Duration: 14 Days
Originally chanted at the toreros during bullfights, “Olé!” is now a term used to congratulate anyone’s exceptional performance in sunny and live-in-the-moment Spain. Prepare for those two happy syllables to roll off your tongue as you discover the past and modern-day feats of everyone from artists and architects to chefs and winemakers throughout this lively tour of Spain. Our most in-depth look at the land of the nonstop fiesta, this 14-day tour leads you from city to city and coast to coast for Picasso and paella, fortresses and flamenco, and Gaudi and the great Rioja wines. Equally satisfying is seeing the legendary backdrops used for some of classic literature’s finest prose—from Granada’s Moorish Alhambra complex to Pamplona’s famous Calle Estafeta, the famous street where the annual “running of the bulls” takes place. Olé!
Traveller Notes
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect holiday—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2024, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2024.
Welcome to Madrid!
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Masterpieces in Madrid
MADRID Guided sightseeing includes the Prado Museum and sights of the Cibeles Fountain and Calle Alcala. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE The Prado Museum houses one of the world's largest art collections, including its amazing assortment of masterpieces by historic artists like Velasquez, Goya, and El Greco. The famous museum also displays the works of renowned European masters, including Rubens and Rembrandt, along with a stunning collection of Greco-Roman statues.
Spanish Treasures
SEGOVIA See the Roman Aqueduct.
BURGOS Take an orientation walk and see the Cathedral of Santa Maria.
VITORIA Free time late afternoon to browse. (B,D) 286 mi / 460 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE The Cathedral of Santa Maria is a wonderful example of the flamboyant Gothic- style which gives her an unmistakable profile. This revered stop along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route is also the final resting place of the legendary Castilian folk-hero El Cid.
Walk, Don't Run
BILBAO Take a guided visit of the Guggenheim Museum.
SAN SEBASTIAN Enjoy free time to browse and for lunch.
PAMPLONA [LF] Walk along the Calle Estafeta, followed by a Rioja wine-pairing dinner at Basaburua restaurant. (B,D) 168 mi / 270 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
LOCAL TASTES Best known as the narrow cobblestone gauntlet where the running of the bulls takes place in Pamplona, Calle Estafeta is a haven for food lovers where tapas and wine are always on the menu at Restaurante Basaburua in the heart of the city.
Going for Baroque in Aragon
SARAGOSSA An orientation walk includes Plaza del Pilar. Enjoy free time for lunch.
Scenic drive en route to Barcelona. (B) 311 mi / 500 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Loved for its folklore, fantastic food, and fascinating landmarks such as the Basilica del Pilar, Saragossa delights with brilliant Baroque architecture that have earned the capital of Spain's Aragon region the designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gaudi's Masterpiece
BARCELONA Guided sightseeing includes sights of the Columbus Monument, Plaza de Cataluna, and panoramic views of the city and harbour from Montjuic Hill. Visit the Sagrada Familia Basilica. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CUTURAL GEM The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia stands in Barcelona as a monument to the Holy Family and a testament to the masterwork of Antoni Gaudi. Built on the reliance of donations since the first stone was laid more than 130 years ago, the iconic church remains an unfinished masterpiece and the world's longest-running construction project - slated for completion in 2026 on the 100th anniversary of the architect's death.
Vibrant Views of Valencia
VALENCIA Guided sightseeing features a photo stop at the Arts and Sciences Complex and a traditional Horchata (drink made from tiger nuts) tasting. (B,D) 230 mi / 370 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE Marvel at the architecture of La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (The City of Arts and Sciences) in Valencia. This gleaming, ultra-modern complex is the largest of its kind in Europe, with its strikingly futuristic design mirroring the surrounding water park, and a stunning symbol of the Spanish city, which houses a planetarium, an oceanarium, and an interactive museum.
Grand Granada
Scenic drive toward the mountains past cave dwellings near Guadix and Purullena en route to Granada.
GRANADA Enjoy free time in the late afternoon, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) 336 mi / 540 km
FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE Take in the Renaissance architecture and unmistakeable Moorish influence mixed with modern style in Granada, one of eastern Andalusia's most fascinating cities. Poised at the foot of the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada lies between the Darro and Genil rivers with a wealth of grand Islamic architecture, endless tapas, cold beer, and lively streets.
Splendid Spain
GRANADA Guided walking tour includes the Alhambra complex and the Water Gardens of the Generalife. (B) 103 mi / 165 km
NOTE: Alhambra complex: Entrance to Nasrid Palace is not guaranteed
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ARCHITECTURAL GEMS 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.
Time for Tapas
COSTA DEL SOL [LF] Join an excursion to Malaga for a guided walking tour through the Old City and tapas tasting at the famous El Pimpi Bodega. Free time to explore. (B) 22 mi / 35 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
LOCAL TASTES El Pimpi occupies an 18th-century home on an ancient Roman road in Malaga. Converted into a wine cellar in 1971, this popular place for tapas and wine maintains its enchanting atmosphere in its halls and patios. Named after the legendary Malaga character, "Pimpi," who assisted sea crews and passengers arriving at the historic Malaga port, this popular bodega is also owned in part by actor and native of Malaga, Antonio Banderas.
La Plaza de Toros
Border crossing to Gibraltar.
GIBRALTAR Guided sightseeing includes St. Michael's Caves.
SEVILLE [LF] Visit the famous Real Maestranza de Caballeria de Sevilla, the royal bull ring. (B,D) 199 mi / 320 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
CULTURE & TRADITION Step into the ring of Spanish history and heritage, the Real Maestranza de Caballeria de Sevilla (Royal Bullring), where over the centuries matadors have confronted bulls in a show of pageantry and pride.
The Squares of Seville
SEVILLE Visit the Plaza de Espana. Guided sightseeing includes Casa de Pilatos, and a walk through the Santa Cruz quarter. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Walk through Seville's picturesque Plaza de Espana, originally built for Seville's Ibero-American Expo at the 1929 World's Fair, the 540,000-square-foot plaza features a sprawling mosaic patio - an architectural tour de force. Explore the historic Santa Cruz quarter in a magical maze of tapas, flamenco, and cafes
Treasures of Cordoba
CORDOBA Guided walking tour includes the Mosque of the Caliphs. Free time to browse.
MADRID Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) 360 mi / 580 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE The Mosque of Cordoba (Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba in Spanish) today is a Catholic but was originally a mosque built for Muslim prayer by Abd ar-Rahman I in the 8th century. The mosque's architecture is rich in dazzling detail, with over 800 granite and marble pillars supporting its beautiful brick and stone arches - a major focal point in the mosque along with the soaring bell tower - the tallest structure in the city.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
