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10 Day Grand Tour of Spain
Highlights: Barcelona, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Madrid
Trip start: Barcelona
Trip end: Madrid
Price Range from £1,576 to £1,860 *
* GBP per person based on 2-4 people, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.

National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth '98.33 Client Satisfaction Rating'

Winner National Geographic 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth'
2008 & 2009

Trip Summary
Map of Itinerary
Expand [+]

Start your tour in Barcelona. Strategically located on the Mediterranean, Barcelona enjoys a temperate climate, a magnificent historical centre, is the epicentre of all things gastronomic, and an architect's dream with the many art deco buildings scattered throughout the city. Famous for its shopping and infamous for its nightlife! Fly to Granada and the spectacular Alhambra Palace perched on a cliff top overlooking this historic ancient city. Combining centuries of architecture and three major religions, it is a fascinating city to explore. Continue by train to Cordoba to see the "Mezquita de Cordoba" a grand cathedral built inside one of the world's largest mosques. Onward by train to Seville and a downtown packed with superlatives and built with the money of the New World. The world's largest cathedral, twin mosque towers as in Marrakech, and tapas laden bars ready for exploration. Take the high speed train to Madrid, home of the Royals, the enormous city centre public garden known as El Retiro, the Prado museum and the Plaza Major. Que bueno!

Day Activities Hotel
Day 1
Barcelona
  • Barcelona: Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
  • Welcome package - Package
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Optional Activities
  • Dinner (not included)
Balmes (3*) (B)
Day 2
Barcelona
  • Shared - 1/2 d Barcelona Highlights (6hrs) - Coach/Guide
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
Balmes (3*) (B)
Day 3
Granada
  • Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
  • Air - Barcelona - Granada [Direct, 1 hr] - Economy
  • Granada: Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Optional Cultural Activities:Culinary tasting, Tapas Tour, Cooking/Flamenco/Spanish/Ceramic Painting
  • Dinner (not included)
Palacio de los Navas (3*) (B)
Day 4
Granada
  • Shared - 1/2 d Alhambra Palace (3.5hrs) - Coach/Guide
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
Palacio de los Navas (3*) (B)
Day 5
Cordoba
  • Transfer - Private - Train Station - Vehicle/Driver
  • Train - Granada - Cordoba [2.5 hrs] - 2nd Class Train Ticket
  • Cordoba: Transfer - Private - Train station - Vehicle/Driver
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
El Conquistador (4*) (B)
Day 6
Seville
  • Self-Guided - Medina Azahara - Tourist bus ticket
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Transfer - Private - Cordoba - Seville [2 hrs] - Vehicle/Driver
  • Dinner (not included)
Eurostars Regina (3*) (B)
Day 7
Seville
  • Seville: Self-Guided - Hop on-Hop off - Bus ticket
  • Optional Activities
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
Eurostars Regina (3*) (B)
Day 8
Madrid
  • Transfer - Private - Train Station - Vehicle/Driver
  • Train - Seville - Madrid [3 hrs] - 2nd Class Train Ticket
  • Madrid: Transfer - Private - Train Station - Vehicle/Driver
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Optional Activities
  • Dinner (not included)
Room Mate Laura (3*) (B)
Day 9
Madrid
  • Shared - 1/2 d City Sights with Royal Palace (4hrs) - Coach/Guide
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dinner (not included)
Room Mate Laura (3*) (B)
Day 10
Madrid
  • Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
Depart (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive

Trip Options
All of our itineraries may be customized as you wish, add extra days, change a hotel, see different sights, change the class of train tickets. Contact one of our expert consultants for your free, no-obligation vacation plan.

Itinerary

Day 1 Barcelona

In Barcelona, and throughout Catalonia, there are two official languages: Catalan, the language of the Catalans, and Spanish, the official language of Spain.Wherever you are in Barcelona, there's always something to see nearby around the neighbourhood or district: jewels of home-grown Catalan architecture, modernisme, and contemporary architecture, markets that are a treat for the senses, treasures of the ancient Roman and medieval city, parks where you can unwind … And the best thing of all is, you don't have to be a great explorer to find and discover all of Barcelona’s neighbourhoods. Barcelona is legendary for its nightlife, but don't venture out for dinner before 11pm, the restaurants don't really get going till midnight, and the clubs start hopping from the wee hours till dawn.

Meet your driver for a private airport transfer.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

There is so much to see and do both in Barcelona and it's surrounding area. In the city, consider any of the following tours (most available in a shared and private format): explore the gastonomic side of the city doing a cava (Spanish champagne from the region), wine tasting and/or tapas tour, take a cooking class to discover the secrets of Catalan cuisine, see the city on two wheels on a guided biking tour, explore the different neighbourhodds on a walking tour.

Excursions outside of the city include a visit to various wineries in the Penedes region, north of Barcelona, a trip to the seaside resort town of Stges, located close to Barcelona, a visit to the renowned Dali museum in Figueres, a visit to the beautiful city of Girona, a trip to Andorra, visit the Montserrat monastery. PLease speak to your Kensington Tours Sales Advisor if you are interested in doing anyof these (or other) tour options during your stay in Barcelona.

Balmes (3*) is an economy class hotel, situated next to Paseo de Gracia, is located in the Eixample area. A location 25-kilometers from the airport makes this hotel perfect for international travelers. Guests will enjoy easy access via the metro to a myriad of historical, cultural, and tourist attractions, including the Ramblas, Born Quarter, the Olympic Village, and La Sagrada Familia Church. The Liceo Theatre, Guell Park Gothic Park, and the Picasso Museum, are only a stroll away. The hotel features 100 cozy rooms that are adorned with standard amenities, and a distinctive color scheme that uses neutral hues to promote peacefulness. The Balmes Hotel is perfect for travelers that want central city accommodation for a reasonable price.

Overnight at Balmes (3*).


Barcelona
Barcelona
Dali museum in Figueres
Dali museum in Figueres
Balmes Hotel
Balmes Hotel
Day 2 Barcelona

Embark on a 6 hour shared sightseeing coach tour of the city with a guide. This tour provides an insider's view into Barcelona’s culture and history, from its roman origins through the medieval ages to the modern Barcelona of the 20th and 21st centuries. Discover Barcelona's main attractions such as Montjuic Hill and the Olympic Ring, Columbus Monument, the Port, the Cathedral and Gothic Quarter, Gaudi's "Modernista" buildings in the Paseo de Gracia, the Park Guell and the piece de resistence - the church of the Sacred family - La Sagrada Familia.

Overnight at Balmes (3*).


Parc Guell
Parc Guell
Day 3 Granada

Granada's rich Moorish history and the spectacular backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains have long inspired the spirit of romance among inhabitants and visitors alike. The old city has changed little in hundreds of years, and the incomparable Alhambra palace is an architectural masterpiece that should not be missed.

Meet your driver for a private airport transfer.

Enjoy your flight from Barcelona to Granada. Flight duration is approximately one hour.

Meet your driver for a private airport transfer.

Choose to add any number of cultural tours and activities such as a Culinary Tasting, a Tapas Tour, Spanish Cooking Class, Flamenco Show or Class, a Guided tour of Sacromonte, Spanish class, Ceramic Painting Class, or a Painting class in the Albaicín historical quater of the city. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if any of these are of interest.

The hotel is situated at the very heart of Granada's historical district: Calle Navas a point of reference for all people in Granada.

Our central location will allow you to visit within a short walk, the most important monuments of the city, such as the Cathedral, Royal Chapel and the Alhambra citadel, to go shopping to the traditional souk, contemplate the famous Holy Week processions or taste the magnificent “tapas” or appetizers.

Our staff is at your service, attending to our customers in a very careful and personalized way at any time and making your stay a very worthy one.

Overnight at Palacio de los Navas (3*).


Granada
Granada
Flamenco Dance
Flamenco Dance
Courtyard
Courtyard
Day 4 Granada

Enjoy a shared tour as you visit the UNESCO world heritage site of the Alhambra palace and gardens. On a rocky hill, on the banks of the River Darro, protected by mountains and amongst the eldest quarter in the city, the Alhambra rises up like an imposing castle with its distinctive reddish stone in its ramparts that prevent the outside world from seeing the delicate beauty enclosed within. Originally designed as a military area, the Alhambra became the residence of royalty and the court of Granada in the middle of XIII century. Throughout the XIII, XIV and XV centuries the fortress became a citadel which housed two main areas: the military area (or Alcazaba) and the medina (or court city) where Charles V Palace was built after the city was taken by the Catholics. The complex of monuments has also an independent palace opposite the Alhambra; The Generalife, which is surrounded by orchards and beautiful gardens which you will also visit. (Tour includes entrance into the palace).

Overnight at Palacio de los Navas (3*).


Alhmabra Palace interior
Alhmabra Palace interior
Day 5 Cordoba

Cordoba is one of the oldest Spanish cities. Situated in the center of Andalucia, it is a city of spirit. Its contribution to European civilization counts on exponents such as Maimonides, Averroes and Ibn Hazm. The city centre is very pleasant to walk around with the white washed houses and myriad of flowers everywhere. It is most famous for its grand mosque, the "Mezquita de Cordoba". Once the largest mosque in the world, in the 16th century it was Christianized by implanting a soaring cathedral right in the middle of the existing building. Unique and amazing.

Meet your driver for a private train station transfer.

Enjoy your train ride to Cordoba. The train ride takes approximately two and a half hours. Multiple departures, check your ticket for exact time.

Transfer to/from train station to/from your accommodation in a private vehicle with driver.

Just five minutes from the major sights of Cordoba, in the heart of the Jewish quarter, the Hotel Conquistador welcomes you on the eastern side of the Mosque. The elegant guestrooms offer guests the height of comfort, and come with cable television, Internet access, and air conditioning. Conquistador boasts a bar, large gardens and wonderful interior patio; the restaurant is open to guests seven days a week serving delicious Spanish and international dishes.

Overnight at El Conquistador (4*).


Cordoba
Cordoba
Hotel El Conquistador
Hotel El Conquistador
Day 6 Seville

Seville is the capital of the province of the same name. With a population of some 704,000 people, Seville is the fourth largest city in Spain and is considered the cultural centre of the region. Its history dates back more than 2,000 years. Romans, Vandals, Visigoths and Moors all left their presence in the city. The Moors ruled from here during their occupation of Andalucia, and their influence can still be seen in the "Mudejar" architecture of the city. The cathedral is the largest Gothic structure in the world and a symbol of Spain.

Medina Azahara, Cordoba’s 10th century version of the Versailles, was a palace of indescribable luxury that took 25 years to complete. It is a palace-city built by the caliph Abd al-Rahman III. Constructed eight kilometers outside of the city in the foothills of the Sierra Morena, the Medina Azahara served as the seat of power for the entire al-Andalus. It was also the personal residence of the Caliph and his court. Includes bus ticket only, entrance to be paid locally (approx. EUR2 per person).

Meet your driver for a private transfer from Cordoba to Seville.

The Eurostars Regina (3*) is a smart and modern hotel,  built around 3 traditional Andalusian-style courtyards. Here you can relax in the lovingly restored rooms of the hotel. The Eurostars Regina Hotel is located within walking distance from the historic centre of Seville, close to the Fine Arts Museum and the Cartuja Park. From here you can stroll around the charming streets of the city and discover the historical neighbourhoods of the city. This hotel is the perfect base for exploring the monumental and historical city of Seville.

Overnight at Eurostars Regina (3*).


Seville
Seville
Medina Azahara
Medina Azahara
Eurostars Regina
Eurostars Regina
Day 7 Seville

Seville is the artistic, cultural and financial capital of Southern Spain. A historical masterpiece full of monuments, gardens and flamenco. Enjoy exploring the city at your own pace with your hop on hop off tour.

Choose from many optional activities in Seville such as: a guided, half day city highlights tour or a guided walking tour. If you feel like doing some independent cultural exploration in the city, consider getting a culture card which allows you entrance into 20 different museums in the city. A trip down the Guadalquivir river which runs through the heart of the city is an enjoyable way to see some of the cityscape and learn about the histroy of the city. For options outside of Seville, consider a day trip to Jerez to see an equestrain show before going to the coastal city of Cadiz. At night time, consider going to a dinner and flamenco show - after all, this is where it all began!

Overnight at Eurostars Regina (3*).


Day 8 Madrid

As the capital of the Spanish Empire, Madrid was once the richest and most powerful city in the world. That kind of past leaves a big impression on a place and in Madrid it is easy to see. For palaces, museums and concerts it is up there with the best in the world. The museums of the "golden triangle" alone, namely the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza, feature a stunning array of paintings ranging from Old Masters to modern surrealists all housed in some of Spain's most magnificent buildings. And the rest of the city is just as rich in cultural icons and architecture. But Madrid is also a city for going out and partying. The area of Malasana is packed with bars and restaurants that stay open until dawn and rival anything Barcelona has to offer.

Meet your driver for a private train station transfer.

Enjoy your train ride from Seville to Madrid on the fast speed train.  The train ride takes approximately three hours.

Meet your driver for a private train station transfer.

There are so many things to see ad do in and around Madrid that you will be spoit for choice! Consider any of the following (most available on a private or shared basis); See the main sights of the city of a guided tour, enjoy a guided tour of the El Prado museum and the Royal Palace, take in a guided walking tour, enjoy an afternoon shopping with an expert and visiting some of the great boutiques in the city. Further afield, consider an excursion to Avila, Segovia (with its impressive aquaduct which is still intact), El Escorial (a magnificent cathedral and where the King spent a number of years under Franco's thumb as he was educated), The valley of the Fallen (where Franco is buried in a cavernous tomb, and the pretty town of Toledo. For some self exploring, consider getting a Madrid card which allows you access to numerous museums across the city. At night time, consider a dinner and Flamenco show. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if you are interested in any of these optional activities.

This contemporary hotel is located in central Madrid within 250 metres of Plaza Mayor, 200 metres of Callao metro station and 500 metres of the Royal Palace. Room Mate Laura’s air-conditioned apartments with modern decor open on to balconies and have kitchenettes, satellite television and minibars. Guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast, and the concierge can make restaurant reservations and advise on sightseeing; further amenities include parking and a front desk.

Overnight at Room Mate Laura (3*).


El Escorial
El Escorial
Hotel Room Mate Laura Guest Room
Hotel Room Mate Laura Guest Room
Day 9 Madrid

Enjoy half day shared tour of the city with a guide and admire the principal sights of the city. Discover the Madrid of different historical periods: drive through the Madrid of the Habsburg epoch, going past the squares Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. Continue to drive through Madrid of the Bourbon period, the Teatro Real (Madrid’s opera house), the Museo del Prado, Atocha railway station, the Puerta de Alcalá (triumphal arch) and the city’s beautiful fountains of Neptuno and Cibeles. Drive past squares such as Plaza de Colón, Plaza de Castilla and Plaza de España, with its unmistakable monument of Cervantes. Visit the aristocratic quarter of Salamanca, where distinguished designers have their boutiques in Madrid and drive along the elegant avenue of La Castellana, which leads to the city’s financial quarter. You will see the Torre Picasso, the Estadio del Bernabéu (Real Madrid’s stadium) as well as the Plaza de Las Ventas (Madrid’s most important bullring) and the beautiful Parque del Retiro. Includes a tour of the Royal Palace with entrance fee.

Overnight at Room Mate Laura (3*).


Royal Palace
Royal Palace
Day 10 Madrid

Meet your driver for a private airport transfer.

Depart Madrid (Barajas) Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.



Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.