The Best of Spain

16 Days
Featuring: Madrid, Santander, Pamplona, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Costa del Sol, Seville, Cordoba

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Day 1  Depart USA Overnight flight to Madrid.

Day 2  Arrive Madrid (2nights) You are met at Madrid Airport and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, why not take an excursion to El Escorial? Later tonight, we will enjoy a welcome drink with our Tour Director and fellow travellers.

Day 3  Madrid sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing tour shows us the Plaza España, the Puerta del Sol, the Cibeles Fountain and Gran Via. Next, we enjoy an included excursion to Toledo. Here sightseeing includes a visit to the Synagogue, the Church of Santo Tomé and a steel workshop. This evening, perhaps dine in a restaurant in the Plaza Mayor. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 4  Madrid - Burgos - Santander We travel over the Guadarrama Mountains to El Cid's city of Burgos, to see the gothic Cathedral. Next, we drive close to the Ebro, and over the Cantabrian Cordillera to the coast and sophisticated Santander. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 5  Santander - Bilbao - San Sebastian -Pamplona Today's first stop is in Bilbao where there's a chance to visit the new Guggenheim Museum† before heading to seaside San Sebastian. Here orientation shows us the Bahia de la Concha beach, then on to Pamplona. Here we see the ancient streets and learn of the Festival of St. Firminius, when the bulls are left to run free through the town! (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 6  Pamplona - Zargoza - Barcelona (2nights) Today we return to the Ebro Valley making a stop at Zaragoza, where we view its Cathedral of El Pilar as well as the first Cathedral of the city La Seo. Next, we make our way to cosmopolitan Barcelona for two nights. This evening, we enjoy dinner in a typical restaurant. (Buffet breakfast/ Restaurant dinner in Barcelona)

Day 7  Barcelona sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing with our local guide takes us to the Gothic Quarter with its impressive Cathedral. We also see Gaudi's 'Sagrada Familia' plus many of his other eccentric architectural masterpieces. Later, we'll view Columbus' Monument and the lively Ramblas. Then enjoy time at leisure. Why not take an excursion to mystical Montserrat? (Buffet breakfast)

Day 8  Barcelona - Peniscola - Valencia Past orchards of oranges and almonds to Peñiscola, to see its ancient castle. Then on through the 'huertas' on our approach to sunny Valencia. We see its Roman and Moorish history on our orientation tour including the Town Hall, the Bull Ring, the Towers of Serrano and Cuarte and the Cathedral. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 9  Valencia - Guadix - Granada Today we travel inland into the 'sierras' to Guadix, stopping to view the troglodyte cave dwellings. Then we continue via the jagged Mora Pass, on our arrival to the Moorish city of Granada. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 10  Granada - Costa del Sol (2nights) Today's morning sightseeing tour with our local guide visits the spectacular Alhambra Palace as well as the Generalife Gardens. Next we continue to the coast and the Costa del Sol with its long beaches, stopping in the resort of Torremolinos. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 11  Costa del Sol at leisure After breakfast enjoy a full day to relax! Perhaps shop for souvenirs in the old town of Torremolinos, lie on the beach and soak up the sunshine or maybe take an excursion to the typical white-washed Andalusian village of Mijas. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 12  Costa del Sol - Seville (2nights) This morning we enjoy a scenic drive past the exciting millionaire's resort of Marbella and on to La Linea. Later, we cross to the Rock of Gibraltar, with plenty of time for duty-free shopping before continuing through the Jerez countryside. Finally, we arrive in the Andalusian capital of Seville for two nights. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 13  Seville sightseeing & at leisure This morning we drive through the tree-lined streets of Seville and enjoy a sightseeing tour including the Bell Tower and weather vane of the Giralda. We'll see the pools and fountains of the Maria Luisa Park and Christopher Columbus' tomb. Tonight, why not experience a little Spanish passion at a fiery Flamenco show? (Buffet breakfast)

Day 14  Seville - Cordoba Today along the Guadalquivir Valley, we travel to the Roman founded city of Cordoba. Here our sightseeing this afternoon features the Mezquita, a former Moorish Mosque, now hosting Cordoba's main Cathedral and also a visit to the medieval synagogue. Before dinner, there's time for relaxation and exploration of the city on your own. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 15  Cordoba - Madrid Today we cross La Mancha to Puerto Lapice where, according to tradition, Don Quixote was dubbed Knight by the local innkeeper. Next it's a short drive back to Madrid where a local guide will take us on a visit to the world-famous Prado Museum to admire the astounding paintings of Velazquez and Goya among the many fine works displayed. Then there's time perhaps to enjoy some last minute shopping. This evening, why not join your travelling companions for a final dinner in the Old Town? (Buffet breakfast)

Day 16  Madrid - USA We transfer to the airport for our return flight to America. (Buffet breakfast)