Summer in Spain
MADRID, BARCELONA, & MORE!
$2500
August 12 - 20, 2019**
**dates subject to change depending on availability
Cost: $2500 total (based on double occupancy)
Includes: all international & domestic flights, accommodations, train from Madrid to Barcelona, shuttle service from West Michigan to Chicago airport, locally guided walking tours of Madrid & Barcelona, all ground transportation, unlimited metro & bus passes in Spain for free time, some meals, full time travel director, & all listed admissions & tours. Other expenses not included are: some meals, excess baggage fees, and all optional excursions.
Travel Insurance available through our affiliate program at World Nomads.
Click HERE for more information.
Sign-up deadline: April 13, 2019 - checks made payable to Percussive, LLC – Credit Card & Venmo (@percussive) also accepted. 4% merchant processing fee added to all credit card transactions
ITINERARY
DAY ONE>
Fly to Spain
Transfer via provided shuttle from West Michigan area to Chicago O’Hare International Airport to take your flight to Spain's capital city: Madrid!
Enjoy a comfortable flight on a full-service airline where you will have full meal service, complimentary alcoholic beverages, in-flight personal entertainment, and premium comfort.
a flight over Spain
DAY TWO>
Madrid, Spain
Arrive in Madrid. After clearing customs and retrieving baggage, transfer to your hotel to relax and unwind. Later, join your local Spanish tour guide who will take you on a walking tour of Madrid, where you will visit and learn about:
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Teatro Real (Royal Opera House)
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Alfonso XIII’s anarchist attack
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World’s oldest restaurant
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The Spanish Empire
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The Spanish Inquisition
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The origins of tapas
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Catedral de Almudena
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Plaza de Puerta Cerrada
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Spanish Civil War
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Madrid’s Robin Hood
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Segovia’s Viaduct
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San Miguel’s Market
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Oriente Square
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Royal Palace
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Plaza Mayor
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Moorish Ruins
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Plaza de la Villa
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And much more!
Have lunch at the Puerto del Sol and then return to the stunning Royal Palace for a complete tour of the magnificent interior
Free time afterwards
Royal Palace of Madrid
A look inside the incredible Royal Palace
Plaza Mayor
DAY THREE>
Madrid, Spain
After breakfast, head over to the Prado Museum, widely considered to have one of the world's finest collections of art, dating from the 12th century. Opt to go at your own pace or stay with one of our guides to give you some background on many of its famous pieces.
After lunch, opt to join your travel director to visit one of Spain’s largest bullfighting rings.
Free time afterwards.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:
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Queen Sofía Museum
Complement your visit to the Prado with a visit to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, or Queen Sofía Museum. Highlights of the museum include excellent collections of Spain's two greatest 20th-century masters, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Certainly, the most famous masterpiece in the museum is Picasso's painting Guernica. Along with its extensive collection, the museum offers a mixture of national and international temporary exhibitions in its many galleries, making it one of the world's largest museums for modern and contemporary art
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Traditional Flamenco Evening
Enjoy a quintessential Madrid experience with a live flamenco show in the heart of the city. Head to an authentic ‘tablao,’ or Flamenco venue, and start the night off with a traditional 3-course dinner of regional cuisine. Warm up for the performance with an optional workshop, where you can tap your toes to basic steps or play the castanets. Settle back in your seat as professional dancers and musicians take the stage for a live, passionate performance of the uniquely Spanish art form.
Inside of the Prado Museum
Las Ventas Bullring
Flamenco Evening
DAY FOUR>
Madrid, Spain
Enjoy a free day at your own pace or opt for one of our recommended optional excursions!
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:
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Toledo & Segovia Full Day Tour with Alcazár Castle
Immerse yourself in the medieval majesty of Toledo, a UNESCO-listed site replete with historical monuments and Segovia on a full-day tour from Madrid. With a knowledgeable guide, witness the arresting landmarks of each city while discovering fascinating historical facts. Admire the grand cathedral and sacred monastery of San Juan in Toledo, marvel at the ancient aqueduct and regal Alcazar in Segovia, and gain valuable insight into the history and culture of each city from your expert guide. Enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation by luxury vehicle on this tour.
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3-Hour Madrid Food Tasting Tour
Madrid is one of Spain’s great gastronomic cities and this private 3-hour tasting tour is the ideal introduction to the city’s foodie scene. Explore the street food markets, hip bars, and traditional restaurants of Madrid’s Chueca neighborhood and enjoy 10 delicious food tastings including Spanish specialties like ‘croqueta’, ‘rosquilla’ pastries and ‘tortilla’.
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El Escorial Monastery Half-Day Guided Tour
Discover Spain on a guided half-day visit from Madrid to the monastery of El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen monument. Accompanied by a guide, you'll delve into the history of the religious El Escorial complex and discover why it was considered the eighth wonder of the world.
Alcázar Castle
Traditional Spanish Tapas
Toledo, Spain
El Escorial Monastery
DAY FIVE>
Madrid & Barcelona, Spain
After breakfast, head to the train station for a high-speed rail journey through the Spanish countryside to the exciting Catalonian city of Barcelona!
Upon arrival, head to your hotel to check-in and unwind.
Later, join your local guide for a guided walking tour of Barcelona, where you will visit and learn about:
· The Gothic Quarter
· King Martin’s Watchtower
· The Generalitat
· The Council of One Hundred
· Santa María del Mar
· Roman Necropolis
· Catalan national identity
· The Olympic legacy
· La Llotja
· Plaça Nova
· Port Vell historic harbor
· Santa María del Pi
· Catalan legends & heroes
· Picasso in Barcelona
· Spanish Civil War
· Roman ruins
...and much more!
Free time afterwards
Barcelona at night
Gothic Quarter
DAY SIX>
Barcelona, Spain
After breakfast, head to the Sagrada Família, which is widely thought of as the symbol of Barcelona. This unique cathedral was designed by Antoni Gaudí and has been under construction since 1882. Admire the unique architecture on the outside and enjoy a VIP skip-the-line ticket for the inside as well.
Next, head to the famous Mercado de la Boqueria, which is a huge covered market with some of the best food in Barcelona. Here is the best place to try fresh authentic local cuisine.
Afterwards, continue down La Rambla, which is a beauitiful tree-lined pedestrian street to Park Güell and Gaudí’s House for a beautiful scenic overlook to Barcelona City and lovely little artworks along the way.
Free time afterwards.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION:
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Spanish Cooking Class w/ Gourmet Dinner
Learn to prepare some of the classic dishes of Spain and Catalonia during a 3.5-hour cooking class in Barcelona. Your cooking class takes place in a private home with a professional chef who teaches you to prepare favorites such as seafood paella. Learn the history of tapas, sample 12 different tapas, and enjoy the delicious lunch that you helped to create, accompanied by unlimited wine, beer, or soft drinks.
Sagrada Família
a magical look inside the Sagrada Família
a quirky look from Gaudi's Park Güell
a stall in the Boquería Market
DAY SEVEN>
Barcelona, Spain
After breakfast, enjoy a visit to the 13th century Barcelona Cathedral and admire its gothic artistry.
Next, walk over to El Born Cultural Center for a glimpse of what Barcelona used to look like in the 1700s, with walkways overtop preserved ruins of the Old City
Walk along the Barcelona Waterfront and enjoy stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea as well as street performers of all types. Enjoy a nice lunch in one of the many great restaurants here
Free time afterwards
Tonight, head over to the Magic Fountain of Montjüic for an astounding performance of water, light, and music! The fountain sprays 700 gallons of water per second through 3620 jets to create its effect. The highest waterspout is 170 feet!
Magic Fountain of Montjüic
Port Vell in the Barcelona Waterfront
ruins in the El Born Cultural Center
DAY EIGHT>
Barcelona, Spain
Enjoy a relaxing free day or opt to join one of our recommended optional excursions!
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:
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3 Countries Day Trip to France, Andorra, and Spain
Discover three countries in just one day on a full-day tour to Baga, Ax Les Thermes, and Andorra from Barcelona. Emerge early, and head to Baga, a beautiful village shrouded in medieval heritage, and then cross the border to Ax Les Therms, a charming spa town with loads of French character. Continue to Andorra via a stunning high mountain pass, stopping for a break in a beautiful mountain valley before going on to the capital to indulge in some duty-free shopping.
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Barcelona Bites & Flavors: Private Food Tour
Treat your taste buds with the tastiest tapas and the best local drinks while you embark on a culinary journey through Barcelona! Create unforgettable food memories and learn all about the city's heavenly food scene during this private local food tour. 6 delicious tastings included!
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Montserrat & Oller del Mas Winery Day Tour
Explore one of the cornerstones of Catalan culture and history on this small-group, 7-hour tour to Montserrat. See the Montserrat Monastery, home to the famous Black Madonna, and then follow a guide through the vineyards of Oller del Mas, a winery housed in a 10-century castle. Descend into the cellars to learn about the production methods, and sample three signature wines alongside a cold tapas lunch with dessert.
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Flamenco Night at Tablao Cordobes
Experience an exhilarating, 2-hour flamenco performance at Barcelona’s legendary Tablao Cordobes. Cheer on a talented troupe of flamenco dancers as a unique display of agility, passion and energy is demonstrated on stage. Take in the lively atmosphere of one of Spain’s most famous flamenco venues and opt to enjoy a traditional Spanish buffet or refreshing drink while watching the show.
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Salvador Dali Museum and Home
Enjoy a bus excursion and guided tour to the Salvador Dali Museum and Castle in Figures, and Dali’s amazing and enchanting home on the shores of Cadaques. Experience bizarre art at its best!
Or, you may join one of our leaders for a Day on the Hill, exploring these amazing sites:
· Castle of Montjuic
· Olympic Stadium
· Barcelona Castle
· Aerial Cable Car (ticket at entrance)
· Columbus Monument
Andorra La Vella, Andorra
enjoying warm churros on the food tour
stunning views of Montserrat
aerial cable car in Barcelona
DAY NINE>
Fly Home
After breakfast, bid farewell to Spain as you transfer to the airport for your journey back to the US