Small Group Journey: Madrid, Valencia & Barcelona
Explore Spain's best cities
This small group escorted vacation gives you the best of Spain through a multi-city 8-night journey with no more than 21 passengers. Spend time in Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona, where you'll tour iconic sights, sample Spain's delicious offerings, and learn the culture of the country day by day. With included city tours, transportation, accommodations, and transfers, this is the worry-free trip to Spain that you've been waiting for!
Our Small Group Journeys provide many extra benefits, including:
- Limited to 21 people
- Guaranteed departures
- Centrally-located, 4-star hotels
- Extra nights in each city (less unpacking!)
- More free time and flexibility
- Stress-free with transportation, accommodations, tours and more included
What's Included
AIRFARE:
- Roundtrip economy-class airfare into Madrid (MAD) and out of Barcelona (BCN)
HOTELS: You will be in the following 4-star hotels, or similar:
- 3 nights in Madrid at Sercotel Gran Hotel Conde Duque
- 2 nights in Valencia at Hotel Dwo Valencia
- 3 nights in Barcelona at Hotel HCC St. Moritz (including local Barcelona city tax)
SIGHTSEEING/TOURS as described in the itinerary, including the following:
- Guided Madrid city tour with entrance to Royal Palace
- Guided Madrid tapas tour dinner
- Guided Toledo city tour
- Guided Valencia city tour
- Guided Barcelona city tour with entrance to Olympic Stadium and Teleferic de Montjuic (Barcelona Cable Car)
- Guided Gaudi tour in Barcelona with entrance to La Sagrada Familia
MEALS:
- Breakfast daily
- Welcome drink upon arrival at Madrid hotel
- Guided Madrid tapas tour dinner (as noted above)
- Farewell dinner with drinks in Barcelona at a restaurant with a sea view
TRANSPORTATION/GUIDES:
- Arrival airport transfer from Madrid Airport to hotel
- Departure airport transfer from hotel to Barcelona Airport
- Services of a professional Tour Director and Driver throughout your tour
- Local guides for individual tours as described above
Go big by combining this trip with 8 more nights in Paris, Burgundy and the French Riviera on our once-in-a-lifetime Small Group Journey to France & Spain!
Great Ways to Explore
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Discover more of Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona with your included city tours.
Sample the delicious tapas of Madrid.
-
Explore the iconic Royal Palace of Madrid.
-
Embrace the amazing architecture of Barcelona while visiting the Montjuic and the Olympic Stadium.
-
Check out different cultural spots in Valencia including Plaza de la Reina!
Enjoy the amazing highlights of Spain with the convenience of a small group tour! Begin your trip in the capital city of Madrid, taking in the vibe of this magnificent metropolis. Get a complete feel of the area through your included city and food tours. End your stay in Madrid by exploring one of the oldest taverns in the area before heading to Toledo for a guided city tour.
Continue on to Valencia where you'll enjoy panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Spend time discovering the many monuments and historical locations of this city including the Valencia Cathedral and the iconic Plaza de la Reina.
The last leg of your journey brings you to the northern coastal city of Barcelona. Visit the famous Port and Olympic Village, ascend the Montjuic, and enjoy time at the Paseo de Gracia. End your small group journey with a farewell dinner and one-of-a-kind views overlooking the sea!
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
AIRFARE:
- Roundtrip economy-class airfare into Madrid (MAD) and out of Barcelona (BCN)
HOTELS: You will be in the following 4-star hotels, or similar:
- 3 nights in Madrid at Sercotel Gran Hotel Conde Duque
- 2 nights in Valencia at Hotel Dwo Valencia
- 3 nights in Barcelona at Hotel HCC St. Moritz (including local Barcelona city tax)
SIGHTSEEING/TOURS as described in the itinerary, including the following:
- Guided Madrid city tour with entrance to Royal Palace
- Guided Madrid tapas tour dinner
- Guided Toledo city tour
- Guided Valencia city tour
- Guided Barcelona city tour with entrance to Olympic Stadium and Teleferic de Montjuic (Barcelona Cable Car)
- Guided Gaudi tour in Barcelona with entrance to La Sagrada Familia
MEALS:
- Breakfast daily
- Welcome drink upon arrival at Madrid hotel
- Guided Madrid tapas tour dinner (as noted above)
- Farewell dinner with drinks in Barcelona at a restaurant with a sea view
TRANSPORTATION/GUIDES:
- Arrival airport transfer from Madrid Airport to hotel
- Departure airport transfer from hotel to Barcelona Airport
- Services of a professional Tour Director and Driver throughout your tour
- Local guides for individual tours as described above
Go big by combining this trip with 8 more nights in Paris, Burgundy and the French Riviera on our once-in-a-lifetime Small Group Journey to France & Spain!
-
Discover more of Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona with your included city tours.
Sample the delicious tapas of Madrid.
-
Explore the iconic Royal Palace of Madrid.
-
Embrace the amazing architecture of Barcelona while visiting the Montjuic and the Olympic Stadium.
-
Check out different cultural spots in Valencia including Plaza de la Reina!
Enjoy the amazing highlights of Spain with the convenience of a small group tour! Begin your trip in the capital city of Madrid, taking in the vibe of this magnificent metropolis. Get a complete feel of the area through your included city and food tours. End your stay in Madrid by exploring one of the oldest taverns in the area before heading to Toledo for a guided city tour.
Continue on to Valencia where you'll enjoy panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Spend time discovering the many monuments and historical locations of this city including the Valencia Cathedral and the iconic Plaza de la Reina.
The last leg of your journey brings you to the northern coastal city of Barcelona. Visit the famous Port and Olympic Village, ascend the Montjuic, and enjoy time at the Paseo de Gracia. End your small group journey with a farewell dinner and one-of-a-kind views overlooking the sea!
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Departure Airport:
Departure Month:
Prices From:
Day 1. Welcome to Madrid!
Locate your driver and board your transfer from the airport to your hotel where you will enjoy a complimentary drink. Toast to the start of your journey!
Airport transfer from Madrid Airport to hotel
Check-in - Sercotel Gran Hotel Conde Duque
Step into elegance and luxury at this gorgeous hotel in magical Madrid. Upon arrival, admire the sophisticated decor that fills the impressive lobby. Check-in with the friendly 24-hour reception team, then find your way up to your stylish room. Open your door to crisp air conditioning, free WiFi, flat-screen TV, and comfortable bedding.
Once you're all settled in, work all your stresses away in the fitness center! Why not cozy up with a warm drink in the charming Tea Room? Located just 1 mile from Madrid's most famous landmarks and just steps from San Bernardo Metro Station, this hotel brings you the best of the city!
Day 2. Madrid
After a hearty breakfast, head out on your private tour with a local guide. You'll get to see the Royal Palace (entrance is included), the Sabatini Gardens, and Campo del Moro. Learn about the church of San Francisco El Grande, the fountains of Paseo del Prado, the Toledo Bridge, the Prado Museum, and Puerta de Alcalá.
Utilize the rest of the afternoon to explore the city at your own pace.
The Royal Palace, Madrid, Spain
Day 3. Madrid
In the morning, dine on a buffet-style breakfast before heading out to discover more highlights of Madrid at your leisure.
Later, enjoy a tapas tour and experience the Spanish culture, accompanied by a local person, who will be pointing out the lesser-known cultural details throughout the tour. You will find bars, taverns, and even entire neighborhoods, specializing in tapas. You'll get to sample various "small plates" at a traditional tavern.
Spanish Paella and Tapas
Day 4. Madrid - Toledo - Valencia
Today you will head out to the seaside town of Valencia. On the way, you will stop in Toledo for a city tour. Toledo is known as the “city of the three cultures” because Christians, Muslims, and Jewish people have lived there together for centuries. Behind its walls, Toledo preserves its artistic and cultural legacy in the form of churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques, and synagogues. The whole city is an incredible museum!
Enjoy your free evening in Valencia tonight.
Transfer from Madrid to Valencia (with stop in Toledo)
Check-in - Hotel DWO Valencia
Centrally situated in the historic heart of Valencia, Hotel DWO Valencia is just a 30-minute walk from the Valencia Cathedral and Malvarossa Beach. Additionally, the hotel is less than 2000 feet away from the Ayora Metro Station. Surrounded by gardens, this accommodation is equipped with large, air-conditioned rooms that feature free Wi-Fi and a television.
All rooms boast modern decor and smart wooden floors as well as a mini-bar, a safe, a private bathroom, and a hairdryer. Guests are within close proximity of various attractions including the Parque de las Camelias and the Fallas Museum.
Day 5. Valencia
Today you'll enjoy a guided tour of Valencia. There are few cities in the world like this one, able to harmoniously combine the remnants of its past, dating back to the year 138BC, with the most innovative and avant-garde buildings from the new millennium.
Valencia has historically been Spain’s Mediterranean port and has that special charm of cities that are also seaports. The city tour will cover Plaza de la Reina, Cathedral (exterior), Plaza de la Virgen, Plaza Redonda, Plaza del Patriarca, front of the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas, Plaza Ayuntamiento, Lonja, and Central Market.
Utilize the rest of the day to explore the city at your own pace.
Plaza de la Reina, Spain
Day 6. Valencia - Barcelona
After a delicious breakfast, board your coach and enjoy the ride to your next destination. Once you arrive in Barcelona, spend the rest of the day exploring the area and indulging in delicious Spanish cuisine.
Transfer from Valencia to Barcelona
Check-in - HCC St. Moritz Hotel
This historic Barcelona hotel, built in 1883 and recently renovated, offers all the comforts of the 21st century and the classical ambiance of the 19th. Located just steps from the posh Passeig de Gracia, one of Barcelona's most famous shopping streets, the HCC St. Moritz is a the perfect retreat from the bustling city.
Head up to your comfortable room, where you'll find free Wi-Fi, crisp air conditioning, plush beds, and much more. When you get hungry, look no further than the HCC St. Moritz's very own St. Gallen restaurant, serving up Mediterranean fresh-produce cuisine. After dinner, unwind on the terrace with a cocktail!
Day 7. Barcelona
Enjoy a guided city tour of Barcelona today! The tour starts at your hotel, heading to the Port and Olympic Village. After, you'll ascend Montjuic via cable car, where you'll admire a panorama of the city and Port from the highest mirador in the city.
Visit the beach of Barcelona, called La Barceloneta. The next stop will be Paseo de Gracia, widely considered the most elegant area of Barcelona with its modernist buildings. Finally, enjoy some free time for shopping at the famous Ramblas de Barcelona.
Montjuic, Barcelona, Spain
Day 8. Barcelona
Today is the final day of your escorted journey through Spain. Enjoy your included tour where you'll learn all about Gaudi and Modernist Architecture. Visit the Sagrada Familia temple, one of the highlights of Barcelona, and a masterpiece of the brilliant architect Gaudi.
This evening, attend a farewell dinner with your group. Enjoy famous Spanish paella with stunning views from a wonderful terrace overlooking the sea.
Cathedral La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
Day 9. Depart Barcelona
Your small group journey to Spain has sadly come to an end – it's time to have one last breakfast at the hotel and then take your transfer to the airport.