Call Us: (910) 742-5324

SPAIN VIP TOUR WITH THE SISTERHOOD

SEPTEMBER 16 - 29, 2023

Brush up on your Spanish because the Sisterhood is heading for Spain…one of the top destinations requested by you! There is no other country on earth quite like it and with so many areas to see, we can only do but a few on this two-week journey customized and hand-curated by Stacey Ray just for The Sisterhood. History, cultural immersion, exquisite cuisine, fine wines, and breathtaking scenery….we have it all! This is not just any trip to Spain – this is a VIP tour designed to offer you full immersions into the areas we are visiting!

We want you to join us for this very special tour where every detail has been taken care of! We know that free time is important to all of us, so we’ve ensured that you have some of that every day to do whatever you like. All of our hotels are centrally located within walking distance to restaurants, shopping and attractions. We’re also committed to providing you with top-notch, authentic dining options, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample the local fare at your leisure with your new friends and Sisters!

This tour is limited to 24 women including our Sisterhood Travels escorts..

OUR ITINERARY

September 16, 2023

Welcome to the lively capital of Catalonia – Barcelona! Upon arrival, you will be met by your private driver, who will transfer you to the hotel for check-in. We’ll be staying at the Hotel Condes de Barcelona, which is in the perfect location, and breakfast is included daily. The rest of the day is free, so you can either explore the fantastic center of Barcelona on your own, dine in one of the local restaurants or enjoy a rest before our welcome reception this evening!

This evening, join us for a Welcome Reception in the hotel with tapas and wine. This will give you some time to meet your fellow Sisters and will help to set a great tone for the journey ahead!

September 17, 2023

After breakfast, our guide will meet us in the hotel lobby and takes us on a beautiful, leisurely half-day walking tour around the most outstanding attractions of Barcelona. This beautiful city has one of the biggest and most architecturally diverse Medieval districts in Europe. During the city tour, you’ll get to see Barcelona’s Old Town called “Casc Antic” and its medieval landmarks.

We’ll walk through the maze of old narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter that was formed around the Roman forum. Then, we’ll see the Barcelona Cathedral both from the outside and the inside, pass the former Jewish District “Call”, the Sant Jaume Square, see the Generalitat Palace and City Hall from the outside, and pass the Square of the King and the former Royal Palace.

We will then proceed to the Ribera shore district, where you’ll see the Santa Maria del Mar church – the former residence of sailors, traders, and craftsmen who lived and worked there in the Middle Ages.

The tour finishes on the most vivid street in Barcelona – La Rambla, where you can take a rest at one of the open-air terraces or explore all of the local shops and street-side performances. After the tour, you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.

September 18, 2023

Following breakfast, we’ll meet your private guide and private driver to enjoy a fantastic sightseeing tour dedicated to the world-renowned architectural works of Antonio Gaudi.

We’ll start with a visit to the colorful Park Guell, where we’ll spend some time strolling through its mosaic paths and enjoying the great city views.

The day is crowned with a visit to the astonishing Sagrada Familia Basilica – the most brilliant masterpiece of Gaudi that is rightfully considered the most recognizable symbol of Barcelona.

After the tour, we’ll return to our hotel and have the rest of the day free for rest or independent exploration.

September 19, 2023

This morning, following breakfast, we’ll check out and depart from Barcelona. We’ll board our 1st class seats on the train for a 5 1/2-hour journey through the Spanish countryside on our way to San Sebastian.

A hidden pearl of sun-kissed Spain, charming San Sebastian is a remarkable destination you won’t want to miss during your vacation. Even though this town is considered one of the most prestigious resorts in the entire country, you won’t be bothered by too many crowds during your stay! Beloved by travelers and locals, San Sebastian seems to have it all for a perfect holiday: a quiet scenic bay, sandy beaches, and a great infrastructure promising you a high level of comfort during the entire trip.

Upon arrival, our driver will meet us at the airport and transfer our group to our hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your own leisure to relax after the trip or start exploring the wondrous sights in the city. We’ll be staying at the Hotel NH Collection San Sebastian Aranzazu, which includes our daily breakfast.

September 20, 2023

Following breakfast, we will start the day with a comprehensive sightseeing tour of the city and set off to marvel at some of the most renowned gems of San Sebastian.

During the tour, you’ll see the Kursaal Palace area and the historical Neo-Gothic-style Cathedral as well, dating back to the 19th century. You also visit one of the most-visited tourist sites – Santa Maria del Coro’s Basilica, an 18th-century baroque church built on an ancient Roman temple site. We will then proceed to a local market and shopping area, and wander around the charming Old Town, the picturesque port, and the bay of La Concha.

We will also have Pintxos tastings with some wine, which will set a great tone for the remainder of the day!

After the tour, we’ll return to the hotel and have the rest of the day free for rest or independent exploration.

September 21, 2023

Today is free for you to enjoy and explore San Sebastian on your own. Set off to explore some of the most scenic corners of the city – don’t worry – our guide will give us plenty of suggestions! You might also want to join our optional day trip to Pamplona. ($)

September 22, 2023

Following breakfast, we’ll meet our private driver and continue your journey through some of the most picturesque sceneries in Europe as we head to Bilbao, the home of Basque cuisine! Upon arrival, the rest of the day is yours to rest or independently explore. We’ll be staying at NH Collection Villa de Bilbao.

September 23, 2023

Following breakfast, we will meet our experienced guide, who will take us on a fantastic sightseeing tour around the city’s most interesting landmarks.

Today, we’ll enjoy a private guided tour of the Guggenheim-Bilbao museum, explore the Casco Viejo – Old Town made up by the city’s 7 calles – streets that are the origins of Bilbao, pass the beautiful Cathedral of Santiago, and enjoy the views of the Yohn’s Palace or the Arriaga theater – named in honor of the “Spanish Mozart”.

After the tour, you return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free until dinner. We’ll be dining at Los Fueros Restaurant. Opened back in 1878, the bistro-style restaurant “Los Fueros” holds the title of the oldest operating dining venue in the whole city and treats its guests to traditional Basque cuisine with a modern touch.

September 24, 2023

After breakfast, we’ll meet our wine expert driver-guide and embark on a day trip to the Rioja region to visit a couple of traditional wineries producing the world-famous Rioja wine under the local wine appellation in La Rioja Alta and La Rioja Alavesa. We’ll have a guided tour of each winery with tastings and then a private lunch with wine. Later, we’ll travel through the region through the vineyards stopping at the medieval village of Laguardia. You’ll be able to enjoy the magnificent modern architecture of the most famous wineries in the area. After the tour, we will head to our hotel in Madrid.

The pulsing heart of Spain, artistic Madrid is the most vivid embodiment of the fiery Spanish spirit and the national love for freedom. Imbued with a royal touch, the Madrid city center deeply impresses visitors with the scale of the architectural ensemble, starting from the biggest Royal Palace in Europe to monumental buildings, lavish parks, and spacious squares like the majestic Plaza Mayor Square and the famous Puerta del Sol Square housing the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, the symbol of Madrid.

After a relaxing 2 1/2 hour drive through the beautiful Spanish countryside, Bienvenido a Madrid – the glorious Spanish capital and one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

The rest of the evening is free, so you can start exploring the magnificent old town on your own, dine in one of the authentic local restaurants or take a good rest in your lovely room at Eurostars Casa de la Lirica where your daily breakfast is included.

September 25, 2023

Today, prepare to enjoy a fascinating sightseeing tour around the most brilliant attractions of Madrid de los Austrias – the amazing old town of the Spanish capital that treasures historical monuments dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries when Spain was ruled by the House of the Habsburg.

After breakfast, we’ll meet our private guide and set off on a journey around the city. We’ll walk toward Plaza de Oriente, admire and then enter the gorgeous Palacio Real (the Royal Palace), see the beautiful exteriors of the Catedral Nuestra Senora de la Almudena, and stroll through Major Street.

Next, we’ll proceed to Plaza de la Villa, pass through the always-bustling St. Michel’s Market, and walk down the picturesque Cava de San Miguel. We’ll finish at the iconic Plaza Mayor and breathtaking Puerta del Sol.

And in the afternoon and evening… An awesome cooking experience!

Visit the Antón Martín market to buy the groceries and continue to cooking school, where we start our culinary experience by preparing sangría and our starter – a refreshing tomato-based chilled soup called gazpacho. Next, we’ll start making our own paella, the most international Spanish dish, based on rice, seafood, and chicken. The chef tells you about the Spanish culture as well as handy tips that help you make a paella to be proud of, and after cooking, our group will gather to enjoy our mouth-watering dinner.

September 26, 2023

Today we’re going to explore the so-called Madrid of the Bourbons – the 19th-century historical area of the Spanish capital.

During the tour, our guide walks us through a chain of fabulous squares – Puerta de Alcala, Plaza Cibeles, and three monumental fountains: Cibeles, Apolo, and Neptuno, and then we’ll proceed to the Spanish Parliament building. Next, we’ll see the main terminus of the capital – Atocha train station and explore the area of the Golden Triangle of Art, made up of the three most important art museums of Madrid – the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, and the Reina Sofia.

The tour’s highlight is visiting one of the world’s greatest art galleries and Madrid’s top cultural sight – the Prado Museum. This venue houses a unique collection of fine art displayed in the halls and rooms of this 18th-century Neo-Classical building. We’ll see the most significant gems of the museum’s collection, including the famous masterpieces of El Greco, Velazquez, Goya, Raphael, and Rubens.

September 27, 2023

Today is a free day for you to enjoy Madrid and recharge your batteries!

September 28, 2023

Today is devoted entirely to the exploration of Toledo – the former Spanish capital and one of the oldest towns in Europe.

Following breakfast, we’ll walk to the train station and enjoy a 30-minute train ride to Toledo. Upon arrival, our local guide will meet us at the train station and take us on a city tour around the mesmerizing landmarks of ancient Toledo.

During the tour, we’ll walk through the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, explore the fortified city walls and see the famous UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval architecture, including the 13th-century Cathedral of Toledo and Synagogue (entrances included).

We will be having a private mini-concert with Spanish singing sensation Ana Alcaide – this is exclusive to our group only!

After the tour we’ll return to Madrid by train, walk to our hotel and have the rest of the day free.

September 29, 2023

Sadly, today is the day we will be returning home. We’ll be transferred to the airport in our private group transportation.

Package Inclusions

13 Nights of accomodations in upscale hotels located in the heart of the city center, within walking distance to restaurants, shops, and attractions
3 Nights in Barcelona, 3 Nights in San Sebastian, 2 Nights in Bilbao, and 5 Nights in Madrid (14 days)
Daily breakfast
Welcome Reception on the night of arrival in Barcelona with tapas and wines
Private roundtrip airport transfers, private touring transportation, and first-class trains
Private sightseeing tours daily with admissions included
Entrance to Sagrada Familia
Pintxos tasting with wine
Private guided tour of the Guggenheim Museum
Private dinner at Los Fueros in Bilbao
Private wineries tours in the Rioja region with private lunch
Private paella and sangria cooking class
Entrance to Prado Museum
Private full day tour to Toledo
Private concert with Spanish singing sensation Ana Alcaide
Farewell Dinner
Local guides
Sisterhood Travels escorts
Deluxe Goody Bag
and so much more!

Pricing

$ 6599

per person

See Package Inclusions above to see what this price includes

$ 7899

per person

See Package Inclusions above to see what this price includes

Travel Insurance: quote provided upon request. We strongly recommend that all travelers have travel insurance. Quotes are based on price of your trip and age.

COVID-19 INFORMATION: At this time, you do not have to be vaccinated to travel on this tour. However, we fully anticipate that this could change pending regulation changes in Spain.

Need a Roommate?

Cancellation & Refunds

Activity Level:

Moderate

This is a moderately paced itinerary that involves some longer days and more activities. Expect some early hotel departures, and limited time for day time rest and rejuvenation as the itineraries are designed to ensure that you see as much as possible in these wonderful destinations. This may include longer coach journeys and guests should be able to join a walking tour lasting 1-2 hours with stops possibly over uneven terrain. Guests should have reasonable health and mobility and be comfortable with standing for longer periods of time with no difficulty.