• La Pedrera (Casa Milà) rooftop, Barcelona, Spain
    La Pedrera in Barcelona
  • Plaza Mayor in Madrid
  • Toledo, Spain
    Toledo
  • Granada
  • Bullring in Ronda
  • Flamenco Dancer in Sevilla

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My Way® Spain in 11 Days

from $2,895 per person + air

Single Supplement $625

See Dates & Prices

Your vacation to Spain begins in beautiful Barcelona and ends in sensual Sevilla — with the cultural delights of Madrid, Ronda, and Granada laced together in between. Rick Steves' money-saving My Way vacation package gives you the freedom to decide your own daily sightseeing priorities and pace. We cut the stress by providing comfortable rooms in centrally located hotels, private bus transportation from city to city, and a travel-savvy tour manager to advise you along the way. Join us for My Way® Spain in 11 Days!

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Dates & Prices

2024

What's Included

  • This is an "un-guided" tour — giving you the freedom (and responsibility) to manage your daily sightseeing schedule and meals
  • A small, friendly group of 24–28 people will share our big, comfy bus during the trip, but not do organized sightseeing together
  • A Rick Steves tour manager will coordinate the group's transportation and hotels and provide advice for sightseeing, meals, etc.
  • All group transportation from Barcelona to Sevilla
  • 10 nights' accommodations in memorable, centrally located hotels
  • All breakfasts are included
  • All tips for tour manager and driver
  • Free Audio Europe™ app for Apple and Android (or get free podcast/mp3 files) featuring Rick's audio walking tours of neighborhoods in Barcelona and Madrid. Also includes radio interviews with experts on destinations covered in this itinerary
  • A tour kit including a guidebook (when available) and a moneybelt
  • Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit
  • Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you've taken with us
  • Flexibility should you need to transfer or cancel your tour

Costs not covered: As this is not a guided tour, you will be responsible for the cost of all your lunches, dinners, drinks, admissions, sightseeing, and non-group transportation. Be sure to plan and budget accordingly.

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Spain

Welcome to Barcelona, one of Europe's most dynamic and diverse cities. Depending on when you arrive, today is a great day to wander through the maze-like Gothic Quarter, medieval cathedral, and refurbished harbor area. We'll rendezvous at our Barcelona hotel at 5 p.m. for a group get-together. Your tour manager will give an overview of the days ahead, answer your questions, and offer a quick orientation to our neighborhood and Barcelona's public transportation system. Then you're free for dinner on your own, and maybe an evening stroll up and down the Ramblas.

No bus. Sleep in Barcelona.

Day 2: Lively, Artistic Barcelona

You have the entire day and evening free to explore this remarkable city. Armed with a guidebook and Rick's Barcelona City Walk audio tour*, you could hop the subway to see Gaudí's towering, dizzying Sagrada Família (r) and his colorful, playful Park Güell (r). Closer to the center, you can check out the Modernisme-themed Block of Discord and a museum dedicated to another artistic visionary: Pablo Picasso (r).

No bus. Free to sightsee all day. Sleep in Barcelona.

Day 3: Speedy Train to Madrid

All aboard! After breakfast we'll take one of Europe's speediest trains to Madrid. By mid-afternoon, you'll be settled in your Madrid hotel and free for the rest of the afternoon and evening, maybe to explore the lively streets around the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor or the majestic Retiro Gardens.

Train: 3 hours. Bus: 1½ hours. Free to sightsee at 5 p.m. Sleep in Madrid.

Day 4: Masterpieces of Madrid

Today is entirely free to cover the best of Madrid with Rick's Madrid City Walk audio tour*. For many, that means the masterpiece-packed Prado (r) — featuring paintings by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, and others. The Royal Palace (r) is another great place to wander and soak up the opulence of Spain's capital city. Tonight, use your guidebook to put together a tapas crawl and use your phrase book to connect with the locals (and to figure out what you're eating)!

No bus. Free to sightsee all day. Sleep in Madrid.

Day 5: Day Trip from Madrid

Your day is free. It's cheap and easy to hop on a Spanish bus for a day trip to the old capital city of Toledo for its magnificent cathedral, the Synagogue Santa Maria la Blanca, and Santo Tomé Chapel — or to Segovia for its thrilling Roman aqueduct, Gothic cathedral, and imposing Alcázar (r).

No bus. Free to sightsee all day. Sleep in Madrid.

Day 6: La Mancha and Granada

Today we'll drive through windswept "Don Quixote country" on the way to our destination of Granada, arriving at about 4 p.m. Once you've checked into the hotel, you might head up the Albayzín hill, find an interesting place for dinner, and enjoy a sunset view of the Alhambra.

Bus: 5 hours. Free to sightsee at 5 p.m. Sleep in Granada.

Day 7: Moorish Treasures of Granada

Your entire day is on your own, and there's no better way to start than with a visit to the sprawling palace and garden complex of the Alhambra (r) — the last and greatest of Europe's Moorish palaces. Afterward, you might explore the colorful streets and alleyways of Granada's Old Town and ponder the course of history at the ornate tombs of world-changing Ferdinand and Isabel, who reigned over a new age of religious zeal at home and exploration of the "new" Americas.

No bus. Free to sightsee all day. Sleep in Granada.

Day 8: Ronda

This morning we'll drive to the hill town of Ronda, home to Spain's oldest bullring and its most breathtaking gorge. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore Ronda's Moorish and Mercadillo Quarters, linked together by the famous gravity-defying stone bridge (towering over the rubble of an earlier one that wasn't).

Bus: 3 hours. Free to sightsee at 2 p.m. Sleep in Ronda.

Day 9: Sevilla's Barrio Santa Cruz

Today we'll wind our way between olive groves and pueblos blancos on our way to the flamboyant and atmospheric city of Sevilla. Our hotel's central location makes it easy to spend this afternoon and evening marveling at the world's largest Gothic cathedral — and window-shopping along the narrow, whitewashed lanes of Sevilla's Barrio Santa Cruz. Tonight, you might enjoy a performance of sultry, swirling flamenco.

Bus: 2½ hours. Free to sightsee at 2 p.m. Sleep in Sevilla.

Day 10: Sevilla's Royal Alcázar

Your entire day is free to do as you please. You could start with a visit to the beautifully Moorish-style Alcázar palace (r), the Sevilla home of the Spanish Royal Family for the past 500 years. Afterward, you can walk in the footsteps of Carmen and Don Juan, linger in Sevilla's charming squares, or stroll along the romantic Guadalquivir River. This evening, consider capping off your My Way Spain adventure with a carriage ride through the streets of Sevilla. Salud!

No bus. Free to sightsee all day. Sleep in Sevilla.

Day 11: Tour Over After Breakfast

Sevilla's airport is a bus or taxi ride away with easy connections throughout Europe. Alternatively, you can hop on the AVE train to Madrid to continue your Iberian adventures on your own. Hasta luego!

Itinerary specifics subject to change.

Sightseeing notes

(r) = reserve a time before you leave the US
* = included in Rick's Audio Europe™ app

Physical Demands

Our tours are physically active! It's an essential part of the Rick Steves tour experience. On our My Way® Spain in 11 Days tour — among other things — you'll need to happily…

  1. Carry/roll your luggage over uneven pavement (possibly several blocks) and up stairways to reach your hotel, then up several flights of stairs to reach your room.
  2. Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning.
  3. Be able to navigate towns and cities on your own.
  4. Be responsible for your own daily sightseeing, admissions, meals (except breakfasts), and non-group transportation.
  5. Travel on a bus without a toilet (rest stops every two hours).
  6. Eat dinners as late as 9 p.m.

Reviews

Linda

Tour: 10/12/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The itinerary was diverse allowing for exploration of cities and more quiet settings as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra! We especially appreciate that our tour manager set up a very nice dinner was a grand view of the palace."

Karen

Tour: 10/12/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was excellent from start to finish. Great group, nicely situated hotels, enthusiastic guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Flamenco in Seville. We went as a group and the dance was just stunning. Such passion and intensity. The dance was different than I expected and showed me how the variety of cultures in Spain interpret even a dance in individual ways. This Flamenco dance defined Spain for me. "

Sarah

Tour: 10/12/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Starts with a great, fun, calm, and knowledgeable trip leader. My Way was perfect for us as all the transportation and hotels were arranged for us, so it took those time consuming steps out of our trip planning. While we were happy to control our own daily agendas, we also enjoyed the handful of optional full group activities (e.g., a nice dinner, flamenco show, guitar concert).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Flamenco show we attended as a group - it was outstanding, and something we wouldn't have decided to do on our own."

Pat

Tour: 10/12/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Catherine

Tour: 10/12/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time on our My Way Tour to Spain with Tim. Spain's culture, history and sites were fantastic and we really enjoyed not having to worry about logistics; the My Way Tour allowed us to do what we wanted with our time, yet have the convenience of a tour guide and transportation and hotels planned for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tim arranged a dinner for our group overlooking the Alhambra. The dinner and view were incredible and it was one of the highlights of our time in Spain. "

John

Tour: 10/12/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Over all tour was good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Guitar concert on Ronda and flamenco dance performance in Sevilla. "

Craig

Tour: 10/12/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Provided just the amount of structure and support we needed at our age and with our physical abilities to make such a great trip happen. We were relying on our trust in Rick Steves to select towns to visit, get us there comfortably and reliably, and provide lodging near the sites we wanted (and should) take advantage of This was what we got, and so we are very pleased with the experience overall, and felt it was a good value. The bonus was having access to the tour guide book and the guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably seeing Picasso's Guernica in Madrid followed by dinner looking up at the Alhambra."

Jacqueline

Tour: 10/05/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour manager, Luis, was amazing - very organized, available, and helpful. He was the reason the overall tour was so enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra and Generalife"

Nancy

Tour: 10/05/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent experience! All the hotels were in great locations, clean, and staffed by friendly, helpful people. Everything went very smoothly with good communication from our wonderful guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our guide arranged for a happy hour and attendance at a Spanish guitar performance. Unexpected and a wonderful experience!!"

Blair

Tour: 10/05/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My overall experience was very good. I would have said Outstanding if we hadn't contracted Covid and had to leave 3 days early. The guide Luis was extremely helpful and knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We loved the dinner at the Alhambra in Granada and Sagrada Familia in Barcelona"

Frederick

Tour: 10/05/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide did an outstanding job. The weather was perfect. Everything went really well- except for us contracting Covid and needing to leave the tour early ☹️

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Sagrada Familia. So incredibly awe-inspiring. "

Andrew

Tour: 10/03/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a great experience! This was my 1st time on an organized tour (Rick Steves or otherwise) and I was a bit nervous about it but met some wonderful people I hope to stay friends with for life. Brian was a terrific tour manager, everything was well organized, and the location of hotels was spot on. Loved the combination of freedom/flexibility of the My Way tour with the peace of mind knowing transportation and logistics were taken care of. My only regret was that it had to end at some point!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to choose just one. Sagrada Familia was spectacular as expected, and the Alhambra even more so. The scenery of Ronda's bridge over the gorge also comes to mind. There was world class art along the way too. But, I'm a big soccer (futbol) fan and with Brian's help I was able to get a ticket to a Real Madrid game, which was a big wow for me, then to top that, Spain's national team was playing in Sevilla and I was able to go to that with some of my new friends. That was my favorite "wow.""

Eileen

Tour: 10/03/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Supremely well-managed and organized. Loved all the hotels. People were great. Host was superb!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many, but to choose one, the moment I first stepped in to La Sagrada Familia."

Kathleen

Tour: 10/03/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We loved the variety of cities we visited and the history embedded in each city. The experience of riding through the vast Spanish countryside.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day in Granada when we visited the Alhambra and then had a wonderful group dinner in Albayzin overlooking the Alhambra."

Stephen

Tour: 10/03/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, excellent tour manager, everything went smoothly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Private dinner in Rhonda at sunset with our group!"

Laura

Tour: 10/03/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The My Way tour was the perfect fit. I have told everyone about the perfect combination of support and freedom to choose. We had an amazing time in Spain—it was so much more than I was expecting!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every stop, every day brought new wow moments and I loved each one!"

Janet

Tour: 09/28/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The cities we visited seemed well chosen. James our guide went above and beyond and the hotels were all nice and well located.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Barcelona both the Sagrada Familia and the Park Guell were really something. I was impressed by the energy of the crowds in the plaza and streets near our hotel in Madrid. "

Robert

Tour: 09/28/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Hotels were great. James was very helpful with the myriad aspects of traveling. If I were to travel alone again I would choose one of your more highly structured tours. All in all it was a fine tour. It met all of my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The dinner at Thomas’s Restaurant looking across the way to the Alhambra. "

Carlene

Tour: 09/21/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was magical. From the first day to the last one.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Old Town in Barcelona. "

Julie

Tour: 09/21/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The "my way" experience was exactly what I hoped for. We had a good group of people who followed the few requirements set out by our guide Paol without any drama. We were offered a few optional group activities to do together but overall your time was your own to plan. Our guide was available daily and by text for any questions or concerns. It was really nice to have the hotels and in country transportation all organized so that we just were able to show up

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona. We spent 4 hours there and could've easily spent more"

Jeff

Tour: 09/21/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We really enjoyed the trip. I like "my way" concept of travel. We chose thing to do each day, so we had plenty of down.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We really liked Granada. Not a big city kind of person, so enjoy the smaller towns."

Marilyn

Tour: 09/21/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves My Way tour but hopefully will not be our last. I have done a "traditional" tour with another company and by far prefer a Rick Steves tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"By far, seeing the Alhambra! It's almost too much to see. We did both the night tour and the day tour and were very happy we did. For us, each tour was different even though we were see some of the same rooms. The courtyard in the moonlight was just beautiful."

Roger

Tour: 09/07/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Spain was everything we hoped for. Choice of cities gave us a nice taste of Spain. Bus was clean and very comfortable. Use of bullet train between Barcelona and Madrid was a great choice - and fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Coming out of the Metro in Barcelona only to see the Sagrada Família RIGHT THERE! And, as birders, we loved seeing Spanish imperial eagles soaring over Ronda."

Mary

Tour: 09/07/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our experience was more than expected. The sights, locations, hotels and the other members of our tour group made for an outstanding vacation. Our tour guide David was exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It would be too difficult to sight just one "WOW" moment. If I had to pick just only one "WOW moment, it had to be the Alhambra in Granada. "

Sherry

Tour: 09/07/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a fantastic itinerary with a great general manager who made things interesting, fun and really went the extra mile for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra in Grenada was stunning but the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona was a close second. So many things were "wow" moments. "

Karen

Tour: 09/07/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The “My Way” tour of Spain was truly life-changing! Although I have lived in Italy in the past, I didn’t realize that there was such a warm, beautiful country just across the Mediterranean! David Gillison/tour manager made all the difference. Although the tour was primarily independent, David went out of his way daily to present opportunities and suggestions that brought the experience alive! David’s vast international experience and leadership savvy are unique indeed! I’d go again! Thx David

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each day was a new “wow” experience but stepping into the glorious San Gabriel Hotel in Ronda and feeling like a Princess in my amazing hotel room was thrilling! Also, the largest gothic cathedral in the world. Catedal de Seville, took my breath away! And the exquisite dinner on the terrace overlooking the Alahambra was stunning. Everything that David so meticulously organized was enchanting! I would truly take this tour again; it was that amazing! There was no stone left unturned! Gracias!"

Marti

Tour: 09/07/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

VERY WELL ORGANIZED

Favorite "WOW" moment

"HISTORY"

Grace

Tour: 06/22/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Virginia

Tour: 06/22/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the opportunity to carve out my own personal travel experiences/activities while being guided both by Rick's itinerary suggestions, and those of our guide, Jorge.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Without a doubt, it was a truly stunning performance of Carmina Burana by La Fura dels Bus in Madrid. It ranks as one of the most exciting pieces I've ever seen, and I've seen a LOT of performance work. Every time, during the trip, I came across any kind of performance, my immediate enjoyment increased measurably."

Elizabeth

Tour: 06/22/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

One of the primary reasons we chose a My Way trip was to minimize the downside of traveling with a group of strangers because we feared their quirks and preferences would taint our experience. We were delighted to find that Rick Steves’ travelers are consistently kind, generous, and interested. I underestimated how much I would enjoy learning from how fellow travelers approach planning their trips and the activities they sought out. We exchanged contact information with several fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite sites were the Sagrada Familia and the Alhambra."

Zachary

Tour: 06/22/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was epic and the absolute trip of a lifetime! We loved every town and city, our fellow travelers, and tour guide! It was so nice having the logistics handled (hotel and train/bus), but then having the flexibility to sightsee on our own in each city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I absolutely loved the Alhambra and Generalife."

Marti

Tour: 06/15/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip through Spain. We maximized our time in each city by booking tours and exploring from sun up to past summer down (with a siesta in between).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite “wow” moment was the place our group met for drinks before the guitar concert in Ronda. The setting was magical, overlooking the bridge, and one of our travel companions brought a guitar which we got to enjoy pre show. The whole group was together and enjoying the early evening weather and scenery. "

Robert

Tour: 06/15/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour leader David was excellent. Very supportive and provided great recommendations and suggestions. Itinerary was good- not enough time in Barcelona; a little too much in Madrid.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia in Barcelona."

Steve

Tour: 06/15/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had been in Barcelona for a week before the tour began so we were a little worried that after having the freedom to do our own thing the tour would cramp our style. We were so wrong! The tour allowed us the freedom to pick our own agenda and schedule yet enhanced our visit to Spain with wonderful information from our guide and amazing people to share our experiences with. We've been home a month and I still miss them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our truly wow moment was the light filtering in through the windows of La Sagrada Familia. This was followed by our first moments in our beautiful, one of a kind, hotel in Ronda. We were welcomed so warmly and the entire place (including the people) was filled with charm."

Quincy

Tour: 06/15/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was incredible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stop in Ronda was unexpectedly incredible. A quick stay in a small town - it was so beautiful. The gorge was eye popping and the hotel was exceptional. The staff there were amazingly welcoming and the property had so much character. The guitar show that evening was amazing. The optional happy hour was at an incredible location and David had cultivated such great camaraderie amongst the team at that point that everyone just enjoyed it - so natural. "

Barbara

Tour: 06/15/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were free to do whatever we wanted to do once we got to each city. Our tour guide was wonderful and very helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking into the cathedral in Sevilla and then climbing up La Giralda. "

Louis

Tour: 06/15/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I liked how the “My Way” took care of a lot of the planning.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The dinner with the group in Granada"

Christopher

Tour: 05/25/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was a My Way that allowed us the freedom to explore each city at our own pace and connect with other members of the tour for breakfast and throughout the day to discuss our adventures.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Ronda Spain "

Diane

Tour: 05/25/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My Way is perfect for me as I am an experienced independent traveler but I loved having the logistics all planned for me - hotels and transportation! Luis, our tour captain, was very helpful and clear with letting the group know what we needed to know and giving helpful suggestions and advice.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Alhambra in Granada - both at sunset from another location and then the day I toured it. Amazing! I also loved the city of Granada - so fun to get lost in the Jewish quarter. But there were many other special moments! Another wow for me was the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona - I wanted to lie on the floor in the middle and spend an hour just enjoying it!"

John

Tour: 05/25/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We did "my way" so our day was ours. The morning meeting with our "guide" was more than adequate to get any information we needed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sagrada Familia"

Larita

Tour: 05/25/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Flamenco in Seville"

Cindy

Tour: 05/25/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our My Way Spain tour was excellent! We were fortunate to have such not 11 in our group. We did our own thing during the day, but compared notes at breakfast and in transport between cities. We made friends, which I wasn’t expecting. The itinerary was great and the hotel locations couldn’t have been better. The staff at every hotel was wonderful! Luis, our tour manager was awesome! He was knowledgeable, helpful and passionate about Spain! I would recommend this tour to anyone!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many “wow” moments, but seeing the Alhambra from the viewpoint at night was lovely. The town of Ronda was so cool! The flamenco and the guitar performances that Luis arranged were so special and appreciated!"

Patricia

Tour: 05/18/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Love this format! I’ve been traveling solo for years and enjoyed it but does get a little exhausting doing everything on your own. This was a nice alternative to the “ prepackaged, Tuesday it must be Belgium” type tour where you have to go to all the scheduled events in huge group, whether you feel like it or not. This was great! You could do as much or as little as you like, according to your own tastes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many “wow moments” but one that really stood out was our group dinner in Ronda, and the hotel there."

Robert

Tour: 05/18/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the time you select the tour through to the time you head from your last hotel to the airport home, RS tours provides careful curated information to help you maximize the vacation/tour experience. Because our scheduled tour manager was ill before the tour began, we had 3 tour managers chip in over the course of the tour. They worked smoothly (and hard) to ensure our group got the most out of our limited time in Spain. Team work at its finest. This was my 2nd RS tour; there will be more!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ronda is small town Spain at its finest. We spent half a day and one night there. The hotel was eclectic and superb; their customer service exceptional. The Paco Seco concert at the guitar shop was wonderful (a must do). Wandering the hilly streets without a compass while eating ice cream -- time stood still. The gorge and the bridges were a marvel. Be prepared to take a lot of photos. And the local hospitality was superb. Ronda is heaven on earth."

Ken

Tour: 05/18/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

great trip, sightseeing and new experiences, tour was very well managed, everything went smoothly and pretty much exactly as expected, nice hotels and good travel schedule, good tour managers

Favorite "WOW" moment

"seeing Rick Steves' picture/signed photo at hotel in Ronda, hahaha can't pick the wow one but favorites include bullfight, sunrise in ronda, grandeur of sagrada familia and ahlhambra"

Karen

Tour: 05/18/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was one of the best travel experiences I have ever had. It was a treat to travel without needing to be responsible for a large share of the logistics - or ‘sludge’- of travel.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s hard to pick just one - so I’ll pick two. The visit to The Alhambra by day and the superb dinner at Carmen de las Tomasas in the Albayzin that evening viewing the Alhambra by sunset and then moonlight. The full day of immersion in the glories of Moorish design, architecture and history set the stage, and the mood, for viewing the beauty of the palace from a distance. It also made the the dinner conversation with our tour group at once lively and intimate. We had lots to share."

Kelly

Tour: 05/18/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful! Loved all 3 of our guides. Cites and towns were fabulous.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going up to the Alhambra I think. and feeling the long history behind it"

Neil

Tour: 05/11/23

So many fantastic experiences. Even though this was a My Way tour, we had a terrific group and made good connections with numerous people. I found, somewhat to my surprise, that My Way offered the perfect match of structure and independence. Our tour leader was great too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Again, so many. Maybe the optional group dinner in the terrace overlooking the Alhambra as the sun set. Just magic."

Elaine

Tour: 05/11/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well run. All the hotels were good places to stay, and well located. Our tour guide, Brian, worked very hard to make sure each participant had a good experience. Transportation worked well with very few glitches, both the buses and train. Enjoyed our time in each city and found it easy to extend the trip to make sure we saw Cordoba and Toledo.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too hard to pick just one. Dinner in Granada on a terrace overlooking the Alhambra was definitely one of them. "

Francine

Tour: 05/11/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really appreciated that the tour coordinated the transportation and the hotels. That was a big stress reliever. It was also helpful to have the tour manager.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra was our wow point of the tour. One nice thing about being on my way tour was we were able to go up to the Alhambra and stay there as long as we wanted. It was a really special day, and it gave me a real appreciation for the history of Spain "

Sally

Tour: 05/11/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour went very smoothly, sites, fascinating, and our group was very compatible, enjoyable!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several – the royal palace in Madrid, the Alhambra in Granada, and the flamenco show!"

Kathy

Tour: 05/04/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the knowledgeable guides to the wonderful hotels centrally located made the trip magical

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our tour guide David arranged a group dinner at wonderful restaurant across from Alhambra. The views were amazing "

Caroline

Tour: 05/04/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was great especially David and Tim the were very helpful

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ponds guitar concert with Rick "

Victoria

Tour: 05/04/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

For our first Rick Steve's tour we did the My Way Spain and it was everything we'd hoped and more. The itinerary was just right, with enough tips and suggestions to add depth and meaning to our experiences. Our tour guide David was a master at maintaining order and enthusiasm in equal measures. He was a calm, knowledgable expert who made all of us feel special just to be taking the tour. Our tour buddies were upbeat, friendly, and nonintrusive, but up for a fun if you wanted companionship.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We met Rick Steves!! Fan girl moment: at a lovely Happy Hour in Ronda Rick showed up to say hello. He was as genuine and friendly as his videos suggest. We all took photos and selfies with our favorite world traveler. Everyone was excited and Rick was very patient with our shenanigans. After that, we met him again at an amazing classical guitar concert arranged by our guide. What an experience!"

Timothy

Tour: 05/04/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our orientation to Madrid was capped with a visit to our guide David's "local" (tapas bar) where we were introduced to tapas culture. We learned how to order drinks in a busy bar, which is the sort of bar one seeks when going out for tapas. We learned that a small plate of tapas is typically served automatically whenever one orders drinks, and we learned that non-alcoholic ("sin alcohol") beers are widely available."

Kathleen

Tour: 05/04/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 6th Rick Steves tour, but our first My Way. Even though most RS tours have lots of free time, this was an exciting and action-packed time of our own doing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Eating on a terrace overlooking the Alhambra in the evening watching the sun change its colors was breathtaking! And...what a pleasure to meet Rick in Ronda!"

Karen

Tour: 05/04/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide David was attentive, approachable, knowledgeable and always available via WhatsApp if we were out and about on our own. As the only solo traveler in the group and my first Rick Steve’s tour, David exceeded my expectations. I’m addition we had an apprentice tour guide Tim who was also very helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Maybe not the same for others in my group however, my favorite wow moment was as a solo traveler I had the safety net of the tour group and tour guide David. I say this because I travel globally for work however have never travelled solo with a tour group. I enjoyed seeing all the sites I wanted as well as meet some wonderful travellers in our group. If you are on the fence of whether to travel solo with a Rick Steves group - do it!!! "

I-wei

Tour: 05/04/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the beginning with registering for the tour to the last day of the tour, I felt well informed, cared for, and respected. The tour cities were representative of many interesting cultural regions of Spain, hotels were outstanding. Guides were so wonderful. The whole trip was very smooth and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Alhambra from the view point at night "

Michael

Tour: 05/04/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First ever tour after traveling on our own for 40 years and it was outstanding. The My Way tour took away all the stress of finding hotels and transportation but let us plan our days on our own. Our guides, David and Tim were great, providing all the guidance we needed and even throwing in a couple of special events!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tossup between the special dinner our guide David arranged in Granada, overlooking the Alhambra or the suprise guest at our Happy Hour in Ronda."

Richard

Tour: 04/27/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed this tour very much. At first I was concerned because our previous Rick Steves tour was a guided Best of England. By studying the Rick's book and going on the city tours (narrated by Rick) we had no trouble seeing the highlights of each city and using our time wisely.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Group dinner in Grenada, overlooking the Alhambra. At sunset the Alhambra turned gold."

Vicki

Tour: 04/27/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Hotels in wonderful locations, great to have our guide available for pointers, information, this unguided tour took all the stress out if choosing hotels, traveling between locations, etc.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several but top three were dinner overlooking the Alhambra, the Alhambra, and the night in Ronda."

Nancy L

Tour: 04/27/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I chose the My Way Tour of Spain because I didn't think I would be able to keep up with a regular tour. The My Way Tour was great! I especially liked the few optional group activities—the dinner overlooking the Alhambra, the Paco Seco Concert in Ronda, and the flamenco show in Sevilla (which unfortunately I could not attend although I heard it was excellent)—that were arranged by Brian, our tour manager.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many WOW moments, but if I have to choose just one, it would be that night in Granada when we met as a group for a many-course meal on the terrace overlooking the Alhambra at sunset. The food and wine were wonderful, and the view was spectacular! "

Beverley

Tour: 04/27/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First Rick Steves tour. We took My Way tour to Spain. Loved having the ease of hotel and transportation bookings and our tour guide to help make the trip a success.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner overlooking the Alhambra in Granada"

Pamela

Tour: 04/20/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a fantastic ‘My Way’ tour of Spain due in large part to our experienced and enthusiastic guides, David and Luis, who provided invaluable insight and knowledge. They kept everyone on time and focused and we were fortunate to have a great group of fellow travelers with whom we were very compatible. We felt very well taken care of under David and Luis’ expertise guidance, and their genuine enthusiasm in sharing their love of this beautiful country, greatly enhanced our trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many “wow” moments on this trip… the gorgeous architecture of Barcelona, the amazing food throughout Spain, the Prado museum, and magnificent Alhambra, to name a few. However the dinner organized by David and Luis overlooking the Alhambra was definitely a highlight and magical moment with the achingly beautiful views and fun company of our guides and fellow travelers. "

Ken

Tour: 04/20/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an absolutely brilliant tour. David and Luis were so helpful and had everything perfectly and smoothly organized.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Sagrada Familia was awe inspiring."

William

Tour: 04/20/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves' Experience and we were totally satisfied. Our guides were very responsive and made excellent recommendations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our guide David planned a dinner for the group which was absolutely perfect. Having a group that were all very kind and generous was a big plus."

Jean

Tour: 04/20/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Right from the first meeting with our guides and fellow travellers, our impression was very positive. The group was friendly and welcoming and things were organized and efficient. Communication with our guides was clear and needed information was easily accessible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner overlooking the Alhambra. "

Jim

Tour: 04/20/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Spain is a beautiful and friendly country. The tour stops were great choices and well planned. Hotels were centrally located and very comfortable. The tour guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. Overall the trip was very enjoyable and stress free. Each stop was unique with many sightseeing and experience to explore including architecture, museums, art history, local culture and food. The “my way” tour had a good balance of organization, local travel and accommodation with lots of free time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many. One evening we had dinner over looking the Alhambra it was a spectacular view, great food and beautiful weather. "

Rick

Tour: 04/20/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great schedule to see some of the varied regions of friendly and fun Spain. My Way Tour made it easy to explorer on our own without worrying about transportation or lodging. Fantastic travel guides and friendly travelers to share experiences with when we wanted to.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner outside at Restaurante las Tomasas in Granada"

Thomas

Tour: 04/20/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great tour. Our terrific group leaders were knowledgeable and friendly. The members of the tour were all really nice. Your tours attract a certain kind of traveler who is open and wants to learn from the traveling experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having dinner together in Granada with the Alhambra in our view."

Andrea

Tour: 04/20/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the Spain My Way... best of both worlds, independent travel and organized transportation and hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Very hard to choose, we had a great group and David and Louis were amazing "

Bandana

Tour: 04/20/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Visiting different places, eating food, meeting with people and enjoying nature was amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Natural beauty and historical architects."

Pamela

Tour: 04/20/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The 'My Way' travel model was perfect for me. I am a solo, older woman who wants to travel but appreciates having back up while on the road. RS took the 'business' of planning and organizing the itinerary and let me plan the fun parts of what to do once in a city. Coupled with the RS books and the excellent 'Tour Managers' who were available each morning, I was well prepared with online tickets in hand and ready to explore on my own or with someone in our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Tour Managers suggested venues for meals at a few spots if we wanted to get together as a group. The dinner on the terrace across from the Alhambra was spectacular. An appetizer to what we would see the next full day in Granada. Being able to enjoy the sunset as the colors changed and spilled across the snow capped mountains down to the Alhambra while we lingered over a fantastic meal will always be a hightlight of my travels. "

Cathy

Tour: 10/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was a joy. She was well prepared and went above and beyond.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"An amazing extra dinner our tour guide arranged."

David

Tour: 10/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the tour from our guide Asa who made the tour special. She was informative, knowledgeable and included incredible surprises along the way. She was very enthusiastic and passionate about Spain and the culture and passed that in to us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking into the Carmen with the sunset view of the Alhambra. "

Wilma

Tour: 10/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour representative was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and did a great job of keeping us informed of places to visit and events. She was available in the mornings to assist us with any questions or concerns. This made this a very memorable tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't think of anything specific. I enjoyed the whole experience."

Julie

Tour: 10/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great time, great group!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the private dinner we had overlooking the Alahambra on 10/11."

Laura

Tour: 10/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was flawless, wonderful tour guide…. She was so passionate about Spain and it showed, the cities we saw, the hotels…..saw so much more than I expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The group dinner that Asa set up in Granada was spectacular…. The view took my breath away"

Sally

Tour: 10/04/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our first My Way tour, after four other RS tours. We had a great time, but missed the guides’ commentaries on the bus rides. The RS guides we have had on tours have been so informative and entertaining I think we will go back to group tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner in a lovely restaurant overlooking the Alhambra. No, wait…Ronda, that gorgeous cliff-hanger of a town we visited. Or maybe the Flamenco show we went to. Heck, it was all one “wow” after another. "

Anne

Tour: 10/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great intro to Spain, its cities and rich history. The hotels varied in quality but all were centrally located. Margaret was available to help with tickets, suggestions, and help.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hmmm… so many"

Ric

Tour: 10/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour guide and tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the Alhambra. Churros and chocolate in Madrid. "

Vickie

Tour: 10/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was beautifully executed. Margaret always had her tips and recommendations that were on point. She was awesome!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many to chose from but I would have to say the Royal Palace in Madrid was amazing. "

Katherine

Tour: 10/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous cities/sites, an outstanding tour manager and amazing new friends from this wonderful trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alhambra at sunset"

Stephen

Tour: 10/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

excellent hotel locations everywhere

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spain"

John

Tour: 10/04/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our My Way tour in Spain was very good; all it was promised.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the Alhambra in Granada"

Natalie

Tour: 10/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great experience from start to finish!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The farewell dinner was really fun!"

Wayne

Tour: 09/29/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The "My Way" approach was perfect for what we needed. All of the tedious aspects of hotels and travel were already taken care of, and we could just focus on visiting each location in our own way, and on our own. Yet we also had great guidance, if and when needed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner at Casa Maria Ronda, the wonderful restaurant recommended in the guidebook, was one of the best we have ever had."

Dave

Tour: 09/29/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Old churches"

Mary

Tour: 09/29/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Pal was a magnificent tour manager… so knowledgeable, personable and dependable! As a retired teacher, I give him an A +

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is impossible to give one WOW moment. Each city on the tour provided fantastic memorable moments!"

James

Tour: 09/29/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well-paced experience with excellent tour manager, Pal Bjarne Johansen, and unique accommodations located in the heart of key sites in each city/town. Loved the exciting big cities of Madrid and Barcelona but small towns like Ronda and day trip sites of Toledo and Cordoba provided the opportunity to slow down and enjoy people-watching and unexpected conversations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ronda provided great sites like the "new" bridge and bull ring but the highlights were the views and vistas available everywhere you turned."

Gregg

Tour: 09/29/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a wonderful, fun, knowledgeable guide for our Spain My Way tour. Having travel and hotels arranged by a seasoned pro took all of the pressure off of us, so we could enjoy the sights on our own schedule. Pål's tip were invaluable to helping us decide where to prioritize our time, and he took a personal interest in helping us make reservations when we had some language challenges.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A couple of the Spanish cathedrals were a visual WOW, and learning how the Moorish Muslims fit in there between the Romans and the Christians (for 700 years!) were the cultural WOW for us. "

Mary Kay

Tour: 09/29/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our group was the right size and with interesting people. Our guide was wonderful. We especially liked his orientation sessions at some of the cities. The city choices were a nice mix of big city and smaller but very special places. Pal's "office hours" were very helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our little group of 6 had reserved tickets for Zambra dancing in Granada. I loved that."

Mary

Tour: 09/29/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had never done group travel internationally and My Way touring appealed in that we wanted to plan our trip with experiences unique to us and the friends we were traveling with. It had been 8 years since we'd traveled to Europe and it was nice to have the transportation and lodging piece already secured. The other aspect about this trip that made it memorable and fun was our tour manager, Pal Johansen (sp?). He was great--fun, personable, and informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "WOW" moments but one that impressed me was the Alhambra in Granada--we spent 5 hours there! The time went by so fast--we could have stayed longer!"

Thomas

Tour: 09/29/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour. I had good expectations based on the programs, Monday night, shows and other information I have reviewed over the years. Overall this was a great trip. It checked all the expectations and offered more than I expected. Except for the fatigue, I would be ready to go on another one soon. I expected to see the sights, monuments, cathedrals, museums I had planned for and we did it all. And I feel like my traveling skills have been improved.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many but I think the Segrada Familia was a WOW, OVERWHELMING. This is a modern work of art, architecture dedicated to honor the Holy Family. The concept, design, and creativity of Gaudi is amazing. it has to be seen in person. I plan to return after it is completed, hopefully in 2027. I think a lesser WOW of a different type is the experiences of so many aspects of Spanish culture. We had a professional guide who was so knowledgeable and approachable. He exceeded my expectations. "

Joyce

Tour: 09/29/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Spain my way was the perfect way to take a tour. The other people on the tour were lovely but we had a very nice trip, just us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Barcelona and the Guadi locations"

Jane

Tour: 09/22/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first Rick Steves Tour and was a terrific experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many! One highlight was the dinner we had in Granada in the restaurant where we had a fabulous view of the Alhambra as the sunset. The food was fantastic, and the view was incredible. We also had a chance to get to know our fellow travelers better. "

Larry

Tour: 09/22/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Wasn’t too sure about doing the My Way Tour but had an awesome time. Really appreciated the opportunities our tour manager gave the group to get to know each other. Just wish it was earlier in the trip. Rich and Brian were great. They answered all our questions and it they didn’t know they went out of their way to get the answer and help. We would highly recommend traveling with Rick Steves Tours. Loved the smaller size of the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The amazing architecture of the buildings, especially the churches and the dinner in Granada with the view being the Alhambra. "

Jane

Tour: 09/22/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The structure of the tour made the experience hassle free. We liked leaving the logistics of travel between cities and selecting hotels to the experts, so we could spend our planning time focused on preparing for the sites we wanted to visit and the experiences we preferred.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely the Alhambra!"

Juanita

Tour: 09/22/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire group was so kind and friendly. Rich and Brian were the best tour leaders and very knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner with Rich and Brian at the Alhambra was a beautiful setting for a beautiful evening."

Major

Tour: 09/15/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Pal was an excellent and knowledgeable tour manager.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the ancient fortress wall in Sevilla."

Christine

Tour: 09/15/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our group, led by Pal, was a friendly bunch, made up of people from across the U.S., and us, the two Canadians. Everyone was congenial and we travelled harmoniously together. Pal shared lots of information about the places we were visiting, and set up a Flamenco experience in Sevilla, as well as a fabulous rooftop dinner on our last evening. He was an awesome leader, offering suggestions, answering questions, and helping to solve any issues that arose. (Few did.) We enjoyed meeting everyone!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Turning a corner as we walked down the hill in Segovia and seeing the amazing Roman aqueduct that stands 100 feet high, and has done so for over 2000 years, built without the use of mortar, and still able to be functional today. It was awe-inspiring. Segovia is an optional day-trip from Madrid, but we highly recommend it!"

John

Tour: 09/15/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have travelled extensively by ourselves through most of Europe, and the most difficult thing is the searching for and booking hotels and transportation. "My Way" completely took care of those two things, making the whole trip much more enjoyable. Pal Johansen is a wonderful host, and very good at his job. We would certainly jump at the chance to travel with him again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Karen and I brought along 9 of our very good friends who have said for years, "When John and Karen go to Spain again, we want to go along." Although Karen and I were seeing many things we have seen before, we thoroughly enjoyed watching our friends experience the wonders of Spain for the first time. Not having to worry about lodging and transportation made it easy for us to concentrate on the experience of exploring Spain."

Jacqueline

Tour: 09/15/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We are active travellers and we were slightly apprehensive about a tour. My Way was perfect for us. The logistics were arranged for us. We had a brief orientation and access to thoughtful suggestions and the guide’s experiences in each location. Then we went off and had our own adventures.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ronda was enchanting. "

Lynn

Tour: 09/15/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very well planned and the hotels were great - centrally located and nice to stay in.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many it is hard to choose one "wow" moment. Seeing Alhambra from inside and outside sticks out in my mind."

Rebecca

Tour: 09/15/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well planned tour and good itinerary. Pal was an excellent tour manager. I appreciated his even tone and sense of humor. He provided excellent information and recommendations. I like the My Way experience which provides convenience with independence.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments but the Alhambra and Granada was especially memorable. After the palace tour we walked back to town along the river and had a leisurely lunch with a view of the Alhambra."

Heidi

Tour: 09/08/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour was very good, felt that 1 more day was needed in Barcelona, 3 nights in Madrid was too much, would have preferred a second night in Granada or Ronda.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We took a tour to Montserrat, it was amazing. Tour then took us to see many of the sights in Barcelona; Park Güell, Olympic Stadium, beach, Sagrada Familia. Strongly recommend this when you only have one day."

Laurie

Tour: 09/08/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Really nice facilities and the transportation lined up went very smoothly. Communication between RS and us was also very helpful and prompt.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stepping off the plane into a foreign country - realizing how nice it felt and how long it had been since I had traveled. "

Gordon

Tour: 09/08/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The cities chosen provided a good first look at Spain. Most were busy which was wearing. Ronda was a lovely break. The hotels were a reasonable representation of the Rick Steves ideal and were clean, friendly and centrally located.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gaudi's Sagrada Familia (also La Pedrera) in Barcelona. The bull ring in Ronda was fascinating in its own way."

Scott

Tour: 09/08/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Spain was fabulous, had never been there before. Learned so much, saw so many new and unexpected things. My way tour worked great, all travel and hotels taken care of made it so much easier, and we had the flexibility to set up our own tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to say as there were so many, but the cathedral is Sevilla was amazing!"

Letti

Tour: 06/23/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had a great time and loved the food

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking down to the old bridge in Ronda"

Tarunjeet

Tour: 06/23/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It is a well curated tour. Just the right amount of driving in between the cities.and very centrally located hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of small villages like LaMancha and Zahara. The location of hotels, close to good food places and Flamenco performance."

Maria

Tour: 06/23/22

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I expected more from a Rick Steve's Tour. I think the quality of our tour guide made a significant impact.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our last hotel was beautiful in Seville. It was a nice way to end the tour."

Greg

Tour: 06/23/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the structure of the Rick Steves tour combined with the autonomy of the My Way experience. This was my first trip to Europe and Spain didn’t disappoint. The accommodations were quaint and immersive. James, our guide, was deft at navigating post-COVID changes in the cities we visited. He infused knowledge when we were curious and stepped back when were on our own. I particularly enjoyed the city orientation walks. Our group genuinely enjoyed each other, making lasting memories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was personally “wowed” by Spanish/European culture’s approach to work/life balance and love of life. It seemed every city we visited was making way for more bikes and pedestrians and fewer cars. The pace of the day was centered around enjoying the company of others, use of abundant green space and general zest for life. It inspires me to continue to explore more of Europe. "

Patricia

Tour: 06/23/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Out of my seven RS tours, this was my first My Way and I thought it was great! I liked the personal time to explore with the transportation and hotels arranged for us.The pacing was perfect and the hotels were perfectly located in the cities we visited. James was helpful and knowledgeable in sharing his love of Spain with us. Our group got along very well and we regularly shared tapas with new friends!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I truly loved our tapas bar experiences in Madrid. We found ourselves in a bar drinking vermouth and navigating the tapas menu under the care and attention of a rather entertaining bartender. She was stern and we loved it! We had such a great experience we brought some friends back the next night. We laughed and had a wonderful time exploring tapas bars and bodegas!"

Craig

Tour: 06/16/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well run and planned! Great tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Royal Palace"

Tonia

Tour: 06/16/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The My Way tour was just what I wanted - the stressful details handled, leaving me to plan and execute all the experiences I wanted to have the way I wanted to have them. It was just great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were way too many to just choose 1!!! But - the Alhambra gardens first thing in the morning without a lot of people was definitely a highlight. "

Isabella

Tour: 06/16/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

So much information given and well though out advice in the textbook that is not found in every tour service company around

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The moments spent walking back to the hotel at noght after a group dinner listening to the sound of joyous music from local players. Magnificent memories made."

David

Tour: 06/16/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What fun to see at our own pace. Our guide always had "office hours" for questions and lots of time for all of us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"To many to cover. I enjoyed all the wonderful architecture."

Kristen

Tour: 06/16/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful having all the big things like the bus, train and hotels taken care of. I had previously been to some of the cities so it was nice to have the independence to plan what to do in each city. The guide, Amanda, was amazing! She was kind and knowledgable. She was very helpful in answering questions and offering suggestions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved seeing La Sagrada Familia again. The last time I went I was with a guy that had a more limited amount of time. This time I was able to wander at my own pace. I had also never been to Granada so seeing Alhambra was amazing!"

Ethan

Tour: 06/16/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can’t tell - so many "

Colin

Tour: 05/26/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall a wonderful trip in a beautiful country. I wished we had a bit more time in each city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Alhambra or Toledo Cathedral"

Rebecca

Tour: 05/26/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Went smooth, well planned, a bit rushed but overall very positive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner at the Carmen overlooking Alhambra. Beautiful!"

Richard

Tour: 05/26/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The "My Way" format worked well for us - we liked that transportation and lodging were arranged for us, and our tour manager, Rich Earl, was great! He spoke Spanish fluently and gave us lots of assistance with making train reservations and tour choices. His general knowledge of the cities we visited helped orient us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sagrada Familia cathedral was amazing, and Barcelona is one of the loveliest cities we have ever seen! We would have liked another day in Ronda because it is quite charming and a spectacular setting. The Alhambra in Granada is impressive, but we enjoyed the Alcazar in Sevilla more because it had the same Moorish decor but took half as long to see as the Alhambra, and if one pays for the tour of the royal quarters, you can see these amazing rooms in period furnishings."

Mary Frances Carol

Tour: 05/26/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beyond my expectations! The ease and flow of the tour schedule made the trip stress free and so enjoyable. Schedule was perfect. Rich, our tour guide was prompt and professional throughout the entire trip. His enthusiasm is describing the sights and culture of the places we visited was incredible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The optional activities were spectacular. I signed up for all of them, and they really made the experience of being part of the culture so enjoyable. The dinner at the restaurant in Granada was perfect - the view, food, service, and location."

Brett

Tour: 05/26/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We are now fans of the My Way tour format and will recommend it to others. It was the best mix of support with the freedom to plan your days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The people of Spain. They have a very relaxed outlook on things and are warm and generous. They made us feel welcome and glad that we visited."

Regina

Tour: 05/12/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very content and glad I took your tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don’t think I had a “wow” moment. "

Steven

Tour: 05/12/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great food, trip made easy by Rick Steve's My Way planning.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Group dinner in Granada with overlook view of the Alhambra."

Dana

Tour: 05/12/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first tour ever & I couldn't have been happier with the experience! I was very impressed with how quickly the Rick Steves organization pivoted when our guide became ill - the tour seamlessly continued with a new guide quickly joining us. The information & orientation walks offered by the guides were much appreciated & the optional activities & dinners they arranged were outstanding. Travel by train & coach was a snap, & hotels were mostly excellent. Can't wait to do another tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were in Ronda at Casa Museo Don Bosco, a lovely mansion with a patio that overlooks a beautiful garden and the valley below. With refreshments in hand, we settled in for a Spanish guitar concert as a gentle breeze blew threw the room and birds sang outside. It was truly a magical moment!"

Richard

Tour: 05/12/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well our group was great and our first guide Rich Earl was fantastic until he came down with Covid and we needed another one in Madrid. Amanda took over and she was wonderful but had to leave us in Seville where Connie took over and was very caring and professional. Overall Covid put a little bit of a damper on everything as 5 other members of our group caught it and had to drop out. At which point we were weary of eating indoors (including eating breakfast with our group).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona was it for me. I mean WOW! Could have sat there for hours!"

Kevin

Tour: 05/12/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I think the trip flowed very well. Our guides were very helpful. We were glad we arrived in Barcelona one day early. There was too much to see for the time that was given. I did like the hotels being centrally located, except for Madrid. I felt it was located in time square. People on top of people. If we were not having this covid experience, I'm sure it would have felt much different. Our guide and five members of the tour tested positive early on. We were just trying to stay healthy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sagrada Famililia was my favorite site. It was an amazing creation. "

Charlotte

Tour: 05/12/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Another great trip, overall. The allotment of time was excellent, the tour hotels were very well located and central to all the things we wanted to do. Our replacement guide, Amanda, was helpful and friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Again, its always the shortest stops and the smallest towns that are the most amazing. Ronda (on the tour) and Toledo (side trip from Madrid) were the most spectacular, and I could have stayed both places longer!"

Barb

Tour: 05/12/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The accommodations were all excellent and even though we had several tour members as well as our guide contract COVID it was all handled professionally, and we never felt "unsafe". Our replacement guide, Amanda, was awesome and the tour completed without a hitch!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to say! Sagrada Familia, the Prado, the countryside itself, the food was all just amazing! Ronda however was a a delight and if anything, I would suggest a longer stay there!"

Timothy

Tour: 05/12/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was great. We truly enjoyed it. The tour leaders planned all of the hotel check-ins and transportation very well. Due to COVID, our initial leader was only with the group a few days. The second tour host, Amanda was amazing. She shared her knowledge and experiences of living in Spain and was a joy to talk with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The guitar concert that we attended at Casa del Bosco in Ronda was amazing! The outdoor space overlooking the gorge and bridge was breathtaking!"

Karen

Tour: 04/28/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We spent a great deal of time planning for our My Way tour and that certainly contributed to a great trip. Our tour hostess was very helpful and made arrangements smooth and easy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s a toss up between the Feria in Sevilla where we booked a guide who take a few of us at night to her Caseta where we ate and drank and danced the night away and the awe inspiring work of Gaudi and his Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. "

Ingrid

Tour: 04/28/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was exactly what we were looking for. I have Parkinson's and I thought one of your active guided tours might be too much for me. We arrived a few days before and remained in Sevilla for a few days after the tour ended. As it turned out, we walked up to 6 miles a day. The hotels were centrally located and very nice. Hotel Jazz in particular was a great help to us. There were elevators in most places for me to use. Asa was a great tour leader.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Asa arranged a dinner in a restaurant overlooking Alhambra in Grenada. We had a room all to ourselves. The dinner was delicious. And as the daylight disappeared, Alhambra lit up. What a sight! We had a guided tour of Alhambra the next day and we were amazed at the intricate carvings from the period of Islam. My second wow moment was the New Bridge over the gorge in Ronda. "

Isabel

Tour: 04/28/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a fabulous experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many...Dinner looking at the Alhambra; Spanish Guitar Concert in Ronda; Flamenco in Seville"

Daniel

Tour: 04/28/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

First My Way tour; very pleased.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the agriculture; never seen so much area under cultivation with trees."

Scott

Tour: 04/28/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great choices of places to visit, comfortable means of travel, and a nice pace allowed for plenty of free time and selection of things to do.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Royal Palace in Madrid was almost overwhelming in scale and beauty!"

Allen

Tour: 04/28/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was so wonderful to be back traveling after the pandemic lock down! The Spain My Way tour was the perfect blend of freedom and having a tour guide. SO easy to have travel and lodging already arranged!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hearing a Eurasian Blackbird for the first time, and recognizing it from the Beatles song. Sounds crazy, but that really was a wow moment! Also, trying Tinto de Verano for the first time. 10/10, highly recommend."

Janice

Tour: 04/28/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the Spain My Way Tour, the itinerary was perfect and well timed transportation and hotels in the places we wanted to go. We added three days to Barcelona, to fully see Gaudi, the charming city and do an excursion to Girona and the coast. Asa, our guide, was amazing, loved the perspective she brought as someone who fell in love with Spain and flamenco. The Spanish countryside is stunning and its fascinating the way the culture changes by each region.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As an architect, I was first introduced to Gaudi and the Alhambra 40 years ago as a student. Tremendous to see these works of genius in person. Especially the sun setting on the Alhambra from the group dinner at Restaurante Las Tomasas."

When To Go & Weather

Spring and fall are the best times to take a My Way Spain tour with good weather, lighter crowds, long days, and plenty of tourist and cultural activities.

Spain / Barcelona

Barcelona Weather

 


Spain / Madrid

Madrid Weather

 


Spain / Sevilla

Sevilla Weather

Hotels & Flights

Tour Hotels

In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour's first and last hotels is included in your tour confirmation email, as well as in the Itinerary section of your tour account. One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying in the Documents section of your tour account.

Flights

Our tours don't include airfare, so your flight arrangements are completely up to you.

Most tour members arrange to fly into Barcelona (BCN) and out of Sevilla (SVQ) — choose "multicity" on flight-booking websites. Booking round-trip to one city will require a connecting flight, train trip, or additional overnight stay in Spain.

We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. For more information about transportation options for getting to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Spain guidebook.