Day 1 – Depart USA
Overnight flight to Madrid.

Day 2 – Arrive Madrid (2 nights)
Welcome to Madrid, Spain’s capital city. After checking into your hotel, time to relax. Later you will meet with your Tour Director and fellow travellers before an evening at leisure where you can decide whether to join the group in an evening tour of the city and perhaps enjoy ‘tapas’ in a café on the old Plaza Mayor or simply relax at your hotel.

Hotel: Novotel Puente de la Paz

Day 3 – Madrid sightseeing and at leisure
This morning on our sightseeing tour with a local guide we will see the main highlights of this buzzing city, including the Cibeles fountain, the Gran Via, Paseo de la Castellana, Puerta del Sol and Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes. Later perhaps visit the famous Prado Museum famous for its Velazquez paintings or take an excursion to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen. This evening why not participate in Madrileno nightlife – dining is late and people stay out till 4 am enjoying the open–air cafés and vibrant restaurants. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 4 – Madrid – Toledo – Seville (2 nights)
Our first stop today is in the ancient capital of Castile – the medieval city of Toledo. We will visit this traffic free city on foot, with a local guide who will take us through the quaint streets to the Jewish synagogue to see the El Greco masterpiece in the Chapel of Santo Tome. We will also visit a damascene workshop and see how this fine art is executed. We continue south to Puerto Lapice where Don Quixote is reputedly said to have been dubbed knight by a local innkeeper. The plains of La Mancha give way to the hills of Andalusia with its whitewashed villages and churches and to the city of Seville, straddling the River Guadalquivir. Tonight we will enjoy dinner at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast Dinner)


Hotel: Vertice Aljarafe

Day 5 – Seville sightseeing and at leisure
Our local city expert takes us in hand today to show us the great monuments and sights of this lovely city. First we will drive through the Maria Luisa Park with its cool pools and fountains. The pavilions constructed for the Hispano–American exhibition at the beginning of the 20th century are still as impressive today as
they were in the 1930s. We will see the mighty cathedral and the Mozarabic Tower of La Giralda and visit some of the delightful patios adorned with pots of geraniums and bougainvilleas. You may want to perhaps visit the famous bullring associated with Bizet’s Carmen or take a horse and carriage ride through the city. Tonight, why not experience a little Spanish passion at a fiery Flamenco show? (Buffet breakfast)

Day 6 – Seville – Granada
This morning we leave the exquisite capital of Andalusia, Seville, and enjoy a beautiful drive through gleaming white villages and brilliant fields of golden sunflowers to Granada, capital of the Moorish Kingdom of Spain until the Moors’ defeat in 1492. Orientation shows us the Albaicin quarter and its stunning architecture and we have the time, subject to availability, to visit the Alhambra Palace and gardens, an opportunity not to be missed! The Palace is a complex of magnificent buildings begun by the Moors and built over the centuries. Highlights are the famous Lion Court as well as the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence, where you have fine views over the town. (Buffet breakfast Dinner) 

Hotel: Aben Humeya

Day 7 – Granada – Valencia
Today a scenic drive takes us over the Mora Pass and through the Sierra Nevada where we see the unusual Troglodyte dwellings in Guadix. Then on through the lemon groves of Murcia and the palm tree forests of Elche to arrive in Valencia, renowned for its orange groves, where we see the bull ring, the great cathedral and the Towers of Serrano and Cuarte. Later we continue to our hotel where we have dinner together tonight. (Buffet breakfast Dinner)

Hotel: Husa Mas Camarena

Day 8 – Valencia – Barcelona (2 nights)
This morning we drive through the Levant region and make our first stop on the coast at Peñiscola. Here we see the castle, that was used in the film El Cid and which is lapped by the sea. We continue along
the Costa Dorada to the vibrant city of Barcelona. On arrival we will enjoy a guided sightseeing tour which shows us Gaudi’s famed Sagrada Familia Church and the Plaza Catalunya plus we take a walk through the Gothic quarter where we see the magnificent cathedral and the lively Ramblas. (Buffet breakfast Dinner)


Hotel: Catalonia Mikado

Day 9 – Barcelona at leisure
Today is at leisure to explore this fascinating city. Maybe shop in the chic boutiques along Diagonal Avenue or take an excursion to the massive Monastery of Montserrat to see the Black Madonna and enjoy the wonderful views. This evening maybe join your Tour Director and new–found friends for a special Catalan–style dinner together to celebrate the end of our tour? (Buffet breakfast)

Day 10– Barcelona – USA
Today time for final goodbyes to your Tour Director. There are transfers to the airport for your return flight, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)