Explore Spain
11 Days with option to change/extend from a choice of Spanish cultural destinations.
Itinerary ( B = breakfast )
DAY 1: BARCELONA
Arrive in Barcelona and check in to your hotel for the evening.
DAY 2: BARCELONA (B)
Day at leisure to explore the capital city of Catalonia, a Mediterranean and cosmopolitan city with Roman remains, medieval quarters, and the most beautiful examples of 20th-century Modernism and avant-garde. It is no surprise that emblematic constructions by the Catalan architects Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Doménech i Montaner have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Overnight in Barcelona.
DAY 3: BARCELONA - ZARAGOZA (B)
After breakfast checkout from your hotel and depart to Zaragoza by train (High-Speed Train / approx. 2 Hrs). Free time in Zaragoza, 2,000 years of history. You will find a stunning legacy of monuments in the streets of the city, vestiges of the Roman, Moorish, Jewish and Christian communities who left their mark on the place: Roman ruins such as the Circus; Aljafería Palace; Mudejar-style churches, with the UNESCO World Heritage designation; Baroque gems like the Pilar Basilica; the work of brilliant artist Francisco de Goya... and also the most recent, such as the Expo 2008 site. Overnight in Zaragoza.
DAY 4: ZARAGOZA - MADRID (B)
After breakfast depart to Madrid by train (High-Speed Train / approx. 1,5 Hrs). Free time in Madrid: Spain's capital, is a cosmopolitan city. Its position as a center for economics, finance, administration, and services combines the most modern infrastructure with an important cultural and artistic heritage, the legacy of centuries of fascinating history. Madrid is strategically located at the geographical center of the Iberian peninsula, 646 meters above sea level. Its old town is exemplary among major European cities and blends harmoniously with the most modern and convenient of urban infrastructure. The Madrid area has been settled since the Lower Paleolithic age, but it was not until 1561 that King Philip II made it the capital of his mighty empire. The historic old town, also known as "Madrid de las Austrias" (referring to the Hapsburg empire) is a living example of the city's 16th and 17th-century heyday, as is its impressive Plaza Mayor (square), which was opened in 1620 and remains one of Spain's most popular and typical spots. Near the Plaza Mayor is the so-called "aristocratic center" of Madrid, home to the stunning Royal Palace, a 17th-century monument that combines Baroque and Classical styles. Next to the palace, you can find the Plaza de Oriente (square), the Opera House, and the modern Almudena Cathedral, consecrated in 1993 by Pope John Paul II. This ensemble of monuments is completed by the Puerta del Sol, a square flanked by select shops, and the "Paseo del Arte", so called for its unique museums, palaces, and gardens, not forgetting the unmistakable Bank of Spain building, the Palacio de las Telecomunicaciones (currently home to the Spanish Post Office) and the Cibeles and Neptuno fountains. Art and culture are central to Madrid life. The city has 73 museums that cover all fields of human knowledge. Of these, the most important is the Prado Museum, one of the world's greatest art galleries, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum with more than 800 paintings, sculptures, and tapestries that go from the earliest Dutch masters to the most avant-garde trends, and the Reina Sofía National Art Centre, which is dedicated to Spanish contemporary art, with works by Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, and Juan Gris among others. Overnight in Madrid.
DAY 5: MADRID - SEGOVIA - World Heritage City (B)
Depart on a visit to Segovia by train (High-Speed Train / approx. 30 Min.). Free time in Segovia, whose old town and Roman aqueduct are World Heritage, is located on high ground between the channels of the rivers Eresma and Clamores. As well as the famous Aqueduct, a multitude of medieval churches, the Cathedral, and the Alcázar fortress make up a majestic landscape that dominates these Castilian lands. After being a military trading center under the Roman Empire, Segovia lived its golden age during the Middle Ages, when it became the place of residence of the court of the Trastámaras and an important center for cattle breeding and textiles. This period was responsible for the construction of a large number of Romanesque buildings, a wealth of heritage that is still conserved today. The entrance gate to the historic quarter of Segovia is the Roman Aqueduct, in the plaza del Azoguejo. This jewel of engineering, built under the Roman empire (1st c.), brought water to the high city from 15 kilometers away. Its 163 arches and 29 meters at its highest point are supported by blocks of stone from the Sierra de Guadarrama without mortar, lead, or cement. Inside the city are important medieval and Renaissance buildings, such as the Casa de Los Picos, the Corn Exchange, and the Tower of Los Lozoya. The first of these monuments date from the XV century and its façade decorated with spots of granite currently hosts the School of Applied Arts and Trades. The Corn Exchange, a former Gothic barn, and the Tower, a XIV-century defense structure, are now used for cultural exhibitions. Return to Madrid by train (High-Speed Train / approx. 30 Min.). Overnight in Madrid.
DAY 6: MADRID - TOLEDO - World Heritage City (B)
Departure to Toledo by train (High-Speed Train / approx. 30 Min.). Free time in Toledo: one of the Spanish cities with the greatest wealth of monuments. Known as the “city of the three cultures”, because Christians, Arabs, and Jews lived together there for centuries, behind its walls Toledo preserves an artistic and cultural legacy in the form of churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques, and synagogues. This great diversity of artistic styles makes the old quarter of the capital of La Mancha a real open-air museum, which has led to it being declared a World Heritage Site. Return to Madrid by train (High-Speed Train / approx. 30 Min.). Overnight in Madrid.
DAY 7: MADRID - CORDOBA (B)
Depart on a visit to Córdoba by train (High-Speed Train / approx. 2 Hrs). Free time in Córdoba, very few places in the world can boast of having been the capital of Hispania Ulterior under the Roman Empire, and the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate. Such splendor is palpable in the intellectual wealth of this center of wisdom and knowledge that has seen the birth of figures like Seneca, Averroes, and Maimonides. To take a stroll through the historic quarter of Cordoba is to discover a beautiful network of small streets, alleys, squares, and whitewashed courtyards arranged around the Mosque-Cathedral, which reflects the importance of the city during medieval times and which is a real symbol of the capital. Overnight in Córdoba.
DAY 8: CORDOBA - SEVILLE (B)
Departure to Sevilla by train (High-Speed Train / approx. 50 Min.). Free time in Sevilla, built on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, Seville is heir to a rich Arab legacy, and to the condition of being a prosperous trading port with the Americas. Every street and square that makes up the historic quarter of the Andalusian capital bursts with joy and bustle. This area has an interesting collection of historic buildings, many of which have been declared World Heritage Sites, and also contains colorful districts with great popular flavors, such as Triana and La Macarena. Overnight in Sevilla.
DAY 9: SEVILLE - Excursion JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA (B)
Depart on a visit to Jerez de la Frontera with a regular train (Approx. 1 Hr). Free time in Jerez de la Frontera, well known for its wines, its horses, and its flamenco, preserves a historic center that has been declared a historic-artistic site. One of the noblest towns brings together the splendor of aristocratic palaces with the popular flavor of typically Andalusian houses. This enormous offer of culture is enriched with the aromas of regional cuisine in which the Denomination of Origin of Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda is outstanding. A visit to one of the city's wine cellars will help travelers to get a deeper understanding of its winemaking tradition. WINE CELLAR VISIT + WINE TASTING in JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA.Return to Sevilla with a regular train (Approx. 1 Hr). Overnight in Seville.
DAY 10: SEVILLE - MADRID (B)
After breakfast depart to Madrid by train (High-Speed Train / approx. 2,5 Hrs). Overnight in Madrid.
DAY 11: MADRID (B)
After breakfast check out from your hotel to your next destination.
DON'T FORGET:
Please allow three hours for check-in to your international flights and two hours for domestic.
OUR TIPS:
1. How much would it cost to fly from an airport not listed as part of this deal?
Please contact us for additional pricing options from any departure airport not listed.
2. Can we extend our trip before or after the promotional dates for the deal?
Yes, you can arrange for that by contacting us either by phone or email.
3. How do I find out if the dates I want to travel are available?
Check the dates listed above to see if there is availability for the specific date you are interested in. If there are multiple dates listed feel free to contact us for the most up-to-date availability.
From $2,790
11
days
Tour Features:
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10 nights First Class and Deluxe Hotels throughout
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Airport arrival and departure transfers In Barcelona and Madrid
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Wine Cellar Entrance and Wine Tasting
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Breakfast daily
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All Hotel service and local taxes are included.
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All train tickets are included as per itinerary (car rental also available by request)
Extra hotel nights or upgrades are available upon request.
Rates NOT VALID during Easter, Spanish Holidays, or Special Events.
PRICE INCLUDES:
Rates are per person, based on double occupancy as described above.
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare is not included and is nonrefundable after booking.
Additional fees: Baggage fees may apply.
Anything not listed above.
Airfare and departure taxes are additional.
Cancellation policy and fees:
All cancellations are subject to fees up to the date specified.
Travel insurance is highly recommended.
SCHEDULE:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday.
Year Round