5.0 rating based on 1 rating DAY 1, MONDAY MAY 6, 2019 - ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN. Welcome to Madrid! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
DAY 2, TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019 - MADRID.The capital since 1561, Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely turned towards the future. Morning sightseeing with a 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, founded in 1819, and considered to have one of the finest collections of European art of the last 8 centuries, with the works of Goya, El Greco, Rubens, Titian, and more. In the afternoon, an optional excursion to Toledo can be arranged. (Breakfast)
DAY 3, WEDNESDAY MAY 8, 2019 - MADRID–SEGOVIA–RIBERA DEL DUERO–BURGOS–VITORIA.Head into beautiful Castile, the “Province of the Castles.” Cross the rugged Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range on the way to Segovia, famous for the 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct. Next, head to Ribera del Duero for a WINE TASTING accompanied by tapas at Bodegas Portia, designed by world-famous architect Norman Foster. In Burgos, see the magnificent limestone Cathedral of Santa Maria, where the legendary El Cid Castile’s greatest hero, who lived in the 11thcentury, is buried. Afternoon arrival in Vitoria, capital of the Basque Autonomous Community, and explore the delightful historic center at your own pace. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 4, THURSDAY MAY 9, 2019 - VITORIA–BILBAO–SAN SEBASTIAN–PAMPLONA. In Bilbao, the great port city of the Basque region, join your Local Guide for a visit to the GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, an amazing feat of construction created by architect Frank O. Gehry. Next is lovely San Sebastian, the “Pearl of the Cantabrian Coast,” before arriving in Pamplona at the foot of the Pyrenees. Here, a special treat awaits: walk along the Calle Estafeta, where the famous “running of the bulls” takes place, followed by a Rioja WINE TASTING and dinner at Basaburua restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 5, FRIDAY MAY 10, 2019 - PAMPLONA–SARAGOSSA–BARCELONA. In Saragossa, visit PLAZA DEL PILAR, one of Spain’s grandest squares. Free time to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, where, according to legends, the Virgin Mary appeared to St. James. Arrive in Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city and the host of the Olympic Games in 1992. (Breakfast)
DAY 6, SATURDAY MAY 11, 2019BARCELONA.Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Columbus Monument, Plaza de Cataluña, and Paseo de Gràcia. Highlight is a visit to spectacular SAGRADA FAMILIA BASILICA, Gaudi’s masterpiece. Also enjoy a panoramic view of the city and harbor from Montjuïc Hill. To enhance your stay, choose from our optional excursions to Montserrat and to a Catalonian restaurant to try out local dishes. (Breakfast)
DAY 7, SUNDAY MAY 12, 2019 - BARCELONA–VALENCIA. Continue along the coast to Valencia, once a royal capital. Valencia’s Roman, Moorish, and Spanish history comes alive during your guided sightseeing, featuring the Town Hall, La Lonja (the 15-century Silk Exchange), the bull ring, the massive gateway towers of Serranos and Quart, and the new Arts & Science Complex, designed by the famous Valencian architect Calatrava. End your tour in the center at La Seo Cathedral and then, visit one of Valencia’s oldest Horchaterias, where you will be served a traditional Horchata drink. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 8, MONDAY MAY 13, 2019VALENCIA– GRANADA. Take a scenic drive toward the mountains past troglodyte cave dwellings, hollowed out of the soft tufa stone, near Guadix and Purullena. Cross Mora Pass and arrive in Granada, where dinner has been prepared at one of Granada’s fine restaurants, the perfect introduction to this magnificent city. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 9, TUESDAY MAY 14, 2019 - GRANADA–COSTA DEL SOL. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features Granada’s main attraction, the ALHAMBRA COMPLEX, a fantasy of “lace in stone” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains. Also amble through the exotic WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE. Then, take a short drive to your hotel at the Costa del Sol. Later, you may wish to join an optional excursion to the charming Pueblo Blanco village of Mijas. (Breakfast)
DAY 10, WEDNESDAY MAY 15, 2019 - COSTA DEL SOL. EXCURSION TO MÁLAGA. The morning is dedicated to beautiful Málaga, birthplace of Picasso. Join your Local Guide on a walking tour through the OLD CITY. Enjoy free time for shopping and maybe a visit to the Picasso Museum. (Breakfast)
DAY 11, THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019 - COSTA DEL SOL–GIBRALTAR–SEVILLE. Drive to the ROCK OF GIBRALTAR, in British hands since 1704. Hear about its turbulent history from your Local Guide, see the Moorish Castle, and visit ST. MICHAEL’S CAVES and the colony of Barbary apes. Drive through the sunny sherry wine region on the Costa de la Luz to vibrant, festive Seville, where an exclusive visit has been included to the famous Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla, the royal BULL RING. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 12, FRIDAY MAY 17, 2019 - 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 was once the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Also visit the magnificent CASA DE PILATOS, a mixture of Moorish and Roman architecture with a splendid collection of Roman sculptures. Then, stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER. 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. (Breakfast)
DAY 13, SATURDAY MAY 18, 2019 - SEVILLE–CORDOBA–MADRID. Travel through the arid landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha to Cordoba. Guided walking tour of Cordoba includes the medieval Jewish Quarter, the MOSQUE OF THE CALIPHS, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry, marble, and jasper, the Roman Bridge, and the remains of the Alcazar. Return to Madrid and enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 14, SUNDAY MAY 19, 2019 - MADRID. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
MADRID -Excursion to Toledo EUR 55 - Admire Castilian landscapes on your way to the beautiful imperial city of Toledo. It is one of the oldest towns in Europe and its genuine Spanish buildings are a showcase of almost all periods of history (Arab, Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance, and Baroque styles). Visit the 13th-century gothic cathedral, Church of Santo Tomé with its masterpiece by El Greco, the synagogue, and a Damascene steel workshop, a technique that inlays precious metals into steel.
BARCELONA -Beautiful Barcelona EUR 35 - Together with your local expert explore the Ciutat Vella district (old city); the Barceloneta, an 18th-century traditional district of sailors and fisherman; the Olympic Village, constructed for the 1992 Olympic Games, with the Olympic Port. Don't miss out the experience of walking down the famous La Rambla to visit the Boqueria Market the oldest food-market in Spain, where the best "chefs" buy for their Michelin Restaurants and where you will enjoy one of the popular fresh fruit juices (included in the tour).
- Sangria-Making Contest and Paella Dinner EUR 55 - If you’ve got a competitive spirit and you love good food and drink, then this is the experience for you! Join a culinary expert and learn the fine art of Sangria-making, then divide up into small groups for a little healthy competition to recreate Spain’s most popular drink. The victorious group gets a prize, but this evening, everyone’s a winner when you sit down and enjoy a delightful dinner featuring Paella! - Excursion to Montserrat EUR 45 - Drive to Montserrat with its impressive Benedictine monastery. Visit the Royal Basilica, one of Spain's most important pilgrimage sites, and admire the 12th-century Romanesque carving of the Virgin Morenita (Black Virgin).
COSTA DEL SOL - Mijas & Dinner on The Carihuela EUR 59 - Drive to the enchanting village of Mijas, nestled in the mountainside at 1,404 feet (428 meters) above sea level. Enjoy a walking tour, then free time for shopping or admiring its cobblestoned, narrow winding streets, dazzling whitewashed walls, and breathtaking views. Later, enjoy a 4-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.
SEVILLE - Andalusian Dinner & Flamenco EUR 65 - While savoring a 3-course Andalusian dinner with drinks, enjoy an exciting flamenco show. The flamenco dance, with its roots in Indian, Arabic, and Spanish cultures, is a highly-expressive, passionate dance form that no visitor to Spain should miss.
- Cathedral and Columbus Tomb EUR 20 - 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.