Classical Spain

Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then to our overnight hotel in the Paris area.

Continuing south, we travel towards into Spain and to Barcelona, for two nights.

Today we include a sightseeing tour of Barcelona with a visit to the Gothic Quarter and an insight into the architectural modernism of Antonio Gaudi. Truly one of the great tourist cities in the world, Barcelona has a huge number of attractions and could keep anyone entertained for a week let alone a day. You will have free time to enjoy in this magnificent city and to try and take in as many highlights as possible. Walk the streets of the Barri Gotic, the old town and shop on Las Ramblas, enjoy Antoni Gaudi's fantastic modernist artwork at the Parc Guell and the as yet unfinished but already iconic Sagrada Familia. Alternatively take a more leisurely approach and ride the harbour cable car for fantastic views across the city and the Mediterranean sea.

We leave Barcelona and head towards Madrid via a stop in Zaragoza, home to the Church of our Lady of the Pillar which is amazingly decorated with paintings by Goya on the ceiling. Continue to Madrid for three nights.

Enjoy our optional sightseeing tour of Madrid before you have free time to explore the capital city of Spain. It is famous for stunning architecture and its world-renowned museums including the Prado which houses pieces by Goya, Rubens, Botticelli and Caravaggio among many others. Enjoy taking in the atmosphere at one of the city’s vibrant squares such as the Puerta del Sol, the Plaza Mayor or the Plaza de la Villa.

Madrid Sightseeing can be pre-booked to secure your place.

Enjoy a day at leisure in Madrid, or alternatively join us as we travel to Segovia, famous for the magnificent Aqueduct. You will struggle to find as good an example of Roman grandeur anywhere else in Spain. You will have free time to explore the quaint squares and terracotta buildings all set against the backdrop of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

We depart after breakfast for a visit to Toledo, the City of Three Cultures’ famous for its medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian monuments. We continue south to Seville, where we stay for three nights.

Uncover Seville’s fascinating history and ancient sights. See the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Alcazar, the Cathedral, and the General Archive of the Indies. Be amazed by the expansive Plaza de Espana, and soak up the bustling atmosphere this city is so well-known for.  Join our optional guided city tour, including a visit to the Jewish Quarter of Santa Cruz which is known for its winding streets and as the prettiest area of the city. See the incredible Cathedral, the third largest church in the world and over 500 years old. Please note that the Seville Sightseeing tour does involve a degree of walking and is not suitable for any clients with walking difficulties.

The Seville Guided Sightseeing Tour is highly recommended and includes entrance to the Alcazar Royal Palace, so must be booked in advance. The cost is from £60 and includes a fully guided tour. Please ask for details when booking this holiday.

Join our optional excursion to Cadiz. Located on a peninsula jutting into the Gulf of Cadiz, the city is surrounded almost entirely by water and thanks to its historical trade links, it has many foreign influences that are still visible today. Narrow cobbled streets, small squares and weather-beaten buildings dating back to the Moors make the old city a charming place to explore with look-out towers used by merchants to spot returning trade ships scattered along the skyline.

We leave Seville and head to Granada. En route we make a stop in Cordoba, famous for the Great Mosque of Cordoba, the Mezquita, and the symbol of the city. Wander the narrow alleys and streets of the old town discovering squares and whitewashed courtyards. We continue to Granada for two nights.

Join our included excursion to Granada, with an optional visit to the world-famous Alhambra Palace. The medieval complex which was the last stronghold of the Moors in Europe is made up of a fortress, a palace and pretty gardens. See beautiful ornamental architecture, lush gardens and amazing views across the city. Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains Granada itself is a beautiful city and after our visit to the Alhambra we will explore the rest of the sights and attractions on offer.

A visit to the Alhambra Palace and its beautiful gardens is highly recommended and extremely popular, and must be booked in advance. The cost is from £55 and includes a fully guided tour. Please ask for details when booking this holiday.

We head north through the heart of Spain to Burgos, where we stay for two nights.

Spend the day in Burgos. The cathedral and old quarter are masterpieces of Spanish Gothic architecture. See the statue of El Cid, Burgos’ most famous son, can be seen on the north side of the San Pablo bridge, and his tomb is located in the centre of Burgos cathedral.

It is time to leave Spain behind and start our journey back towards the UK. We will cross the border into France and overnight in the Bordeaux area.

We continue our journey through France to the Paris area for our last overnight.

Return home.