Day-1. DEPARTURE CITY – BARCELONA: Overnight flight to Barcelona.

Day-2. BARCELONA: After arrival, check into your hotel and go for a walking tour with your tour director.

Day-3. BARCELONA: Start the day with a guided city tour of Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. See its landmarks: Gothic Quarter, Gaudi village, the Cathedral, Plaza de Rei, Ribera Quarter, the Church of the Sacred Family, and the Columbus Lookout, a 50-meter iron column supporting a statue of the discoverer of America. Free afternoon.

Day-4. BARCELONA – MADRID: Board your morning fast train to Madrid. After arrival start with a guided city tour. See/Visit: Retiro Park, Puerta del Sol- Gateway to the Sun, which is the kilometer zero from which all the country’s road distances are measured, the Opera and the beautiful parks and plazas. Continue on to Plaza de la Villa, Basilica de San Miguel, Capilla del Obispo, the only Gothic temple in Madrid, and more. Have a guided visit to Palacio Real-Royal Castle.

Day-5. MADRID – TOLEDO – MADRID: Enjoy a morning guided bus tour to Toledo. The city is surrounded by medieval walls and is famous for its fine Damascus tempered steel and sword production. El Greco, the famous painter, sculptor, and architect of the Spanish Renaissance, lived there. You will visit El Greco House and the Cathedral with more El Greco paintings in one of the chapels. See the main sites such as Alcazar, Synagogue de Santa Maria la Blanca, Puente del Alcantar, and the magic view of the walled city from the other bank of the river Tagus. Return to Madrid and have a free afternoon. Do some shopping along Grand Via or explore Plaza Mayor or Plaza del Sol.

Day-6. MADRID – SEGOVIA – EL ESCORIAL – VALLE DE LOS CAIDOS – MADRID: Start with a guided excursion by bus to Segovia. Visit the beautiful Segovia Castle and admire the aqueduct. Spend some time at the main square and try the excellent café con leche. Visit the Cathedral. Continue to El Escorial, the monastery where King Philip II of Spain lived toward the end of his life and died. The Spanish kings are buried there even today. Go on to Valle de Los Caidos, the biggest Catholic Church ever. Late in the evening return to Madrid.

 Day-7. MADRID – SEVILLE: Enjoy a morning guided visit to the Prado Museum, a Neo-Gothic building from the 18th century with masterpieces by Velasquez, Goya, Murillo, Ribera as well as Flemish and Italian art. In the afternoon board your superfast train from Madrid to Seville.

Day-8. SEVILLE: Start with a guided city tour of this magnificent place. Throughout history, Seville was an important port. It was from Seville that Ferdinand Magellan obtained ships for his circumnavigation of the World. Much of the Spanish Empire’s silver from the New World came to Spain through Seville. On a guided tour visit the Cathedral with the famous La Giralda and the Royal Castle – Alcazar. Go on and walk through the Jewish Quarter. Have some free time in the afternoon.

Day-9. SEVILLE – GRANADA – ALHAMBRA – TORREMOLINOS: Drive through the Sierra Nevada to reach Granada and start with a guided tour of the Alhambra Palace. The Palace is the most beautiful monument of Moorish Style in Europe. It was home to the Moorish kings of Granada. Small, intimate, and exquisite it is a jewel on its own. Visit the Generalife Gardens as well. Continue to Torremolinos for dinner and overnight.

Day-10. TORREMOLINOS – GIBRALTAR: Travel by your bus along the Costa del Sol to the Rock of Gibraltar for a guided tour. It includes St. Michael’s Caves, the Apes Den, Moorish Castle, and the Garrison Chapel. Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory. You can sample delicious fish and chips lunch there as if you were in London. The Rock of Gibraltar was considered by ancient Greeks and Romans one of the Pillars of Hercules. The other one was on the Moroccan side of the Strait of Gibraltar.

Day-11. TORREMOLINOS: Enjoy a relaxing day on the beach at this tourist resort in southern Spain. It is situated in the foothills of the Sierra Mijas and has over 320 sunny days a year. Enjoy your day swimming in the Mediterranean Sea or in the swimming pool at your beachside hotel. Shopping in the village is the best of the whole trip.

Day-12. MALAGA – DEPARTURE: Transfer to the airport in Malaga for your return flight.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

Round trip airfare

10 nights in centrally located hotels (rooms with private bathrooms)
10 European buffet breakfasts
10 dinners (3 courses)

Fast train Barcelona to Madrid
Superfast train Madrid to Seville
Bus per program

GUIDED TOURS OF:
Barcelona, Gaudi Village, Madrid, Royal Castle in Madrid, Prado Museum, Toledo, Segovia and Segovia Castle, El Escorial, Vale de Los Caidos, Seville, Cathedral, Alcazar-Royal Castle, Alhambra Palace, Gibraltar

EXCURSIONS TO:
Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial, Valle de Los Caidos, Gibraltar

ENTRANCES TO:
Gaudi Village, Prado Museum, Royal Castle in Madrid, Cathedral in Toledo, El Greco House, Segovia Castle, El Escorial, Vale de Los Caidos, Cathedral in Seville, Royal Castle in Seville, Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens, Gibraltar

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