Southern Spain

 

 

Itinerary ( B = breakfast )

 

 

DAY 1: MADRID

Arrive at Madrid airport and check in to your hotel for the evening.

 

DAY 2: MADRID (B)

Day at leisure to explore the capital city on your own or join one of the sightseeing tours. 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 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: SEVILLE - MADRID (B)

After breakfast depart to Madrid by train (High-Speed Train / approx. 2,5 Hrs). Overnight in Madrid.

 

DAY 8: 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.