Spanish Royal History with Lindsay Holiday

Welcome to Spain! Guests will make their own way to the boutique-style hotel in central Madrid, ideally located near the Royal Palace and Gran Vía. Take some time to settle in, refresh after your travels, and get a first taste of the Spanish capital.

In the evening, the group will gather for a welcome dinner at a traditional Spanish restaurant. This is the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow travelers, enjoy delicious regional specialties, and toast the beginning of an incredible journey together.

🏨 Accommodation

• Soho Boutique Opera Hotel (4-star, boutique-style, near the Royal Palace) or similar

🍽️ Included Meals

• Dinner

✅ Activities

• Welcome Dinner at Traditional Spanish Restaurant

After breakfast, embark on a guided exploration of Madrid’s royal and religious heritage. The day begins with a visit to the grand Royal Palace, one of Europe’s largest, where opulent halls and ornate salons reveal centuries of Bourbon and Habsburg history.

Continue to the Convent of Las Descalzas Reales, a hidden gem filled with art and relics, before strolling through Plaza de Oriente and past the Royal Theatre. In the evening, you’ll have free time to enjoy Madrid’s vibrant Gran Vía, where tapas bars, theatres, and lively streets create an electric atmosphere.

🏨 Accommodation

• Soho Boutique Opera Hotel (4-star, boutique-style, near the Royal Palace) or similar

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Guided Visit to the Royal Palace
• Guided Visit to Convent of Las Descalzas Reales
• Walking Tour of Plaza de Oriente and Royal Theatre

This morning, set out for an excursion beyond the city to the Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built under Philip II, the complex served as a palace, monastery, and royal mausoleum. Its austere architecture and rich collections reflect Spain’s Golden Age.

With your expert guide, explore the royal apartments, basilica, and library before taking time to stroll the gardens. Return to Madrid in the late afternoon, with the evening free to sample local cuisine or enjoy a relaxed paseo (evening stroll).

🏨 Accommodation

• Soho Boutique Opera Hotel (4-star, boutique-style, near the Royal Palace) or similar

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Full-Day Guided Tour of El Escorial (UNESCO)

Today begins with a journey south to the medieval city of Toledo, once a crossroads of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures. A guided tour will take you through its winding streets, with visits to the imposing Alcázar and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, both reflecting the grandeur of Spain’s Catholic Monarchs.

In the afternoon, continue on to Córdoba, arriving in time to check in to your boutique-style hotel in the heart of the city. Enjoy an evening stroll or relax with a glass of Spanish wine before tomorrow’s full day of exploration.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Eurostars Conquistador (4-star, central Córdoba, boutique-style) or similar

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Guided Tour of Toledo Alcázar
• Guided Tour of Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes

Discover Córdoba’s extraordinary heritage on a full-day guided tour. Begin at the Mezquita-Catedral, a UNESCO masterpiece that fuses Islamic and Christian architecture with its iconic forest of columns and richly decorated chapels.

Continue to the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, a fortress and palace that was once the residence of Ferdinand and Isabella, before wandering the charming lanes of the Jewish Quarter, with its flower-filled patios and historic synagogues.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Eurostars Conquistador (4-star, central Córdoba, boutique-style) or similar

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Guided Visit to Mezquita-Catedral (UNESCO)
• Guided Visit to Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos
• Guided Tour of the Jewish Quarter

After breakfast, transfer by coach to Granada, a city rich in Moorish legacy and Andalusian charm. On arrival, check in to your hotel located near the Alhambra and take some time to settle in.

In the afternoon, set out on a guided walking tour of the Albayzín district, with its narrow cobbled lanes, whitewashed houses, and hidden squares. Visit the Dar al-Horra Palace, once home to a Nasrid queen, and take in views of the Alhambra from scenic vantage points. The evening is free to enjoy the lively Albaicín.

🏨 Accommodation

• Porcel Alixares Hotel (4-star, boutique-style, near the Alhambra) or similar

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Guided Walking Tour of Albayzín District
• Visit to Dar al-Horra Palace

Today is dedicated to Granada’s crown jewel – the Alhambra. With your expert guide, explore the intricately decorated Nasrid Palaces, tranquil courtyards, and the lush Generalife gardens. Learn how this UNESCO site reflects the artistry and sophistication of Moorish Spain.

In the afternoon, visit the Royal Chapel, final resting place of Ferdinand and Isabella, and reflect on the monumental legacy of the Catholic Monarchs. The evening is free to enjoy tapas or watch a flamenco performance in one of the city’s traditional venues.

🏨 Accommodation

• Porcel Alixares Hotel (4-star, boutique-style, near the Alhambra) or similar

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Full-Day Guided Tour of the Alhambra (UNESCO)
• Visit to Generalife Gardens
• Visit to the Royal Chapel

This morning is free for guests to relax, shop, or revisit favorite corners of the Albaicín district. Take time to soak up the atmosphere of Granada’s plazas or enjoy a coffee in a shaded courtyard.

In the afternoon, the group will tour the impressive Granada Cathedral, another monument to the Catholic Monarchs’ vision. The journey concludes with a farewell dinner, a final celebration of Spanish flavors and camaraderie with your fellow travelers.

🏨 Accommodation

• Porcel Alixares Hotel (4-star, boutique-style, near the Alhambra) or similar

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast
• Dinner

✅ Activities

• Guided Tour of Granada Cathedral
• Farewell Dinner

After breakfast, depart Granada by coach for Málaga, approximately 1.5 hours away. Guests continuing on the Costa del Sol can be dropped at extension hotels, while others will transfer to Málaga Airport for onward flights.

As the journey comes to a close, take with you the memories of Spain’s royal palaces, Moorish treasures, and the vibrant culture of Madrid, Córdoba, and Granada.

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Group Transfer from Granada to Málaga Extension Accommodation or Málaga Airport

Day 1 – Arrival in Málaga (20 May 2026)
Arrive in Málaga and check into your boutique-style hotel near the seafront. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the Old Town and waterfront at your own pace.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Catalonia Puerta del Mar (4-star, boutique-style, located near the seafront) or similar

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Free Time to Explore Málaga

Day 2 – Málaga and Ronda (21 May 2026)
Enjoy a full-day, non-private guided excursion to the white villages of Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas. Discover dramatic cliffs, historic bridges, and cave dwellings before returning to Málaga.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Catalonia Puerta del Mar (4-star, boutique-style, located near the seafront) or similar

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Guided Day Tour to Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas

Day 3 – Departure from Málaga (22 May 2026)
After breakfast, your extension concludes. Transfer independently to Málaga Airport or continue your stay in Spain.

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

ℹ️ Booking Information

• There will be a question at checkout asking if you are interested in this extension. Once we are able to have an indication of numbers, we will be able to finalise pricing and interested guests will be contacted with instructions on how to to book