Best of Spain
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Madrid
Day 2 - Arrive Madrid (2 nights) On arrival at Madrid Airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, you may wish to relax at your hotel or why not take an excursion to El Escorial" This evening we will enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and travelling companions.
Day 3 - Toledo Excursion & Madrid Sightseeing First we enjoy an included excursion to Toledo, capital of Castile. Here sightseeing with a local guide includes a visit to the Synagogue, the Church of Santo Tome and a steel workshop. Then we return to Madrid where our guided tour shows us the Plaza Espana, the Puerta del Sol, the Cibeles Fountain and Gran Via.This evening, perhaps dine in a restaurant on the Plaza Mayor. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - Madrid — Burgos — Santander This morning our journey takes us over the Guadarrama Mountains to El Cid's city of Burgos, to see the gothic Cathedral. From here, we drive close to the Ebro, and over the Cantabrian Cordillera to the coast and sophisticated Santander for the night. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Santander - Bilbao - San Sebastian - Pamplona Today's first stop is in Bilbao where there's a chance to visit the new Guggenheim Museum before heading to seaside San Sebastian. On our arrival an orientation tour shows us the Bahia de la Concha beach, then on to Pamplona. Here we see the ancient streets and learn of the Festival of St. Firminius, when the bulls are left to run free through the town!
(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Pamplona - Zaragoza - Barcelona (2 nights) Today we return to the Ebro Valley, stopping at Zaragoza, where we see the Cathedral of El Pilar as well as the Cathedral La Seo. Then onto Barcelona where our Tour Director shows us a Hidden Treasure and we enjoy dinner in a typical restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 7 - Barcelona sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide and audio system includes a walk through the Gothic Quarter with its impressive Cathedral. We also see Gaudi's 'Sagrada Familia' plus many of his other eccentric architectural masterpieces. Later, we'll view Columbus' Monument and the Ramblas. Then enjoy time at leisure in this sophisticated city, or perhaps an optional excursion to mystical Montserrat" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 8 - Barcelona — Peñiscola — Valencia We drive past orange and almond orchards to Peniscola with its ancient castle. Then through the ëhuertasí to sunny Valencia where our orientation includes the Town Hall, the Bull Ring, the Towers of Serrano and Cuarte and the Cathedral. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - Valencia — Guadix — Granada This morning we travel inland to the ësierrasíand Guadix, stopping to view the troglodyte cave dwellings. From here we continue our journey via the jagged Mora Pass, as we make our way to the Moorish city of Granada. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10 - Granada - Costa del Sol (2 nights) This morning after breakfast our sightseeing tour with a local guide and audio system visits the spectacular Alhambra Palace as well as the Generalife Gardens. After, we will continue to the coast, and our hotel for two nights, in the Costa del Sol with its long beaches, stopping in the resort of Torremolinos. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 11 - Costa del Sol at leisure After breakfast you can enjoy a full day at leisure perhaps to relax! Or you may wish to shop for souvenirs in the old town of Torremolinos, lie on the beach and soak up the sunshine or maybe take an optional excursion to the white-washed village of Mijas. Your evening is at leisure. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 12 - Costa del Sol — Seville (2 nights) This morning we enjoy a scenic drive past the exciting millionaire's resort of Marbella and on to La Linea. Later, we cross to the Rock of Gibraltar, with plenty of time for duty-free shopping before continuing through the Jerez countryside. Finally, we arrive in the Andalusian capital of Seville for two nights. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 13 - Seville sightseeing & at leisure This morning after breakfast we will drive through the tree-lined streets of Seville and enjoy a sightseeing tour with audio system including the Bell Tower and weather vane of the Giralda. We'll also see the pools and fountains of the Maria Luisa Park and Christopher Columbus' tomb and continue with a walk through the Jewish quarter. Tonight, why not experience a little Spanish passion at a fiery Flamenco show" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 14 - Seville — Cordoba Today along the Guadalquivir Valley, we travel to the Roman founded city of Cordoba. Here our sightseeing including audio system this afternoon features the Mezquita, a former Moorish Mosque, now hosting Cordoba's main Cathedral and also a visit to the medieval synagogue. Before dinner, there's time for relaxation and exploration of the city on your own. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 15 - Cordoba — Madrid Today we cross La Mancha to Puerto Lapice where, according to tradition, Don Quixote was dubbed Knight by the local innkeeper. Next we drive back to Madrid where a local guide takes us on a visit to the world-famous Prado Museum to admire the paintings of Velazquez and Goya among the many fine works displayed (audio system included). Then there's time perhaps to enjoy some last minute shopping. This evening, join your Tour Director and travelling companions for a Farewell Dinner. (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Day 16 - Madrid - USA Time to bid farewell to new-found friends as we transfer you to the airport for your return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
|
