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DAY 1, Sunday – Depart for Spain
Depart for Madrid, Spain
DAY 2, Monday – Arrive in Madrid
Welcome to Madrid, capital of Spain. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Your tour begins with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7 PM, followed by a light dinner at a local restaurant. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 5 PM
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Tuesday – Lively Madrid
Today’s tour of Madrid’s impressive architecture begins at the Plaza de Cibeles with its striking buildings. Then, on to the world-renowned Prado Museum; stand before masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya, El Greco and others. The rest of the day is yours to explore on your own or, join the afternoon optional tour to Toledo. Take a walking tour among the most famous monuments. Visit 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. Tonight, opt to explore Madrid’s fabulous restaurants and non-stop nightlife
Optional: Half Day Toledo (PM)
Overnight: Madrid
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Wednesday – The “Garden City” of Valencia
Today, you head towards the Mediterranean coast and through the blossoming groves of olives, almonds, lemons and oranges to the “garden city” of Valencia, Spain’s major port. This unique city is shaped by the vastness of the sea and the closeness of the coastal mountains. Hear the story of “El Cid,” Spain’s national hero who fought here against the Moors. Discover this treasure trove of Roman and Arabic architecture before continuing to the City Gates, City Hall, and Gothic cathedral. Stop by the huge City of Arts and Sciences, 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 the city independently. Tonight, dinner is at the hotel
Overnight: Valencia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5, Thursday – Drive to Granada
Depart Valencia for Granada, a city sprawled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure
Overnight: Granada
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Friday – Moorish Influenced Alhambra
Today, your sightseeing of Moorish Granada is highlighted by a visit to the 13th century Alhambra*, 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 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. Continue to the Royal Chapel of Granada, a masterpiece of ornate Gothic style, known in Spain as Isabelline. View the tomb of Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand made of pure white Carrara marble. Marvel at the magnificent collection of Flemish paintings, one of Queen Isabel’s passions. Tonight, dinner is at a local restaurant
*For Sep 25 – Oct 2 departures, Alhambra will be closed due to local events. Alhambra visiting times, which may include evening hours, and which areas of the complex are accessible on the day of your visit, are determined solely at the discretion of the Alhambra. Your itinerary will be arranged by your Tour Manager to accommodate the designated time of entry.
Overnight: Granada
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Saturday – Mezquita de Cordoba, Seville in Andalucia
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, picturesque squares, and view of the 14th century Synagogue on Calle de los Judios. Afterwards, proceed to Seville, capital of Andalucia. This evening, participate in the optional Flamenco Show in this city known as the birthplace of Flamenco
Optional: Evening Flamenco Show
Overnight: Seville
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Sunday – Seville City Tour
The morning tour of Seville begins at beautiful Plaza de España and the fragrant gardens of Maria Luisa Park by the Guadalquivir River before visiting the quaint Barrio Santa Cruz with its narrow, winding streets. 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 location of the former great Mosque, its original minaret, the Giralda Bell Tower, still stands. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Seville’s shops, museums, and cafes, or join the optional Royal Alcazar of Seville tour that also includes a tapas lunch. After a delicious Andalusian tapas lunch in a local restaurant, explore the royal palace complex with its magnificent Mudejar architectural style. Tonight, savor dinner at a local restaurant
Optional: Royal Alcazar of Seville Tour with Tapas lunch (PM)
Overnight: Seville
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Monday – Plasencia en Route to Salamanca
Depart Seville and travel north to the ancient city of Plasencia, that is located on the bank of the Jerte River. View the medieval city walls and the Old Quarter. Continue the drive to the lively university town of Salamanca; view the 12th century old cathedral, the Salina and Monterrey Palaces and the historic center of the city. Arrive at the Plaza Mayor, considered Spain’s most beautiful central plaza, exceptionally memorable when illuminated at dusk. Dine together tonight in Salamanca
Overnight: Salamanca
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Tuesday – Stop in Burgos, Travel to Bilbao
This morning, travel north towards Bilbao. Stop in historic Burgos, with its famous French Gothic Cathedral of St. Mary, housing the tomb of El Cid. Then, continue to the extraordinary Basque city of Bilbao, home to the glittering Guggenheim Museum. Arrive in time for dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Bilbao
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11, Wednesday – Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum
Today’s sightseeing in culture-rich Bilbao begins in the heart of the Old Quarter, with its bustling market and pedestrianized streets that go back to the origins of the city. Continue to the gleaming Guggenheim Museum, named the “most influential structure of its time” when it opened in 1997. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the inspirational design utilizes flowing canopies, ship shapes, towers and flying fins. This site, once an industrial wasteland, has re-energized the entire city and its diverse population. The interior of the museum houses an impressive collection of modern art with a cathedral-like atrium lit by enormous expanses of glass. Spend time at the museum, or consider the late afternoon optional tour to the historic fishing town and resort of San Sebastian; tour the charming Old Quarter and savor a typical Basque tapas dinner
Optional: San Sebastian Tour with Tapas Dinner (PM)
Overnight: Bilbao
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12, Thursday – Zaragoza en Route to Barcelona
Depart the Basque city of Bilbao and head to Barcelona. On the way, stop at the vibrant city of Zaragoza on the banks of the mighty Río Ebro. Then, continue to sensational Barcelona, Spain’s second most important city with its unending choice of museums, galleries, and cafes. Perhaps stroll along Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s famous pedestrian walkway with its life-size animators, stalls and people watchers
Overnight: Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13, Friday – Barcelona City Tour, Wine Tasting
Begin the day in this artistic city with a drive along the harbor to Plaza Catalunya, the city’s bustling main square and Plaza de España home to the old bullfighting ring. Pass some of Gaudi’s famous works, including the “skull and bones” Casa Batllo, on the way to visit Park Guell, one of the city’s largest urban parks, another colorful and playful Gaudi creation. Continue on to view the iconic symbol of Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s masterpiece; a colossal church that is legendary and still unfinished*. Ascend Montjuic Hill, home to the Olympic Complex, a number of sports facilities built for the 1992 Summer Olympics. Later, travel to nearby Penedes, one of the most exciting wine regions in Spain that produces many wine styles including traditional (sparkling) white and rosé Cava. Stop at one of the wine cellars for a tasting before returning to Barcelona. Tonight, join the rousing nightlife in this late night city
*Entrance to La Sagrada Familia is not included. Passengers can visit on their own and are advised to book tickets in advance.
Overnight: Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14, Saturday – Full Day in Barcelona
A full day at leisure to explore Barcelona’s countless museums and superb galleries or, choose to visit La Sagrada Familia independently. In the morning, join the optional guided tour to Montserrat that takes you on a drive past picturesque villages to Montserrat Mountain. On arrival, visit the Royal Basilica and view the world-famous 12th-century Romanesque sculpture of Virgen Moreneta. Tonight, bid adios to Spain and Tour Manager during dinner at a popular restaurant
Optional: Montserrat Tour (AM)
Overnight: Barcelona
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 15, Sunday – Depart Spain
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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