Rome, Barcelona and Madrid

  • 9 Days
  • Explorer Value Trip

We're always ready to personalize
a tour to your unique needs

Rome, Barcelona and Madrid Get Started

Map & Route

Depart

Overnight Flight

1 1 Night

Rome

3 3 Nights

Barcelona

2 2 Nights

Madrid

2 2 Nights
Return
map Rome, Barcelona and Madrid

What's Included

Our itineraries reflect 40 years of experience in crafting exceptional educational tours. That means we know exactly how to make the best of your time abroad—incredible destinations, immersive activities, centrally located hotels, and smart, well-traveled tour managers who ensure your educational goals are met. Here are some of the exceptional features of this tour.

ACIS Guarantees

We have high standards, which is why we take care to include these features in every tour.

Round-Trip Flights

Leave the airlines to us.

3-Star Hotels

After a busy day, comfort is key.

Centrally Located Hotels

Save the commuting time, beat the morning crowds and keep right on exploring after dark when your hotel is in the heart of the city.

Daily Breakfast and Dinner (unless otherwise noted)

Delicious, authentic, multi-course dinners at local restaurants with meal times tailored to maximize your experience.

24-Hour Tour Manager

Part guide, part educator, part engineer, part mind-reader, part magician—ACIS Tour Managers are your travel partner.

Start Exploring

Never wait hours at the airport to share a transfer with other later groups.

Service Guarantee

We're so sure you're going to love your tour, we guarantee it!

Global Network

24/7 on the ground support whenever and wherever you need it.

All Local Transportation

Urban transportation is on us, allowing you to explore each destination with ease.

Personal Headsets Included Throughout Tour

Participants will have unlimited access to personal headsets so that local guides and ACIS Tour Managers can more easily communicate with the group along the way.

Exceptional Experiences

Our tours are designed to help you and your students be in the moment and experience everything the world has to offer.

Gelateria Tour and Tasting in Rome

Gelateria Tour and Tasting in Rome

Live la dolce vita with a behind-the-scenes look at a historic working gelateria in the heart of Rome. Hear the story of gelato's origins, tour the production area to learn how a flavor is crafted from start to finish and gain an understanding of the ingredients and procedures used. Then sharpen your taste buds, expand your belly, and brush up on the Italian way to request your favorite flavor as you refuel with a sampling of gelato, plus one of the gelateria's famous Sanpietrino treats—made only here!

Learn More

Live la dolce vita with a behind-the-scenes look at a historic working gelateria in the heart of Rome. Hear the story of gelato's origins, tour the production area to learn how a flavor is crafted from start to finish and gain an understanding of the ingredients and procedures used. Then sharpen your taste buds, expand your belly, and brush up on the Italian way to request your favorite flavor as you refuel with a sampling of gelato, plus one of the gelateria's famous Sanpietrino treats—made only here!

Rome Tour with Guide

Rome Tour with Guide

Vatican Museums with Guide and Reservation

Vatican Museums with Guide and Reservation

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica

Colosseum with Guide and Reservation

Colosseum with Guide and Reservation

Rome-Barcelona Flight

Rome-Barcelona Flight

Barcelona Tour with Guide

Barcelona Tour with Guide

Sagrada Familia with Guide and Reservation

Sagrada Familia with Guide and Reservation

Parc Güell with Guide and Reservation

Parc Güell with Guide and Reservation

Barcelona-Madrid AVE

Barcelona-Madrid AVE

Madrid Tour with Guide

Madrid Tour with Guide

Prado Museum with Guide and Reservation

Prado Museum with Guide and Reservation

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Spain
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Italy

Spain

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Itinerary

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Rome

Arrive in the vibrant Eternal City and meet your ACIS Tour Manager. As you stroll the streets, practice your Italian language skills by ordering a delicious gelato or a tasty biscotti, then enjoy people-watching in one of the city’s stunning piazzas.

Day 3: Rome

Today's panoramic drive of the city is a great introduction to the many phases of Roman history. Our local expert accompanies you through the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. The best part is that these are timed entrances, meaning you'll breeze right by the long lines facing other tourists. Then spend your afternoon discovering more of Rome's ancient and modern highlights at your own pace. Perhaps explore some of the city's lesser-known treasures, such as the amazing frescoes inside the Basilica of San Clemente or the quirky and hip markets and shops in the off-the-beaten-path Rione Monti neighborhood. In the evening, we'll dine on authentic, brick-oven Roman pizza. Mangia!

Day 4: Rome

This morning go inside the iconic and historic Colosseum with a local guide (another line-avoiding timed reservation) and learn the many stories of this nearly 2,000-year-old Roman landmark that's considered one of the architectural wonders of the ancient world. Later you will live la dolce vita as you visit one of Rome's most historic gelaterias to see how the famous Italian-style ice cream is produced during a gelateria tour and tasting. Your learning will be rewarded with a sweet sample of your favorite flavor as well as one of the gelateria's iconic Sanpietrino treats.

Day 5: Barcelona

Say “ciao!” to Italy as you board a morning flight to Barcelona. After leaving your luggage at the hotel, begin to explore the city's artistic treasures and fine architecture from Gothic to Modernist. Take time to wander the old town and acquaint yourself with this vibrant culture, including an evening stroll down the famous La Rambla.

Day 6: Barcelona

Begin your day with a sightseeing tour. Our local expert will point out all the major highlights of Barcelona, including the unique Gaudí-designed houses. Antoni Gaudí, one of Catalonia's most famous sons, was a Modernist architect whose distinctive style is revered to this day. After, you'll be able to study the intricate design inside and out of his still-unfinished Sagrada Familia and stroll whimsical Parc Güell. In the afternoon, explore more of Barcelona at your own pace, perhaps visiting the Picasso Museum or the Palau de la Musica, a concert hall that features a spectacular stained-glass skylight ceiling. Or you can choose to participate in an optional workshop on the Catalán (and Gaudí-influenced) art of trencadis, in which colorful tile shards are used to create intricate mosaics.

Day 7: Madrid

Bid a fond “adios!” to Barcelona as you head for Madrid via high-speed AVE train. Your visit begins with a walking tour through Plaza Mayor and around the Puerta del Sol, the bustling hub from which the city's radial streets emanate.

Day 8: Madrid

Madrid's rich heritage comes alive on your guided sightseeing tour of classic Spanish boulevards, grand plazas, and the diverse architecture of modern-day Madrid. Highlights include the Plaza de España with its statue of Don Quixote, the majestic Alcalá Gate, and the famous bullring Las Ventas. Then zip right past any crowds with your timed reservation to visit the magnificent Prado, one of the world's premier art museums. Here, an expert provides illuminating commentary on the artwork of Velázquez, Goya, Raphael, Rubens, and Bosch. Even the 18th-century Neo-Classical building that houses the collection is stunning. In the evening, you may opt for a flamenco lesson, followed by a fiery performance of this dramatic and traditional Spanish dance.

Day 9: Departure

Depart for the USA.

Optional Extras

Ultimate-Plus Protection Plan

Most Enhanced health coverage, program interruption, baggage delay/loss and travel delay protection while on tour. Plus, enhanced medical/job loss cancellation refund policy

Rate $450

Add to Tour

Ultimate Protection Plan

Enhanced health coverage, program interruption, baggage delay/loss and travel delay protection while on tour. Plus, enhanced medical/job loss cancellation refund policy

Rate $315

Add to Tour

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