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Málaga to Barcelona

Walk in the shadows of Gaudi's architectural splendors and sip decadent Spanish red wines paired with savory tapas during an overnight stay near the heart of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. Master the toasty, crackling craft of perfect socarrat as you cook up paella from regional ingredients at an exclusive cooking class hosted in a Malaga home. An inviting coastal city, Malaga enjoys the warmest winter weather in Europe, so it's likely that you'll sample regional wines and local delicacies like pescaíto frito--fried fish--comfortably seated at outdoor cafes. Wander Alcazaba Fortress's ancient halls and fortifications dating back to the 11th Century. Delightfully dawdle in roomy galleries adorned with a half century of Pablo Picasso's paintings, drawings, sculptures, and ceramics. Rise to the airy heights of the formidable British stronghold at Gibraltar, where you'll gaze out across one of the world's busiest channels to North Africa's distant mountains.

Looking for more? Go in-land and combine the best of the land and sea with a Cruise Tour:

• Madrid & Southern Spain Winter Escapes Cruise Tour

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Day 1: Málaga

Here, on the shores of Costa del Sol, the Andalusian spirit thrives. Be sure to include an optional visit to see the brilliant and comprehensive collection of Picasso’s work at Museo Picasso Málaga, a tribute to this artistic genius in the city of his birth. Or you may choose to opt for a visit to the beautiful village of Mijas, where picturesque Andalusian country life creates some of the world’s best wines.

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Day 2: Málaga

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Day 3: Gibraltar

It’s an odd bit of Britain here at the toe of Spain, with Barbary apes and miles of tunnels as well as traditional red phone boxes. Legend says Gibraltar was one of the two pillars erected by Hercules to mark the edge of the world. Take the cable car to the top to see if you can see it from here. No, that’s not it. That’s just Africa. What a view.

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Day 4: Cartagena

The walled town of Cartagena is a popular seaport with a large naval shipyard. The seashore offers a wide range of activities from windsurfing to good snorkeling to sailing. From Cartagena you can easily explore the ancient city of Murcia, the coastal resorts of Mazarrón, Cala Cortina, and Cabo de Palos or a little further north, the world famous resort of Mar Menor.

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Day 5: Valencia

This captivating city is best when savored slowly. Although Valencia’s religious architecture is remarkable, and the Lonja, one of Europe’s most elegant buildings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, take time for an optional experience — paella. You’ll learn the local secrets of this gastronomic masterpiece as you cook it, eat it, and toast it with the region’s perfectly matched local wines.

Want insider advice on where to find the tastiest restaurants, most unique local markets, authentic culinary shops, and hidden watering holes? Check out Valencia’s Local Dining Tip Curated by Saveur on our blog.

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Day 6: Palma de Mallorca

Mallorca is steep, green, and fringed with enticing coves and more than 200 lush beaches. But all that natural beauty is just the beginning. Stroll along the tree-shaded Paseo de Born in search of tapas. Shop for a Siurell; a traditional red, green, and white clay whistle dating back to the time of the Moors. Watch the street performers on the piazza around the church, or cross the island to beautiful Sóller. Not to be missed is the cultural landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Day 7: Barcelona

The old meets the new in this sunny Catalan metropolis, where narrow alleyways contrast with grand boulevards, trendy cuisine meets homemade tapas, and everywhere you’re greeted by the warm, welcoming smiles of the fashionable locals. Don’t miss UNESCO sites like the mind-boggling architecture of Antoni Gaudí or La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, with its eight decorative spires soaring hundreds of feet into the sky.

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Day 8: Barcelona