The Soul of Spain. Madrid to Seville

The Soul of Spain is a seven-night tour from Birmingham Airport, departing Sunday 1 November. It's run by Travel Buddies, a small independent company that specialises in bespoke group travel. They started in 2013 and have since grown to six groups across the UK that meet for social events. They plan trips all over the world, from weekend getaways in Europe to long-haul journeys, and they keep their groups small, with a maximum of 14 people.

This particular itinerary follows Spain's royal history and flamenco traditions. It starts in Madrid, where you'll go on an award-winning tapas tour and visit the Royal Palace. From there, you'll take the train south to Seville, where the trip includes a visit to the UNESCO-listed Alcazar. A traditional flamenco show is also part of the programme, and the whole thing spans seven nights across the two cities.

It's a small-group way of seeing two of Spain's biggest cities in one go, with the royal palaces and the flamenco side of things as the main thread. The train journey between Madrid and Seville is included, so you're not spending your time in a car. The whole thing costs £1,129, and it kicks off at Birmingham Airport at 9:15 AM on Sunday 1 November.