Northern Spain

Experience Spain’s capital with a licensed guide. Visit the Royal Palace, Europe’s largest, to see lavish halls and frescoes. Stroll Calle Mayor and lively Gran Vía with its theaters, shops, and cafés. Admire the Cibeles Fountain depicting the earth goddess Cybele. See the Neoclassical Puerta de Alcalá in Plaza de la Independencia, a ceremonial gateway to the city. Conclude at Columbus Square, a hub of monuments and museums.

Tour Toledo, long considered the spiritual capital of Spain and once home to El Greco. Visit Toledo Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece filled with treasures such as alabaster sculpture, El Greco’s paintings, and a gilded monstrance carried in Corpus Christi processions. Step into St. Mary’s Synagogue, a symbol of coexistence among three faiths, and explore Toledo’s famous sword-making tradition at a local factory.

Discover this world-famous gypsy dance, its music, and rich history as you watch professional dancers perform, and give the intricate footwork and elaborate arm gestures a try yourself.

Located on a ridge on a dramatically barren plain, Segovia has dramatic Roman and medieval monuments. As you approach town, a giant cathedral greets you first. Only after passing does the town come into view through a steep and narrow valley.

A castle fit for a king! This stone fortification rises up imposingly from a rocky crag in the old city of Segovia. See its towering round turrets, spindly spires, luxurious throne room and fully stocked armory.

Burgos Cathedral visit, Cartuja de Miraflores visit

Excursion to Bilbao. This commercial centre of the Basque country has been transformed in the past few years into a showplace of modern city-planning and world-class art. Architect Frank Gehry’s stunning new Guggenheim museum (entrance included) leads the way, along with Norman Foster’s futuristic subway and the Santiago Calatrava glass footbridge, which allows visitors to practically walk across water.

Embark on a cultural journey with a visit to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Explore a remarkable collection of modern and contemporary art that offers insight into major artistic movements and creative expression.

Immerse yourself in the art that captures the passion of Spain. Compare the techniques and meanings in the works of artists from El Greco to Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso. Deepen your understanding of art history as you debate how these and other masters defined and shaped Spanish culture.

Explore San Sebastián with your Tour Director, from the elegant Playa de la Concha and Palacio de Miramar to the historic Hotel de Londres, lively harbor, and charming Old Quarter. Wander through Plaza de la Constitución—“La Consti” to locals—and spot the numbered balconies once used for bullfights. Nearby, the 16th-century Saint Vincent Church stands as the city’s oldest monument.

Explore Pamplona with your Tour Director, a city rich in history and tradition. Begin in Plaza del Castillo, the lively square known as the “living room” of Pamplona, where locals gather and festivals come to life. Learn about the city’s famous Running of the Bulls and its deep connection to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Visit the magnificent Pamplona Cathedral (Santa María la Real), a Gothic masterpiece featuring one of Europe’s finest cloisters and a museum filled with medieval art.

Discover Barcelona with a licensed guide as you explore its mix of Gothic charm and modernist brilliance. Visit Plaza de España, then marvel at Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia, the soaring church that defines the city’s skyline. Wander through Park Güell with its colorful mosaics and sweeping views, and journey to Montjuïc Hill, home to historic fortresses and the 1992 Olympic grounds.

Take interactive learning to another level with a Tour Director-led scavenger hunt on Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most famous pedestrian street. Complete exciting activities and solve fun clues, each designed to maximize experiential learning on tour.