Spain & Italy: 11 Days Madrid, Barcelona to Rome

Morning  You land at Madrid-Barajas Airport and travel into the city entirely by public transport. The Exprés Aeropuerto bus runs 24 hours a day to Atocha station and takes about 40 minutes, and metro Line 8 runs from the airport to Nuevos Ministerios, where you change to a central line. Either way, allow 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach your hotel.

Afternoon  You will stay at a centrally located 4★ hotel near Puerta del Sol or Gran Vía, a short walk from a metro station. After settling in, walk to Puerta del Sol, the symbolic centre of Spain, and on to the arcaded Plaza Mayor. Stop at Chocolatería San Ginés for thick hot chocolate and churros.

Evening  Stroll through the Sabatini Gardens to the Temple of Debod and watch the sun set over the city. Spaniards dine late, so enjoy a first tapas dinner around 8:30 or 9:00 pm in La Latina, with croquetas, jamón ibérico and a glass of Rioja. Early night after a long journey

Morning  Start with a relaxed hotel breakfast, then visit the Royal Palace, one of the largest palaces in Europe, with its throne room, royal armoury and ornate state rooms. Next, step into the Almudena Cathedral across the square. Booking a timed ticket for the palace ahead of time is strongly recommended.

Afternoon  Take lunch at a traditional restaurant and try the menú del día, a good value set menu. Then take the metro or walk to the Prado Museum to see Velázquez’s Las Meninas, Goya’s works and masterpieces by El Greco. If you have the energy, continue to the Reina Sofía Museum to see Picasso’s Guernica, or relax with a stroll through Retiro Park, where you can rent a rowboat on the lake and see the glass Crystal Palace.

Evening  A free evening. Enjoy a drink at a rooftop terrace with views across the city, then a flamenco show at an intimate tablao, or a tapas crawl in the Huertas district. Pack up tonight, as tomorrow you travel to Barcelona.

Morning  Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, then check out and take the metro to Madrid Atocha station . Today’s main journey is a direct high speed train to Barcelona which take about 2.5 hours.

Afternoon  You will stay at a centrally located 4★ hotel in the Eixample district, close to Passeig de Gràcia and a metro station. After lunch, walk along Passeig de Gràcia to see Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and La Pedrera from the street, with their sculpted facades.

Evening  Walk down to the Gothic Quarter and the El Born district, where medieval lanes open onto lively squares. Dinner is a tapas crawl or small plates near the basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, with a glass of cava.

Morning  Begin with a relaxed breakfast, then take the metro directly to Sagrada Família station, which is right beside the basilica. Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece is unlike any other church in the world, with its forest like columns and rainbow light. Book the first timed entry slot and add a tower visit if you wish.

Afternoon  Take a relaxed lunch in the Gràcia district, a village like neighbourhood of small squares. Then continue by metro and a short walk, or by local bus, to Park Güell, a hillside park of mosaics and curving terraces with views over the city and the sea. A timed ticket is required.

Evening  Return to your hotel to rest. As the sun goes down, take the metro and a short walk to the Bunkers del Carmel for a panoramic view of the city lights, or simply enjoy a dinner of Catalan classics, such as pa amb tomàquet and fideuà, near your hotel.

Morning  Enjoy a wonderful breakfast, then explore the Gothic Quarter and the Barcelona Cathedral. Visit the Picasso Museum in El Born, then walk to La Boqueria market on La Rambla for fresh juice and local produce. Keep your valuables close in the busy market and on La Rambla.

Afternoon  Take the metro to Barceloneta for a seafood lunch by the beach and a walk along the sea promenade. Later, ride the metro to Paral·lel and take the funicular up Montjuïc, which is included in your city transport ticket. Walk through the gardens and enjoy the views over the harbour, or ride the cable car to the castle.

Evening  Enjoy dinner in Poble Sec, where Carrer de Blai is known for its pintxos bars. If your visit falls on a night when the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc performs , the colour and music show is a magical way to end the stay. Pack tonight for tomorrow’s cruise.

Morning  Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, then take a last stroll through the Gothic Quarter or along the waterfront. Check out of your hotel and keep your passport and cruise documents handy.

Afternoon  Arrive at the cruise terminal around by noon. Once on board, find your cabin, explore the ship and attend the mandatory safety drill.

Evening  Watch the sail away from the deck as Barcelona, Montjuïc and the harbour fade into the sunset, usually around 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Enjoy a welcome dinner and an evening show. Your first night at sea.

Morning  Sleep in, then take a relaxed breakfast in the dining room or on the buffet terrace. Spend the morning on the sun deck or by the pool with the open Mediterranean around you.

Afternoon  Enjoy a leisurely lunch, then make the most of the ship with a spa treatment, a cooking demonstration, trivia or simply a book on the deck. Some 3-night Barcelona to Rome sailings include a port call instead of a full sea day, so check your cruise line’s itinerary.

Evening  Watch the sun go down over the water, then enjoy a farewell dinner. If your cruise line offers luggage service, leave your bags outside your cabin before bed. Otherwise, pack and prepare for disembarkation in the morning.

Morning  Your ship arrives at Civitavecchia, Rome’s port, early in the morning, usually around 7:00 am. Enjoy a last breakfast on board and disembark when your group is called. Regional train from Civitavecchia to Roma Termini take about 1 hour with frequent departures through the morning.

Afternoon  You will stay at a centrally located 4★ hotel in Rome’s historic centre, close to the metro. You will arrive around midday. Take a relaxed lunch, then walk to the Pantheon, a nearly 2,000 year old temple with a perfect dome, and on to Piazza Navona with its Baroque fountains.

Evening  Walk to the Trevi Fountain as the lights come on, and toss a coin over your shoulder, as tradition says, to ensure your return. Enjoy a first Roman dinner of cacio e pepe or carbonara, followed by gelato.

Morning  Start with a wonderful breakfast, then step into the world of the Caesars. Visit the Colosseum, then the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where you walk the same stones as emperors. Timed entry tickets are essential, so book ahead.

Afternoon  Take lunch in the Monti neighbourhood, then continue to the Capitoline Hill for its view over the Forum and to Piazza Venezia. Climb to the terrace of the Vittoriano monument for a wide view of the city, then take a rest at your hotel.

Evening  Cross the Tiber to Trastevere, a lively old neighbourhood of cobbled lanes, for a dinner of Roman classics under strings of lights.

Morning  Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, then take the metro to the Vatican Museums and spend the morning there, finishing in the Sistine Chapel. Then step into St Peter’s Basilica. Shoulders and knees must be covered, so please pack accordingly.

Afternoon  Take lunch in the Prati district, then walk to Castel Sant’Angelo and across the Ponte Sant’Angelo. Continue by metro to the Spanish Steps, then climb them and stroll through the Villa Borghese gardens for an afternoon pause.

Evening  Watch the sunset from the Pincio Terrace above Piazza del Popolo, then enjoy a farewell dinner in Rome, perhaps with a view of the city’s rooftops and domes.

Morning  Enjoy a relaxed farewell breakfast at your hotel, with no alarm clocks and no rush. If your flight is later in the day, visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore near Termini, or take a last walk through the lanes around the Pantheon.

Afternoon  Take the Leonardo Express direct train from Roma Termini to Fiumicino Airport (FCO), about 32 minutes with departures every 15 minutes or so. Aim to reach the airport about 3 hours before your flight.

Evening  Fly home with a camera full of memories.

This is not goodbye. It is simply, “until we meet again.”

Over eleven days, you have wandered through the royal squares of Madrid, stood beneath Gaudí’s towers in Barcelona, sailed the Mediterranean, and walked among the arches of the Colosseum. We hope these memories stay with you long after you have unpacked, and we wish you a safe flight and a smooth journey home.