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16 Days Best of Spain Tour Package
Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights
Priced From: $2,799 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Mar - Nov
A leisurely trip that shows you Spain's medieval past poised harmoniously alongside its modern city life. See the Plaza Espana, visit the opulent Alhambra Palace, and relax on the Costa del Sol.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Depart USA
Overnight flight to Madrid
Day 2 - Arrive Madrid (2 nights)
Welcome to the Spanish capital, Madrid! After check-in, you may wish to relax at your hotel or why not take an excursion to El Escorial? This evening we will enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and meet our traveling companions.
Hotel: Holiday Inn (2 nights)
Day 3 - Toledo Excursion & Madrid Sightseeing
First we enjoy an included excursion to Toledo, capital of Castile. Here sightseeing with a local guide includes a visit to the synagogue, the Church of Santo Tome and a steel workshop. Then we return to Madrid where our guided tour shows us the Plaza España, the Puerta del Sol, the Cibeles Fountain and Gran Via. This evening, perhaps dine in a restaurant on the Plaza Mayor (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - Madrid – Burgos – Santander
This morning our journey takes us over the Guadarrama Mountains to El Cid’s city of Burgos, to see the gothic cathedral. From here we drive close to the Ebro and over the Cantabrian Cordillera to the coast and sophisticated Santander, capital of the Cantabrian region, for the night. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Santemar
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. We pass by Guetaria, birthplace of Juan Sebastian Elcano who accomplished the first circumnavigation of the world as a member of the great Magelan expedition, 1519-1522. Then we head to seaside San Sebastian. On our arrival an orientation tour 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)
Hotel: NH Iruna Park
Day 6 - Pamplona – Zaragoza – Barcelona (2 nights)
Today we return to the Ebro Valley, stopping at Zaragoza where we see the Cathedral of El Pilar as well as the Cathedral La Seo. Then onto Barcelona where our Tour Director shows us a Hidden Treasure in this fascinating and vibrant city. (Buffet breakfast)
Hotel: Abba Sants (2 nights)
Day 7 - Barcelona sightseeing & at leisure
Our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide and audio system includes a walk through the Gothic Quarter with its impressive cathedral. We also see Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia plus many of his other eccentric architectural masterpieces. Later, we will view Columbus Monument and the Ramblas. Then enjoy time at leisure in this sophisticated city or perhaps take an optional excursion to mystical Montserrat to see the shrine to the Black Madonna, Our lady of Montserrat, or ‘La Moreneta’, as she is affectionately known all over Catalonia? (Buffet breakfast)
Day 8 - Barcelona – Peñiscola – Valencia
We drive past orange and almond orchards to Peñiscola with its ancient castle. Then through the ‘huertas’ to sunny Valencia, the third largest city in Spain, where our orientation includes the town hall, the Bull Ring, the Towers of Serrano and Quart and the cathedral. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Abba Acteon Plaza
Day 9 - Valencia – Guadix – Granada
This morning we travel inland to the ‘sierras’ and Guadix, stopping to view the troglodyte cave dwellings. Cave houses are common throughout the province of Granada, but the highest concentration is in Barrio Santiago. Some of the cave dwellings look like small cottages, others look like walled earthed mounds with chimneys sticking out! From here we continue our journey via the jagged Mora Pass, as we make our way to the Moorish city of Granada. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Gran Luna
Day 10 - Granada – Costa del Sol (2 nights)
This morning after breakfast our sightseeing tour with a local guide and audio system visits the spectacular Moorish Alhambra Palace. Our guided tour highlights the extraordinary architecture and shows us the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence, where we have fine views over the town and the surrounding hills. Afterwards we will continue to the coast, and our hotel for two nights, in the Costa del Sol with its long beaches, stopping in the resort of Torremolinos. (Buffet breakfast)
Hotel: Melia Costa Del Sol (2 nights)
Day 11 - Costa del Sol at leisure
After breakfast you can enjoy a full day at leisure perhaps to relax! Or you may wish to shop for souvenirs in the old town of Torremolinos, lie on the beach and soak up the sunshine or maybe take an optional excursion to the white-washed village of Mijas. Your evening is at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 12 - Costa del Sol – Seville (2 nights)
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. Tonight we enjoy a typical Andalusian dinner of local specialities in an authentic hacienda. (Buffet breakfast / 'Be My Guest' Dinner)
Hotel: Tryp Macarena (2 nights)
Day 13 - Seville sightseeing & at leisure
This morning after breakfast we will drive through the tree-lined streets of Seville and enjoy a sightseeing tour with audio system including the cathedral with its Bell Tower and weather vane on the slender Giralda Tower. We will see the tomb of Christopher Columbus in the cathedral, the pools and fountains of the Maria Luisa Park and continue with a walk through the Jewish quarter. Tonight, why not experience a little Spanish passion at a fiery Flamenco show after dinner in our hotel? (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 14 - Seville – Cordoba
Today along the Guadalquivir Valley, past villages and towns studded with Moorish towers and fortresses, we travel to the perfectly preserved city of Cordoba. Here our sightseeing, including audio system, this afternoon features the magnificent Mezquita, a former 8th century Moorish mosque, now hosting Cordoba’s main cathedral, and we also have time to visit the medieval synagogue. Before dinner there is time for relaxation and exploration of the city on your own. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Ayre Hotel Cordoba
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 we drive back to Madrid where a local guide takes us on a visit to the world-famous Prado Museum to admire the paintings of Velazquez and Goya among the many fine works displayed. Then there is time perhaps to enjoy some last-minute shopping. This evening, join your Tour Director and traveling companions for a Farewell Dinner to celebrate the end of the Spanish tour we have enjoyed together. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Hotel: NH Habana
Day 16 - Madrid – USA
This morning it is time for final goodbyes to Spain and our Tour Director as our vacation comes to an end. There are airport transfers available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)
Highlights:
Madrid
Toledo
Burgos
Santander
Bilbao
Guetaria
San Sebastian
Pamplona
Zaragoza
Barcelona
Peñiscola
Valencia
Granada
Torremolinos
Gibraltar
Seville
Cordoba
Save time, money and stress!
For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our Spain Vacation specialist
Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
11/10
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