Best of Spain in 14 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steve's Tour and everything was fabulous. There were changes to our itinerary due to last minute festivities, which exceeded any expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alahambra, meeting Rick Steve in person, and the festival (Feria del Jerez) in Andalucia"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our overall tour experience was excellent. Our tour guide Robert did a fantastic job.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "wow" moments during the tour. However, the favorite would be the bull fighting ring and history."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experience, great tour, great guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alhambra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was great: our guide, Robert, the local guides, the museums, cathedrals and places we went to. I enjoyed the visits to learn about bull breeding, olive oil production and Andalusian horse breeding. The hotels were clean, comfortable, and well located to access the central areas of the cities and towns. This was a great tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had too many to list just one, but I loved the Sagreda de Familia, the Cathedral in Toledo, dinner with a view of the Alhambra, the Alhambra palace, going to the Jerez Equestrian Fair, Alcazar in Sevilla, seeing the religious procession in Sevilla, the flamenco performance, and singing Happy birthday to Rick Steves!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner in Granade overlooking the Alhambra"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall good tour, we had an awesome guide (Robert) and wonderful group of people, but traveled solo & paid single supplement of $57/nt. to get the smallest, least desirable room in every city. At that price should have had rooms equal to the couples. Tour spends a lot of time in large cities and huge tourist attractions, so crowds crowds everywhere. The best parts were in the smaller venues/cities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"no big wows, favorite moments - rustic lunch at the olive farm, dinner across from the Alhambra, joining in religious procession in Sevilla, Fair in Jerez."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was excellent! Robert was a great guide! Knowledgeable, fun and set a positive tone for the group. Itinerary was perfect paced - efficient yet relaxed enough to make it enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved that Robert made a last minute adjustment to the schedule so we could experience the "feria" in Jerez."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our fifth Rick Steves tour and it was another great tour. We traveled with a very fun group, had good guides, and learned so much about Spain and the culture. I love the ease of having everything planned for you – hotels, tickets, guides, transportation. It makes the trip so much more enjoyable, and I get to see a lot more than if I had planned the trip myself.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra was amazing. I really enjoyed the guided tour during the day and especially liked seeing the Alhambra lit up at night while enjoying an amazing dinner. I also loved Barcelona and the hill towns. Meeting Rick Steves in Arcos was also very memorable!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were very happy overall. Augustin was a very good person and an excellent guide. His unwavering good spirits were a pleasant surprise each morning. The itinerary was interesting and complete. The hotels were better than we expected especially the Arcos hotel with the terrace overlooking Andalusia. The food was excellent, again better than expected. Honestly, we have no complaints only praises for Augustin and all else. I would

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would say my ‘wow’ moment was when the bus stopped our motorized tour of Toledo and we had a panoramic view of the old city, the walls, the river etc. We loved visiting all the cathedrals and museums but my favorite day was waking up in Arcos, having breakfast on my terrace, visiting the Andalusian horse farm in Jerez then the Jerez street fair, which we came to learn was an ‘add’ to our itinerary. The sherry winery visit that day was not much but a nice try. The guide could have been better."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Much better experience than I could have had if I organised the trip myself All guides were amazing Group activities were very well chosen and generally inaccessible for the solo traveller Breakfasts were generally not substantial enough and I was often hungry afterwards Would have been good to have some optional activities for which we can pay extra to do in the spare time. Sometimes I didn't feel like organising anything myself.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the matador's farm. This was a very memorable experience that I couldn't have ever done by myself. It was amazing to meet the matador as well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

So much fun. Perfect balance of structured and free time.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful group, just the right amount of group activity. Excellent guide, Javier Menor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of it, until we got covid on day 9 and had to leave the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved having our transportation, group meals, and tickets for sight seeing attractions all taken care of. When I did venture on my own my guide had given great advice on how to use local transportation. I also enjoyed our little stops to sample some of the local food such as churros and the cookies that the nuns made.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many highlights I could mention but my favorite was dinner on a beautiful restaurant outdoor seating area overlooking the Alhambra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first Rick Steves' Tour but definitely not our last! Amazing experience! Excellence in all areas from the guides, to the hotels, to the food, to the experiences! Loved every minute!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So hard to say-- Turning around from the Metro stop and seeing The Sagrada Familia "right there"(!), The Alhambra, seeing Picasso's "Guernica" in person, feeling like a time traveler everyday!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip to Spain was fabulous! We loved each place we went , but I have to say Granada was my favorite. The guides at each site were wonderful—so knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being with our tour guide, Javier was the very BEST! You must always keep him. He is smart, kind, fun, and so dependable. He is what made our trip a success!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We, unfortunately, got COVID on day 9, but loved everything about the tour up to that point.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite was having dinner across from the Alhambra and watching the sun set on it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The quality of a Rick Steves tour always starts with the guide. Todd was a great guide on so many levels. His knowledge of Spanish culture and history was great and his teaching style lent itself to easy understanding. His attention to detail kept Arturo on schedule, and when the worst little snafu‘s he was able to adjust. I appreciated this about Todd and plus he was very passionate about what he did and it rubbed off. The places we went or amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Alhambra was special. I particularly enjoyed the countryside more then the big cities, but I enjoyed the museums and art of the big cities."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed the art, the tapas, and our guide,Todd!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia and Alhambra at night"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I felt I had a thorough orientation to Spain, both the history, architecture, cultural, and economics. Todd was very knowledgeable and helpful in learning about Spain

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alhambra---seeing it the evening before from a wonderful outdoor dining area with the lights on it and a tour the following day!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved each of the tour days we were able to experience. Todd was an outstanding guide! He put together a detailed handout for each stop that was particularly helpful. His care and attention to the group’s needs were exceptional. Unfortunately, my husband ended up being hospitalized on day 5 of the tour so we were unable to continue with the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Well, honestly my answer has to be my husband’s release from the hospital on what would have been the final day of the tour. While we enjoyed the tour stops, nothing exceeded our joy of his full recovery!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoyed Sagrada Familia and also the quieter Arcos area. Scenery beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved everything - itinerary, daily activities, places visited, food... Our tour guide was also really good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tour of the Reservatauro farm was a real WOW for me. Unexpected and absolutely fascinating place!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Despite have ng some kind of allergy or cold most of the trip, I got to meet some interesting folks and see some things I’d only read about.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia. Far and away."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our third RS tour and it was as enjoyable as our first two. Todd was an excellent guide and his knowledge of the country and his experience as a tour guide for many years really showed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As many have said, the dinner on the outdoor patio as the sun set and the lights came on the Alhambra had to be the top wow moment. Close seconds were the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the view from our room's patio in the hill town of Arcos de la Frontera, and actually meeting Rick Steves in person while he was doing research in Toledo."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th RS tour. It met all expectations and more. I commend the RS organization for their operational excellence!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many but I would have to distill it down to the people on the tour. They were all welcoming, conversational, inquisitive and a pleasure to interact with."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good tour. 1,000+ years of history and architecture, Spanish culture meant lots to look at. Add in fun tour colleagues and the tour was a enjoyable delight.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The massive Alahambra. Astounding beauty. The work effort to construct is incredible."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great people, interesting places, good food and wine. Few decisions to be made and everything goes so smooth. A great way to see a new country. This was our 4th RS tour and we will be back for a fifth.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our tour guide was super alert and somehow recovered a purse stolen from one of our group members in less than 10 minutes. WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned a lot from olives to bulls, to the raising of beautiful horses, not to mention, wine tasting, sherry tasting and amazing, old, and very modern Spanish art and architecture. The local guides were very knowledgeable and entertaining, as was our, guide, James Scanlan.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think Alhambra was the 'wow' moment, and a close second was the Prado art collection."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Filled with wonderful cultural experiences

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sagradia Familia"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I got an excellent introduction to Spain, its people, history, geography, historical landmarks and culture. Generally well paced. Accommodations and transportation we’re comfortable and efficient. Our guide, and all local guides, we’re very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner overlooking the Alhambra at night!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Found it educational as well as fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alhambra in Granada."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour was extremely well organized and our host, James, was on top of all details and potential threats. while on a city tour in Toledo, James was bringing up the rear of our group and was spot on to intervene and recover the stollen wallet of one our tour members. Some cash was lost, but all personal documents were recovered.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Absolutely the wow moments of each Rick Steves tour for me is getting out into the countryside and personally experiencing how the people of each particular country live and survive. In Spain to be able to be on a farm when bulls are raised for bullfights, to tour and experience a family owned Olive Oil Mill and also visit a local Andalusian Horse Farm. The variety of venues on this tour is nothing short of outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Robert was our guide and he did everything to make our visit to Spain memorable. Without an experienced, professional tour guide like Robert our trip would not have been the same. I hope your company continues to hire quality guides as I believe they make the difference. I believe this is where the Rick Steves organzation distinguishes itself from the competition.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"La Sagrada Familia was breathtaking. We were told that it might be finished in 10 years. Not sure, but if that happens, we will return to Spain on another Rick's Steves trip. Other "experiences" that your trip provided added so much to understanding and enjoying Spain. For instance, the olive oil manufacturing and the lunch provided for our group. Not only was the lunch delicious but the family dog played fetch with many of us! Thank you"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The our was almost perfect. The guides, Robert and Francisco, were outstanding. There was only one time I would have referred a different stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, but if I had to pick one, i would have to pick La Grata Familia Cathedral. The April Festa in Saville would be second."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed our first time RS tour. The breadth of the experience, sights and subject matter expertise on the cultures, history and places visited were wonderful by all measures.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The evening dinner across from the Alhambra in Grenada. The view as the sun set was spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have now taken 6 RS tours and found Best of Spain to be one of the best. We believe Robert to be one of the best guides we have had of our tours, his knowledge and excitement about Spain, one of our highlights. We loved the Best of Spain, however a few suggestions. The 2 nights in Arcos, the tour of the Government Horse farm and lunch in Jerez could have been replaced with just a lunch in Arcos for the view ( taxi ride to top of tour). an added nite in Sevilla or trip to a coastal town.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The guide Robert and Assist guide Francisco bringing Spain to life for us and the nights in Granada and Sevilla. Dinner overlooking the Alhambra, WOW. The food was a treat as if was different then Europe and who could forget yummy Tinto De Verano's by the pitcher ! The history is so different and mostly untouched by WW I and II. Thank you"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was fantastic. Fast paced and more to do than the time allowed. The group meals were varied and we got a wide range of the foods in Spain. The tour guide had great suggestions on restaurants, places to visit in our free time, and helpful ideas on transportation around the cities, towns, and villages. The individual guides in the cities set a good pace, were easy to understand, and provided excellent information about each site. They also had good suggestions on things to do.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was a toss up between touring the windmills in LaMancha and eating dinner in Granada as the sun set on the Alhambra as our entertainment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour but, like the brochure says, it’s rather strenuous. Personally I thought the tour got better as it went on and Sevilla was perfect. Shout out to our guide, Helen, who was attentive, friendly and was always on top of the logistics!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sagrada Familia was on my bucket list so that was my favorite moment, but there were many others."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Barcelona and Madrid were very crowded, but that is not related to the tour group. I especially enjoy staying in the smaller hotels and of the cities enjoyed Sevilla the most.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Arcos la Frontera"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The overall experience of a Rick Steves tour is always great. It's an efficient way to see a number of places in a short period of time. It's just for me, my personal desire is for good photos and it's not specifically geared towards that. So I was disappointed in some cases an in some locations (e.g. staying OUTSIDE of Ronda). But I accept all of that and will continue to consider other Rick Steves tours in the future.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would probably say that going through the Alhambra in Granada was my favorite moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As always, this RS tour of Spain was excellent! Enjoyed every single minute!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, but if I have to pick one "wow" moment, it would be the La Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous! We have 3 phenomenal guides and Spain is an amazing country!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Coming out of the metro and seeing Sagrada Familia!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great trip with my wife the tour guides were fantastic Helen, Adriana and Todd. One of the best tour group I've been with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The evening carriage ride thru Sevilla"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great agenda, great guides, excellent planning and preparation!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seville procession floats tour."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Competent and engaging guide, interesting experiences, mostly acceptable lodging.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing in el Prado before the Masters."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our fifth RS tour and my favorite thus far. The tour was well organized, full of interesting activities, lead by an experienced and enthusiastic tour guide, Helen, and two additional tour guides in training who added so much to the overall experience, plus an enjoyable and nice group of tour members. It was great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many WOW moments. Touring La Sagrada Familia, Alhambra, and the Easter brotherhood floats in Sevilla were all spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a fun group of experienced travelers, everyone got along well. Our guide, Helen, is fabulous... caring, knowledgeable, and just an awesome person! We also benefited from having two fantastic assistant guides, Adriana and Todd. The weather cooperated with blue skies, and warm sunny days. I was not a fan of the bull farm visit, and feel that it was unethical to contribute to the terrible tradition of the bullfight.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sagrada Familia was amazing, and certainly qualifies as a wow moment! The Alhambra in Granada and Alcazar palace of Sevilla are unbelievably beautiful, and also on the 'wow' list."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great variety of walking tours along the way as well as plenty of free time to explore on our own. Accommodations were of high quality. And the guide was the best!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia. WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Typical Rick Steves tour! Excellent all the way around. Tour number five for us, expectations exceeded!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Barcelona Familia!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guides were very knowledgeable and helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I likes the first hotel and dinner"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Variety and knowledge

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Segovia"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The trip was wonderful as an introduction to Spain. The guides (Helen, Todd and Adriana) were outstandingly good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The City of Sevilla -- it was stunning."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My first time to Spain, and I learned so much about the food, culture, and architecture. I never knew it has so much to offer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The churches that were built 100's of years ago that are so beautiful and still standing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lots of sites, activities and tours that took us to the front of the line. Great food and plenty of it, lots of wine and laughs! Our guide James was energetic, affable and knowledgeable. He made sure that everyone was comfortable. I will ask for him again when we book the Basque Country Tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Inside La Sagrada Familia with its soaring columns and vaults, and experiencing the sunlight basking the inside with the colors of the stained glass windows…so peaceful, majestic and beautiful !"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the Alhambra and the Alcarez in Seville."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide, Roberta, was outstanding. We were very happy with all of the local guides and the experiences included in the tour. It was a bit stressful to lose half of our tour-mates to Covid.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite part of the tour was seeing the Andalusian horse farm and visiting the ganadaria and the plaza de toros in Ronda."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved it. Some days were a bit tiring from all the walking but there was so much to see and do that it was totally worth it. And our guide was fantastic. She's very knowledgeable, fun, and personable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tough to narrow down to one moment but I'd hav to say the Oleum Viride olive oil factory visit in Sierra de Cádiz. The olive oil tasting and subsequent meal were sumptuous. We've placed an order with them to have some olive oil shipped to us and greatly look forward to experiment with the various flavors. The suckling pig meal in Segovia is a close second. Such amazing food!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We got COVID early in trip and had to leave. Our guide was wonderful before we got sick and handled the situation beautifully

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Local tour in Barcelona including Sagrida Familia"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent. Mostly well-paced, and lots of variety.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably a tie between the meal in Granada overlooking the Alhambra at night, or the Flamenco show."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour provided what we have come to expect in RSE tours ...a well planned and executed cultural learning experience as well as being highly enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No doubt ... the Al Hambra ... both at our wonderful dinner venue the night before and our tour/lingering at this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I found this Rick Steves tour to be an efficient and highly enjoyable way to experience the highlights of Spain. I particularly enjoyed the well-planned itinerary and guided walks by knowledgable local guides. The hotels and restaurants included in the tour tended to be characteristic and memorable. I used the Rick Steves guidebook to plan free time, which to me was essential for getting the most out of the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The big cities such as Barcelona and Madrid were my main motivations for visiting Spain, and they did not disappoint. However, I was unexpectedly delighted by some of the countryside sites, including the windmills, bull farm, and olive oil factory."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall the trip was great. Very well planned and organized. Our guide, Helen, was amazing and she went out of her way to make sure we were all safe, healthy, and enjoying the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite spot was the Alhambra in Granada. Very impressive. I also enjoyed the beauty of Arcos de la Frontera and the Andulsian area."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour guides at various locations were knowledgeable. There was a great mixture of highlights of large cities and small towns. There were a variety of great experiences from views from a cliff top hotel to seeing masterpieces in museums and the guide giving some local color to Spain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Alhambra. Both the dinner with a view at night and touring the facility the next day was a "Wow" moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Spanish castles and churches were different from others I have seen in Europe. The Moorish influence added a very new element to my European experiences. Very different and unique

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was not on the tour, it was at the conclusion of our few extra days at the end of the tour. We had done a Tapas bar as suggested in the book, taken the train to Madrid on our own, wandered the city park in Madrid on Sunday with all the other folks, witnessed a couple of demonstrations and fumbled with Spanish to get a restaurant bill corrected. Looking at it all, I thought, we can really do this travel thing in a different country..."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a wonderful time adventuring in Spain. Our guide, the places we visited, the local guides, our accommodations and bus driver were all exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Could never choose one. Each stop provided many "wow" moments."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a very active tour, with lots of walking ( a little more than we anticipated), beautiful sights, interesting information shared by excellent guides, and some extraordinary experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia, and other Gaudi sights. He was a genius! The light coming through the stained glass inside the church was breathtaking. Also loved the scenery on the trip south, especially the hills covered with olive trees."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well done tour. Excellent guide. Hotels were great. We got to see a great cross-section of Spain

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alihabra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour definitely covered the highlights of Spain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "Wow" moment was having a group dinner in Granada with a view of the Alhambra and seeing "Guernica" at the Reina Sofia, and visiting Sagrada Familia."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was my 8th with Rick Steves and was definitely one of the best. All of the tour activities were top notch, and Robert was an engaged and always enthusiastic guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from my room in Arcos. The entire experience with the Carthusian horses was a WOW as well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It's a joy to travel with a group of friendly people who are eager to learn about other cultures, with a guide who is so knowledgeable and exudes enthusiasm.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to The Alhambra and its amazing architecture and gardens."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time thanks to Robert and our group

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every day waking up to new adventures."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We give each of our grandchildren a Rick Steves trip for graduation. Spain was number 3. As usual it exceeded our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spain was a new destination. Our previous Rick Steves trips we ate very well. On this trip, "We Dined". The food was over the top! and we are foodies. The Alhambra blew us away. You have got to see it to believe it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour and tour guide Robert met all expectations and then some!!! What a memorable travel adventure!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many to choose from, however, the terrace view from our hotel in Arcos was a dream come true!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful itinerary. Lots of walking and climbing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sites: Sagrada Familia Hotel El Convento Calle Maldonado, 2 Arcos de la Frontera. It was worth the climb."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a wonderful time in a wonderful country with wonderful fellow travelers guided by a wonderful tour director.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner across from the lit up Alhambra"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

this was my 10th rs tour so i know what to expect. my first was the barcelona/madrid tour almost 10 years ago. i wanted to return since there's so much to see in barcelona & i wanted to see the morish architecture of the south. the tour met my expectations. the tour director was knowledgeable as i expect from rs. we stayed on schedule & saw all the sites & more. all the hotels were nice to very nice & centrally located. the food was good. another good rs experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the alahambra in granada. it was one of the main reasons i took the tour. love the architecture, but especially how the fountains & water combined with the environment inside & out. the gardens were lovely. the guide was good. a place where you want to spend more time, but there were so many people. also the alacazar in seville for many of the same reasons. less crowded & had more time to explore the beautiful grounds & reflecting pools throughout."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was excellent—the hotels, the guides, the special local guides, the tour destinations and all the people on the tour were friendly and respectful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The group meals were fun and delicious."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded my expectations. I really experienced Spain and loved it. Beautiful country and people. The food, the monuments, the cities and towns, the art, and more - all outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Granada - Dinner overlooking the Alhambra and touring it the next morning. Toledo, Sevilla, Segovia, Rhonda and the Fronteras were awesome as well!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyed our trip and had a great tour leader. Fellow tour group were all great. So many amazing sights and panoramic vistas. Delicious food and some fantastic meals. Some excellent local guides. I am ready to go back and spend more time in Spain perhaps some long term stays. However, too many cathedrals and too much time in them. It was not easy enough to opt out. Although I did on one occasion. In 2 others it was too difficult to opt out. I was not the only one in our group who felt this way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"View of the Alhambra from our restaurant"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was impressed by Spain. I used to think the Northern France tour was my favorite RS tour, but the 14 day tour of Spain topped that. The cathedrals, castles, palaces, museums were impressive as were the visits to two bullrings (one on our own) the bull, horse and olive oil farms and visits to Segovia, Toledo and Ronda. The food was good to excellent everywhere. The tour guide, Mayte was fun and knowledgeable, we enjoyed spending time with Eszter and the entire travel group worked well together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Goudi buildings including the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Alhambra in Granada and the aqueduct in Segovia."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"LaMancha. I loved the windmills, blue sky, saffron store and the fabulous outdoor lunch."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I found Spain to be fascinating and extremely enjoyable. The people were friendly and welcoming, the country was beautiful, and the food was tremendous. James was an an excellent and knowledgeable tour guide and his insights added a great deal to the overall experience. The local tour guides were also outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a lot of such moments. My big one, however, was being in the room at the Alhambra in Granada where Queen Isabella agreed to fund the voyage of Columbus. Think of how the course of the world and all of history changed in that room."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Spain was wonderful! Our guide spoiled us with "treats" (both food & experiences). My husband & I were supposed to take this tour in September 2020 so I was a bit hesitant about traveling in a COVID world but I followed protocols and masked in crowds--no problems whatsoever!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many but my two favorites were: outdoor dinner in Granada across from Alhambra Moorish palace which was illuminated; the view from our hotel room in Arcos especially at night."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

What a great adventure! Nice people to travel with, very knowledgeable guides, interesting stops, and good food to try.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Outdoor dinner at the corner restaurant in Arcos with spanish guitar and singing provided by a local musician."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall it was a wonderful tour. Breathtaking sites, good weather and Helen was awesome with an impressive knowledge of history!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved our hotel and the gorges in Ronda! That was my WOW moment!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was amazing. It was extremely active!We saw so much and had so many extra special experiences. Helen and the other tour members were great. We made wonderful friends on this trip. We did get Covid the next to last day of our trip. The hotel in Seville, Helen, and the Rick Steves staff were very helpful and accommodating.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several “wow” moments from this tour. However, the Alhambra lit up at night was breathtaking! I have never seen such a beautiful landscape!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a terrific guide (Margaret), great food, great history and culture teaching and wonderful accommodations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are too many to list but the vibrancy of Barcelona and Madrid come to mind as well as the amazing vistas at Ronda and Arcos."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great destinations, activities, and local tours. As always, the most fun part was the people--our guide Margaret and the tour members. Loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner with our tour friends with the illuminated Alhambra in the background. Stunning setting."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Spain tour was amazing! With Margaret as our guide, we experienced all of Spain's culture, food, history, beauty and people. Visiting big cities such as Barcelona and Madrid and then smaller towns such as Granda, Sevilla and Ronda, among others, really kept the tour interesting. We had a wonderful group of people that we travelled with, as it seems to be on each Rick Steves' tour that we take.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many really, but I would say that the gorge in Ronda was amazing! What a "Wow" it was!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Interesting learning experience enveloped in fun atmosphere.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gaudy cathedral"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized and run. Amazing! Loved Margaret's leadership and warmth!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner overlooking the Alhambra"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Spain was a lovely, cultural experience with many beautiful sites to see. Margaret was a wonderful guide and we enjoyed her tour very much!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Lahambra was beautiful and the gardens were spectacular!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was well organized with just the right amount of guided activities and free time for us to explore each city on our own. Margaret, our tour guide, was outstanding. At each stop, after group activities were over for the day, she gave recommendations for places to visit and restaurants to try in our free time. And, the local guides for each city tour were informative and entertaining as they shared the history of the locations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As with any Rick Steves tour there were so many "wow" moments it's very difficult to narrow it down to just one. My top three were: seeing the Sagrada Familia in person, visiting the opulent Royal Palace in Madrid, and the view of the Alhambra from our dinner venue while the sun was setting."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour took us to a variety of small towns, large cities, museums, churches, local businesses and cultural experiences that I will not forget. Local foods/dishes provided when lunch or dinners were provided. Not a lot of free time to see all of the sites in Barcelona, so my advice is to arrive 2-3 days before the tour begins. It was very evident our guide loves Spain and proud of her country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Flamingo Dancing was fun and fascinating to watch."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour seem to start out with some challenges. The guild was new to running a Rick Steve's tour and appeared to be a bit nervous and had some communication issues. However, as the tour progressed she settled down and her sense of humor came through. Our guide was very knowledgeable but the information she was trying to provide was not well organized and she would offer go off on tangents. Nevertheless, we truly enjoyed the tour and the guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would say we had two "wow" moments on this trip. First, in Ronda the "assistant" guide, Gabrielle, joined my wife and I on a hick down into the gorge to see the water fall - beautiful. The second moment came in Arcos, a beautiful little town on a hill-side. Our hotel was wonderful and our room had a large deck with an amazing view. In the evening, we sat our on the deck with friends and watched the the sunset enjoying a fine bottle of Cava that we had pick up in Barcelona. Fantastic!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, good group of attendees. Our guide did a terrific job. Accommodations were very nice, great food and good guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alcazar in Sevilla and the Alhambra in Granada. Remarkable history."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I loved our group, everyone was so friendly and got along so well. Our tour guide Jorge really cared about us and did his best to ensure we had a great time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra was breathtakingly beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We really liked meeting our fellow travelers. We loved the location of the hotels. All guides were very knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding Tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alahambra and Alcazar"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was a gift to my wife and I’m so grateful that it was a great experience for her. My wife is now going to be making tapas and tinto de verano at home.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Alhambra in Granada. I was amazed by its beauty and its historial significance. In fact, our goal was to gain a better understanding of how España’s history related to our own history and the connections were uncanny."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Beautiful country, warm people, fun tour group and guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First of all, our tour guide, James, was superior which l think is better than excellent. Next, our group of fellow travelers were the best, experienced tourists but most of all they made our trip the best that it could possibly be, thanks so much and hope our paths cross again. As with all Rick Steves tours the accommodations and meals were great, with central locations and each representative of Spain’s culture. The many excursions were well thought out and brought the areas to light.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cathedrals and historical areas were beautiful but the bull farm, olive oil production plant and the horse facility helped me understand who the Spanish people are and the pride they share. Lunch at the olive oil plant was special, relaxing and memorable. And again our fellow travelers."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved Segovia's aqueduct and group dinner. The sunset dinner and view of the Alhambra was spectacular! The gorge in Rhonda was magnificent. The setting and view from the hotel in Arcos was breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was a good mix of organized tours and free time. I enjoyed learning about the history of Spain from Roman times to the present, as well as the tours of an olive oil farm, Andalusian horses, and Bulls for fighting. James was a fantastic guide, going above and beyond to share his knowledge with us, as were the local guides. Hotels in cities were all great and well located in the middle of the action. Hotels in Ronda and Arcos were amazing and relaxing at the same time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sagrada Familia is amazing - also the Alhambra at sunset in Granada. Seeing the fantastic art work done by the moors inside palaces was totally unexpected."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great spots and a great tour guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Just all the history"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We saw many fascinating sites. It was well paced;with the right amount of open time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner across from Alhambra. Touring La Sagrada Familia."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The best part was my new companions I was traveling with over the two weeks. I feel like we covered a lot of ground, saw a lot but it began to feel repetitious. .

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra was breathtaking. We first saw it in the evening from our group dinner. It was a great surprise."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Absolutely loved our guide Helen, she made everything fun and flow perfectly!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the dinner overlooking Alhambra and our tour the next day with a local guide who was very good and informative!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide (Helen and Margaret), great group, great itinerary!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra lit up at night."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Part pilgrimage, historical, architectural,l and if you love wine this is the tour. The history of Catholicism is around every corner. A beautiful country with beautiful people rich in history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Santa Maria de la Sede Cathedral and the tower/Giralda and its view in Seville. The ramp to the top of the tower was easy to climb."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very Organized and all details being handled by our tour guides made for a great trip. Loved the combination of guided tours and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several: Loved staying in the heart of Barcelona and Sevilla and acting like a local; The view from our El Convent hotel room in Arcos; the Alhambra, both the view and visiting it."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 2nd Rick Steves Tour. We loved Spain. Our tour guides were fabulous. The day guides were very knowledgeable. Spain was surprisingly affordable - 1:1 Euro/Dollar was great. We ate and drank wine like Kings at very affordable prices. Food variety was good. 14 days an be long. We especially enjoyed Barcelona and Sevilla.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Overall city walkability was very exciting. Barcelona and Sevilla were “wow” cities. Both hotels in those cities were double outstanding. Also impressive was wine-tasting in Madrid and the unique Moroccan experience in Granada. The Convent Hotel room views in Arcos was also breathtaking. Suckling Pig inSegovia was a “theatre” experience and so tasty."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very interesting Great hotels in wonderful locations Helen and Margaret were wonderful helpful and fun guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alhambra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Super group of people it seems like we bonded at the first meeting! I got COVID on day 5 and I was really impressed with how well the RSE team took care of everything.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner in Grenada over looking the Alhambra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceptionally knowledgeable guides, really nice accommodations, grand overview of Spain!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Educational. Lots of excursions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"THE WOW moment was having dinner on the Albayzin hill for a scrumptious dinner with the view of Alhambra across the way all lit up with a full moon rising above it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Intersting places to explore at every location. The guides were informative and engaging. Joint meals had good combination of regional specialties for the adventurous dinner (me) and those more inclined toward the familiar.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner with the Alhambra lit up at night in the background."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful - a great way to get a feel for Spain beyond just the most famous cities and tourist attractions. The variety in landscape and experiences made the tour outstanding. I loved Barcelona, Madrid, Granada and Sevilla, and especially enjoyed seeing the Gaudi architecture and walking around these cities soaking up the atmosphere. We loved Robert (our tour guide) and Mayte, who shared their vast knowledge of Spain with us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olive oil farm - tour of factory and amazing lunch; walking around Barcelona, Madrid, Granada and Sevilla (especially exploring the city parks); the Sagrada Familia."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

For the three days that I was able to be on the tour, Robert our tour guide and the local guides we had were fantastic. Even being super careful and having 2 boosters must have picked up COVID on the plane over and had to depart the tour. Rick Steve's group was so helpful with the information I needed to isolate and who to contact if needed. The financial sting was eased by Rick Steve's refunding all the tour days my wife and I had to miss. Had a refund check within 10 days. Will tour again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Barcelona's Sagrada Familia."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and my first group tour. We wanted an in depth experience and that is exactly what we got. Our guide was fantastic - I had been an Alaska tour guide in college and know how challenging it is to make everything turn out right and our guide did just that. He had a deep knowledge of Spain and clearly loves to share it, and he knew when we needed to be at a destination to avoid the big crowds.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Moonrise at the Alhambra during dinner at Las Tomasas and touring the Alhambra the next day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We absolutely loved our tour guide, the trip itinerary and all excursions. However, a couple of the hotel accommodations were marginal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying at the hill town of Arcos de la Frontera and a group dinner across from the Alhambra Palace under the full moon!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My mom and I had a great time, despite her getting plantar fasciitis. We bought a wheelchair and plowed on. Javier our guide was great- a problem solver, kind, professional, firm, if needed. Extremely knowledgeable. Our group was great- everyone was kind, helpful, and fun

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alhambra at sunset"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned a great deal about the history of the people of Spain, their position in Europe and its impact on their history and the religious influences. The food was a great experience along with the change in schedule meaning the late night dinners. I adjusted!!! The art was magnificent and I really enjoyed getting senior discounts! The folks on the tour did not disappoint which is always amazing to me because this is complete luck of the draw. I'm eager to share my learnings with friends

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of Alhambra and learning about the Islamic influence. The mosaics, the spirituality woven into the design, the gardens and how the Moors were used for building because they were masters of the craft - all WOW! Granada was my favorite place on the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

With out question Sagrada Familia but there are so many beautiful churches/cathedrals the gothic cathedral in Sevilla claiming the tower i have climbed many but that one was unbelievable i also was able to attend Mass there. Our tour quide was GREAT Augustine not enough can be said about him. The stone bridge in Ronda the olive oil tour the brandy/sherry tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada evrn though i new it was coming it really took my breath away"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Augustine was our guide and he was fabulous. Having Celiac disease he arranged gluten free items for me at restaurants.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting LaHambra. Views at the Arco Hotel."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved that the tour was a little of everything, big cities, rural areas and especially the charm of small towns. There was a lot of bus travel but it was broken up by interesting stops along the way

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I am an English teacher. Washington Irving’s room in Alhambra, references to Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises” and especially the windmills of La Mancha thrilled me!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My second tour and just as fantastic as my first. Perfect mix of guided time and unplanned free time. So well organized and our guide Agustin was outstanding! Hotels were in great locations and a bunch of us in our group wished we could add on a second night stay in Ronda, one of our favorite hotels. Sights and excursions were wonderful and unique. Spain is fantastic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Even though I have seen the Sagrada Familia once before, it still remains the highlight. And I have seen progress in the four years since my first visit. Another unexpected "wow" was touring the bull farm and learning all about bullfighting. The Prado guided tour a top "wow" too."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Unexpectedly a Great trip, and great tour experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Outstanding Group Dinner, overlooking Granada city with dawn twilight setting"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first visit to Spain. I think this tour hit most of the highlights of the country. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to explore Spain in 2 weeks time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the Alhambra from our dinner venue in the evening, and then touring it was my Wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overall tour was a beautiful mix of cities in most every region of Spain. Fourteen days provided the opportunity to experience and learn so much about the rich history of this beautiful country. Our guide, Augustine, was incredible (the right mix of kind, patient, and knowledgeable while upholding tour standards and practices). The guides for each city specific tour added local information about the city and the specific sites they led us through. Invaluable. Hotels phenomenal!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments. The Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona was breathtaking and we had a sunny day that lit up the columns in various colors from the stained glass windows. Each cathedral, palace and chapel was amazing and different. The luncheon at the olive mill was beautiful and the stay outside Ronda as well as the gorge itself was memorable as well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As usual the Rick Steves guides are knowledgeable and interesting. The hotels were all nice and thankfully, air conditioned. Other than 10 people in our group had to drop due to Covid, it was a great trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeting Rick!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Jorge, was very personable and friendly. Activities were well planned and the scenery was stunning.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful Sagrada Familia in Barcelona was certainly one, but the spectacular Alhambra in Granada was another wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This group of travelers were so ready to start touring again, unfortunately Covid took out half of our group.That was the not so good part…we did have so many wonderful local guides ready to share the history of the locations. The hotel outside of Ronda was beautiful and tranquil. Such a nice break. Too often we were give free time during Siesta time and stuck in areas with not much to do but wait for our bus. Loved Sagrada Familia and the Alhambra as I knew I would

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A huge surprise for me was how much I enjoyed the bull farm and learning so much about bull fighting culture and seeing the Andalusian horses. I am not a horse person, but fell in love there.the guide was amazing and he horse were so much fun to interact with and see one practicing. Caught me completely off guard.l"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Our tour was definitely impacted by Covid as it swept through our entire group and cut us down by half. Once someone revealed a positive test, they were cut loose from the tour unless they subsequently tested "negative" even if they had symptoms. Once people saw their fellow tour members abandoned, they either stopped testing, or would not reveal results

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia by far! Just stunning with so many points of interest that you could stare at it for hours!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first time to Europe, so I had many imagined concerns to worry about. The Rick Steve’s tour took care of everything. Also being part of a nice sized group helped me feel comfortable experiencing lots of new wonders of the world!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia! I only wish it came last, instead of first. It was the icing on the cake!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Tour bus was too big to get us close to destinations.had to walk up long extreme hills in heat… many tour members paid for taxis

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being first in line to events and fantastic meals And great hotels"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We saw so much and had a wonderful time. Agustin was a truly professional guide, very friendly, knowledgeable and completely calm in a crisis. Things were very well organized and the local guides were all lovely.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hm. Either Sagrada Familia or the view from our room in Arcos de la Frontera. I was also really touched by La Macarena, more so than any of the other churches. So many wow moments!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I agree that seeing the sites early in the day means less crowds, but it also meant huge amounts of time in the afternoons and early evenings to not have much to do. There were suggestions, but no clear instructions on how to either get there or why we might want to see them. Besides, a tour is meant to be a guided tour, with some periodic spots for on-your-own sightseeing. My Rick Steves guide in Greece led walks on the days we were left on our own. They were mostly fully attended each time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the Alhambra tour, which highlighted the Arab culture and some Catholic influence. I also loved Ronde with its gorge, Spanish guitar, great hotel, and good food."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Spain tour far exceded our expectations: well organized and planned with a variety of activities and free time to make our own discoveries.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This tour offered many wow moments: Sagrada Familia's window panels, glass windows, and towering columns; Velasquez' Meninas at Prado Museum; Ronda's New Bridge and Gorge."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very fun and what a great group of people!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner overlooking the Alhambra in Granada."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a great group of people and the tour guide was excellent! Maybe 14 days was just a bit too much. I like the off the beaten track stops much more than the cathedrals and castles.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was going into a barn full of newborn foals at a horse breeding ranch. It was totally unexpected. It was one of those things you would never get to do on your own touring around Spain. While seeing all the cathedrals, castles and other ancient architecture is important and I would be disappointed if I didn't see those things, it is the unusual stops that a tour company puts together that sets their tours apart."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first RS tour and it exceeded our expectations in every way! We have traveled a fair amount but we truly experienced Spain in a much deeper way than we have in our previous travels. Having all of the logistics taken care of for us enabled us to enjoy the trip with little hassle. Javier, our tour guide, is passionate about Spain and incredibly knowledgeable, but it was his extra anecdotes that truly set him apart. And our fellow travelers were so fun-loving!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have expected to name one of the many cathedrals or palaces because I am always in awe of those treasures. What really struck me, though, was the day we went to the horse farm and the olive oil mill...not because they were so spectacular in and of themselves, but because I realized that day that if I had been traveling on my own, never in a million years would I have discovered these venues. And it was those typie of experiences that made the tour so worth it for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned tour with superb attention to details. Every effort was made to ensure we get the best experience out of the tour. It was an immersion experience into the culture and history of Spain, while touring the charming monuments and sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can name few: carriage ride into the surprise of the awesome view of Plaza de Espana; amazing view from our hotel room in Arcos; Ronda’s gorge and new bridge; the moving charm of historic Toledo and Segovia; and of course, the sunset dinner at the Albayzin carmen restaurant with Alhambra view"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We saw so many amazing sights and our guide and the local guides added the information and color we needed. There were a lot of wonderful experiences to help us learn about the culture and lives of people in the areas of Spain we visited. Great food and wine were explored and enjoyed which added to the overall experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Sagrad Familia first with our local guide and then having time to soak it all in. That was a definite WOW! There was a second WOW watching the sun set on the Alhambra while enjoying a wonderful dinner on the opposite hill. Very, very special indeed!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Javier is an amazing tour guide, he is level of professionalism, attention to detail was representative of his years of experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Truthfully it was all incredible. I particularly enjoyed the Bull farm."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The experience I had on this tour far exceeded my expectations! The variety of tours, special events, group dinners, hotel accommodations, transportation were all top- notch. Experiencing the best of Spain was made so rich and educational through the eyes of Javier, whose pride and passion for his country was infectious! A beautiful tour with an amazing guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The bull farm, the Andalusian horse farm, the windmills, olive oil and sherry tastings, Alhambra Palace, flamenco dancers - all 'wow' moments!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great! Great!! Great!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"1. Our tour guide and local guides' professional performance, and their deep insight in Spain's history and culture. 2. Group dinners we most enjoyed, and we probably could not experience by ourselves."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All of the sites on this tour were just wnderful to visit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"our sunset dinner looking over the Alhambra was fantastic,"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, we had a great group of fellow travelers which enhanced the experience adding great moments of fun. All of the destinations were well planned. Each of the destination guides were outstanding, enthusiastic, and provided a wonderful educational experience. Our tour guide Javier was terrific. He managed our group with skill, finesse, and humor. He was perceptive and thoughtful about our group’s dynamics. He made everyone feel safe and secure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow experiences: The Sagrada Familia, Suckling Pig luncheon feast, Toledo’s Cathedral, the tour of Alhambra and the most magnificent dinner up on Albayzin Hill with its nighttime view of the Alhambra and city of Granada , the Windmills of La Mancha, Andalusian Horse Farm, Hotel Balcony view in Arcos, the Bull Farm, Sherry Tasting, Concepcion’s wonderfully tour through La Macarena."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first RS tour and we loved it. Very well done from start to finish.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having dinner as the sun set across from the Alhambra. Beautiful evening!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Love the cultural immersion, the food, the variety of experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"On the carriage ride in Seville, rounding the bend and seeing the magnificent Expo structure before us."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour guide, happy and helpful tour mates, hotels located in prime locations, a good mix of down time, superb communication of what to expect at tour stops and enlightening information from local guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Segovia’s aqueduct. Just a miraculous engineering feat to see in person. My wife’s “wow” moment was observing the devotion of Spaniards to the Virgin Mary."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ronda was probably the most scenic while the Sagrida Familia was the most unique!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was fabulous; only shadowed by the disappointment of our travel mates contracting COVID along the way (timing would suggest the flight over or perhaps an airport, despite their fastidious N95 use), and needing to drop out of the tour. Guide Amanda was fantastic - especially at 'managing our expectations', and Rick Steves' personnel connected our friends with Travel guard, who were very helpful in navigating their eventual flight home requirements following COVID.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Happening upon the Ronda Romantica festival in Ronda - featuring a horse show including a flamenco dancer and horse's interactive choreagraphy; the village 'Rocio' festivities in Granada - with elaborate Andalusian dress and fanfare, and the out-of-this world Flamenco show in Sevilla!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour. I've used his itineraries and recommendations in the past, but this was my first organized experience. I think the flow and pace of the tour were outstanding. It had just the right balance of group guidance and free time to do our own thing. Our guide Amanda was outstanding. Her knowledge and experience gave us a lot of confidence. She is a wonderful person. As a group, we all really bonded by the time we hit Arcos. It was a special experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We went on several side trips including a bull ranch, horse farm, and a boutique olive oil mill. I might have skipped those on my own. They really added to the experience. The group meals were outstanding both in terms of the quality of the restaurants and the fun of the overall experience with our tour mates. The one experience that really blew me away, however, was the flamenco concert in Sevilla. It was intimate, emotional, and dramatic. It was the fireworks show at the end of the trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful trip as always, I love love the tour learn touch and taste of Spain, travel with my daughter for her NP graduation even more special and William helped to make in even more special thank you so much, and the great group of people , once in my lifetime experience….

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many, known about Gaudi, but it is different when you really see it with your own eyes and of course I am referring to Sagrada Familia ; Alhambra was a must visit and the countryside of Spain was so lovely"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We really enjoyed out Best of Spain tour with William as our guide. He was thorough in explaining what to expect with our hotels and offered advice on where the better places to eat were located. We covered a lot of ground in 14 days! My only desire would have been able to spend more time in Andalusia's White hill towns and make it to some of the coastal towns. I felt like this trip could easily be extended another week.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several, Toledo, The Alhambra, Alcazar Fortress. But one of the most enjoyable highlights for me was the Alhambra gardens and being able to experience them before there were too many other visitors there. William did a great job of managing our time to maximize our experiences and avoid the worst of the crowds."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great! We had a fantastic guide, and saw things we would never have thought of on our own, yet enjoyed immensely. It was well organized, and went at a great pace.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I especially enjoyed the basilica Sangrada Familia. I thought the Prada museum was going to be just ok, but thanks to our wonderful guide it became so meaningful, and made a big impression on me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the beginning, it was (and always is) obvious that a tremendous amount of thought and consideration has been given to each aspect of the tour. There's truly something for everyone's interests.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dining in Granada with a view of the Alhambra all lit up. That was really special and memorable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Agustin was great! He along with the local guides gave everyone in our group the best experience that we could have possibly hoped for. Excellent!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me the wow moment, was the view of the Alhambra from the restaurant where our evening meal was given. It just happened to be a night when a full moon occurred. WOW, what a sight!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall a very enjoyable tour. A great balance of history, culture, and experiential events - blended together tour layout and guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sunset dinner on the hill in Granada, looking at the Alhambra"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well-planned and covered almost all we wanted to see. Hotels and tour-planned meals were memorable. The visits to the cultural attractions like the bull breeder, olive oil processor, and horse farm were more worthwhile than I anticipated.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having seen Sagrada Familia 15 years ago, I was "wowed" to see it as a habitable building instead of a construction site. The architectural design and the impact of the sunshine through the stained glass makes it a unique and truly memorable space."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beautiful, educational, fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra was amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Spain is a wonderful place to travel for the history, culture, art and architecture. Our tour guides brought all of these aspects to life for me! And I met wonderful people in our tour group. Excellent experience!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would say I have two ‘wow’ moments! One was the dinner overlooking the Alhambra, watching the sun go down, and full moon come up. WOW! The other was the horse drawn carriage ride through the streets of Sevilla to the restaurant for our last dinner. So lovely!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was wonderful. William is an excellent, enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. Hotels were good and well located. Stops were interesting and enjoyable, food was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"La Sagarada Familia was definitely a 'wow' moment. Douro valley was also impressive."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour! Our guide William was the best!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many too mention! Each day was filled with new experiences."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall experience was outstanding. I base this on our fantastic tour guide, William, our fun and friendly group of travelers, our wonderful guides in every city and towns and the quality and balance of rich cultural experiences. The group dinners and hotel locations were also amazing. I had not been out of the U.S for three years, so I was eager for this tour. Be warned that there is much walking and stair climbing, so be in good physical shape so you can stay happy and healthy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have so many, but here are my faves; Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the tour of the Prado in Madrid, the dinner in Albayzin overlooking the Alhambra, Sherry tasting in Jerez during a festival, the Flamenco dancers in Sevilla. I also enjoyed the relaxing afternoons and evenings with our tour group over a glass of wine."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amanda was a wonderful tour guide. She was personable and always available to answer any question. The hotels were beautiful and the food was just amazing. It was a nice mix of city and small town touring. I was surprised at all of the different experiences we had. Would definitely recommend this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't pick just one wow moment. Visiting the smaller towns with all of the different experiences they had was my favorite part of the trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized to tick off most of Spain’s “must-sees.” The coordination among guides, sites, lodgings, restaurants, and transports was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view at sunset of Alhambra perched high above Granada with the snowcapped Sierra Nevada in the background is stunning (especially after the steep climb through the Albayzín neighborhood)."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall I enjoyed this tour. I think it was a bit more strenuous than other Rick Steves tours I've been on but I had fun nevertheless. Our tour guide, Amanda, was very informative and took great care of us despite the challenges Covid threw her way. I really liked the local guides too

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment wasn't on the itinerary. In Ronda there was a Catholic religious procession through the town to honor Mary and some young people celebrating first communion. I found it very moving. I also loved the view from the terrace of my hotel room in Arcos. Sagrada Familia was pretty amazing too."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was good. Helen was a perfect guide. The pace was good & the sites we saw were great. The most frustrating part was it took over a week before I got an audio system that actually worked. I kept discussing this with Helen. I missed the entire presentation in Alhambra. I think those products need to be tested prior to going on trip. Just because they light up does not mean they are functioning & transmitting properly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having dinner & looking over at the Alhambra at sunset."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have been waiting since 2020 to go on this tour. We were excited and anxious about jumping back into European travel. This was my 11th Rick Steves' tour and I have to say it was my best tour hands down. Spain was breathtaking and exciting, but it was our guide Helen that made this trip so fabulous. Her professionalism, humor and organization made this trip run so smoothly even with Covid protocols and the unknown after so much change. I cannot sing the praises of Helen Inman enough.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were on a train and a family with an elderly father thought our tour members were in their seats. Even the train representative was confused. With the grace of an angel, Helen Inman handled the train staff, the distressed family and the confused tour members. It could have easily escalated to an uncomfortable situation, but she handled it with patience and kindness. She even helped the family move the elderly father to the correct train car. Her empathy was amazing and it made me go WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed the diversity of the cities and places and things we got to do.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The chocolate and the churros!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

There was so much to see, history to absorb, foods and flavors to explore, and moments to treasure. It was a fabulous tour. I especially enjoyed listening to our different local guides and their passion about their home towns and specialties. The makeup of our group was also special. I enjoyed getting to know all of them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two. One was the quite unexpected beauty of the interior of the Sagrada Familia, with it's contemporary stained glass windows throwing colored light on the surrounding walls and pillars. Beautiful! The other was dining on the patio of our restaurant on the Albaysin hill, with a breathtaking view of the Alhambra at sunset. The dinner, the wine and the view were unforgettable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rick Steves Tour Guide Helen greeted us on the first day, made every day extra special, and assisted us to the last moment (literally!). Seeing the cathedrals in Spain were fantastic and the chosen local guides were outstanding. As 11-tour alumni, this has to be one of the best run tours, especially in the time of Covid.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeting the people of Spain. From the vendors catering to the tour (hotels, restaurants, etc.), to the average people on the street, they were very welcoming and excited to see us visiting their country and more specifically, their villages."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First trip to Europe and first Rick Steves tour. Appreciate the logistical acumen, enthusiasm and experience provided by Our tour guide Helen and the Rick Steves organization

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The afternoon light streaming through the stained glass at the Sagrada Familia"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was fabulous.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our tour guide Helen was absolutely the BEST tour guide ever. In a museum tour, going through security screening, my coat which held my cell phone was accidentally taken by someone else (identical jacket). I had the cell phone number in my hotel room (I bought a SIM card in Spain upon arrival) and did not have it handy. Helen went to my hotel room, found the number, and called it many times until someone answered. He did not know he had my jacket and phone. All fixed in the museum. Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Perfectly planned itinerary with a great variety of sites, wonderful food and a combination of cities and small towns.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Sagrada Familia. I didn't have a lot of interest in this site, as it is not my normal preferred architecture style. But the guide made it come alive and standing in the room with the stained glass reflections on the walls took my breath away."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group of people, good mix of structured and free time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner on deck overlooking Alhambra the night before we visited it"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first organized tour with an assigned tour leader. We found the pace suited our style of travel well with an appropriate mix of scheduled tour activities and free time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra Palace in Granada."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very fun and very informative. The other people on the tour were fun, and we became a very unified group. The tour guide was fantastic. Most of the local guides were very good as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The most memorable will be the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were impressed with the ability of our guide, Augustin, to calmly respond to the adversity our group experienced. It shows how well Rick Steves selects and prepares their guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The geography in Ronda and location of the Convento hotel on the side of the cliff."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a fantastic time traveling Spain with our amazing guide Agustin and our group! We all bonded over the oohs and Awwws of the breathtaking views, gorgeous countryside, and outstanding experiences we did along the way!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was two moments for me that took my breath away… when we visited the La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and our view of the Alhambra in Granada. I was taken aback by the beauty of the beautiful colors of stained glass inside the Familia and the gorgeous view of the Alhambra at night along the cliff side. Well one more…the aqueduct was amazing! This entire trip I have learned so much!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Spain is a beautiful country rich in culture and history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra in Granda. Fantastic grounds, history, and views."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had waited two years for our rescheduled tour to Spain, and we were very anxious that it would be everything we had hoped it would be. The tour actually exceeded our "COVID heighened" expectatons. Several factors that contributed to the tour's success were our awesome tour guide, Robert Wright, very knowledgeable and fun tour guides throughout the tour, the opportunity to go behind the scenes, and to have a group of traveling companions, no grumps, with a love of travel.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Watching the sun set on the Alhambra. A once in a life time event."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful guide. Most of the group was amazing as I have found to be the case with most RS tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The horses. I did not realize how important horses were in the Andalusian culture and visiting the horse farm as wells the bull and horse training ranch were amazing. Being there in the spring we were able to see the colts and fillys. Super special."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour highlighted the physical and cultural beauty of Spain. We certainly were able to see and enjoy many more sites and activities than we might have arranged on our own. We especially enjoyed the olive oil and saffron lessons. The guides -- especially Concepcion in Seville -- were knowledgeable and interesting. The food and hotel selections were outstanding. All in all, a wonderful trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Roman aqueduct in Segovia and visiting that lovely hill town was the first of many wow moments."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Really enjoyed the entire experience. Learned so much from the expert guides provided in each ctiy. Loved all the big and small cities for different reasons. As visitors, we got a great view of eveything Spanish.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Kinda had a 'wow' moment at each location. Maybe understated, but I was so impressed by the lady who ran the hotel at Arcos. She worked from very early until late at night. She just did everything to make sure we had a great experience. And, we did! Every service group provided their best effort. Very good relations with the Rick Steves organization, providing their best to the customer."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really enjoyed learning about Spain's history and culture, the Romans and Moorish period, bull fights, olive oil tasting/making, and the art. Also the locally made wine.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tours of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the Alhambra in Granada. Top it off with dinner together and enjoy a fantastic meal with a sunset view of the Alhambra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Javier Menor, was very professional, extremely knowledgeable, and able to handle situations quickly. We were the Tour that was "snowed out" trying to get t Segovia (who ever heard of 5 inches on snow outside Madrid on Apil 20th?). His response was documented in RSE Travel news.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alhambra Palace in Granada; bull farm outside Rondo"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time on this Best of Spain tour. It was well-paced, the guides were great, and we learned a tremendous amount about the history, culture and landscape of Spain (all of which were fascinating.) The hotels were in great locations and all comfortable. The food was delicious and some of the hotel buffet breakfasts were really outstanding. We had visited Spain previously on our own following the Rick Steves guidebook, but this tour made everything really come to life.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many - touring the Prado with Inez, Andalusian horse farm, Sagrada Familia, our hotel in the country near Ronda, the Alhambra, amazing views from our hotel terrace in Arcos"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was really great. The problem was that about half of our group ended up with COVID.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Ronda. It was breath taking. Sadly we were we only there for a very short amount of time. We only had about 2 hours to get lunch and look around the small village."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a whirlwind tour starting in Barcelona and ending in Seville -- Spain's two best cities. Along the way we were enlightened by expert guides in Spain's history and culture -- Roman aqueducts, the magic of the Moorish Alhambra, bullfighting, sherry and olive oil making, and the best art museum in the world.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The coolest thing that happened was in Seville near the start of our tour of the city. All of a sudden, our whole group stopped, and Constancia, on the spur of the moment, showed the 20 of us all to a restaurant we were walking past, got us all tables talked to a waiter, and organized drinks and tapas for the whole crowd. We all got to experience how easy it is to pander yourself in Spain."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Agustin was a wonderful guide. Sights and sounds were memorable. Unpleasant experiences were the start times for group dinners and steps in Arco and Granada.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everyday was a treat with memorable moments. Our guide Agustin was well organized, thoughtful and always helpful. The hotels were always welcoming, located in great walking areas and architecturally interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In a continent of great cathedrals, Sagrada Familia stood out for its amazing modern architecture, numerous spires, and both modern and classical depictions of the life of Christ."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I would have rated the overall experience as outstanding had I not contacted covid. The virus is still a present danger and risk and anyone traveling must take it into account. What I saw and experienced on the trip made it worth the risk.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had very negative impressions of bullfighting prior to the trip. After visiting a bullfighting farm, meeting the owner who is a matador, and visiting one of the first bullfighting rings and museums in Rhonda, I would love to attend a bullfight. Also, visiting a olive pressing plant and eating suckling pig in Segovia were unique and once in a lifetime experiences."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great experience, excellent guide, made lots of friends in the group. Excellent mix of big city and unique small town experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to pick just one favorite. The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona was spectacular, as was the Alhambra in Granada. What made this tour special were things like the tour of the bull farm and the olive oil tasting, and the view from our balcony in Arcos."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well-organized, with a good balance of tourist-type activities and time to explore on our own. Loved the meals together at places I wouldn't have found on my own and hotels in historic city centers and in the countryside. An interesting and fun group of people, just the right size.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visit to Yeguada Cartuja, where we got to watch gorgeous Andalusian horses practicing dressage and carriage driving and also see mares with foals. Enchanting."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was beautiful and so interesting. I enjoyed getting to know Augustine and every member of the tour. Once again, I experienced far more than I expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick one "wow". But, Granada and the Alhambra were amazing."