Package Deals

Package tours are simply a way to buy the airfare, accommodations, and other elements of your trip (such as car rentals, airport transfers, and sometimes even activities) at the same time and often at discounted prices.

One good source of package deals is the airlines themselves. Among the airline packagers, Iberia Airlines (tel. 800/772-4642, or 902/400/500 in Spain; www.iberia.com) leads the way. Most major airlines offer air/land packages, including American Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/321-2121; www.aavacations.com), Delta Vacations (tel. 800/221-6666; www.deltavacations.com), Continental Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/301-3800; www.covacations.com), and United Vacations (tel. 888/854-3899; www.unitedvacations.com). Several big online travel agencies -- Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Site59, and Lastminute.com -- also do a brisk business in packages.

Solar Tours (tel. 800/388-7652; www.solartours.com) is a wholesaler that offers a 7-day package tour to Barcelona that includes 3 days in Paris.

Spanish Heritage Tours (tel. 800/456-5050; www.shtours.com) is known for searching for low-cost airfare deals to Spain. The tour agent also features round-trip packages from the U.S. directly to Barcelona hotels (Tryp Apolo, Gallery, Hesperia Presidente, Melia, Avenida Palace, and Conde de Barcelona) for $1,299 to $1,549.

Travel packages are also listed in the travel section of your local Sunday newspaper. Or check ads in the national travel magazines such as Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine, Travel + Leisure, National Geographic Traveler, and Condé Nast Traveler.

Escorted General-Interest Tours

Escorted tours are structured group tours, with a group leader. The price usually includes everything from airfare to hotels, meals, tours, admission costs, and local transportation.

Despite the fact that escorted tours require big deposits and predetermine hotels, restaurants, and itineraries, many people derive security and peace of mind from the structure they offer. Escorted tours -- whether they're navigated by bus, motorcoach, train, or boat -- let travelers sit back and enjoy the trip without having to drive or worry about details. They take you to the maximum number of sights in the minimum amount of time with the least amount of hassle. They're particularly convenient for people with limited mobility and they can be a great way to make new friends.

On the downside, you'll have little opportunity for serendipitous interactions with locals. The tours can be jampacked with activities, leaving little room for individual sightseeing, whim, or adventure -- plus they often focus on the heavily touristed sites, so you miss out on many a lesser-known gem.

Recommended Tour Operators -- There are many escorted tour companies to choose from, each offering transportation to and within Spain, prearranged hotel space, and such extras as bilingual tour guides and lectures. Many of these tours to Spain include excursions to Morocco or Portugal.

Some of the most expensive and luxurious tours are run by Abercrombie & Kent International (tel. 800/323-7308 or 630/954-2944; www.abercrombiekent.com), including deluxe 13- or 19-day tours of the Iberian Peninsula by train. Guests stay in fine hotels, ranging from a late medieval palace to the exquisite modern Hesperia on Avenida Castellana.

Trafalgar Tours (tel. 800/854-0103 or 212/689-8977; www.trafalgartours.com) offers a number of tours of Spain. One of the most popular offerings is an 18-day trip called "The Best of Spain" (this land-only package is $1,735; with land and air, it's $2,155-$2,565).

Insight Vacations "Highlights of Spain" is an 11-day tour that begins in Madrid, sweeps along the southern and eastern coasts, and concludes in Madrid. The company offers the tour for $1,370 to $1,785 including airfare, accommodations, and some meals. For information, contact your travel agent or Insight International (tel. 800/582-8380; www.insightvacations.com).

Petrabax Tours (tel. 800/634-1188; www.petrabax.com) attracts those who prefer to see Spain by bus, although fly/drive packages are also offered, featuring stays in paradores (high-standard, state-run hotels -- some modern, some in historic buildings). A number of city packages are also available, plus a 10-day trip that tries to capture Spain in a nutshell, with stops in places ranging from Madrid to Granada.

Recently, more and more special-interest tours to Madrid and Castile are being offered, including tours by Archetours, Inc. (tel. 800/770-3051; www.archetours.com), which features tours devoted to Spanish architecture.