Best of Spain | Winter | 2024/2025

Madrid
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There's no better chance to live your best Spanish life than 10 days drifting around Spain. Together we'll explore Spain's most iconic cities - think Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia & Granada ��� along with the smaller cobbled-street towns of Burgos, Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Pamplona & Toledo. Between paella-making classes, evening flamenco, locally guided tours of Albaicin & Alhambra, plus plenty of tapas, we'll feel like Spanish locals in no time.

Departure dates

From 13/10/2024 to 18/03/2025

What's included

Highlights.
3 Dinner (D)9 Breakfast (B)Madrid: Do the included meals have a set menu? Yep.
Usually, we arrange a buffet for all your included meals.
If you’d like a vegetarian option, please inform your Trip Manager beforehand, and they’ll sort it out for you.
Madrid: I need to refrigerate my medication.
Can I do that on the coach? Of course! Just inform your Trip Manager if you need refrigeration on the coach.
Please remember that the fridge is turned off overnight, so you’ll have to take your medication with you into your accommodation.
We recommend that you bring a cooler bag with you as a backup.
It’s your responsibility to store your medication with care.
Pamplona: Your Trip Manager will escort you into the heart of the city and give a brief orientation talk.
After that, you're free to explore this quirky and colourful city in your own way.
Bilbao: Home to world famous art museums and architecture that’s grander than grand.
Today you’ll have plenty of time to explore Bilbao, taking in the mountains and the skyscrapers.
San Sebastián: Where better to admire the sunset than on the beautiful beaches of San Sebastián? This resort town is known for its fantastic food too – so make sure you’re hungry!Barcelona: We’ll check out the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s world-renowned masterpiece.
Work began on the church in the 1880s and while it was technically never finished, it’s still a wonder to behold.
Granada: Probably the most Instagrammable palace that’s ever existed.
Tour this Moorish marvel with an expert.
Toledo: This medieval city is a cultural melting pot, with a mix of Spanish, Arabic and Jewish influences.
Get some pics of the Alcázar Fortress and the gothic Cathedral.
Barcelona: Enjoy an included dinner at Mescladis – a non-profit that’s all about social cohesion, doing their bit to enrich coexistence, with rights and opportunities for all.
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Itinerary / more information

  • Day 1 Welcome to Spain! Join up with your new crew tonight over your first group dinner in the metro magic of Madrid. Tomorrow will be a whole world of discovery, so you'll be thankful for your hotel sleep.
  • Day 2 The first leg of our Iberian roadtrip kicks off this morning as we travel north in search of Burgos and Pamplona. We couldn't race to our night's stop-off point without letting you marvel at the pretty medieval town of Burgos first. For real, just wait till you see the gorgeous town square. Our next stop is the colourful Pamplona. We'll start with a brief orientation tour of this well-preserved town, and then you'll have some free time to explore in your own way.
  • Day 3 Rise and shine, Spanish explorers! Two new cities await us today, but not until we've had breakfast. Bilbao might get bragging rights to being an up-and-coming cultural hub of Spain, but that hasn't diminished its uber laid back spirit. Home of one of the world's most famous museums, the Museo Guggenheim, you're free to use your morning to play art critique and absorb Bilbao's pretty surrounds and architecture. Next stop, San Sebasti?n! This is a pretty postcard town where cobbled lanes slope towards pristine beaches. Take a walk, do some shopping or just sit and chill in a bar, enjoying endless plates of pintxos (the Basque version of tapas). Our day ends where it started in Pamplona, where you'll sleep soundly with a head full of modern art-themed dreams.
  • Day 4 This morning we spread our wings and take metaphorical flight once again, this time in the direction of Zaragoza with an end goal of none other than bustling Barcelona. A colourful cathedral & traditional Spanish churros will set our hearts aflutter in Zaragoza, as we roam the casco (old town) soaking up historic architecture and good vibes aplenty. Even the pit stops are amazing on Contiki. With 2-nights in Barcelona, you'll be pronouncing Barcelona's C with a "tthh" like a true local by the time we make tracks. We'll kick things off with an orientation tour, before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.
  • Day 5 Today you'll have the chance to join a guided bike tour of the city. Afterwards, you could take a wander through the colourful buildings & gardens of Gaudi's iconic Parc G?ell or beach lovers could head to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Day 6 This morning we're ready for a change of scene - the port city of Valencia is calling, where beach meets culture in the happiest way possible. It's hard not to be enchanted by Valencia as we explore the city during our orientation walk. With one night here in the land that invented paella it would be crazy not to sign up for an optional paella-making class tonight with the crew. Who's in?
  • Day 7 It's been short but sweet, Valencia, and we won't forget you. Today, we're seeking the very different vibes of Granada. How are all these places in just one country? Granada is brimming with romance and offering an eclectic mix of Arab and Spanish feels only to be found in Andalusia. This is one place you may never want to leave! We'll join up tonight for an included dinner with the crew.
  • Day 8 We start the morning with free time to explore. You can fill yours by opting for a guided tour of the Muslim quarter of Albaicin & the Capilla Real, and while you're at it, fill up on some of Granada's incredible food, like its famous Arab pastries. This afternoon we head to Spain's number 1 visited attraction, the Alhambra Palace. We'll discover the breathtaking beauty and history of this Moorish Palace, with its intricate patterns and detailed architecture that will leave you spellbound, and wondering why you haven't been here sooner. To top it off, Alhambra offers the best views of the city. Feel the Spanish rhythm and style by opting for a traditional flamenco and tapas night with your Contiki family. Que beuno!
  • Day 9 Bouncing out of bed should be no problem this morning, given the scenic adventures we have planned today on route to Madrid. Synagogues, churches and medieval buildings sit atop the hill town of Toledo. We'll uncover the city's gothic cathedral, the famous Renaissance sculptor, painter and architect El Greco's house and the site of sieges, revolutions and treason. Just another pit-stop in our life in glorious Spain. Here we are, back where the party started. You're free to spend the evening your way tonight and Madrid's nightlife is pumping, so grab some tapas, sangria and your dancing shoes for a night out on the town.
  • Day 10 Tears and tissues and pinky swears for a reunion trip will mark the blur of sadness that is our morning departure. These are the memories that will stay with you a life time; make sure your next Contiki adventure is just around the corner.
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 19 August 2024 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • Price is per person and subject to availability. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
  • Local payments, "trip kittys" or food funds may apply and may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel agent prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
  • Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
  • Additional conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
  • Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at time of publication.
  • Additional levies, government charges and other applicable fees may apply and are beyond our control.
  • Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
  • Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.
  • Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or Bpay.
  • These prices are a guide to the best price. Prices are correct as at 14 August 2024 and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details.

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