Premium Spain

  • Europe
  • Duration: 11 Days
  • Start: Madrid, Spain
  • Finish: Barcelona, Spain
  • Destination: Europe
  • Group size: 1-12
  • Operator: Intrepid
Walk in the footsteps of Gaudi and Picasso, taste fine wines and tapas and wander the white-washed villages that bring Spain to life. On this 11-day Premium journey from Madrid to Barcelona, you’ll see flamenco in Seville, taste paella in Valencia, feel the history of the Alhambra in Granada and discover the hidden corners of Cordoba.

Share:

Highlights

Embrace the diversity of Spain from Madrid to Barcelona

Walk in the footsteps of Gaudi and Picasso, taste fine wines and tapas and wander the white-washed villages that bring Spain to life. On this 11-day Premium journey from Madrid to Barcelona, you’ll see flamenco in Seville, taste paella in Valencia, feel the history of the Alhambra in Granada and discover the hidden corners of Cordoba. With a Feature Stay that displays authentic history and local culture and Exclusive Experiences that showcase this dynamic country’s delicious cuisines and architectural history, you’re in for an adventure.

 


Why you’ll love this trip

  • Taste the best of Spanish cuisine during Signature Experiences – taste paella in Valencia, sample olive oil at a family-run farm in Andalucia.
  • See the enchanting Alhambra Palace in Granada by day and by night with an expert guide – a Signature Experience. Avoid the crowds as you receive special insight into the complex’s fascinating history.
  • Spend two nights in a hotel housed in 27 converted Sevillian cottages for your Feature Stay in Seville. From antique furnishings to first-class service and an unbeatable location, this family-run hotel will be simply unforgettable.
  • Take guided tours of both Valencia and Madrid, giving you the chance to hear from a expert about the local landmarks while getting to sample Spanish delicacies like horchata and paella along the way.
  • Visit the iconic unfinished masterpiece of La Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona – construction on this hugely ambitious project began in 1882 and is still underway.

 

Is this trip right for you?

  • Many of the wonderful cities and sites of this trip are explored on foot. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes, plus suitable luggage for navigating cobblestone streets.
  • Summer temperatures can be extreme (over 40°C), so it’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please consider your suitability to the season you are travelling in.
  • During your discoveries you will visit a numerous religious sites. You will need to bring clothes that cover the arms, and pants or skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot. Your leader will advise when such clothing is necessary.

 


 

Inclusions and activities

  • Meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
  • Transport: Private vehicle, High-speed train
  • Accommodation: Hotel (8 nights), Feature stay (2 nights)

 

Premium inclusions

  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support

 

Included Activities

  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Madrid – (Tapas) Welcome Dinner
  • Madrid – Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Seville – Evening Flamenco Show
  • Seville – Alcazar Visit
  • Seville – Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Cordoba – Walking Tour of the Mezquita & Cordoba City with Local Guide
  • Andalucia – Olive Oil Mill Visit & Tasting
  • Granada – Alhambra Alcazaba and Generalife Gardens Tour
  • Granada – Leader led Orientation Walk
  • Elche – Orientation walk
  • Valencia – Paella Lunch
  • Valencia – Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Dinner in Restaurant – Barcelona
  • Barcelona – Sagrada Familia

 

 


 

Important notes

1. To book Alhambra tickets, we require full passport details for all passengers at the time of booking, and no later than 60 days before the start of your trip. The Alhambra is an incredibly popular site and tickets sell out quickly. If we have not received your passport details by this time, we are not able to guarantee access to Alhambra with the rest of your group and/or access to the Nasrid Palace. Admission will be subject to availability at the time of receiving your passport details.

2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.

3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

 


 

Booking terms & conditions

Before you book a trip with Intrepid, please take the time to read and understand what terms and conditions apply to your booking. For most of our trips, you will be booking directly with Intrepid so our Standard Booking Conditions and any applicable Special Conditions will apply. Please note that there are three versions of the Standard Booking Conditions depending on what location you are booking from.

Prices can change at anytime – Our prices drop or increase based on demand, seasonality, availability and market conditions.
Learn more about pricing

Lock in your trip with a $400 flexible deposit if it departs 56+ days from now. Terms and conditions

 

Itinerary

Day 1 • Madrid

Bienvenido! Welcome to Spain. When you arrive in Madrid, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure then officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6.30 pm tonight. If you arrive early, you might like to visit the Museo del Prado and then wander the works of Picasso and Dali in the Museo Reina Sofia. After your meeting, you’ll join your local leader and small group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant that showcases Madrid’s famous tapas.

Special information

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Day 2 • Madrid

This morning, get an in-depth look at Madrid as you join your leader for a tour of the city centre. You’ll visit Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace on walk that’ll bring the city’s history to life. After stopping to refuel at a local cafe, enjoy a free afternoon to relax or continue your explorations. You could wander along the along the Paseo del Arte, or Art Walk, for an expansive history of Western art. Start with the Museo del Prado, then discover modern Spanish masters, including Picasso and Dali, in the Museo Reina Sofia. Finish at the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, which displays eight centuries of European painting.

Day 3 • Seville

Travel from Madrid to Seville by train this morning. The largest city in southern Spain, Seville is famous for its cultural vitality and architecture. When you arrive, check into your Feature Stay accommodation – a gorgeous family-run boutique hotel housed in 27 Sevillian cottages with patios and corridors connecting them. The hotel celebrates its roots with its decor and antique furnishings and walking through the hotel’s interior is like taking a stroll through centuries-old parts of the city, with its statues, columns, jugs, all creating the impression of a living museum. Personal touches can also be found all throughout the hotel, like the hand-painted details in each room and the owner’s great-grandmother’s shawl hanging in reception. Tonight, join your group for a live flamenco show – a traditional Spanish style of dance with roots in Seville.

Special information

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours

Day 4 • Seville

This morning, meet with a local expert on all things Seville and get to know the city during a walking tour. Explore narrow streets, hidden squares filled with orange trees and flower-adorned patios as your guide provides local insight into the history of the city. Visit the Alcazar of Seville – a grand royal palace. Known as one of the most beautiful in Europe, the Spanish royal family still use the Alcazar as their residence! The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. Maybe take an optional visit to the Giralda Tower and the famous Seville Cathedral – one of Europe’s largest cathedrals and home to Christopher Columbus’ elevated tomb.

Day 5 • Cordoba

Today, journey to the city of Cordoba, where Muslim, Jewish and Christian influences are present in the architecture, culture and cuisine. Cordoba is also home to the Mezquita – a rare site that has served as both a mosque and a cathedral throughout the centuries. Today, a cathedral stands within the centre of the mosque – an interesting example of the interplay of Christian and Muslim cultures in Spain. Discover this supreme example of Islamic architecture on a comprehensive guided tour with your leader which continues outside the Mezquita and explores the charming quarters and hidden corners of Cordoba.

Special information

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Day 6 • Granada

Depart Cordoba and travel to Granada. Along the way, you’ll learn more about the importance of olive oil production in the Andalucia region by visiting an oil mill. Let the passionate owner of the family-run business walk you through the process of olive oil production and taste some different variations of the final result yourself, along with olives, olive marmalade, olive pate and wine. This evening, maybe head out to explore Granada’s drinking and dining scene with your group.

Special information

Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

Day 7 • Granada

This morning, take an orientation walk of Granada with your leader. Learn the history of the city and discover Islamic architecture and Arab influences at every turn. Then, you’ll have some time for your own explorations – maybe head to a local teahouse to sample some Moorish pastries. In the afternoon, join an expert local guide for a tour of Alhambra and its perfectly manicured gardens. Dating back to the 11th century, Alhambra represents Muslim art in its final European stages. Tonight, join your group for an included dinner at a nearby restaurant. Then, you’ll return to the Alhambra after dark and explore the famed Nasrid Palaces with your local guide. By now, the crowds have dispersed and you’re free to explore the site in all its glory. Your guide will bring history to life and provide expert insight as you explore the dominating red fortress towers, opulent palace decor and a multitude of architectural styles through the intricate Nasrid Palaces.

Day 8 • Valencia

Depart Granada and travel to Valencia. Along the way, you’ll travel through the countryside through Elche – the capital of the region of Bajo Vinalopo. The historic quarter of Elche preserves part of its Muslim past and Baroque splendour. Walk around a palm tree grove – one of the largest and the only one in Europe. Your leader will explain how the grove was established by the Phoenicians and expanded by the Arabs in the 8th and 9th centuries. Then it’s on to Valencia, Spain’s third largest city. When you arrive, you’re free to explore the Old Town centre that dates back 2000 years. Discover the harmonious mix of Roman, Muslim and Christian influences in its buildings, monuments and gardens.

Special information

Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.

Day 9 • Valencia

This morning, join a local guide for a tour of Valencia. Hear the stories behind historical sites like the Puertas de Serrano, town hall and cathedral, and make visits to the central market and the Silk Exchange building. Along the way you’ll stop to try horchata, an iconic drink from Valencia, and finish off with a lunch of the most famous Valencian dish – paella. The rest of the day is yours to explore Valencia at your own pace. You might like to visit the City of Arts and Science – a large and futuristic museum complex designed by Calatrava. Or, head out to a local cafe to enjoy the treats that Valencia has to offer.

Day 10 • Barcelona

After a leisurely breakfast, bid farewell to Valencia and travel to Barcelona. The character and fabulous Catalan cuisine of this city mix seamlessly with a ground-breaking art scene, Gothic architecture, superb dining and non-stop nightlife, making it a city you won’t soon forget. Once you’ve checked in to your accommodation, make a visit to Antonio Gaudi’s incredible La Sagrada Familia Cathedral. The architect worked on this hugely ambitious project for decades until his death, and it remains in constant construction. Later, have dinner at a local restaurant with your group. Celebrate the final night of your trip as you dine on some of the region’s most delicious foods like olives, pickled garlic, lomo Iberico de Bellotta (pork loin), Catalan cheeses, olive oil and sweet desserts.

Special information

Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.

Day 11 • Barcelona

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay in Barcelona and delve deeper into this exciting city, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation.

Dates and prices

From AUD $8,370 per person, twin share · 11 Days

November 2026 1 departure
December 2026 1 departure
March 2027 2 departures
April 2027 2 departures
May 2027 3 departures
June 2027 2 departures
August 2027 1 departure
September 2027 4 departures
October 2027 3 departures
November 2027 2 departures
December 2027 1 departure

Prices are per person, twin share, in AUD and can change at any time. Tap a departure to enquire.

Enquire Online

Tell us what suits you and our Australian travel team will take care of the rest.

Travel Details

Your Details

No payment now — a friendly Australian travel specialist will get back to you, usually within one business day.

FAQ's
  • Refund policies vary by operator and depend on how far in advance you cancel. Many offer partial refunds, while others may charge cancellation fees.

  • Date changes depend on the tour operator’s policy and availability. Fees may apply for last-minute changes.

  • Most tours include accommodations, transportation, a guide, and select meals or activities. Check the itinerary for specific inclusions and exclusions.

  • Extras like airfare, optional activities, meals not listed in the itinerary, personal expenses, and tips are usually not included.

  • There are group tours, private tours, self-guided tours, luxury tours, adventure tours, cultural tours, and more. Choose one that matches your interests and budget.

  • Book 3–6 months in advance for popular destinations or peak seasons. Last-minute bookings are possible, but availability may be limited.

  • Group Tour: You travel with other participants on a fixed itinerary. Private Tour: The tour is tailored for you and your companions, offering more flexibility and personalized attention.

  • This depends on the tour operator’s policies. Some allow it with prior arrangements, but you may still need to pay the full tour price.

  • Day Tour: A single-day excursion focusing on one or a few attractions. Multi-Day Tour: Covers multiple destinations over several days and includes accommodations.

  • Tips are usually not included. Check the operator’s policy and be prepared to tip guides, drivers, and other staff if not covered.

  • Yes, many operators offer accessible tours with accommodations for mobility aids. Check with the company for specifics.

  • Pack according to the tour type and destination. Essentials often include comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, travel documents, and personal items.

  • Some meals are usually included, especially breakfasts. Check the itinerary to know which meals are provided and which are not.

From $8,370.00

    Fill up the form below to tell us what you're looking for

    From $8,370.00

    Write a review