DAY 1 - ARRIVE MADRID (2 Nights)
Welcome to Madrid. Relax or explore this lively city before meeting up with your fellow travellers and Travel Director. Enjoy an evening drive to take in some of the city's main sights followed by a Welcome Reception.
Meal(s)
Welcome Reception Hotel: Ayre Gran Colon
DAY 2 - TOLEDO EXCURSION AND MADRID SIGHTSEEING
This morning your Local Specialist takes you on a walking tour of Toledo. Watch craftsmen at work when you visit a traditional steel factory and gain a Cultural Insight into this historical craft. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to one of El Greco's most famous paintings - The Burial of Count Orgaz. Visit the synagogue during your guided walk through the narrow streets. Return to Madrid to admire the monument to Cervantes at the Plaza de España and see Perta del Sol, the city's hub, with your Local Specialist. Later why not join your newfound friends for a typical Spanish dinner?
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
DAY 3 - MADRID - CORDOBA - SEVILLE (2 Nights)
Travel southwards from Madrid, through La Mancha, to Cordoba. Visit the Mosque of the Caliphs and learn about the influence of the Moors from your Local Specialist. Tonight you might like to take an Optional Experience to watch a fiery flamenco show.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast Hotel: Melia
DAY 4 - SEVILLE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Meet your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Seville. View the Giralda Bell Tower. See the tiled fountains, pavilions and lush palms in the Maria Luisa Park, renowned for its landscape design and walk through the imposing Plaza de EspaNa. Marvel at Christopher Columbus' ornate tomb in the cathedral. Finally take a walk through the former Jewish Quarter. This evening experience a unique Be My Guest dinner at an authentic ranch with views over the Andalusian countryside.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast/ Be My Guest Dining
DAY 5 - SEVILLE - GRANADA
Visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace in Granada with a Local Specialist. A fine example of Moorish architecture, it was built during the 14th century towards the end of Islamic rule in Spain. Walk through the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal Summer Palace, once linked to the Alhambra by a covered walkway across the ravine.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast Hotel: Carmen
DAY 6 - GRANADA - GUADIX - VALENCIA
This morning travel via the Mora Pass and arrive in Guadix in the northern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains where you can take pictures of the troglodyte dwellings. In Valencia view the Bullring and admire the architecture of the medieval cathedral and the Serrano and Quart Towers. Stop to view the City of Arts and Sciences which is a large-scale urban recreation centre for culture and science and designed by Santiago Calatrava. This complex is also featured in the George Clooney movie 'Tomorrowland'. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast/Dinner with wine Hotel: Velencia
DAY 7 - VALENCIA - PENISCOLA - BARCELONA SIGHTSEEING (2 Nights)
Head north along the coast through the Levant region and stop at Peniscola to view the ancient castle of the ‘Spanish Pope', used in the film El Cid. Continue along the Costa Dorada to Barcelona, Spain's most cosmopolitan city. See Gaudi's architecture at the inspiring Sagrada Familia. Walk Las Ramblas and visit Placa Catalunya. View the monument to Christopher Columbus and enjoy panoramic views from Montjuic during your guided sightseeing tour of the city with a Local Specialist. Tonight consider visiting a Catalan-style restaurant for a delicious dinner of local specialities.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast Hotel: U232
DAY 8 - BARCELONA FREE TIME
This morning enjoy free time in the city to shop or explore or join an Optional Experience to the monastery at Montserrat to see the mystical Black Madonna. This evening join your companions and Travel Director for a special Farewell Dinner with wine.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast/ Farewell Dinner
DAY 9 - DEPART BARCELONA
Say ‘adios' to Spain, your fellow travellers, and Travel Director at the end of a memorable holiday. Airport transfers are available. Conditions apply. Note: Your coach returns to Madrid from Barcelona on Day 9. You are welcome to use this complimentary transfer. Drop-off in Madrid will be in OUR Madrid hotel and not at the airport. Arrival will be at approximately 6pm, depending on traffic conditions.
Meal(s)
Full Breakfast
# WHAT'S ALWAYS INCLUDED
Sightseeing Highlights
- City Tour in Toledo, Madrid, Cordoba, Seville and Barcelona
- Visit the Synagogue and Santo Tome in Toledo, Mosque of the Caliphs in Cordoba, Cathedral in Seville, the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Montjuic Hill and Placa Catalunya in Barcelona
- View the Cave Homes of Guadix, the Serrano and Quart Towers and the City of Arts and Sciences complex designed by Santiago Calatrava in Valencia
Dining
- 4 dinners (including Be My Guest)
Travel Highlights
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Hand-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- Hand-picked Insider Experiences
- Optional Experiences and free time
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
- An expert Travel Director and Driver
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Airport Transfers
Spain is a country filled with unique architecture, medieval villages, savory cuisine, and important works of art. You might find yourself strolling through the world-famous Guggenheim or Prado Museums, down the streets of Pamplona, the "City of Bulls." Visit the Mosque of the Caliphs in Cordoba and Granada's Water Gardens of the Generalife, pay respects at the tomb of Columbus, and marvel at Gaudi's extraordinary La Sagrada Familia cathedral…or maybe soak in the sun on the sandy beaches of the Costa del Sol, savor the views from the Rock of Gibraltar, or light a candle and join the procession of pilgrims in Fatima.
Spanish Wonder
