tauck tours spain 2024

Spain and Portugal

Escorted tour details, a 14-day tauck tours tour starting from $7,390.00.

Dates & Prices

• What's Included

Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation.

Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability and are quoted in U.S. Dollars. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.

Escorted Tour Highlights

Portugal, Spain

See Description

Sightseeing Highlights

Enjoy breathtaking vistas as you climb from seaside Marbella to cliff-top Ronda, and into the Sierra Nevada mountains to Moorish Granada for a visit to the Alhambra – one of the world's finest examples of Moorish architecture – accompanied by a local guide

Take in the days of wine and rabelo boats in Porto, when you board a private boat for a Douro River cruise, followed by a tasting lunch in a historic port house

Visit one of the world's most beautiful art museums on a guided tour of Museo Nacional del Prado, steps from your hotel in the Art Triangle of Madrid

In Spain and Portugal highlights include... Porto, Lisbon and Sintra in Portugal, and Seville, Gibraltar, Ronda, Toledo and Madrid in Spain; ride a traditional rabelo boat in Porto and a horse & carriage in Seville, and tour the incomparable Prado in Madrid.

Iberia... rediscovered, on a journey unlike any other that explores scenic and cultural contrasts of Spain and Portugal, sharing the Iberian Peninsula for centuries. There's a lot of history to be rediscovered in Lisbon at places such as Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, the Discoveries Monument and the Tower of Belém, and in the World Heritage Site towns of Porto and Sintra, where rich cultural landmarks and traditions chronicle lifestyles of centuries past. Neighboring Spain entices with landscapes dressed in romance, from storybook villages in Andalucía to tales of "the Rock" in Gibraltar, flower-decked streets in Seville, and sun-kissed beaches in Marbella. The Moors lingered in Granada and Córdoba the longest, and the royals set up palaces, elegant city squares the treasured El Prado in majestic Madrid and the magnificent Alhambra in Granada. Rediscover them all, in depth, for two glorious weeks...

Year Round Offers

• Special Savings for Single Travelers
• Seasonal Price Savings for specific dates
• Special Savings for Groups of 8, 10++

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, InterContinental Porto. A transfer is included from Porto Airport to your hotel, InterContinental Porto – Palacio das Cardosas, set within a recently renovated 18th-century palace in the heart of the city. Meet your traveling companions this evening at a welcome reception and dinner at your hotel.

Begin the day with a panoramic guided tour of Porto and its historic district – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – with its beguiling architecture, from medieval to baroque to Beaux-Arts, winding alleyways, miradouros (lookout points), opulent palaces and churches. Following your city tour, go for a ride along the Douro River aboard a traditional, flat-bottomed rabelo boat like those used for centuries to transport port wine from vineyards along the river to Porto on the Atlantic. Visit a port wine cellar for a tour, tasting and lunch; then spend the rest of the day and evening exploring as you wish.

An excursion from Porto today takes you to Sintra – once a favored summer retreat for Portugal's monarchs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – for a visit to the National Palace of Sintra, and time to explore on your own before returning to Lisbon. Check into your Four Seasons hotel for a two-night stay; dine at the hotel this evening.

A guided sightseeing tour provides an introduction to this intriguing city and its most famous landmarks; view the famous monastery Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and visit the Maritime Museum in the monastery's west wing (featuring an amazing 17,000 items). Enjoy the rest of the day and evening as you please.

Today you'll travel from Lisbon to Seville through the Alentejo region of Portugal, known for its rolling plains, bucolic villages and local cork trade. The region produces more than half of the world's cork supply! Your travels continue into the border region between Spain and Portugal – an area where fortifications dotting the landscape have witnessed centuries of struggle between the Spanish, Portuguese and Moors – then through the Spanish Extremadura, a unique region that was once part of the Roman Empire and today is famous among epicures worldwide for its prized delicacy, jamon iberico. Spend the next two nights in the heart of Seville at one of Europe's most luxurious hotels, commissioned by the king of Spain for the famous Exposition of 1929. You may have dinner at your hotel this evening, or choose to enjoy an included lunch or dinner at the hotel tomorrow.

After getting your bearings (and an introduction to many of Seville's historic and cultural attractions) on a sightseeing tour with your local guide, ride a horse-drawn carriage through the city's historic heart. Enjoy a walking tour through the fascinating Barrio de Santa Cruz and the maze of old streets in the city's former Jewish Quarter. Depending on the day of the week, your time in Seville will be capped off with either a visit to the impressive Seville Cathedral or the spectacular Royal Alcazar. The evening is free to spend as you wish; enjoy lunch and dinner as you please today.

Depart Seville for famous Gibraltar, where you'll tour the fabled "Rock" by mini-coach (weather permitting), and spend some time exploring on your own with lunch as you please. Your final destination today is the glamorous coastal resort town of Marbella on the Costa del Sol, for a two-night stay.

The entire day is yours to enjoy the pleasures of your elegant resort hotel, Grand Meliá Don Pepe, a paradise for the senses in the heart of the Costa del Sol. On one side is the famous Port of Marbella; on the other, gleaming white boats anchored at the exclusive Puerto Banús. And on the horizon, you can see Gibraltar and the North African coast, majestic in the distance, against the magnificent backdrop of the mountain peak – La Concha de Marbella. Long a favorite of celebrities in Marbella's privileged enclave of Sierra Blanca, the resort's guest list has included Sean Connery, Julio Iglesias, Prince, Maximillian Schell, Arthur Rubinstein, Bob Hope and many more... and you, spending a perfect day as you please.

As your tour continues, journey from the Spanish coast into the mountains to visit scenic Ronda, perched on a cliff overlooking the spectacular El Tajo gorge. Ronda is synonymous with the evolution of the art of bullfighting; along with revealing the town's Moorish heritage and remains, a guided walking tour includes a visit to one of Spain's oldest bullrings, the Plaza de Toros. Continue on to Granada, situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. The city boasts extraordinary architecture from over 250 years as the capital of a Moorish kingdom; your hotel is steps away from Granada's celebrated Moorish palace, the Alhambra. Dine at a local restaurant this evening.

A highlight today is a guided visit to Granada's famed Moorish palace, the Alhambra, constructed to be a "paradise on Earth" by caliphs who ruled here in the 13th century. Tour the palace itself, considered to be one of the world's most beautiful, and stroll through the Generalife, the grounds of the summer palace of former sultans.Explore the sights of Granada on a historically rich guided tour before discovering the city as you please this afternoon. Nestled in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the city was the last stronghold of the Spanish Moors who left their mark here in Islamic architecture, horseshoe arches, teahouses and culinary traditions; you'll also find historic basilicas, tapas bars, flamenco clubs and cafés aplenty. Enjoy a private  flamenco  show tonight, followed by dinner at your hotel.

Continue from Granada to Córdoba today for a visit that begins with a guided walking tour through the cobblestone streets of the Judería, Córdoba's former Jewish Quarter; from its alleyways, you can see the walls and decorative details of the candy-striped La Mezquita (Spanish for "mosque.") Your visit to this masterpiece of architecture and art reveals its nearly 1,200-year history as an early Christian church, a Moorish mosque, and, since the 16th century, a Roman Catholic cathedral. Late this afternoon, board the AVE train in Preferente class for a rail journey to Spain's amazing capital city. Arrive in Madrid for three nights at The Westin Palace, Madrid – a Belle Époque landmark in the heart of the city, a short walk from the tapas bars that American novelist Ernest Hemingway made famous. A light dinner will be served at your hotel this evening.

Set off this morning for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Toledo, known as the "city of three cultures" because for centuries Christians, Arabs and Jews have lived together behind its walls – as the range and artistry of the city's architecture attests. It was also the home of the Spanish artist El Greco whose haunting canvases include one of his most famous works, View of Toledo. From afar, Toledo still looks as it did when El Greco painted it. See Toledo up close today on a guided walking tour with a local guide. Make your way along cobbled streets paved with history, including visits to the 12th-century Synagogue Santa María la Blanca, considered one of the oldest synagogues in Europe still standing, and the Church of Santo Tomé, home to El Greco's painting, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. Have lunch in a local restaurant before returning to Madrid late afternoon.

Join a local guide for a morning orientation tour of Madrid's landmark sights that includes a walking tour of the vast Plaza Mayor and the Mercado San Miguel. Then view the art treasures of Madrid's celebrated Museo del Prado – one of the most famous art museums on Earth, just a block away from your hotel – on a guided visit with a local expert. Join us tonight for a farewell reception and dinner with traditional Castilian entertainment.

Tour ends: Madrid. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Westin Palace, Madrid to Madrid Barajas Airport or Madrid Atocha train station. Allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.

Tauck Tours

A horse-and-carriage ride presents a different view of romantic Seville, and a walking tour with a local guide shares insights about daily life

Feel the passion of flamenco when dancers perform their version of Andalucían folkloric traditions during a private performance in Granada

A tour with a local guide introduces you to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Toledo, known as the "city of three cultures" where for centuries Christians, Arabs and Jews have lived together behind its walls

Experience a taste of royal life in Sintra when you visit the former hilltop summer palace of Portugal's monarchs

À la carte dining, wine included, during select meals in local restaurants in Portugal and Spain

27 meals; service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage

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A Week In... Spain 2024

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• picturesque
• complex Spain defies description in its wealth of diverse landscapes
• cuisines and cultures
• ancient and modern... and in just one week...From the startling
• whimsical architecture of Gaudí in Barcelona to the Baroque
• operatic settings of Seville... the colorful history and seaside beauty of Málaga
• Picasso's hometown... medieval Córdoba
• rich in stunning architecture and history

What's this trip about?

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Travel themes, destinations, attractions, trip includes.

• TAUCK'S YELLOW ROADS – Journey off the beaten path, from Málaga to Granada in the Sierra Nevada foothills through whitewashed Andalucían villages to Seville On-tour flight from Barcelona to Málaga A private flamenco performance during your two-night stay in a royal palace hotel in Seville A guided tour of Madrid's Museo Nacional del Prado, featuring many masterworks of Spanish art, with a local expert First Class rail travel aboard a high-speed AVE train from Córdoba to Madrid

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Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour operator.

It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.

In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.

Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.

Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.

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A Week In... Spain

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• Small Group

Year, Departure Type

Select small group departures (averaging 24 Tauck guests), or classic departures, and the year you would like to travel.

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Uniquely Tauck

Reserve your preferred departure date and we will advise you once the 2025 trip is finalized and priced. You will then have two weeks to cancel; should you cancel, you'll receive a full refund of your trip deposit and the cost of the Travel Protection Product (if purchased). If you are making your own air arrangements, do not book your flights until this trip is finalized as start and end cities may change. We look forward to traveling with you!

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Travel Documents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Spain; however, you are not required to obtain a visa for the short duration of this tour.

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact an embassy or consulate of Spain to determine what travel documentation is required.

Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposits & Final Payment

Deposits and fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $600 per person

Final Payments:

Final Payment is due to Tauck  60  days before departure for lands trips, and  120  days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Travel Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Tauck's Guest Protection

Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.
• Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $449  per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPINTL .

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees. If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person 

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan :

60 days or more before departure = $600 per person

59-8 days before departure = $900 per person

7-1 days before departure = $1500 per person

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note:  All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

While drinking water is generally safe at all our hotels, bottled water will be available wherever the local water is not fit to drink. We also provide bottled water on the motor coaches.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

VACCINATIONS  

If you are a resident of the U.S. traveling internationally, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Spain. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here .

If you are a resident of another country traveling internationally, please contact the embassy or consulate of Spain to determine what vaccinations may be required for you to visit.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

A Week In... Spain is fast-paced. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion. Spain is home to innumerable historic buildings and sites, some dating from antiquity. Therefore, roads, walkways and architecture will present difficulties for some guests with physical disabilities.

While all of the hotels on this program have elevators, please note that many of the sites visited do not. Airports and train stations have limited access to elevators. Additionally, many of the museums visited will have elevators, but they are not always conveniently located, therefore some walking is required.

PLEASE NOTE:  We regret that this Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate wheelchairs or motorized scooters.  Likewise, we regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs.  The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest.  Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list  here.

What To Pack

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with Necessary Gear who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site .

The weather in Spain is generally temperate in the north and warm in the south. Midsummer in Spain is very hot. Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing. Rain falls evenly throughout the year in Barcelona. As you travel from there to Seville and on to Madrid, rainfall becomes less frequent. In spring and fall, the heat and humidity in Seville is moderate in intensity, in summer, all of the cities visited experience a higher heat index.

In Spain, especially in finer restaurants, it is generally customary to dress somewhat formally. Slacks or a dress for women and a jacket for men are acceptable dining attire. It is advisable to avoid wearing jeans, sneakers or shorts for dinner. You may also wish to dress up a bit for the welcome reception and the farewell dinner, but by all means be comfortable.

You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest room. Irons and ironing boards are not usually available, so guests may have to give their garment to the hotel to be ironed for a fee. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are also available for a fee.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your trip to Spain:

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
• An optional jacket and tie for men
• Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
• Binoculars (7x50 preferably)
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and chargers
• Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm function (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)
• Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
• Reusable zipper-lock bags or other waterproof bags
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

Spain is extremely hot during midsummer, in July and August. The rest of the year the climate is generally temperate in the north, but warm in the south. August is the busiest month, while May and October are the best times for both ideal weather and fewer crowds. Barcelona enjoys a wonderful climate with hot summers and cool winters.  The climate of southern Spain & Madrid is sunny and dry, and warm for much of the year. Summer days can be extremely hot, often reaching 85ºF (30ºC) and above, but evenings and nights cool down considerably. Rain in Madrid is a rarity, with a short rainy season in late October and some showers in spring.

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website by clicking here.

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10 Best Spain Tours to Take in 2024

The best spain tours combine iconic attractions with charming coastal cities and smaller towns..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

Spain’s rich history and vibrant culture make it a popular destination for tour companies. Group tours of Spain offer a convenient way to explore iconic sights and smaller towns, catering to different preferences and interests. And the best part is that accommodations, transportation, activities (some which would be difficult or impossible to arrange on your own), and many meals are all planned out for you so all you have to do is show up and enjoy your vacation. 

2024’s Best Small Group Guided Tours of Spain

The best Spain tours of 2024 combine iconic attractions like Barcelona’s famous Sagrada Familia with charming coastal cities and smaller towns scattered around the county. No matter your lifestyle, fitness level, or interests, there’s a tour to Spain that will fit your needs. Here are my picks for this year’s top guided tours of Spain.

WORLD’S BEST:  15 Best Group Travel Companies for Guided Tours in 2024

1. Northern Spain Tour

The 11-day tour of Northern Spain from Trafalgar takes you from Barcelona to Madrid. With this Spain tour package, you’ll visit 12 different cities and see some of the the country’s top highlights. The trip has plenty of built-in downtime, too, which you can use to explore on your own. One of the tour highlights is the stay in Pamplona, where the annual Running with the Bulls festival takes place. 

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Other draws include the holy cave of Covadonga, which is carved into the side of a cliff; exploring the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, equally famous for its collection and its building design; and Madrid’s Prado Museum, which has the largest collection of European art in the world. 

• Length: 11 days
• Starting price: $3,125
• Average group size: 40 to 45 people
• More tours:   10 Best Trafalgar Tours to Take in 2024

2. Classic Spain Tour

G adventures.

Families with teenagers may find a perfect fit with Classic Spain tour from G Adventures. This small group Spain tour has a maximum of 16 people, and everyone must be over 12 years old to join. Over the course of 15 days, you’ll travel to nine different cities—and while there are some adult-centered activities like wine tasting in the Rioja region of Logroño, teems should find that the hikes and cooking classes are fun too. One highlight for families is the day trip to San Sebastián, where you can take a tapas tour and sample some of the region’s local flavors.

• Length: 15 days 
• Starting price: $3,699
• Average group size: 16 people
• More tours:   10 Best G Adventures Tours to Take in 2024

3. Spanish Fiesta Tour

For a sweeping trip through Spain, consider the 14-day Spanish Fiesta tour offered by Globus. This Spain tour starts and ends in Madrid, which makes booking round-trip flights a cinch. During the tour, you’ll see everything from an ancient Roman Aqueduct in Segovia to Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum and the Alhambra complex in Granada. 

FOOD AND WINE:   9 Best Companies for Culinary Tours and Food Tours in 2024

Foodies will delight in plenty of stops at local restaurants where tapas and wine are served in abundance. In Malaga, you’ll stop in at the tapas bar El Pimpi, an 18th-century home turned wine cellar that’s now partly owned by actor Antonio Banderas. 

• Length: 14 days
• Starting price: $3,569
• Average group size: 24 people 

4. Treasures of Spain and Portugal Tour

If you’re looking for a luxurious and relaxing way to tour Spain, consider the the 13-day Treasures of Spain and Portugal tour from Tauck. At the start of the trip, you’ll spend two nights in Barcelona before hopping aboard the Windstar Wind Surf luxury yacht to see even more of Spain with eight days of sailing. Stops include Palma de Mallorca, Granada, Malaga, Gibraltar, and Seville (via Cadiz). Then the group will disembark the ship in Lisbon, Portugal, for two nights in this capital city. 

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In Barcelona, you’ll explore the enchanting Parc Güell, the wildly colorful Gaudi-designed UNESCO World Heritage Site where buildings are embedded with ceramic mosaics and colorful glass. Once you set sail on the ship, you can enjoy a mix of enrichment sessions from local experts, spa treatments, and simply relaxing on the yacht’s top decks between stops in quaint villages and seaside towns. 

• Length: 13 days
• Starting price: $9,590
• Average group size: Maximum of 80 guests per sailing

5. Spain: Walking the Camino de Santiago Tour

National geographic expeditions.

Head off on the hike of a lifetime with NatGeo’s Walking the Camino de Santiago Spain tour. The guided trek follows Europe’s longest pilgrimage route from Pamplona to Cabo Fisterra on the westernmost tip of Spain. Along the way, you’ll be able tp stop for wine tastings, see churches bathed in the light of stained glass windows, and wander through a sixth-century monastery. 

ON YOUR OWN TWO FEET:   9 Best Travel Companies for Walking Tours and Hiking Tours in 2024

Daily hikes can be anywhere from seven to 12 miles. Anyone looking to do this tour should be in good shape and enjoy being outside. Along with meals, accommodations, and activities besides hiking, the trip also includes expert insight from a National Geographic Expert and Expedition Leader, along with local guides.  

• Length: 10 days
• Starting price: $7,995
• Average group size: 20 people  

6. Sensational Spain Tour

Explore Spain on a closed-loop tour with the Sensational Spain tour from Cosmos . The trip starts and ends in Madrid, where you can explore the country’s capital before meeting up with the group on the first day. As you travel around the Spain, you’ll see nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites; cities including Barcelona, Bilbao, Granada, and Valencia; and countryside including the famous wine region Ribera del Duero.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:   How to Choose the Perfect European Tour for Your Interests and Budget

Before this Spain tour ends you’ll also visit Seville and have the opportunity to join a Flamenco show and dine on local cuisine. After the last full day back in Madrid, you can continue to explore the city on your own or join in an optional excursion with the group. 

• Starting price: $2,599

7. Barcelona Escape Tour

Adventures by disney.

The four-day Barcelona Escape tour offered by Adventures by Disney is a great tour add-on if you’ve already planned another type of group tour or cruise in Spain. This family-friendly mini tour gives families the opportunity to explore the city of Barcelona with two knowledgeable Adventure Guides. After seeing it on your own for the first day, you’ll have a welcome dinner at a hillside restaurant that overlooks the city.

GO IT ALONE:  4 Great Tour Companies with Independent Tours in 2024

Day two is filled with private tours of the city’s most iconic sights including La Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell. The trip ends with a visit to Montserrat and a flamenco dancing dinner show. Those who are spending a week on the Disney Dream , one of Disney Cruise Line’s ships, have the opportunity to add this onto their vacation and be transferred to the port at the end of the trip to start the next leg of their vacation. 

• Length: 4 days
• Starting price: $2,499
• Average group size: 25 to 45 people

8. Spain in Depth Tour

Intrepid travel.

If you’re looking for a very long, very immersive Spain tour in 2024, Intrepid Travel has you covered with its 20-day Premium Spain in Depth tour. The trip takes you from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, you’ll sample local cuisine, see spellbinding works of art and architecture, and be led by highly rated local tour leaders. 

OLDER TRAVELERS:   8 Best Senior Travel Tour Companies in 2024

Foodies will love the chance to taste olive oil from a family-run farm and have dinner in San Sebastián with an exclusive gastronomic society. On many days, lunch and dinner are not included in the overall tour price, so you’ll have the chance to find local gems on your own. History fans will enjoy being able to see the Alhambra Palace during the day and at night without having to fight the usual crowds. 

• Length: 20 days
• Starting price: $11,453
• Average group size: 12 people 

9. Cycle the Camino de Santiago Tour

Exodus travels.

If hiking the Camino de Santiago sounds too long and slow, then biking may be more your speed. On the Cycle the Camino de Santiago tour from Exodus Travels, you’ll spend six of the eight days pedaling the route with your small group. Along the way, you’ll stop at Medieval monasteries, wineries, and other points of interest. 

GIRLS TRIP:   9 Best Travel Companies That Specialize in Women-Only Tours for 2024

On cycling days, half your time will be on paved roads and the other half on gravel roads and tracks. The cycling days can be long, with anywhere from 28 to 41.6 miles covered each day. All participants on this Spain tour should be in good physical condition and have some cycling experience.

• Length: 8 days
• Starting price: $2,730
• Average group size: 6 to 16 people

10. Spain: Seven Cities Tour

Abercrombie & kent.

The luxury Seven Cities from Abercrombie & Kent is a fantastic option for anyone who wants an exceptional level of service on their 2024 Spain tour. The trip starts in Barcelona and ends in Madrid, with visits to Granada, Ronda, Seville, and more along the way. Each morning starts with an included breakfast. Lunches and some dinners are on your own, which is nice if you’re looking forward to choosing your own dining experiences. Highlights include strolling through the La Boqueria food market in Barcelona; a visit to Spain’s oldest bullring, Plaza de Toros in Ronda; and a tour of Royal Palace of the Alcázar in Seville. 

• Starting price: $6,995
• Average group size: 24 people

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As flagged by LATTE in November, the new series cater for an average of 15 guests

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Tauck says it is leaning into its ‘small groups’ success with the introduction of its new ‘Smaller Group’ tours and departures. Whilst Tauck’s Small Group trips, which now account for more than half of the company’s non-cruise business each year and will continue to average 24 guests per departure, the new Smaller Group journeys will average just 15 guests. By comparison, Tauck’s classic land journeys host an average of 35 – 44 guests.

The smaller group tours were flagged exclusively by LATTE last November , when speaking with Steve Spivak, Tauck’s VP Global Sales and Reservations.

Tauck is piloting the new program in 2024 with 26 Smaller Group departures spanning seven itineraries in North America and Europe. All Smaller Group tours in 2024 will be special departures of existing Tauck itineraries, with the first Smaller Group departures of three tours having operated in recent weeks, including “America’s Canyonlands,” “A Week In… Spain” and “A Week In… Ireland”.

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The program’s official launch is slated for Tauck’s 100th anniversary in 2025, when the company will expand its Smaller Group offerings to include 124 departures across 12 itineraries in North America, Europe and Africa. The 2025 Smaller Groups will feature special departures of existing Tauck itineraries, along with three African safaris where all departures are Smaller Group offerings.

Dan Mahar, CEO of Tauck says interest for smaller group trips has increased in recent years.

“Although a large segment of our guests remain devoted to our classic group size, we’ve also seen incredible growth in our Small Group departures over the past several years. More recently, some of our guests have shown increasing interest in even smaller group sizes.”

“Our market research has zeroed in on an optimal group size of 12-20 among those interested in smaller groups, so our average group size of 15 travellers is right in the centre of that sweet spot,” Mahar said.

According to Mahar, Tauck’s market research also identified the attributes of smaller group travel that held particular appeal to the company’s guests.

“Our guests want to experience deeper connections with the places they visit, and they want more time, freedom and flexibility. They also want to forge deeper connections with their Tauck Director, and with their local guides and fellow travellers, and all of that is easier to accomplish within a smaller group setting,”

“And of course, smaller groups have access to places and experiences that simply aren’t available to larger groups. On our African safaris, for example, our Smaller Groups stay in cozy lodges and tented camps with limited capacity, minimising disruptions to the wildlife and environment, and providing a more authentic experience,” said Mahar.

Tauck’s introduction of Smaller Groups is just the latest example of its “Small is Big” philosophy, which has reshaped the company’s product offerings over the last several years and extends beyond the Small Group and new Smaller Group departures of its land journeys to include how the company operates its European river cruises and small ship ocean cruises.

On Europe’s rivers, Tauck’s newest ship, ms Andorinha , carries just 84 guests – fewer than any other riverboat in the company’s fleet. That’s also fewer passengers than on other similarly sized ships sailing Portugal’s Douro River, where the Andorinha operates.

In 2017 and 2018, Tauck reconfigured its four 110-metre ships to decrease their capacity, reducing the number of guests hosted on each ship from 118 to 98 per vessel. Tauck’s four 135-metre ships have a capacity of just 130 guests each, far less than the 190 passengers (or 46% more) routinely carried aboard competitors’ ships of the same size.

On its small ship ocean cruises, Tauck’s primary partner is the luxury French line PONANT, with Tauck employing Ponant’s Explorer ships (capacity: 184 guests) on numerous itineraries. Overall, ten of Tauck’s small ship ocean cruises sail aboard ships carrying fewer than 200 guests, including three vessels that carry 100 passengers or less. By contrast, the average cruise ship carries approximately 3,000 guests, with the world’s largest vessel accommodating more than 7,500 travellers.

Tauck’s European river cruises and small ship ocean cruises also feature a choice of sightseeing options in many ports, with guests able to choose the option that aligns best with their interests and, in some cases, their preferred activity level.

Tauck’s 2024 Smaller Group Departures consist of:

North America:

Best of the Canadian Rockies America’s Canyonlands Canada’s Capital Cities plus Niagara Falls

Northern Spain, the Rioja Valley and Madrid A Week In… Spain Switzerland: Europe’s Crown Jewel A Week In… Ireland

Tauck’s 2025 Smaller Group Departures include:

Best of the Canadian Rockies America’s Canyonlands Canada’s Capital Cities plus Niagara Falls The Best of Hawaii

A Week In… Spain Switzerland: Europe’s Crown Jewel A Week In… Ireland The Best of Ireland, Small Groups Paris, Dordogne & Bordeaux

Great Migration: Tanzania & Kenya Namibia: Epic Safari Wildlife Odyssey: South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe

Tauck’s 2025 Smaller Group tours are posted online at: tauck.com.au/guest-travel/smaller-groups

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Tauck launches Smaller Group tours 

Post date: Jun 11 2024

Date: Jun 11 2024

By: Travelweek

WILTON, CT — Tauck is thinking small – much smaller – with the launch of its new ‘Smaller Group’ tours and departures.

Reflecting the company’s ‘Small is Big’ philosophy and building on the success of Tauck’s Small Group tours, which will continue to average 24 guests per departure, the new Smaller Group journeys will average just 15 guests. By comparison, Tauck’s classic land journeys host an average of 35-44 guests.

Tauck is piloting the new program in 2024, with the first Smaller Group departures – ‘America’s Canyonlands,’ ‘A Week In…Spain’ and ‘A Week In…Ireland’ – having operated in recent weeks. In all, Tauck will pilot 26 Smaller Group departures spanning seven itineraries in North America and Europe in 2024. All Smaller Group tours this year will be special departures of existing Tauck itineraries.

The official launch of Smaller Group tours is slated for Tauck’s 100 th anniversary in 2025, when the company will expand the program’s offerings to include 124 departures across 12 itineraries in North America, Europe and Africa. As in 2024, 2025’s Smaller Groups will feature special departures of existing Tauck itineraries, however, the program will also feature three African safaris where all departures are Smaller Group offerings. 

Tauck’s 2025 Smaller Group tours, like all of its other 2025 tours and cruises, are posted on the company’s website, www.tauck.com , and are open for booking.

“Although a large segment of our guests remain devoted to our classic group size, we’ve also seen incredible growth in our Small Group departures over the past several years,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. “More recently, some of our guests have shown increasing interest in even smaller group sizes. Our market research has zeroed in on an optimal group size of 12-20 among those interested in smaller groups, so our average group size of 15 travelers is right in the center of that sweet spot.”

He added: “Our guests want to experience deeper connections with the places they visit, and they want more time, freedom and flexibility. They also want to forge deeper connections with their Tauck Director, and with their local guides and fellow travelers, and all of that is easier to accomplish within a smaller group setting .”  

2024 SMALLER GROUP DEPARTURES

North America:

• “ Best of the Canadian Rockies ”
• “ America’s Canyonlands “
• “ Canada’s Capital Cities plus Niagara Falls ”
• “ Northern Spain, the Rioja Valley and Madrid ”
• “ A Week In… Spain ”
• “ Switzerland: Europe’s Crown Jewel ”
• “ A Week In… Ireland ”

2025 SMALLER GROUP DEPARTURES

• “ The Best of Hawaii ”
• “ The Best of Ireland , Small Groups”
• “ Paris, Dordogne & Bordeaux ”
• “ Great Migration: Tanzania & Kenya ”
• “ Namibia: Epic Safari ”
• “ Wildlife Odyssey: South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe ”

For more information go to www.tauck.ca .

Tags: Lead Story, Tauck

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Tauck Operates First-Ever "Smaller Groups"

Special Land Tours and Departures Will Average Just 15 Guests

Tom Armstrong

• Media Center

WILTON, CT (June 10, 2024) With Tauck's Small Group tours now accounting for more than half of its non-cruise business each year, the company is leaning into its "small groups" success with the introduction of its new " Smaller Group " tours and departures. Where Tauck's Small Group trips will continue to average 24 guests per departure, the new Smaller Group journeys will average just 15 guests. Tauck's classic land journeys, by comparison, host an average of 35 – 44 guests.

Tauck is piloting the new program in 2024, with the first Smaller Group departures of three tours (" America's Canyonlands ," " A Week In… Spain " and " A Week In… Ireland ") having operated in recent weeks. In all, Tauck will pilot 26 Smaller Group departures spanning seven itineraries in North America and Europe this year, and all Smaller Group tours in 2024 will be special departures of existing Tauck itineraries. 

The program's official launch is slated for Tauck's 100th anniversary in 2025, when the company will expand its Smaller Group offerings to include 124 departures across 12 itineraries in North America, Europe and Africa. As in 2024, 2025's Smaller Groups will feature special departures of existing Tauck itineraries. However, the program will also feature three African safaris where all departures are Smaller Group offerings. Tauck's 2025 Smaller Group tours, like all of its other 2025 tours and cruises, are posted on the company's website, Tauck.com , and open for booking.

"Although a large segment of our guests remain devoted to our classic group size, we've also seen incredible growth in our Small Group departures over the past several years," said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. "More recently, some of our guests have shown increasing interest in even smaller group sizes. Our market research has zeroed in on an optimal group size of 12-20 among those interested in smaller groups, so our average group size of 15 travelers is right in the center of that sweet spot."

Mahar went on to note that Tauck's market research also identified the attributes of smaller group travel that held particular appeal to the company's guests. "Our guests want to experience deeper connections with the places they visit, and they want more time, freedom and flexibility. They also want to forge deeper connections with their Tauck Director, and with their local guides and fellow travelers, and all of that is easier to accomplish within a smaller group setting," said Mahar. 

"And of course," Mahar continued, "smaller groups have access to places and experiences that simply aren't available to larger groups. On our African safaris, for example, our Smaller Groups stay in cozy lodges and tented camps with limited capacity, minimizing disruptions to the wildlife and environment, and providing a more authentic experience."

"SMALL IS BIG" Tauck's introduction of Smaller Groups is just the latest example of its "Small is Big" philosophy, which has reshaped the company's product offerings over the last several years and extends beyond the Small Group and new Smaller Group departures of its land journeys to include how the company operates its European river cruises  and small ship ocean cruises .

On Europe's rivers, Tauck's newest ship, the ms Andorinha, carries just 84 guests – fewer than any other riverboat in the company's fleet. That's also fewer passengers than on other similarly sized ships sailing Portugal's Douro River, where the Andorinha operates. In 2017 and 2018, Tauck reconfigured its four 110-meter ships to decrease their capacity, reducing the number of guests hosted on each ship from 118 to 98 per vessel. Tauck's four 135-meter ships have a capacity of just 130 guests each, far less than the 190 passengers (or 46% more) routinely carried aboard competitors' ships of the same size.

On its small ship ocean cruises, Tauck's primary partner is the luxury French line Ponant, with Tauck employing Ponant's Explorer ships (capacity: 184 guests) on numerous itineraries. Overall, ten of Tauck's small ship ocean cruises sail aboard ships carrying fewer than 200 guests, including three vessels that carry 100 passengers or less. By contrast, the average cruise ship carries approximately 3,000 guests, with the world's largest vessel accommodating more than 7,500 travelers.

Tauck's European river cruises and small ship ocean cruises also feature a choice of sightseeing options in many ports, with guests able to choose the option that aligns best with their interests and, in some cases, their preferred activity level. This ensures a more engaging, more customized itinerary for each guest, and it also reduces the size of each group to provide a more intimate and interactive experience. (In ports where all guests enjoy the same sightseeing, Tauck will still divide guests into smaller groups.)

2024 Smaller Group Departures

North America: • " Best of the Canadian Rockies " • " America's Canyonlands " • " Canada's Capital Cities plus Niagara Falls " Europe: • " Northern Spain, the Rioja Valley and Madrid " • " A Week In… Spain " • " Switzerland: Europe's Crown Jewel " • " A Week In… Ireland " 2025 Smaller Group Departures North America: • " Best of the Canadian Rockies " • " America's Canyonlands " • " Canada's Capital Cities plus Niagara Falls " • " The Best of Hawaii " Europe: • " A Week In… Spain " • " Switzerland: Europe's Crown Jewel " • " A Week In… Ireland " • " The Best of Ireland, Small Groups " • " Paris, Dordogne & Bordeaux " Africa: • " Great Migration: Tanzania & Kenya " • " Namibia: Epic Safari " • " Wildlife Odyssey: South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe "

Those interested in more information can contact their local travel professional, call Tauck at 800 468 2825, or visit the company's website at www.tauck.com  ( www.tauck.ca in Canada, www.tauck.co.uk in the UK, www.tauck.com.au in Australia/New Zealand).

About Tauck: Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, Tauck is a world leader in upscale guided travel, with more than 150 land tours, safaris, river cruises, small ship ocean cruises and family travel adventures to 70+ countries and all seven continents. In each of the last 26 years, Tauck has been honored in Travel + Leisure magazine's annual "World's Best Awards" celebrating the very best in luxury tours, cruises, hotels and more.  

PLEASE NOTE: High-res images available for download at www.tauck.com/mediaimages .

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Spain and Portugal

Select Year

Select Group Size

• Small Group

Year, Departure Type

Select small group departures (averaging 24 Tauck guests), or classic departures, and the year you would like to travel.

• 2024 Classic
• 2024 Small Group
• 2025 Classic
• 2025 Small Group

Accommodations

• Pricing & Availability
• Important Info

Uniquely Tauck

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

Enjoy breathtaking vistas as you climb from seaside Marbella to cliff-top Ronda, and into the Sierra Nevada mountains to Moorish Granada for a visit to the Alhambra – one of the world's finest examples of Moorish architecture – accompanied by a local guide

Visit one of the world's most beautiful art museums on a guided tour of Museo Nacional del Prado, steps from your hotel in the Art Triangle of Madrid

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

A horse-and-carriage ride presents a different view of romantic Seville, and a walking tour with a local guide shares insights about daily life

Feel the passion of flamenco when dancers perform their version of Andalucían folkloric traditions during a private performance in Granada

Experience a taste of royal life in Sintra when you visit the former hilltop summer palace of Portugal's monarchs

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Active components such as hiking, bicycling and walking longer distances may be included, and hills and/or uneven terrain may be encountered on several days. Guests should be able to walk two to three miles and stand for long periods of time with no difficulty.

Often robust – may include long days, active sightseeing, early starts, evening activities, significant travel times.

Along Europe's Scenic "Yellow Roads"

Iberia... rediscovered, on a journey unlike any other that explores scenic and cultural contrasts of Spain and Portugal, sharing the Iberian Peninsula for centuries.

Seville by horse-drawn carriage, explore seville by horse-drawn carriage....

Experience a panorama of sights in Seville in a manner befitting the city's historic ambiance – via horse-drawn carriage – as you ride through Maria Luisa Park, the city's largest, which was created for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. Converted from what were once the gardens of the Palace of San Telmo, the park is essentially a botanical garden crisscrossed by grand boulevards and accented with Moorish-styled pavilions, tiled fountains, ponds, several museums and many monuments and sculptures. You're in for a delightful carriage ride through a truly beautiful place.

Portugal's Capital City - Lisbon

Three days of cultural discoveries in portugal's capital city.

Spread out over seven hills crowned with picture-book sights and buildings dressed in storytelling tiles, Lisbon is one of Europe's oldest capital cities. A three-night stay at its luxury Four Seasons Hotel Ritz offers you the opportunity to explore the city on a guided tour, dine on Portuguese specialties, and immerse in its rich multicultural legacies at your leisure.

Gran Melía Don Pepe

Five-star luxury on the marbella beachfront.

Located in the heart of the Costa del Sol, at the foot of the privileged natural enclave of Sierra Blanca, the Gran Meliá Don Pepe combines timeless luxury with an avant-garde flair. With its excellent access to the city center, its fabulous views on the Paseo Marítimo seafront promenade, its luxurious and comfortable facilities and the quality of its service, it's the very best option for discovering all that Marbella has to offer.

Foods of the Iberian Peninsula

Every city was a little jewel on our itinerary of culture, history, food, music, geography and inspiration..

Randy Morin

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Take The Details With You

Download day-by-day details.

All the information you need for this journey at your fingertips – day-by-day details, map, hotel descriptions, key highlights and more.

Where you stay is an important part of your journey – with Tauck, accommodations have been handpicked and carefully selected for their location and ambiance, enhancing the destinations you explore. Download accommodation details and your travel plans begin!

Tour Planner

Download the details to make planning your trip easier - including an itinerary overview, pricing based on your selected departure date and accommodations, plus protection plan costs.

Request A Tour Planner

Overnight Accommodations

Extend your stay

Arrive Early

Four seasons hotel ritz lisbon.

Lisbon, Portugal

Convento do Espinheiro

Évora, Portugal

Hotel Alfonso XIII

Seville, Spain

Gran Meliá Don Pepe

Marbella, Spain

Nights 9-10

Hotel Alhambra Palace

Granada, Spain

Nights 11-13

The Palace, Madrid

Madrid, Spain

Your Journey

Pricing & Availability

Pricing & Dates are not available yet. Please check back soon.

No departures found.

Try using less filters or select a different year.

Want More Detailed Information?

Request a Tour Planner

Call 800-788-7885

About Booking This Tour

Travel Documents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey to enter Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar (a territory of the United Kingdom). You are not required to obtain a visa to enter either country for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact an embassy or consulate of Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom (for Gibraltar) to determine what travel documentation is required.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposits & Final Payment

Deposits and fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $600 per person

Final Payments:

Final Payment is due to Tauck  90  days before departure for lands trips, and  120  days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Travel Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Tauck's Guest Protection

Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.
• Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $559  per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPINTL .

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees. If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person 

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan :

90 days or more before departure = $600 per person

89-8 days before departure = $900 per person

7-1 days before departure = $1500 per person

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note:  All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

While drinking water is generally safe at all our hotels, bottled water will be available wherever the local water is not fit to drink. We also provide bottled water on the motor coaches.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

VACCINATIONS  

If you are a resident of the U.S. , no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Spain, Portugal or Gibraltar (a territory of the United Kingdom). For complete vaccination and inoculation information, please contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to obtain information regarding vaccinations that may be required for your journey. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here .

If you are a resident of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries visited on this tour to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

The tour is fast paced. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion. Spain and Portugal are home to innumerable historic buildings and sites, many dating from ancient or medieval times. Therefore, roads, walkways and architecture may present difficulties for some guests with physical disabilities. We conduct walking tours in most of the cities visited.

Many of the hotels do not provide for disabled access. Although all the hotels on this itinerary have elevators, many of the sites visited do not. Airports and train stations provide limited access to elevators. Many of the museums will have elevators; however, they are not always conveniently located for your use. Further, ramps are not commonly found in public venues.

PLEASE NOTE: We regret that this Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Likewise, we regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list  here.

The climate of Portugal is among the warmest of any country in Europe. In spring and summer temperatures are extremely high, often reaching 85ºF (30ºC) and above, and most days are sunny. Evenings and nights cool down considerably. Throughout this region rainfall is minimal or non-existent during the summer months and light in late spring and early fall.

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website by clicking here .

What To Pack

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with Necessary Gear who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site .

Spain and Portugal are generally warm and dry from April through September. From late March into November, the weather cools considerably and there is a higher chance of rain. Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing.

In Europe, especially in finer restaurants, it is generally customary to dress somewhat formally. Slacks or a dress for women and a jacket for men are acceptable dining attire. It is advisable to avoid wearing jeans, sneakers or shorts for dinner. You may also wish to dress up a bit for the welcome reception and the farewell dinner, but by all means be comfortable.

You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest room. Irons and ironing boards are not usually available, so guests may have to give their garment to the hotel to be ironed for a fee. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are also available for a fee.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your trip to Spain and Portugal:

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
• An optional jacket and tie for men
• Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
• Binoculars (7x50 preferably)
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and chargers
• Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm function (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)
• Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
• Reusable zipper-lock bags or other waterproof bags
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

The Tauck Experience

One Upfront Price – No Hidden Costs

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A Week In... Spain

Select Year

Select Group Size

• Small Group
• Smaller Group

Year, Departure Type

Select small group (averaging 24 Tauck guests), smaller group (averaging 15 Tauck guests) or classic departures, and the year you would like to travel.

• 2024 Classic
• 2024 Small Group
• 2024 Smaller Group
• 2025 Classic
• 2025 Small Group
• 2025 Smaller Group

Accommodations

• Pricing & Availability
• Important Info

Uniquely Tauck

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

TAUCK'S YELLOW ROADS – Journey off the beaten path, from Málaga to Granada in the Sierra Nevada foothills through whitewashed Andalucían villages to Seville

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

On-tour flight from Barcelona to Málaga

A private flamenco performance during your two-night stay in a royal palace hotel in Seville

A guided tour of Madrid's Museo Nacional del Prado, featuring many masterworks of Spanish art, with a local expert

First Class rail travel aboard a high-speed AVE train from Córdoba to Madrid

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.

Often robust – may include long days, active sightseeing, early starts, evening activities, significant travel times.

Along Europe's Scenic "Yellow Roads"

Passionate, picturesque, complex Spain defies description in its wealth of diverse landscapes, cityscapes, cuisines and cultures, ancient and modern... and in just one week...

Private flamenco performance in seville, a magical private performance....

Flamenco is a musical art form that draws upon the folkloric traditions of southern Spain, especially of the Andalusian region, along with influences from the Gypsy or gitano cultures. Although often thought of primarily as a dance style, flamenco is actually expressed through several musical forms, the foremost of which are toque (guitar), cante (singing), and baile (dance). Thought to have first appeared in the 18th century in Spain, and now popular all over the world, flamenco comprises more than 50 different styles, known as palos, all with distinct characteristics. But all you really need to know before you enjoy a private flamenco performance in Seville is that flamenco embodies the Spanish people's legendary passion for life.

Seville by horse-drawn carriage

Explore seville by horse-drawn carriage....

Experience a panorama of sights in Seville in a manner befitting the city's historic ambiance – via horse-drawn carriage – as you ride through Maria Luisa Park, the city's largest, which was created for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. Converted from what were once the gardens of the Palace of San Telmo, the park is essentially a botanical garden crisscrossed by grand boulevards and accented with Moorish-styled pavilions, tiled fountains, ponds, several museums and many monuments and sculptures. You're in for a delightful carriage ride through a truly beautiful place.

Guided tour of Madrid's Museo del Prado

Explore one of the world's greatest museums – madrid's museo del prado – with an expert guide.

Created by King Ferdinand VII as the Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures to promote Spanish art and display works in the collection of the Spanish Crown, what we know today as the Museo del Prado opened its doors in 1819. With a main building constructed in 1785 and a series of extensions added over the years – including one scheduled to open as the museum celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2019 – the Museo del Prado today ranks among the most visited art museums in the world, displaying one of the finest collections of European art anywhere, including works by Goya, Velázquez, El Greco, Bosch, Rubens, Titian and others. With Tauck, you'll explore this extraordinary museum accompanied by an art expert.

The local tour guides were excellent... the hotels were outstanding, well situated in the cities which allowed for easy, independent excursions.

Tauck Traveler Review

Download, Print Or Share

Take The Details With You

Download day-by-day details.

All the information you need for this journey at your fingertips – day-by-day details, map, hotel descriptions, key highlights and more.

Where you stay is an important part of your journey – with Tauck, accommodations have been handpicked and carefully selected for their location and ambiance, enhancing the destinations you explore. Download accommodation details and your travel plans begin!

Tour Planner

Download the details to make planning your trip easier - including an itinerary overview, pricing based on your selected departure date and accommodations, plus protection plan costs.

Request A Tour Planner

Overnight Accommodations

Extend your stay

Arrive Early

The one barcelona.

Barcelona, Spain

Hotel Alhambra Palace

Granada, Spain

Hotel Alfonso XIII

Seville, Spain

Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá

Madrid, Spain

Your Journey

Pricing & Availability

Pricing & Dates are not available yet. Please check back soon.

No departures found.

Try using less filters or select a different year.

Want More Detailed Information?

Request a Tour Planner

Call 800-788-7885

About Booking This Tour

Travel Documents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Spain; however, you are not required to obtain a visa for the short duration of this tour.

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact an embassy or consulate of Spain to determine what travel documentation is required.

Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposits & Final Payment

Deposits and fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $600 per person

Final Payments:

Final Payment is due to Tauck  90  days before departure for lands trips, and  120  days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Travel Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Tauck's Guest Protection

Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.
• Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $449  per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPINTL .

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees. If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person 

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan :

90 days or more before departure = $600 per person

89-8 days before departure = $900 per person

7-1 days before departure = $1500 per person

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note:  All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

While drinking water is generally safe at all our hotels, bottled water will be available wherever the local water is not fit to drink. We also provide bottled water on the motor coaches.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

VACCINATIONS  

If you are a resident of the U.S. traveling internationally, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Spain. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here .

If you are a resident of another country traveling internationally, please contact the embassy or consulate of Spain to determine what vaccinations may be required for you to visit.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

A Week In... Spain is fast-paced. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion. Spain is home to innumerable historic buildings and sites, some dating from antiquity. Therefore, roads, walkways and architecture will present difficulties for some guests with physical disabilities.

While all of the hotels on this program have elevators, please note that many of the sites visited do not. Airports and train stations have limited access to elevators. Additionally, many of the museums visited will have elevators, but they are not always conveniently located, therefore some walking is required.

PLEASE NOTE:  We regret that this Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate wheelchairs or motorized scooters.  Likewise, we regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs.  The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest.  Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list  here.

What To Pack

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with Necessary Gear who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site .

The weather in Spain is generally temperate in the north and warm in the south. Midsummer in Spain is very hot. Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing. Rain falls evenly throughout the year in Barcelona. As you travel from there to Seville and on to Madrid, rainfall becomes less frequent. In spring and fall, the heat and humidity in Seville is moderate in intensity, in summer, all of the cities visited experience a higher heat index.

In Spain, especially in finer restaurants, it is generally customary to dress somewhat formally. Slacks or a dress for women and a jacket for men are acceptable dining attire. It is advisable to avoid wearing jeans, sneakers or shorts for dinner. You may also wish to dress up a bit for the welcome reception and the farewell dinner, but by all means be comfortable.

You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest room. Irons and ironing boards are not usually available, so guests may have to give their garment to the hotel to be ironed for a fee. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are also available for a fee.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your trip to Spain:

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
• An optional jacket and tie for men
• Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
• Binoculars (7x50 preferably)
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and chargers
• Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm function (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)
• Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
• Reusable zipper-lock bags or other waterproof bags
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

Spain is extremely hot during midsummer, in July and August. The rest of the year the climate is generally temperate in the north, but warm in the south. August is the busiest month, while May and October are the best times for both ideal weather and fewer crowds. Barcelona enjoys a wonderful climate with hot summers and cool winters.  The climate of southern Spain & Madrid is sunny and dry, and warm for much of the year. Summer days can be extremely hot, often reaching 85ºF (30ºC) and above, but evenings and nights cool down considerably. Rain in Madrid is a rarity, with a short rainy season in late October and November and some showers in spring.

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website by clicking here.

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