Spain Large Ship Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

Spain Large Ship Cruise Tours & Trips

855 Spain trips. Tours from 179 tour companies. 2,458 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

25 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Large Ship Cruise
Voyages to Antiquity: Spain and Morocco, Ancient Neighbors
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Casablanca, Madrid, Marrakech, Rabat, Seville

Highlights

  • Overnight shore excursions to Marrakesh and Fez give you more time to explore Morocco’s wonders.
  • Discover Madrid’s sprawling plazas and savor a performance of flamenco music and dance.
  • Examine the exquisite interiors and lush gardens of the Alhambra, a magnificent Moorish palace.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Sketches of Spain, Morocco and the Canary Islands
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Barcelona, Casablanca, Granada

Highlights

  • Learn about the wondrous architectural masterpieces of Spain, including Gaudi’s unfinished La Sagrada Familia and the Alhambra, a Moorish citadel overlooking the city of Grenada.
  • Visit the colossal Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca's landmark building.
  • On the island of Madeira, discover Europe's highest sea cliff and the vineyards of Funchal.

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Voyages to Antiquity: Exploring History’s Grandeur in France and Spain
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Barcelona, Cádiz, Madrid, Seville, Valencia

Highlights

  • Delve into France’s medieval history at Avignon’s Papal Palace and on the narrow streets of fortified Carcassonne.
  • Examine the exquisite interiors and lush gardens of the Alhambra, a magnificent Moorish palace.
  • Contrast the proud cultures of several Spanish cities including Barcelona, Madrid and Seville.

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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More
Road Scholar World Academy Semester 2: West from Asia to Europe
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bali, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Santiago de Compostela

Highlights

  • Experience an unforgettable voyage from Singapore to England along the famed Suez Canal route.
  • Explore wonders including the temples of Bali, the rock-cut city of Petra and Pompeii.
  • For the first time, Road Scholar World Academy takes place aboard Holland America Line’s elegant ms Rotterdam.

Themes

50 plus, Around the World, Cultural, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Mediterranean Island Charm
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4.4/5 Great
64 reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cádiz, Cartagena, Lisbon, Southampton

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"they are taking too long to refund our cancelled holiday from May 2020. cannot get any info from them when it will be refunded back to us."

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Renaissance Italy and Historic Islands
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4.4/5 Great
64 reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Elba, Florence, Lucca, Pisa, Rome, Seville

What travelers are saying

"they are taking too long to refund our cancelled holiday from May 2020. cannot get any info from them when it will be refunded back to us."

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Islands of the Canaries
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4.4/5 Great
64 reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Lisbon, Porto, Southampton

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"they are taking too long to refund our cancelled holiday from May 2020. cannot get any info from them when it will be refunded back to us."

Trip dates & details
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The Canary Islands with Madeira
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4.4/5 Great
64 reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Lisbon, Southampton

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"they are taking too long to refund our cancelled holiday from May 2020. cannot get any info from them when it will be refunded back to us."

Trip dates & details
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Spain Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
2,458  Reviews
See all Spain tour reviews
Excellent
1,101
Great
441
Average
107
Disappointing
28
Terrible
10
I

Iain

Apr 2024

Written on

Discover Madrid, Basque Country, Rioja, Barcelona

Nicely paced trip through northern Spain.

M

Mary

Apr 2024

Written on

Discover Madrid, Basque Country, Rioja, Barcelona

Very varied and scenically beautiful. My highlights were the anchovy tasting and the delicious pinchos in San Sebastián. We enjoyed many interesting excursions w...

S

Susan

Oct 2023

Written on

Discover Madrid, Basque Country, Rioja, Barcelona

San Sebastian was high on my list of places to see and it didn't disappoint. Cybele took us on a great orientation tour, recommended a fabulous pintxos bar and none ...

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Spain Tour Selection Trips

  • Don’t expect to absorb all of Spain in one trip -- it’s larger than California and even more diverse.
  • Consider taking a themed tour of Spain -- revolving around food, walking, or art and architecture.
  • If you’re a lover of great art and architecture, book a tour that includes as many of these cities as possible: Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Toledo, Granada, and Seville.
  • If you’re a sun-worshipper, book a tour to southern Spain that includes some beach time.
  • If you’re a food lover, book a culinary tour to Barcelona and the Basque Country.
  • Taking a river cruise on the Guadalquivir through Andalusia is an often overlooked -- and very pleasant -- way to see southern Spain.
  • Booking a tour along the Camino de Santiago ensures you’ll find a place to stay every night and that you’ll have company -- and support, if needed -- along this well trammeled route.
  • The northern stretches of Spain in the Pyrenees are far less traveled but extremely scenic and greener and cooler than farther south.
  • If you’re looking for picture-postcard scenery that will leave you gasping, book a tour that includes the Andalusian town of Ronda, built on the edge of a deep chasm.

Additional details

Best Time to Visit Spain

If you’re looking to visit spain when the weather is sunny but not blisteringly hot, spring season (March to May) or Fall (August to September) is the best time to go. You’ll be swarmed with less crowds as tourist season is in the summer, and exploring the cities will be much more relaxing and less claustrophobic.

Spain is a popular wine tasting destination, which is a popular activity throughout the year. The most picturesque time to visit vineyards is generally Summer through Autumn. The vines are full and colorful and wineries are buzzing with activity - in the fall it’s harvest time which is always exciting.

The vines are not exactly pretty to look at in the winter, but this is a less crowded time in the tasting rooms. So if you’re interested in talking shop with the tasting room associates, this is one of the best times to visit - when they won’t be distracted by large groups.

Unfortunately Spain is fairly expensive year round, even during shoulder seasons. Traveling with a tour can often help you save on food and activities such as attending local festivals.

Weather in Spain

Many travelers believe in the myth that Spain is sunny and gorgeous all year long. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Your trip to spain can differ depending on the month and region you plan your trip around.

Winter: Spain in the winter is mostly dry. It actually happens to be one of the best countries in Europe to be during the cold months. The temperature usually ranges around 40 to 50 degrees F throughout most regions. The inland cities are usually the coldest and you can expect some snow, although it is more common in December or January. It is important to note that on Christmas day hardly any restaurants will be open since it is a family holiday!

Spring: Expect outstretched sunny skies but cool, relaxing breezes, probably any traveler’s dream weather for going to the beach… or going anywhere for that matter! Spring is the best time to take a trip to La Concha, Ibiza and other beautiful coasts, with the heat staying around 65 degrees F. The only thing about Spring is that the weather can be unpredictable. Some days may be washed with rainfall, which is most likely the case for cities like Madrid.

Summer: Although this is peak tourist season, Spain is notorious for being extremely hot during the summer. The heat basks most cities during the months of July and August, soaring as high as 90 degrees F. If you’re planning on taking a trip to Spain at this time, we highly recommend traveling to the north of Spain, like Bilbao, where the weather isn’t too extreme. Many locals flock to the coast since the inner cities get extremely hot.

Fall: Although September is technically fall, in Spain it’s still as sunny as summer. It’s still very warm, although not as intense as August, and still considered beach weather. The next months ahead marks the best time to visit Spain’s big cities, like Madrid and Barcelona, that host some of the best events, festivals and activities for tourists.

What to Pack for Traveling to Spain

You can expect to do a lot of walking around the cities of Spain, on cobbled pathways. Make sure to bring sturdy sneakers or any closed toe shoes for walking around religious sites. If you’re traveling in the summer, do not underestimate the sun.

Make sure to bring lots of sunscreen, hats and dry fit clothing. Likewise, even in the summer, Spain is known to have unexpected rainfall so bring a travel sized umbrella just in case.

In terms of clothing, Spain is a pretty religious country. It would be wise to dress a little more on the conservative end, especially if you’re planning to visit any of the magnificent churches or fortresses.

We recommend a light shall to cover your shoulders and to protect yourself from the sun. It is also advised to bring anti-theft bags since pick pocketing is quite common in the cities.

Is Spain Safe?

Spain is absolutely safe for tourists and one of the safest countries to travel to in Europe. The only thing to look out for are some petty thefts like pickpocketing in large cities, especially around the summer in peak tourist period. Keep a lookout on your valuables, such as your phone or cameras, especially in party hot spots such as Ibiza.

It is also important to mention that there is some political unrest in Barcelona, specifically around the Catalan region. That being said, it is rare than any of these turn violent or dangerous. Violent crime rates are pretty low and uncommon.

Travelers should take note that Spain has reported 193 confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Do’s and Don’t for Traveling in Spain

5 dos...

  1. Do make sure your passport is valid at least 3 months after you have booked your tickets to Spain. It’s common to be denied boarding or entry otherwise

  2. Do expect very friendly locals. Most Spaniards are very welcoming of tourists and encourage spanish learners to try and speak their language. Local greetings also commonly include kisses on the cheek so don’t be shy about it!

  3. It’s important to keep in mind that Catalonia is its own language and culture, and Catalan people are very proud of it. If you’re visiting Barcelona, be sure to learn about their heritage and be sensitive to topics such as religiosity and regionalism. This is also true for the Basque region and Galicia.

  4. Make sure that if you have enough time in Spain that you don’t stay cooped up in the main cities. Madrid and Barcelona are wonderful but the real magic of Spain is enveloped in the countryside, in charming small villages and islands. Explore past the tourist meccas and you will find a truly cultural, authentic and memorable trip to Spain.

  5. Do visit the local markets! In pursuit of an authentic trip, trying out the regional hams, fresh produce and exquisite seafood in local markets is a perfect way to be more immersed in their culinary and cultural world.

5 Don’ts...

  1. A basic rule is to wear your flip flops at the beach and only the beach. In the city, especially Barcelona, you’re expected to wear closed toe shoes for both religious and cultural reasons. It is also illegal to wear your bikini or swimsuits into some cities, so best not stand out!

  2. Don’t tip big. In Spain, servers earn a living wage, so it is common for Spaniards to leave a few changes for tip, unlike in other countries where servers rely on tips for income

  3. Do not underestimate pickpockets. It’s important that you don’t leave your bag half open while walking, or leave your wallet in your back pocket while walking around. Watching street performers is also a place where pickpockets earn the most snags, so always be cautious

  4. Spaniards are pretty laid back with time, and dinner is a good example. Don’t expect to have dinner at restaurants before 9 pm. Late meals is pretty common in this country

  5. Don’t pack too many clothes. Spain is a fashionable country and a shopping metropolis, so chances are you’re going to be very tempted to seek out their chic brands and styles.

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