Uncover the essence of culture and history on your 13-day Spain tour that features not one standout city but many, each unique and enticing in a way distinctive to the rest. The architecture provides contrasting backdrops, history is told through a multitude of legends, and the atmosphere is dictated by the vibrancy of a very localized culture in ten exceptional and diverse odes to a country unlike anywhere else.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Barcelona – Wandering the Cobblestone Streets of the Gothic Quarter
Where better to start than the cobbled lanes of history, the scents of Roman heritage etched into the heart of Barcelona’s Barri Gothic? The past and present merge seamlessly here, something that comes to the fore in almost all the cities you are going to visit. Wine bars are built into the remains of early monasteries, buskers play seductively beside epic stone cathedrals, and the chatter from terraces hums beneath buildings that slope with the demands of time. After a chauffeured airport transfer, the afternoon and evening are at your leisure, a hotel in the Gothic quarter allowing easy access to the lanes and sights at Barcelona’s heart.
What's Included:
Day 2
Barcelona – A Panoramic on Barcelona, Including the Best of the Modernist Movement
Day 3
Granada – The Lavish Alhambra and a Moorish Architectural Legacy
Day 4
Ronda – The Romance of One of Spain’s Oldest City
Day 5
Gibraltar – Contrasts of Independence and Andalusia’s White Villages
Day 6 - 7
Seville – Fiery Layers, From Moorish Flickers to Conquistadors and the Exuberant Atmosphere of Today
Day 8
Madrid – The Alluring Sophistication of Old Islamic Culture
Day 9
Madrid – Mesmerizing Art and the Palaces of the Past
Day 10
Salamanca – Astonishing City Walls and the Legend of Salamanca
Day 11
Salamanca – Gothic to Baroque to Renaissance and Pleasures on the Terraces
Day 12
Segovia – An Epic Roman Legacy and Final Evening of Fine Tapas
Day 13
Madrid – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Explore the revolutionary design of the Modernist movement in Barcelona, a city that makes for an iconic introduction to Spain
- Uncover the Moorish legacy of Granada, a city enshrined in medieval legend
- Spend two nights in one of Spain’s oldest cities, 3,000 years of history enveloping you in whitewashed mountain-top Ronda
- Take a peek into the contradictions of today with a day in Gibraltar, a city-state seeking to create a new identity
- Soak up the exuberance and enchantment of Seville, a wonderful city that enhances the layers of history with the atmosphere of the modern day
- The exoticism of ancient Islamic culture provides a beautiful memory with a day in Cordoba
- Madrid immerses you in world-renowned art and the regal tastes of the monarchs, which is all just the start of what you can admire in the capital
- Wander beneath the whitewashed walls and spend a morning in Avila, an enchanting city rooted in the 11th century
- World Heritage Salamanca provides an endearing insight into contrasting architectural movements, from Renaissance to Gothic to Baroque, as told by the sculpted figures that look down from the monuments
- Segovia symbolizes the juxtapositions of Spain’s cities, a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct cutting straight through plazas filled with relaxed terraces
- Exploring contrasting cities offers a wonderful insight into Spanish cuisine, and you will enjoy distinctive flavors at each of the destinations you visit
Detailed Description
In some European countries, there are unmissable city experiences. Imagine a first-time trip to France without Paris, England without London, or Italy without Rome. In Spain, there is no single defining city, even if Barcelona may make that claim. From Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia to the exquisite Moorish alcazars, the architecture changes dramatically between the cities, each with a very distinctive design and flavor. From mountaintop perches to arid plains and Mediterranean waters, each city has its own natural backdrop. Each is blessed with a history of stories and fables that weave their way across cobbled lanes and central plazas. Cuisine and culture also vary drastically, inspired by a proud regional independence and demand for the unique.
Across these cities, there is one piece of culture that frames everything and creates the atmosphere. Languid hours are spent on al fresco terraces, and there is always enough time for another drink or plate of tapas. While these cities are distinctive, they also showcase the similarities of the Spanish experience. Visit Paris or London, and you must consciously search for the real city, but in Spain, authenticity comes naturally, and by visiting ten different cities, you will come to recognize that what ties all these places together is greater than what makes them distinct. While ten cities in 13 days may sound like a lot, Spain is relatively compact and blessed with excellent transport connections, ensuring you move at a pace that is suited to the laid-back style of the country.
Start in Barcelona, Gaudi’s feats among the highlights of the Catalonian city on the coast. It is a short flight to Granada, a city of contradictions, grand yet gritty, held together by the Moorish Alhambra palace and a medieval legacy. Spend a day in Ronda, 3,000 years old and counting, perched on a mountain above Andalusia. Contemporary culture marks a day in Gibraltar, where regional independence is magnified. Continuing in the south of the country, you spend time amid the colors and energy of Seville. There are so many layers of history and culture to admire, from a night of flamenco to a canvas of artisanal design and color.
Stop in Cordoba, a testament to the beauty of old Islamic culture and the world’s most cultural city from 800 to 1000 AD. Art and royal palaces provide charm in Madrid, along with maze-like central lanes that make it feel like a sleepy city, not a capital. Then spend the final days on the central plains, first admiring Avila, a city enclosed by breathtaking medieval walls. Salamanca is a gem in the middle of nowhere, 800 years of refined design showing the juxtapositions of Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance. Then you are off to Segovia which offers you a final hurrah, its Roman aqueduct still dominating the city after 2,000 years. In all these great cities, you are immersed in a legacy of the past that is etched with the fresh strokes of a changing country.
Zicasso works closely with the best Spain travel operators to ensure that you have a fully customized trip of a lifetime.
Starting Price
$5,100 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.91 stars based on 2631 reviews.
The trip was fantastic. Everything that was scheduled was well planned, with excellent tour guides, communication with the guides, as well as travel agents live during the trip. The experience was five-star and we could tell that the way it was booked through Zicasso was better for the guides themselves versus how others in our group had booked (ie, through other agencies). There were fewer obstacles, complications, and issues with the booking. We could tell this through our tour guides, as they were more comfortable and knowledgeable about our requests and needs.
Tickets were all organized and either sent to us through PDF or to our tour guides. The off days were were well placed during the week and our requests were more than satisfied.
Reviewed By Shaheed H.
Zicasso's travel specialist did an amazing job! She planned our itinerary well, based on our interests, the cities we wanted to visit, and the experiences we requested. All of the accommodations and transportation worked out well, and we enjoyed the trip a lot!
The only downside was one night with a late-night tour scheduled, followed by an early-morning hot-air balloon ride, which was hard to get up for in time, but we managed. Despite this, we would definitely recommend our travel company to anyone traveling to Spain!
Reviewed By Evan C.
Our Zicasso travel specialist was phenomenal. She understood exactly how we travel and what we wanted to do, and planned a 12-day trip to Mallorca and San Sebastián that was better than we even imagined. She was always responsive before and throughout the trip. All of the tour guides and drivers were kind, knowledgeable, and timely. Our travel company delivers exceptional first-rate service and we would highly recommend them.
Reviewed By Lisa S.
Zicasso is an excellent platform. It curates the perfect trip based on your individual needs. We have used them before and will in the future. We have recommended the company to many friends and family members.
Reviewed By Amy J.
The logistics were managed excellently by Zicasso's travel company. The guides were all knowledgeable and accommodating.
Reviewed By Mark J.
Zicasso's travel expert was exceptional in his attentiveness and responsiveness. He helped me to design a trip for my family, a group of 10 ranging in age from 13 to 80-plus. The result fit comfortably within my budget and included activities to suit everyone. I very much appreciated his responsiveness while assisting me with questions and issues that arose during the trip. I never felt alone.
Reviewed By Leslie W.