The best way to see all highlights of Spain in a short time! Stay two nights in Madrid and enjoy a welcome dinner and guided sightseeing that features a visit to the palatial Prado Museum. Via Cordoba, where a guided visit to the Mosque of the Caliphs is included, arrive in vibrant, festive Seville, capital of Andalusia, for a scenic cruise on the Guadalquivir River. Also visit the Alcazar and the Mirador de las Setas during your guided sightseeing tour. In Granada, a guided walking tour visits the Alhambra complex and the Water Gardens of Generalife, and a dinner outing to one of Granada’s local restaurants awaits. Next is Valencia, once a royal capital, where Roman, Moorish, and Spanish history come alive during your guided walking tour. End in Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city, where you’ll marvel at the Sagrada Familia Basilica, Gaudi’s masterpiece, visit the gothic quarter, and enjoy an included paella farewell dinner.
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Day 1
Time to rest or to start exploring the Spanish capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
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Day 2
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 España 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. This afternoon is at leisure. Exciting optional excursions are available. (B)
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Day 3
This morning, drive south through the arid landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha to Cordoba, where sightseeing with a Local Guide includes 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. Then, continue to vibrant, festive Seville, the capital of Andalusia. (B,D)
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Day 4
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)
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Day 5
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features Granada’s 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. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
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Day 6
Cross Mora Pass and pass troglodyte cave dwellings hollowed out of the soft tufa stone near Purullena and Guadix on your way to Valencia, once a royal capital. During your guided walking tour, Valencia’s Roman, Moorish, and Spanish history comes alive. (B,D)
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Day 7
Drive along the coast to Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city and the host of the Olympic Games in 1992. Tonight, why not join an optional dinner at a typical Catalonian restaurant? (B)
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Day 8
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Columbus Monument, elegant tree-lined Ramblas, Plaza de Cataluna, and Paseo de Gracia. Admire the spectacular Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s masterpiece, and enjoy a panoramic view of the city and harbor from Montjuïc Hill. Also visit the GOTHIC QUARTER. Afternoon at leisure. An optional excursion to Montserrat can be arranged. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
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Day 9
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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MADRIDWelcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit the Prado MuseumCORDOBAGuided walking tour, visit the Mosque of the CaliphsSEVILLE[LF] A river cruise on the Guadalquivir River; guided sightseeing, walk through the Santa Cruz quarter, visit the Alcazar and the Mirador de las SetasGRANADAGuided walking tour, visit the Alhambra complex and the Water Gardens of the Generalife; [LF] a special dinner with wine at a local restaurantVALENCIAGuided walking tourBARCELONAGuided sightseeing, take pictures of the Sagrada Familia Basilica, and visit the gothic quarter; [LF] a special paella farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurantHeadsets throughout the tour
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MADRID Agumar (F)SEVILLE Sevilla Center (SF)GRANADA Granada Center (F)VALENCIA NH Center (F)BARCELONA Catalonia Barcelona Plaza (F)
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Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 5 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Madrid, a special dinner with wine in Granada, and a special paella farewell dinner with wine in Barcelona
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NOTE:- Departure December 21 - Christmas Eve in Seville.
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Prices based on double room occupancy.Single room supplement:$462.Triple room reduction per person:$28.Extra nights per person in Madrid:in single room $178, in twin $108, in triple $98.Extra nights per person in Barcelona:in single room $198, in twin $108, in triple $100.2014 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification. Details will be available in September 2013.
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The Best of Spain
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Motorcoach with free Wi-Fi
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The best way to see all highlights of Spain in a short time! Stay two nights in Madrid and enjoy a welcome dinner and guided sightseeing that features a visit to the palatial Prado Museum. Via Cordoba, where a guided visit to the Mosque of the Caliphs is included, arrive in vibrant, festive Seville, capital of Andalusia, for a scenic cruise on the Guadalquivir River. Also visit the Alcazar and the Mirador de las Setas during your guided sightseeing tour. In Granada, a guided walking tour visits the Alhambra complex and the Water Gardens of Generalife, and a dinner outing to one of Granada’s local restaurants awaits. Next is Valencia, once a royal capital, where Roman, Moorish, and Spanish history come alive during your guided walking tour. End in Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city, where you’ll marvel at the Sagrada Familia Basilica, Gaudi’s masterpiece, visit the gothic quarter, and enjoy an included paella farewell dinner.
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