SPANISH FIESTA
  14 DAYS FROM $2,449 US
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Day 1 Arrive in Madrid, Spain
Time to rest or to start exploring the Spanish capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)

Day 2 Madrid
The capital since 1561, Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely turned towards the future. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide takes you to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Then the highlight: a visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. The afternoon is at leisure. An optional excursion to El Escorial can be arranged. (Breakfast)

Day 3 Madrid–Segovia–Burgos–Vitoria
Head into beautiful Castile, “the Province of the Castles.” Cross the rugged Sierra de Guadarrama on the way to Segovia, famous for the 2,000-year-old Roman Aqueduct. In Burgos, see the magnificent limestone Cathedral of Santa Maria, where the legendary El Cid is buried. Afternoon arrival in Vitoria with time for a stroll through this ancient Basque city’s delightful historic center. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4 Vitoria–Bilbao–San Sebastian–Pamplona
This morning, travel to Bilbao, the great port city of the Basque region for a guided visit to the GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, an amazing feat of construction created by North American architect Frank O. Gehry. Stop in lovely San Sebastian, the “Pearl of the Cantabrian Coast,” before arriving in Pamplona at the foot of the Pyrenees. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5 Pamplona–Saragossa–Barcelona
Enjoy vistas of Rioja wine country on the way to Saragossa. Stop on PLAZA DEL PILAR, one of Spain’s grandest squares. Free time to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, where, according to legends, the Virgin appeared to St. James. Then, on to Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city and the host of the Olympic Games in 1992. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 Barcelona
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Columbus Monument, elegant tree-lined Ramblas, Plaza de Cataluna, and Paseo de Gracia. Admire the spectacular Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s masterpiece, and enjoy a panoramic view of the city and harbor from Montjuïc Hill. Also visit the GOTHIC QUARTER. Afternoon at leisure. An optional excursion to Montserrat can be arranged. And tonight, why not join an optional dinner at a typical Catalonian restaurant? (Breakfast)

Day 7 Barcelona–Valencia
Along the coast to Valencia, once a royal capital. Valencia’s Roman, Moorish, and Spanish history comes alive when your Local Guide takes you on an orientation drive including the Town Hall, La Lonja, the bull ring, the massive gateway towers of Serranos and Quart, and the new Arts and Science Complex designed by famous Valencian architect Calatrava. End your tour in the center at La Seo Cathedral. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8 Valencia–Granada
West towards the mountains. Pass troglodyte cave dwellings hollowed out of the soft tufa stone near Guadix and Purullena, and over Mora Pass on your way to the splendors of Granada. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9 Granada–Costa del Sol
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features Granada’s main attraction, the ALHAMBRA COMPLEX, a fantasy of “lace in stone” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains. Also amble through the exotic WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE. Then, a short drive down to your hotel at the Costa del Sol. Tonight, why not sample the seafood restaurants for which this resort is famous? (Breakfast)

Day 10 At Leisure on the Costa del Sol
Enjoy a free day at your beachfront hotel. In the late afternoon, you may wish to join an optional excursion for a pleasant drive and meal at a charming Pueblo Blanco overlooking the Mediterranean coast. (Breakfast)

Day 11 Costa del Sol–Gibraltar–Seville
Drive to the ROCK OF GIBRALTAR, in British hands since 1704. Hear about its turbulent history from your Local Guide, see the Moorish Castle, and visit ST. MICHAEL’S CAVES and the colony of Barbary apes. Then, on through the sunny sherry wine region on the Costa de la Luz to vibrant, festive Seville. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 12 Seville
During your sightseeing tour with a Local Guide, hear about the city’s role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712 AD, and its contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire Maria Luisa Park, the Golden Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Then, stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER. Highlight is a visit to the ALCAZAR, founded in the 11th century as a Moorish fortress, with its Palacio de Don Pedro. For those interested, an optional extended guided visit to the cathedral is available. Tonight, for a truly Andalusian night out, reserve a seat at our optional Flamenco show. (Breakfast)

Day 13 Seville–Toledo–Madrid
Through the arid landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha to Toledo, spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River. A Local Guide takes you to the Moorish bridge, an early SYNAGOGUE, the 13th-century gothic CATHEDRAL, and the CHURCH OF SANTO TOMÉ with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Time to visit a DAMASCENE STEEL WORKSHOP before returning to Madrid. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 14 Madrid
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

INCLUDED FEATURES

Madrid
Welcome and farewell dinners; guided sightseeing, visit the Prado Museum

Segovia
Take pictures of the Roman Aqueduct

Burgos
Take pictures of the Cathedral of Santa Maria, El Cid’s burial place

Bilbao
Guided visit of the Guggenheim Museum

San Sebastian
Visit the “Pearl of the Cantabrian Coast”

Pamplona
Dinner at a local restaurant

Saragossa
Visit Plaza del Pilar

Barcelona
Guided sightseeing, visit the gothic quarter, and take pictures of the Sagrada Familia Basilica

Valencia
Guided sightseeing

Granada
Guided sightseeing, visit the Alhambra complex and the Water Gardens of the Generalife

Rock of Gibraltar
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Michael’s Caves

Seville
Guided sightseeing, walk through the Santa Cruz quarter, and visit the Alcazar

Toledo
Guided sightseeing, visit an early synagogue, the gothic cathedral, and Santo Tomé Church with one of El Greco’s masterpieces; visit a Damascene steel workshop

Headsets throughout the tour

Note:
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler. For Gibraltar, a special visa is required, a UK or Schengen visa will not gain entrance.

July 1 & July 8 Departures San Fermin Feria in Pamplona

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

MEALS
Full buffet breakfast daily; 8 three-course dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners in Madrid and a special dinner with wine in Pamplona

SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
MADRID Catalonia Atocha (SF), VITORIA Barcelo Gasteiz (SF), PAMPLONA NH Iruna Park (F), BARCELONA Rivoli Ramblas (F), VALENCIA NH Center (F), GRANADA M.A. Nazaries (F), TORREMOLINOS Melia Costa del Sol (SF), SEVILLE Ayre Sevilla (SF), MADRID Agumar (F)

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Important Note: the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.

Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency; you can use our online currency converter for exchange rate information.

CITY: Barcelona

Excursion to Montserrat
Drive through picturesque villages to the 4,320-foot Montserrat Massif and its impressive monastery. Visit the ROYAL BASILICA and admire the venerated Black Madonna's sculpture.
Approximate value: EUR €36 per person

Spanish Dinner
Experience the world-famous Spanish Movida in the heart of Barcelona. Enjoy a three-course meal, including local specialties and drinks, in a typical Spanish restaurant.
Approximate value: EUR €48 per person

CITY: Granada

Glimpses of Granada
Your Local Guide will escort you through the richly decorated ROYAL CHAPEL, which houses the mortal remains of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand V of Aragon, also known as the Catholic kings, who unified Spain under one single monarchy. Then, visit the CARTHUSIAN MONASTERY, an outstanding example of Baroque architecture with its intricate white stuccoworks. Finally, enjoy a beautiful view over the Alhambra and the city from the famous Albaicin quarter.
Approximate value: EUR €35 per person

CITY: Madrid

Excursion to El Escorial
Visit EL ESCORIAL, a Renaissance style quadrangular complex of white-grey stone, which houses the Mausoleum of the Spanish Monarchs and is listed as Unesco World Heritage Site. Built under the order of King Phillip II it is considered the eighth wonder of the world.
Approximate value: EUR €44 per person

Panoramic Madrid and Dinner
Dine Spanish-style at one of Madrid's favorite restaurants. Drinks included. After dinner drive through the capital's boulevards and by beautiful fountains.
Approximate value: EUR €52 per person

CITY: Seville

Andalusian Night
Your chance to admire a flamenco show in Seville and to savor a three-course dinner with drinks. While dining, enjoy a show of Spanish folklore. Note: if the excursion is scheduled on a day when dinner at your hotel is included in the tour price, the show will be offered without dinner (one drink included) for EUR 36.00 per person.
Approximate value: EUR €53 per person

Magnificent Cathedral, La Giralda and Columbus Tomb
Built on the site of the former mosque following the capture of the city from the Moors, Seville's 15th-century Gothic cathedral is the third-largest church in Europe. It boasts 80 chapels, the largest altarpiece in the world, and the breathtaking La Giralda, a minaret from the mosque that was converted into a bell tower. It also houses the remains of explorer Christopher Columbus.
Approximate value: EUR €16 per person

CITY: Torremolinos

Dinner on the Carihuela
Enjoy a four-course dinner, drinks included, at one of the most celebrated seafront restaurants in Torremolinos.
Approximate value: EUR €39 per person

An Evening in the Countryside
Enjoy a pleasant drive to MIJAS, market center of Andalusian crafts, with time to discover this pretty 'Pueblo blanco' with its white houses and breathtaking views of the Costa del Sol. Later enjoy a three-course dinner with drinks included.
Approximate value: EUR €53 per person