Day 1 Barcelona, SpainArrive Barcelona

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, The One Barcelona. A transfer is included from Barcelona Airport and Barcelona França and Barcelona Sants train stations to The One Barcelona. Your hotel, located in the heart of the city and steps from Gaudí's whimsical houses, offers panoramic views of the city from its lively rooftop terrace. Meet the traveling companions who will experience Tauck's one-week Spain vacation with you at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight.

Barcelona sparkles with a vibrant, whimsical spirit. Set along the shores of the Mediterranean, the city is often defined by the distinctive architecture of Antoni Gaudí, whose eye-catching creations leave their mark throughout. This morning, set out on a guided sightseeing tour that includes a drive to the historic hillside area of Montjuïc, with impressive views of the city and a former Olympic site, and a visit to Gaudí's unfinished cathedral. Designed to be seen from across the city, the cathedral is painted by sunlight streaming through its stained-glass windows, creating an interior that feels like a whimsical forest, with branch-like beams and intricate details that reflect his vision. After lunch featuring Catalan cuisine, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the city's many attractions.

This morning, fly from Barcelona to Málaga - a city rich in coastal charm, elegant architecture, and ancient roots. Located on the Costa del Sol - the "Sun Coast" - Málaga is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with remnants of its Roman past. Enjoy free time to explore on your own before visiting the Museo Picasso Málaga in his hometown, where more than 300 works donated by members of Pablo Picasso's family are on display - or continue exploring independently. Continue to Granada, a jewel of the Sierra Nevada foothills in southern Spain, where you'll enjoy dinner with wine at your hotel tonight.

After breakfast at your hotel overlooking the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, enjoy a guided tour of the Alhambra Palace and Gardens. Drawing more than 2.7 million visitors annually and often considered one of the world's great wonders, this UNESCO World Heritage Site - whose name translates to "red castle" - is steeped in centuries-old Moorish splendor and remains one of the most important surviving remnants of Islamic rule in the Iberian Peninsula, set amid gardens that offer sweeping views of rolling hills and pomegranate trees below. Lunch today is at a local restaurant featuring Spanish cuisine. Continue to Seville, traveling through the iconic whitewashed villages known as pueblos blancos in the Andalucía region. Tonight, experience the passion of a private flamenco performance exclusively for Tauck guests at your hotel.

This morning, travel by a horse-drawn carriage through beautiful María Luisa Park that stretches along the Guadalquivir River. A walking tour takes you back in time as you stroll along the narrow lanes of the Barrio de Santa Cruz (the former Jewish Quarter), culminating with a guided tour (depending on availability) of Seville Cathedral to view the final resting place of Christopher Columbus and the famed minaret Giralda Bell Tower, or the spectacular Royal Alcázar. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy.

Travel to multicultural Córdoba for a guided visit to La Mezquita, followed by a walking tour through the city's ancient Jewish Quarter. This iconic candy-striped Mosque-Cathedral, with a history spanning eight centuries, is one of Spain's most celebrated monuments and now serves as a Roman Catholic cathedral and stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site - an enduring symbol of cultural and architectural fusion. An architectural marvel, it blends elements from diverse traditions, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange and historical transformation. This afternoon, board a high-speed train and travel to Madrid for a two-night stay, enjoying the beautiful scenery en route to Spain's capital city.

Your day in magnificent Madrid kicks off with a guided tour of the famed Museo Nacional del Prado, one of the finest art museums in the world. Later, a city sightseeing tour takes you to highlights including Palacio de Oriente, the ornate Royal Palace built in the 18th century; grand avenues such as Gran Via and Castellana, and El Parque del Buen Retiro. The afternoon is free to explore and have lunch as you please in Madrid. Enjoy typical Castilian entertainment at our farewell cocktail reception and dinner this evening... a fitting finale to your weeklong travels through Spain.

Tour ends: Madrid. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from your Tauck hotel to Madrid's Barajas Airport or the Madrid Atocha railway station; allow 3 hours for flight check-in.