Spain by Rail

On arrival at the airport, you’ll be warmly greeted and chauffeured to your choice of first class or deluxe hotel. The balance of this day is free to relax, enjoy and explore as you wish.

Spain’s capital is a modern cosmopolitan city offering much to see and do: historic landmarks, great art, and a vibrant cultural life. Today you’ll have the opportunity to pursue your own personal interests and to tailor your stay in this captivating city. Just choose one of these included tours and delight in the intimacy and thoughtful engagement of touring with your own personal guide! Meals B   Half-Day Walking Tour of Madrid de los Austrias and Royal Palace: Built during the reign of the Habsburg Dynasty that ruled much of modern-day Europe from their capital in Vienna, El Madrid de los Austrias is the name used for the capital’s historic city center. With insight and information from your engaging guide, you’ll explore its charming squares and cobblestone streets, including the handsome Plaza de la Villa and impressive Plaza Mayor. Then visit the Royal Palace, official residence for the King of Spain until 1931. Filled with great works of art by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco and other master painters, this 18th century landmark is now used mainly for official state functions. Tour Duration: 4 Hours   Half-Day Tour of Madrid’s Museums: Join your expert private guide to explore two of Europe’s greatest art museums, starting with the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Formerly in private hands, its vast collection is a journey through the history of art—from medieval Italian painters of the 14th century and the 17th-century Dutch School to French impressionism and important 20th-century avant-garde works by Kandinsky, Dali, Lichtenstein and others. Then continue to the world-famous Prado Museum, one of the first public art galleries in the world. Among its enormous collection are important masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, Bosch, Rubens, Titian, and other giants of European art.  Tour Duration: 4 Hours   Tapas Walking Tour: With tapas restaurants now found in cities across America, many travelers are familiar with this wonderful Spanish tradition. But here in Madrid, tapas is more than just small-plate dining; it’s a cultural tradition that is as much about the people and the conversation as it is about the food. Choosing lunch or dinner time, you’ll join our engaging foodie guide to stroll along the charming streets of Madrid’s historic city center, stopping along the way in some of your guide’s favorite haunts to savor a variety of traditional tapas dishes paired with fine Spanish wine.  Tour Duration: 3 Hours   Dinner to the Sound of Flamenco: With Andalusian roots in southern Spain, authentic flamenco is a complex art form incorporating poetry, singing, guitar playing, polyrhythmic hand-clapping and, of course, dancing. Known as Tablao Flamenco, there are many places in Madrid where you can enjoy a flamenco show. This evening, we’ll take you to the best Tablao Flamenco in the city, recipient of numerous accolades including the prestigious City of Madrid Award. Enjoy fine Spanish cuisine and an unforgettable evening of Flamenco. You can also purchase any of these tours in advance for additional sightseeing to enhance your time in Madrid. CLICK HERE [/~/getmedia/dbebf7cf-64aa-48a3-a335-7614852b9d68/Europe-Spain-Madrid-Optional-Tours.pdf.aspx] for a complete list of our Privately Guided Sightseeing Tours.

Carefully selected for their prime locations, our first class and deluxe hotels in Madrid offer the perfect base for exploring the city on your own. If you prefer additional privately guided touring, we offer a wide variety of sightseeing tours to complement your stay here in the capital. CLICK HERE [/~/getmedia/dbebf7cf-64aa-48a3-a335-7614852b9d68/Europe-Spain-Madrid-Optional-Tours.pdf.aspx] for a complete list of our privately guided excursions in and around Madrid.  Meals B

After breakfast, you’ll be chauffeured to the rail station to continue your journey. Sit back in first-class comfort and enjoy the scenery en route to Granada. On arrival, you’ll be met and escorted by private vehicle to your choice of first class or deluxe hotel. The rest of this day is yours to enjoy as you wish.  Meals B  

Situated at the foot of the mighty Sierra Nevada mountain range, Granada is one of the most interesting Andalusian cities, with a rich cultural heritage that reflects its distinctive Moorish influence. Today you can pursue your own personal interests and tailor your exploration of this fascinating city. Just choose one of these included excursions and delight in the attentive, thoughtful engagement of touring with your own private guide.  Meals B   Half-Day Tour of the Alhambra: Founded as a simple walled citadel, the Alhambra #WHS# developed into a sprawling fortified palace complex; by the late 13th century, it was the seat of power for the Nasrid emirs, the last Muslim dynasty in the Iberian Peninsula that ruled the Emirate of Granada through the 1400’s. From the opulent Nasrid Palaces to the enchanting Generalife Gardens, this is one of Spain’s greatest sites and an enduring symbol of the country’s Moorish legacy. Enhanced by your guide’s extensive knowledge, this private tour is a journey through some of Spain’s most fascinating historical chapters.  Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours   Tour of the Albaicín and Tapas: Predating the Alhambra by a couple centuries, the Albaicín #WHS# is Granada’s oldest district where buildings of the Nasrid Dynasty and later constructions of the Christian tradition coexist harmoniously. Accompanied by your engaging personal guide, you’ll begin your exploration with a magnificent twilight view of the Alhambra and its dramatic mountain backdrop. Then continue along the charming, winding cobblestone streets of the Albaicín as your guide shares history and insight. Along the way, you’ll stop by a couple of their favorite local bars to enjoy tapas and a glass of fine Spanish wine.  Tour Duration: 2.5 Hours  

Your private car and driver will take you to the train station for your included first-class rail journey to Seville. On arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and chauffeured to your choice of first class or deluxe hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy as you wish.  Meals B

With important monuments that reflect centuries of Moorish influence as well as Spain’s ascendancy as an ecclesiastical and maritime power, Seville is home to three distinct UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today, you have the opportunity to customize your sightseeing to your personal interests and style: Just choose one of these included, privately guided excursions.  Meals B   Half-Day Tour of Monumental Seville – Cathedral + Alcazar: Founded in 1403 on the site of a former mosque, Seville’s magnificent Cathedral #WHS# reflects both Gothic and Renaissance styles, encompassing 700 years of history and architecture. With its five naves, it is heralded as the largest Gothic building in all of Europe. In addition to your guided visit of the Cathedral, you’ll also tour the ornately decorated Alcazar Palace #WHS# and its stunning Andalusian gardens. Dating back to the 10th century, this is  one of the oldest royal residences in Europe; it is a masterpiece of Mudéjar architecture—a style that reflects a unique blend of Moorish and Christian influences.  Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours   Guided Visit to Hospital de la Caridad and Archivo de Indias: History enthusiasts will love this privately guided tour, featuring two of Seville’s most historic treasures. First up is the Archivo General de Indias #WHS#, situated in a 16th-century landmark building that once housed the Consulate of the Merchants of Seville. Established as an archive in 1785, it is home to the world’s greatest collection of documents related to the history of the earliest European explorers in the New World and the Spanish Empire in the Americas. Next, you’ll visit the Hospital de la Caridad. Founded in the 17th century by a wealthy nobleman as a charitable institution to care for the poor and sick, it’s famed for its Baroque architecture and impressive art collection.  Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours   E-Bike Introduction to Seville: Joined by your private guide, enjoy a pleasant walk from your hotel to the Cathedral, where you’ll pick up your e-bike and safety helmet. From here, you’ll enjoy a guided biking tour through Seville encompassing some of the city’s most important historic sites and beautiful landmarks. See the Giralda Bell Tower, originally built in the 12th century as the minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville, and take in breathtaking views of the Alcazar #WHS#. See the lovely Park of Maria Luisa and continue through the Plaza de España to the Guadalquivir River.  Tour Duration: 2 Hours You can also purchase any of these tours in advance for additional sightseeing to enhance your time in Seville. CLICK HERE [/~/getmedia/14204270-aafb-446d-8f97-4cd57f0ed72a/Europe-Spain-Seville-Optional-Tours052024.pdf.aspx] for a complete list of our Privately Guided Sightseeing Tours.  

This entire day is yours to relax, shop, or discover more of Seville at your own pace. If you prefer guided sightseeing, we offer a variety of optional excursions in and around Seville that you can book to enhance your stay. CLICK HERE [/~/getmedia/14204270-aafb-446d-8f97-4cd57f0ed72a/Europe-Spain-Seville-Optional-Tours052024.pdf.aspx] to see our complete list of privately guided tours, cultural activities and exciting excursions.  Meals B  

After breakfast, you’ll be chauffeured to the airport or rail station for your onward journey. Meals B