ARRIVE IN MADRID SPAIN After arrival check into your hotel. At 6pm, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
2
MADRID. The capital since 1561, Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely turned towards the future. Your Local Guide takes you to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de Espana with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Then, the highlight: a visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. Afternoon at leisure. An optional excursion to El Escorial can be arranged. (B)
3
MADRID-TOLEDO-GRANADA. This morning, focus on splendid Toledo. Spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River, the ancient Castilian capital attracts more sightseers from all over the world than any other Spanish town. A Local Guide takes you to the Moorish bridge, an early SYNAGOGUE, the 13th-century gothic CATHEDRAL, and the CHURCH OF SANTO TOME with one of El Greco's most famous paintings. Also time to visit a DAMASCENE STEEL WORKSHOP before arriving in history-steeped Granada. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.(B,D)
4
GRANADA-COSTA DEL SOL. See the sights of Granada with a Local Guide and visit its main attraction, the ALHAMBRA COMPLEX. The mighty yet graceful citadel was planned by 13th-century Moorish ruler Al Ahamar. A fantasy of "lace in stone" surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, it affords superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by Gypsy cave dwellers. Also amble through the magnificent WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE, the royal summer residence. Then, turn towards the sea, away from the mountains, to lively Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol. (B)
5
AT LEISURE ON THE COSTA DEL SOL. Enjoy a free day at your beachfront hotel. Catch up on your postcards, enjoy the sandy beaches, browse through the trendy boutiques, and sample the many fancy restaurants. You may want to join an optional excursion to the Rock of Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704. (B)
6
COSTA DEL SOL-RONDA-JEREZ-SEVILLE. Visit picturesque, historic Ronda, perched on a platform of the Sierra de Ronda and cut in two by a deep ravine, before reaching Jerez, famous for its sherry wines and magnificent horses of mixed Spanish, Arab, and English blood. Highlight today is a visit to a SHERRY BODEGA where you can taste the sherry wine, accompanied by local tapas. Then, on to Seville, the vibrant capital of Andalusia. (B,D)
7
SEVILLE. During your sightseeing tour with a Local Guide hear about the city's role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712 AD, and its contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire Maria Luisa Park, the Golden Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Then, stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER. Highlight is a visit to the ALCAZAR, founded in the 11th century as a Moorish fortress, with its Palacio de Don Pedro. For those interested, an optional extended guided visit to the cathedral is available. Tonight, for a truly Andalusian night out, reserve a seat at our optional Flamenco show.(B)
8
SEVILLE-CORDOBA-MADRID. In the morning, enjoy a walking tour with a Local Guide in Cordoba. See the Alcazar, the Roman Bridge, and the medieval Jewish quarter. Tour the magnificent 8th-century MOSQUE OF THE CALIPHS, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry, marble, and jasper. Next, drive north from the fertile valley of the Guadalquivir River through the arid landscapes of Don Quixote's La Mancha back to Madrid. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
9
MADRID. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
MADRID: Welcome and farewell dinners: guided sightseeing, visit the Prado Museum.
TOLEDO: Guided walking tour, visit an early synagogue, the gothic cathedral, Santo Tome Church with one of El Greco's masterpieces; visit a Damascene steel workshop.
GRANADA: Guided walking tour, visit the Alhambra Complex and the Water Gardens of the Generalife; dinner at a local restaurant
RONDA: Walking tour
JEREZ: Sherry wine tasting wiht Spanish tapas
SEVILLE: Guided sightseeing, walk through the Santa Cruz quarter and visit the Alcazar
CORDOBA: Guided walking tour, visit the Mosque of the Caliphs.
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable..
MEALS: Full buffet breakfast (B); 4 three-course dinners (D), including welcome and farewell dinners in Madrid and a special dinner with wine in Granada
Meals Breakfast - 8 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 4
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
55
EUR
Name:PANORAMIC DRIVE & DINNER Location:MADRID Details:Drive through the capital's boulevards, passing beautiful buildings and fountains. Later dine Spanish-style at one of Madrid's favourite restaurants with drinks included.
49
EUR
Name:EL ESCORIAL Location:MADRID Details:Visit EL ESCORIAL a Renaissance style quadrangular complex of white-grey stone, which houses the Mausoleum of the Spanish Monarchs and is listed as Unesco World Heritage Site. Built under the order of King Phillip II it is considered the eighth wonder of the world.
39
EUR
Name:GLIMPSES OF GRANADA Location:GRANADA Details:With your local guide, discover the Royal Chapel in Granda's cathedral, which houses the mortal remains of the couple who unified Spain under one monarchy, Queen Isabella of Castile and King Ferdinand of Aragon. Then, visit the Carthusian Monastery, an outstanding example of Baroque architecture. Finally, enjoy a beautiful view over the city and The Alhambra from the famous El Albaic�n Moorish quarter.
62
EUR
Name:MIJAS & DINNER ON THE CARIHUELA Location:TORREMOLINOS Details:Drive to the enchanting village of Mijas nestled in the mountainside at 428 metres (1,404 feet) above sea level . Enjoy a walking tour then free time for shopping or admiring breathtaking views. Later enjoy a four-course dinner with drinks at one of the celebrated restaurants in La Carihuela, the original fisherman's district in Torremolinos, famous for the best seafood in the region.
60
EUR
Name:FULL-DAY EXCURSION TO GIBRALTAR Location:TORREMOLINOS Details:Visit the strategic rock fortress of of Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704. See the Upper Galleries, part of the Great Seige Tunnels (outside); visit ST. MICHAEL'S CAVES, view the ruins of the Moorish Castle, and admire the colony of Barbary Apes, a species of tailless monkeys called Barbary Macaques.
18
EUR
Name:LA GIRALDA AND COLUMBUS TOMB Location:SEVILLE Details:Seville's 15th century gothic cathedral is the third-largest church in Europe and boasts the breathtaking La Giralda, one of the three remaining Almohad minarets in the world. This beautiful structure became the bell tower of the Cathedral and dominates the city's skyline. The Cathedral also houses the remains of explorer Christopher Columbus.
57
EUR
Name:ANDALUSIAN DINNER & FLAMENCO Location:SEVILLE Details:While savouring a three-course Adalusian dinner with drinks, enjoy an exciting and passionate flamenco show.
Optional Excursions
