Spain’s Fascinating Highlights Tour in October

As your plan coasts along the tarmac at Madrid's Barajas International Airport, you will be welcomed by the warm sunshine and rolling plains of central Spain. After collecting your belongings, your guide will greet and transfer you to your accommodation. You will settle in to your accommodation before venturing into the city to witness the celebrations of Architecture Week. With an expert guide, you will explore the beauty Madrid's architecture has to offer. You will begin in the opulent halls of the Royal Palace before continuing to the Gran Via and more.

After a leisurely morning and breakfast, you will stroll along cobblestone streets to one of the oldest churro cafes in Spain. Then, in the afternoon, you will peruse world-renowned artwork at the Reina Sofia Museum. The complex hosts exquisite masterpieces from classic artists, such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. After your visit, you can unwind at Parque El Retiro. You can choose between a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride or paddle boat excursion in the central lagoon. In the evening, you will flock to the vivacious downtown streets to partake in Madrid's annual Autumn Festival.

The following day, you will venture to Consuegra. It is here in this whimsical setting that you will learn about one of Spain's most prized culinary traditions: saffron. In late October each year, the city of Consuegra hosts the Saffron Festival, which celebrates the cultivation of the spice and the cultural traditions of the Castilla-La Mancha region. Saffron growers flock in crowds to pluck the crimson spice from the periwinkle flowers. You then have the chance to watch or participate in a saffron picking competition. Finally, you can sit in the front row for a cooking competition that will teach you about all the favorite Spanish culinary staples that include saffron.

Today, you will transfer to the regions of southern Spain. You will make your first stop in Seville, which is home to flamenco dancing, delectable tapas, Moorish culture, and a laid-back attitude. After settling into the comforts of your new surroundings, you will attend Seville’s annual Guitar Festival. The day will begin with a tour of downtown and its adjacent landmarks. In the afternoon, you will visit the grand Plaza de Espana on the edge of town. At night, you can take in the splendor of the city by moonlight as you bite into crispy tapas and listen to the soothing strums of Spanish guitar.

After breakfast this morning, you will head to the coast for a chance to cool off and luxuriate near the ocean. As you arrive in the beautiful city of Cadiz, you will be welcomed by swaying palm trees and cooing seagulls. You can enjoy some self-guided exploration before having the opportunity to step inside a Roman Theatre, which was built in the 1st century BC. Later in the day, you will immerse yourself in the bustling culture of the Festival of the Virgin of Rosario. Locals fire off rockets and ring bells to inaugurate the yearly festivities.

After breakfast, you will transfer to the shimmering beaches of Nerja. Deep, turquoise waters glisten in the sun, and waves lap against the white-sand beaches. During the first half of the day, you can dig your toes in the sand and enjoy some rest and relaxation along the shore. In the afternoon, you will join in the local festivities as part of Nerja's Feria. You will witness an exciting array of processions, singing, and dancing, including traditional flamenco displays. For families, the feria also offers carnival rides that are sure to get your blood pumping.

On your final day in Spain, you will cruise along the coast to the picturesque beaches of Marbella. You can spend the morning hours exploring the charming buildings of the downtown area before a brief sailboat tour. In the early afternoon, your private transfer will drive you to Malaga, where you will connect to your international flight home.