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Greet the new year in the vibrant Spanish capital.
Within the borders of one country, uncover three distinct destinations. Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville display intriguing distinctions, from Catalan castells to Andalusian architecture. Explore Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and Modernist landmarks. Then, see Madrid’s illuminated streets as you ring in the new year during a celebratory Spanish evening. Cap off your trip in Seville, where Moorish architecture shines.
Your tour package includes
8 nights in handpicked hotels
8 breakfasts
4 dinners with beer or wine, including a memorable New Year’s Eve dinner with live music
4 sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights
Sagrada Família
Prado Museum
New Year’s Eve in Madrid
Córdoba
Olive oil tasting
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to Spain! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Barcelona
Included meal: Breakfast
Discover why the Catalan capital is touted for its unparalleled architectural landmarks, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Step inside La Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s famous masterwork-in-progress
Drive along Passeig de Gràcia, past Gaudí’s “House of Bones”
Stop at Montjuïc, where the 1992 Olympic Games took place, and soak in the panoramic views from Mirador de l’Alcalde park
Pass Plaça d’Espanya
Enjoy a free afternoon in Barcelona or add an excursion.
Park Güell & La Pedrera
From $149 per person
Day 4: Free day in Barcelona
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Barcelona or add excursions.
Barcelona Cooking Class & Dinner
From $189 per person
Montserrat
From $129 per person
Madrid3 nights
Day 5: Train to Madrid & sightseeing tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey by train to Madrid. This afternoon, get acquainted with Spain’s cosmopolitan capital city with the help of a local guide.
View the Royal Palace, Spain’s largest royal residence
Pass by the Temple of Debod, a reassembled temple from ancient Egypt
View the city’s many squares, including Plaza Colón and Plaza Neptune
Explore the Prado, a world-class art museum that began as the private collection of the Spanish monarchy and is home to the works of Goya, Velásquez, and more
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Please note: Porterage is not included for the train transfers. Travelers must be comfortable lifting and carrying all luggage over steps, onto platforms, and into luggage storage.
Day 6: New Year’s Eve celebration in Madrid
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a free day in Madrid.
This evening, soak up the local ambiance as you stroll through the illuminated streets of Madrid. Then, enjoy traditional Castilian fare and live tuna music as you celebrate New Year’s Eve at one of the oldest restaurants in the city.
Day 7: Free day in Madrid
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Madrid.
Seville2 nights
Day 8: Seville via Córdoba & olive oil farm
Included meal: Breakfast
Ride a high-speed train to the town of Córdoba. Then, discover some of the flavors and history of Andalusia.
Explore Córdoba, which was once home to 700 mosques, 900 public baths, and 70 libraries
Enter the Mezquita, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the eighth century as a mosque and then transformed into a cathedral during the Christian Reconquista of 1236
Stop at an olive oil farm and join a local guide for a tour of the olive groves, mill, and cellar
Sample some orange-infused olive oil drizzled on top of chocolate gelato
Enjoy free time to shop
Continue on to Seville and spend a free evening in the city or add an excursion.
Traditional Seville Flamenco Show
From $109 per person
Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Seville
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Uncover the beauty of Seville, the historic Andalusian capital, on a guided sightseeing tour.
View the tiled pavilion of the Plaza de España
Pass the whitewashed homes of Barrio de Santa Cruz
See the Gothic Seville Cathedral, the third-largest church in the world
Enter the Royal Alcázar, a palace that was once home to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
Celebrate your trip with your group members at a farewell dinner.
Flight Home
Day 10: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to visit Granada and Costa del Sol.
Extension to Granada & Costa del Sol
Soak up the sunshine in southern Spain as you travel to Granada and Costa del Sol. Along the way, you'll enjoy guided tours of both Ronda and the Alhambra. Whether you're dining at a tapas bar or exploring the region's beautifully tiled palaces, relax and enjoy some extra time in Spain as you let your cares drift away on the sea breeze.
Granada1 night
Day 10: Granada via Ronda
Included meal: Breakfast
Head south to Granada, stopping to explore the famous cliffside town of Ronda with a local guide.
Admire the town's picturesque white buildings and pass the Plaza de Toros, which was constructed in the late 1700s
View the staggering Puente Nuevo, an 18th-century bridge that spans a deep gorge
Walk by Mondragón Palace and enter Casa don Bosco, a historic home with beautiful views over the surrounding countryside
Then, continue on to Granada.
Costa del Sol2 nights
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of the Alhambra & transfer to Costa del Sol
Included meal: Breakfast
Set off on a guided tour of the Alhambra, the Moorish sultans’ last stronghold in Spain
Walk along the Cypress Promenade to view the upper and lower gardens of Generalife Palace, once the Nasrid dynasty’s summer home
Enjoy panoramic views overlooking Granada and the surrounding countryside
View the unique curved, Roman-style courtyard inside the Palace of Charles V
Admire the blend of Western art and Islamic design as you stroll through ornamented courtyards
Enter the Nasrid Palaces and see the Mexuar, where the Council of Ministers met
See where the royal family lived during visits to Comares Palace and the Palace of the Lions
After, head to Costa del Sol, a stretch of fashionable towns and beaches hugging the Mediterranean.
Day 12: Free day on Costa del Sol
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend the day exploring Costa del Sol at your leisure or add an excursion.
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
A Day in Gibraltar
From $219 per person
Flight Home
Day 13: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the Málaga airport for your flight home.
That's all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†
Reviews
4.4 star rating
Overall rating 4.4 out of 5
Based on 14 authentic traveler reviews
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Featured
3.0 star rating
Pleasant tour of Spain 🇪🇸
12/27/22 by 2nd-time traveler Bella
The tour experience was great
Eleanor was amazing and informative
Spain is a great country not to be missed
The flights were not well booked by Go Ahead Tours, and it made the journey stressful . I hope they are working on improving flight experience.
EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 7/20/23
Hi Bella,
Thank you so much for your review. We a...
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5.0 star rating
AMAZING
12/27/22 by 1st-time traveler Tina
Our tour guide Leonor made this one of our most exciting and fascinating trips! She was absolutely attentive, patient, understanding & knowledgeable! Leonor is definitely a true GEM! 🥰
1.0 star rating
air portion
12/27/22 by 11th-time traveler Carol
the return flight took a total of 28 hours from start to finish. this completely unacceptable. i would not book another tour with go ahead since there is little concern for air travel. it appears whatever is cheapest is the way they book. i suggest you have airfare exclusion in which transportation ...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 1/12/23
Thank you for your review! We appreciate the hones...
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Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Abba Balmoral Hotel
This contemporary hotel is located in the Sant Gervasi Galvany neighborhood. Guests enjoy a gym, terrace, and spa. Nearby you’ll find La Pedrera, Casa...
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Novotel Madrid Center
This spacious hotel is located in the heart of Madrid. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a fitness center. Nearby, you'll find the Prado ...
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NH Collection Sevilla
This stylish, modern hotel is located in the Nervión district in eastern Seville. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, as well as a swimming pool, gym, and restau...
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Hotel Alay
This coastal hotel is located in Benalmádena. Guests enjoy a bar, gym, and outdoor pool. Nearby you’ll find the marina, Malapesquera Beach, and Benalm...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
In order to enter Spain, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SM8.
You will walk for at least 1 hour daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and dirt paths, with some hills.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of trains.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Barcelona and depart from Seville (or Málaga on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
Train rides from Barcelona to Madrid and Madrid to Córdoba are included in the price of your tour.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one personal item per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
Porterage is not included for the train transfers. Travelers must be comfortable lifting and carrying all luggage over steps, onto platforms, and into luggage storage. The storage space on the train is extremely limited, so we recommended traveling with only one suitcase per person (and a personal item, such as a backpack or purse).
Winters in Spain are generally mild. However, to ensure you’re comfortable for outdoor sightseeing and celebrations, we recommend packing a warm coat, hat and gloves, as well as rainwear.
We also suggest packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes, sneakers or winter boots is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SM8.
In Spain, breakfast like a local with just a pastry and coffee. Then, tuck into a three-course lunch featuring a Spanish staple like savory seafood paella or grilled meat and fried potatoes. Dinner is less hearty than lunch and is served late, between 9pm and midnight. Snack on small plates called tapas any time of day.
Catalan cuisine, which can be found in Barcelona, is markedly different from food in other parts of Spain. Nearly every restaurant will offer pa amb tomàquet—toasted bread with tomato and olive oil. Fresh seafood, hearty meat dishes, cheeses, and locally grown vegetables, such as wild mushrooms, are culinary mainstays.
Cuisine in Spain's southern Andalusia region is heavily influenced by surrounding countries, and has many Arabic elements. Kebabs are popular, and desserts are often prepared with almonds, honey and cinnamon. Be sure to try Serrano ham, which is considered a regional delicacy, as well as the famous chilled soup known as gazpacho.
Spain operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s 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 international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.