Andalucia, Madrid and Barcelona - Pre-reservation 2024
April 2024 (10 Days / 9 Nights)
This tour starts in Malaga and ends in Barcelona
This tour may be combined with the Portugal's Silver Coast Tour (April 2024)
We are currently in the process of planning this tour. Once we have all the activities, dates, hotels and other details confirmed, and the pricing finalized, we will post a complete itinerary, including the price. If you would like to be notified of this tour's availability when the planning process is completed, please complete the pre-reservation form.
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The image of Spain is one of color, romance, passion, and the lone figure of the matador in the bull ring, cape and sword in hand beneath the burning afternoon sun. The Sights and Soul's journey through Spain explores the many aspects of this enchanted and diverse land. It incorporates an in-depth exploration of Malaga and Costa del Sol in southern Andalucia, tours of Madrid and Toledo in central Castilla-La Mancha, as well as the incomparable Barcelona in eastern Catalonia.
Andalucia is about as close to paradise as it's possible to get. Blessed with achingly beautiful countryside, majestic mountains and a long Mediterranean coastline, it's a quintessentially Spanish portal into our Iberian imagination. The powerful images of flamenco, tapas, fiestas, bullfighting and raw passion inspired Carmen and Don Juan, Andalucia gave birth to Pablo Picasso and Diego Velasquez, and it held an enduring fascination for Ernest Hemingway. It's also a unique place where east meets west in an exotic melting pot of Jewish, Roma, Moorish and Christian cultures.
Madrid in the center of Spain, is also its heart. The city historic district teems with sights from Museo del Prado to Palacio Real, from elegant Plaza Mayor to historic, bohemian La Latina, serving some of Spain's best tapas and wines. Toledo in La Mancha, the land of Don Quixote, is a glorious treasure of a city, with one of the world's most beautifully preserved medieval quarters on the spot that used to be Europe's most cultured and sophisticated city, where Christians, Jews and Moors were contributing equally to its wealth and fame.
Sitting on the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona, the most cosmopolitan Spanish city, isvibrant, vivacious and visionary. The city's brooding jungle of medieval lanes were home to Gaudi who built the world's most whimsical structures here, including La Sagrada Familia, and where Picasso spent his youth. Barcelona has excellent seafood, and meals here are often turned into art.
HIGHLIGHTS: Seville's Cathedral, Alcazar Palace, Santa Cruz, Plaza de España ● Cordoba's Mezquita, Synagogue and Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos ● Granada's Abayzin quarter, Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens ● The Royal Palace of Madrid and Prado Museum ● Medieval architecture of Toledo ● Barcelona's Gothic Quarter and modernist treasures ● Montserrat Monastery tour with a boys choir's performance ● Roman Girona and Costa Brava ● A fiery flamenco performance ● Tapas lunch, South African lunch, Andalucian dinner, Madrileno dinner ● Catalan cooking class, culinary tour of Madrid, cava tasting ● Unwinding on the beaches of the Costa del Sol and Costa Brava
Itinerary specifics subject to change.
Testimonials
I really enjoyed all 3 tours: wonderful guides, great food, everyone got along well, a memorable experience. So glad I did these 3 (Morocco, Spain, Portugal) in a row. In many cases, history just flowed and connected from one to the other. Marta, Kerry and Angela were all great tour leaders, each with a different personality and style of leading, but all equal in greatly enhancing their trip.
Andrea from Nevada
I think the tour was great. We really did see some wonderful sights of Spain in a short time and had a terrific group of ladies to share it with. I am so thrilled I went on this tour.
Sharon from Pennsylvania
Spain 2017 was a fabulous tour. Definitely two thumbs up! I love the S&S tours: this was the fourth one and I’m looking forward to #5! And Kerry was great! Professional, fun, friendly and a terrific organizer.
Pam from California
It was another great tour, and I will continue to travel with Sights & Soul.
Mary from Massachusetts
The trip was well planned and organized efficiently. The guides from the various locations were knowledgeable. Our tour leader went above and beyond to ensure our group was informed on all aspects of the tour. She was extremely helpful, had a terrific attitude and I enjoyed having her in Spain. There is nothing she could have done differently. I’ve traveled with another women’s group before and did not receive this top of the line service. I will be traveling again and again with Sights and Soul.
Rafiya from New York
It was a great time – lots of culture, art, history, fine food and great fellow travelers. The tour leader was thoughtful, personable and flexible. THANK YOU.
Amy from Massachusetts
It was the right cities + sights and for the right number of days in each location. All transportation arrived on time and we were usually a little early – a good thing! The local guides were all good, but those in Madrid and Barcelona were excellent.
Victoria from New Jersey
It was great! Loved the day trips and exposure to new parts of the Spanish culture. I know so much more about Spain now. Kerry was a great tour leader. Friendly and handled every detail of traveling . She fit in as a friend, who had answers to most every question, and took care of the details that would have been intimidating to me – navigating train stations and metro systems, handling hotels. It was so relaxing knowing that she will handle all the details.
Kathy from Ohio
It was the perfect mix of history, culture & fun. The incredible food and drink didn’t hurt, either. Kerry went out of her way to make sure everyone had the best time possible & didn’t have to worry about anything.
Beverly from Maryland
It was great. I was in awe of the sights, culture and food, and I can’t wait for the next tour! Kerry was very personable, she did a very good job as a tour leader.
Diane from Texas
I thought it was a well planned trip. It is so good to be able to experience travel safely with other women.
Gloria from Arizona
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