Ah, Spain. Gaudí and Picasso. The Mediterranean Coast and lively Madrid. Tapas and flamenco. Historic cathedrals and ’til-all-hours nightlife. If those experiences entice, we can think of no better way to explore Spain than with AAA’s10-day Member Appreciation Tour. Bringing you to top cities, scenic countryside and architectural masterpieces, this unique itinerary reveals the heart of the country through immersive experiences such as a flamenco dancing lesson, a shopping excursion to a traditional food market and dinner accompanied by guitar music.
“Spain has so much to offer: incredible natural beauty, culturally rich cities with well-preserved historic landmarks, and distinctive and delicious regional cuisines,” says Tom Wiedemann, CEO of AAA Club Alliance. Wiedemann will be the Executive Host, along with his wife, Mary Jo, of this special tour: Spain in Style (May 31 to June 9, 2024). They will be joined by a AAA Trip Leader as well as a Traveling Concierge, all united to ensure that members receive the highest level of care and attention throughout this fascinating journey.
This select tour, with a maximum of 37 guests, begins in Barcelona and travels along the Mediterranean Coast and through Andalusia before winding up with two exciting nights in the capital of Madrid. Along the way, AAA members will be treated to experiences you wouldn’t be able to access if traveling on your own, Wiedemann notes. These include culinary experiences that showcase the unique flavors of Spain, such as a tapas tour in Barcelona, a paella cooking demonstration in València, and a vineyard tour and wine tasting near Madrid.
Spain in Style features charming five-star hotels near historic sites, shopping and restaurants; touring on a luxury motor coach; and daily breakfast and dinner most nights. All trip gratuities are also included. “You just show up and enjoy the experience with us,” Wiedemann notes.
AN ABUNDANCE OF ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECES
Barcelona boasts seaside splendor along with some of the most famous architectural landmarks in Spain. You’ll tour the Palau de la Música Catalana, the only concert hall to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the basilica Sagrada Familia, perhaps the most famous work of Catalan Modernist architect Antoni Gaudí. Begun in 1882, the massive basilica is still under construction more than 140 years later. You’ll also want to stroll through Park Güell, Gaudí’s playground of rock walls, fantastical buildings and serpentine mosaic benches. And if you’re a fan of Pablo Picasso, be sure to stop in the eponymous museum that houses an extensive collection of the 20th-century artist’s work.
From Barcelona, you’ll travel to València by way of Peniscola, where you’ll tour its famous castle by the sea, built in the late 13th century by the Knights Templar. If you’re a classic movie fan, you’ll recognize the castle from the 1961 film El Cid, which was partially filmed there.
More than 2,000 years of history await in València. Here, one of the largest historic centers in Europe—featuring the UNESCO-recognized 15th-century Silk Exchange with its vaulted ceilings and soaring Gothic windows—is juxtaposed with the strikingly futuristic buildings of the City of Arts and Sciences.
You’ll also take in sights such as the Alhambra Palace and its exotic water gardens in Granada and the Mezquita-Cathedral in Córdoba, both among the great works of Islamic architecture. Your visit to Córdoba includes a guided tour of the narrow, winding streets of the Jewish Quarter, home to one of only three synagogues still in existence in Spain. Known as the City of Flowers, Córdoba will delight with its profusion of springtime blooms and the scent of jasmine perfuming the air.
THE PEARL OF ANDALUSIA
From there, you’ll journey to Seville. One of the most popular destinations in Spain, the capital of Andalusia boasts a mélange of Moorish, Christian and Jewish architecture. A guided walk will take you through the Santa Cruz neighborhood with its enchanting cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses and flower-bedecked squares. Santa Cruz boasts the Cathedral of Seville, one of the largest churches in the world. Nearby, you’ll find the Royal Alcázar of Seville, a palace complex—still occupied by the royal family of Spain—noted for its tile decoration and gardens adorned by fountains, ponds, galleries and pavilions.
Your visit continues with a horse-and-carriage ride to the group’s private flamenco dance lesson. You’ll thrill to the rapid clapping of hands and click of castanets as the dancers whirl about in their colorful frilled attire. And when it’s your turn to dance, the lively guitar music and joyful air will guide your steps.
Your experience of Andalusia continues the following day with a tour of Triana Food Market, bursting with colorful local produce and fresh-from-the-sea fish. Afterward, you’ll take a Spanish cooking class and dine on your gastronomic creation.
MAGICAL MADRID
With two nights in Madrid, you’ll have time to visit some of the city’s iconic attractions. Topping the list of must-sees are the stunning Royal Palace and the bustling Plaza Mayor, a grand square in the heart of the oldest part of the city. Perhaps you’ll want to tour the Prado Museum with its masterpieces; take a stroll along the Gran Vía, Madrid’s most famous street; or shop in the luxury stores on the elegant Calle de Serrano.
Your group experiences include a visit to a winery outside the city and a celebratory final dinner in a Michelin-starred restaurant.
COME WITH US
To learn more and make your reservation for Spain in Style, contact your local AAA Travel Advisor, call 855-847-0980 or visit AAA.com/VIP.
