This Escorted Motorcoach tour lets you explore Madrid and Barcelona, two of Spain’s most famous cities. You will spend some nights in each city, with a mix of sightseeing and free time in both.
- 3 nights in Madrid
- 2 nights in Bilbao
- 1 night in Pamplona
- 2 nights in Barcelona
Madrid – Catalonia Goya F (or similar)
Bilbao – Catalonia Gran Via Bilbao F (or similar)
Pamplona – Maisonnave F(or similar)
Barcelona – Catalonia Gracia F (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast daily, 1 Welcome reception,
1 “pintxos” tasting,
2 dinners
Tours: Extensive sightseeing as per itinerary
Transportation: Private
air-conditioned motorcoach or minivan (depending on size of group).
* Arrival and departure transfer
* Local guides and entrance fees where indicated
* Tax and Service Charge
Day by Day Itinerary
1. day
MADRID / SPAIN
You will be met and transferred to your hotel. The day is at leisure to begin exploring. Later, join your fellow travelers and your tour director for a welcome reception. (WR)
2. day
MADRID / SPAIN
We begin with a guided half-day city tour of Madrid. Our drive takes us through the Gran Vía and the Passeo de Castellana, past the Plaza de España, Plaza de Oriente, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Atocha Station, the fountain of Neptune, Cibeles fountain, the Bullring, the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, and many more. The afternoon is at leisure. (B)
3. day
MADRID / SPAIN
The entire day is free at leisure. You may be interested in our optional tours to Monserrat, Girona Game of Thrones, or Girona Figueres and Dali. (B)
4. day
BILBAO / SPAIN
We depart for Bilbao. On the way, we stop in Burgos. Tour with local guide including visit of the Cathedral. There is time for lunch on your own. From there, we continue to Bilbao where we have a have a tasting of local tapas called pintxos. (B, D)
5. day
BILBAO / SPAIN
On our visit to Bilbao, we see the vibrant old town with many shops, squares, and typical Basque tavernas. We enter the Guggenheim Museum, an architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Gehry. The collection includes large-scale and site-specific art by such contemporary artists as Jeff Koons. The remainder of the day is free. (B)
6. day
PAMPLONA / SPAIN
After breakfast, we depart for San Sebastian. En route, we visit Getaria, a charming Basque coastal village. Upon arrival in San Sebastian, we see the Maria Cristina Hotel. It is here, at the Kursaal, that the film festival takes place. We also see La Concha beach, a crescent-shaped urban seaboard. In the afternoon we arrive in Pamplona. Dinner is served later that night. (B, D)
7. day
BARCELONA / SPAIN
After breakfast, we have a half-day guided sightseeing tour of Pamplona featuring the Ciudadela, the City Walls, parks, and gardens. We will hear about the ‘Running of the Bulls’ race, part of the San Fermin festival. From Pamplona, we continue to Zaragoza for lunch on your own. Later that afternoon, we arrive in Barcelona and the rest of the day is at leisure. (B)
8. day
BARCELONA / SPAIN
Our guided half-day sightseeing tour includes Barcelona’s most important artistic sights: Gaudi’s Batlló, Casa Milá, the Cathedral Sagrada Familia, and Guell Park, declared an artistic monument and mankind’s heritage by UNESCO. In the afternoon you are free to explore more on your own. Join your fellow travelers and your tour director for the farewell dinner. (B, D)
9. day
BARCELONA / SPAIN
Transfer to Barcelona airport after breakfast. (B)