Discover Spain

Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, & Granada plus Barcelona optional extension

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, airline taxes and fees, hotels, transfers, many meals, touring & more *

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance Discover Spain
Day	Destination
1	Depart USA
2	Madrid
3	Madrid
4	Madrid, Cordoba & Seville
5	Seville
6	Seville & Granada
7	Granada & Madrid
8	Madrid/USA
Barcelona Optional Extension
8	Madrid/Barcelona
9	Barcelona
10	Barcelona
11	Barcelona/USA

Departures	September – November 2013
Departs	Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Washington Dulles (IAD), Newark (EWR), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Houston (IAH)
Highlights	Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Toledo. Prado Museum, Mosque of Córdoba, Seville Cathedral, Granada Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens, and St Tome Church of Toledo. Optional Barcelona extension
Included Features	Round-trip flights from Newark including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees All ground transportation and transfers Accommodations in First Class hotels 9 Meals: 6 breakfasts plus 3 dinners Wine and mineral water with all dinners Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees Headsets for enhanced sightseeing throughout Professional, English-speaking tour director/guide
Travel Style	This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Barcelona optional extension is independent.

Spain has long ranked among the hottest travel destinations in the world—and with good reason. From the cosmopolitan capital cities, sun-drenched beaches, and medieval hilltop towns, to the fascinating cultural legacies and architectural treasures galore, Spain offers endless travel possibilities for every type of visitor.

If you've dreamed of visiting this fascinating country, join us on our 8-day discovery tour of Spain, a fantastic celebration of cultural splendors and natural beauty of the Iberian Peninsula. You'll discover the richness and complexity of Spain when you visit Madrid, it's chic capital city, travel to the colorful Andalucian town of Seville, as well as visit the captivating historical cities of Cordoba and Granada, and the many stops in between.

Everything you need to explore Spain—from convenient flights, transfers, luxury hotels in fabulous locations in the heart of each city, buffet breakfast daily and 3 dinners, and a comprehensive sightseeing tour program—are part of this deal.

Want to see even more of Spain? Extend your stay with an optional tour of Barcelona, Spain's cultural and arts center. But don't wait too long. At these prices, our Discover Spain tour is sure to sell out quickly.

Dates, Prices & Options

All prices, fees and deposits are per person. Prices below are subject to availability and confirmation. After we receive your booking, we will confirm all prices and availability within 1–2 business days. Prices are subject to change at any time and not guaranteed until we receive your final payment. More about our prices.

Want to stay longer? We may be able to arrange for you to extend your stay later than the scheduled dates, subject to availability. Contact us about dates, prices and restrictions.

Coming from somewhere else? Unfortunately, we don't offer departures from cities that are not listed, but you can book your own connecting flights separately.

To make a reservation, we only require a per-person deposit payment, which you can pay with your credit card. This non-refundable deposit will be applied towards the cost of your package. You can pay the balance due later by credit card, check or money order. Your final payment is due 75 days prior to departure, or within 72 hours of booking, whichever is later.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA. Your fascinating journey begins as you depart New York this evening on your overnight flight bound for Madrid, the capital city of Spain.

Day 2: Madrid, Spain. Upon arrival and after clearing customs formalities, transfer to your centrally located hotel for check in. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to rest or explore your new surroundings. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink and orientation with your guide and traveling companions. Accommodations: Husa Princesa or similar.

Day 3: Madrid. After breakfast, depart for your tour of Madrid. Drive through the main avenues of Alcala Street, Puerta del Sol and pass by Plaza de España, the Royal Palace, Teatro Real and Parliament. See the elegant monumental fountains of Cibeles and Neptuno on Castellana Avenue. Then, visit the Prado Museum, where one of the best collections of classic paintings in the world are housed, and see the works of Goya and Velasquez. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to stroll through the many squares of Madrid or spend some time shopping. Breakfast provided.

Day 4: Madrid, Cordoba & Seville. Depart Madrid this morning and head south to Cordoba. Enjoy the scenic drive through La Mancha, the stomping ground of Spain's most beloved literary protagonist, Don Quixote.

Arrive in Cordoba, one of the most important and largest cities in the medieval world, and was the capital of the Caliphate in the 9th and 10th centuries. Your guide will lead you on a walking tour of the city, including a visit to the Mezquita, a 10th century mosque with dazzling rows of red-and-white-striped, horseshoe-shaped arches. In the 16th century, after the Spanish Reconquista, a Catholic cathedral was inserted inside the mosque, making the Mezquita a unique testament to Spain's diverse history. Later, walk through the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter.

Arrive later today in Seville. Accommodations: Sevilla Center or similar. Breakfast & dinner provided.

Day 5: Seville. Today's morning tour of Seville highlights the city's must-see sites, including the famous Giralda Cathedral, one of the world's largest Gothic-style cathedrals. Inside you'll find four statues supporting a casket that is said to hold the remains of Christopher Columbus. You can also walk up the cathedral's tower, a striking minaret of the former mosque. Across from the cathedral is the magnificent Alcazar, a royal residence and stunning example of Mudejar architecture, characterized by arched doorways, intricate designs, colorful tiles, and a beautiful garden labyrinth of lush green shrubs. Later, walk by Santa Cruz center, a maze of peaceful and attractive small alleys and squares. The afternoon is yours to explore the city independently. Breakfast & dinner provided.

Day 6: Seville & Granada. Depart for Granada, located in the heart of Andalusia. Granada remained under Muslim rule for more than seven centuries until 1492, when it became the last Spanish city to be conquered by the Christians. Today, the city retains much of its Islamic heritage, as evidenced in particular by the various examples of Moorish architecture throughout the city. Upon arrival in Granada, enjoy a half-day tour of the city and a visit to one of the most awe-inspiring architectural splendors in the world—the Alhambra. Constructed over hundreds of years and completed in the 15th century, the Alhambra is an impressive complex of fortresses, palaces, and gardens. Also, learn about the sophisticated royal life in the Nazari Islamic kingdom. Then, visit the famous and beautiful Generalife Gardens with its many fountains. Accommodations: Granada Center or similar. Breakfast and dinner provided.

Day 7: Granada & Madrid. After breakfast, travel north to Toledo. During the 8th century, Toledo was the capital of Spain and the royal residence. During this period, Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities lived together peacefully, turning Toledo into a great cultural center. This afternoon, walk along the city's narrow streets where history can be felt in the air. View the cathedral and later visit the St Tome Church, where you will see some examples of the master painter, El Greco, on display. Later, arrive in Madrid. Accommodations: Husa Princesa or similar. Breakfast provided.

Day 8: Depart Madrid/Arrive USA. Your Spanish adventure comes to an end today as you transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA, or extend your stay in Spain with an independent trip to Barcelona. Breakfast provided.

Barcelona Optional Extension

Take advantage of your already-included international airfare and spend three more exciting days in Barcelona, Spain. You will return to the USA 3 days later than the dates listed on the Dates & Prices tab.

Day 8: Madrid/Barcelona. Transfer to the Madrid train station for your journey to Barcelona on the high-speed AVE train. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Accommodations: Barcelona Center. Breakfast provided.

Day 9: Barcelona. This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour of the oldest part of downtown Barcelona, the Gothic quarter. Visit the Boqueria Market, a modernist structure, that explodes with the colors of the produce sold. Later, visit the cathedral, and walk through the maze of little street where you will see splendid palaces and institutions such as the Generalitat (regional government). Also, visit the St. Maria del Mar, a splendid example of Gothic Art. The balance of the day will be at leisure to explore this fascinating city on your own. Breakfast provided.

Day 10: Barcelona. Take advantage of your last day to discover more of the city. Alternatively, join an optional full day excursion to Monteserrate, a monastery located in rocky mountains, offering spectacular views. The excursion will be available locally. Breakfast provided.

Day 11: Depart Barcelona/Arrive USA. Your Spanish sojourn comes to an end today as you transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA, arriving later on today.

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