Madrid, Andalusia, and the Mediterranean Coast

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for your morning Madrid city tour to explore the medieval origins of the city, beginning with the Arabic fortress in the Barrio de la Morería medieval neighbourhood, famous for its historical buildings. Drive through the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs and its Renaissance and Baroque style buildings; Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa. Next, move on to the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, highlighted by the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains, and the Puerta de Alcalá. Admire the 19th Century works such as the Prado Museum. End your explorations with contemporary Madrid and areas such as Gran Vía Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla, and Parque del Oeste and finally the commercial and financial areas of modern Madrid including the Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. The afternoon is free to continue exploring the wonders that the city has to offer.

Accommodation at the hotel in Madrid.

Following breakfast at the hotel you will be picked up and transferred to the bus terminal for an 8:30 a.m departure on your coach tour. Drive along La Mancha - Don Quixote’s land - and have a brief stop at Puerto Lapice. Cross through the natural border of “Despeñaperros” (a deep river canyon) and get into Andalusia, an autonomous region which is the home of many cultural activities thought of as Spanish, such as the flamenco and bullfighting. Upon reaching Cordoba, the largest city in Europe during the Islamic Golden Age, take a tour of the magnificent Great Mosque (entrance included) and other sites including the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon after a short two hour drive, reach Seville.

Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Seville.

Breakfast at the hotel will be followed by a morning city tour visiting many of Seville’s most renowned sites, including the exterior of the Cathedral (the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peters in Rome), Santa Cruz quarter (the setting of much of “Carmen” and where the myth of “Don Juan” began), Maria Luisa Park, and Plaza de España. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore the city in your own style – be sure to try some tapas on your way around the delightful city streets.

Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Seville.

Optional Flamenco Tour this evening (supplement applies).

Breakfast at the hotel before driving east through the Caliphate road to the heart of Andalusia, observing an endless number of olive trees on the way to Granada - the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms. A large portion of today is dedicated to a visit to the world famous Alhambra complex (entrance included) where Christopher Columbus received royal endorsement for his quest to discover the New World from Ferdinand and Isabella. This astounding UNESCO World Heritage Site was constructed in the 14th Century over an earlier fortress (from the 9th Century) which itself had been built atop Roman ruins.

Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Grenada

Optional Gipsy Flamenco show at Sacromonte quarter (supplement applies).

After breakfast at the hotel start driving toward the Mediterranean coast via Murcia, capital of the fertile garden of the Segura River. Continue north via Alicante, the second largest city within the region of Valencia and a hub for cruise ships visiting the area. Reach Valencia, one of the main capitals of the Mediterranean coast and home of the internationally renowned and delicious “Paella.” Time in the afternoon is at leisure to explore the area in the style you prefer.

Accommodation at the hotel in Valencia.

Breakfast at the hotel then depart for a morning city tour including a drive through the old city home to some of the most prominent buildings in Valencia. We will then be driven past the old riverbed of the Turia to the avant-garde complex “Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias” (the City of Arts and Sciences). Early afternoon departure northward following the Mediterranean coast to Catalonia via Tarragona, called Tarraco by the Romans and home to many stunning ruins from this civilisation. After another hour or so of driving reach Barcelona - principal Mediterranean city and homeland of the famous architect Gaudí, symbol of the Catalonian modernism.

Accommodation at the hotel in Barcelona.

After breakfast at the hotel depart for a morning city tour of Barcelona - home of the 1992 Olympic Games. Drive along the main avenues lined with impressive modernist World Heritage buildings by Gaudí, such as La Pedrera and Casa Milá. Next, visit the Montjuïc Park with spectacular views of the city and harbour, Olympic Ring monument to Columbus, and the Olympic Port. The afternoon is at leisure for you to continue discovering this city in the way you see fit.

Accommodation at the hotel in Barcelona.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

• Guided visits in Madrid Cordoba Seville Granada Valencia and Barcelona
• Tour escort during the tour
• Air conditioned deluxe motor-coach
• Accommodation in selected class of hotel
• Daily breakfast and 3 dinners
• Transfers to/from airport

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
• Porterage
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Departure taxes
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above