Day 1. (Tuesday) MADRID

Hola! Welcome to Europe! Welcome to Spain! Arrival at the International Airport of Madrid – Barajas. Assistance and transfer to your hotel in Madrid. You’ll enjoy some free time at your disposal to get acquainted with this cosmopolitan city, capital of Spain. Please check the informative panels in the hotel reception area for the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers, and to receive information about the circuit. Towards the end of the day, we’ll do a transfer to the Egyptian Debod temple, Plaza de Es­paña and Gran Via, a vibrant district where you’ll find a great variety of restaurants for dinner. Accommodation in hotel.

Day 2. (Wednesday) MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel. Escorted by a local guide, we’ll start a guided tour of Madrid discovering Paseo del Prado, one of the main boulevards in Madrid, Cibeles Square, the most emblematic square in Madrid with the fountain of the Greek goddess Cibeles, place where Real Madrid and Spain national team fans celebrate their victories, the Neptuno Square, the Gate of Alcala, one of the old royal gates that gave access to the city, Cristofor Columbus Square and the Plaza Mayor, once the centre of Old Madrid, is one of the prettiest open spaces in Spain. Our city tour of Madrid continues with the visit to Retiro Park, an oasis in the city centre, where we will see its lake and the Glass Palace. You’ll have the chance then to visit Las Ventas Bullring, one of the most famous bullrings in the world where we will learn about the tradition of “corridas” in the Bullfighting Museum. The afternoon will be at your disposal to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of Spain Capital. At sunset we’ll take you to Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace, an elegant and bustling area with many restaurants serving different exquisite cuisines (Indian, Middle Eastern, Muslim, Spanish, International) in which to enjoy a pleasant dinner. Return to hotel and accommodation.

Day 3. (Thursday) MADRID – ZARAGOZA – POBLET – MONTSERRAT – BARCELONA

Breakfast. We depart early in the morning from Madrid. Heading towards the Region of Aragon, we pause our journey in Zaragoza, located on the banks of the Ebro River, one of Spain’s major cities. You’ll enjoy free time to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar, Patroness of Hispanity and take a stroll into the old town, to discover its impressive monumental legacy, as Romans, Muslims, Jews and Christians left their mark on this place. After lunch time we continue to the Monastery of Poblet, one of the best examples of religious architecture in Catalonia and considered one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world (entrance and guided tour included). We travel later to the Monastery of Montserrat where we include a ride on the rack railway to enjoy fantastic landscapes. We will resume our journey to Barcelona, arrival at the hotel and accommodation.Note: In the winter months, from November to March, as days are shorter, the Poblet Monastery will not be visited (in order to arrive in Montserrat during the daylight hours).

Day 4. (Friday) BARCELONA

We wake up in Barcelona. After breakfast, we get on the bus to visit Barcelona with a local guide, discovering its main avenues decorated with impressive modernist buildings of Antoni Gaudí. We’ll make a short stop to see the impotent Gaudí’s Great Basilica of Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) from outside, a unique creation that has become Barcelona’s most universal symbol. We’ll take a walk into the city’s historic central area with its Gothic neighbourhood dating back to the Middle Ages. Next destination is Montjuic and the Olympic Ring, a legacy of the 1992 Olympics Games that took place in Barcelona. Our city tour of Barcelona takes us to visit the Poble Español (Spanish Village), an open-air architectural museum where you’ll enjoy Spanish craftsmanship and discover the architectural styles, traditions and folklore of the different communities in Spain. From this moment you’ll have free time to explore in depth what you couldn’t see before. We recommend you to book in advance your tickets to see the Sagrada Familia from inside if it is of your interest, or if you prefer, you may explore other parts of the Gothic Quarter… there are many options: visit the Cathedral of Barcelona, Plaça del Pi, the Plaza Real or take a walk on the famous Rambla de los Capuchinos, an emblematic street and a must-see for any visitor to Barcelona. In the evening we provide transfers to Las Ramblas and Plaza Catalunya area for dinner, where you can select from a great variety of restaurants. Return to the hotel and accommodation.

Day 5. (Saturday) BARCELONA – PEÑISCOLA – VALENCIA

Breakfast. We leave behind us the capital of Catalonia and travel south along the Mediterranean Coast. Our first stop will be at Peñiscola, a medieval walled town that stands as a delightful balcony over the Mediterranean. You’ll enjoy some free time for lunch and to have a walk through its old town, which enters the Mediterranean Sea forming a small peninsula, crowned by the imperial Castle of Papa Luna.The route along the Mediterranean continues to reach Valencia, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean coast, that harmoniously combine the remnants of its farthest past, with the most innovative and avant-garde buildings from the new millennium. We’ll enjoy the breath-taking avant-garde architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences, one of the largest scientific and cultural complexes in Europe, then we’ll make a time jump and discover the old part of Valencia strolling through its historic center, full of fascinating monuments. You’ll enjoy some free time to visit if you wish Valencia’s Gothic Cathedral, the World Heritage Silk Exchange Building, its beautiful Central Market, Serranos and Quart Towers… At night we’ll take you close to Valencia’s Bullring, an area with lots of restaurants where you can taste the paella, Valencia’s most well-known dish world-wide. Return to hotel and overnight in Valencia.

Day 6. (Sunday) VALENCIA – ALICANTE – CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ – GRANADA

After breakfast, we continue exploring the highlights of the Region of Valencia. Arrival to Alicante, located in the middle of the Costa Blanca, a beautiful harbour city, which sits at the foot of the Castle of Santa Barbara, a silent witness to the numerous civilisations to have settled here. We’ll have some time to stroll in this active and very pleasant city to discover its religious and civil architectural legacy and to enjoy its exquisite gastronomy. We continue our route southward to reach the Region of Murcia, home of the fertile garden of the Segura River. Our next destination will be Caravaca de la Cruz, a town considered by the Catholic Church as one of the 5 holy cities, its church holds a Relic of Christ’s Cross. We include a ride up to the historic area on the tourist train. After this we will carry on along an attractive scenic road to Andalusia, a region with a huge heritage from a splendorous past. Arrival in Granada, an incredible and amazing monumental environment, the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdom up to 1492. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation.

Day 7. (Monday) GRANADA

Breakfast. We’ll start our full day in Granada with a guided tour of the world-famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens (entrance ticket and local guide included). Its fountains, gardens and patios (courtyards) have inspired several authors with their sounds and sights, such as the “Tales of the Alhambra” by W. Irving. After knowing this architectural wonder, you will enjoy free time for lunch. We recommend you in the afternoon to take a walk through the Monumental area of ​​Granada, strolling through the origins of this city that still retains all the magic of its Arab past. There are some must-see places: the Royal Chapel of Granada, the place chosen by the Catholic Monarchs for their last rest, the Cathedral, with its impressive facade of Spanish Baroque style and also the Alcaiceria, the old Silk Market in the Nasrid era, a network of narrow streets filled with shops selling handicrafts from Granada. Later, enjoy an evening transfer to Albaicín Quarter, a World Heritage Site along with the Alhambra, where you can enjoy dinner in a restaurant and take a stroll in the narrow winding streets of this captivating Medieval Moorish quarter. Optionally you can see a Gipsy Flamenco Show held in a cave-house at Sacromonte Quarter. Accommodation at the hotel. Note: Within the Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces allow the entry of a limited number of people. In case of not being able to visit this area of the Alhambra, a visit with a local guide of the city of Granada would be included and also the Real Alcazar of Seville with similar characteristics will be visited.

Day 8. (Tuesday) GRANADA – MALAGA – MARBELLA – RONDA – SEVILLE

Breakfast at the hotel. Our next destination is the famous Costa del Sol, one of the most modern and important international tourist areas. Arrival in Malaga, capital city of Costa del Sol and hometown of Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas, among its most famous citizens. You’ll enjoy some free time for a stroll in the historic centre of Malaga with its cathedral, Moorish Fortress and the Picasso Museum. We will continue along the coastal motorway with beautiful views of the Mediterranean and passing through Puerto Banus, in Marbella, an exclusive high-level marina. In the afternoon we will continue along the Route of the White Washed Villages to reach Ronda, one of the most beautiful towns in Andalusia, situated on the gorge of the Guadalevin River (locally known as Tajo de Ronda). Free time to admire this town of Celtic origin and the marvellous views of the valley and mountain range. Continuation to Sevilla, capital city of Andalusia. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 9. (Wednesday) SEVILLE

After breakfast we’ll do a monumental and panoramic visit of Seville. Lead by an expert guide you will discover the Cathedral of Seville, the second largest in the Catholic world after San Pedro in Rome and its famous Giralda Tower, the old seminar of the Arab mosque, also the popular neighborhoods of Santa Cruz, the natural setting of “Carmen” as well as the place where the myth of “Don Juan” developed and Triana, of deep popular flavor and cradle of bullfighters and artists. After the visit we will include a boat trip on the Guadalquivir River to enjoy the panoramic views that exist from the boat. We recommend you to take a nice walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, the “great king of Andalusia”, as the poet Luis de Góngora y Argote called it. Afternoon free to discover different perspectives and specific flavors of this active city full of lights. At night, optionally you may enjoy an exquisite flamenco show.

Day 10. (Thursday) SEVILLA – CORDOBA – CONSUEGRA – MADRID

After breakfast at the hotel we leave Seville following the valley of the Guadalquivir River to Cordoba, once the capital of the Moorish Caliphate. Lead by a local guide, you’ll visit Cordoba’s fabulous Cathedral-Mosque, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and also the ancient Synagogue (entrances included). Later you’ll do a stroll in the old district, the Jewish Quarter of Cordoba, with its famous “patios” of flowers and its narrow winding streets. Free time to enjoy the last moments in Andalusia and if you prefer, to buy some souvenirs in one of many shops that can be found in Cordoba. After lunch, we continue towards the Castilian lands, where Miguel de Cervantes imagined the most famous knight of Spanish literature, Don Quixote de la Mancha and stop at Consuegra, where 12 giant windmills together with an impressive castle, contemplate the plain fields of La Mancha. We’ll visit Venta Rucio windmill. Continuation to Madrid, arrival and end of our services.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: All the departures from April 1, 2024 include 1 additional night in Madrid, at the end of this tour. The services end the next day, after breakfast.