Charming Spain # ES212 – Escorted Tour to Madrid, Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada, Valencia and Barcelona

Arrival at Madrid on your own, meet with your driver and transfer to your hotel. Free time in Madrid to recover from jet lag or get to know one of Europe’s most dynamic capital cities. In the early evening, take part of our “Illuminated Madrid” tour driving through the bustling streets of the old city, ending at the historical Plaza Mayor, the historical center. This area is home to some of the most typical restaurants and taverns, which serve the delicious “tapas”. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes a Tapas Dinner tonight. Return to your hotel at your own convenience. Overnight in Madrid.

After a delicious buffet breakfast join our sightseeing tour visiting some of Madrid’s most outstanding attractions, like the Puerta del Sol, the magnificent fountains of Neptune and Cibeles, the stately Alcala Gate, the busy Gran Via, the Plaza de España and the Plaza de Oriente. Free time for lunch, (premium package includes lunch today). Join in the afternoon an optional tour to the Imperial former capital city of Toledo, where you will be escorted through its narrow cobblestone streets, enjoying its medieval atmosphere. It will include the interior of the magnificent Gothic cathedral and a visit to St. Tome Church, where El Greco’s masterpiece painting is displayed. There will also be some time for shopping for typical local artifacts. Overnight in Madrid. Premium package includes the tour to Toledo.

After breakfast drive through the once-remote region of Extremadura, home to many of the “conquistadors”, among them the infamous Pesaro, conqueror of the  Incas in Peru. Arrival in ancient Merida. Free time for lunch. (lunch included in the Premium Package.) In the afternoon, visit the impressive Roman amphitheater archeological site before continuing to Seville. Overnight in Seville.

After breakfast city tour of Seville, capital of Andalucía, “home” of Carmen and San Juan. See the Tower of Gold, the tranquil and extensive Maria Luisa Park, the quaint Santa Cruz Quarter, and finally the enormous cathedral with the tomb of Christopher Columbus and its Giralda Tower (a former minaret) resembling the famous  Koutoubia tower of in Marrakech, Morocco. Free time for lunch. The Premium Package includes lunch today. The afternoon is free to explore this city even further or free time for shopping. Our suggestion is to visit the Alcazar castle on your own, a beautiful royal palace of stalactite adorned rooms and luxuriant inner gardens. Recommended to purchase entrance tickets in advance. This evening we offer an optional Flamenco Show with local wine. The Premium Package includes Flamenco Show and drink. Overnight in Seville.

Morning departure to Cordoba, the former populous city of Moorish universities and an intellectual center of the world in the 10th century. The old town with the famous Mosque is now a designated World Heritage Site. Visit the former Great Mosque (now a cathedral), then free time for lunch or to stroll around the old Jewish town with its white-washed alleys and hidden patios. Continue to Granada, driving by thousands of acres of olive groves. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes dinner tonight. This evening we offer an optional visit to the quaint and typical Albaicin, old Moorish quarter, where customs, music and wine join to create an enchanting atmosphere. (PREMIUM PACKAGE includes this visit). Overnight in Granada.

Buffet breakfast. This morning enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent 14th century Moorish Alhambra palace and the adjoining Gardens of the Generalife, one of the wonders of Europe and the world, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Marvel the richly decorated ornamented rooms, columns and stalactite like cupolas complemented by inner gardens of roses, palms and fountains. Early afternoon departure to the east coast of Spain arriving to the lively port city of Valencia for overnight.

Buffet breakfast and morning city tour of the city and the new area of Museums. In the early afternoon continue north to Barcelona, one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities. In the evening, we suggested to dine at the Pueblo Español, the open-air museum featuring replicas of typical houses from all of Spain’s regions. PREMIUM PACKAGE includes the dinner tonight. Overnight in Barcelona.

After breakfast take part in our city tour of one of Europe’s liveliest cities. See the ancient Gothic Quarter with its magnificent cathedral. Stop to admire the exterior of Gaudi’s masterwork, the Basilica of the Sacred Family (Sagrada Familia). Continue to Montjuich Hill (site of the Olympic Stadium), to enjoy a spectacular view of Barcelona and its port area. Free time for lunch, perhaps in the Olympic Port area. Lunch is included today with the PREMIUM PACKAGE. Afternoon free to continue discovering the city on your own or stroll around the shops and the many cafes of the Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most popular pedestrian street. Overnight in Barcelona.

Buffet breakfast. Transfer to the airport. End of tour.

Buffet breakfast, transfer to Madrid with stop in Zaragoza where you will have free time to visit the city’s famous cathedral, El Pilar. Overnight in Madrid

Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Madrid airport.