Compare Spanish Splendors by Great Value Vacations vs Spain in 9 days - Madrid, Andalusia & Costa del Sol - Superior by Exoticca

Day 1 Welcome to Barcelona!

Arrive in the bright, bustling city of Barcelona! Enjoy a private transfer from the airport to your first luxurious hotel, then explore the city at your leisure. You might want to stroll through colorful Park Guell or the charming Gothic Quarter. 

On your first night, treat yourself to a delicious meal of authentic paella! 

Day 2 Barcelona

Enjoy breakfast, grab your camera, and get ready for your included half-day guided tour of Barcelona! Come face-to-face with the city's most iconic sights, such as Via Layetana, the Cathedral, Plaza Sant Jaume, the Olympic Village, and much more. Take in the stunning views from Montjuic and the port, from the highest mirador (gazebo) in the city.

After the tour, spend the afternoon making sure you've seen everything in Barcelona that you'd hoped to. Be sure to check out all of Antoni Gaudi's architectural masterpieces, such as La Rambla, Sagrada Familia, and Casa Mila. 

Day 3 Barcelona - Valencia

Enjoy a scenic train ride to Valencia today! Upon arrival, settle into your hotel, then spend the afternoon leisurely getting to know the city. Stroll through the streets of this artistic city and gawk at its amazing architecture. Consider stopping into the Mercado Central and grabbing a bite to eat!

Day 4 Valencia

Today, use your hop-on/hop-off bus pass and see every nook and cranny of the city. Be sure to "hop off" whenever something sparks your interest!

Be on the lookout for Plaza de la Virgen, the Church of San Nicolas, the Palacio del Marques de Dos Aguas, and the Valencia Cathedral. Take some time to stroll through the historic, charming streets of Casco Antiguo!

Day 5 Valencia - Madrid

Take a ride on Spain's high-speed rail from Valencia to Madrid. As the train slows and pulls into Madrid, look around at all the colorful culture and intricate architecture!

Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure. Stroll through the extraordinary Buen Retiro Park, then head to Plaza Mayor and treat yourself to dinner at a quaint cafe in the area. 

Day 6 Madrid

Enjoy a bountiful breakfast buffet, then embark on your included city tour that will take you to the most popular sights in Madrid. Experience the elegant Plaza de Oriente, the Plaza de Espana, the Puerta del Sol, Puerta de Alcala, the Bullring, and much more! 

After this panoramic overview of the city's highlights, enjoy a guided tour of the majestic Royal Palace. Spend your last night in Madrid sampling some tasty tapas!

Day 7 Madrid - Seville

Hop aboard the train to stunning Seville. After you settle into your comfortable hotel, get exploring! Take a walk through the beautiful Maria Luisa Park, then relax in Plaza de Espana. 

Seville is known for being a culinary haven, so be sure to try its renowned dishes such as Gazpacho, jamón Iberico de Bellota, and pavías de pescado

Day 8 Seville

Wake up, recharge during breakfast, then enjoy a tour of the most iconic monuments of Seville. See the University, the Old Tobacco Factory, the setting of Bizet's opera Carmen, and more! Conclude your tour with a pleasant river cruise, a truly unique way to experience this beautiful city. 

Day 9 Seville - Malaga

Enjoy your last Spanish train ride to magnificent Malaga. After settling into your accommodation, take a relaxing stroll along the gorgeous Puerto de Malaga. Walk around, unwind with a drink, and treat yourself to a delicious, authentic meal at one of the area's many restaurants.

Day 10 Malaga

Spend your last full day in Spain experiencing the beauty of Malaga. Take advantage of your hop-on/hop-off bus pass and see this seaside city front to back! Feel free to "hop off" whenever a sight strikes you. Be sure to spend time in Alcazaba, Malaga Park, Plaza de la Constitucion, and Malaga Cathedral. 

Experience true Spanish culture at the Mercado Central de Atarazanas, then end your day with an unforgettable view of Malaga from Castillo de Gibralfaro. 

Day 11 Depart Spain

Squeeze all of your souvenirs into your luggage and meet your private transfer to the airport. Spend your flight scrolling through pictures and dreaming about your next adventure. Until next time, Spain. 

Day 1: US - Night on board

Ready to explore the historic cities and vibrant culture of Spain? Arrive at your US departure airport, ready for a flight* to Madrid. Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Madrid

Touch down in Madrid, the enigmatic capital city of Spain, known for its fast-paced atmosphere, classical architecture and beautiful plazas and parks. Transfer to the hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. Madrid is well-known for its brilliant gastronomic scene and lively nightlife, so be sure to get out after dark to experience the amazing atmosphere of the capital. Overnight stay in Madrid.

Day 3: Madrid

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a panoramic tour of Madrid. Uncover the medieval origins of the city in Barrio de la Morería, famed for its historic monuments, such as the Muslim-era city walls. Drive through the Baroque-era heart of the city, known for its magnificent boulevards and grand buildings. See the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace and both Cibeles and Neptuno Fountain. Pass by the incredible Prado Museum before heading to the more contemporary parts of the city, such as the Gran Via shopping street and the upmarket Salamanca neighborhood. Finally, continue past Parque del Oeste to see the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy the delights of the city at your leisure. Madrid has a number of rooftop bars and restaurants, so perhaps head to one of these to enjoy spectacular views of the city as the sunsets. Overnight stay in Madrid.

Day 4: Madid - Caceres - Cordoba

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the capital behind as you set off for Caceres, in the western region of Extremadura. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Caceres is famed for its fusion of Roman, Islamic, Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. After a journey of around 3-hours, take a walk through the Plaza Mayor and soak up the atmosphere of the Medieval Quarter in the Old Town. Afterwards, continue towards Cordoba, once the capital of the Islamic caliphate in Spain and a beautiful, historic city, perched on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. Arrive after a journey of around 3.5 hours and get settled at the hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel and you can enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure. Overnight stay in Cordoba.

Day 5: Cordoba - Seville

Breakfast at the hotel. Start the day with a tour of Cordoba to discover its ancient Islamic heritage and famous mosques. Stroll through the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter and soak up the unique atmosphere. In the afternoon, continue to Seville, a journey of just 2-hours through the landscapes of Andalusia. Arrive in Seville, known for its legendary tapas and Flamenco dancing. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Seville.

Day 6: Seville

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, a local expert will guide you through a panoramic city tour of Seville featuring the Cathedral and its famous Giralda Bell Tower. Discover the popular neighborhood of Santa Cruz, Maria Luisa Park and the beautiful Plaza de España. In the afternoon, we recommend a stroll through the historic city center and enjoying Seville's fine tapas bars at your leisure. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay in Seville.

Day 7: Seville - Ronda - Costa del Sol

Breakfast at the hotel before leaving Seville behind as you depart southwards, headed for Ronda. Arrive in Ronda, a mountain-top city of Celtic origin, known for its impressive views and scenic surroundings. After some free time here, continue towards the coast and to the idyllic Costa del Sol, one of the most modern and important international tourist areas in Spain. Take in the beautiful sea views and get settled at your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay on the Costa del Sol.

Day 8: Costa del Sol - Granada

Breakfast at the hotel. Head inland today as you journey towards historic Granada. Arrive in this ancient city, known as the last Moorish stronghold in Spain, and begin a tour of the Alhambra Complex, including the beautiful Generalife Gardens. Be inspired by the Islamic architecture and incredible views of the surrounding city. Afterwards, get settled at the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Granada.

Day 9: Granada - Toledo - Madrid

Breakfast at the hotel. Journey northwards this morning to the imperial city of Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, Christianity, Islam and Judaism have coexisted side by side for centuries. The entire city is like a living museum, with atmospheric streets and an eclectic collection of monuments. Take a short guided tour of Toledo to get to know its historic old town. Afterwards, visit a famous Damasquinado Factory, where gold and silver are inlaid into iron to create spectacular decorative arts. Continue back to the capital of Madrid and transfer to the hotel. Your final evening in Spain is free at your leisure to make the most of the delicious Spanish cuisine and lively atmosphere of Madrid's bars and cafes. Overnight stay in Madrid.

Day 10: Madrid - US

Breakfast at the hotel.* Sadly, it's time to bring your journey through Spain to an end. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the US.** Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. ** Depending on the return flight schedule, you may arrive in the US the next day and the total duration of the trip would be 11 days.