• Barcelona
  • Alcázar, Segovia, Spain
    Segovia
  • spain-madrid-royal-palace-women-sitting-by-fountain
    Madrid
  • Tapas bar, Madrid, Spain
    Tapas
  • Toledo
  • La Mancha
  • Alhambra, Granada, Spain
    The Alhambra
  • Ronda
  • spain-cadiz-cathedral
    Cádiz
  • spain-sevilla-lady-kissing-horse
    Sevilla

Tour Questions? See our FAQ | Email [email protected]

Best of Spain in 14 Days Tour

from $4,795 per person + air

Single Supplement $775

See Dates & Prices

From Gaudí and El Greco to tapas and flamenco, this tour captures the energetic diversity of Spain. Beginning in beautiful Barcelona and ending in sensual Sevilla, your Rick Steves guide will treat you to a sumptuous, two-week cultural buffet — with rich helpings of Catalunya's Gaudí, Toledo's El Greco, masterpieces of Madrid's Prado, and the Moorish and royal treasures of Granada and Sevilla. You'll also experience the delights of whitewashed Andalusian hill towns, prancing horses, tasty tapas, and fine sherry. Join us for the Best of Spain in 14 Days!

Dates & Prices

2025

What's Included

You'll get at least 23 group sightseeing events — at no extra cost!

Here's what you'll see and do on our 2025 Best of Spain tour:

  • Barcelona walking tour
  • Sagrada Família
  • Prado Museum
  • Royal Palace
  • Madrid walking tour
  • Segovia day trip
  • Segovia walking tour
  • Toledo walking tour
  • Santo Tomé Chapel (El Greco's Burial of the Count of Orgaz)
  • Toledo Cathedral
  • Tránsito Synagogue
  • Consuegra windmills
  • Alhambra palace (when available)
  • Ronda bullring
  • Bull and horse farm
  • Olive oil tasting
  • Cádiz walking tour
  • Sherry tasting
  • Sevilla walking tour
  • Sevilla Cathedral
  • Sevilla Alcázar (when available)
  • Sevilla carriage ride (weather permitting)
  • Flamenco performance

Plus you'll get all this, too.

  • A small, friendly group of 24–28 people — half the size of most tour groups
  • Full-time services of a professional Rick Steves guide and local experts who will make the fascinating history, art, and culture of Spain come alive for you
  • All group transportation from Barcelona to Sevilla
  • 13 nights' accommodations in memorable, centrally located hotels
  • All breakfasts and 7 other meals
  • All tips for guides and driver
  • A tour kit including a guidebook and a moneybelt
  • Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit
  • Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you've taken with us
  • Flexibility should you need to transfer or cancel your tour

Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing. See our Tour Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above.

Group sightseeing events subject to change.

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Spain

We'll gather at our Barcelona hotel at 5 p.m. for a "Welcome to Spain" get-together. Then we'll join the locals in their nightly ritual and head out for an orientation paseo (stroll) through our neighborhood. We'll finish by getting acquainted over a tapas-style dinner together.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. No bus. Sleep in Barcelona.

Day 2: Lively, Artistic Barcelona

Today we'll explore Barcelona's stylish and modern Eixample neighborhood, home to many of Gaudí and his contemporaries' elegant homes. Then we'll make our way to his towering, dizzying Sagrada Família. Afterward you'll be free to experience more of this magnificent city on your own, from the Picasso Museum to Gaudí's playful Park Güell.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Barcelona.

Day 3: Masterpieces of Madrid

All aboard! After breakfast we'll take one of Europe's speediest trains (the AVE) to Madrid. We'll tour one of Europe's premier art museums — the masterpiece-packed Prado — where you'll see paintings by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, and others. Later we'll stroll the lively streets of our neighborhood and enjoy dinner together.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Train: 3 hours. Bus: 2 hours. Sleep in Madrid.

Day 4: Madrid and the Royal Palace

This morning we'll meet our local guide for a tour through the sumptuously decorated Royal Palace. With 2,000 rooms, acres of luxurious tapestries, and a king's ransom of chandeliers, this is truly one of the great palaces of Europe. Our walking tour will continue through Madrid's bustling Puerta del Sol to its elegant Plaza Mayor. Your afternoon and evening are free to explore Madrid's wealth of museums, stroll through the majestic Retiro Gardens (Madrid's most popular park), and maybe even catch a performance of zarzuela, Spain's delightfully light opera.

Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. No bus. Sleep in Madrid.

Day 5: Day Trip to Segovia

We'll venture out of the city by bus to the history-rich town of Segovia and its beautifully preserved Roman aqueduct. After a walking tour of the aqueduct and town, you'll have free time to wander and visit Segovia's medieval Alcázar fortress. We'll regroup this afternoon for lunch to savor a Segovian specialty together — roast suckling pig. Then we'll return to Madrid in time for you to enjoy dinner on your own.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 3 hours. Sleep in Madrid.

Day 6: Historic Toledo

It's a short bus ride to Spain's old capital city of Toledo (and back in time about 500 years). We'll take a morning walking tour that includes Toledo's magnificent cathedral, the medieval Tránsito Synagogue, and El Greco's Burial of the Count of Orgaz at the Santo Tomé Chapel. This afternoon and evening, you'll have plenty of free time to enjoy the winding streets and varied sights.

Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. Bus: 1 hour. Sleep in Toledo.

Day 7: La Mancha and Granada

This morning we'll drive through windswept "Don Quixote country," stopping to sniff the saffron and admire a whitewashed windmill or two. After taking a break for lunch at a traditional Venta, one of Andalucia's humble roadside eateries, we'll make our way to Granada, where we'll begin with a neighborhood orientation before heading up the Albayzín hill for dinner together and enjoy a sunset view of the Alhambra.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 5 hours. Sleep in Granada.

Day 8: Moorish Treasures of Granada

Today you'll learn about Spain's Islamic legacy with a visit to the sprawling palace and garden complex of the Alhambra (when available). This last and greatest of Europe's Moorish palaces will awe you with its grace and artistry. You'll also have free time to make your own discoveries along the colorful streets and alleyways of Granada's Old Town.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Granada.

Day 9: Ronda

Today's destination is the hill town of Ronda, home to Spain's oldest bullring and its most breathtaking gorge. This afternoon, we'll visit the 5,000-seat bullring built in 1785 before setting you free for the rest of the day. There's plenty to explore including Ronda's Moorish and Mercadillo Quarters, linked together by the famous gravity-defying stone bridge, beautiful balconies, wispy gardens, and panoramic views.

Light to strenuous walking (your choice). Bus: 3 hours. Sleep near Ronda.

Day 10: Spain's Pueblos Blancos

Today we'll wind our way between the olive groves and whitewashed villages of Spain's pueblos blancos. We'll head into the countryside to visit a bull and horse farm and learn about Spain's most controversial pastime. Then we'll tour an olive oil mill, where we'll discover the traditional methods of producing this extra-virgin export. After a rustic lunch together, we'll press on to the jewel of southwest Spain, coastal Cádiz.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 2 hours. Sleep in Cádiz.

Day 11: Old Town Cádiz

This morning we'll explore old town Cádiz, founded by the Phoenicians in the 10th century BC and one of the oldest cities in Western Europe. We'll join our local guide for a walking tour of the barrios and their centuries of narrow winding alleys and small squares, bordered by city walls and the sea. The rest of the day is yours to explore more of Cádiz's charming corners, take a walk along the seaside promenade, or soak in the sun at one of its many beaches.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 2 hours. Sleep in Cádiz.

Day 12: Sevilla's Barrio Santa Cruz

This morning we'll drive directly to Sevilla, Spain's most flamboyant and atmospheric city. We'll begin our visit with a guided tour that takes us from the famous La Macarena (Weeping Virgin) statue to the world's largest Gothic cathedral. You'll have time to do more exploring on your own before we regroup tonight for a performance of sultry, swirling flamenco.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 2 hours. Sleep in Sevilla.

Day 13: Sevilla's Royal Alcázar

Today we'll start with a tour of the beautifully Moorish-style Alcázar palace (when available), the Sevilla home of the Spanish royal family for the past 500 years. Afterward, you're free to walk in the footsteps of Carmen and Don Juan, linger in Sevilla's charming squares, or stroll along the romantic Guadalquivir River. This evening we'll share travel memories and toast new friends at our final dinner together, capped off with a carriage ride through the streets of Sevilla. Salud!

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Sevilla.

Day 14: Tour Over After Breakfast

Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. Sevilla's airport is a bus or taxi ride away, with easy connections throughout Europe. Alternatively, you can hop on an AVE train to Madrid to continue your Iberian adventures. Hasta luego!

Itinerary specifics subject to change.

Please note: We may not be able to visit the Alhambra as a group or guarantee admission due to their new restrictive ticketing policy.

Physical Demands

Our tours are physically active! It's an essential part of the Rick Steves tour experience. On our Best of Spain in 14 Days tour — among other things — you'll need to happily…

  1. Carry/roll your luggage over uneven pavement (possibly several blocks) and up stairways to reach your hotel, then up several flights of stairs to reach your room.
  2. Be on your feet, walking and standing, for up to four hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions.
  3. Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning.
  4. After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own.
  5. Travel on a bus without a toilet (rest stops every two hours).
  6. Eat group dinners as late as 9 p.m.

Reviews

Sheri

Tour: 10/28/24

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

I was disappointed by the lack of attention to health.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Barcelona - mostly the places I visited on my own before the tour."

Noreen

Tour: 10/28/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour guide, Agustin, was wonderful. His knowledge of Spanish culture and history was amazing. His patience with the members of the tour was outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"seeing the Sagrada Familia in person!"

Brenda

Tour: 10/28/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

There were jaw-dropping surprises waiting for us every day. We had a very pleasant group of people to experience these wonders with. Every day I learned about something fascinating: Gaudi's architecture, Cervantes' windmills, the multi-century, multi-faith history of the Alhambra, how saffron is grown and harvested, how olive oil is processed, how boll-fighting is a deep part of the culture, how the amazing Andalusian horses are trained, flamenco and the special vibe in Seville.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hmmm, everything was a 10 out of 10 but it might have been staying in the hotel on the cliff in Arcos de la Frontera. Something about that thrilled me."

Kelly

Tour: 10/26/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a wonderful experience that gave us the opportunity to see much beauty and many highlights of Spain. Grateful for the professionalism and expertise of our guide Margaret.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wow moments- almost a perpetual wow! Visiting the Alhambra (I wondered if we would get in), the beautiful country hotel among peaceful gardens (Hotel Molino del Arco), and the finale last evening in Seville (rooftop gathering at sunset, horse and carriage ride to dinner with stop at Plaza de America) was pure wow. So much gratitude to Margaret for planning that lovely experience."

Joseph

Tour: 10/26/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Victoria

Tour: 10/26/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an incredible tour of Spain. We so enjoyed our guide, our tour group and the wonderful country of Spain!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There seemed to be a “wow” moment each and every day. If I had to choose one, I’d go with the day trip to Segovia. The incredible aqueduct, the meal of roast suckling pig at a renowned restaurant, the cathedral, the nuns baking and selling cookies, and the warmth and kindness of the people. It was a stellar day!"

Thomas

Tour: 10/26/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Virginia

Tour: 10/21/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful guides and tour leader. Everyone was open and friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Flamenco dancers and the entire Alhambra. "

John

Tour: 10/21/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amanda was very knowledgeable and the local guides were very helpful and knowledgeable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Barcelona and the sagrada familia. "

William

Tour: 10/21/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amanda was fantastic. Great variety of activities like cathedral's. Learning about artists

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having Tapas in small restaurants. Tasting sherry and oiive oil. Speed train restaurant over looking Alhambra"

Laurie

Tour: 10/21/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had a very enjoyable tour experience. Our group visited the major sites I would expect to visit, as well as visiting sites I might not have found on my own. I felt there was a good balance of group time as well as time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed meeting the other members of our group, and particularly enjoyed visiting La Sagrada Familia and the Alhambra. "

Sandra

Tour: 10/21/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful blend of guided tours and free time to see the sights. Learned so much about Spain, it's history, customs, people and life today. The size of the tour group made it easy to get to know everyone. It was a great group of people!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many "wow" moments! The Sagrada Familia was so impressive! The ability to sit in the prayer chapel and feel connected to God. I learned so much about Gaudi and his connection to God and creation that motivated his work."

John

Tour: 10/21/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The huge, beautiful cathedral’s."

Kathy

Tour: 10/21/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our "Best of Spain in 14 Days" trip was a fantastic experience! Our group leader Amanda, made the entire trip fun because of her experience and professionalism. Because of flooding in Spain, we had to cancel a day but Amanda bought the fun to us with a sherry tasting and pizza party and we didn't miss a beat! Our trip was educational and full of amazing experiences and our guides were excellent. I loved the centrally located hotels and the many lovely meals that were provided.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many WOW moments on our trip, but my first wow moment was my first glimpse of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. "

Janice

Tour: 10/21/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The most wonderful guide, Amanda The tour group was energetic, fun, supportive, accepting (we are a lesbian couple), and mostly over 65!!! It was like seeing something so incredible every day that the days piled upon each other and at times it was a bit overwhelming. I was really in the moment. Lots of laughing, loved the buddy system Loved seeing animals and nature

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spending an afternoon wandering the streets of Arcos de la frontera. It was raining and I was mostly alone. I visited the Basilica and took time to read each carefully crafted description of the paintings and statues. I was able to immerse myself. Other sites may have been bigger or grander, but this site held so much meaning because I was able to absorb it. "

Dean

Tour: 10/21/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our fourth Rick Steves Europe tour was as wonderful as the previous three! The historical centers of Barcelona and Madrid were as fascinating as the cultural differences in the smaller cities of Granada and Sevilla. Also, the local guides were extremely educational and interesting and I am very thankful for their knowledge sharing. Amanda, our lead tour guide during the 14 days in Spain was awesome!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The expansiveness "as far as the eye can see" of olive tree groves on the flatlands and mountain sides of central and southern Spain. Beautiful."

Noah

Tour: 10/19/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour! I felt I was able to obtain a comprehensive understanding of what it meant to be Spanish and gain insights into their culture. Our guide, Francisco, was amazing and I miss him already.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment of the tour was experiencing the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Its grandeur and intricacies are unmatched."

Susan

Tour: 10/19/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the tour tremendously. We had a great guide in Fran and he led us like a merry band of travelers. Our city guides were so knowledgeable and could not have been more perfect for each museum, church and city. The hotels were comfy and just what was needed after a day spent soaking up all that Spain has to offer. The tour in so many ways got me out of my comfort zone which was much needed!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sagrada Familia. Also, we had unscripted moments such as the military suddenly showing up to the Alcazar of Segovia and also waiting for the dignitaries to leave our lunch spot. Plus meeting an actual matador when we were touring our his bull farm. We all believe that Fran actually planned the two!!"

James

Tour: 10/19/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a wonderful time, great guides and accommodations, interesting content and sights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Segrada de Familia. Our guide really made it come alive and the beauty of the light inside was awe inspiring. "

Cheryl

Tour: 10/19/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Tour of Spain was exceptional, from the guides, drivers, and people we encountered.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moments were meeting Rafael Tejada on his bull farm and The Sagrada Familia. "

Aubrey

Tour: 10/19/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Francisco was outstanding and great fun to be with. We had a great tour group. We had some amazing food and wine. The local guides were excellent. The tour was an excellent immersion opportunity into Spanish history an culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sagrada Família interior is an architectural / engineering marvel."

Christine

Tour: 10/19/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Francisco was the best guide ever!! He made all of us feel valued and cared for. And we had an awesome group of fellow travelers! Couldn’t gave asked for better. We were thankful to have our bus driver and all of the local guides who shared their knowledge and gave us an inside look into Spain. From cathedrals to Bull ranch, horse ranch, windmills, coop olive processing plant, walking in the Bull ring, and down the steep cobblestones in the rain .

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sagrada Familla was amazing. The light was breathtaking. And the view from dinner of the Alahambra as a thunder and lightning storm passed over. "

Gary

Tour: 10/19/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

So many amazing sites but our tour guide, Francisco, really made the trip extra special. His knowledge of Spain is outstanding, but it is what is in his heart that comes through that made this tour so wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many with major things like the Sagrada Familia, the Royal Palace, the Alhambra, but also the small things like Ratoncito Perez."

Tony

Tour: 10/19/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was well paced, full of excellent sites, food and our guide, Fran was top notch!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sagrada Famelia"

Mary

Tour: 10/19/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was fantastic. Of our Italy (2018) and Paris (2019) Rick Steves' tours, this was absolutely the best. Our tour guide, Fran, was everything you want and hope for in a tour guide. And we had an absolutely amazing group. We had such a great time; we're confirmed for our next trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There really were so many "wow" moments. On day two I was captivated by Gaudi's Sagrada Familia. Fran's explanations added so much more to the experience. Being in this surreal forest with fanciful creations 360 degrees was breath taking. I loved the way the brilliant colors from the stained glass reflected on the interior walls. "

Paul

Tour: 10/14/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first trip to Spain. The cultural overlap is a bit overwhelming. From Barcelona and Madrid to Arcos and Ronda the insites we gained were more than we anticipated. What a wonderful experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The interior of the Sagrada Familia."

Paul

Tour: 10/14/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great cities and sites selected to tour, great tour guide and group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sevilla "

Ivan

Tour: 10/14/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed this tour, our second with RS. Our guide, Luis, was excellent: engaging, knowledgeable, organized, and kind. We learned a lot about him and he drew our group together. The great people we traveled with definitely contributed to the enjoyment of the trip. The local guides were all interesting and informative. Accommodations were comfortable and in prime, walkable locations. Shared dining experiences gave us a chance to try excellent, regional foods as a group. Recommended!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose a single moment, being at the Sagrada Familia; both outside and inside was certainly a "wow." The beautiful light and brightness inside was so different than older, darker cathedrals. Dinner with a view of the Alhambra was spectacular, followed by going inside the next day. In general, the Moorish architecture and designs were stunning to see; the detail, intricacy, and colors were incredible. Walking the narrow streets and alleys of Segovia, Toledo, Arcos, Grenada, and Sevilla."

Scott

Tour: 10/14/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well thought out trip that really covered all the must see items as well as several experiences that we might not have done on our own (e.g., visit to an olive oil factory).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia is an over the top "wow" moment, but there were some less spectacular wow moments as well. Dinner in Granada overlooking the Alhambra was amazing, the visit to the Andalusian horse farm and the bull farm near Arcos were all unexpected "wow" moments."

Laura

Tour: 10/14/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Luis was fantastic. The group loved him. We all got along so nicely and quickly had inside jokes. Secondary to all the preparation by RS, we sailed through entrance lines and spent our time at beautiful places. The hotels, restaurants and special stops were things I could never have found on my own. The special attention to every detail and welcoming atmosphere of RS tours makes me very comfortable traveling as a single female.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Have to have 2-the gorge at Ronda and the Alcazar in Sevilla. "

Deborah

Tour: 10/14/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fantastic in every way. The places we visited were great. The other travelers were likable and we enjoyed hanging out on our time with each other. The tour guide, Luis, was great. He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Spain and its culture. He promoted a friendly atmosphere and made sure that everyone got the most out of their tour experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There where many "wow" moments for me: the architecture in Barcelona, the cathedral in Toledo, the Alhambra in Granada, and both the cathedral and Alcazar in Sevilla."

Elizabeth

Tour: 10/14/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Spain tour (my 15th) was great. Late October was a good month to experience Spain. I saw and experienced so much in two weeks with a wonderful group, a great guide, and outstanding local guides. I learned about Moorish culture, bull fighting, and flamenco. I saw some fabulous art in buildings and museums. It was a very active tour with lots of up and down on stone walkways. And I saw LOTS of olive trees. Loved it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking into the Sagrada Familia caused me to say WOW and it was a cloudy day so the lighting was subdued. The wonderful tour of a select set of painting in the Prado was fantastic. The view of the Alhambra from our group dinner location....... I enjoyed the whole trip."

Julie

Tour: 10/12/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A lot of history, museums, I am a pretty active person, I would like more hiking and outdoor activities.

Janet

Tour: 10/12/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The two week time period was perfect for seeing Spain. This was my third Rick Steve’s tour and the longest so far. Our tour guide made the trip even more fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I’d have to say the extra experience our tour guide, Roberta, planned for the group. It was a sunset boat cruise in Cádiz. Very beautiful! "

Boni

Tour: 10/12/24

It was wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Architecture and the continuous olive trees."

Theresa

Tour: 10/12/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a wonderful time on our Best of Spain Tour. I loved discovering Spain's beauty and rich history with the help of our incredible guide, Roberta. Our tour group were Rick Steves' veterans and bonded quickly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was stepping into the Sagrada Familia with the afternoon sun streaming through the stained glass windows. It is an incredible man-made creation that brilliantly reflects God's glory."

Kathleen

Tour: 10/12/24

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The first half of the tour was good, however, the switch to Cadiz from Acros left out many of the activities we were expecting. "Our group activities will proceed as planned on Day 10, with the addition of a lesson on Andalusian horses at the bull farm. We'll start our day with a visit to a local Andalusian horse farm. After learning all about these magnificent creatures and their connection to the local culture" didn't happen. We felt cheated and so did others on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia"

Douglas

Tour: 10/12/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well planned out and Roberta was an outstanding guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Sagrada Familia"

Terry

Tour: 10/12/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a good group and a GREAT guide, Roberta. A fun trip….not too much of anything and lot’s of great information. The local guides were very helpful and had a good attitude.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The number of Olive trees in Spain is scary…. A ‘one trick’ type economy. Toledo was a great example of a past time…. Spain.. very much a country in the past. Fun to see."

Linda

Tour: 10/12/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guides were all fantastic - very knowledgeable and interesting! I loved the group meals and the boutique hotels. I also appreciated have some free time to explore on our own. Our tour group was great! Everyone got along well and we truly enjoyed each other's company. I think the smaller size makes that easier.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of Segrada Familia was amazing. It's so beautiful and it's hard to wrap your head around how long ago it was designed and building started. It was also interesting to hear how some of the technical challenges were addressed. "

Deborah

Tour: 09/30/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was very exciting and active which was to expected as it was designed to cover a lot of Spain. I appreciated almost all of the cities/towns/events that we participated in. Helen was absolutely kind, entertaining, and enlightening on a number of topics. The local guides were really wonderful too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved hearing the local perspectives from the local guides. The Alhambra was absolutely amazing!"

Kathryn

Tour: 09/30/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very good, we had a great tour director, Helen and our group was wonderful. The one night stays and some long walks with luggage were not so good, but that was a trade off to be in a location of interest and also in the center of an old town with narrow streets. Providing all breakfasts was a great way to start each day and I appreciated the quality. I had a hard time adapting to the late lunches and dinners but eventually learned to make the afternoon meal big & evening lite.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Had to be the dinner in Grenada at Camilla De Los Thomas on the patio overlooking the Alhambra. Large round tables made it fun to see and chat with everyone, great food and lots of wine. Beautiful night. "

Grant

Tour: 09/30/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well balanced tour of the most interesting historic and fun cities and places in southern Spain

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The evolution of edifices dedicated to the Catholic Church into attractions serving tourists. "

Brian

Tour: 09/30/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Spain with Rick Steves Europe was our 5th RS trip and it was every bit as fantastic as the others! Our guide Helen was wonderful mixing humor, a deep knowledge of Spain, and a steady hand in keeping the group on schedule and having fun. In addition to the beautiful locations, our accommodations were wonderful from the nice hotels in Barcelona and Sevilla to the garden hotel near Ronda and the breathtaking view in Arcos. We had great travelling companions and an awesome trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra in Grenada has to be my "wow" moment! Both the view of the Alhambra at sunset from the terrace where the group had dinner and the ornate palace itself were breathtaking!"

Michelle

Tour: 09/30/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was absolutely wonderful in both her knowledge/humor) and keeping us all together The tour was more strenuous at times than we had pictured - the more quiet and relaxing moments in Ronda and Los Arcos de La Frontera gave us down time when we needed it. We are dismayed to see that the 2025 Spain tour has substituted two days in Cadiz - we spent one day in Cadiz and it was overrun by cruise ships - please reconsider this change.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Barcelona and Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, the night-time energy of Madrid, and the hotel in Sevilla. "

Bonnie

Tour: 09/30/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful Tour, our guide Helen was outstanding and the local guides were very informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably walking into the Sagrada Familia- wow!"

James

Tour: 09/30/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a good mix of urban and rural areas. Favorite locations were Barcelona, Granada, Sevilla and Ronda.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our evening dinner in Granada overlooking the Alhambra."

David

Tour: 09/30/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved our guide, Helen. She was very helpful each day with the schedule and ideas for what to do with free time and with my son when he misplaced his passport. I loved the itinerary and the choice of hotels. The location of each one was amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sagrada Familia amazed me. I had no idea something like this was going on in the world. I liked so many of the things on the itinerary, however being in Spain with my youngest son who we hadn't seen in a year and who speaks fluent Spanish was a gift beyond measure. Loved it!"

Ratna

Tour: 09/30/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The group tour were nice people. All tour guide are good, they’ve explain the history of Spain well. The food and restaurant were excellent. I like our tour guide for this trip. She work hard, friendly and helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My “wow” moment was when one of our friend lost his passport and cash when visiting museum. He reported to our guide, and she able to get the passport and cash very quickly. Excellent job to our guide."

Walter

Tour: 09/30/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The overall experience was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being in the space where Queen Isabella granted Christopher Columbus wishes of a financial investment to seek a new way to the riches of the Far East. "

Dwayne

Tour: 09/30/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great itinerary and leadership by our guide, Helen.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. We visited 24 years ago and wondered if it would ever be a church. Today it is jaw dropping beauty, with the stained glass and lines of construction. An inspiring house of worship."

Robert

Tour: 09/28/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Went to great places and tasted wonderful food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada familia in Barcelona "

Linda

Tour: 09/28/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a wonderful time learning about Spain's history and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the Alhambra at sunset from the restaurant view "

Mark

Tour: 09/28/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Luis, was excellent. We learned so much about the history, culture, and food of Spain. We had a fantastic group of travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Sagrada Famila in Barcelona and eating dinner while looking across the valley at the Alhambra in Granada. "

Karen

Tour: 09/28/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing tour guide. Luis did everything he could to make the trip enjoyable for everyone!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner with the sunset view of the Alhambra. Food was excellent and the view was fantastic. "

Andrew

Tour: 09/28/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was fabulous, loke all of our other RS Tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Guernica, Paco Seco playing guitar for us in Ronda, Toledo"

Katherine

Tour: 09/28/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour and great group of people! Love the contact with local people and the authentic experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having dinner on the terrace in Granada - overlooking the Alhambra at sunset! It was that moment of "we're in Spain"!"

Peter

Tour: 09/28/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had high expectations for this tour and we were not disappointed. Everything went smoothly, we met wonderful people, learned about Spanish culture, history, and cuisine. Our tour guide Luis was amazing. Fantastic tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many wow moments. The Alhambra was incredible."

Kathy

Tour: 09/28/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Luis was one of the best tour guides we have ever had and this is our 8 tour! We have had several amazing tour guides but none that worked as hard to make us feel like we are all part of a big RS family. He was extremely organized yet kept everyday fun, entertaining and educational. He is everything you want in a tour guide. We loved all of the old quaint towns; where you can stay the night and be with the locals!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While in Ronda our tour guide organized a local Spanish Guitar musician to come and play for us a private concert. He was amazing as was the concert! We were all floored by his generosity and talent!"

Christopher

Tour: 09/28/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great 2 wk Spain tour w Luis, really got the spirit and connections with different regions, cultures, people, food, local guides were fantastic, really felt the passion and compassion of her faith, local religious processions. Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, Arcos de la Frontera, all wonderful. Really enjoyed the visit to the Andalusian horses, and surprisingly, enjoyed the bull ring and farm, appreciate more the mixed feelings about bullfighting in Spain and other countries.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I encountered a wonderful woman, Pilar Rodriguez, singing next to the royal chapel, great connection, conversing with her, sharing stories, in Granada. Dinner looking at, then next day, visiting the Alhambra, was amazing! "

Kathleen

Tour: 09/28/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We saw so many places in Spain and learned so much about Spains history and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner over looking the Alhambra "

Mark

Tour: 09/28/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our third tour, and once again it lived up to expectations. The organization, amount of breaks and provided meals was great. The hotel locations were perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having dinner with a view of the le Alhambra in Granada - Wow. Seeing the La Sagrada Familia and the Seville Cathedral. "

Karen

Tour: 09/23/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Awesome!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was seeing Sagrada Familia! It was utterly an amazing to experience! "

Kathryn

Tour: 09/23/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Adriana, was excellent and made sure we all had a wonderful experience. I had not been to Spain before and now feel that I have had an excellent introduction to the country and its culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were two and they are somewhat similar - seeing the Alhambra lighted at night from the terrace where the group had dinner in Granada, and touring the Alcázar in Seville. Both were amazing and memorable!"

Harry

Tour: 09/23/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We were with a great group of people and the locals that we met were very welcoming.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The windmills in La Mancha were like from out of a story."

Nora

Tour: 09/23/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceptional! Our guide Adriana was amazing. Each day we became family and the best merry band of travelers. Our tour experience exceeded our expectations. We were disappointed not getting in to La Familia Sagrada. Local guides were excellent with our favorite being Blanca in Madrid. Blanca made our visit to the palace memorable. Our lunch in Segovia was fun and we were treated well. The time Adriana took to host all of us was appreciated . All our hotels were great as our dinners together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our sunset view of the Alhambra and dinner in Granada. Most memorable. Wow#1 Our amazing Adriana chased down a choo choo for our trip up the hill. wow #2 was lunch overlooking the gorge in Ronda and our private flamenco guitar show. and our private concerts. Each day had a wow! Sherry, horses our hotel on a cliff in Arcos de La Frontera. Dinner in Sevilla after our horse carriage . The Windmills our lunch at the olive mill. "

Carol

Tour: 09/23/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was absolutely fabulous! Adriana is exceptional in every possible way. She makes certain that all tour members' needs are met and she provided expert guidance on all phases of the tour. She is truly a special person who is very professional and also very caring. She treated all of us as if we were part of her family and her enthusiasm was contagious. She handled any little bump in the road superbly and made the experience life altering. The local guides were very good as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having group dinner overlooking the Alhambra. Such a wonderful setting with great food, spectacular scenery, a very caring tour guide and great members of our touring party. We will remember that night forever."

Kathleen

Tour: 09/23/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide Adriana was delightful, knowledgeable, and fun. It was active and we took in a lot. We also learned so much about the history of Spain, it's culture and people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view and spectacular sunset from our balcony at the El Convento Hotel in Arcos del la Frontera. "

Dave

Tour: 09/23/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great, compatible good people in group, great guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring Sagrada Familia "

Janet

Tour: 09/23/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Just about everything I want from a tour is realized by taking a Rick Steves tour. I love that we stay in smaller, locally owned hotels and eat in the locally owned restaurants. The tour of Spain took us to every place of interest I could think of. And of course we went to the less traveled spots that enhanced the trip. I felt as if the people at the hotels were genuinely happy to see us. To me that speaks to the overall attitude of a Rick Steve’s tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One Two of the many wow moments for me were seeing the Roman aqueduct in Segovia and the cathedral in Toledo. I have to add the Prada in Madrid. These places have a special place in my memories. "

Kathryn

Tour: 09/23/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Though we were not able to tour Sagrada Familia as a group, the trip was enlightening and opened my thinking about the world.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alhambra without a doubt"

Susan

Tour: 09/21/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best of Spain, like other RS tours we've taken, was a wonderful experience overall. Enjoyed the people, well-chosen sites, group gatherings for special events, and overall blend of cultural and historical places. Xavier was exceptional in his enthusiasm, knowledge and overall shepherding of this group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Its hard to capture one moment from this tour, but the whole daytrip to Segovia stood out to me, including the amazing aqueduct and the fantastic pork feast in a local restaurant. Other highlights were the Alhambra, dinner overlooking the Alhambra, and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona (which we had to cover on our own due to a local festival--still a wow)"

Bruce

Tour: 09/21/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We very much enjoyed out first Rick Steves Tour. Traditionally we used to put together our own tours of countries, but this was an excellent way to see Spain. We will do it again next year, probably the Basque Country and the south of France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably touring the Alhambra and dinner the night before overlooking the Alhambra."

Nicholas

Tour: 09/21/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Two important factors in our overall tour experience are the tour leader and the other tour participants. Both were exceptional. Our tour guide, Javier, was excellent. He had a wonderful understanding of each city on the tour and of Spanish history overall. He helped all the travelers with any questions or issues they had. He helped us arrange an early departure from the tour. The other tour participants shared our interest in where we were and what we were seeing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several “wow” moments, from seeing the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, to seeing Picasso’s Guernica in Madrid, to having dinner in the evening overlooking the Alhambra. Perhaps the biggest surprise was seeing the beautiful Palace of Catalan Music in Barcelona when they were “exercising” the organ, playing Phantom of the Opera. "

Christine

Tour: 09/21/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From start to finish, we had a most enjoyable experience. Javier, our guide, was excellent. The varied size of cities, variety of sights, food and accommodations made it an unforgettable adventure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Alhambra"

Jenifer

Tour: 09/21/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

1st tour- Very good tour guide. excellent city guides. nice pace of scheduled time and free time. Several very nice hotels- better than we expected. Several great food/meal venues. Very nice people except for one consistently late traveler and several with limited mobility which really surprised us. We carefully read the physical expectations to be sure a RS tour was right for us. Several travelers could not navigate the steeper rear bus steps and very slowly boarded in the front.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner with sunset view of the Alhambra was great!"

Steve

Tour: 09/16/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour guide, nice places to stay and lots of great food!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The town of Ronda where there is a bullfighting ring."

Jessica

Tour: 09/16/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing, top quality tour in every aspect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the places that we stayed! Every time I wanted to stay longer, and not move, but then we would arrive at the next place, and it has something just as beautiful and wonderful to offer. "

Mike

Tour: 09/16/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a wonderful way to learn about and experience Spain. It's people, culture, and history are fascinating.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stepping out of the Metro and seeing the Sagrada Familia for the first time. It was enormous, overwhelming in it's complexity and beauty."

Lina

Tour: 09/16/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Spain in 14 Days Tour was absolutely amazing! It offered a vast mix of lively urban cities, majestic sites and architecture to serene towns. Robert, our guide was outstanding, so knowledgeable and passionate in sharing Spain’s rich history, culture, food and people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a few favorites; La Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Segovia Aqueduct and the Alcazar de Segovia. Being of Spanish descent and having recently lost my mom- perhaps, the most personal wow and treasured moments for me was seeing her surname on street signs, buildings, a church and surprisingly, even food snacks- it was familiar and I left feeling connected to this beautiful country."

Karen

Tour: 09/14/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was exactly as we expected. We enjoyed all the "extras" Rick's team surprised us with. Our tour guides were exceptional and very knowledgeable of the area. We had a great tour group. We've already booked out next Rick Steve's tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring all the family-owned businesses and farms (bull farm, olive farm, saffron family business). The heart and soul of these families were inspirational. You can tell they love what they do and we learned so much. The Sagrada Familia was magical and the carriage ride through Seville was the icing on the top! "

Debra

Tour: 09/14/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guides and a good variety of experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Eating a group dinner looking out at the Alhambra as the sun went down"

Lynn

Tour: 09/14/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good tour guide - very helpful when I got robbed of my credit cards and cell phone. Very thorough interesting sites and activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sunset dinner at a restaurant that faced a palace that was lit up. Delicious dinner and view. Palaces and churches were very magnificent. "

George

Tour: 09/14/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great time. Good mix of group time and personal time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" Coming out of subway and seeing Segrada Familia "

Todd

Tour: 09/14/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved Spain- the sights, food & drink, culture, the people, etc. the tour captured that and had enough free time further explore and experience. Some places you travel to just click with you and Spain is one of them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra in Granada. Not that all the Catholic Churches we saw weren’t lovely but the moorish architecture was different and beautiful. Sagrada Família was incredible as well. "

Marilyn

Tour: 09/14/24

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

It was a lot for a person in late 70’s. I would have liked a day or two off in the your. The other tour mates were great. And the guide was good. Personally I wasn’t crazy about the food in Spain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The town of Ronda was awesome"

Jeff

Tour: 09/14/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The sights were magnificent, our guides knowledgeable and sincere, the food was outstanding, our rooms were clean and comfy, and the bus was roomy and reliable. All the travel details were handled smoothly and professionally, as we've come to expect from a Rick Steves Adventure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My first glimpse of the Sagrada Familia, with its monstrous facade lavishly adorned with detailed highlights of Christianty's most celebrated events and surprise touches of interspersed whimsy. A lifetime could be spent just studying the external features. The Sagrada Familia did not disappoint inside. Gaudi was certainly wombat whacky, but his engineering genius and penchant for the grandiose shines through in this colossal structure that so many hands have shaped. "

Chris

Tour: 09/09/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour logistics were very well organized and provided participants with a great overview of various regions of Spain

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the La Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona."

Julie

Tour: 09/09/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Helen was an excellent tour guide who was very passionate about her country and our experience, which helped create a merry group of travelers. As in all RS tours, there was a good mix of daily activities and free time. The hotels were centrally located and the local tour guides were professional and well-versed in their content. Group restaurants were well chosen with great food and often a fantastic view. Transportation was very easy to use and tour bus times were short with interesting stops.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two ‘WOW’ moments: La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and visiting the Alhambra in Granada. The sun shining through the stained glass at La Sagrada was amazing and unlike any other stained glass windows I’ve seen. The detail and beauty of the Alhambra is truly magnificent!"

Debbie

Tour: 09/09/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour was nice. Helen was an interesting guide and on top of everything. Accommodations were adequate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner overlooking Alhambra and Seville. "

Lenore

Tour: 09/09/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Helen, took great care of us and made sure we had a quality experience. The lodging was good, especially the farm outside Ronda and the lovely one in Sevilla with roof top views of the cathedral. The amount of free time gave us a chance to explore on our own..

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoying how much has been added to La Sagrada Familia since I saw it 27 years ago Especially the amazing stained glass windows! "

Ed

Tour: 09/09/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great from beginning to end. Our overall tour guide (Helen) was excellent

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The natural light pouring through the stained glass windows of the Sagrada Familia."

Rick

Tour: 09/09/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Spain was great to visit. Fantastic sites and our tour guide, Helen was fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick that wow moment. Every city we visited was a new experience that we enjoyed."

Bonnie

Tour: 09/07/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Amanda was exceptional! The tours were timely, the guides were expertly informed and entertaining, with few exceptions. The group meals were fabulous, the restaurants were lovely. All but one hotel exceeded my expectations. I appreciated that the hotels were locally owned and historical in nature. The included breakfasts were a huge plus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I am torn between the ancient Hotel Casa Cuatro Torres in Cadiz (simply amazing with its rooftop deck and towers) and our final night in Seville with a horse and buggy tour of the city, then a fun and classy farewell cocktail party. Honestly, there were more WOW moments, including dinner overlooking the Alhambra and touring it the next morning. Also, Ronda was an exceptional destination, including the hotel with its sunset view of the bullring, and the restaurants and hikes around the Gorge."

Janet

Tour: 09/07/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amanda was our guide and was so organized and catered to all of us. She made us feel comfortable from the very first minute we met her.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The familia cathedral in Barcelona "

Daniel

Tour: 09/07/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful, varied experiences with excellent guides, a fun group, and Amanda being a knowledgeable, professional, and warm guide who took excellent care of us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the bull farm."

Gang

Tour: 09/07/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excelente tour guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alhambra "

Renae

Tour: 09/07/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved our tour guide Amanda. This was the first Rick Steves tour we have been on and she just made everything so easy. She is awesome and truly a gem to be around.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alhambra tour, dinner and sunset."

Angelo

Tour: 09/02/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great information provided during the tour; historical, cultural, food, areas of interest, and art. Tour guide was very qualified, had excellent communication skills and provided a great perspective on various issues.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting and learning bout the Sagrada Familia cathedral. "

Michael

Tour: 09/02/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A beautiful country, great tapas, less expensive than many European countries, good English speaking tour guides, especially Rosanna Perez in Madrid.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Highlights of the tour: Sagrada Familia Barcelona, Royal Palace & modern new downtown Madrid, Roman Aqueduct Segovia, Alhambra Granada, horse farm in Andalusia, Hotel Molino del Arco and Flamenco dance Sevilla "

Janet

Tour: 09/02/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour guides, efficient method of “buddy ship” walk-in talkie headphones excellent

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Roman aqueduct at Segovia"

Fern

Tour: 08/31/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Composition of group members melded well into a fun and caring group that respected being punctual and had a great sense of humor, led by our guide Luis, who put so much care into making it a trip that surpassed our expectations, from his getting to know you games, trivia, and punny jokes. In addition we got to meet his father in Madrid and had a lovely conversation

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The group dinner at the amazing restaurant that looked out at the Alhambra. Magical. Special. Enchanting. Our city guide, Mariona, provided so much insight into our walking tour of all things Gaudi in Barcelona. Inside the Sagrada Familia, her commentary on the sun's rays lighting the windows was an aha moment for me. Every city guide excelled and showed love and pride of their city while offering their own unique personality to the tour. Our guide Luis, has an amazing rapport with them all."

Denise

Tour: 08/31/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed being able to see very many cities and have it all planned for us, as before we had only used Rick Steves books as reference and planned our own trips

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alhambra tour was just great, as was the view as we ate dinner the evening prior. Scenery was awesome in so many places across gorges, sheer cliffs, gardens, too numerous to recount."

Stephen

Tour: 08/31/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

enjoyed the group activities and being able to explore alone as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Familia Segrada"

Gordon

Tour: 08/31/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour went smoothly and the tour leader and members were outstanding. We enjoyed the mix of sites and experiences (cities, churches, countryside and farms)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra in Granada"

Roy

Tour: 08/31/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide. Great group. Great itinerary. Quaint hotels at central locations. Local tour guides. Tour was worth every penny.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Local Guide Rosanna and Velasquez appreciation at El Prada Museum. There really was a wow moment each and every day ie. Ga Local guides such as Rosanna and her appreciation for Velasquez at El Prado Museum. There was really a wow moment each day. Thanks to Luis our guide for these experiences. "

Mike

Tour: 08/26/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a Great trip with the things to see and people we met and led by our guide to learn about and see Spain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Everything was fun and neat to see and experience. It was all pretty similar day to day with a neat highlight each day and similarities from town to town."

Hope

Tour: 08/26/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enthusiastic, thoughtful, friendly guide, pretty fun group overall, cool sights, delicious new foods.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking out of the metro and turning around to see the Sagrada familia, it was huge and ornate and breathtaking. "

Megan

Tour: 08/26/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Was such a great tour. The cities we went to were all so charming in their own way. Our tour guide Robert was fantastic. He was passionate and you could sense every day he was excited to show us new things and the best of each city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Família was a jaw dropping experience. As well, Alhambra was quite special and very magical. "

Brenda

Tour: 08/26/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved our tour guide, Robert, as he was so passionate & knowledgeable, funny and excellent at telling stories. Every stop he had such useful information to make our trip great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the very nice dinner up at the top of the hill in Granada at night, looking down at the lit up Alhambra. Beautiful sight and fantastic food and wine. "

Katalin

Tour: 08/26/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We absolutely loved our experience in our first organized tour. We had a wonderful groupe and outstanding tour guide Robert. We were very impressed by the professinal way everything was handed. Robert has a deep knowledge, a great sense of humor, and well organised. He and other guides added so much to our understanding of Spain's history and culture. Best of Spain exceded our expectation. Thank you very much. Steve and Katalin

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wow moments: The brilliant yellow, green, orange and blue stained glass inside the Sagranda Familia, the fantastic Moorish architecture in Alhambra in Granada, Alcazar in Sevilla, the gorge in Ronda...."

Peter

Tour: 08/26/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyable, informative and a lot of fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Granada overall. The Alhambra tour which was further enhanced by the group dinner before overlooking the Alhambra under the beautiful Granada moonlight. "

Wendy

Tour: 08/26/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my sixth RS tour, all are unique and a lot of fun. This tour had a great mix of cities and towns and the group was fantastic, we all clicked. Not too much bus time compared to other tours.There were lots of surprises along the way because our guide Robert was just that awesome!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia, Alhambra and Flamenco"

Anthony

Tour: 08/26/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Robert was exceptional. The local guides were generally very good. Our accommodations were about what we've come to expect but the Amadeus hotel in Seville was exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Numerous but included the Sagrada Familia and the Alhambra!!"

Ana Maria

Tour: 06/24/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely great itinerary, hotels, food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to see a zarzuela!"

Geoffrey

Tour: 06/24/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

selection of cities was excellent city selection, included both big and small, the local tour guides are still the best experience, they bring a passion that cannot be matched, the number of meals together are great, the hotels are as expected (you should understand what you are going to get), the tour guides are awesome, we (everybody) become family with the help from the guide, the bus is top notch along with the bus drivers (we love them), once again...awesome tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia...enough said. The guide (Mariona), the architecture, the history, the colors. Dinner at Carmen las Tomasas in Granda overlooking the Alhambra at sunset...absolutely stunning, both the food/drink and views. "

Erin

Tour: 06/24/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great locations, hotels, transportation, tours and food. Our guide Amanda was absolutely outstanding. This may have been our first Rick Steves tour, but it will certainly not be our last.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Alhambra and the olive oil mill were incredible."

Kerryn

Tour: 06/24/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Twelve of us friends took this trip and had a wonderful time. We mingled with the other travelers as experienced RS tour travelers. Good mix of big city to smaller villages. Enjoyed having a few hotels with pools for our hot days. Our guide, Amanda, made this another wonderful RS tour experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything! Alhambra dinner at sunset and touring all the palaces and Cathedrals on this tour. "

Paul

Tour: 06/10/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great variety in seeing many different aspects of Spain: cities, towns, country, experiences, and food and wine galore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many experiences: dinner viewing the Alhambra, wandering the hill towns, Guernica at the Regina Sophia, saffron in La Mancha... and a wonderful group of new friends with James as our guide."

Janet

Tour: 06/10/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized and so informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The bull breeding tour."

Roberta

Tour: 06/10/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a well planned tour which was expertly lead, including knowledgeable local guides, and shared with a great group of folks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra was a mind blowing step into the past."

Jim

Tour: 06/10/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire experience was outstanding from so many levels and perspectives. From the complete and comprehensive Tour details and logistics to the professional, interesting and very capable and knowledgeable guides the Tour certainly met our expectations. This was the first organized Tour we had taken so we were a bit unsure and apprehensive about tours in general. We had previously used Rick Steve's guidebooks for several trips and found them to the best and most appropriate guidebooks for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Of course as this was our first visit to Spain we wowed by the scenery, history, culture and people of Spain but we also loved the group dinners and lunches together and the spontaneous surprise performance at the Spanish flamenco guitar shop"

Camilla

Tour: 06/10/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide James was amazing, He is knowledgable, organized and lots of fun! There was a perfect balance between group time and free time. The accommodations were comfortable and well located.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wow moments...... the view from our hotel in Arcos, dinner across from the Alhambra, the Toledo Cathedral and the relaxing retreat outside of Ronda"

Maria

Tour: 06/10/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

we had a wonderful group, knowledgable tour guide, had plenty of time to explore on our own and the tour gave us experiences to see Spain different than other tourits

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Granada and going to Alhambra was my wow moment"

Beverly

Tour: 06/10/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding hotels! Great food. Tour guide was wonderful about accomodating my food restrictions. Local guides, as always, added so much to our understanding of the history of the various locales.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The light streaming through the brillant blues, greens, red, yellow and orange stained glass inside the Sagrada Familia."

Steve

Tour: 06/03/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour, Great guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our first view of the La Sagrada Familia"

Kathy

Tour: 06/03/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Spain tour exceeded my expectations. Our tour guide was excellent. She educated us about Spain and the culture in interesting and humorous ways. She was very thoughtful and caring in her planning for everyone's needs and wants. All the hotel accommodations were wonderful in their location and atmosphere. Our bus drivers were wonderful. The local tour guides were experts in their knowledge of the places we visited with them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful sunset view of the Alhambra which included a wonderful meal!"

Jen

Tour: 06/03/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a wonderful tour packed with a great balance of big cities and small towns, incredible sights, opportunities to learn about the history of Spain from awesome local guides, good food, and lovely people. There was a nice mix of organized group activities getting us in to see the major landmarks in each location and plenty of free-time in each city to explore on your own (more free time than I expected). An excellent deep dive into Spain's history and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several...a few favorites: Our group dinner in Granada overlooking the Alhambra was fabulous and very memorable. The day trip to Segovia - our first glimpse of small-town Spain after starting our tour in the big cities. Our time in the Spanish countryside, including the stop at the olive oil mill and the wonderful lunch the family shared with us. Seeing the Sagrada Familia - I hope to someday return to see it completed. "

Holly

Tour: 06/03/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, the tour was a very good introduction to Spain. We visited places we would have never gone to on our own. I enjoyed the mixture of “big city and small towns”.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The church in Barcelona The dinner spot overlooking the Alhambra The olive tour/lunch"

Jaime

Tour: 06/03/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed talking a deep dive into Spain's history and culture. The hotels we're consistently good. The guides we had along the way we're well versed (and long wimded at times). Spain's food culture was not as diverse as I had hoped. Not asany surprises (good ones) toake the experienced extra memorable. Overall very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Segruda familia and olive farm. "

Stephanie

Tour: 06/03/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first tour after having traveled to Europe many times independently. We had a wonderful time. It was the perfect combination of interesting guided experiences, free time, meals planned for us, and meals on our own. Our guide, Helen Inman, was friendly, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, helpful, and funny. The guides who joined us for specific tours, such as at the Sagrada Familia, Prado, the Alhambra and Sevilla's Alcazar, were truly experts who made the visits meaningful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every time I learned something that was completely unexpected....from the reason Gaudi designed the cathedral as he did to the reason the Spanish Christian rulers kept the Moorish design that praises Allah. "

Sally

Tour: 06/01/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Group guide and specialist guides were excellent. Group was very cohesive. Fantastic hotels and restaurants/eating experiences. Saw interesting things we wouldn't have on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia cathedral"

Daniel

Tour: 06/01/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beautiful and enlightening tour of Spain!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Sagrada Familia inside for the first time! OMG, soo beautiful!!"

Teresa

Tour: 06/01/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our third Rick Steves' Tour and it was perfect. No early morning departures, spectacular food, a welcoming and fun guide (Amanda) and the best cities and sights. Plenty of time with group and on our own .We had a really fun group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the day trip to Segovia. The wow moment for me was seeing storks. Our guide told us the cutest story about the storks that I will always remember. The Roman aqueduct was spectacular too as was the Alcazar fortress and delightful lunch. A souvenir gift was given to us at the restaurant too! "

Norma

Tour: 06/01/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved our tour and the trip leader! Amanda was just wonderful, and made the tour so much fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely seeing the Sagrada Familla"

Jeff

Tour: 06/01/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Beautiful country, excellent tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Granada: lunch with a view over the Alhambra"

David

Tour: 06/01/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first trip to spain, enjoyed it very much the deep history with its many cultures, the food and the people ,great experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Always a difficult question, but I would have to say Granada and the Alhambra palace, it’s amazing it survived intact .and the city itself the river front walk I took was great as was our dinner that night overlooking the palace ,great experience!"

Tom

Tour: 06/01/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

William

Tour: 06/01/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Way better than expected and our guide Amanda was outstanding!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"To many to say"

Timothy

Tour: 05/27/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had lots of experiences that illustrated culture and history of Spain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sunset dinner at terrace restaurant across from the Alhambra!"

Adela

Tour: 05/27/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour has a great itinerary; potentially some tweaking could be made with the 2 nights in Arcos de la Frontera and replace one with a visit to Malaga or Cordoba. The hotels were fine, the one in Ronda outside of the city was outstanding . The group meals were great with the dinner overlooking Alhambra being absolutely unforgettable. The local guides we had were absolutely great and totally made visiting various sites a complete experience. Would have liked to spent more time at Museo Prado.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alhambra is hard to top but Sagrada Familia came close and also Segovia, Toledo and Ronda are absolutely fabulous. Cathedral of Sevilla also comes to mind, mainly because of the great guide we had through it."

Rhandee

Tour: 05/27/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Itinerary was fabulous and well paced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The deep sense of history in each of the locations we visited was palpable. Hard to choose just one wow moment!"

Steve

Tour: 05/20/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good itinerary, got to see many highlights of Spain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the local guide at the horse and bull breeding farm. Desiree was so enthusiastic!"

Laura

Tour: 05/20/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved everyday of the tour. The itinerary was well thought out and I have a better understanding of Spain's history and appreciation for this beautiful country. Our guide Agustin was top notch and made our tour exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "Wow" moment was traveling through the country. Seeing the diversity of the landscapes and enjoying the contrast between the cities that we visited and the countryside."

Sharon

Tour: 05/20/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful trip. Our tour guide Augustin was informative and congenial. I think it is safe to say he took excellent care of the group. The local guides were very interesting and gave great insight into the sights we visited. It was a good mix of set time together and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The night before we visited the Alhambra we went to a lovely restaurant on a hill, across the ravine was the Alhambra lit up in the early evening light. It was magical. Going to the Alhambra the next day was incredible as well. There were so many incredible moments : the Sagrada Familia "s stain glass windows with the light pouring in, the Cathedral Of Seville. The tile work everywhere was so amazing. Spain is so impressive, with its history of exploration and the mix of cultures. "

Kirk

Tour: 05/20/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Agustins guiding us every day with such a humble spirit. He kept the pickpockets away. The accommodations were mostly outstanding. Some better than others. The choice of sites was perfect. The food was outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The bull fight in Madrid was my wow moment."

Diane

Tour: 05/20/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour! Great lead guide, great local guides. Great food and hotels. Many magic moments.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bull farm. The bulls have a wonderful life until they enter the ring. When you compare that with cattle in feed lots most of their life, it may not be so bad."

Varonica

Tour: 05/20/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time. Sagrada familia and all of Barcelona was great. We went to the Picasso museum and it was fabulous. The cathedral in Madrid, and the palace were great. Walking up the hill in Granada to the restaurant was grueling on slippery steep cobblestones. The view of the Alhambra was worth it, Took cab to Alhambra and in Arcos. Concepcion in Sevilla was devout the first day, clearly a bit tired the second day. Cadiz was my least favorite, but OK.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Blanca in Madrid!. Sagrada familia, Alhambra, all of Toledo -loved walking there, JoseMaria's and the aqueduct, Alcazar. Cathedral in Madrid. Loved the Hotel Molina Del Arco! Mozart was also great. All of the hotels were fine. Two of us suffered food poisoning from the rooftop Japanese bar (?El Cercle?) two blocks from the hotel in Barcelona. "

Mike

Tour: 05/18/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

First time on a group tour. I had some reservations on how it would go, but overall a very positive experience. The planning and execution of the agenda went smoothly, the group on our tour were great to be with, and we saw and learned things we would’ve never fit in on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Honestly, how much more I enjoyed the trip freed from all the planning and logistics I typically take on when we go on our own. My stress level went way down and I could just enjoy the moment without the worry of when, how, where we needed to be next."

Larry

Tour: 05/18/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lots of structure while still having time to do your own thing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the cathedral in Barcelona "

Aubrey

Tour: 05/18/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was more than I had hoped it would be. The extra mile our hosts (Helen & John) went to make our visit to Spain was memorable. The sites we visited and the places we stayed were very nice. One in particular was this quiet villa outside the city of Ronda. It was nice to get away from the crowds for one night and walk in their gardens.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Inside the La Sagrada Familia was a wow moment for me. The afternoon light showing through the stained glass windows was worth the trip. "

Cathleen

Tour: 05/18/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a great mix of group activities and time on our own. We learned so much from the outstanding local guides and from our tour guide Helen. She is a gem, always positive, great knowledge of Spain, and committed to making the tour special for everyone.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the country hotel near Ronda. It was a peaceful and lovely respite from the busyness of the tour. The shared patio provided a nice gathering place for our tour members. The sangria was delicious and so was the dinner and breakfast. Our room was awesome!"

Judith

Tour: 05/18/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Thank you for a very well organized and interesting tour. We met lovely people, fellow travellers and locals, and got a really good taste of Spain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the view from our Arcos hotel room balcony was most 'wow'. "

John

Tour: 05/18/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was a great combination of thoughtfully guided visits to a range of interesting attractions interspersed with free time to explore further on our own. The trip was well-paced, informative and stimulating, and led by a well-organized guide who knew her stuff and related well to everyone in our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"First looking out my hotel window at Arcos de la Frontera and realizing we were perched at the top of a cliff overlooking the Spanish countryside."

Gary

Tour: 05/13/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Robert, our guide was exceptional. His in-depth knowledge and experience gave us a better insight and appreciation of the history and sites. We had one of the best fellow travelers and plan on keeping in touch. This was the first time we traveled as a group on the bullet train to get from Barcelona to Madrid. Great efficiency.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too Many to list. Visit to the Sagrada Familia (also did Park Guell & Dali Museum on our own) in Barcelona. The opera and dinner show i Madrid (Recommended on RS Site). The sunset dinner overlooking Alhambra in Granada. Our FULL MOON overview from our patio in Arcos de la Frontera. Tour of the Alcazar Palace and our walk up the tower in Seville. Our last dinner, Tapas and wine as our group mingled together like the locals. This was a wonderful trip."

Roger

Tour: 05/13/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Cohesive group with many interesting people. Great overall guide (Robert)...

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to narrow it down. Particularly outstanding were La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Alhambra in Granada, Alcaraz and Roman aqueduct in Segovia..."

K

Tour: 05/13/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

In many ways I consider it a trip of a lifetime, I felt well care for much the same way Robert cares for Spain, he shares it with a lot if insight, care and love. It opened my eyes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole experience made me feel like i got a glimpse of what makes Spain tick, and I like it. Also, the unexpected insight ifrom the bull fighting talks and the art of it all - was very surprising/exciting. Art in general in Spain from the crafts surrounding religion to Gaudi’s commissions are amazing, beautiful and at times mind boggling."

Linda

Tour: 05/13/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had never been to Spain and, except for the crowds, it didn't disappoint! Robert is an outstanding tour guide! Our fellow traveller's were wonderful, the food, without exception, was delicious, and the history, art, and countryside were beautiful. I loved my first carriage ride ever!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many but the experience that was an absolute paradigm shift for me was one that we would never have had were we not on a Rick Steves tour. It was the visit to the bull farm where we saw how the bulls lived, met a matador who answered our curious questions, and saw the museum with his bullfighting experiences, including the chapel where he prays before a fight. Although I still don't want to watch a bullfight, I came away changed, with great cultural respect and understanding."

Richard

Tour: 05/13/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I feel that we got a good overview of Spain including highlights of a Spain visit

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The time in Toledo and learning the history of Spain"

Tanya

Tour: 05/13/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Robert did a good job showing us the best of Spain. Our group bonded well. We enjoyed the architecture, the Spanish way of doing things, trying new foods I got to use some of my very rusty Spanish.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"La Sagrada Familia tour."

Laura

Tour: 05/13/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Robert, our guide, was a significant factor in our outstanding experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Alhambra was on my bucket list so the entire day was amazing; from visiting the actual site to the very special dinner overlooking the palace."

Michelle

Tour: 05/11/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing as always! Our guide was fantastic, knowledgeable & fun! The locations were beautiful and filled with fun experiences, history and cultural knowledge. And lots of yummy food!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"La Sagrada Familia. Unlike any church I've ever seen. When we walked in I was met with beautiful colored light. I was not prepared for this amazing visual!"

Wesley

Tour: 05/11/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great locations and a great guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of the beautiful scenery."

Joanne

Tour: 05/11/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent arrangements, hotels, food, guide, activities with lots of free time to make sure we were able to do what we wanted to do and see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Outdoor dinner overlooking Alhambra."

Rachel

Tour: 05/11/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and I went as a solo traveler. From the very beginning, I felt taken care of, educated, included, and overwhelmed with wonder and surprise at every turn. There is simply no way I could have covered as much in 14 days without this tour and its stupendous guides. I feel that I have really experienced Spain - and have fallen in love with it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My most used word on the tour was "wow". I had to laugh at how often I used it. Countless times each day, I heard myself say "WOW". This tour covers so many remarkable sites and experiences that there is no way I could pick just one as my favorite. "

Samuel

Tour: 05/11/24

A good mix of education and entertainment. Some things, e.g. touring the bull ranch, were unexpected and most interesting. Individuals traveling may not get to do some of the things a group does.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner in Granada across the river gorge from The Alhambra. What a view! And a great meal. "

Regina

Tour: 05/11/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a great time! Our group of fellow travelers quickly became friends. Every day was well planned and we were guided to each destination with care. The guides at each location were incredibly knowledgeable and fun to listen to. The Spanish cuisine includes a lot of ham, so we were a bit challenged since we don't eat it, but we still managed to eat well! And the wine is superb! The hotels were excellent, especially in Ronda.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"La Sagrada Familia and Antoni Gaudi's other sites were why we chose to go to Spain. The church is the most beautiful I've ever walked into. His genius and nature inspired designs touch my soul. The Moorish architecture in the Alhambra also captured my heart and soul. The rest of the trip was icing on the cake! "

Ken

Tour: 05/11/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Jorge is an incredible guide. He set an upbeat tempo from the start.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seville"

Laura

Tour: 05/11/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The whole tour was great! The food, our tour mates, our guide, the wine, the experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Motoring up the mountain town of Arcos in a little train, with Spaniards smiling and waving to us. Also, the olive oil tasting was pretty great!!"

Laraye

Tour: 05/06/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful experience. As a first timer I don't have anything to compare it to but was pleasantly surprised! A very reputable and organized company for sure!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I fell in love with the quiet little city of Ronda and loved the hotel there! AND our guide was amazing - William for the Win! "

Melinda

Tour: 05/06/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were treated to iconic Spain moments: Sagrada Familia, Alhambra, Toledo, Segovia with the classic suckling pig meal with the daughter of Jose Maria serving us personally. Our group was remarkably close and caring. Our tour guide, William, was a great storyteller that brought the history to life and his love for all things Spanish shone in every interaction. His genuine affection for each of the people he introduced us to made us care that more for what they shared.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Even though we had visited Sagrada Familia a few days earlier, seeing it again with the guide in the afternoon, the light flooded in through the stained glass in such a way, it was on fire! That was right after William confronted two pickpockets and got pushed! "

Janice

Tour: 05/06/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second RS tour and it was everything we hoped for made even better by our outstanding guide, William, and our happy band of travelers, who followed William’s lead and genuinely came together as family. William is an impressive communicator who obviously truly loves sharing everything Spanish. His knowledge of Spain combined with his personal stories added so much to our tour. The local tour guides were deeply engaged and interesting as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many! The light streaming in from the windows of La Sagrada Familia; the sunset view of Alhambra; the architectural detail of the Moors; the gorgeous countryside w/ rows of olive trees; the olive oil facility (and delicious lunch the family served); a street opera singer outside of the Barcelona cathedral; exploring the narrow streets, sampling tapas with the locals. Also in our free time, a symphony concert at the Palau de Música Catalana in Barcelona, and the Thyssen museum in Madrid. "

John

Tour: 05/06/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow world travelers. Most had been on RST before, this was our first and was well organized

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The palace in Seville. Stunning experience"

Pamela

Tour: 05/06/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We hit the highlights of Spain, our tour guide was engaged, helpful, caring and managed the 28 of us with aplomb. Under his guidance we became a unit who cared about each other and enjoyed each others company. Our bus driver was included in the revelry of the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olive oil morning was very interesting. The palace in Seville was outstanding. My wow moment was how we began as individuals and soon became a family of fellow travelers, and friends. That made the tour run smoothly, and reinforced our concern for each other."

Deborah

Tour: 05/06/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Visited great places in Spain. Our guide, William, was OUTSTANDING!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alhambra Palace"

Lee

Tour: 05/06/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent, informative tour with awesome guide, great group and fantastic weather

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tour of family owned olive oil mfg company and meal they served. "

Raul

Tour: 05/06/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide William was exceptional. The group dynamic was the best I’ve ever experienced. Everything was run perfectly, and the end result was well beyond my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many “wow” moments it is hard to pick just one. However, our visit to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and our dinner overlooking the Alhambra in Granada rank among the most memorable. "

Kelly

Tour: 05/06/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent way to visit many places in a short period of time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many "wow" moments to narrow down!"

Paula

Tour: 05/04/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steve's tour and had no idea what to expect. It exceeded our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think it was when we were having a lunch at Oleum Viride (the olive oil processing plant and winery), outside with all of the tour group. Looking out at the hills and having to pinch myself; there were roosters strutting around, everyone enjoying our lunch (the food and wine were incredible) and wine and each other. The whole lunch just felt so rustic and right."

Sally

Tour: 05/04/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was the 4th RS tour that we’ve been on and I must say it was the most compatible group of people on the tour with us. I could have kept going with this group for another two weeks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two wow moments. First was getting to go inside the Sagrada Familia at sunset and the Flamenco dancers. Both were simply jaw dropping in my book. "

Valerie

Tour: 05/04/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amanda was a wonderful guide and very knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Gaudi church in Barcelona was a wow for me. I had read about it for years and it was wonderful to experience. "

Yvonne

Tour: 05/04/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely my best tour, this is my third one with RST.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many wow moments to choose from but I would say our visits to the bull farm and to the Prado and the Reyna Sophia museums where tops for me."

Pete

Tour: 05/04/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

After Barcelona and Madrid, it was nice to get into the smaller cities like Toledo and Granada. Smaller crowds and a slower pace.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia without a doubt. "

Virginia

Tour: 05/04/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amanda was a fantastic tour guide. I loved her sense of humor and generosity. She surprised us often with a little something extra and ran the trip very smoothly

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Andalusian horse farm"

Jeffrey

Tour: 04/29/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our second Rick Steves tour, and it confirmed for us that these tours are worth every penny. Had a great experience, learned so much about the area traveled, and enjoyed the people we traveled with! There is no way we would have the same experience traveling on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had two - Sagrada de Familia actually brought me to tears when we stepped inside. And Alhambra was magnificent as well. So thrilled to have the opportunity to witness these iconic places firsthand, with guides that help point out the significance of some of the engineering and detail. "

Stephen

Tour: 04/29/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic! We loved Spain and the tour did not disappoint. We saw/participated in so many places/events. We feel we experienced Spain to it's fullest

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing on top of the hill with the windmills"

Susie

Tour: 04/29/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved all the different places we went to. Everyday was a new adventure . A great blend of "tour" and personal time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from dinner overlooking the Alhambra. "

Betty

Tour: 04/29/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was steeped in history, culture, and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra was amazing. Who knew is would be such a beautiful, finely crafted complex."

Linda

Tour: 04/29/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great balance between guided moments and free time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Granada Familia"

Tony

Tour: 04/29/24

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

My least favorite of the 5 tours I have taken. There were way too many churches and cathedrals on the tour (many could have been suggestions for visiting in your free time). The historic bull ring and visit to the bull ranch were overkill. However, the visit to the olive oil mill and the Andalusian horse farm were highlights of the trip. The sherry tour and (brandy not sherry) tasting was disappointing and rather commercial. Segovia, Granada and Sevilla were definitely worthwhile.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several WOW moments: The Prada Museum, Segovia and the Roman aqueduct, Granada and the Alhambra, and Sevilla's Barrio Santa Cruz and Alcazar palace."

Katrina

Tour: 04/27/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous! Organization and layout of tour schedule, our guide, Augustin, was professional, friendly, and very well educated of all areas. Hotels were of high quality/comfort with friendly welcoming staff. We stayed at a bed and breakfast in the countryside after Ronda which was wonderful. All of the tour guides in each city for our visits to sites were knowledgeable with a friendly personality. Overall the tour met and exceeded my expectations and desires.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many wow moments, but in Toledo the painting of El Greco's "Burial of the Count of Orgaz" in the Santo Tome Chapel came to life for me by our guides very descriptive of each aspect of the painting and overall meaning. "

Janice

Tour: 04/27/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a fantastic time on the tour. Agustin was an excellent tour guide. Everything went smoothly and and as planned.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"La Sagrada Familia. First, the basílica is so breathtakingly beautiful. And second, that it’s still under construction after 142 years! "

Sara

Tour: 04/27/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall it was one of the most well planned and organized 2 week trip I’ve ever taken! But above that was the memorable places we saw, the cultural experiences we had and the fun people we met that elevated this trip to awesomeness!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were two landmarks that were simply magical! Visiting the Sagrada Familia and the Alhambra were equally wow after wow after wow! "

Mark

Tour: 04/27/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Hotels, tour provided meals, & transport were excellent. Enjoyed all areas selected for guided tours. Appreciated free time between planned activities. I have 2 suggestions. First, local Gods talk continuously the ENTIRE time. No time to think/admiration the topic. 2nd, one has to continuously watch the group as you move so can't enjoy/view the surroundings without getting left. Consider a location app to quickly find the leader if you get separated such as an apple i-Tag

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No wow moments but several noteworthy sights. We are will travel throughout Europe so it takes more to generate a wow moment that when we first started traveling 20 years ago"

Maria Elena

Tour: 04/27/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Alberto

Tour: 04/27/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful! It was our second Rick Steves tour but not our last.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My encounter with the cochinillo at the Mesón de San José restaurant in Segovia. "

Joseph

Tour: 04/27/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

As usual this RS tour was very good...our guide Augustin and the local guides were all outstanding. The only negative was staying 2 nights in Arcos...my wife and I feel another location would be much nicer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"visiting the Alhambra "

Rebecca

Tour: 04/27/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first Rick Steves tour exceeded our expectations! Everything was flawlessly organized and we learned so much more than we would have on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had so many “wow”moments that it’s difficult to pick but the group dinner in Granada with an incredible evening view of the Alhambra was breathtaking and unexpected. "

Inda

Tour: 04/27/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Augustine, was fabulous and really added to the experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cadiz. We hadn’t expected to see the ocean"

Jeffrey

Tour: 04/27/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide Agustin was an excellent host and really deepened my understanding of his culture. All travel coordination and recommendations were spot on. Highly recommend.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The warmth of the people in Andalusia, especially Granada and Sevilla. Families everywhere in the evenings. Caught a religious procession our last night in Sevilla with children, float and marching band. "

Jeffrey

Tour: 04/22/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

You need to invest in new Whisper devices. It was often difficult to hear. Full of static. We tried different headsets but that didn’t help. We did a Viking tour after our Rick Steve’s tour and their devices were 100% better than yours. You need an upgrade.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sangrada Familia. "

Lorne

Tour: 04/22/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second Rick Steves vacation. The first one was so good we decided to become return customers. Everything was better than we had hoped. Our tour guide was top notch, the buses were great, the hotels were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'd have to say the visit to the La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona was the best wow moment. The weather didn't cooperate, it was cold and windy, but the church more than made up for it."

Susan

Tour: 04/22/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned itinerary that showed us much more than we anticipated! Robert was a wonderful guide and his love for Spain was evident always.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from our patio at Arcos was absolutely breathtaking. I didn’t want to leave!"

Michelle

Tour: 04/22/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 5th Rick Steves tour. It was wonderful as expected!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"La Sangrada Familia!"

Richard

Tour: 04/22/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group of travelers in the tour group. Very knowledgeable tour guides. Everything was well organized. A good variety of experiences during the two week tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would say my wow moment was seeing the Sagrada Familia."

Cheryl

Tour: 04/20/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our third Rick Steves tour, and our fifth tour of Europe, and this one was outstanding. We all agreed the group was one of the most compatible and agreeable. James was superb-knowledgeable, fun, eager to share his love of Spain and its people. Our local guides added depth to the visits. James mentioned Spain doesn't seem to self-promote in the states-olive oil, history, architecture, food-what a mistake for Spain! I would love to go back.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing the steps Columbus climbed to report his discovery to Ferdinand and Isabella! Kim and the roast suckling pig! Hotel Molina del Arco! Miles and miles of olive trees! Matador Rafael Tejada! The Andalusian horses! Dinner with a view of the Alhambra! Dinner with new friends at restaurant AlJibe in Arcos! Don't ask me to name my favorite child!"

Stacy

Tour: 04/20/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved the tour and all of the surprises along the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved eating dinner with a view of the Alahambra."

Richard B

Tour: 04/20/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thought James, our tour guide, was outstanding; the balance of organized tour and free time was about right;, and the variety of sights and experiences were exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was the tour of La Sagrada Famalia. The dinner overlooking the Alhambra in Granada was very picturesque and outstanding dinner. "

Jiatong

Tour: 04/20/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Mary Ellen

Tour: 04/20/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded all expectations. Our guide James, set up special experiences for the group. Everything was well planned and executed. It was a joy to experience Spain for the first time!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of the Alhambra from our group dinner, la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, enjoying a Moroccan dinner with new friends in Arcos."

Tim

Tour: 04/20/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour with a great guide and pleasant, congenial tour-mates. I learned so much about a country that I had little knowledge of. It also helped that the weather was so comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"La Sagrada Familia was the one sit that I was looking forward to seeing and it did not disappoint. Gaudi's masterpiece was amazing. His take on a cathedral was so unique and uplifting that I found myself just staring and marveling at his (and the subsequent architects') designs. I'm so glad I was able to finally see it."

Brenda

Tour: 04/20/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceptional local guides, hotels, and tour leader's knowledge of Spain history and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra in Granada"

Kenneth

Tour: 04/20/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Spain was an amazing tour. Our group seemed especially compatible, and James made sure we all were well taken care of. The sIghts, the people, the food, the countryside, all were beyond our expectations. Local guides were great at explaining history, culture, customs, architecture, and art.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many, but I guess the moment we walked out onto the dining area of our restaurant in Granada, and saw the view over the valley, of the Alhambra. The meal was incredible, and watching the sunset color the Alhambra was amazing."

Everett

Tour: 04/15/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It exceeded my expectations in every way, thanks to the amazing guide, the great weather, and the incredible places we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our dinner at the foot of the Alhambra, as we viewed it at sunset, with great food, and new friends."

Sue

Tour: 04/15/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familla And Alhambra "

Lorie

Tour: 04/15/24

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

This is my fourth excursion to EU, first time to Spain. Tour was well planned and provided opportunities to see diversity in the traveled destination

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stained glass windows in Sagrada Familia. "

Tim

Tour: 04/15/24

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Great tour guide and group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Toledo cathedral, but all the meals with the group were most often the best part."

Rylien

Tour: 04/15/24

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The group was too large. The whisperers did not work when guide went around corner. We lost our guide in Sevilla. The pace was too fast for this older group. Finally slowed down toward end of tour. It would have been nice if he ask us what we were interested in?? We heard all about what he liked.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many places were my favorites: Toledo with its old buildings - Medieval Synagogue. Segovia and the agueducts. Alhambra- beautiful beyond words. And the Alcazar. Almost forgot the Sagrada Famila in Barcelona."

Pat

Tour: 04/15/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were on the Best of Spain tour and it surpassed what I expected. The amazing Alhambra, the gorgeous Seville Cathedral, the Sagrada Familia - beyond description.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had no idea the Alhambra would be so exquisitely and intricately beautiful. When I considered the amount of skill and work the craftsmen accomplished, it just was mind-boggling. "

Keith

Tour: 04/15/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

tHIS WAS A TRIP I COUILD HAVE NEVER CONSTRUCTED MYSELF AND BEING WITH 25 OTHER CONGENIAL TOUR MEMBERS MADE IT A GREAT EXPERIENCE

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gaudi Church in Barecelona"

Benjamin

Tour: 04/13/24

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Well organized and everything went off as planned

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gaudy"

Phillip

Tour: 04/13/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia"

Joseph

Tour: 04/13/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experiences, from sights to local meals! Filled with Wow moments.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Picnic meal on a hill beside Don Quixote's windmills."

Linda

Tour: 04/13/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was our 1st RS Tour and we thoroughly enjoyed all the organization and planning done for us. Our guide, Javier, was super informed and prepared. He set the tone for fun and cultural immersion. The whole group were an interesting mix with lots of travel histories to share.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many, its hard to say my favorite...Toledo or Granada or Ronda were all enchanting. I'll pick an evening of delicious dining at a cliffside restaurant after a rigorous walk viewing the Alhambra Palace as the sun set. "

Carol

Tour: 04/13/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, great co-travelers, and a wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Only one? Gaudi windows, Andalusian horses among them!"

Kenneth

Tour: 04/13/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We were very satisfied with our tour. Javier our tour guide was excellent and provided us with a very informative and fun tour. We were happy with the hotels we stayed in and the provided meals were very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra was beautiful and dining on the hillside across from it was an unforgettable experience. I also enjoyed the Olive Oil Tour and lunch. "

Victoria

Tour: 04/13/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th Rick Steves' tour and again we loved everything on this tour; our guide Javier, hotels, local guides and the meals that were included. The weather in Spain in April couldn't have been any better with blue skies and sunshine and perfect temperature for touring.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spain offers so many wow moments; Barcelona with Sagrada Familia, Madrid, Prado & the Royal palace, and then Granada & the Alhambra! Another wow moment was the visit to bull farm and learning about bull fighting& having my photo taken with a real bull fighter!"

Stephen

Tour: 04/13/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th Rick Steves Tour, and, as usual it was full of interesting sights and activities. The schedule and itinerary were well coordinated with easy to understand information from the various site tour guides. Be that as it may, probably the most memorable and cherished moments were those which we discovered on our own (with the help of the RS Spain tour book) such as Arrayanes Moroccan restaurant for dinner in Granada.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite tour “wow” moment was actually a wow day: The day trip out of Madrid to Segovia included the well preserved and sizable Roman aqueduct, the Alcázar fortress (where our group photo was taken), and a group luncheon of roast suckling pig. Segovia was a welcome respite from the encountered urban crowds in Barcelona and Madrid."

Walter

Tour: 04/13/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Virtual ride on America‘s Cup racing yacht at America‘s Cup Exhibition "

Marguerite

Tour: 04/13/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a great time on this tour! The itinerary was a strong one, well paced, with a nice mix of different types of activities, interesting city guides, and a good tour group led by an experienced guide who kept things moving perfectly. Loved trying different types of Spanish food and wines. Honestly, my first sentence says it all - I would go again without hesitation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia at twilight was definitely a wow for me! Other favorites were the Alhambra, dinner the night before overlooking it, and the carriage ride in Seville. "

Donald

Tour: 04/08/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was very special. The group bonded, Helen, our guide, was outstanding, and the sites visited were both varied and, in many cases, unique. The tour was well thought out, with great hotels and food. The local tour guides imparted in depth insights into the local history and culture of each site visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being is Seville during the April Fair, attending the Fair, and being invited into a private tent to meet a local family while being treated to tapas and drinks. A true Rick Steves moment. "

Susan

Tour: 04/08/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, I enjoyed the tour very much. It was my first and I tried to keep expectations in check as I had no idea how things would work. I loved our guide, Helen. She was knowledgeable, personable, and helpful. It was a bit overwhelming at times, but we got to see a lot and had a good amount of personal time. The group bonded quickly, which was also nice. No grumpy people there.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting all the cathedrals, basilicas, and local churches. I prefer to see art in context and for much of that, a church was where we needed to be. And I'm not sure why, but Segovia was one of my favorite spots on the tour."

Laurence

Tour: 04/08/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was excellent from Helen our guide to all the towns , places , sights, experiences, food and the other travellers in group . Never would have seen or learned as much on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra and the Alcazar were spectacular "

Nancy

Tour: 04/08/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour. It was made special because of our tour guide, Helen Inman.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many but probably the overlook at the gorge at Ronda."

Dennis

Tour: 04/08/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guide, Helen, was outstanding and the members of this tour were all so agreeable and friendly. And the diversity and beauty of Spain’s cities and geography exceeded all my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several: seeing the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Alhambra in Granada, the gorge in Ronda and the Alcazar in Sevilla. Plus eight of us had an amazing time at the April Fair in Sevilla and actually got invited into a family’s private caseta and were treated to food and drink and wonderful conversation with members of the Spanish family."

Susan

Tour: 04/08/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 5th and best RS tour yet. Our guide, Helen Inman was outstanding! Besides imparting us with her knowledge of Spain, she was always looking out for our safety and wellbeing. She gave us a whole new perspective and history of this country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My “wow” moment was having lunch at the top of the cliff’s overlooking the ravine in Rhonda. My other “wow “ moment was a group dinner in a restaurant and gazing at the Alhambra across the way as the sun was setting. "

Cheryl

Tour: 04/08/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my fourth Rick Steves tour. I loved and appreciated every day. Helen was an exceptional guide---knowledgeable, well organized, attentive and has a great sense of humor. Unfortunately I broke a bone in my foot three weeks prior to the start of the trip. I was still able to participate in all activities, but was slower than the rest of the group. Helen was patient with me as I was healing dally. The itinerary was outstanding and the accommodations and meals provided very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of my favorite wow experiences was when six of us went to the April Fair in Sevilla. A lovely family invited us into their private casita where we had a fantastic visit as they generously provided us with plate after plate of tapas and drinks. That entire evening was like nothing I had previously experienced. Helen also provided us with a beautiful wine tasting party one evening."

Robert

Tour: 04/08/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well managed. Good balance of structured and free time. Many varied activities. Truly the Best of Spain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ronda gorge"

Edward

Tour: 04/08/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the first time I had been to Spain, so no better way to do it, and with a Rick Steves tour. Everything was excellent, from the included meals to the hotel locations to the transportation, and especially our tour leader, and the amazing local guides. Helen let us beautifully, with a sense of humor, and always watching out for our well-being and safety. The special things you get on Rick Steves tour, such as visits to local farms or businesses that nobody else goes to are fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Although all of the museums, Royal Palace and cathedrals were amazing, I would have to say it is a tie between the Roman aqueduct in Segovia and the bridge in Ronda. "

Gail

Tour: 04/08/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a great time on our first Rick Steves tour. Helen, our group guide, was phenomenal. The small “extras” were appreciated - preloaded metro cards to use during our free time, the local snacks Helen would purchase for the group. The local guides were very knowledgeable. The restaurants selected for group meals were generally excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra in Grenada"

Ellen

Tour: 04/08/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Was very good with interesting itinerary and great guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrata Familia blew me away"

John

Tour: 04/08/24

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Beautiful country with fun guide and pleasant fellow travelers. Great weather and right amount of activity time and self time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada familia basilica/construction"

Kathy

Tour: 04/06/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Awesome guide provided us with a comprehensive voyage across Spain, with appreciated focus on history and culture. The hotels were all selected to reflect their individual locations and the group meals provided an excellent sampling of the regions visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There wasn't one but many. Several stops elicited a WOW. Dinner overlooking the Alhambra is one; the Prado Museum; Gaudi in Barcelona; the list is long. Both notable stops and quiet moments (a cocktail on the roof with a nighttime view of the cathedral in Sevilla)."

Kathy

Tour: 04/06/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Best of Spain tour exceeded our expectations. It was a great blend of cathedrals, museums, parks and much more ~ but truly captured the diversity of Spain. Loved the community dance in Barcelona, flamenco dancing and Féria in Sevilla and the cuisine throughout!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had a wonderful full schedule in Barcelona, Madrid, Segovia, Toledo and Granada, visiting all the ‘must see’ sights for the first 10 days. At the end of our lovely day in Ronda, it was pure heaven to enjoy an evening at the lovely Hotel Molino del Arco located in such a quiet, picturesque setting. Exactly what I needed! ❤️"

Gerald

Tour: 04/06/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour. The highlights of Spain were much more interesting than I expected. The tour was made even better by a fantastic tour guide, Francisco.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Undoubtably seeing the exterior of the unfinished Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. It's so far out there it just blew my mind. Upon seeing it for the 1st time, for a minute I thought that I was having a flashback to the late 1960's. Groovy!"

Loren

Tour: 04/06/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Francisco was outstanding, each city had its own charm and mystique and the tour group was fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to pick just one. Tour of Barcelona, the view from our hotel room in Arcos de la Frontera, the view of the Alhambra from the restaurant across from it. "

Gregory

Tour: 04/06/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A great blend of major sites (Prado) and off the path gems (olive processor for tour and great lunch). Busy city life in Madrid was nicely contrasted with the quiet afternoon and evening at the hotel outside of Ronda. We learned that Spain is a tapestry of many different regions and lifestyles.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra gardens and palaces, the Prado with a knowledgeable guide, and lunch on our own at a cliff-side restaurant in Ronda."

John

Tour: 04/06/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, the tour was fantastic. Spain is a beautiful country and the locals are so nice and so courteous to visitors. There is so much history to appreciate and many ancient buildings, churches, cathedrals, Roman ruins, etc.... to appreciate. There was a good mix of large city activities and small town sights. The food was fantastic and many of the meals are so memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A single 'wow' moment is difficult. The one that surprises me the most was my appreciation and awe for the Flamenco dancing we attended. Our guide did a good job explaining what to expect and fortunately, it was enough to pique my interest and cause me to pay attention to all the intricacies of the dance. From the footwork, to the snapping, clapping and slapping, to the ballet-like movements, and the singing and guitar in the background, it was all so remarkable."

Patrick

Tour: 04/06/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

An excellent tour, well-organized, supported by excellent logistics. Our tour leader Fran (Francisco Glaria Baines) could not have been more helpful and kind. Fran was outstanding in all respects.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Finally seeing the Alhambra, a life-long goal."

Patty

Tour: 04/06/24

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was the best! I learned so much about Spain, the culture, the food, and the people. I saw enough of Spain and had such a good experience that I’d like to return. Our guide was so informative and took great care to keep us updated, well entertained, and cohesive. Francisco was such a great guide, my husband and I are looking into another Rick Steves’ tour next year to another part of Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had “wow” moments in every city in Spain. However I was particularly wowed by a hotel outside of Rhonda. I loved the country feel and the rooms were comfortable and had great amenities. The tour had the place to ourselves and it was a memorable time."

When To Go & Weather

Any time between April and June, and from September through October are good times to visit Spain. However, the months of April, May, September, and October are best for offering good weather, long days, lighter crowds, and the full range of tourist fun.

Spain / Barcelona

Barcelona Weather

 


Spain / Madrid

Madrid Weather

 


Spain / Sevilla

Sevilla Weather

Hotels & Flights

Tour Hotels

In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour's first and last hotels is included in your tour confirmation email, as well as in the Itinerary section of your tour account. One month prior to the tour departure, in your customer account you'll find the directions to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying in the Documents section of your tour account.

Flights

Our tours don't include airfare, so your flight arrangements are completely up to you.

Most tour members arrange to fly into Barcelona (BCN) and out of Sevilla (SVQ) — choose "multicity" on flight-booking websites. Booking round-trip to one city will require a connecting flight, train trip, or additional overnight stay in Spain.

We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. For more information about transportation options for getting to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Spain guidebook.