Two Capitals: Barcelona-Madrid

An excellent group package is the perfect opportunity to see two of Spain's most famous and beautiful cities, as well as its biggest antipods: Barcelona and Madrid.

In the first half of your trip, you'll explore the vibrant and lovely city of Barcelona, with its awesome views, unique architecture, and beautiful beaches. Thereafter, with a high-speed train, you will be relocated to the capital of Spain, majestic Madrid, with its large squares, luxurious palaces, and monumental buildings.

Two gorgeous cities and the other's biggest rivals in everything—in its finest.

Duration: 7 days, 6 nights.

Hotel samples in Barcelona: AB Viladomat*** or Zenit Borrell****

Hotel samples in Madrid: Sterling Gran Via*** or H10 Tribeca****

The program is just a sample and can be customized upon request.

Day 1

Arrival in Barcelona. Meet'n'Greet in the airport by our representative.

Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Check-in. Free time in the evening.

Day 2

Breakfast in the hotel. Full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour with a private bus and guide. All the main highlights of Barcelona in one day:

• Sagrada Família: One of the most popular attractions in Spain, the Sagrada Família is a Catholic basilica designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, who was famous for championing the architectural style known as Catalan modernism. It has been under construction for over 100 years and isn’t expected to be completed for at least another twenty.
• Park Güell is one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona. It is perched on the hills that surround the city and offers some fantastic views of the city. Just like the Sagrada Familia, it was designed by Antoni Gaudi as well.
• Plaza Catalunya is where the prime tourist spots of Barcelona intersect, namely the Gothic Quarter, Raval, and Eixample districts. This 50,000-square-meter public space is one of the largest in Spain and is known for its intricately made and positioned neo-classic and avant-garde sculptures. Plaza Catalunya is considered the center of Barcelona.
• Passeig de Gracia: this broad, elegant avenue was built by and for the wealthy residents of Barcelona, who never left. Here, you will find luxury designer shops alongside major banks and the stock exchange. Architectural details include modernist lamp posts, Gaudi’s tiles for the pavement, and a myriad of grand buildings, including two of Gaudi’s houses: Casa Batllo and Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera.
• The ''Poble Espanyol'', meaning ''Spanish Town'', is an architectural museum located in the city of Barcelona that was designed to be a synthesis of the architectural landscape of Spain in the early 20th century. It was created as part of the 1929 International Exposition of Barcelona, and today it remains one of the city’s most popular attractions.
• Mirador de Colom: standing on the pier at the very end of La Rambla, the Mirador de Colom is a homage to the explorer Christopher Columbus, who paid a visit to the Catalan capital before setting sail for America. The monument is also a viewing tower, which can be accessed via an elevator and offers magnificent panoramic views of the city and sea.
• Agbar Tower: a recent addition to the urban landscape of Barcelona, the Agbar Tower is a modern office tower housing the Aigües de Barcelona, the city’s water company. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the tower is covered in some 4,500 LED lights that illuminate the façade at night, as well as an intelligent temperature control system utilizing automatic sensors to control the blinds.
• Arc de Triomf, the triumphal arch of the city, was built as the main access gate for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair.
• The Old Port (Port Vell) is separated from the Olympic port by long beaches and the old fisherman's quarter, Barceloneta. The Old Port has been remodeled to extend to the city center, down the Rambla, and into the harbor. This is an attractive, popular area with restaurants, shops, nightclubs, and frequent open-air entertainment.
• Montjuic Hill is a hill in Barcelona with spectacular views over the harbor, the port, and the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy stunning views from the panoramic viewpoint, located near the hilltop.
• Olympic Rings: The Olympic rings from the 1992 games should not be missed. The complex includes the stadium, the St. Jordi sports pavilion, and the Calatrava Communications Tower.
• Plaza Espana is one of the most important squares in the city and the second largest in Barcelona. It was built and decorated for the 1929 International Exhibition.

Day 3

Breakfast in the hotel. Five-hour bus tour to Montserrat Mountain.

• The Mountain: Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain located just 40km outside of the city of Barcelona. ''Montserrat'' literally means ''saw mountain'' (serrated, like the common handsaw), in Catalan. It describes this peculiar aspect with its multitude of rock formations, visible from a great distance. The mountain is composed of strikingly pink conglomerate, a type of sedimentary rock. Montserrat is also Spain's first national park.
• Benedictian Monastery: Santa Maria de Montserrat is a Benedictine abbey located on the mountain of Montserrat, at a height of 1236 meters. The monastery was founded in the 10th century and still functions to this day, housing over 150 monks. The Escolania, or Montserrat’s Boys Choir, is one of the oldest in Europe and performs during religious ceremonies and communal prayers in the basilica.
• Mountain also houses a museum with works of art by many prominent painters and sculptors, including works by El Greco, Dalí, Picasso, and others. The ''Publicacions de l'Abadia de Montserrat'' is a publishing house located near the monastery. It is famous for having one of the oldest presses in the world, not downplaying the amazing fact that the press is still operating! It’s first book was published in 1499.
• Black Madonna: Our Lady of Montserrat, or the Virgin of Montserrat, is a statue of the Madonna and Child venerated at the Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery on the Montserrat Mountain. She is the patron saint of Catalonia, an honor she shares with Saint George (Sant Jordi in Catalan). ''La Moreneta'', or ''the little dark one'', is due to the dark color of the statue's face. It is a common belief that if you touch her hand, your wishes will come true.
• There is a small market near the Monserrat Abbey where you can buy local products produced by the locals themselves. These include liquors, cheeses, and honey, many of which are produced by the monks that live nearby.

The remainder of the day is free once you arrive back in Barcelona.

Day 4

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to Sants train station to take the high-speed AVE train that will bring you to Madrid in a little over 3 hours. Meet your guide and enjoy a bus tour around the city. Main highlights include:

• Gran Via: known for its bright lights and shopping, Calle Gran Vía is one of Madrid’s most famous streets. On the ''Fifth Avenue'' of the city, you’ll be able to find anything you need, including restaurants, stores, and many of the city’s renowned theaters.
• Plaza Espana: famous for its statue of Miguel Cervantes, the Plaza España is located just off the famous Gran Vía street and near the Royal Palace. Built in the early 1900s, the city of Madrid has recently voted on reforming the Plaza, which will soon incorporate a greater number of trees and flowers for city dwellers and tourists to enjoy.
• Templo de Debod: although this temple dates back to the 2nd century BC, it was gifted to Spain and moved to its current location in Madrid in 1968. While it may seem odd to see an Egyptian statue in the middle of a European city, the Templo de Debod is one of Madrid’s most beloved attractions.
• Santiago Bernabeu is located in the Spanish capital, Madrid, and is the home of the world-famous Real Madrid football team. It is by and large considered one of the world’s most prestigious football stadiums and regularly hosts some of the most important international competitions in the sport.

Check in at the hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening on your own.

Day 5

Breakfast in the hotel. A roughly three- to four-hour walking tour with headphones through the historical center to Madrid. You will have an inside tour of the Royal Palace, one of the pearly beauties of Madrid and a former residence of Spanish kings.

• Royal Palace: Spain’s Royal Palace is one of the largest in Europe, and visitors are sure to be in awe of the regal columns, gold decor, and extensive number of statues outside. The interior is equally impressive, with a collection of court paintings, frescoes, and even a Stradivarius collection. Tickets and an inside tour are included.
• Plaza Mayor: one of the most breathtaking sites in Spain, this plaza has 237 balconies facing the center of the square, where a statue of King Felipe III on his horse sits pretty. Dating back to the 1600s, the Plaza Mayor is now a site of outdoor cafes and restaurants where wandering tourists can relax, enjoy a drink, and soak up the fantastic atmosphere.
• Puerta del Sol: one of the best-known and busiest locations in Spain, this public square is the perfect meeting place to start exploring Madrid. With the famous Tio Pepe sign, the emblematic bear statue, and a beautiful clock tower, this plaza (originally one of the gates in the city wall during the 15th century) is not to be missed.
• Mercado San Miguel: famous for its cast-iron columns and many market stalls featuring Spanish culinary delights, the Mercado de San Miguel is a dream for visiting foodies. Try famous Spanish jamón (Iberian ham), Manchego cheese, or simply wander past the stalls and admire the huge range of delicious foods on display.

Optional add-ons for the day:

Visit to Santiago Bernabeu Football Stadium (the famous home of FC Real Madrid)

Visit the Museum Prado, a national art museum with one of the three most famous art collections in the world (alongside the Louvre in Paris and the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg).

Day 6

Breakfast in the hotel.

Full-day tour to Toledo, a gorgeous medieval city just 1 hour outside of Madrid. Toledo is the former capital of Spain and a place where Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived together for a few centuries. Stroll through the charming, narrow streets, see old squares and thick walls, and fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a medieval town. Toledo is an incredibly cultural city; it has seen numerous cultures and dynasties pass through its walls, as well as wars, royalty, and artists. The legacy it guards is an essential part of Spanish culture, so visiting Toledo is bound to be a unique experience. Discover the best sights:

• Mirador del Valle. Enjoy a spectacular view of Toledo from the splendid Mirador del Valle, a fantastic viewpoint where one can view the entire city. There are magnificent views of the river, the imposing Alcázar, the tiny winding streets, and the Cathedral.
• Toledo’s Cathedral is one of the most important places to visit in this beautiful city. It is a grand monument built in Gothic style with obvious French influence. Some scholars believe it is the most impressive building built in this particular style in the entire country. It was completed toward the end of the 15th century, over 200 years after construction began. There are several masses each day. Tickets and a tour are included.
• The Juderia district (Jewish Quarter). The Juderia district is what used to be the city’s Jewish quarter, and nowadays it is one of the most beautiful parts of the city, with some excellently preserved buildings. A tour through ''the city of the Jews'', shows everyone what life was like under Muslim and Christian rule.
• The Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes is a Franciscan church that was built under the reign of Elizabeth of Castile, one of Spain’s most powerful queens. The church was built with the intention of being used as the royal mausoleum. The building is a breathtaking example of the Elizabethan-Gothic style that was predominant in Spain under the monarch’s reign. It was also meant to serve as a memorial for a recent military victory, the Batalla del Toro. It is a long, narrow structure, with many chapels decorating the sides. The ceiling is particularly remarkable as it was designed in the Mudéjar style with clear Arab influence.
• La Puerta de Bisagra is a magnificent structure that provides access to the city. When the Arabs first settled in the city during the last few centuries before the year 1000, they constructed the Puerta de Bisagra. It was reconstructed in the 16th century, but some of the original structure can still be seen today. The name comes from the Arabic ''Bab-Shagra'', meaning something along the lines of ‘the door that leads to the field’. The exterior is composed of an arch of triumph, accompanied by two beautiful semi-circular towers, and crowned by the city’s imperial coat of arms.
• Cross the Puente de San Martín; this medieval bridge was built over the Tajo River and is one of Toledo’s symbols. From the bridge, we have an excellent panorama of the old town.

Later, you'll arrive back in Madrid, where you can enjoy your evening the way you like.

Day 7

Breakfast in the hotel. Bus transfer to Madrid's airport.