EUROPE
Spain: Madrid, Barcelona, and Basque Country 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. WHERE TO STAY H10 Villa de la Reina Boutique hotel set within an early 20th-century building on the Gran Via, Madrid’s most famous street. Guest rooms retain period charm but feature modern décor and conveniences. Gallery Hotel Contemporary boutique hotel in Barcelona’s Eixample district—home to some of Gaudí’s most famous creations. Villa Soro Housed in a 19thcentury mansion that once belonged to an aristocratic Basque family, and now a protected Site of Historical Heritage in San Sebastián.
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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, travel to the historic towns of Ávila and Segovia to explore these 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, built by King Phillip II. On a tour of the Renaissance palace, 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
SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG/TAILOR-MADE I 855.215.8690
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 unfinished—Sagrada Familia. Discover more of this dynamic city on a morning walking tour that includes the famous promenade known as Las Ramblas and the stunning Gothic basilica. Afterwards, during a free afternoon, visit Barcelona’s Picasso Museum or soar over the city’s rooftops in a cable car en route to Montjuïc to visit its museums and gardens. 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. Day 7 – Bilbao and San Sebastián A quick morning flight 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. Travel along the coast to the Basque capital of San Sebastián. Days 8–10 – San Sebastián After a leisurely morning, 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 final afternoon in Spain at leisure and depart from Bilbao the next day.
