ABOUT THIS TRIP
Embark on a group tour to Spain to discover the most extraordinary Andalusian and Mediterranean cities, from Seville and Granada to Valencia and Barcelona. Begin your journey in Madrid, the extraordinary Spanish capital where you will discover a city full of passion and life. Visit famous attractions including Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace, Plaza de la Villa, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains, and the Puerta de Alcala. Next, make your way to Cordoba as you drive through breathtaking vineyards and cross into Andalucía. Arrive in Seville where you will discover the second-largest cathedral in the Catholic world after St. Peter’s in Rome. See the Santa Cruz Quarter, Maria Luisa Park and Spain Square before you visit the Alhambra Palace in Granada. Drive to Valencia along the Mediterranean coast, famous for their delicious seafood paella. From there you will travel to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. This city is famous for its extraordinary architecture designed by Antoni Gaudí along with its incredible art and cultural scene. Discover La Sagrada Familia, Montjuïc Park, and the Olympics rings. End your tour of Spain on an incredible note in this fascinating city!
08 NIGHTS
08 MEALS
TRANSPORT
Flights
Make your own way to your International Airport to board your overnight flight to Madrid. Enjoy inflight meals and services.
Welcome to Madrid! Upon arrival at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Madrid
This morning after breakfast, enjoy a panoramic tour of Madrid. You will discover the medieval origins of the city with its Arabic Fortress at the Barrio de la Morería, famous for its historic buildings. Drive through the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs characterized by Phillip II and its Renaissance and Baroque style buildings, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains, and the Puerta de Alcalá. Admire the 19th-century work including the Prado Museum. From there explore contemporary Madrid the areas of Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla, and Parque del Oeste, as well as the commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bull Ring, and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore the wonders this city has to offer.
Overnight in Madrid
After breakfast drive south through the land of Don Quixote’s the Man from La Mancha. Along the way, you will breathtaking vast vineyards. There will be a brief stop in Puerto Lapice before crossing through the Despeñaperros (a natural gorge) into Andalucía, a region with a fascinating past. Upon arrival in Cordoba, head on a tour of the impressive Mosque and other magnificent sites with the opportunity to stroll through the narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. This afternoon, after a short two-hour drive, we will arrive in Seville.
Overnight in Seville
This morning, enjoy a panoramic tour of Seville including the Cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peter’s in Rome. You will discover the Santa Cruz Quarter, a natural scenescape for the opera “Carmen” and where the myth of “Don Juan” developed, the Maria Luisa Park, and Spain Square. Spend the afternoon at leisure to discover Seville.
Overnight in Seville
After breakfast, we will head east into the heart of Andalucía, observing an endless number of olive trees on the way to Granada — the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms until 1492. Visit the world-famous Alhambra Palace and discover the Generalife Gardens. This is a breathtaking setting that has inspired many authors, including W. Irving in his work “Tales of the Alhambra”. Spend your afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Granada
Today we will drive towards the Mediterranean coast. Travel via Murcia, the capital of the fertile region of the Segura River, before continuing north via Alicante, the second-largest city within the autonomous region of Valencia. We will reach Valencia, home to the modern Arts and Sciences Architectural Complex. Valencia is also the home to the well-known and delicious “Paella”.
Overnight in Valencia
This morning on your panoramic tour of Valencia, drive through the old city seeing the most prominent buildings in the area. Head past the old riverbed of the Turia to the most avant-garde complex, the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Early this afternoon, continue north along the Mediterranean to Catalunya, via Tarragona, the Roman Tarraco, and on to Barcelona, the breathtaking capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, known for its art and architecture. Discover the fantastical Sagrada Família church and other modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí along with its spectacular shopping and nightlife.
Overnight in Barcelona
Enjoy a morning tour of Barcelona, well known for the 1992 Olympic Games. Drive along the main avenues with impressive modernist buildings by Gaudí such as La Pedrera and Casa Milá, both declared World Heritage buildings. You will see Montjuïc Park with spectacular views of the city and harbor. The panoramic tour includes seeing the Olympic Rings, the monument to Columbus, and the Olympic Port. Spend the afternoon at leisure to continue your discovery of this exciting city.
Overnight in Barcelona
Today you will be transferred to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat International Airport for your flight back home.
Princesa Plaza Madrid (Madrid)
Princesa Plaza is situated in the west of Madrid, in the Argüelles District. Some of the elegant rooms at the hotel feature a large reproduction of a famous painting from the Museo del Prado. The hotel comes with the Holiday Gym fitness center, featuring a small indoor pool where aquagym classes are organized. The pool is available for guests over 16. Complimentary fitness classes are offered, as well as cardiovascular equipment. Rooms at the Princesa are spacious with large windows and come with a seating area. They have satellite TV and air conditioning. Princesa Plaza is close to Plaza España Square, Gran Via Avenue, and the Royal Palace. It offers car rental and currency exchange services. The tour desk can provide useful information on the surrounding area. The hotel also gives information about a company that organizes shuttle service at an extra cost.
Catalonia Santa Justa (Seville)
Catalonia Santa Justa is located a short walk from Seville's historic centre, and just 650 m from Santa Justa AVE Train Station. It offers a sun terrace, a rooftop swimming pool, and a hot tub. Rooms at the Santa Justa feature parquet floors and modern décor. They have wooden furniture and satellite TV. Free WiFi is available. The Santa Justa has a bar and an international restaurant with a covered patio. The hotel's 24-hour reception offers currency exchange and car rental. San Pablo - Santa Justa is a great choice for travellers interested in sunshine, friendly locals and walking.
Los Angeles (Granada)
This colorful hotel with a view of the Sierra Nevada is 1.3 km from the medieval palace complex of Alhambra, and 4.8 km from Granada Cathedral. The individually decorated rooms and suites offer either modern or traditional decor, and include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen satellite TVs and minibars. Some suites have rich, baroque furnishings and in-room whirlpool tubs, and airy, upgraded suites add balconies with mountain or city views. Amenities include a full-service spa with a Turkish bath, an outdoor pool, and a hot tub. There's also a formal Andalusian restaurant, and casual dining is offered at a snack bar with poolside patio seating.
NH Valencia Las Ciencias (Valencia)
This hotel offers contemporary rooms with free WiFi and flat-screen TVs. Buses leave from outside the hotel to the city center. The rooms at NH Valencia Las Ciencias feature air conditioning and are decorated in pastel colors. The modern bathroom comes with a hairdryer and NH amenities. A continental and buffet breakfast is available at NH Valencia Las Ciencias, while the café-bar serves drinks and light refreshments.
