What's the best way to get to/from this trip?
The simplest way is to fly into Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) and out of Seville (SVQ). It's also possible to return to Madrid by train and fly out from there.

You might also want to consider travelling to Barcelona by train. From Paris it's a six-hour ride through the French countryside and across the Pyrenees to reach Barcelona.

If you are coming from the US, then we can begin this trip in Paris and we work with a lovely hotel right by the Gare de Lyon station to make life easy. A two-night stay tends to work best.

If you are coming from the UK, we can start your travels with a Eurostar train to Paris in the morning. Whilst you can go from London to Barcelona by train in a day with an early start, we think it's nicer to stay a night or two in Paris to break it up and see the city. Even if you've been to Paris before, there's always a new way to experience the city.

If you'd like to know more or discuss ideas, just let me know.

What support/guidance will I get?
As part of your trip you'll have your own travel app which is packed with background information, useful tips, sightseeing advice and personal recommendations from us and our team. This will help you plan your days, from your hotel's front door and back again. We'll give you everything you need for the week, including using the Metro (it's really easy) and how to explore each part of the cities. If something happens, you also have a 24/7 emergency contact for us.

I don’t speak Spanish – is that a problem?
No, though you'll find that Catalan is actually the lingua franca in Barcelona. This being a city, you'll be just fine. The only time you might struggle is if you go to a proper neighbourhood restaurant away from the tourist centre (there's a good one by Sants station). The language might be in Catalan only, though everyone speaks Spanish so if you've got some of that, this would be the time to use it. Aside from that, no te preocupes - you'll be fine.

In Seville and Madrid, again you'll be fine in most places, even if it's just with a bit of pointing and gestering. Things like Madrid's Metro ticket machines can be put into English.

Can I make changes to this trip?
We can adapt things to a certain level, such as potentially taking out or adding a night, or adding time elsewhere in Catalonia. The city has winegrowing areas to the west and the lovely beaches of the Costa Brava to the east. From Seville it's also very easy - and tempting - to continue your travels by train through Andalucía to Córdoba and Granada.

Will I get to meet the locals?
That's the idea, yes. For example, Barcelona is a great city with some truly wonderful, world-famous monuments and galleries. But it's actually quite easy to leave without getting a real feel for the city and the people who call it home. We won't let that happen. As well as the time you spend with your guides, you'll also have lots of recommendations for interesting independent shops, bars and restaurants and if you're an adventurous sort then do have a go at speaking in Spanish. Although Catalan is the dominant language, they'll always dust off their Castilian to chat with anyone cultured enough to have a go!

Is this trip suitable for solo travellers?
Most of the costs of this trip are fixed so going solo will usually mean you pay nearly the same for one person as you would for two. If you enjoy time to yourself then the experience itself will be absolutely lovely, and safe.