Discover Spain

Overview

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA/Overnight Flight

• Depart the USA on your overnight flight for Madrid

Day 2: Madrid

2 nights NH Collection Madrid Abascal or similar.

• Transfer to your hotel
• Balance of the day at leisure
• Meet your guide and traveling companions during a welcome orientation at 7:00 pm

Full Day Itinerary: Upon arrival and after clearing customs formalities, transfer to your centrally located hotel for check in. Most flights arrive early in the morning, but your hotel will allow you to safely store your luggage while you explore the city on your own. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to rest or explore your new surroundings. At 7:00 pm this evening, enjoy a welcome soft drink and orientation with your guide and traveling companions.

Day 3: Madrid & Toledo

Breakfast.

• Enjoy a panoramic tour of Madrid
• Visit the Royal Palace
• Travel to Toledo for a walking tour and view the Holy Church Cathedral and St. Tome Church

Full Day Itinerary: 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, Teatro Real and Parliament. See the elegant monumental fountains of Cibeles and Neptuno on Castellana Avenue. Then, visit the Royal Palace, or Palacio Real as it’s known in Spanish. The Royal Palace is used by the King of Spain for state ceremonial activities. You will also see the Royal Armoury, the Royal Pharmacy, lavish halls and throne room.

This afternoon, travel south 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 Holy Church Cathedral and later visit the St Tome Church, where you will see some examples of the master painter, El Greco, on display. Return to Madrid for overnight.

Day 4: Madrid, La Mancha & Granada

1 night Sercotel Gran Hotel Luna or similar, Granada. Breakfast and dinner.

• View the gardens of Aranjuez
• Visit a traditional wine producer
• Enjoy a wine tasting with tapas

Full Day Itinerary: After breakfast, depart Madrid and travel to Granada. En route, enjoy a view of the magnificent gardens of Aranjuez, full of centenary trees. Continue south to discover the large flat region of "La Mancha", Spain's largest wine producing area. Visit a traditional wine producer to learn about the wine-making process as well as some secrets of the trade. Your visit concludes with a tasting of three different wines with tapas of ham, local cheese, and bread, the best way to experience Spanish wines.

Arrive later today in Granada, located in the heart of Andalusia.

Day 5: Granada, La Alhambra & Generalife Gardens, & Seville

2 nights Hotel Sevilla Center or similar. Breakfast & dinner.

• Enjoy a half-day tour of Alhambra
• Visit the Generalife Gardens

Full Day Itinerary: 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. Enjoy a half-day tour 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. Conclude your visit the famous and beautiful Generalife Gardens with its many fountains. In the afternoon, depart for Seville and enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Day 6: Seville

Breakfast & dinner.

• Enjoy a morning walking tour of Seville
• Experience an introductory Flamenco lesson

Full Day Itinerary: 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. Later, walk by Santa Cruz center, a maze of peaceful and attractive small alleys and squares. After the tour concludes, you may choose an optional independent visit to 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. This afternoon, you will enjoy an introductory Flamenco lesson with a professional dancer. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Optional Excursion: Evening Flamenco Show (purchased locally). Later this evening, enjoy a professional Flamenco show.

Day 7: Seville, Cordoba, & Madrid

1 night NH Collection Madrid Abascal or similar. Breakfast.

• Visit an Andalusian horse farm
• Travel to Cordoba for a walking tour

Full Day Itinerary: After breakfast, visit an Andalusian horse farm (yeguada) to see an authentic day of training and learn about the breeding and taming of these amazing horses. Afterwards,travel north to Cordoba. Cordoba, one of the most important and largest cities in the medieval world, 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.

Later today, arrive in Madrid.

Day 8: Madrid/USA

Breakfast.

• Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA

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

3 nights Barcelona Center or similar. Breakfast.

• Board the high-speed AVE train for Barcelona
• Upon arrival, have an introductory meeting with a local host

Full Day Itinerary: 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. You will have an introductory meeting with a local host to help you plan your visit.

Day 9: Barcelona

Breakfast.

• Enjoy a walking tour of Barcelona
• Balance of the day at leisure

Full Day Itinerary: This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour of the oldest part of downtown Barcelona, the Gothic quarter. Explore the Boqueria Market, with its vibrant stalls selling fruit, meat, cheese, and more. Visit the Gothic Cathedral of Barcelona, then walk through the maze of little streets where you will see splendid palaces and institutions such as the Generalitat (regional government) and city hall. Also, visit the St. Maria del Mar, a splendid example of Gothic Art. The walking tour will end in Las Ramblas. The balance of the day will be at leisure to explore this fascinating city on your own.

Day 10: Barcelona

Breakfast.

• Full day at leisure or join an optional tour

Optional Excursion: Traditional Spanish Cooking Class, approx. €65 per person (paid locally) Learn to cook some of Spain's most famous dishes, such as paella or Spanish omelet! Today you will join a hands-on cooking lesson with a professional local cook. After the lesson, enjoy the meal you have prepared with your fellow travelers! (Wine and water included. Subject to availability)

Day 11: Barcelona/USA

• Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA

Reviews & Photos

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Spain? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.

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