|
DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Spain
Depart for Spain
DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in Madrid
Welcome to Madrid! Capital of Spain since 1562, this lively city is the birthplace to many of the world's greatest writers, painters and artists. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers followed by an orientation and a Welcome Dinner
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Monday - Madrid City Tour
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Madrid. Drive along the Gran Via through the Opera District, Plaza de Colon, and view the Royal Palace. Pass through Puerta del Sol Plaza and Plaza de España with its monument to the author Cervantes. The tour will end at the Prado Museum, where you will be able to admire works of art by famous artists such as El Greco, Velázquez, and Ribera. Afternoon and evening at leisure to enjoy a walk in Retiro park, visit museums or join the optional tour to the Royal Palace. Visit the former residence of the Spanish Royal Family. Built in the 16th century, the palace forms one of the most beautiful palatial complexes of Europe with the Plaza de Oriente, the Sabatini Gardens, and the Campo del Moro. Inside, admire its beautiful porcelains, tapestries, furniture, armoires, and paintings
Optional: Royal Palace Tour (PM)
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Tuesday - Toledo Sightseeing En Route to Cordoba
This morning, travel to nearby Toledo, the former capital city of Spain that still retains its medieval atmosphere and charm, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a walking tour among the most famous monuments, visiting the St. Tome Church with its El Greco masterpiece and Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue with its beautiful Moorish architecture, the oldest synagogue in Europe still standing. Also admire its famous handcrafted work, the Damasquinado. Continue south to Andalucia via the region of La Mancha, legendary home of Don Quixote, featuring panoramic views of its famous windmills. Arrive in the former Roman city of Cordoba for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Cordoba
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5, Wednesday - Cordoba City Tour, Travel to Seville
Cordoba, due to its strategic location, was once an important port city. Visit the astonishing Mezquita de Cordoba, one of the largest mosques in the world, transformed into a soaring cathedral in the 16th century. A walking tour of the city reveals the ancient Jewish Quarter with its labyrinth of winding narrow streets, shady flower filled courtyards and picturesque squares; visit the beautifully restored 14th century Synagogue on Calle de los Judios. Afterwards, you proceed to Seville, capital of Andalucia. After dinner, opportunity to attend an optional Flamenco Show in this city known as the birthplace of Flamenco
Optional: Evening Flamenco Show (PM)
Overnight: Seville
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Thursday - Seville City Tour
This morning, admire the beautiful Plaza de España and the fragrant gardens of Maria Luisa Park by the Guadalquivir River. Visit the quaint Barrio Santa Cruz and explore the narrow winding streets and beautiful plazas of the Old Quarter. Continue with a visit to the Cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and home to the burial site of Christopher Columbus. Built on the site of the former great Mosque, its original minaret, the Giralda Bell Tower, still stands. Afternoon is at leisure to explore Seville's shops, museums, and cafes
Overnight: Seville
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Friday - Travel to Granada, Visit Alhambra Palace
Morning drive to Granada. Here, your sightseeing of Moorish Granada is highlighted by a visit to the magnificent 13th century Alhambra Palace, one of Spain's most celebrated monuments, dramatically perched atop Assabica Hill overlooking the entire city. This imposing hilltop fortress, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world's finest examples of Moorish art and architecture. During the reign of the Moors, the Alhambra served as the summer residence of the royal family. Walk along the lanes of the serene Generalife Gardens with its beautifully designed courtyards, waterfalls and ponds and views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.* Dinner together at a local restaurant
Overnight: Granada
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8, Saturday - Travel to Valencia, Valencia City Tour
Today head north through the groves of olives, almonds, lemons and oranges to the garden city of Valencia. Discover this treasure trove of Roman and Arabic architecture before continuing to the City Gates, City Hall and Gothic Cathedral. Arrive at the huge Arts and Science City designed by contemporary artist Santiago Calatrava, with its extraordinary avant-garde architecture that includes impressive buildings such as the Hemisfèric and Oceanogràfic. The rest of the day is yours to discover independently. Tonight, dinner together
Overnight: Valencia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Sunday - Travel to Barcelona, Barcelona City Tour
This morning drive along the coastline of Catalunya to Barcelona. This afternoon's tour of Barcelona begins with a panoramic tour of the old Harbor, Plaza de España and Plaza Catalunya. You will also have a chance to pass by Gaudi's iconic Sagrada Familia, a colossal church that is legendary and still unfinished. Ascend Montjuic Hill, home to the Olympic Stadium built for the 1992 Olympics. Tonight, dinner at a local restaurant is a perfect way to end your tour
Overnight: Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Monday - Full Day in Barcelona
Today enjoy a full day at leisure in Barcelona. Perhaps revisit some of the city's extraordinary sights or spend time at the shops and galleries
Overnight: Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Tuesday - Depart Spain
Transfer to the Barcelona airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
*Please note: Due to local events, the order of the Granada sightseeing might be altered. Details will be provided locally by your Tour Manager
|
|
DAY 1, Thursday - Depart for Spain
Depart for Spain
DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Madrid
Welcome to Madrid! Capital of Spain since 1562, this lively city is the birthplace to many of the world's greatest writers, painters and artists. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers followed by an orientation and a Welcome Dinner
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Saturday - Madrid City Tour
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Madrid. Drive along the Gran Via through the Opera District, Plaza de Colon, and view the Royal Palace. Pass through Puerta del Sol Plaza and Plaza de España with its monument to the author Cervantes. The tour will end at the Prado Museum, where you will be able to admire works of art by famous artists such as El Greco, Velázquez, and Ribera. Afternoon and evening at leisure to enjoy a walk in Retiro park, visit museums or join the optional tour to El Escorial, the combination monastery-palace-mausoleum erected by King Phillip II as a memorial to his father. It has since become an enduring legacy to Spain and burial place of Kings and Queens
Optional: Half Day Escorial Tour (PM)
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Sunday - Toledo Sightseeing En Route to Cordoba
This morning, travel to nearby Toledo, the former capital city of Spain that still retains its medieval atmosphere and charm, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a walking tour among the most famous monuments, visiting the St. Tome Church with its El Greco masterpiece and Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue with its beautiful Moorish architecture, the oldest synagogue in Europe still standing. Also admire its famous handcrafted work, the Damasquinado. Continue south to Andalucia via the region of La Mancha, legendary home of Don Quixote, featuring panoramic views of its famous windmills. Arrive in the former Roman city of Cordoba for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Cordoba
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5, Monday - Cordoba City Tour, Travel to Seville
Cordoba, due to its strategic location, was once an important port city. Visit the astonishing Mezquita de Cordoba, one of the largest mosques in the world, transformed into a soaring cathedral in the 16th century. A walking tour of the city reveals the ancient Jewish Quarter with its labyrinth of winding narrow streets, shady flower filled courtyards and picturesque squares. Afterwards, you proceed to Seville, capital of Andalucia. After dinner, opportunity to attend an optional Flamenco Show in this city known as the birthplace of Flamenco
Optional: Evening Flamenco Show (PM)
Overnight: Seville
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Tuesday - Seville City Tour
This morning, admire the beautiful Plaza de España and the fragrant gardens of Maria Luisa Park by the Guadalquivir River. Visit the quaint Barrio Santa Cruz and explore the narrow winding streets and beautiful plazas of the Old Quarter. Continue with a visit to the Cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and home to the burial site of Christopher Columbus. Built on the site of the former great Mosque, its original minaret, the Giralda Bell Tower, still stands. Afternoon is at leisure to explore Seville's shops, museums, and cafes
Overnight: Seville
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Wednesday - Travel to Granada, Visit Alhambra Palace
Morning drive to Granada. Here, your sightseeing of Moorish Granada is highlighted by a visit to the magnificent 13th century Alhambra Palace, one of Spain's most celebrated monuments, dramatically perched atop Assabica Hill overlooking the entire city. This imposing hilltop fortress, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world's finest examples of Moorish art and architecture. During the reign of the Moors, the Alhambra served as the summer residence of the royal family. Walk along the lanes of the serene Generalife Gardens with its beautifully designed courtyards, waterfalls and ponds, and views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains*. Dinner together at a local restaurant
Overnight: Granada
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8, Thursday - Travel to Valencia
Today head north through the groves of olives, almonds, lemons and oranges to the garden city of Valencia. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour of the huge Arts and Science City designed by contemporary artist Santiago Calatrava, with its extraordinary avant-garde architecture that includes impressive buildings such as the Hemisfèric and Oceanogràfic. The rest of the day is yours to discover Valencia independently. Tonight, dinner together
Overnight: Valencia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Friday - Valencia City Tour, Travel to Barcelona, Barcelona City Tour
This morning, tour the city of Valencia. Discover this treasure trove of Roman and Arabic architecture before continuing to the City Gates, City Hall, and Gothic Cathedral. Depart Valencia and drive along the coastline of Catalunya to Barcelona. This afternoon's tour of Barcelona begins with a panoramic tour of the old Harbor, Plaza de España, and Plaza Catalunya. You will also have a chance to pass by Gaudi's iconic Sagrada Familia, a colossal church that is legendary and still unfinished. Ascend Montjuic Hill, home to the Olympic Stadium built for the 1992 Olympics. Tonight, a dinner at a local restaurant is a perfect way to end your tour
Overnight: Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Saturday - Full Day in Barcelona
Today enjoy a full day at leisure in Barcelona. Perhaps revisit some of the city's extraordinary sights or spend time at the shops and galleries
Overnight: Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Sunday - Depart Spain
Transfer to the Barcelona airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
*Please note: Due to local events, the order of the Granada sightseeing might be altered. Details will be provided locally by your Tour Manager
|
|
