Life in Madrid is centered around talking, toasting and tapas-eating. In a walk through this crowded and social city, your Tour Director will help you get to know the lay of the land. Then stroll over to the Puerta del Sol, the bustling city center. Next, you'll relax at the Plaza Mayor, a grand square where every sort of human drama has taken place—trials of faith, public burnings of heretics, royal marriages, the canonization of saints, and countless balls and bullfights. End at the Plaza de España for a stop at an outdoor café.

Explore the Puerta del Sol, one of Madrid's busiest and most historic squares. While here we will view the Kilometre Zero marker, from which all distances in Spain are measured, and Madrid’s symbol, the Madrono.

Spend time in the Plaza Mayor, Madrid's most famous square. Throughout its long history the square has hosted markets, bullfights, soccer games, public executions, and the Spanish Inquisition. It is now ringed by shops and cafés and is often filled with artists and musicians.

The Plaza de España is a popular place to gather in Central Madrid. It features a large monument to Miguel de Cervante, author of Don Quixote.

Browse through the 3,418 rooms in the largest palace in Europe. Art lovers will marvel at the walls lined with priceless paintings, but don’t expect to catch a glimpse of the Spanish royal family—they reside elsewhere.

Officially recognized as Spain’s National Museum of 20th Century Art, The Sofia—as it is more commonly known—is home to an impressive collection from Spain’s two greatest 20th century masters. Hosting works of both Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí, it’s no wonder that The Sofia has risen to such a prominent place in the world of art. Certainly the most famous piece in the museum is Picasso’s Guernica, but in addition to this wonderful masterpiece, you’ll also find a vast library, archive, bookstore and restaurant.

The port city of Valencia lies on Spain’s southeastern coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. It’s known for its City of Arts and Sciences, with futuristic structures including a planetarium, an oceanarium and an interactive museum. Valencia also has several beaches, including some within nearby Albufera Park, an extensive wetlands reserve.

Mercado Central, or Central Market, is among Europe's largest markets, famous for its lively ambiance and fresh, local products.

Valencia Cathedral, also known as Catedral de Santa María de Valencia, showcases a remarkable blend of Gothic, Romanesque, and Baroque architectural styles, with origins dating back to the 13th century.

The Lonja de la Seda, or Silk Exchange, is a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its exquisite Valencian Gothic architecture.

Bands often enjoy performances at churches, temples, museums and cultural centers, significant historic sights, festivals occurring while they tour or exchange concerts with local schools, universities, or community groups. Outdoor venues in plazas or city squares are also wonderful options. Marching bands can also take advantage of local festivals or parades, or we can create a customized performance opportunity. Jazz bands may opt for a jazz club where available. For all performances we work closely with each group to ensure the perfect venue to meet their vision. Speak with your Worldstrides representative about what options would be best for your group.

Take a guided tour through the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia. The design by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava and its technical and teaching facilities make this a landmark theatre for opera, musical, and theatre productions.

Experience the Principe Felipe Science Museum, which has set a standard for interactive science, and is one of the most visited destinations in Spain. Its main goals are to peak curiosity and encourage critical thinking, while surprising and amusing the public with its exhibits from the world of science, technology, and the environment.

See brilliant Barcelona, a city of graceful Gothic churches, wrought-iron balconies and grand avenues filled with outdoor cafés. Throughout the city, daringly innovative buildings sit side-by-side with the medieval past. A licensed, local guide will show you some of the high points of this architectural showcase. First stop, the pointy spires of the La Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family), a half-finished church complex that became the obsession of Barcelona's famously eccentric architectural genius, Antoni Gaudí. At the top of Güell Park, another of Gaudí's masterpieces, is a terraced area where you get a fantastic view of the park and Barcelona City. The vibrant colours of the tiles are breathtaking. Then step back to the past with a journey up to Montjuïc (Hill of the Jews), a fortress built atop an ancient Jewish cemetery. This was the site of numerous battles to control Barcelona, and also the location of the 1992 Olympics.

This breathtaking church, said to be the master-work of architect Antoni Gaudí, has been under construction since 1882 and is not expected to be completed until 2026!

Travel to Barcelona’s mountain of Montjuïc, the focal point of two of the city’s key international events: the World’s Fair of 1929, of which many structures still remain; and the 1992 Olympic Games. Montjuïc features the largest "green zone" in the city with miles of forests and parks.

Spend time in Parc Güell, part of the UN ESCO World Heritage Site, 'Works of Antoni Gaudi'. Designed primarily by Gaudí, particularly interesting areas of the park include a mosaic pagoda, a lizard fountain spitting water, an undulating bench decorated with ceramic fragments, and an array of unique Doric columns, which are hollow and serve as part of Gaudí's drainage system.

Potential venues include (but not limited to): Barcelona's Cathedral, the Maritime Museum at the Royal Arsenal (built in 1378, this is one of the most visited museums in the city and located at the end of Las Ramblas,) the Center Moral i Cultural del Poblenou ( a popular nonprofit theater,) the Pere Pruna Culteral Center (suitable for smaller instrumental groups) or an exchange concert with a local school or community group. Other venues such as the Palau de la Musica Catalana can be arranged for additional cost.

Take a guided tour of El Palau de la Música Catalana, which is, for many, the most outstanding contribution of the modernista movement. Declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, it was designed by Luis Domènech i Montaner, a contemporary of Gaudí's, as a riot of symbolism and a feast for the senses.

This breathtaking church, said to be the master-work of architect Antoni Gaudí, has been under construction since 1882 and is not expected to be completed until 2026! Despite its unfinished state, the church has 18 spindle-shaped towers that soar above the church itself, making for a striking addition to Barcelona’s skyline and more than worth the visit.

Originating from gypsy music and dance in Southern Spain, flamenco dancing has become a Spanish institution. Dancers use intricate footwork and elaborate arm gestures to convey the mood of the music, which can range from lamentation to celebration.