Day 1 - Arrive Barcelona, Spain
Upon arrival, you are met by your A&K representative and
escorted to your hotel. Get to know your fellow guests at
tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 2 - Barcelona
Embark on a panoramic tour of culture-rich Barcelona. Let
your inner foodie run wild on a stroll through La Boqueria — one of the finest food markets in Europe, where fresh
goods have traded hands for hundreds of years. Peruse the
vast array of produce, meats, seafood and sweet treats, and
perhaps stop by one of its many eateries to sample something
on the spot. Explore the narrow cobblestone streets and wide
plazas of the Gothic Quarter and its fantastic Palau de la
Música Catalana concert hall. You also experience a tasting
of Spanish olive oil, an essential component of the local
cuisine. Enjoy more of this captivating city with an afternoon
at leisure. Perhaps stroll Las Ramblas, the pedestrian-friendly
avenue that draws equal amounts of visitors and locals, and
browse the inviting shops and cafés. As with other cities in
Spain, Barcelona truly comes alive at night, and this evening
is a perfect opportunity to experience it firsthand, as taverns
and tapas bars spill over with spirited conversation.
Day 3 - Barcelona
Discover more of vibrant Barcelona, focusing today on the
city’s one-of-a-kind architecture. Visit the wild Sagrada
Familia Basilica, the most-visited monument in Spain, began
by Gaudí in 1883 and still unfinished today; it is currently
scheduled to be completed in 2026, the centenary of its
architect’s death. Drive past Casa Milà on your way to hilltop
Montjuïc with its sculptural gardens and castle, a place with a
checkered and often bloody history until it was designated a
museum by Francisco Franco. Next, immerse yourself in the most notable creations of Antoni Gaudí, possibly the most
famous Spanish architect of modern times. Gaudí was the
premier proponent of Modernisme, a distinctly Spanish take
on Art Nouveau, and his free-flowing, extravagantly detailed
structures are unmistakable. After lunch, fly to Granada, an
ancient Moorish capital.
Day 4 - Granada & Ronda
Begin your day with a visit to the ancient palace and glorious
gardens of the Alhambra, an incredible example of Moorish
influence and Islamic architecture. Occupying over 1.5
million square feet, this sprawling complex served as the seat
of power for the Islamic emirs throughout the 14th century,
later becoming a royal palace for Ferdinand and Isabella.
Explore Granada at leisure before departing for clifftop
Ronda, where you check in to your boutique hotel opposite
the bullring. Enjoy a short walking tour that introduces you to the rich history of Ronda, followed by dinner. The city is
known for bullfighting, and its Plaza de Toros is the oldest
bullring in Spain. Ernest Hemingway did much to popularize
both this controversial sport and Ronda itself, and a paseo
(scenic walkway) bearing his name begins near the plaza;
another, dedicated to fellow aficionado Orson Welles, is
located nearby.
Day 5 - Gibraltar, United Kingdom
Travel west to the Rock of Gibraltar, technically an overseas
territory of Great Britain, and a symbolic bridge linking
Europe and Africa. Visit St. Michael’s Cave and observe
Gibraltar’s Barbary macaques, the only wild monkeys in
Europe. Return to Ronda with time to relax and explore one
of Andalusia’s most beautiful pueblos blancos (white villages).
Day 6 - Seville
Travel through the mountains to Jerez, home of golden
sherry, a distinctive fortified wine eagerly consumed the
world over. Only wine from grapes grown in this region
can properly be called sherry, and aficionados have many
varieties to choose from, ranging from light-bodied fino to
robust oloroso. Sample some of these for yourself during a
visit to a bodega. Continue to Seville, later departing in style
on a horse-drawn carriage ride for an authentic culinary
adventure. Prepare for an evening tapas feast to remember, savoring delicious tapas from two of the city's traditional
restaurants.
Day 7 - Seville
Explore the sites in this uniquely lovely city: the Royal
Palace of the Alcázar; the enormous Gothic cathedral; and,
of course, the Santa Cruz district, with its sun-drenched
avenues, venerable architecture and shaded squares. The
afternoon is at leisure to venture out on your own. Tonight,
stroll to a resplendent palace nearby, where the owners take
you on a tour and host your private dinner. Then, enjoy a
performance of flamenco dancing and singing on the patio
of this historic home.
Day 8 - Córdoba
Set out for Córdoba to visit the Mezquita, the cathedral and
former great mosque of the city, and an extraordinary fusion
of European and Moorish styles that encapsulates much of
Spanish history in a single structure. Continue for a stroll down
the famous Street of Flowers, a picturesque lane in the city’s
Old Town, where potted flowers dot the walls of the charming
old houses. In the afternoon, board your high-speed AVE train
to Madrid.
Day 9 - Madrid
View the Prado Museum’s extensive collection, featuring
some of the greatest Spanish masters, including El Greco, Velázquez and Goya. Then, visit the Royal Palace, followed
by a short walk to the Plaza Mayor, and the marvelous
iron-and-glass San Miguel Market, where locals have been
hawking and buying since the early 19th century. Later, join
your Resident Tour Director for a farewell dinner.
Day 10 - Depart Madrid
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.