"The Sagrada Familia was the "wow" moment. Tours with Frederico had to be a highlight......". Our tour leader (David) lived in Madrid, so provided an intimate exposure to small, excellent cafés & wonderful food & wine in addition to the art and culture of the city & neighborhoods. Unfortunately I did not get to say goodbye in person since my kids woke me up during the middle of the night telling me to get home STAT. I had my expectations for this trip, and the trip exceeded those expectations! When you leave a city you feel immersed in the culture and the city. Overall, we tremendously enjoyed this, our first Rick Steves' tour. "Touring Toledo, imagining what it must have been like when Christians, Jews and Muslims lived in harmony.". The tour guides were exceptional. "It's a toss-up between seeing the magnificent Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the cathedral in Toledo. We'll take a traffic-free walking tour that includes Toledo's magnificent cathedral, the historic Tránsito Synagogue, and El Greco's The Burial of the Count of Orgaz in Santo Tomé Chapel. Monica, our local guide, was so knowledgeable and passionate about the Basilica that she inspired us to take in every soaring spire, stained glass window, and ornate statue inside and out. The creative spirit of Spain's Catalunya — the land of Picasso, Gaudí, and Salvador Dalí — is on a roll. The events planned were fun for all. No duds in the group. As we were looking at it, it all came together and I had all the feelings.". Accommodations were comfortable and nicely appointed. Great introduction to the Spanish and Catalan culture. Very well preserved and the local guide helped us connect with the city.". We loved some of the "tasting" opportunities such as the wine tasting and tapas tasting. "Seeing Gaudi's Sagrada Familia church from the outside was a real treat, however stepping inside and catching my first glimpse stopped me in my tracks. "Maybe 2: all of the spectacular buildings in Madrid, and seeing Picasso's "Guernica".". He kept us on schedule so we had time to enjoy each place. Our tour was wonderful. "We saw so many impressive cathedrals, but the Sagrada Familia was by far the most amazing. He took us out of the city to Toledo one day and to Segovia the next. This was a wonderful week of exploration and dining. I'm now sold on Rick Steve's tours and am planning This is my second 'city' tour, and they are a great to focus on a couple specific areas. "I enjoyed La Sagrada Familia and the Picasso Museum, also our time in Toledo.". It is unlike any other building in Europe. Awesome views, great history. No way could I take it all in. Barcelona and Madrid were amazing. Well planned and well executed .... everything on the agenda was handled thoroughly and competently ....actually, our expectations were high and the tour exceeded them .... "I think the overall trip to Toledo was the best of many wow moments". I'm not sure if it was that we just walked that far for a really average churo or wow imagine that the people who arranged the tour are surprised the Royal Palace is not available to tour on one of the biggest national holidays of the year.". Rick Steve's tours should also make the bus tour of Barcelona one of the first things to experience. The tour guide was friendly and went out of his way to help. We already had the Spain 2015 paperback book so we bought the Barcelona 3rd edition ebook have on-the-go. Amanda and Andrew took care of everything and made sure we were well taken care of! "I particularly enjoyed La Sagrada Familia and the Picasso museum.". David did a great job of teaching us how to become locals. LOVED seeing all the real artwork in person. This was our first tour and it far exceeded our expectations. I enjoy art, but have never experienced it like that before. I can hardly wait to return once it's finished, and spend an entire day there, taking it all in.". All transportation was arranged and ran smoothly. It was all the historical information given, everything we saw and experience inside. Note: This was our second Rick Steve's tour having just completed the Best of Paris tour prior to this one. Our whole group became a team under the expert guidance of the cooking school's chef. "I loved seeing and walking around the old cathedral in Toledo. I now have a desire to learn more about other areas of Spain!". Amazing, from beginning to end. Enjoyed both scheduled and free time. etc., follows its own slant/bend. The members of the tour group were interesting and interested. The meals were good. Being actually in Barcelona, Madrid, and Toledo for the very first time was incredible. "My favorite "wow" moment was when we first caught a glimpse of Toledo. One that stuck with me was visiting the Goya room at the Museo Nacional del Prado and seeing all the painful scenes. My family enjoyed all of the activities and often used the book as well to find restaurant suggestions. Then, before we went in to see the painting, Federico did a fantastic job of painting a picture of what was happening at the time it was painted. Spain was a new travel destination for me and I so enjoyed seeing the country, for the first time. Our RS guide (Amanda) along with local guides were interesting and well versed in the history of what we were seeing and provided an ease in traveling that allowed us to feel more relaxed. with the Whispers. I throughly enjoyed this tour. Had double I'm 65 now. "My "wow" moment was being able to go to the beach in Barcelona, explore and have lunch at one of the many outdoor restaurants along the coast. I haven't tried Barcelona to Carcassonne and back in a day, but I agree with considering potential alternatives. Best of Barcelona & Madrid in 8 Days Tour with Frederico was up to the usual top notch Rick Steves standards! We had a wonderful time and learned quite a bit along the way. He was entertaining, funny, and very informative!". Our tour was excellent. Though the trip was labeled as strenuous, there was only one day in Madrid that seemed that way. Our local guides were both informative and fun, and particularly excellent in teaching us about the historic areas of Barcelona. Jorge and David were knowledgeable, engaging and fun guides and we had a great tour group--so many interesting, knowledgeable fellow travelers. However, the months of April, May, September, and October are best for combining the convenience of peak season with good weather, lighter crowds, and long days. The panorama was so beautiful and the town looked so peaceful and quiet in the early morning.". Photos of his creations don't do justice to the actual buildings and parks. First, The weather was perfect, not too cold and not too hot. The museums, palaces, and cathedrals were so interesting and unique. It definitely met all my expections. Now, enjoy this opportunity to imagine joining in on all this Euro-festival fun. I would, and probably will, take another, and another, and another Rick Steves tour. It was the first time I ever felt that I understood Picasso's cubism. "I really enjoyed the Cathedral Gaudii designed. Both Barcelona and Madrid were great in such different ways. This was our first experience with Rick Steves Tours, and it was great from beginning to end. The group dinners were some of the best we have ever had with a RS tour. "The inside of the "Gaudi" cathedral and that in Toledo were clearly wows by any standard.". I felt very pampered! ▲ Casa Batlló Gaudí-designed home topped with fanciful dragon-inspired roof. Today we'll visit the Picasso Museum, Europe's best collection of Picasso paintings, where we'll trace the story of this hometown boy-genius' art as he evolved from a kid who painted like an adult…to an adult who painted like a kid. From Day 1, meeting our fellow Tour mates and establishing friendships, and throughout the 8 days of meals, museums, and sites my wife had an awesome time. Federico was always feeding us! You'll be free for dinner on your own tonight, but first we'll prepare your taste buds with a lesson on Spain's delectable jamón and time-honored tapas culture. I had had tours with other companies in other countries and none compared to this Rick Steves' tour. Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. Had I realized that when planning the trip, I may have picked another week. Our guide's recommendation to try a vermouth bar near the hotel in Barcelona led us to compare vermouth at each city we visited, including after the tour, which was fun (now we're learning how to make it at home). As a first-time visitor to Spain, I appreciated our tour guide's support as we explored our surroundings and our independent explorations. It was a fabulous way to get to know our tour partners while learning the delights of Spanish cuisine. Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning. Hotels were good and all our travel went smoothly. ‎ Ramble down Las Ramblas, relax on Mediterranean beaches, and marvel at the sweeping curves of Gaudí's architecture with Rick Steves! Our tour took place just as Madrid was beginning to experience growing numbers of the coronavirus and this put a bit of a damper on the tour for us. One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying while on tour in the Documents section of your tour account. I would suggest going during the week although that might cause other problems for the activities shifted to Saturday. We had a fun group, an outstanding guide, some very memorable local guides, great food and wine and very good weather. Then, we'll hop a high-speed train to Madrid for its terrific tapas, masterpiece-packed Prado Museum, and a day in historic Toledo. Barcelona is a beautiful city, but Madrid surprised me at its size and how much they go all in for the Christmas holidays. The emphasis on walking, with only minimal transport by bus, and the scheduled free time most days provided a great balance of togetherness and freedom. Home / Blog; Posted on October 27, 2017 by . duty for the first few days but I never felt cheated or that the group was missing anything. Also with good free time and alternative activities. My "wow" was all the food and drinks offered.". We had a great group of very compatible people. "Every day brought a new great experience so it's hard to choose a single favorite. Agustin Ciriza was wonderful as our guide. I liked the balance between tour and free time. And Guernica at the Rena Sofia, with our local guide's chilling personal story around this time in Spain's history.". ?? This really took my breath away. Barcelona, Madrid and Toledo are all amazing cities. Also good memories of the Sunday in Madrid with the street dancing and Retiro Park.". This was my first Rick Steves tour and I was so impressed by the organization and thought that was put into the tour. He mentioned musicians play the Stradivarius collection periodically. - Great hotel location in both Barcelona! A second Wow goes to the stark realization that all the Jewish people really did have to leave Spain during the Spanish Inqusition. ▲▲ Ramblas Barcelona's colorful, gritty, tourist-filled pedestrian thoroughfare. Most days are strenuously paced with 2–8 miles of walking, including hilly terrain and lots of stairs. Our tour guide, Federico, was an absolute rock star. It was historic and incredibly beautiful. Picasso's Guernica.". ▲ Barcelona's beaches Fun-filled, man-made beach reaching from the harbor to the Fòrum. He was funny and seemed very passionate about the topics he was talking about. Our tour buddy, Helen, was fun, knowledgable, and organized. Lodging & restaurants were great. The first group dinner we were rushed out of the restaurant with out getting our after dinner coffee and drinks, with no explanation. "The Sagrada Familia was impressive. The first day of this tour he saw us in the breakfast room, did a bit of a double take, and walked up to us - he remembered our names (which he could have gotten from the tour list) BUT he also remembered our dining preferences from nine years ago! Specifically, we really valued the following: I APPRECIATE THE HELP I RECEIVED FROM THE GROUP AND TOUR GUIDE JAVIER, "BARCELONA OLD TOWN. Supplement $575. Sleep in Barcelona. Madrid was very stately. The activities were given sufficient time with many opportunities to return to some sites with no additional payments (e.g., The Prado and the Reina Sofia). Here's what you'll see and do on our Barcelona & Madrid tour: Group sightseeing events subject to change. I'm very appreciative that I am able to see these grand structures and artworks - WOW! He was resourceful, creative and pulled in exceptional local guides for particular experiences who were also extraordinary in every way. I had a wonderful time. ", Enjoyed learning from our experienced primary guid,e William, and the subject matter expert guides. Jorge Alguera Roman was informative, interesting charming. It was incredible to see. Although most of the sites on this trip were repeats from our previous trip, they were just as great as our first trip. ▲ Palau Güell Exquisitely curvy Gaudí interior and fantasy rooftop. The group of people we travelled with were great. As with all of the Rick Steves travel guides, this one was great for travel research and reference. The hotel accommodations were superb and our meals at the various restaurants were delicious and great fun! A balanced mix of architecture, art, history, eating, and touring. The first night welcome dinner was a cooking class, which was fantastic! This was my 2nd Rick Steves' tour and I was not disappointed. Inside Rick Steves Barcelona you'll find: This was an exceptional trip for me... a solo traveler in a group of mostly couples and a family pair... a terrific bunch of travel companions. "The group we were with congealed well through the leadership of Federico. Keeping the tour group small allowed us to get to know our fellow travelers. Coverage of Barcelona, Madrid and Toledo was excellent. The food and the wine... Museum of Catalan Art was an unexpected wow. ", Well organized, interesting places to visit, excellent and knowledgeable tour guides, delighted with the tour participants and delicious food, "An epiphany to the civilization and history of places we visited.". I loved the places we visited, the food we ate and the company we kept. And you could tell how much Amanda loves it. Your local guides were uniformly marvelous though the woman who took us through the Picasso museum in Barcelona was spectacular. Hotels a pleasant surprise. "Our guide, Federico, singing opera at our farewell dinnwr.". A great experience among so many packed on to this trip.". OUR TRIP WAS FACILITATED BY A SUPERIOR GUIDE. This was my 11th tour, so I already believe in the tour philosophy. At times it felt like we were getting a private tour because he paid so much personal attention to our particular interests and needs. Javier, our tour guide, did an outstanding job teaching us about Barcelona, Madrid, and the overall Spanish experience. "What is my WOW moment? The tour was very interactive and extremely informative about the history of Spain and our tour guide, Augustine, made the tours very warm! Excellent hotels, great group dinners (especially the cooking class! Toledo was historically well-preserved and fascinating. For two of the three days in Barcelona many of the shops/attractions were closed for a national feast day. Where to begin? Overall, I thought the Spain tour was wonderful; and when it is safe to do so, I would like to do the whole tour! Our day trip to Toledo was great, too. This was our first Rick Steves tour and it was fantastic. Rick Steves Pocket Barcelona works best for people taking a short trip, or perhaps a return trip, to Barcelona. The activities, from Gaudi tour, to Toledo, to museums, were well selected and well led. Tapas and wine". And our group was interested and interesting. The experience of visiting Toledo was also a wow -- the history, the architecture, and the story combined to a memorable day.". We had a wonderful group and everyone just get along. The experience of traveling on the bullet train. ▲ Fundació Joan Miró World's best collection of works by Catalan modern artist Joan Miró and his contemporaries. The one moment I enjoyed There was generally the right balance of scheduled activities and free time. I advise planning your free time in advance and definitely have mapping software downloaded on your mobile device before trekking off on your own as it's easy to get lost. "Stepping into the Sagrada Familia and seeing the sun streaming in through the stained glass windows was breathtaking. all acomodations and travel were excellent. For more information about transportation options to get to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Spain guidebook. "The famous church in Barcelona by far !". I loved loved Sagrada Familia. His knowledge and enthusiasm made me more appreciative of the culture and people. The walking tours in Barcelona were enjoyable and informative - I had been to Barcelona before but it was very nice to visit again and have a guide to show me around. Federico is among the best RS offers (top two), the guide I would want to be in my next life. Stopping on the ridge before entering the town and having the opportunity to view the town from above and across the river. I don't know what I was expecting but the Spain we experienced was more beautiful, friendly and delicious than I thought it would be. Our 3rd Rick Steves tour and it was an amazing tour from start to finish. You must see for yourself!". I SAW ALMOST ALL OF WHAT I WANTED TO, INCLUDING SOLO TRIPS TO PARK GUELL AND THE PALAU DE MUSICA CATALANA FOOD AND WINE WERE WONDERFUL. We've done several tours with Rick Steves and this was one of my favorites! History come to life with the opening of his fan and bow to his audience. Without the boxed in tour feeling were ridiculously beautiful and the overall Spanish experience another very enjoyable group people. Scenery and most important the tour had been to Europe many times but never a... Catalan art museum World-class showcase of this particular trip, they were very with! An unstoppable roll in Spain beach at Sitges is ideal for a future.. Most important the tour guides in each city we visited wo n't forget combination... 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