Grand Tour of Spain 14 days
About This Experience
From the museums of Madrid to the sands of the Costa del Sol, Spain’s charismatic locals and cosmopolitan cities are always on. Madrid and Barcelona compete for the title of cultural capital, both boasting incredible art and architecture. Andalusia, once the crossroads of Islam and Christianity, is a showcase of mosques, churches and Moorish castles. Sample it all on this grand tour, traversing the country from north to south and back again.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & transfers
12 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 6 three-course dinners with beer or wine
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Flavorful tapas & flowing sangria
Non-stop nightlife in Madrid & Barcelona
The bulls, horses & sultry culture of Andalusia
The Alhambra shimmering in the sun
The inspired aesthetic of Antoni Gaudí
Flamenco!
Overnight Flight1 night
Madrid3 nights - hotel info
Day2
Day3
Keep an eye out for Goya and Velázquez in the Palace and Prado
Breakfast
Prado, Royal Palace
On your guided tour of Madrid, view the collection of Spanish art at the Prado museum and tour the 2,800-room interior of the Royal Palace. For a delectable Castillian meal, opt for our Traditional Spanish Evening. Included meals: breakfast Included entrances: Prado, Royal Palace
Optional Excursions
Traditional Spanish Evening $99* pp
On your way to dinner, walk through the illuminated streets of Madrid, taking in the local neighborhood ambiance in the evening light. After your walk, enjoy conversation, camaraderie and live music at one of the oldest restaurants in the city. Between traditional Castilian courses, you'll be entertained by tuna music, an artistic tradition with its roots in Spain's universities.
Day4
Sip a cerveza in la Plaza Mayor or explore Toledo’s medieval streets
Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Madrid. Relax in one of Plaza Mayor’s many cafes, or visit the Parque del Buen Retiro, featuring an Egyptian fountain at its center. Or join an optional excursion to the former Spanish capital of Toledo.
Optional Excursions
Toledo $79* pp
Discover Toledo, the clifftop city often referred to as La Ciudad Imperial (Imperial City). Upon arrival, you'll have some free time to explore. Later in the afternoon, your guided tour begins at the city's massive Gothic cathedral, which houses 750 medieval stained glass windows and a treasure trove of golden artifacts. Gaze upon the cathedral's sacristy, containing masterpieces by the likes of van Dyck, El Greco, Rubens and Titian. After exploring the labyrinth of medieval alleyways at the heart of the city, you'll visit the Santo Tome Church and one of Europe’s oldest synagogues, Santa Maria la Blanca. Please note: This tour involves some moderate walking over uneven terrain. Also, depending on the day of the week, the sites visited are subject to change. If the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca is closed, you'll visit the Synagogue of El Tránsito instead.
Seville2 nights - hotel info
Day5
Day6
Pay your respects to Christopher Columbus and his royal patrons
Breakfast
Seville cathedral, Alcázar
Visit Seville’s massive cathedral and the dazzling Alcázar, an excellent example of mudéjar architecture, during today’s guided tour. The afternoon is free to discover Seville on your own. Tonight, enjoy a night of dance at our optional Flamenco Evening, followed by a carriage ride.
Optional Excursions
Flamenco Show & Carriage Ride $75* pp
Savor a taste of old Seville tonight with a horse-drawn carriage ride and a flamenco show. Flamenco is a unique and colorful Andalusian art form, combining guitar playing, singing, clapping and dancing, and this excursion is sure to be one of the highlights of your Spanish journey. Please note: The carriage ride will run as weather permits.
Costa del Sol2 nights - hotel info
Day7
Come face to face with Barbary apes on the Rock of Gibraltar
Breakfast, Dinner
Pillars of Hercules, St. Michael’s Cave, Apes Den
En route to Coasta del Sol, stop in the unique British colony of Gibraltar—at the very tip of the Iberian Peninsula—for a guided tour. Known for its namesake limestone rock that towers 1,396 feet above the countryside, Gibraltar boasts an unusual natural, cultural and political history for a territory of only 2.53 square miles. Visit the Pillars of Hercules, St. Michael’s Cave and the Apes Den, and keep an eye out for the 160 semi-wild Barbary apes that call Gibraltar home. Continue on to your hotel in Costa del Sol.
Day8
Soak up some rays on the glamorous Costa del Sol
Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Costa del Sol, or opt to travel across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco.
Optional Excursions
Morocco $149* pp
Venture on to a full-day excursion to Morocco. Board a ferry from the Spanish port town of Algericas and head south to Ceuta, a Spanish town on the Moroccan coast, where a local guide will provide you with panoramic tour of the city. Next, embark on a walking tour of Tetuan, where you will visit the Plaza Hassan II, the Palacio Real (outside), the Plaza del Pilar, the Barrio Judio (Jewish Quarter) and the Zoco, as well as the great wall and the medina. Take a break with an included Moroccan lunch. Afterward and by request, enjoy a visit to the local handmade souvenirs market and a regional pharmacy. Please note: This optional runs as weather permits. As your trip will take you across an international border, your passport information is required when you reserve this excursion.
Granada1 night - hotel info
Day9
The Alhambra lends new meaning to “the beauty is in the details”
Breakfast, Dinner
Alhambra
Transfer to Granada, the last bastion of Moorish rule in Spain, and tour the opulent 14th-century Alhambra, the hilltop fortress palace of Spain’s last Muslim rulers. Washington Irving collected local legends—set in the Alhambra’s courtyards—while living nearby.
Valencia2 nights - hotel info
Day10
The people of Guadix know their hometown inside and out
Breakfast
On the way to Valencia, stop in the district of Guadix, the Andalusian town where many of the residents live in underground caves. Continue on to Valencia, known for its orange groves and annual Fallas celebration, a fiesta of bonfires, music and fireworks.
Day11
Celebrate the Falles and sample the paella in Valencia
Breakfast, Dinner
Valencia Cathedral, Fallas Museum
On today’s guided tour of Valencia, travel along the city’s boulevards and past its bell towers to the cathedral, where you can view the chalice said to be the Holy Grail. Then continue on to the Fallas Museum and the City of Arts and Sciences, to observe its incredible architecture from the outside.
Barcelona2 nights - hotel info
Day12
Roam the ramparts at the seaside fortress at Peñíscola
Breakfast, Dinner
Continuing north along Spain’s Mediterranean coastline, pass through Peñíscola, a fortress built between the 13th and 15th centuries that appears to rise out of the sea. Arrive later in Barcelona, where dinner is included tonight.
Day13
Gaudí’s creations will daze and delight
Breakfast
A professional local guide leads a sightseeing tour of Barcelona. Stop to view La Sagrada Família (Church of the Holy Family), Gaudí’s famous landmark. As you travel through the city, take in panoramic views of the Columbus Monument, the 14th-century Barri Gòtic and Montjuïc Hill, where much of the 1992 Summer Olympic Games took place. You’ll also visit another of Gaudí’s creations, the Parc Güell, a garden village nestled in the heart of the city. This afternoon, join an optional excursion to Montserrat.
Optional Excursions
Montserrat $65* pp
Journey to the ninth-century monastery of Montserrat, which inspired the composer Richard Wagner as he wrote Parsifal. Ride a high-flying cable car up the mountain and enjoy magnificent views of the Llobregat River Valley and – if skies are clear – the Pyrenees. A local guide leads the way to the secluded monastery, where you will see the iconic Black Virgin of Montserrat, Catalonia’s beloved and miraculous Madonna statue. Take some time to explore the monastery before driving back to Barcelona.
Extend Your Stay
Add Barcelona $299*
From the twisting Gothic quarter to the whimsical creations of Antoni Gaudí and the visionary beauty of Eixample, Barcelona's architectural eye candy has no equal. And its music, theater, art, gastronomy and fashion set the pace for European style. (Plus, its nightlife will have you dancing until dawn.)
Barcelona2 nights - hotel info
Day1
Track the evolution of an artist on a trek through the Barri Gòtic
Breakfast
Stay in Barcelona for another two days to experience the city’s many delights. Today, you might wish to join an optional Picasso and Gothic Barcelona tour to see the city’s Picasso Museum and Gothic quarter.
Optional Excursions
Picasso & Gothic Barcelona $65* pp
On today’s excursion, visit Barcelona's Picasso Museum. You’ll also venture to the Barri Gòtic, home to the city's massive cathedral. Commonly referred to as La Seu, the Cathedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia (named after the city’s patron saint), the cathedral opens its doors to you on a guided tour.
Day2
About This Experience
From the museums of Madrid to the sands of the Costa del Sol, Spain’s charismatic locals and cosmopolitan cities are always on. Madrid and Barcelona compete for the title of cultural capital, both boasting incredible art and architecture. Andalusia, once the crossroads of Islam and Christianity, is a showcase of mosques, churches and Moorish castles. Sample it all on this grand tour, traversing the country from north to south and back again.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & transfers
12 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 6 three-course dinners with beer or wine
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Flavorful tapas & flowing sangria
Non-stop nightlife in Madrid & Barcelona
The bulls, horses & sultry culture of Andalusia
The Alhambra shimmering in the sun
The inspired aesthetic of Antoni Gaudí
Flamenco!
Overnight Flight1 night
Madrid3 nights - hotel info
Day2
Day3
Keep an eye out for Goya and Velázquez in the Palace and Prado
Breakfast
Prado, Royal Palace
On your guided tour of Madrid, view the collection of Spanish art at the Prado museum and tour the 2,800-room interior of the Royal Palace. For a delectable Castillian meal, opt for our Traditional Spanish Evening. Included meals: breakfast Included entrances: Prado, Royal Palace
Optional Excursions
Traditional Spanish Evening $99* pp
On your way to dinner, walk through the illuminated streets of Madrid, taking in the local neighborhood ambiance in the evening light. After your walk, enjoy conversation, camaraderie and live music at one of the oldest restaurants in the city. Between traditional Castilian courses, you'll be entertained by tuna music, an artistic tradition with its roots in Spain's universities.
Day4
Sip a cerveza in la Plaza Mayor or explore Toledo’s medieval streets
Breakfast
You might choose to enjoy the day at your leisure by visiting more of Madrid’s museums, exploring its churches and parks or sipping a cerveza at a sunny cafe. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Toledo. This optional guided sightseeing tour through Spain’s first capital centers on the city’s Gothic cathedral and its exceptional collection of ecclesiastical treasures.
Optional Excursions
Toledo $79* pp
Discover Toledo, the clifftop city often referred to as La Ciudad Imperial (Imperial City). Upon arrival, you'll have some free time to explore. Later in the afternoon, your guided tour begins at the city's massive Gothic cathedral, which houses 750 medieval stained glass windows and a treasure trove of golden artifacts. Gaze upon the cathedral's sacristy, containing masterpieces by the likes of van Dyck, El Greco, Rubens and Titian. After exploring the labyrinth of medieval alleyways at the heart of the city, you'll visit the Santo Tome Church and one of Europe’s oldest synagogues, Santa Maria la Blanca. Please note: This tour involves some moderate walking over uneven terrain. Also, depending on the day of the week, the sites visited are subject to change. If the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca is closed, you'll visit the Synagogue of El Tránsito instead.
Seville2 nights - hotel info
Day5
Relive the Moorish glory days in the seat of Córdoba
Breakfast, Dinner
Mezquita
Board a high-speed train for your transfer across the Spanish countryside to the ancient Moorish town of Córdoba. In Córdoba, you’ll embark on a guided sightseeing tour featuring a visit to the Mezquita. Once the seat of the Caliphs, the Mezquita was built in the eighth century as a mosque and converted into a cathedral during the Christian Reconquista of 1236. Following your tour, you’ll enjoy free time this afternoon to explore Córdoba on your own. Later, continue on to Seville, a city brimming with traditional Spanish charm. Dinner is included this evening.
Day6
Pay your respects to Christopher Columbus and his royal patrons
Breakfast
Seville cathedral
This morning, a local guide will introduce you to beautiful Seville, showing off the intricately tiled pavilion of the Plaza de España, the Gothic grandiosity of Seville Cathedral (where Columbus is buried) and the whitewashed homes of Barrio de Santa Cruz. The balance of the day is free to explore Seville as you please. This evening, join the optional Flamenco Show & Carriage Ride.
Optional Excursions
Flamenco Show & Carriage Ride $75* pp
Savor a taste of old Seville tonight with a horse-drawn carriage ride and a flamenco show. Flamenco is a unique and colorful Andalusian art form, combining guitar playing, singing, clapping and dancing, and this excursion is sure to be one of the highlights of your Spanish journey. Please note: The carriage ride will run as weather permits.
Costa del Sol2 nights - hotel info
Day7
Come face to face with Barbary apes on the Rock of Gibraltar
Breakfast, Dinner
Pillars of Hercules, St. Michael’s Cave, Apes Den
Pay a visit to the British colony of Gibraltar as you transfer from Seville to the Costa del Sol. Best-known for the iconic limestone monolith with which it shares a name, Gibraltar boasts a rich natural, cultural and political history. On a guided tour, you’ll travel up the Rock of Gibraltar to reach St. Michael’s Cave and the Apes Den, home to 160 semi-wild Barbary apes that call Gibraltar home. As you travel up the Rock, you’ll be treated to panoramic views stretching all the way to Morocco. Later, continue on to your hotel in Costa del Sol where you’ll savor an included dinner.
Day8
Soak up some rays on the glamorous Costa del Sol
Breakfast
Spend a day at leisure on the beaches of Costa del Sol. Or, you might consider joining our optional excursion to Morocco.
Optional Excursions
Morocco $149* pp
Venture on to a full-day excursion to Morocco. Board a ferry from the Spanish port town of Algericas and head south to Ceuta, a Spanish town on the Moroccan coast, where a local guide will provide you with panoramic tour of the city. Next, embark on a walking tour of Tetuan, where you will visit the Plaza Hassan II, the Palacio Real (outside), the Plaza del Pilar, the Barrio Judio (Jewish Quarter) and the Zoco, as well as the great wall and the medina. Take a break with an included Moroccan lunch. Afterward and by request, enjoy a visit to the local handmade souvenirs market and a regional pharmacy. Please note: This optional runs as weather permits. As your trip will take you across an international border, your passport information is required when you reserve this excursion.
Granada1 night - hotel info
Day9
The Alhambra lends new meaning to “the beauty is in the details”
Breakfast, Dinner
Alhambra
Travel to Granada, which was the last bastion of Moorish rule in Spain. Your guided tour of Granada highlights the 14th-century Alhambra, an architectural landmark where aspects of Western art find their way into traditional Islamic designs. Unlike some Moorish relics, the Alhambra was not immediately converted into a Christian or secular structure, and by the early 19th century, the site had fallen into disrepair. Today, however, the Alhambra has been painstakingly restored to its former glory. Dinner is included tonight.
Valencia2 nights - hotel info
Day10
Day11
Celebrate the Falles and sample the paella in Valencia
Breakfast, Dinner
Valencia Cathedral, Fallas Museum
On this morning’s guided tour, visit Valencia’s cathedral and the Fallas Museum to see examples of the traditional papier-maché floats made in honor of St. Joseph’s Day. Following your guided tour, enjoy free time to explore Valencia at your own pace. Dinner is included this evening.
Barcelona2 nights - hotel info
Day12
Day13
Gaudí’s creations will daze and delight
Breakfast, Dinner
La Sagrada Familia
A professional local guide leads a sightseeing tour of Barcelona, featuring a visit inside La Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family), Gaudí’s famous landmark. Drive along Paseo de Gracia, with a photo stop at Casa Batllo, also known as the “house of the bones”. Stop at Montjuïc Hill, where much of the 1992 summer Olympic Games took place, and end in the 14th-century Barri Gótic. In the afternoon, join an optional tour to another Gaudí creation, the Parque Güell, a garden village nestled in the heart of the city as well as La Pedra. Tonight, join your travel companions for a farewell dinner.
Optional Excursions
Parc Guell and Pedrera $79* pp
On today’s excursion, discover the magnificent works of Antoni Gaudí, the famed Spanish architect known for his bold, distinct designs. Casa Milà is the first stop. Take a guided tour of this building, popularly known as La Pedrera, built by Gaudí between 1905 and 1910. Everything about the building is visually unique, from the wave-like stone structure and grandly designed roof to the apartment that reflects the style of the 20th century bourgeois. Next, you’ll head to Parc Güell, also designed by Gaudí. Your guide will lead you through the park, which contains stunning buildings, intricate stonework and colorful mosaics. At the top of the park, marvel at the brilliant views of Barcelona.
Extend Your Stay
Add Barcelona $299*
From the twisting Gothic quarter to the whimsical creations of Antoni Gaudí and the visionary beauty of Eixample, Barcelona's architectural eye candy has no equal. And its music, theater, art, gastronomy and fashion set the pace for European style. (Plus, its nightlife will have you dancing until dawn.)
Barcelona2 nights - hotel info
Day1
Track the evolution of an artist on a trek through the Barri Gòtic
Breakfast
Stay in Barcelona for another two days to experience the city at your own pace. Today, you might wish to join an optional Picasso and Gothic Barcelona tour to visit the city’s Picasso Museum and the adjacent Gothic quarter.
Optional Excursions
Picasso & Gothic Barcelona $65* pp
On today’s excursion, visit Barcelona's Picasso Museum. You’ll also venture to the Barri Gòtic, home to the city's massive cathedral. Commonly referred to as La Seu, the Cathedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia (named after the city’s patron saint), the cathedral opens its doors to you on a guided tour.
Day2
Shop the colorful market and get a taste of Catalonian cuisine
Breakfast
With a free day in Barcelona, you might wish to stroll along Las Ramblas, where sidewalk vendors offer their wares and fortune tellers read palms. Perhaps you’ll visit La Boqueria, pick up the ingredients for a picnic, and watch the sun set from the top of Montjuïc. Alternatively, opt for an excursion to the 1,000-year-old monastery of Montserrat to behold the revered 9th-century Black Madonna.
Optional Excursions
Montserrat $65* pp
Journey to the ninth-century monastery of Montserrat, which inspired the composer Richard Wagner as he wrote Parsifal. Ride a high-flying cable car up the mountain and enjoy magnificent views of the Llobregat River Valley and – if skies are clear – the Pyrenees. A local guide leads the way to the secluded monastery, where you will see the iconic Black Virgin of Montserrat, Catalonia’s beloved and miraculous Madonna statue. Take some time to explore the monastery before driving back to Barcelona.
Passport & Visa
In order to enter Spain (and Morocco, on optional excursion), U.S. or Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the Spanish consulate for your specific entry requirements.
Health
There are no major health risks when traveling to Spain. During the summer, travelers should take extra care for sun exposure, particularly in Southern Spain. It’s always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.
Transportation / Walking on tour
Round-trip flights arrive in Madrid and depart from Barcelona. Included transportation on this tour is by high-speed train (from Madrid to Córdoba) and private motor coach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the main cities by public transportation. Madrid’s main center is compact and walkable, but you’ll want to take advantage of the fast and efficient metro system for most attractions. Buses and taxis (which are inexpensive compared to most European cities) are also readily available and well-regulated. The city centers in Seville, Córdoba, Granada and Valencia are all easily accessed on foot. Take local buses and taxis to reach outlying areas. For the novice traveler, navigating Barcelona can be a little daunting, due to the spread-out and ever-expanding design. However, most of the main attractions and tourist hangouts are near the area known as La Rambla (or Las Ramblas, actually a collection of streets) and the Barri Gòtic. Use La Rambla as a base—it runs all the way down to the Columbus Monument and the harbor. For access to the other attractions and the charming neighborhoods of Barcelona, use the excellent metro system.
Cuisine
One of the most enjoyable aspects of traveling is the delightful variety of local cuisine. In Spain, breakfast is very light, usually consisting of only rolls and coffee. Lunch is traditionally a threecourse meal which takes much of the afternoon to consume. The traditional dish is known as paella and is made from chicken, meat, vegetables, seafood and saffron rice. Dinner is less hearty than lunch and is served late, between 9 p.m. and midnight. Tapas, a meal comprising small samples of various appetizers, is a popular evening repast in Spanish bars and cafés.
Clothing & Packing Tips
To ensure you’re comfortable while out exploring, we recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. For sightseeing, we suggest bringing a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers, as well as a lightweight sports jacket or rainwear. If you’re planning a visit to a high-end restaurant or performance, you may also want to bring dressier attire. Also, please remember that it’s preferable to avoid showing bare legs or shoulders during visits to churches or other religious sites (entrance may be denied on this basis).
Baggage Allowance
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on luggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies. Bear in mind that your luggage will probably weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. We allow only one suitcase per person. One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height). There may be times when you will have to handle your own bags, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage. Make sure you label your baggage and carry valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on luggage.
Currency
The euro is the currency you will use on tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Spain, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks, as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the Cirrus and Plus networks, but make sure to check with your bank about withdrawal fees. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
Tipping
At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/ CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.
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Get ahead with Go Ahead
From the online and phone support to the trouble shooting and ability to get a question answered by anyone in the office, this crew/company is first rate. Service was good from the start right up through calls to the airlines and airport to make sure our seats were taken care of. The website and online info specific to each traveler is very helpful as we geared up; mailings and emails to help travelers with their checklists, on a timely basis, were a great asset in being prepared to travel...not to mention the handy nametags and carry bags! Then the trip itself: wow, the in-country guide was, as promised, fantastic from start to end; full service, attentive, she paved the way all along the trip to be sure all details were ready in advance, from hotels to meals to local tour guides. She made it seem easy but she was ALWAYS working on our behalf in the background while we enjoyed ourselves. She also added cultural perspective and deep historic understanding as we traveled to enrich our understanding. She also gave out, in each city, a list of suggested eateries and sites to visit during freetime. The bus and bus driver were like home and family; he even bought water for us to have each day while traveling. The end result was a focus on each tour site, enjoying the variety of tastes and histories and mini cultures that is spain, and on the whole group getting along and enjoying each other. I've been with EF Tours, and now Go Ahead; you can't do finer in service rendered, value, or planned and optional experiences. Get Ahead with Go Ahead!
A Grand Tour
Spain is beautiful! I would do it again. People are very nice and friendly in general. Our Tour Director, Marcello, was exceptional. And very knowledgeable. He took good care of us and was very accommodating. The group really enjoyed his company. I gave this specific tour a 4 because I was annoyed that it was combined with Spanish speaking group of people and Marcello had to translate back and forth to Spanish and English. This took some time away from the learning experience. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against them. They were wonderful people but I felt bad for them because the city guides spoke english during the tour. They missed a lot of things. Go Ahead Tour should have taken this into consideration by not combining english and non english speaking people together. I feel that the non english people were deprived of an otherwise great Spain experience. In the end, we all embraced each other's friendship and were even invited to visit their country. In addition, flight scheduling was poorly done. On our last night in Barcelona, a few of us had dinner and spent a long time enjoying each others' company. There were 6 of us that were scheduled to fly out at around 8A.Our wake up call was 3:45am. Needless to say, we didn't get any sleep at all and my friend and I had 9hrs. and 25 mins flight back to Chicago, with a 5 hr. lay over in Munich. I just wish that GAT has a better understanding of how we vacationers feel going through a 14 day category 3 tour. It was exhausting, what with the difference in time zones and the level of activeness of this particular tour. Thank you.
Grand Tour of Spain
One of the best parts of this tour was the tour director, Leonor. She was very knowledgable about all aspects of the country. It was interesting to hear stories and information that gave us a better appreciation of the tour.
The "No Shopping" Tour
We saw a lot of wonderful places on this tour but were too rushed and missed shopping and having time for leisurely meals in some of the stops such as Cordoba. Also, I thought some of the tours led by local guides were too intense and lengthy. We could have received sufficient information in less time, leaving more time for other pursuits. I believe a balance is needed in tours and we are often rushed off to the next stop without having sufficient time to really enjoy the place where we are. Also, this applies to "all" tours. Please include tips for tour guide, driver, and local guides in the general pricing. I do not like needing to have available some appropriate cash for "all" of the guides we get. Just bake it into the tour pricing.
Grand Tour of Spain
This was my first Go Ahead trip and I was very impressed from start to finish. There were 23 of us from across the US and Canada and we became a cohesive unit right from the start, and our Tour Director, Fran, gets the credit. He had maps and ideas for our free time, always telling us to go out and explore. The bus was comfortable and very clean, and the driver was terrific. I particularly liked the excursion to Morocco: seeing a new country and setting foot on another continent. I had seen the Rock of Gibraltar from sea, so it was great fun to actually visit Gibraltar. I enjoyed seeing the La Sagrada Familia, but I would have liked to have been able to go inside. Hopefully Go Ahead will include the entrance in future tours. The trip up the mountain to Montserrat was beautiful, and even though it rained, I enjoyed the journey. In Barcelona, Fran suggested that we visit the Historical Museum which was wonderful--the museum is actually underground so we got to see the old Roman city beneath the Cathedral. Overall, I give Go Ahead a grade of A+.
Fantastic Trip
Grand Tour of Spain was my first Go Ahead adventure and it will definitely not be my last. Spain is a lovely, friendly country and our tour director, Fran, was a wondeful host. I would definitely be glad to see Fran on another tour. Seeing the Alhambra was a lifelong dream, and seeing it at night, clothed in light, was extra special. It rained the day we went to Montserratt, but it didn't detract from the visit. Now that I have seen it clothed in mist and clouds, I want to go back and see it in bright sunlight. I really can not say enough good things about this trip. I look forward to my next adventure. For me personally, having lunch with a former EF tour director in Cordoba was an unexpected and unplanned special moment. Jesus just happened to be guiding a tour going in the opposite direction, and we wound up in the same place outside the Mezquita at the same time. Thank you Go Ahead for aligning the stars and making this happen!!!
Grand Tour of Spain
I have never been on a tour group trip or even abroad before. This was a fantastic trip and I enjoyed it Immensely. I want to go back and stay longer in some of the cities we visited, especially Barcelona. It was also great getting to know all the people in our group and our tour leader Larra was wonderful. She was so thoughtful and kept us all organized and took care of everything. I would most definitely go on anouther trip with Go Ahead Tours. In fact, I am thinking of Australia and New Zealand in 2015.
GRAND INDEED!
The Grand Tour of Spain is a great introduction to the history, culture, and beauty of southern Spain. It was exactly as advertised, a continuous cascade of sensory overload. Our Tour Guide, Laura, was superb! She repeatedly went above and beyond for those of us who needed something extra. While every day was a unique highlight, we especially enjoyed the excursion to Toledo (the local guide was exceptional), the stopover in Peniscola on the way to Barcelona, the evening in Granada enjoying flamenco dancing in the caves above the city, exploring the old towns of Marbella and Sevilla, the drive up to the top of Gibralter, the Alhambra, and, of course, Barcelona (we did extend two extra days, which I would recommend if you want to really see Barcelona). We thought the Tour provided meals (with one exception) were the best we have had on our five European tours (2nd with Go Ahead) and the wine was outstanding. All the hotels were good quality and well located, except for the hotel in Madrid, which would have preferably been more centrally located, My only suggestion would be to explore the feasibility of using the bullet train (which was great for the trip from Madrid to Cordoba) for the transfer to Valencia, perhaps also incorporating more time in Granada and a stop in Rhonda in place of the trip to Gibralter (maybe make this an optional). Just a thought. And did I mention that Laura was great. You need to clone her.
Spain in 14 Days
The breadth and depth of our Tour Director 's - Laura's - knowledge of Spanish history and culture was a highlight. It placed what we saw, felt and heard in context - both past and present. In addition - the tour was well organized and appropriately paced, making it really easy to watch and learn and enjoy without worry for travel, food, or rest. The selection of stops and the time in each place - while certainly short - was a marvelous introduction to a fascinating and significant country.
It was a Grand Tour of Spain, indeed!
The tour was very well organized. The hotels were either right in the center of things or near metro stops that made easy access into the city centers. I loved the luggage handling, the comfortable buses, and Madrid dinner and entertainment on 2nd night and Morocco excursions. Morocco was multi-sensory, so different from anything else we saw. The estudiantina music group and restaurant at the dinner excursion in Madrid was excellent. Our tour director, Laura, was very helpful. I had a friend in Sevilla I wanted to visit when there and this prevented me from going on flamenco excursion, but Laura helped me with good directions and recommendations for where to go instead. She did the same in Barcelona as I really wanted to go inside Sagrada Familia (having missed it on a previous visit). I found Laura to be flexible and accomodating to my needs. Food had too much salt throughout Spain, so take along something to help prevent water retention. Also, feel free to opt out of a 1 or 2 planned city tours/visits to museums as it starts to feel like sensory overload. But all in all, I fell in love with all of Spain and plan to return. Thank you Laura.
