Spain: Madrid, Barcelona, and Basque Country

WHERE TO STAY H10 Villa de la

Reina – A boutique hotel set within an early 20th-century building on Madrid’s Gran Via, with guest rooms that retain period charm while featuring contemporary decor and conveniences.

Gallery Hotel

A contemporary boutique hotel in Barcelona’s Eixample district—home to some of Gaudí’s most famous creations.

Villa Soro

A historic villa housed in a 19thcentury mansion that once belonged to an aristocratic Basque family, and is now a protected Site of Historical Heritage in San Sebastián.

10 days from $9,350 Encounter the art, architecture, history, and gastronomy of three captivating regions of Spain, from Madrid to Catalonia and Basque Country.

HIGHLIGHTS

� Explore the World Heritage-listed towns of

Ávila and Segovia with a private guide. � Encounter the inspired works of Gaudí on a private architectural tour of Barcelona. � Take a pintxo tour in San Sebastián, and cook traditional Basque dishes during a cooking class. � Savor a glass of cava, Spain’s signature sparkling wine, in the Penedès wine country.

The itinerary below is a sample of what’s possible. Your Smithsonian Tailor-Made Journey will be handcrafted just for you. Day 1 – Madrid, Spain

Arrive in Spain’s vibrant capital today and take a walking tour of the city that includes the art treasures of the world-famous Prado.

Day 2 – Ávila and Segovia

During a full-day excursion with a private guide, visit two historic towns that have been named World Heritage sites. In the walled city of Ávila, stroll through winding medieval streets and visit an impressive Romanesque basilica. Continue to Segovia to see its remarkable Roman aqueduct.

Day 3 – Madrid

Visit the massive royal monastery of El Escorial, and admire paintings by many European masters. Then see the Pantheon, where nearly all of Spain’s monarchs are buried, and the Valle de los Caídos, a Civil War memorial. Spend your afternoon at leisure in Madrid.

Days 4 & 5 – Barcelona

Travel by high-speed train to Barcelona, home to many of Antoni Gaudí’s amazing creations, which have been collectively named a World Heritage site. Your half-day tour features his undulating houses and the incomparable—and still unfi nished—Sagrada Família. Discover more of this dynamic city on a walking tour that includes the famous promenade known as Las Ramblas and the stunning Gothic basilica. During a free afternoon, visit Barcelona’s Picasso Museum or soar over the city’s rooftops in a cable car en route to Montjuïc.

Day 6 – Penedès

Venture into the wine region of Penedès for a winery tour and a tasting of its signature cava. Return to Barcelona after visiting the mountaintop Montserrat monastery.

Days 7–10 – Bilbao and San Sebastián

A quick morning fl ight brings you to Bilbao in Spain’s Basque Country. Join a private guide for a tour of the city and its world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry. Then travel along the coast to the Basque capital of San Sebastián. Set out on a lunchtime walking tour, sampling a wide variety of pintxos, or Basque tapas. During your time in this gastronomic mecca, enjoy a Basque cooking class with a local chef and then sit down to enjoy your meal. Spend your fi nal afternoon in San Sebastián at leisure, and depart from Bilbao the next day.