FIRST THINGS FIRST: Consider Early Arrival Options
Your flight to Barcelona, Spain, should land on Day 1 of the itinerary — this means you should depart your home airport the day prior — your round-trip travel time on this Journey is 12 Days (11 Days, 10 Nights Land). The trip ends in Seville (even if you add on the Costa del Sol extension). Airfare is not included.
Mark's Spain Adventure Day-by-Day Itinerary
DAY 1: IT BEGINS IN BARCELONA
Welcome to Spain and her Capital City, Madrid. Upon arrival to the airport, you will be met by our Driver upon clearing customs and make your way to the heart of the city and our home for the next 2 days and nights.
The Now Journey Style of Travel: Enjoy the Discovery Walk on Arrival Day
Our Discovery Walk is a hallmark of the Now Journey style of traveling when exploring new destinations — a brief orientation walk with your Now Journey Tour Captain (not to be confused with our immersive Sightseeing Tour that occurs the next day).
Welcome Dinner
Tonight, in Barcelona, join your Journey Tour Captain for a Welcome Dinner where you’ll indulge in the vibrant flavors of Catalonia. Savor an exquisite selection of traditional tapas, including pan con tomate, escalivada, and jamón ibérico. Delight in a rich seafood paella, brimming with fresh local catch, and finish your meal with a taste of crema catalana. This culinary experience is the perfect introduction to the tastes of Barcelona!
Where We Stay in Barcelona, 3 Nights with breakfast
Signature Hotels Collection —
Grand Hotel Central or Iberostar Selection Paseo de Gracia or Similar
Our Signature hotels feature 4 Star to 5 Star properties featuring select room categories just above the Standard or similar category room — inquire with your Trip Specialist if you'd like to upgrade to a larger room and/or upper category room with a specific view (where available). Hotel room assignments are made at around 60 days prior to the adventure. A comparable hotel will be utilized should our space be sold out by the time you book — we will advise you of your final hotels.
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DAY 2: BARCELONA EXPLORATION
Today's Adventure: Barcelona City Immersion Tour
After breakfast we join our Tour Captain and Local Guide for a walking and driving tour of Barcelona. We will drive along Passeig de Gracia, one of the main streets passing Gaudi-designed houses, Casa Batllo and Casa Mila. We will see the Old Port and the Arc de Triomf, built for the Universal Exposition of 1888. We will have skip-the-long-line tickets for a tour of Sagrada Familia, the unfinished crown jewel of the city. We then take in the Park Güell on the outskirts of the city. The Gaudi-designed park is an innovative harmony of nature and architecture. We will enjoy the gardens, mosaic benches and whimsical buildings.
We return to our hotel for the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Tonight, join the Tour Captain for an optional dinner or explore at your leisure.
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DAY 3: BARCELONA AT LEISURE
Savor a day at your own pace, whether you choose to relax at the hotel, explore the local markets, or take a leisurely stroll through nearby parks. If you're feeling adventurous, consider our optional excursion to Valencia and its stunning coastline. Here, you can immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the city, visit the iconic City of Arts and Sciences, or enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the golden beaches. Whether you stay close or venture out, today is yours to design.
This evening, you're in good hands—join the Tour Captain for an optional dinner, or feel free to explore the city's culinary delights at your leisure.
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DAY 4: TO MADRID
This morning, we'll make our way to the train station, where we'll embark on the next leg of our adventure, traveling to the vibrant city of Madrid. As we board the train, get ready to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic views as we journey toward the heart of Spain's capital.
After we arrive at our hotel in the heart of the city. We will have time to freshen up before our Discovery Walk.
Discovery Walk: Madrid
This afternoon, join your Tour Captain for an introductory stroll through Madrid's historic Gothic Quarter. We'll make our way to the lively La Rambla, continuing on to La Boqueria, where you can explore its vibrant market stalls.
Where We Stay in Madrid, 2 Nights with breakfast
Signature Hotels Collection —
NH Collection Madrid Gran or Similar
Our Signature hotels feature 4 Star to 5 Star properties featuring select room categories just above the Standard or similar category room — inquire with your Trip Specialist if you'd like to upgrade to a larger room and/or upper category room with a specific view (where available). Hotel room assignments are made at around 60 days prior to the adventure. A comparable hotel will be utilized should our space be sold out by the time you book — we will advise you of your final hotels.
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DAY 5: MADRID
Today's Adventure: Discoveries of Madrid
Today we meet our Now Journey Local Guide and begin our city exploration passing the monumental Felipe IV Gate and Retiro Park, a lush green space in the center of the city which is a World Heritage Site. We make our way to the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Spanish royal family in Madrid. We will tour this magnificent former royal residence highlighting the wealth of art and opulent appointments.
We will visit the famous, bustling food market, Mercado San Miguel, to browse the many culinary options and have lunch on our own. This afternoon we visit the world-renowned Prado Art Museum, Spain’s national museum. The museum houses one of the finest collections of European art including works by Goya, El Greco, Rubens, Titian and Velasquez.
The afternoon is at your leisure but you should visit the Prado as we have included admission for you.
We return to our hotel for the balance of the afternoon at leisure.
Tonight, join the Tour Captain for an optional dinner or enjoy exploring at your leisure.
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DAY 6: SOUTH TO GRANADA
This morning we will make our way to the Train Station for our southbound Journey to Granada. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel, check-in, freshen up and enjoy our Discovery Walk.
Discovery Walk
Enjoy our Discovery Walk through Granada with the Tour Captain as you orient yourself to the charming neighborhoods.
Welcome to Granada Dinner
Tonight, embark on a culinary adventure in Granada as you join your Now Journey Tour Captain for a Welcome Dinner. Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Andalusian cuisine, a delightful fusion of Moorish, Jewish, and Christian influences.
Savor the region's renowned tapas, an array of small, savory dishes meant for sharing. Delight in classic favorites like patatas bravas (crispy potatoes with spicy tomato sauce), gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), and jamón ibérico (cured Iberian ham). Experience the unique flavors of Granada with local specialties like habas con jamón (broad beans with ham) and tortilla del Sacromonte (a hearty omelet filled with a variety of meats and vegetables).
Complement your meal with a glass of refreshing Andalusian wine or a chilled cerveza, all included and unlimited with Now Journey. As you savor the delicious dishes and lively ambiance, immerse yourself in the rich culture and warm hospitality of Granada, setting the stage for a memorable journey.
Where We Stay in Granada, 2 Nights with breakfast
Signature Hotels Collection —
Palacio Gran Vía, a Royal Hideaway Hotel or Similar
Our Signature hotels feature 4 Star to 5 Star properties featuring select room categories just above the Standard or similar category room — inquire with your Trip Specialist if you'd like to upgrade to a larger room and/or upper category room with a specific view (where available). Hotel room assignments are made at around 60 days prior to the adventure. A comparable hotel will be utilized should our space be sold out by the time you book — we will advise you of your final hotels.
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DAY 7: EXPLORING GRANADA 
Today's Adventure: Historic Granada and the Alhambra
After breakfast, join the Tour Captain and our Local Guide for a tour (with skip-the-line access) of the Alhambra, the majestic palace fortress which became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella following the Christian Reconquista in 1492. After our tour of the buildings we will have time to visit the famous castle gardens.
We finish our sightseeing mid-day and the balance of the day is at leisure.
This afternoon you may optionally consider exploring the Cathedral of Santa Maria of the Incarnation and the Royal Chapel, where Ferdinand and Isabella are entombed. And visit the nearby Arab Spice Market reminiscent of a souk where visitors can stroll through the vibrant shops and stalls. Seasonality and timing may affect open hours.
Tonight join your Journey Tour Captain for an optional dinner or explore at your leisure. Perhaps sample tapas at one of the restaurants in cathedral square.
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DAY 8: CORDOBA AND ON TO SEVILLE 
After breakfast, we will depart Granada for a short trip to Cordoba, best known for its immense Mezquita-Cathedral, an amazing World-Heritage Site and now a Cathedral.
Today's Adventure: Cordoba
We will meet our Local Guide and enjoy our expertly guided tour of the Mezquita followed by a stroll along Calleja de las Flores (Flower Street) where we will glimpse into the many patio gardens. Cordoba is known for its Patio Flower Festival in early May. After lunch on our own and free time for more exploration or shopping, we depart Cordoba in late afternoon to continue our train journey to Sevilla, our home for the next three days and nights.
Discovery Walk: Seville
Enjoy a discovery orientation walk with the Journey Tour Captain this afternoon to better learn the sights around our hotel in the heart of the city.
Welcome to Seville Dinner
Later tonight, we join the Journey Tour Captain tonight for a welcome dinner in Seville. Seville's cuisine is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, deeply rooted in Andalusian traditions. It's characterized by the use of fresh, local ingredients like olives, oranges, and seafood, and often features dishes with a Moorish influence. Tapas culture thrives in Seville, where you can sample a wide array of small plates like salmorejo (a chilled tomato soup) and pringá montadito (a slow-cooked pork sandwich).
Where We Stay in Seville, 3 Nights with breakfast
Signature Hotels Collection —
Hotel Casa 1800 Sevilla or Hotel Alfonso XII
Our Signature hotels feature 4 Star to 5 Star properties featuring select room categories just above the Standard or similar category room — inquire with your Trip Specialist if you'd like to upgrade to a larger room and/or upper category room with a specific view (where available). Hotel room assignments are made at around 60 days prior to the adventure. A comparable hotel will be utilized should our space be sold out by the time you book — we will advise you of your final hotels.
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DAY 9: EXPLORING AMAZING SEVILLA
Today's Adventure: Plaza de España and Maria-Luisa Park
Plaza de España, a magnificent and colorful square looks like a movie set and actually has been used as one! Built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929, it features brilliant mosaic murals and benches. Its many buildings are now used as government offices. We will visit the tranquil Maria-Luisa Park with its monuments,fountains and many native and exotic plants.
Enjoy special skip-the-long-line admission to the Real Alcazar, which is the Royal Alcázars of Seville, historically known as al-Qasr al-Muriq and commonly known as the Alcázar of Seville. It is a royal palace built for King Peter of Castile and was built by the Castilians on the site of an Abbadid alcázar, or residential fortress.
Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure.
Tonight, join the Tour Captain for an optional dinner or explore at your leisure.
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DAY 10: ENJOYING SEVILLE AT LEISURE
Enjoy a complete day at leisure. There is so much to see and do in Seville. Consider one of the following:
• Cooking Class - Sevilla
— In the company of an expert chef, participants learn how to make several courses including a special Spanish dessert. It is a different experience where the participants learn to prepare a multiple-course meal and then partake in the sampling of the prepared dishes while enjoying the olive oils and wines of the region! -Duration 3-5 hours. $248 per person.
• Game of Thrones Sevilla Tour
— A detailed visit to the locations selected by HBO MAX for its acclaimed series Game of Thrones in Seville. It Includes a Private visit to the Alcazar of Seville (Kingdom of Dorne) and Italica (dragon pit), so breathtaking that they barely needed any CGI. Sometimes the real world doesn't live up to the fictional world that TV and movie sets create. That's not the case though for the set of Dorne, one of the fictional settings on "Game of Thrones. " Producers had to add very little to turn it into Dorne. And enjoy the private car ride to Italica, the First Roman city in Hispania, a city that gave birth to two Roman Emperors: Hadrian and Trajan. HBO used the ruins left to recreate the Dragonpit. Visit it and feel the History behind it's walls, where actual gladiators fought and gave their lives to entertain. And also a glimpse of how wealthy Romans lived back in those days. So let me take you through a journey that mixes Real and Fictional worlds together.
-Duration 3.5 Hours. $290 per person (2 guest minimum)
• Day Trip to Ronda and the White Villages
— We will show you a place where images simply can't capture its true beauty. Ronda and the white villages, nestled within the Grazalema mountain range, were once difficult to access but are now slowly becoming more reachable—though life here still moves at a leisurely pace. We will immerse you in this serene environment, where the quiet charm of Grazalema and Zahara de la Sierra offers a peaceful retreat. And in Ronda, we will reveal a city steeped in history and gallantry, protected by a breathtaking gorge on one side and surrounded by Roman and later Muslim walls. This is the birthplace of modern bullfighting, where Orson Welles chose to be laid to rest, and where Ernest Hemingway himself could often be found enjoying a drink after the bullfight. Did you know that Hemingway's *For Whom the Bell Tolls* was inspired by a real-life event in Ronda? With our private tour guide, we will share even more of these fascinating stories with you.
-Duration 8 Hours. $630 per person (2 guest minimum)
Tonight, join the Tour Captain for an optional dinner or explore at your leisure.
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DAY 11: Departure Day or Extend to Costa Del Sol
Consider the extension to the Costa Del Sol!
Now, a change of pace. We bid a fond farewell to Seville's vibrant energy and set our sights on the sun-kissed shores of the Costa del Sol. Our Journey unfolds like a scenic postcard, trading cobblestone streets for coastal highways.
The landscape transforms, revealing a canvas of rolling hills, olive groves, and glimpses of the shimmering Mediterranean. The air carries a whisper of sea salt, a prelude to the tranquil rhythm that awaits. Our destination, Estepona, nestled near Malaga, promises a haven of relaxation and seaside charm. It's a place to unwind, to soak up the sun, and to savor the simple pleasures of life by the sea.
Today's Adventure: Arrive the Coast!
Enjoy the ride to the Coast of the Sun as we make our way to our hotel, home for the next 3 days and nights.
Welcome Dinner
Tonight join your Journey Tour Captain for our Welcome Dinner where we celebrate the beginning of our last Chapter together. The Costa del Sol's cuisine is a celebration of the Mediterranean, showcasing the freshest seafood, sun-ripened vegetables, and fragrant olive oil. From grilled sardines on the beach to hearty stews in the mountain villages, the region offers a diverse and flavorful culinary experience.
Where We Stay on Costa Del Sol, 3 Nights with breakfast
Signature Hotels Collection —
Gran hotel Miramar GL or Similar
Our Signature hotels feature 4 Star to 5 Star properties featuring select room categories just above the Standard or similar category room — inquire with your Trip Specialist if you'd like to upgrade to a larger room and/or upper category room with a specific view (where available). Hotel room assignments are made at around 60 days prior to the adventure. A comparable hotel will be utilized should our space be sold out by the time you book — we will advise you of your final hotels.
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DAY 12: Costa Del Sol
Today's Adventure: Exploring the Coast
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we'll embark on a scenic drive along the picturesque Costa del Sol coastline, soaking in the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. Our destination is the iconic Rock of Gibraltar, a majestic limestone monolith that stands proudly at the entrance to the Mediterranean. We'll explore this unique territory, taking in its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty. Perhaps we'll encounter the famous Barbary macaques, the only wild monkeys in Europe, or venture into the depths of the St. Michael's Cave, a series of impressive limestone caverns.
We'll make our way back to the hotel arriving in the mid-afternoon. This will give us ample time to relax by the pool, perhaps indulge in a spa treatment, or simply savor the tranquil ambiance of our coastal retreat before an optional dinner.
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DAY 13: Costa Del Sol AT LEISURE
Today, we embrace the luxury of time and surrender to the leisurely pace of the Costa del Sol. Our hotel, a haven of tranquility, invites us to unwind and savor the simple pleasures of a day at leisure.
Perhaps we'll begin with a leisurely breakfast on the terrace, overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the salty sea breeze, creating a symphony of sensory delights.
Later, we might wander down to the beach, feeling the soft sand between our toes and the warm sun on our skin. The gentle lapping of the waves provides a soothing soundtrack as we lose ourselves in a good book or simply bask in the beauty of the moment.
For those seeking a more active experience, the hotel offers a range of activities, from invigorating yoga classes to refreshing dips in the pool. We might challenge each other to a game of tennis or explore the surrounding area on bicycles.
Our Special Journey Finalé
As the day winds down, we'll gather for our Farewell Aperitif, watching the sky ablaze with color as the sun dips below the horizon. Thus concludes our Journey of Adventure and Discovery, enriched by the bonds of newfound friendship. Until we meet again on our next escapade — Arrivederci!
Tonight, we'll fall asleep to the sound of the waves, feeling grateful for this Journey through Spain. We hope you are able to recharge your spirits on the beautiful Costa del Sol as your finalé experience.
Gracias!
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DAY 14: DEPARTURE DAY
This morning we bid Farewell to Journey's Spain Adventure. Inquire about a departure transfer to Seville Airport.
SEE ITINERARY