Spain Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Madrid
Arrive Madrid, take a taxi to your hotel. At 2:00 p.m. Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel for a wonderful 4 hour walking tour of Madrid's top sites.
Day 2: Madrid
This morning is on your own to relax and sleep in. In the afternoon meet your guide at the Prado Museum. You will see the masterpieces of the Prado during your guided visit.
Day 3: Toledo Day Trip
This morning take the train toToledo. The journey is about 1 hour.
You will have from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. to tour this small gem of a town
with
your
guide.
You will visit the
Cathedral, San Juan de los Reyes, Greco's Masterpiece, and Synagogue
Santa María la Blanca. This evening take the train
back to Madrid. Take a taxi to your hotel. This evening we've arranged
a special dinner where you'll taste traditional Spanish cuisine.
Day 4: Segovia
Today take the train to Segovia. The journey is about 2 hours.
Spend the afternoon exploring the artistic and
social
aspects of Segovia with your guide. Your walking tour will include
the Jewish and Moorish quarters, noble and monastic neighborhoods,
and
shopping
districts.
You will also
meet well-known painters, sculptors, ceramicists, writers,
and folklorists as part of the itinerary. As you roam the narrow,
winding streets of this medieval town, your guides will introduce you
to people from all walks of life and soon you will be on a first-name
basis with your new Segovian friends. Then in the evening, join them
for tapas, supper, and after-dinner drinks at a cafe,or a late night
concert. Overnight in Segovia.
Day 5: Seville
Take
a taxi to the train station and the train to Seville. In the afternoon
meet your guide in front of your hotel for a
wonderful
tour
of
Seville
followed by a tapas and
wine tasting.
Day 6: Seville
At sunset you will be met at the lobby of your hotel by our guide for a private walking tour of the Old City. Your walk begins at the Cathedral from where you will proceed to the former Jewish Quarter or Santa Cruz which at this time will be less crowded. Here our guide will explain the whys and wherefores of the architecture and characteristics of these houses here such as their patios which are filled with fragrant flowers, wrought iron grills and lanterns; etc. You have the option of dining in the Quarter where our guide would be most happy to recommend you a good restaurant. Finally you will stroll along the banks of the Guadalquivir River before returning to your hotel. Your tour ends at the hotel.
Day 7: Cordoba
Your day tour from Seville will start driving across the countryside, and following one of the oldest routes towards Cordoba. After an hour drive you will arrive to Cordoba, that has a long and distinguished history which began about 785 A.D. Once one of the largets cities in Europe, it was home to the famous Jewish philosopher, Maimonides. During the time of the Romans, who built a bridge over the Guadalquivir, it was a major urban center. It enjoyed its heyday during occupation by the Moors, whose legacy is the fabulous mosque with its forest of red and white striped arches. It is the second most famous structure in Spain remaining from those days. Its founder, Abderraman, intended that its grandeur surpass all other mosques. Built during the eight century A.D., the Mosque covers six acres with over 800 pillars supporting red and white stripped arches. To one side of the mosque is the sacred Mihrab - where the Koran was kept - with three exquisitely carved domes decorated in a golden tone with tiles and mosaics. The Mosque did not escape Christian influence- its center was destroyed in the sixteen century to build the massive and ornate Gothic-Baroque-Rococo Cathedral. After the visit, a stroll over the Juderia, which was formerly the Jewish quarter of the city. Traditional Andalusian white houses with red tiled roofs, exquisite inner courtyards and flower bedecked balconies line cobblestones streets. Keeps also one of the Spain’s three ancient synagogues. On the way back, and if you have some time, you will be able to stop at some nice towns as Carmona, before arriving to back to your hotel in Seville.
Day 8: Granada
Today, pick up your rental car and drive to Granada (about 2 hours). Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel for your private tour of Granada. Granada is located on one of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, and was a stronghold of the Nazeri Dynasty, the last great Moorish kingdom in Spain. In the 14th century its monarchs built the so-called "Red Castle"- La Alhambra - an incredible palace of refined, exquisite beauty with large arcaded courtyards, slender halls and splendid gardens, beautiful fountains and tranquil ponds like those of the Generalife. This evening try one of Granada's wonderful restaurants.
Day 9: Costa Del Sol
This morning drive to Torremolinos and explore Ronda along the way.
Day 10: Tangier, Morrocco Day Trip
Take an early catamaran across the
Straits of Gibraltar from Tarifa. Your guide will meet you as you
get off the catamaran and take you for an unforgettable day through
Tangier!
The Grand Tour includes
a n
ice
drive through the rich area of Tangier, with its zone of villas and
palaces. You will visit Cape
Spartel, which is the most north western point of Africa, the exact
point where the Mediterranean and the
Atlantic ocean join. There you will enjoy a camel ride on the beach,
then visit the Caves of Hercules with a stop at the Mirage, an
exclusive
hotel overlooking amazing long
natural deserted beaches. Also included is a nice
Moroccan lunch. Then you're off to the Kasbah to see the snake charmers,
visit the historical
port, the medina, the Gran Socco, the Petit Socco, Mendoubia Gardens,
the English Church, and the souks for shopping. Then head to your
guide’s
family home for Moroccan mint tea and pasteries. Return on an evening
catamaran.
Day 11: Costa del Sol
Day at Torremolinos beaches!
Day 12: Barcelona
This morning drive to Malaga airport and drop off your car in time
for your flight to Barcelona. Take the Aerobus or Renfe train to Placa
Catalunya and make your way to your nearby hotel. This afternoon get
your bearings with a private walking tour of historic center of Barcelona.
Your guide will meet you at your hotel. The
tour will begin at the Plaza Espana. Next head to Las Ramblas, the
most famous Barcelona street, for a true taste of the city. Here you
will walk a bit and see many examples of the architecture and the history
on your way to the Boquería Market, one of the best stocked
and most colorful of its kind in and around Barcelona. Enjoy a little
time on the bustling modern shopping street, Passeig de Gracia, where
designers and boutiques line the street. This is also one of the best
architectural walks in the city. Here is where you will find the Casa
Batlló, the Gaudi-designed house on the block of discord. Casa
Mila, another of your stops, was a deeply controversial Gaudi building.
One final highlight will be a visit to Antoni Gaudí's unfinished
masterpiece, La Sagrada Família, before returning to the heart
of the city for a walk down Les Ramblas and back to your hotel.
To cap your day, take the funicular to the top of Montjuïc or
Tibidabo, the two mountains overlooking the metropolis, for a panoramic
view of Barcelona and its harbor.
Day 13: Barcelona
On your own today visit the Museu Picasso (open from 10am-3pm) then
stroll through the surrounding district, La Ribera, which is filled
with Gothic mansions and is the site of the gorgeous church Santa María
del Mar. Pick up a knick-knack to take home in one of the many eclectic
shops in the area. Have a seafood lunch at the old maritime quarter
La Barceloneta
This afternoon enjoy Gaudi's famous Parc Güell. Take the Metro
to Lesseps and then it's a 15-min. walk (uphill) or bus 24. Spread
over several acres of woodland high above central Barcelona, with wonderful
views at every turn, the Parc Güell is one of the most unique
man-made landscapes on the planet. It is abundant with the architect's
unique vision and expertise at finding creative solutions posed by
the demands of the project. Join the rest of Barcelona in people watching
and relaxing in the shade.
Day 14: Fly Home
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination.