9 Days Bilbao to Barcelona.
Highlights Include: Guggenheim Museum, Prado Museum, Sagrada Familia, and Dali Theatre Museum.
A must for art-lovers, this tour includes many of the important sites associated with the vibrant world of Spanish art. Your specialist guide is an expert and enthusiast and will lead you on an inspiring journey from Bilbao to San Sebastián and on to Madrid and Barcelona as you witness some remarkable works of art and architecture, learning about the history and aspirations of famous Spanish artists such as Picasso, El Greco, Goya, Gaudi, Miró and Dali, to name a few.
Spanish Art Tour
DAY 1 ARRIVE IN BILBAO, SPAIN: Your tour begins with a welcome dinner at your hotel featuring delicious Basque specialties. Overnight in Bilbao. (D)
DAY 2 BILBAO: Discover the Guggenheim Museum with your guide this morning, a shining titanium masterpiece created by Frank Gehry. This afternoon visit the superb Museo de Bellas Artes. Exploring the charming Old Quarter you will also have the opportunity to visit the city’s vibrant indoor food market, El Mercado de la Ribera. Overnight in Bilbao. (B)
DAY 3 BILBAO / SAN SEBASTIÁN: Head east to San Sebastián today and stroll through the fascinating Old Town accompanied by your guide, full of winding alleys tucked away between the delightful bay and the Rio Urumea. Also enjoy panoramic views of the coast from the top of Monte Urgull. The Chillida Leku Museum, a short ride outside the city, is a work of the internationally renowned sculptor, Eduardo Chillida, who designed this beautiful wooded park to display his art in the very landscape that inspired him; a private visit has been arranged for you. Overnight in San Sebastián. (B/L)
DAY 4 SAN SEBASTIÁN / BURGOS / MADRID: Based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, the Prado features one of the world’s finest collections of European Art from the 12th century to the early 19th century. During your guided visit view works by Spain’s three great masters: Goya, Velázquez and El Greco. This afternoon browse the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and its collection of nearly 1,000 paintings donated by a Swiss industrial magnate and his widow. The collection charts the development of Western art from the 13th to the 20th century and two halls are devoted to the Impressionists and the Post-Impressionists. (B)
DAY 6 MADRID / BARCELONA: This morning travel by high-speed train to Barcelona. Drive up to the Montjuic for lunch whilst enjoying superb views over the city. Later visit the Joan Miró Foundation, an impressive collection set in the extraordinary building designed by Miró’s friend, Josep Lluis Sert. Afterwards, trace the history of Catalan art from the Romanesque period to the mid-20th century during your visit to the Catalonian National Museum of Art. Overnight in Barcelona. (B/L)
DAY 7 BARCELONA: Today’s guided tour will focus on the eccentric ‘moderniste’ genius Antoni Gaudí. In the Passeig de Gracia the remarkable, mosaic covered Casa Batlló really stands out and, across the street the undulating façade of Casa Milà (La Pedrera) fronts another inspirational building. Later, stroll through Güell Park where Gaudí himself lived for many years. Only one of the planned villas was ever built but the trees of stone, the mythical mosaic dragon and the hall of columns are sure to delight and amaze. Continue to the vast basilica of the Sagrada Familia which was Gaudí’s most cherished and ambitious project. Construction continues and it is possible to walk through the nave still filled with scaffolding and see how this mighty church is taking shape. There will be time to visit the Picasso Museum this evening before dining at the hotel. (B/D)
DAY 8 BARCELONA / FIGUERES / CADAQUÉS / BARCELONA: Journey north to Figueres today to visit the Dali Theatre Museum designed by the artist himself to contain his wealth of surrealist masterpieces. Later, drive to the quaint fishing town of Cadaqués for lunch independently before visiting the House Museum of Salvador Dalí at Port Lligat. Return to the hotel at the end of the day for your farewell dinner. (B/D)
DAY 9 BARCELONA / USA: Transfer to the Barcelona airport to board your home-bound flight. (B)
Customize to Suit
The above suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Inclusions
- 8 nights’ accommodation in 4- or 5-Star hotels: 2 nights in Bilbao, 1 night in San Sebastián, 2 nights in Madrid, and 3 nights in Barcelona
- 14 meals (8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners)
- Regional wines with all dinners
- Bilbao’s innovative Guggenheim Museum
- Private visit to the Chillida Leku Museum
- Madrid’s Golden Triangle – the city’s top three world-renowned art museums Barcelona and Gaudí’s wonderfully unique architecture
- An introduction to the work of Dali in Figueres
- Expert guiding by local art specialists for all sightseeing detailed in the itinerary
- Services of a professional Tour Director
- Full planning and support from an expert tour consultant to help you tailor your tour in any way to suit your group
- Private luxury transport with air-conditioning
- Entrance fees for all visits and activities detailed in the itinerary
- 24-hour emergency contact service while in Europe
- Hotel porterage
- All taxes
- Portfolio of documents
- 24-hour emergency customer service while in Spain
Private Departures
Please Call 1-800-818-8455 for Group Rates on this Custom Group Journey
This suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Group Discounts
On custom journeys, discounts vary depending on group requirements. Typically, travel with a group of 20 and the 21st traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land portion of the vacation price. A second traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land on a group of 40 paying passengers.
*Per person prices are land only and based on two people sharing a room. Above dates represent “land start” date. Air: Please note that airfares are not included in the prices above. Journeys Connect can quote you the lowest possible GROUP airfare available on the day that you book. Minimum of 10 seats from same gateway. Less than 10 air seats will require full payment at time of booking. Single Room Supplement: On Request. Triple Room Reduction: On Request. Group discounts cannot be combined with our Triple Room discounts. Not valid on Specialty, Customized Vacations or River Cruises, optional extensions, extra nights, airfares, taxes and fees, flight supplements, or airport transfers. Other restrictions may apply. All passengers’ names must be advised before the discount is applied. *Group discount is on a twin-share basis only.
Contact Journeys Connect
Journeys Connect group and specialty services are available exclusively on a Business-to-Business basis, to travel industry professionals. If you are an individual interested in a Group Journey for 8 or more passengers, please do browse our collection and then contact your preferred Travel Agent and ask them to book through Journeys Connect.
Travel professionals, please call and speak with one of our Group Specialty Professionals:
1-800-818-8455