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 Author Tiffany Olson : Blogger

There is so much more to Spain than the typical thoughts of flamenco dancing, bullfights, sangria and tapas. Oftentimes, when people put together their own vacation itineraries they overlook the places less traveled and miss out on some pretty amazing sights. If you're still insistent on visiting the popular cities of Barcelona, Madrid and Seville it can be beneficial to look into the many guided tours of Spain as possible side trips within your vacation. Even the most experienced of travelers can find advantages in booking a guided tour versus planning everything themselves. 

Girona 
Lying only an hour away from Barcelona and situated between coastal waters and mountains, you would be depriving yourself if you didn't make your way over to gorgeous Girona. A privately guided tour of this Spanish city, rich in history, will allow you to experience the many monuments and museums, the Cathedral, which boasts the widest Gothic nave around the world, a well-preserved Jewish quarter and Arab baths dating back to the 12th century. Once used as a system of defense, the wall built around Girona provides a path to walk along and showcases impressive views of the city.

Ronda
An appealing town built on top of a ravine, Ronda is a destination off the beaten path that is almost impossible to discover without the help of a guided tour. The standout sights of the old Moorish region include the bullring that birthed modern day bullfighting and the three bridges, Puente Nuevo, Puente Viejo and the Roman Bridge, to cross the Tajo gorge. Wine tours are also widely popular in Ronda where tastings are offered at the many boutique wineries that dot the area. 

Toledo
Searching for guided tours of Spain will almost always point you in the direction of Toledo, the country's former capital, which is surrounded by both the River Tajo and medieval walls. The ancient city brings you back to the Middle Ages, and a tour will leave you with a good sense of its historical essence. Guides lead visitors to all the major points of interests, which include the Cathedral, synagogues and mosques, the art of El Greco, teach you the art of handmade swords and give you a taste of the famous local cuisine, marzipan. 

Galicia
If you've planned your vacation to Spain thoroughly, chances are you've made sure to include at least a pit stop at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, and maybe even walked the Way of St. James (aka El Camino de Santiago) to get there. Why not go one step further and take time to explore the surrounding area of Galicia? Known for its lush greenery and unique landscapes with views of mountain ranges as you lay on the beach, guided tours are your best opportunity of reaching the community and its provinces so you can experience medieval castles, wine tastings, magnificent architecture and the Ezros waterfall.

Bilbao
The Guggenheim Art Museum is the main attraction of this Basque countryside town. Once you've seen all there is to see there, head over to the coast and take in the beautiful waterfront that depicts the region's maritime industry and try your hand at interacting with the Basque locals, who have a language all their own. 

Guided tours are a fantastic way to see sites you might have missed otherwise and to glean information from locals who are passionate about their country or region. There are many options to choose from when considering a guided tour in Spain, but this idea list will at least get you started. Happy travels!

This article was inspired by AdianteTravel.com which offers fun and unique guided tours in Spain