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8-Nights Captivating Spain - First-Class, Small Group Discovery from $5,099
Globus
OFFER ID 1721131
Small groups translate to great experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour. Designed from the ground up for a maximum of 18 guests in Europe, this Small Group Discovery tour has everything you need to explore with up-close-and-exclusive experiences that go beyond traditional tours.
Begin in Madrid, where Hemingway was inspired to pen great novels and explore Málaga where Picasso was born to revolutionize art history. Continue to Granada where brave bullfighters entered the ring as they had been since 1784, then marvel at the Alhambra Complex, one of the largest aristocratic treasures of Western Muslim history. In Valencia, sip Horchata or mint tea and explore the rich Moorish influences on architecture and culture. Sail on the waterways of Albufera National Park where water birds of every size flock to its sanctuary. Dig into the perfect pan of Valencia paella and tap into conversation over afternoon tapas in Barcelona. Any way you slice it, this Small Group Discovery tour of Spain is the perfect size to go big from Madrid to Barcelona!
8 nights from $5,099 per person
Itinerary Details
Captivating Spain
Day 1: ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN Your Small Group Discovery Begins! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 2: MADRID The Sun Also Rises Join your small group for a guided tour that traces the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway, the Nobel Literature Prize-winner, who frequented Madrid over three decades with a fascination for the city and its culture. You can see Madrid's influence in works including For Whom the Bell Tolls, Death in the Afternoon, and The Sun Also Rises. Hear about the deep connections between U.S. and Spain through those who knew Hemingway in depth, such as John Dos Passos and Ava Gardner. (B)
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Your small group city sightseeing reveals the traditions and daily life of Madrid, featuring the painter’s market where artists paint and showcase their works. Walk to Plaza de Oriente and the Old Town Hall where narrow streets lead to the Carboneras Convent of the Sisters of Corpus Christi Jerónimas, who bake and sell delicious sweets.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
Take advantage of the small group optional experience with an exclusive gastronomic experience. Browse different venues to taste culinary specialties, and feel free to imbibe in establishments chosen for their authenticity, local character, and quality.
Day 3: MADRID–MÁLAGA The Artist Within Board your AVE train and ride to Málaga to enjoy an intimate walking tour to explore the sights. Visit the Picasso Museum for a unique opportunity to explore the life and works of the artist in the city where he was born. Later join your small group for dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Learn about the profound connection between Málaga and Picasso, as the city significantly influenced the early years of one of the 20th century's most renowned artists. Whether you're an art aficionado or a curious traveler, exploring Málaga through the lens of Picasso provides a unique and enriching experience.
Day 4: MÁLAGA. EXCURSION TO SETENIL & RONDABandits & Bullfighters Continue through the Guadalhorce Valley towards the Ronda Mountain Range en route to Setenil de las Bodegas, one of the most unique pueblos blancos (white villages) in Andalusia. Continue to Ronda, one of the most fascinating of Andalusian cities, with its dramatic landscape and legendary romantic tales of bandits, bullfighters, and artists throughout history. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Stroll down the narrow, winding streets of Ronda and take in the well-preserved Moorish architecture. See The Plaza de Toros de Ronda, its famous bullring completely built in stone and dating back to 1784—considered the oldest in Spain.
Day 5: MÁLAGA–GRANADA Splendid Spain Today, visit the Alhambra Palace and the Water Gardens of the Generalife. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Granada’s Alhambra Complex stands as one of the largest ancient aristocratic sites of Western Muslim culture. Its leafy lanes and streams enhance the grand water gardens of Generalife, at the once summer-palace and country estate of the Nasrid rulers.
Day 6: GRANADA–VALENCIA Mint Condition Join your guide through Granada’s Albaicín district and taste a refreshing and traditional mint tea. Later, drive to the coast, to the vibrant city of Valencia. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
The legendary Albaicín district is one of the city’s oldest centers of medieval Moorish culture. Discover the essence of Islamic Granada as you wind through the labyrinth of narrow streets past stunning architecture, public fountains, and charming terraces. Stop at the Mirador de San Nicolás for breathtaking panoramic views of the city, Alhambra, and Sierra Nevada mountains, then head to a local tearoom for a traditional tea break.
Day 7: VALENCIA–ALBUFERA–BARCELONA On the Water This morning your sightseeing of Valencia comprises a panoramic drive with a photo stop at the City of Arts and Sciences, plus a guided walk in Old Valencia including a traditional Horchata beverage with a delicious fartón pastry. Later, take advantage of your small group size to explore Globus Local Favorite Albufera National Park, aboard a traditional albuferenc boat in the waterways where famed Valencian rice is grown for the local favorite dish, paella. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Cruise the lake with an eye out for a menagerie of flora and fauna, including flamingos, herons, storks, and other water birds who migrate here. See the traditional barracks of local farmers and see eel-fishing stations as well. Later, enjoy a delicious dish of authentic paella.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Enjoy an authentic Spanish paella lunch with a traditional recipe of Paella Valenciana made with chicken, sweet paprika, and golden saffron in a slow simmered broth for a sumptuous, heart-warming hallmark of traditional Spanish cuisine.
Day 8: BARCELONA Barcelona Beauties Explore the hidden gems of the city of Barcelona with ease in your small group. Visit Mercat de la Concepció, located in l´Eixample neighborhood—easily recognizable for its geometric grid pattern and Modernist architecture—with designer shopping, dining, and bars in Barcelona and the famed El Nacional. Today, celebrate your adventures in Spain by sharing a traditional tapas lunch with your small group travel companions. (B,L)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
El Nacional is a unique food hall housed in a symbolic place, full of history. The famous eatery has stood witness to Barcelona’s industrial revolution to today since it was built in 1889. Initially housing a café theatre, a fabric-dye factory, a pre-Civil War car dealer’s shop, and finally a garage, its remaining large windows and metal pillars lend a unique charm as a welcome respite to end an epic journey through Spain.
Day 9: BARCELONA Safe travels until we meet again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Walk through beautiful gardens, charming narrow streets filled with flowers, sit down in one of those typical taverns to have some of that famous "Trevélez" ham and local wine, and breath the centuries of history around you anywhere. There are gypsies singing "Flamenco", and don't miss to visit their famous "Cuevas" - caves - in the mountain of the monastery of Sacromonte where some of them really live still nowadays making magnificent artisany. Granada's popular festivals, based as well on Moorish as Christian tradition, are most attractive.
The city is located at the foot of the "Sierre Nevada", Spain's highest mountain-massif with great posssibilities for winter-sports. The highest peak, "Mulhacén" arrives to 3478 meters. On the other hand it is not far from the Mediterranean sea, so Granada is a great place to visit in any season.
Excursions
Culture & History in Granada (8 hours)
Culture & History in Granada (8 hours)
Highlights:
Discover the world-famous Alhambra, an iconic citadel and palace of Moorish heritage. Explore the splendid gardens of the Generalife Palace among the magical complex of exotic buildings.
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 8 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Excursions
Spain: Valencia Highlights Tour - 5 hours
Spain: Valencia Highlights Tour - 5 hours
Nestled along the sunny Costa Azahar the orange blossom coast lies the beautiful, city of Valencia, where ancient history meets modern innovation and everything in between.
Your private bilingual guide will pick you up and show you the secrets of the famous City of Arts and Sciences, taking you past the original, medieval city gates, among other historical and emblematic sites, before you enter the bustling, pedestrian historic city center where you’ll find ancient Roman ruins at the L’Almoina underground archeological museum. You’ll also visit La Lonja Silk Exchange, our prized UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s greatest examples of gothic architecture.
You´ll also see and hear the stories of the Basilica in the Plaza de la Virgen, as well as the Cathedral and many of our city plazas such as the main Plaza Ayuntamiento, where locals and tourists gather together for business and leisure. Your guide will help you expertly maneuver the busy Mercado Central, where locals buy and sell fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, wines and more.
After all that exploring, you’re sure to work up an appetite. it's time to stop to taste the famous Horchata drink with the sweet traditional fartons.
What's Included?
- 5-hours private guided tour
- Entrance to 2 monuments
- Snack
- Transportation during the whole tour in private taxi
- Meals or drinks not mentioned
- Souvenirs
Highlights of Valencia (4 hours)
Highlights of Valencia (4 hours)
Highlights:
Admire the remarkable riverside designs of renowned contemporary architect Calatrava en route to the 15th century Silk Exchange of the Llotja. Stop for a glass of horchata en route to the beautiful Gothic cathedral, where the supposed Holy Grail is treasured.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 8 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Excursions
Spain: Malaga Walk & Taste Tour - 3 hours
Spain: Malaga Walk & Taste Tour - 3 hours
Highlights
Join for a fun and delicious evening and learn how Malaga has become one of the country’s top dining destinations!
Have a stroll through the beautifully illuminated streets of Malaga, tasting some of the best local wines paired with delicious tidbits. From different typical Malaga sweet wines, to refreshing whites, fruity reds and even artisanal vermouth, you will really get to experience our diverse wine growing regions. Bars, taverns and restaurants will make you feel welcome, offering their tastiest treats like Iberian cold cuts, fresh seafood and other local specialties.
You will pass by some of the most emblematic venues and hidden alleyways of Malaga by night in an enchanting tour that combines food, culture and history.
What's Included?
- 3 hours private tour with an expert local guide
- 4 Foodie Stops
- 8 Tapas & 5 paired Wines.
- Meals & Drinks not mentioned
- Souvenirs
Gibralfaro (4 hours)
Highlights:
Make your way to Mount Gibralfaro to kearn how the famed castle is intertwined with Malaga's millennia of history. Visit the Picasso Museum to witness the magnificent collection of paintings and sculptures from one of Spain's most famed creatives.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 8 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Spain: Malaga walking tour with Picasso Museum
Spain: Malaga walking tour with Picasso Museum
Malaga, the capital of Costa del Sol, is a city that combines tradition and modernity. Today’s tour will take you through the life of the genius of world painting, Pablo Picasso. Born in Malaga in 1881, the city marked his artistic development because it was here where he was formed as a classical painter. His life and his different styles make him an artist of extraordinary interest who revolutionized the art scene forever, opening the door for future generations to create freely. The Museum is an example of all the art that he made in his long artistic life, with unique works that Picasso himself kept as favorites. It is a unique place where art becomes enjoyable, and we learn to look.
Duration: 4 hours
Inclusions: Licensed guide. Included extras: Picasso Museum entrance fees
Excursions
Madrid - Flamenco Gastronomic Experience
Madrid - Flamenco Gastronomic Experience
Overview: Step beyond the ordinary on your Madrid journey and experience the world's most famous and only Flamenco tablao in a Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant. Featuring award-winning artists recognized in Spain and at the top flamenco festivals, immerse yourself in an exclusive and extraordinary Flamenco gastronomic Journey.
Duration: 1 Hour
Home Away from Home!
Overview: Feel at home in Madrid, hosted by a local Madrilene who will introduce you to authentic Spanish culture. With a background in haute cuisine, your Chef invites you for an intimate meal at her splendid elegant flat in the Salamanca district, one of Madrid's most elegant and glamorous neighborhoods. Relax and unwind as you savor a mouthwatering meal prepared with dedication, and love, feeling as if you were in the comfort of your own home.
Duration: 2 Hours
Excursions
Barcelona: A Walk Through Barcelona and The Sagrada Familia Park Guell for Families- 6 Hours
Barcelona: A Walk Through Barcelona and The Sagrada Familia Park Guell for Families- 6 Hours
Your chauffeur and your guide will
be waiting for you at the port. They will be at disposal for 8 hours. Your chauffeur will drive you to the city center of Barcelona.
A Walk Through Barcelona
You will start your day by an exciting 2-hour walking tour of the oldest parts of Barcelona: the Barri Gothic and Born neighborhoods. You will follow your guide as he/she leads you into the small, narrow streets to discover the vibrant, trendy ambiance of Born and the historical atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter. You will see the Santa Maria Del Mar church, the Royal Palace and the world famous “Las Ramblas” avenue. The fun facts and stories
told by our guide will keep your children highly engaged. The children will each get a game booklet to keep them engaged and entertained. After this tour, you will enjoy a
lunch break. Your guide will be there to give recommendations depending on your taste.
Included:
- A Walk Through Barcelona:
- Private certified guide
- 2 hour walking tour
- Game booklet for
- each child
- 2-hour experience
The Sagrada Familia and Park Güell
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a 3-hour tour inside the two iconic Gaudi sites in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia and the Park Güell. You will follow your guide inside the
jaw-dropping and daring church and listen to the stories about its architecture, construction and future. After 1,5 hours spent in the Sagrada Familia, you will head out to
Park Güell. There you will witness the beauty of Gaudí’s mosaics as well as enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Barcelona. To keep the children entertained during this 3-hour tour, they will all get their own fun-filled game booklet. A perfect way to combine both educational discovery and fun!
The Sagrada Familia and
- Park Güell:
- Private certified guide
- Skip-the-line tickets to
- Sagrada Familia and
- Park Güell
- Transfer in a private
- mini van
- Game booklet for
- each child
- 3-hour experience
At the end of the tour, depending on your cruise departure time, your chauffeur will drive you back to the port.
Art and Architecture in Barcelona (8 hours)
Art and Architecture in Barcelona (8 hours)
Highlights:
An architectural delight awaits you today in Barcelona, one of the most exciting cities in Europe. Receive a warm greeting at the port by your private guide and driver and commence your full-day tour with a visit to Gaudi's masterpiece, the impressive, but unfinished Sagrada Familia. Although work started on this project in 1882, this iconic church is not expected to be complete until 2028!
Next, visit Parc Guell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi's most colourful creations. Continue along Passeig de Gracia, to view Gaudi's Casa Batlló and Casa Mila from the outside, with its brilliant wave-like façade.
After lunch, lose yourself in the narrow streets of the true heart of the city - the medieval Gothic Quarter. Here you will visit the magnificent 13th-century Cathedral, and the Picasso Museum, where some of the painter's earliest works are housed. At the end of your tour you are transferred back to the port.
- Walk the labyrinthine alleys of the medieval Gothic Quarter to find architectural gems like the Church of Santa Maria del Mar
- Admire the Sagrada Familia and the Picasso Museum, where some of the artist's earliest works are housed.
Tour can operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 8 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Gaudi’s Barcelona (4 hours)
Highlights:
Receive a warm greeting at the port from your private guide and driver and commence your half-day tour with a visit to Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece; the impressive, but unfinished Sagrada Familia. Although work started on this project in 1882, this iconic church is not expected to be completed until 2028!
Continue on to Parc Guell, a beautiful municipal garden with a superb panoramic view over the city; the focal point is a colourful sea-serpent-shaped central terrace. Visit the gatehouse where Gaudi lived during his later years which is now a museum dedicated to him. Transfer back to the port at the end of your tour.
- Visit the impressive, but still unfinished Sagrada Familia, masterpiece of the Catalan architect
- Wander through Parc Guell, the UNESCO World Heritage Site considered Gaudi's most colourful creation
Tour can operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 8 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Ampordan Secluded Paella Cooking Class
Ampordan Secluded Paella Cooking Class
Overview: Led by a top Chef who graduated from the prestigious Cordon Bleu School in Paris, embark on an exclusive gourmet journey at a secluded rural house. Wander through the historical and artistic complex while learning about its rich gastronomy based on rice. At home, dare to partake in the Paella cooking process and uncover some secrets of high-end cuisine collected from straight connections with the top Spanish chefs.
Duration: 5 Hours
Authentic Barcelona by Bike
Overview: Uncover the most authentic side of Barcelona riding the world's best folding bike, a Brompton. Be led by an expert bike guide and venture into a unique and exclusive experience. Connect with your local guide by sharing and listening to trivia stories about Barcelona. Embark on a ride to explore the least touristy Eixample and Gracia districts. Glimpse the Plaça d'Espanya, the Hospital de la Santa Creu, Sant Pau, and modernist estates.
Duration: 3 Hours
Barcelona Sailing Journey
Overview: Experience the thrill of sailing the Barcelona Coastline. Glimpse the Barcelona skyline from a different perspective and spot some landmarks, including Frank Gehry Golf Fish Sculpture and the Twin Towers", Torres Venecianas. Immerse yourself in the serene deep blue while seeping your glass of wine. Weather permitting, anchor and venture in a short swim.
Duration: 4 Hours
Barcelona - Exploring Cavas' Origin
Barcelona - Exploring Cavas' Origin
Overview: Uncover the dedication of a biodynamic winegrowers family committed to excellence in long-aged wines. Venture on a stroll around the winery's iconic vineyards to discover the distinctive features of a unique spot in the Penedès region. Sheltered by the woods, taste a base wine paired with a light snack. Elevate your experience by savoring three long-aged sparkling wines, a limited-edition white wine, and an extra-virgin olive oil.
Duration: 4 Hours
Barcelona - From Market to Home with a Top Chef
Barcelona - From Market to Home with a Top Chef
Overview: Led by a top Chef who graduated from the prestigious Cordon Bleu School in Paris, embark on an exclusive gourmet journey at her private penthouse. Head to a 19th-century local market and thoroughly select the finest ingredients for your recipe. Dare to partake in the cooking process while you uncover some secrets of high-end cuisine. Savor the combination of flavors paired with a premium selection of Spanish Wines.
Duration: 4 Hours
Hike a World of Nature (7,5 miles)
Hike a World of Nature (7,5 miles)
Overview: Step away from the bustling Barcelona and embrace Catalonia's unique landscape with La Garrotxa and Fageda d'en jordà. Venture into an exciting 7,5 miles hike through the Natural Park of the Volcanic Zone of La Garrotxa. Engage in a circular route through La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. Ascend to the inside of Santa Margarita volcano and discover a chapel lying on its crater. Dive into Fageda d'en Jordà, a unique beech forest that grows on the lava flow of Croscat Volcano. Finalize your trail with a stop at the Croscat Volcano grederes.
Duration: 4 Hours
Montserrat Discovery Hike (5 miles)
Montserrat Discovery Hike (5 miles)
Overview: Ancient Wonders and hidden gems await you on the famous needles of Montserrat Mountain. Venture into an exciting and intimate hike connecting you to Montserrat's outlandish and most authentic elements. Uncover the region of Agulles and the north face of Montserrat, passing between the needles, having to take some steps climbing ropes, and ending up visiting emblematic places such as Cadireta or Foradada.
Duration: 4 Hours
Montserrat from the Skies
Overview: Marvel at Montserrat Mountain's impressive scenic views. With a bird' s-eye view, witness these massive conglomerates, which form unexpectedly imposing sculptures due to their geological evolution. They all have names related to their shapes, and we find caves, chasms, and torrents in their shelter.
Flying over the Montserrat mountain, the spiritual Center of Catalonia is undoubtedly one of the most surprising and impressive experiences.
Duration: 1 Hour
The Secrets of Michelin Dine
Overview: Enjoy an exclusive journey into the World of Michelin stars. Led by a top Chef who graduated from the prestigious Cordon Bleu School in Paris, uncover the secrets of top-notch restaurants. Meet the providers of Michelin-starred restaurants such as Rocco or El Bulli. Find the most highly-rated gourmet products and a trend-setting porcelain manufacturer. Head towards your Chef's Masía, a secluded rural house to savor an authentic El Bulli meal.
Duration: 4H30
Spain: Barcelona gourmet tapas tour
Spain: Barcelona gourmet tapas tour
Enjoy a flavorful journey through the historic heart of Barcelona, where the iconic neighborhoods of the Gothic Quarter, El Born, and Barceloneta will reveal their rich traditions through taste, aroma, and atmosphere. As you walk through narrow, centuries-old alleys and lively local streets, you will be surrounded by the charm of Barcelona’s past and the vibrant energy of its culinary present. Each neighborhood will offer a distinct character—from the medieval intrigue of the Gothic Quarter to the artistic flair of El Born and the seaside charm of Barceloneta. You will visit some of the city’s most authentic and celebrated restaurants and taverns, where chefs and hosts take pride in preserving local traditions while also adding their own creative touch. At each stop, you will sample a carefully curated selection of dishes—from classic tapas bursting with flavor to innovative plates that showcase modern Catalan cuisine. As you taste, sip, and explore, your experienced guide will share the stories behind the food, the people, and the places, connecting each bite to the city’s cultural and historical roots. Whether it’s a glass of local vermouth, a perfectly grilled seafood dish, or a traditional Catalan dessert, every moment of this tour will deepen your connection to Barcelona’s culinary identity.
Duration: 4 hours
Inclusions: Local guide, personalized itinerary on different quarters, tapas tasting at multiple restaurants, round trip transportation
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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