about 1.2 km from your hotel, easy to reach by Metro Line 1. The Madrid – Seville train journey takes about 3 hours and your hotel in Seville is also very close to Seville Santa Justa Train Station, with a distance of about 2km, connecting by Bus Line C5. Getting off the bus at Estación de tren Sevilla-San Bernardo, walk west about 350 meters, and you can see the hotel, which is located rightly near the most beautiful city square in Spain, Plaza de España.

Activities Suggested: Stroll Around the Metropol Parasol & Enjoy a Real Flamenco Dance
Besides exploring the gorgeous Plaza de España, this afternoon is also great for appreciating one of the world’s largest timber structures, Metropol Parasol, featuring a futuristic design and undulating honeycombed canopy. Surrounded by cafes, restaurants and shops, this is a great place to spend a leisurely time. What’s more, you can buy a ticket for €15 to climb to the rooftop terrace to enjoy an amazing panoramic city view.

In the evening, enjoying an authentic flamenco show at its birthplace is an unmissable thing since you have come to Seville. The best way is to enjoy it at a professional theater or a bar. Teatro Flamenco Sevilla is recommended and generally there are two performances daily at 17:30 and 19.30. The ticket fare is €25 per person, much cheaper than that in Madrid, and you’d better book it ahead of time.

Inclusions:
Madrid - Seville train ticket
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Melia Sevilla (4 stars) or similar

For your Seville exploration, we suggest visiting Seville Cathedral & La Giralda in the morning. As the world’s third largest cathedral, it has a lot of things to explore. Despite its awe-inspiring Gothic structure and centuries-old history, it boasts the Tomb of Christopher Columbus. La Giralda in the cathedral with typical Moorish architectural style is another highlight, where you can also overlook the city at its top.

►  Fun Fact: Tomb of Christopher Columbus - Carried by 4 Kings!
Designed by Spanish architect and sculptor Arturo Melida, the Tomb of Christopher Columbus is carried by Spain’s 4 kings in different periods: Castilla, Leon, Navarra, and Aragon. The patterns on the statues’ surroundings and coats are castles, lions, vertical bars and chain nets, representing the 4 kingdoms’ flags. Through that, you can see how important he is in Spain’s history. It was under the sponsorship of Ferdinand II and Isabella I, Columbus made his first discovery to the “New World”. However, after the death of Isabella, Ferdinand stopped the sponsorship. It is said that Columbus's last words before death showed he didn’t want to set foot on Spain’s soil again. And that’s also why the tomb is designed to be carried in the air.

At noon, you can roam around the Santa Cruz old town area to sip a cup of coffee or enjoy some local food. After lunch, start the exploration of Real Alcázar Palace, where the Game of Thrones once filmed and you can see the familiar scenes of the kingdom of Dorne. As one of the oldest royal palaces in Europe, it offers more than that, and you will be amazed at its perfect fusion of Christian and Moorish styles. The next stop is Torre de Oro Military, once a military watchtower to monitor the ships and now it is a maritime museum. Then you can visit Plaza de Toros de Sevilla, one of the most important bullrings in Spain. Finish the visit, and you can walk across the historical Puente de Isabel, also known as Triana Bridge. If you are interested in learning how to cook Spanish dishes, a cooking class in the Triana Market is also great to experience.

Dining Recommendation: Taste Spanish Churros at the Century-old Bar El Comercio
Referring to the delicious local food, you cannot miss the tasty churros at Bar El Comercio, which generally opens from 7:30 to 21:00. The crispy hot fried dough paired with a cup of hot chocolate cannot taste better. 6 churros only cost 5€. Apart from churros, various tapas like croquettes, jamón and olive oil sandwiches are also great. Some drinks include coffee, vermut, beer, and sherry.

Inclusions:
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Melia Sevilla (4 stars) or similar

Today, you will explore Ronda, known as the birthplace of bullfighting. If by train, a transfer is necessary and more time is needed, so we book a direct bus ticket for you to save time. From your hotel, walk northwest about 500 meters to Prado San Sebastián (Carlos V) to take Bus Line EA Torneo (Estacion Plz. Armas) at the cost of €4. Then walk about 200 meters to Estación de Autobuses “Plaza de Armas” for the 2.5-hour bus to Ronda. After arrival, walk south about 700 meters and you can reach the nice hotel we reserved for you.

Ronda boasts Spain’s most romantic city and Ernest Hemingway's favorite city, and it was built around a deep gorge which is spanned by the spectacular New Bridge (Puente Nuevo). The bridge is one of the most photographed buildings in Spain and your Ronda exploration is also around the remarkable structure.

Recommended Sightseeing Route:
New Bridge (Puente Nuevo) - Old Bridge (Puente Viejo) - Plaza de Toros de Ronda (Ronda’s Bullring) - La Casa del Rey Moro (House of the Moorish King) - Arab Baths Archaeological Site - Alameda del Tajo Park
► Tips: 
1. Ronda is a small town and it is best explored on foot. Stuff a pair of non-slippery shoes as you need to walk on lots of uphill and downhill stony roads.
2. Don’t forget to taste Ronda’s specialty - Oxtail Stew.
3. Want to watch a fantastic Ronda bullfight show? It only has a week time in September for the Ronda bullfight show which invites very famous bullfighters. So the tickets are in very high demand and often cost hundreds of euros or more. If you visit Ronda in September, do not miss it and book a ticket in advance.

Inclusions:
Seville - Ronda bus ticket
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Catalonia Ronda (4 stars) or similar

Today a morning train ticket will be reserved for you to Granada and you will explore the City of Pomegranate. You can walk about 10 minutes to the train station (Estación de tren Ronda) to take the train. Though this is not a direct train, the transfer at the same station is easy to operate. After a 3.5-hour train journey, just walk about 600 meters to reach Catalonia Granada, the pre-booked well-equipped hotel.

After check-in, this afternoon is ideal to go sightseeing at Albayzin, the old town area of Granada. Ambling around the historic Moorish Quarter, you can enjoy Islamic architecture, discover interesting cafes, see the whitewashed houses and experience the rich multicultural history when stepping on winding cobbled streets. Arabic baths in Granada are also well worth a try to have a hammam experience. In the late afternoon, it is recommended to reach the observation deck Mirador de San Nicolás, through which you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the city and majestic Alhambra Palace under the beautiful sunset.

Tips:
1. Wear a pair of comfortable sneakers as you may climb a lot of stony roads. And ladies don’t wear high-heeled shoes.
2. The walking time of the old town from Google Map is only for reference and the real walk time may double.
3. The frequently-used cab-booking apps are Uber and local Pidetaxi. Taxis are also available as it often costs 5-7 euros for a single journey.

Inclusions:
Ronda - Granada train ticket
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Catalonia Granada (4 stars) or similar

Today you will spend 3-5 hours and even more to visit the highlight of Granada, the Alhambra, boasting as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Combining palace, fortress, and citadel in one complex, this is the most shining star of the Moorish architecture. In Arabic, "Al Hambra" actually means "Red Fort" as it was built with red stones. Among a lot of palaces, Nasrid Palaces are the essence and you will be amazed at its intricate carvings and antique wooden ceilings. The Generalife that served as the past summer palace also offers breathtakingly beautiful gardens, exquisite courtyards and walkways.
► Visit Tips of the Alhambra
1. As the Alhambra is so large, we recommend the following route to better take in the charm of the palace: Nasrid Palaces → Palace of Charles V → Alcazaba →  Jardines del Paraíso → Jardines del Generalife → Cta. del Rey Chico
2. Nasrid Palaces are undoubtedly highlight and it requires visitors to enter according to the timed ticket and make sure you enter from the right gate. 
3. When visiting, to avoid accidental damage to the carvings or sculptures, you are required to wear backpacks on the front.
4. The tickets of the Alhambra are really in hot demand and book the ticket on its official website at least one month in advance.

After the Alhambra exploration, continue to visit Granada Cathedral. The massive Catholic Church was built based on a mosque and it’s a representative of Spanish Renaissance masterpiece. Then move to Capilla Real de Granada (Royal Chapel of Granada), the Isabelline-style chapel known as the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs Isabel I de Castilla(1451 - 1504) and Fernando II de Aragón (1452 - 1516). Afterward, we will visit San Jeronimo Monastery (Real Monasterio de San Jerónimo), another marvelous Spanish Baroque-style ancient church, featuring some fine works of Gil de Siloe, one of the greatest Spanish sculptors. Your final stop today would be Basílica de San Juan de Dios with a gorgeous and lavishly decorated interior.

Inclusions:
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Catalonia Granada (4 stars) or similar

This day, your Granada visit comes to an end and you will take a flight to Barcelona. Surely, we will provide you with the flight ticket in advance. From Hotel Catalonia Granada to the airport, taking the airport bus line 245 is the best way. Walk northwest about 200 meters to Constitución 4 Station to take the bus and it takes about 40 minutes to reach. The ticket fare is 3 euros. If taking a taxi, it costs about 25-30 euros.

The Granada - Barcelona flight takes about 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, to get to your hotel in the downtown area, R2N train service is recommended. Take it to Passeig de Gràcia, and there is still 1 kilometer to the hotel, easy to access by taxi.

Activities Recommended:
For afternoon sightseeing, it is recommended to go to Tibidado, the tallest mountain in the city where you can overlook the whole city. Another optional choice to experience the best 360º city view is Bunkers del Carmel. If you are interested in Picasso, one of the most influential Spanish artists of the 20th century, just visit the Picasso Museum where you can view some of his works in his formative years.

Inclusions:
Granada - Barcelona flight ticket
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Evenia Rosello, Barcelona (4 stars) or similar

Barcelona is splashed with Antoni Gaudí’s enchanting and unique architecture. Today you can explore the four most iconic works including the most famous Sagrada Familia. Today’s first stop is Park Güell, located high in Barcelona, perfectly showcasing Gaudi’s fun artistic taste and its special architectural style. Two fountains at the entrance of the park have colorful surfaces made of Mosaic porcelain pieces of vivid shapes. Standing at the central square, you can also enjoy a beautiful full view of the city. Next, head to Sagrada Familia, the imposing Catholic church not only features its brilliant innovative structure of Catalan Modernisme, but also famous for its super long construction time of over 142 years. It keeps being the largest unfinished cathedral in the world. After enjoying its grandeur, continue to Casa Batlló and Casa Milà to be amazed at Gaudi’s talented masterpieces. At noon, don’t miss tasting local snacks at the popular Mercat de la Boqueria.

In the afternoon, take a stroll in the historical Gothic Quarter, with rowdy narrowed streets, which are full of monuments and history. You can drop by the Barcelona Cathedral and Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar, both of which are old beautiful churches. After that, you can try sailing the cruise to enjoy the sunset on the sea, which is one of the most memorable experiences in Barcelona.

Important Tips to Avoid Pickpockets in Barcelona:
1. Don't bring valuables with you.
2. Don’t carry cash just in one pocket, and try to keep it close to you.
3. Wear your backpack or shoulder bag on the front.
4. Hold the mobile phone in your hand rather than carry it in your pocket. Do not play with the mobile phone standing at the subway door or on the road in case someone snatches it from your hand when the door closes.

Activities Recommendation: Night Experience of Casa Milà
Want to enjoy a 360° night view of Barcelona? Then do not miss a night tour to explore the Casa Milà. At night, the magic light show will make the fantastic architecture even more charming. With a guide from the scenic area, you will enjoy a visit with far fewer crowds at night. Generally, the night tour will be open between 20:40-22:00 from every Thursday to Saturday and a ticket costs 39 euros. The Flower Courtyard, Whale Attic, Warrior Rooftop, and Butterfly Courtyard will all be open during the period. At the end of the tour, you can also enjoy a glass of cava and sweets! 

Inclusions:
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Evenia Rosello, Barcelona (4 stars) or similar

Today you need to go to the airport by yourself for a homeward journey. Like the way you came, the best transport is still to ride the R2N train from Passeig de Gràcia, taking about 30 minutes.

If your departure time is late and you can also spend some time in nearby Tossa de Mar. The coastal medieval town features old buildings, blue clear water, and sugar-white sandy beaches. The old town is only about 80 km from Barcelona, and you can reach it in 1.5 hours by bus. Wish you a pleasant journey!

Inclusions:
Meal: Breakfast

► Note: If you want to extend your vacation, have more accommodations booking, or reserve the tickets for attractions, and performances like a flamenco show, or a guided tour, please feel free to contact us to get a quote! All of our itineraries can be tailored based on your needs and interests.