| 10 Days ~ Spain
Tour
Pace
Well paced tour with two night stays in the
major cities of Madrid, Barcelona & Seville; allowing you time to indulge in
each city's treasures. Perhaps become better acquainted with Gaudi in
Barcelona? In Seville, you have a whole day (Day 7) to relax or explore.
DAY 1 – FRI –
MADRID AT LEISURE
Welcome to Madrid! On
arrival at Madrid Airport there are complimentary transfers to your tour
hotel. The afternoon is at leisure – relax and settle in. In the
evening, join your fellow passengers and Tour Director for a Welcome
Drink. Hotel: Melia Galgos.
DAY 2 – SAT –
MADRID – BARCELONA
Follow the wide arid
plains of Castille. After passing Guadalajara, follow the Jalón River
Valley, dotted with Mudejar Towers which are survivors of the bygone era of
Moorish domination in Spain. Continue eastwards, passing Zaragoza in the
province of Aragón, before encountering a different culture and language in
Catalunya. Your home for the next two nights is the dynamic city of
Barcelona. Hotel: Melia. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – SUN –
BARCELONA SIGHTSEEING
Visit the Gothic
quarter on a guided tour and see the ancient cathedral, and see the famous
Ramblas, with its open-air markets and cafes. In contrast to the old part
of town, drive along the broad, elegant avenues of the Eixample district
to admire Gaudi’s extraordinary unfinished creation, the Sagrada Familia
church, about which opinions are so strongly divided. Enjoy a Highlight
Dinner with wine and entertainment, and visit all of Spain in one park at
the ‘Pueblo Español’. Before returning to your hotel, drive past the
Olympic Games site and enjoy glittering views over the harbour. (Buffet breakfast,
Specialty Highlight Dinner)
DAY 4 – MON –
BARCELONA – VALENCIA
Follow the Costa Dorada
south, stopping in Peñìscola to view the white-walled cottages clustered
around the sea-lapped castle used in the film El Cid. Continue past the
famous orange groves to Valencia, your home for the night. An orientation
tour with your Tour Director shows you the City Gates of Serranos and Cuarte,
the Gothic Generalidad Palace, El Miguelete Cathedral with its octagonal
bell tower, and the ultra modern Centre of Arts and Sciences. Hotel: Reina
Victoria. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 5 – TUE –
VALENCIA – GRANADA
Leave for the Costa
Blanca, passing through the stately waving palm tree forests of Elche and
past the lemon groves in Murcia. Drive through the superb sceneryof the
Sierra Nevada with magnificent mountain views on all sides, and cross the
Mora Pass to reach glorious Granada. Here, over looking the town, awaits one
of the most remarkable fortresses ever built,the Alhambra. Explore this
exquisite palace; afantasy of stone cut lace, arabesque gardens and
fountains, built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century. Also visit
the exotic water gardens ofthe Generalife, the Royal summer residence.
Hotel: Saray. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 6 – WED –
GRANADA – SEVILLE
A beautiful drive through
gleaming white villagesand brilliant fields of golden sunflowers leads
toSeville exquisite capital of Andalucìa, and one ofthe most charming
cities in Spain. You’ll stay in this‘city of Carmen’ for the next two
nights, so settle into your hotel. Hotel: Melia Lebreros. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – THU –
SEVILLE AT LEISURE
Seville has a distinctive
character and presence which a local guide will unfold. Visit the massive
cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus and enriched with the spoils
of the New World. Pass the slender Giralda Tower, once the minaret of the
Great Mosque, see the Alcazar and tour the fashionable SantaCruz Quarter
with its flower decked wrought iron balconies. This afternoon is at leisure.
Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 8 – FRI –
SEVILLE – MADRID
Set off early along the
Guadalquivir valley, past villages and towns studded with Moorish towers and
fortresses, stopping in the perfectly preserved Moorish city of Cordoba. See
the famous 2000-year-old bridge before a guided visit to the magnificent
Mezquita, an 8th century mosque with a Christian church built inside it.
Crossthe Sierra Morena mountains and the plains of La Mancha, following in
the steps of Don Quixote, on your way back to Madrid. Hotel: NH Eurobuilding. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 9 – SAT –
MADRID SIGHTSEEING
Enjoy a sightseeing tour
along the noble avenues to see the statue of Cervantes’ fictional hero,
Don Quixote, in the Plaza de España. Continue past Cibeles Fountain and the
Parliament, and cross the Puerta del Sol. Visit the Prado Museum to admire
the world famous paintings of Velázquez and Goya. Take time out to relax at
a café or shop in the boutiques of Serrano. In the evening, consider
joining a farewell dinner in the heart of town, complete with wine and
music. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 10 – SUN –
MADRID
Sadly our tour ends after
breakfast this morning with a transfer to Madrid Airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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