Highlights of Spain by Rail
Experience Overview
Take the train and rediscover the joy of backpacking on this extra-special cultural adventure in Spain. Using the excellent rail network, we discover the highlights of Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Cordoba, getting to the heart of each on expertly led tours, a flamenco show in Seville and tapas tour in Madrid. With the train seats prebooked and an expert tour leader managing the schedule, you need only worry about soaking up the culture and sharing the adventure with your small group of like-minded travellers.
Profile
— Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (hotels) — Group normally 6 to 16 plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Option to travel by train to your adventure
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (hotels) — Group normally 6 to 16 plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Option to travel by train to your adventure
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Luggage: We highly recommend you bring a backpack for your main luggage rather than a suitcase as we will be getting on and off trains and walking to and from the hotels.
Itinerary: Due to variable train schedules, your tour leader may have to amend the timings of some activities.
Group Description
There is an expert tour leader with a group of six to 16 people.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts and one tapas dinner are included.
Vegetarians: While a meat-and-fish diet is the norm in Spain, many vegetarians have not experienced any problems here. However, the choice of vegetarian and vegan meals may not be as extensive as you are used to.
Mealtimes in Spain are later than in many other countries; dinner is usually taken between 9pm and 9.30pm.
Transportation
We travel from city to city by train. Transfers to/from the train stations are either done on foot or, if you need, by public transport (additional cost). Airport transfers are in a private vehicle.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Catalonia Sagrada Familia, C. d’Aragó, 08026 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 932 45 89 05
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Barcelona Airport (BCN)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for those booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
Seasons are marked, with pleasant temperatures in the spring, summer and autumn. Heatwaves can hit between mid-June and September. In April and October, expect temperatures around 5C-25C (41F-77F). May, June and September are typically sunny and warm with temperatures of 10C-30C (50F-86F).
Spending Money
Allow approximately €50 per day for meals, coffees and other drinks; however, this depends on which restaurants you choose.
Local taxes: There are city taxes in Barcelona (from €4.50 per night). The local administration oversees the tax, which will be collected by the accommodation provider at check-in or check-out. This fee varies depending on the hotel category, the season and number of days of stay. For this trip, please allow approximately €10 for the week.
Tipping
Although optional, a tip for the tour leader at the end of the trip is greatly appreciated. As a guideline we recommend a contribution between €20 and €25 per person in total.
Highlights
— Visit Spain’s greatest cities using the excellent train network — Discover Gaudi’s masterpieces in Barcelona — Get to the soul of Madrid on two tours and a tapas crawl — Watch a flamenco show in Seville, the birthplace of the artform — Explore the landmarks in the historic city of Cordoba
Trip Details
Product Code: 31126
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: vehicle.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: ASM
Starts: Barcelona, Spain
Finishes: Barcelona, Spain
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
— All breakfasts — All accommodation — Airport transfersAccommodation
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4,750 ($594 /day)
Itinerary
It’s hola to Barcelona, where our adventure kicks off. The excitement builds with an orientation walk, a chance to see some of the city landmarks. The tour leader can then organise a group dinner, in which we can chat, quiz our tour leader on the local lingo and customs, and learn more about our host country and each other in a relaxed setting. If you’d prefer a little time to ease into the adventure, speak to your sales representative about booking pre-tour accommodation. Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Sagrada Familia (or similar)
Discover Barcelona today, first exploring the fresh produce of La Boqueria, a bustling market filled with fresh produce. After lunch, we walk to Parque Güell, a city green space created by Catalan architect and designer, Antoni Gaudí. This World Heritage site is an open-air gallery, displaying work packed with religious and political symbolism, while also offering beautiful views over the city and pleasant gardens in which to stroll. Return to the hotel by public transport. Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Sagrada Familia (or similar)
Head to Barcelona-Sants railway station, either on foot or by public transport (additional cost), for our first train ride of the adventure. Arriving in Madrid, we take a 30-minute metro to the hotel for check-in. We then hop back on the metro to travel to the city centre for a two-hour walking tour of the capital’s highlights, including the Plaza Mayor and Palacio Real. The day ends with a tapas crawl, dipping into different establishments to taste their fine dishes and eating like a local. After, we return to the hotel by metro. Accommodation: Hotel Gran Legazpi (or similar)
Begin today at the Museo del Prado, Spain’s national art museum. This historic establishment houses one of the finest European art collections in the world, including pieces by Goya, El Greco, Rubens and plenty more. Then head to the Museo Reina Sofia, where we can see Picasso’s masterpiece Guernica, which represents the horrors of war. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city. There’s plenty to discover and a great selection of historic tapas bars to sample; of course, your tour leader is happy to make recommendations. Accommodation: Hotel Gran Legazpi (or similar)
Enjoy our second train ride of the trip today, taking the 2hr 50min train to Seville station. Upon arrival, either walk to the hotel (25 minutes) or go by public transport (additional cost). We then check into our hotel before an exploration of the city. Walk through the Jewish Quarter with its narrow streets towards River Guadalquivir, where we can see the Triana neighbourhood and Torre del Oro where gold-filled boats arrived from the American colonies during the Spanish empire. This evening, we have dinner in the centre and attend a flamenco show in one of the popular tablaos – an establishment in which the artform is performed. Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Giralda (or similar)
Venture into the capital of Andalucia today to visit the highlights, including the Royal Alcazar palace, one of the most beautiful examples of Muslim architecture and art in Spain. We also enter Seville Cathedral, the largest gothic church in the world. Finally, we head to Plaza de España in Parque de María Luisa. Built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition 1929, it displays a magnificent collection of architectural styles. Accommodation: Hotel Catalonia Giralda (or similar)
Enjoy the 45-minute train journey to the historic city of Cordoba, the capital of the Muslim kingdom that reigned Spain for centuries. Here, we visit the Jewish Quarter, the emblematic flowery courtyards, and the Great Mosque of Córdoba, which was converted into a Catholic cathedral but maintains its very special Muslim heritage. The sightseeing takes four hours in total today. Accommodation: Hotel Sercotel Cordoba Medina Azahara (or similar)
Take your last train journey after breakfast, travelling to Malaga. On arrival at Malaga train station, a transfer takes you to the airport for your onward flights. If you’d like a little more time to explore Spain, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
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