Ultimate Spain: Madrid, Segovia, Córdoba, Granada and Sevilla

Flight from your preferred airport to Madrid.

¡Bienvenidos a España! Arrive in Madrid and meet your TFT guides, who will join you for the remainder of your journey. After getting settled into your hotel in the heart of the city, we’ll kick off the trip with a guided tour of the Royal Palace. In the afternoon, we’ll take a walking tour of downtown Madrid, familiarizing ourselves with the area around la Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. For our first Spanish dinner, enjoy traditional homemade tapas followed by an evening walk for ice cream.

Today we’ll see why Madrid is one of Europe’s most livable cities. Begin with a guided tour of the Museo del Prado, where our art historian guide will help students gain an appreciation for the masterpieces found here. Next, in the Parque del Retiro, have a relaxing lunch, visit the turtles at the Crystal Palace and go for a rowboat ride on the pond. In the afternoon, the group will have their choice of seeing works by Dalí and Picasso at the Museo de la Reina Sofía, visiting the home of Real Madrid Football Club at the Bernabéu Stadium, or having free time for shopping in Madrid’s hip boutiques. For dinner, try some more local specialties, like Basque pintxos or tortilla de patata.

Take a journey back in time today with a day trip to nearby Segovia, home to the impressive Roman Aqueduct, which is still standing after 2,000 years. We’ll also visit the Alcázar de Segovia, a beautiful fortress-turned-castle, and have some free time to explore this medieval city. Students will be able to sample local products like cheeses, rustic breads, chorizo, and pastries. Upon returning to downtown Madrid, students will have time for souvenir shopping in the trendy boutiques of Malasaña and Gran Vía.

This morning, board the high-speed AVE train from Madrid to Córdoba–Traveling at 192mph, we’ll be there in under 2 hours. Upon our arrival, visit the ancient Mezquita, the mosque-turned-cathedral that lies in the heart of the Jewish quarter. After lunch, we’ll head to Granada, the last city to fall to the Catholics during the Reconquista. During our time here, we’ll learn about the Moorish Caliphate in Spain and how its heritage is still prevalent today.

Start the day with a guided tour of the Alhambra, home to the last Moorish rulers of Spain, and the Nasrid Palaces. After lunch, we’ll travel outside Granada to appreciate some of Spain’s natural beauty. In the summer, head to a nearby beach to relax on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Or in cooler months, we’ll do a hike in the Sierra Nevada mountains just outside Granada. After dinner at one of our favorite traditional bodegas, students (and teachers) will have the option of going for a soak and massage in the hammam, or traditional Arab baths!

This morning, take a walking tour of downtown Granada to get to know this city like a local! First, pay your respects at the Tomb of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabel and Ferdinand. Visit the archaeological remains of a real Arab hammam, and climb up to a lookout point for incredible views over all of Granada. In the afternoon, browse for treasures in the Moroccan-style Alcaicería marketplace. As always, dinner will feature traditional, authentic cuisine at one of our favorite local restaurants.

Say “hasta luego” to Granada as we travel to our final stop: sunny Sevilla, the capital city of Andalucía. Upon our arrival, we’ll take a walking tour of downtown Sevilla, including the Plaza de España, Parque María Luisa, the Guadalquivir River, and the Bullring. In the evening, enjoy a live flamenco performance before our dinner of tapas.

Today we’ll explore Sevilla’s complex cultural history and learn about the different groups of people who have called this city home over the centuries. Begin the day with a visit to the Alcázar, a palace that the Spanish King and Queen still use today but that was decorated in the Mudejar artistic style. We’ll then explore the Cathedral of Sevilla, which was once a mosque but has now been converted into a Catholic place of worship (and, interestingly, is where Christopher Columbus is buried). After lunch, we’ll meet our local dance instructor for a private sevillanas dance class! In the evening, take some free time to do souvenir shopping in the beautiful neighborhood of Santa Catalina. For our final evening, enjoy an upscale dinner to celebrate the end of an amazing trip!

Your TFT guides will accompany you to the airport and assist you with check-in for your flight. Wave goodbye as you head through security and sit back and relax on your flight home.