Taste Of Spain
Taste Of Spain
Taste Of Spain
7 Days Starting and ending in Hotel in Madrid
Visiting: Spain, Madrid, Segovia, San Sebastian, Pamplona, Zaragoza, Andorra, Barcelona, Peniscola, Valencia
Tour operator:
Tour code:
EST
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Enjoy a slice of Spanish life! Start in Madrid, the capital of Spain, and travel north towards the stunning regions of Basque, Navarre and Catalonia. Check out the home of Don Quixote as you stop by Castilla La Mancha. Head to Valencia for a taste of authentic Spanish Paella and savour each sip of Spanish wine in Aragon. See the home of the bull run in Pamplona, as well as the village charm of Andorra sandwiched between France and Spain. Lastly, experience a travel magazine come to life as you discover the renowned Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Madrid
Location: Spain, Madrid
Meals Included: Dinner
Your exploration of Spain is about to kick off! Start the morning meeting your tour leader at the pre-arranged hotel in Madrid for group introductions and itinerary overviews. Embark on an orientation tour through the capital city of Madrid. Tick top attractions like Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, Mercado de San Miguel and more off your bucket list! This evening, enjoy an included meal while you mingle with your tour group and pick your tour leader's brain about the exciting seven days to come!
Explore Madrid; capital of Spain
Enjoy a welcome dinner in Madrid
Day 2: Madrid - Segovia - San Sebastian
Location: Madrid, Segovia, San Sebastian
Meals Included: Breakfast
The day starts with a journey from Madrid to San Sebastian along the northern coast of Spain. Explore the city of Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a comfort break and marvel at Europe's highest concentration of Romanesque churches as well as a perfectly preserved Roman waterway through the city. Arrive in the gorgeous city of San Sebastian this afternoon and immerse yourself in the beach and nightlife! Take a tour of the magical old town on an orientation tour with your tour leader. San Sebastian is a must-visit for foodies, so spend the evening hopping between beachfront bars and tasting the northern Spanish version of tapas – pintxo!
Explore the historic old town of Segovia
Enjoy a night in San Sebastian
Day 3: San Sebastian - Pamplona - Zaragoza
Location: San Sebastian, Pamplona, Zaragoza
Meals Included: Breakfast
Discover Pamplona, a historic city known for the San Fermin festival's "running of the bulls" ceremony. This medieval city centre is rich with history, so take advantage of the free time to explore the ancient architecture and citadel. Zaragoza is next for a fabulous wine tasting, followed by a city tour on foot. The history of Zaragoza is lengthy, with various prominent influences including Moorish, Jewish and Christian communities. The city's melting pot of history is evident in attractions such as the Basílica del Pilar Cathedral, Aljafería Islamic Palace and the Roman Theatre.
Visit Pamplona
Sample local Spanish wines
Enjoy a walking tour of Zaragoza
Day 4: Andorra - Barcelona
Location: Andorra, Barcelona
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Take a quick rest stop in Andorra as we journey to Barcelona. With only 89,000 inhabitants, Barcelona is a notably small principality in the Pyrenees mountains of Spain and France. Take advantage of the time to explore Andorra la Vella on your own – it's known for being the European city with the highest elevation as well as a fantastic choice for skiing enthusiasts. Sant Cugat just outside of the bustling Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, is our next stop this afternoon and the home of our hotel for the next two nights. Mingle with your tour group over an included dinner this evening.
Visit Andorra and Andorra la Vella; Europe’s highest capital city
Day 5: Barcelona: Free Day
Location: Spain, Barcelona
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start the day exploring Barcelona on a scenic drive. Look out for the diverse architecture and designs of Antoni Gaudí. Then, indulge in Barcelona your way for the rest of the day! One of the best ways to explore and make memories is on the Highlights of Barcelona optional excursion. On this outing, visit the enchanting Sagrada Família, the opulent Palau Güell, the bustling La Boqueria market and the historic Gothic Quarter. You can also choose to witness Park Guell's spectacular views, traverse Las Ramblas, immerse yourself in the 'Old Town', and discover some of the best shopping, art galleries and museums in Europe. Don’t miss this evening's optional excursion – an authentic Flamenco performance!
See Barcelona’s spectacular architecture on a city driving tour
Day 6: Peniscola - Valencia
Location: Peniscola, Valencia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, we say goodbye to Barcelona before making our way down south along the coast with a stop in Peniscola on the way. Here, we'll stop for lunch at one of Europe's most scenic spots! An impressive castle erected by the Knights Templar watches over the old town, its spectacular beach and picturesque promenade. Next, arrive in the booming seaport city of Valencia before embarking on a guided tour. Marvel at the rich history left untouched between years of advancements that make this city out of this world. Enjoy your final night on this incredible trip with an included paella for dinner.
Enjoy a visit to Peniscola
Get to know Valencia on an orientation tour
Feast on a traditional paella dinner in Valencia
Day 7: Valencia - Madrid
Location: Valencia, Madrid
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel through the historic region of La Mancha, to which the legend of Don Quixote brought great renown. Then, discover the stunning medieval Castillo de Belmonte – the entrance to which is included in the tour package. Marvel at the awe-inspiring interiors filled with incredible Gothic and Moorish plasterwork as well as the quad with Neo-Gothic influences. Later today, the tour concludes back in Madrid. Remember to exchange personal information with your new travel family so you can keep in touch anywhere in the world!
Visit the medieval Belmonte Castle
What's Included
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Accommodation
6 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
6 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners
*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request -
Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.
Mode of Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
6 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Health and Fitness
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
Experiences
Explore Madrid; capital of Spain
Enjoy a welcome dinner in Madrid
Explore the historic old town of Segovia
Enjoy a night in San Sebastian
Visit Pamplona
Sample local Spanish wines
Enjoy a walking tour of Zaragoza
Visit Andorra and Andorra la Vella; Europe’s highest capital city
See Barcelona’s spectacular architecture on a city driving tour
Enjoy a visit to Peniscola
Get to know Valencia on an orientation tour
Feast on a traditional paella dinner in Valencia
Visit the medieval Belmonte Castle
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our customer services team. Please note that the room provided may be a single room with a single bed.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Our tour leaders come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests. They are all confident and well-travelled with an in-depth knowledge of the destinations they are working in, and a passion for helping you make the most out of your Expat Explore tour.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. Please see the meeting point information for details on how to reach the meeting point.
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What is the maximum group size?
It depends on how many other people book! There could be up to 51 other passengers, so you will have the opportunity to make lots of friends!
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We have searched and invested in excellent accommodation options, either located in cities or well placed with public transport connections. Clean linen, towels is always included. Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included, so you may wish to bring these with you. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
All travellers are required to carry their own bags, get on and off the coach, and use public transport. Our city walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down lots of steps. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to weight and space limitations, you are allowed to bring one main piece of luggage weighing no more than 20kg, and one small soft bag for hand luggage weighing a maximum of 7kg. On all tours, you will have to carry your own luggage (e.g. into hotels and up to your room if hotels don’t have elevators). Please bear this in mind when you are deciding what to pack
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes, As detailed in the itinerary
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, visas are each traveler’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. When applying for your visa, please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All our tours are conducted in English.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, Full air-conditioning
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Our travelers come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
We are committed to curating excellent travel experiences and to do so we need all of our travelers to feel safe.
In order to ensure the peace of mind and safety of our travelers and staff on board the coach, we are still requesting that all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, produce a negative Covid test. This test can be a PCR test -
What is the tipping policy?
Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, this is a normal part of the culture in many of the countries we visit. Tipping has become an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis worldwide. Expat Explore crew members
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
All of the hotels on this tour offer Wi-Fi, which is available free of charge as part of your Expat Explore tour.
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
A full list of confirmed accommodation names and addresses for your particular departure will be emailed to you around 1 week before the tour starts.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 91 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.