Highlights of Spain
From CAD $3865 Was CAD $4295
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(10 reviews)
See the beautiful world of Spain during this 9-day guided tour. Begin in Barcelona, where a Local Expert will lead you along the city’s narrow lanes to the lively Las Ramblas and the Sagrada Familia, a basilica built by the architect Antoni Gaudi. Paella was created in Valencia. Later, enjoy a private cooking demonstration at a family-run restaurant while sampling the local flavors. See glorious views of the Sierra Nevada before reaching Granada, where a Local Expert will guide you through one of the most remarkable fortresses ever built: the Alhambra. In Seville, learn the art of flamenco dancing during a private lesson, then be treated to a passionate performance by professionals. Visit the Prado Museum in Madrid with an art historian, who can share the stories behind Spanish masterpieces by artists such as Francisco Goya.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Seville: Join a guided walk through the Santa Cruz quarter, following a street pattern shaped by Seville’s medieval Jewish community until the 14th century. You’ll navigate narrow lanes, enclosed courtyards and small plazas reflect the district’s earlier layout, with surviving architectural elements that point to the neighborhood’s social and cultural history within the wider city.
- Seville: Take a panoramic drive around Seville to observe the city’s main districts and landmarks, including the riverfront near Torre del Oro, the avenues created for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition and the open spaces around María Luisa Park.
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Authentic Dining
- Valencia: Spend time with a chef in a family-run kitchen to see how Valencian paella is built from its base — the heat of the pan, the saffron stock, the type of rice and the order ingredients go in. The session shows why the dish varies from village to village across the region. Later, dinner offers the chance to taste a paella prepared in this same tradition.
- Madrid: Toast to your travels and enjoy local specialties in one of the city's elegant central neighborhoods.
Insight Choice
- Seville: Join a guided walk through the Santa Cruz quarter, following a street pattern shaped by Seville’s medieval Jewish community until the 14th century. You’ll navigate narrow lanes, enclosed courtyards and small plazas reflect the district’s earlier layout, with surviving architectural elements that point to the neighborhood’s social and cultural history within the wider city.
- Seville: Take a panoramic drive around Seville to observe the city’s main districts and landmarks, including the riverfront near Torre del Oro, the avenues created for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition and the open spaces around María Luisa Park.
Insight Experiences
- Granada: Visit the famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. While others wait in line, you'll be exploring accompanied by a Local Expert, keen to share insights into this Moorish landmark.
- Madrid: Visit the Prado Museum with an art historian who places key works within their historical setting. With your historian’s expert guidance, you’ll examine paintings by Velázquez, Goya, Titian and Rubens, noting their connection to royal patronage and the broader European tradition. Learn how the museum, founded in 1819, became a principal repository for Spain’s royal collections and major works from across the continent.
Make Travel Matter
- Barcelona: Dine at La Pau, an acclaimed restaurant for the quality of its seasonal menu and social impact. This social initiative generates quality employment to young people and guides them through their transition to adult life. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequality. La Pau gives a voice and life opportunity to young people who have been marginalized from the traditional educational and social systems.
- Seville: The Cristina Heeren Foundation promotes the teaching and preservation of flamenco and is supported by a TreadRight Foundation grant. Meet students, learn a few basic steps and watch them perform, gaining insight into how the school trains young artists in guitar, singing and dance. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.
Top Rated Highlights
- Barcelona: Drive through Barcelona with a Local Expert who sets out the city’s shape from street level — the long run of Passeig de Gràcia, the sharp grid of the Eixample and the way the skyline shifts as the Sagrada Família comes into view. The route ties together the city’s Modernista detail and its ongoing architectural change.
- Peñíscola: See Peñíscola’s 14th-century castle rising above the old town, set on a limestone headland that divides the shoreline. From this viewpoint, you can take in how the fortress once controlled movement along the coast and how its walls still define the outline of the medieval quarter below.
- Valencia: Get your bearings in Valencia’s Old City as your Travel Director points out the surviving medieval gateways and the street grid shaped by centuries of expansion. The walk contrasts the tight lanes of El Carmen with the broad lines of the Turia riverbed, now home to the City of Arts and Sciences, a reminder of how the city blends long history with confident modern design.
- Seville: Visit the Seville Cathedral with your Local Expert. Pass the altarpiece dripping with gold and see the Tomb of Columbus, held aloft by four kings.
- Córdoba: See the 2,000-year-old Roman bridge and spend some time exploring the town.
- Córdoba: Visit the incredible Mezquita with your Local Expert. Admire the forest of horseshoe arches and learn how this building symbolises many of Cordoba's religious changes over the centuries.
- Madrid: See the highlights of the city with your Local Expert. Visit the Old Town, traveling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles, the Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace, before crossing the Puerta del Sol.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Trip Details
Product Code: 19649
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Explorer
Tour Operator:
Insight Vacations (CA)
Supplier Code: 98.316A
Starts: Barcelona, Spain
Finishes: Madrid, Spain
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3865 ($429 /day)
Itinerary
Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner at local restaurant La Pau. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports teenagers and young people to transition to their adult life. Learn about local life through the eyes of the youth.
Accommodation: NH Collection Barcelona Constanza, Torre Melina Gran Meliá, Barcelona
Meals: Dinner
With your Local Expert, drive along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and some of the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district for a visit inside Gaudí’s extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família*, to see the central nave with its giant, tree-like pillars, spectacular vaulting and the beautiful rainbows flooding in through the intricate stained-glass windows. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore or perhaps join an Optional Experience to Montserrat and The Black Madonna. *Please note that with the construction of the Sagrada Família nearing completion, access to the basilica may be restricted for special masses, pilgrim visits or official ceremonies, and we are unable to secure tickets to visit. Should this occur during your tour, you will visit the Hospital de Sant Pau instead, a striking example of Catalan Art Nouveau designed by Gaudí’s contemporary, Domènech i Montaner. Afterwards, join your Local Expert in the gardens surrounding the Sagrada Família and take in the extraordinary exterior of Gaudí’s iconic masterpiece.
Accommodation: NH Collection Barcelona Constanza, Torre Melina Gran Meliá, Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast
Follow the sunny Costa Dorada, past the rice fields of the Ebro Delta. Stop at the seaside resort of Peñíscola and see the hilltop castle used in the film 'El Cid'. Pass through the famous orange groves to Valencia and see the City of Arts and Sciences. Later see the Old City and take in its medieval charm. Valencia is home to one of the world's greatest dishes, paella. Meet the chef of a local family-run restaurant in the heart of the Old City and learn how to make this local specialty during a cooking demonstration. Later, indulge in the delicious flavors of this classic dish with a glass of wine at your dinner.
Accommodation: Barceló Valencia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel south toward Andalucía, passing the castle at Lorca and troglodyte dwellings hollowed out of the soft rock near Guadix. Enjoy distant views of the Sierra Nevada mountains as you approach glorious Granada. This historic city was a Moorish kingdom for almost eight centuries and was the last stronghold to fall to the Catholic monarchs of Spain in 1492. Overlooking Granada stands the Alhambra, one of the most remarkable fortresses ever built. Led by your Local Expert, explore this exquisite palace, built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century: a fantasy of arabesque gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace. Later, stroll through the elegant gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence.
Accommodation: Gran Luna de Granada
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
The morning is at your leisure to explore as you wish. Perhaps join an Optional Experience and visit the Albaicín Quarter with a Local Expert. Here, in addition to falling in love with Granada, you will also uncover its pivotal role in European history. Continue your travels to Seville, past gleaming white villages and olive groves that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Accommodation: Meliá Sevilla, Catalonia Giralda, Seville
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a relaxed start or choose to join one of two Optional Experiences: visit the serene Pilatos Palace, or explore the Alcázar of Seville and Plaza América. Continue discovering the city with Insight Choice. Join a guided walk through the old Jewish quarter or enjoy a panoramic drive past Seville’s iconic landmarks. Later, marvel at the soaring vaulted ceilings of the Seville Cathedral, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral and final resting place of Christopher Columbus In the evening, take part in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Cristina Heeren Foundation. This flamenco school supports emerging talent across Andalucía. Try your hand at the dance during a fun lesson, then feel its passion and power in a stirring live performance.
Accommodation: Meliá Sevilla, Catalonia Giralda, Seville
Meals: Breakfast
Set off early along the Guadalquivir Valley, passing villages and towns studded with Moorish towers and fortresses. Stop in the perfectly preserved Moorish city of Córdoba and see the famous Roman bridge, built in the 1st century BC. Meet a local historian and visit the magnificent Mezquita, a beautiful 8th-century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it. Make the most of your time at leisure and stroll the narrow streets of the city. Follow in the footsteps of Don Quixote as you travel through La Mancha and on to the capital, Madrid.
Accommodation: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, NH Madrid Balboa
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy sightseeing with your Local Expert, as they guide you through the most historic neighborhoods in the Spanish capital. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter to discover the origins of the city. Visit the renowned Prado Museum with an art historian who will guide you through the collective works of Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens and more. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax at a cafe, shop in the trendy boutiques or perhaps travel to beautiful Toledo with an Optional Experience.In the evening, join your Travel Director and newfound friends at a local restaurant in the heart of the city. Toast your adventures as you enjoy a delicious dinner of regional favorites, served with wine.
Accommodation: Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana, NH Madrid Balboa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, your remarkable journey comes to an end as you transfer to the Madrid-Barajas Airport. Take a moment to reflect on the unforgettable experiences, meaningful connections and enriching encounters that have shaped your travels.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Insight Vacations (CA)
Part of The Travel Company (TTC) family of brands, Insight Vacations began operations in 1978 and is based in Cypress, CA. Journeys are featured to destinations, such as the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, the UK and Ireland. The company offers are a variety of tours under the classifications of Regional Journeys, Country Roads, Discovery Journeys, Easy Pace trips, and Special Interest tours. Insight is the ideal name for the tour operator, as the journeys provided by Insight Vacations allow travelers to gain further insight into whatever destination they wish to explore. For example, Discovery Journeys are the ideal choice for first-time visitors to Europe. Itineraries include Dine-at-Home or Farm-to-Table experiences so travelers can learn more about how locals live and dine. Regional Journeys allow trip-goers to see a specific location in Europe that they have always wanted to see – Poland, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The carefully planned trips enable customers to immerse themselves in one specific region or country and to become acquainted with its culture, traditions, and people. For anyone seeking travel off the beaten track, Insight Vacations offers Country Roads – trips that lead travelers off the well-tread tourist trail to explore hidden gems where visitors can savor the local produce with Farm-to-Table dining. Some trips are offered under the Easy Pace travel style – the ideal trip choice for trip-goers who wish to slow their pace during their vacation. During these tours, vacationers stay at least 3 nights at each destination, giving them some additional time to explore a place and enjoy it. Regardless of the travel style, many of the vacations offered by Insight Vacations begin with Relaxed Starts – giving travelers time to sleep in a little, spend more time at breakfast, or explore an area on their own. The tour company prides itself on providing business class tours that features luxury coaches with 40 seats. While most coach touring operators provide vehicles with 53 seats, Insight Vacations has re-configured its motor coaches to hold up to 40 guests. This gives passengers extra leg room while traveling and offers them more space and privacy.
In Business Since 1978
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2025
There is a lot of walking. Also, there is not a lot of free time if you do all the optional experiences - you will always be on the go.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/11/2025
Eugene - Traveled, May 2025
Everyday was more exciting than the last Maria our guide and Bruno our driver were both excellent. Maria always went the extra mile to provide ua with the beat of everything. And Bruno made us feel very safe. I recommend this tour wholeheartedly.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/11/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2025
Great itinerary, guide, driver, and local guides.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/10/2025
Jill - Traveled, May 2025
Maria was an excellent guide and Bruno a skilled and careful driver. I felt safe with them. It’s quite strenuous as there’s a lot of walking but I enjoyed it immensely.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/10/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2025
Beautiful country, wonderful tour director and coach driver, knowledgeable tour guides. It’s the best introduction to southern Spain.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/10/2025
Deborah - Traveled, April 2025
Our guide was very helpful in helping us get around, giving power point history on long bus rides, getting answers to questions she didn't know. Our bus driver was very good at getting us around safely. Would recommend tours with both! Fast paced, not a lot of time allowed for lunch and strolling if you do the optional tours. Keep the opera singing waiters in Madrid! Best meal and dining experience. Hotel dinner buffet in Valencia so-so.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/27/2025
Syeda - Traveled, May 2024
Extraordinary customer service. The itinerary was excellent the tour director made it very special, he was caring, making sure every one was taken care off, entertained all through the trip . The driver was an excellent driver kept the bus spot less clean and smelt good. I would go back and book my trip again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/13/2024
Jeffrey - Traveled, May 2025
Truly the highlights of Spain - the most important cultural, historical and religious sites are covered with the least amount of effort! added specific and pertinent touches to make for a more enhanced experience - marzipan and traditional biscuits tasting, fans and hair clips for the ladies. Bus driver ready with making getting to places easy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/12/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2025
The best items where the Morish Mosque in Cordoba , and the Familia Sagrada in Barceloncia. The other church's were just another church in Spain. The bus ride was broke up enough with rest stops in good lunch or afternoon area's or restaurants. The Flamenco dancers both Male and Female were Excellent. it was interesting to to take a mini flamenco lesson. In summary our tour guide really watchout for everyone, so we would have safe trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/12/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2025
Our experience on all of our Inslight tours has being excellent from our travel agent, Tour Directors and Bus Drivers. They are there to assure you have a great experience and to help with any issues. The Highlights of Spain provides a short time in several major cities of Spain. Interesting city tours. However, there is far more walking than we expected even though it is rated “balanced” but because of the streets being so narrow and parking of the bus an issue, there were long walks to get to the walking tours. But don’t let this keep you from this tour. It is a great over view of a beautiful country.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/12/2025
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