Escorted Spain

Depart the US for your flight to Madrid, Spain.

Welcome to the Spanish capital, Madrid. Upon arrival transfer ON YOUR OWN to your hotel. Relax or take a stroll along tree-lined boulevards before meeting up with your fellow travelers. This evening, enjoy a welcome soft drink (19:00hrs) and orientation with our hostess and your traveling companions.

Accommodations: Hotel NH Collection Madrid Abascal or similar.

After breakfast, depart for your tour of Madrid. Drive through the main avenues of the city, highlights include the magnificent fountains of Neptune and Cibeles, the Alcala Gate, the Plaza de España, where we will see panoramically the view of most representative buildings. We will visit inside the spectacular Royal Palace which is still in use for Goverment ceremonies. This afternoon, travel south to Toledo. It was the capital of Spain during several centuries. In XIII and XIVth centuries, Muslim, Jews and Christians populations lived together peacefully becoming as a great cultural center. This afternoon, walk along its narrow streets where the history can be felt in the air. We will visit the Cathedral from outside and St tome Church inside (where is El Greco painter’s masterpiece). Return to Madrid for overnight. Breakfast provided.

After breakfast depart to Granada. En route, enjoy a short stop in Aranjuez to see the magnificent gardens full of centenary trees of this old summer residence of the Spanish kings. Continue south to discover the large flat region of “La Mancha”, the land where Don Quixote lived his crazy adventures, also the Spain’s largest wine producing area. (*) We will visit a traditional wine producer where they will show us their way of elaboration and some curious secrets, like the influence of the moon and stars in the biological process of the vineyards. We will finish with the tasting of three different wines with tapas of ham, local cheese (very reputed in Spain) and bread, the best way to taste these wines. After continue to Granada.

Accommodations: Gran Hotel Luna or similar. Breakfast & dinner provided.

After breakfast, morning guided city tour to visit La Alhambra, the best example of the sophisticated Royal life in the Nazari Islamic kingdom from the XI to XVth century. We will find numerous halls and "patios" (courtyards) of amazing beauty. We will also visit the famous and beautiful Generalife gardens with its fountains. Afternoon continue to Seville.

Accommodations: Hotel Sevilla Center or similar. Breakfast and dinner provided.

Morning guided tour to visit inside the Gothic Cathedral, the largest in Spain and third in the world with the burial of Christopher Columbus discoverer of America. You can walk up the Giralda tower (striking minaret of the former mosque) to have superb view over the city. Then a walk by Santa Cruz Quarter, a maze of small alleys and small squares with the peacefulness of a tiny garden is an invitation to rest. (*) In the afternoon you will enjoy an introductory and practical Flamenco lesson dancing with a professional dancer.

Accommodations: Hotel Sevilla Center or similar. Breakfast and dinner provided.

Optional: Enjoy a professional Flamenco show (purchased locally)

After breakfast, (*) visit an Andalusian horse farm (yeguada) to see a normal day of training and learn about the breeding and taming of these amazing horses. Afterwards, travel north to Cordoba. Cordoba, during the Roman age, this city was important, but during the Moslem domination it reached the maximum splendor, especially in the IX and Xth centuries, when Cordoba became the

capital of the Caliphate, was the most populated town in the world (almost 1 million). Morning guided city tour, to visit the Mosque, considered one the most beautiful. Then, a walk around the Jewish Quarter, with its narrow streets and Andalusia "patios’’. Afternoon continue to Madrid.

Accomodations: Hotel NH Collection Madrid Abascal or similar. Breakfast provided.

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. Transfer ON YOUR OWN to the airport for your flight back to the US.