Venture on the journey of a lifetime to sunny Spain, where you will experience most of the best that Madrid's culinary scene has to offer. Spirited flamenco music rings out along romantic cobbled streets while children play in verdant plazas, and wafts of sweet saffron careen down busy avenues as locals and tourists gather for midday tapas. Beyond the bustling metropolis, frenzied city life gives way to the serenity of immaculate vineyards and renowned historical sites, including Toledo's...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Madrid - International Arrival and City Highlights Tour
Acoustic buskers line central avenues and serenade infatuated couples as taxis whiz around buzzing roundabouts. Leafy green trees often shimmer beneath the sun's powerful rays while locals flock to large plazas to bask in the summer heat.
In the morning hours, your plane will coast along the tarmac at Madrid's Barajas International Airport. Soon, you will pass through customs and meet your private driver. You will be whisked past beautiful churches and stoic fortresses as you are led through Madrid's impressive downtown. You will learn about the week's exciting gastronomic adventures and enjoy a few hours of relaxation as you settle into your luxurious accommodation.
Then, you can take the city by storm as you embark on a tour of the capital's major highlights. You will amble down Madrid's enchanting streets alongside your expert guide as locals greet you with friendly faces. You will soon grow to love the city center and will even step inside the famed Prado Museum to see internationally acclaimed works of art by artists, such as Francisco de Goya and Diego Velazquez. In the evening, you will delight in an illustrious dinner at the Plaza Mayor, which is where the city reaches its peak enthusiasm. Bands will play, and charismatic vendors will sell souvenirs to passersby. The main plaza will glow as restaurant-goers chatter over a glass of red wine. Here, you will be able to choose from a plethora of tapas delights and enjoy the scenery from a luxurious patio.
What's Included:
Day 2
Madrid - Hands-on Cooking Class and Visit to Local Food Market
Day 3
Madrid - Exquisite Winery Day Trip in the Ayllon Mountains
Day 4
Madrid - Local Flavor in Madrid's Trendy Neighborhoods
Day 5
Toledo - Tour of City of Three Cultures and UNESCO's Alcazar site
Day 6
Madrid - Immersive Delicatessen Shopping and Lively Flamenco Show
Day 7
Madrid - City Farewell and International Departures
Trip Highlights
- Touch down in the bustling city of Madrid and embark on a tour of the city's highlights
- Partake in a hands-on cooking class alongside a private chef and visit a vivacious local food market
- Travel to the Ayllon Mountains and sample some of the finest wines in all of Spain with the help of an expert sommelier
- Venture beyond Madrid's city center and delight in the local flavors of the Malasana and Lavapies neighborhoods
- Delve into the riveting history of Toledo and sample culinary staples that are famous to the region
- Shop for local delicacies in Madrid's energetic downtown and attend a live flamenco show
- Capture photos of the city's exquisite beauty as part of a self-guided exploration and prepare for your international departures
Detailed Description
During this luxurious, 7-day excursion through Spain's illustrious countryside and the bustling capital city of Madrid, you will indulge in world-renowned culinary delights that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. All the while, you will travel alongside your expert guide in addition to meeting with private chefs and world-renowned sommeliers to you learn about the region's captivating history and cultural traditions.
You will begin your exciting gastronomic tour amidst the hustle and bustle of the nation's capital, where you will follow your guide along cobbled streets to uncover the city's rich history that can be found in ornate cathedrals, open-aired plazas, and along romantic walkways. Later that day, you will experience the vivacious energy that can be found in Madrid's markets. Here, you can chat with local vendors and pick out fresh produce for your private cooking class alongside a world-famous chef. The following day, you will travel to Spain's beautiful countryside to taste some of the finest wines in the region. An expert sommelier will talk about each wine and will also lead you on a private tour of the vineyard’s estate. When you return to Madrid the following day, you will venture beyond the downtown to experience the vibrant buzz of Lavapies and Malasana neighborhoods.
During the second half of your trip, you will embark on another trip away from city life, but this time, you will be transferring to the city of Toledo, which is known as the "City of Three Cultures." As you stroll through the downtown, which snakes along the Tagus River, you will uncover fascinating relics of Jewish, Christian, and Arabic cultures that span hundreds of years. You will step inside the famed Alcazar, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and sample local food, such as the city's famed partridge dish and the rich saffron spice. Finally, you will return to Madrid to shop and tour local delicatessens before attending an authentic flamenco show where dancers will steal your breath away with their passionate expressions and impressive footwork. As you say your final farewells, you can think about the lovely Spanish meal that you will cook for family and friends as soon as you return.
Consider learning more about our travelers’ favorite travel experiences by reading their Spain travel reviews.
Starting Price
$1,675 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
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.91 stars based on 1881 reviews.
Reviewed By Benjamin G.
Reviewed By Debra R.
Reviewed By Jenny H.
Reviewed By Michael G.
Reviewed By Emily M.
Reviewed By Linda E.