My Way® Spain in 11 Days

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

VERY WELL ORGANIZED

Favorite "WOW" moment

"HISTORY"

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."

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."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

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."

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."

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. "

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."

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. "

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"

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. "

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 "

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!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Flamenco in Seville"

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"

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!"

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."

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."

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"

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"

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."

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. "

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!"

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."

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 "

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 "

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 "

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!"

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."

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!"

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!!! "

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 "

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."

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"

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."

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."

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! "

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."

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."

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."

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. "

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."

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 "

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. "

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"

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. "

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. "

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."

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."

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. "

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"

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."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

excellent hotel locations everywhere

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spain"

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. "

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"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour guide and tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

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

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"

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. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great experience from start to finish!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The farewell dinner was really fun!"

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"

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!"

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. "

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."

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!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Old churches"

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."

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. "

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"

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."

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. "

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. "

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!"

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."

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."

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."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Pal was an excellent and knowledgeable tour manager.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the ancient fortress wall in Sevilla."

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!"

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."

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. "

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!"

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."

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. "

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."

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!"

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"

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."

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. "

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."

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. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can’t tell - so many "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well run and planned! Great tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Royal Palace"

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."

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."

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!"

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."

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"

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."

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!"

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."

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!"

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. "

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!"

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!"

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!"

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. "

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."

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!"

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."

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. "

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. "

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"

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!"

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."

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."