SPECTACULAR SPAIN
  9 DAYS FROM $1,679 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. Your 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. Afternoon at leisure. An optional excursion to El Escorial can be arranged. (Breakfast)

Day 3 Madrid–Toledo–Granada
This morning, focus on splendid Toledo. Spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River, the ancient Castilian capital attracts more sightseers from all over the world than any other Spanish town. 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. Also time to visit a DAMASCENE STEEL WORKSHOP before arriving in history-steeped Granada. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4 Granada–Costa del Sol
See the sights of Granada with a Local Guide and visit its main attraction, the ALHAMBRA COMPLEX. The mighty yet graceful citadel was planned by 13th-century Moorish ruler Al Ahamar. A fantasy of “lace in stone” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, it affords superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by Gypsy cave dwellers. Also amble through the magnificent WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE, the royal summer residence. Then, turn towards the sea, away from the mountains, to lively Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol. (Breakfast)

Day 5 At Leisure on the Costa del Sol
A free day at your beachfront hotel. Catch up on your postcards, enjoy the sandy beaches, browse through the trendy boutiques, and sample the many fancy restaurants. You may want to join an optional excursion to the Rock of Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704. (Breakfast)

Day 6 Costa del Sol–Ronda–Jerez–Seville
Visit picturesque, historic Ronda, perched on a platform of the Sierra de Ronda and cut in two by a deep ravine, before reaching Jerez, famous for its sherry wines and magnificent horses of mixed Spanish, Arab, and English blood. Highlight today is a visit to a SHERRY BODEGA, where you can taste the sherry wine, accompanied by local tapas. Then, on to Seville, the vibrant capital of Andalusia. (B,D

Day 7 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 8 Seville–Cordoba–Madrid
In the morning, enjoy a walking tour with a Local Guide in Cordoba. See the Alcazar, the Roman Bridge, and the medieval Jewish quarter. Tour the magnificent 8th-century MOSQUE OF THE CALIPHS, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry, marble, and jasper. Next, drive north from the fertile valley of the Guadalquivir River through the arid landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha back to Madrid. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9 Madrid
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

INCLUDED FEATURES

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

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

Granada
Guided walking tour, visit the Alhambra complex and the Water Gardens of the Generalife; dinner at a local restaurant

Ronda
Walking tour

Jerez
Sherry wine tasting with Spanish tapas

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

Cordoba
Guided walking tour, visit the Mosque of the Caliphs

Headsets throughout the tour

Note:
If you intend to join the optional excursion to Gibraltar, 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.

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

MEALS
Full buffet breakfast daily; 4 three-course dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners in Madrid and a special dinner with wine in Granada

SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
MADRID Catalonia Centro (F), GRANADA Saray (SF), TORREMOLINOS Melia Costa del Sol (SF), SEVILLE Sevilla Center (SF), MADRID NH Principe de Vergara (F)

Optional Excursions

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.

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

Full-Day Excursion to Gibraltar
Visit the strategic rock fortress of Gibraltar, which has been in British hands since 1704. Tour the Upper Galleries, Moorish Castle, ST. MICHAEL'S CAVES, and the colony of Barbary Apes.
Approximate value: EUR €57 per person

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