Best of Spain
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Madrid
Day 2 - Arrive Madrid (2 nights) On arrival at Madrid Airport you're 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" Later tonight, we will enjoy a Welcome dinner including tapas and drink with our Tour Director and fellow travellers. (Welcome Dinner)
Day 3 - Madrid sightseeing & at leisure After breakfast our morning sightseeing tour using our audio system shows us the Plaza Espaņa, the Puerta del Sol, the Cibeles Fountain and Gran Via. We also enjoy a walking tour of the old town. Then on to an included excursion to Toledo, capital of Castile. Where a walking tour with a local guide with audio system includes a visit to the Synagogue, the Church of Santo Tomé and a steel workshop. This evening, perhaps dine in a restaurant in 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) After breakfast we return to the Ebro Valley making a stop at Zaragoza. Here we view its Cathedral of El Pilar as well as the first Cathedral of the city La Seo. Next, we make our way to cosmopolitan Barcelona, where we spend the next two nights. This evening, 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 walking tour which takes us to 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.
After enjoy time at leisure in this sophisticated city, or perhaps an optional excursion to mystical Montserrat" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 8 - Barcelona — Peņiscola — Alicante Today's journey takes us past orchards of oranges and almonds to Peņiscola, to see its ancient castle. Then on through the 'huertas' on our approach to the sunny resort of Alicante on the Costa Blanca. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 9 - Valencia — Guadix — Granada This morning we travel via Valencia — where this year the Americas Cup will take place, into the 'sierras' to 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. Tonight, dinner is included at our hotel. (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 walking tour including the Jewish quarter and Casa de Pliatos. 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, why not join your travelling companions for a final dinner in the Plaza Mayor" (Buffet Breakfast)
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)
|
