Day 1
(Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight to Madrid, Spain.

Day 2 – Bienvenido, Madrid!
(Sat.) Time to rest or to start exploring the Spanish capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner to kick off your vacation. (D)

Day 3 – Explore Madrid’s Sights & Savor Tapas.
(Sun.) The capital since 1561, Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely turned toward the future. Your Local Guide takes you to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Then the highlight: a visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. Next, head to a local restaurant to sample traditional tapas just like the locals do! (B,L)

Day 4 – Visit El Greco’s Toledo.
(Mon.) This morning, focus on splendid Toledo. Spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River, the ancient Castilian capital attracts more sightseers from all over the world than any other Spanish town. A Local Guide takes you to the Moorish bridge, an early SYNAGOGUE, the 13th–century gothic CATHEDRAL, and the CHURCH OF SANTO TOMÉ with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Also time to visit a DAMASCENE STEEL WORKSHOP, as Toledo has been renowned for more than 2,000 years for forging the world’s most exceptional swords. Continue to history–steeped Granada. (B,D)

Day 5 – Enter the Moorish Alhambra.
(Tue.) See the sights of Granada with a Local Guide and visit the city’s main attraction—the ALHAMBRA COMPLEX. The mighty yet graceful citadel was planned by 13th–century Moorish ruler Al Ahamar. A fantasy of “lace in stone” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, it affords superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by Gypsy cave dwellers. Also amble through the magnificent WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE, the royal summer residence. Then, turn toward the sea to lively Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol. (B)

Day 6 – Discover the Spanish Riviera.
(Wed.) A day at leisure at your hotel. Enjoy the beaches, browse through the trendy boutiques, and sample the many fancy restaurants. You may want to join an optional excursion to the Rock of Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704. (B)

Day 7 – See One of the Oldest Bullrings & Admire Andalusian Horses.
(Thu.) Visit picturesque, historic Ronda, perched on a platform of the Sierra de Ronda and home to one of the oldest bullrings in Spain! Continue to Jerez, famous for its sherry wines and magnificent horses of mixed Spanish, Arab, and English blood. A highlight today is a visit to an ANDALUSIAN HORSE FARM for a traditional display of horsemanship. Then, on to Seville, the vibrant capital of Andalusia. (B,D)

Day 8 – Tour Historic Seville.
(Fri.) Listen to your Local Guide’s account of the city’s role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in the year 712, and its contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire MARIA LUISA PARK. Drive to the Plaza de España, the Gold Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the fine baroque building that today is the university but which used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Visit the CATHEDRAL with Columbus’ tomb, the world’s largest gothic edifice. Finally, stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER. The rest of the day is at leisure. For a truly Andalusian night you may wish to join an optional outing to a spectacular flamenco show. (B)

Day 9 – Explore Ancient Córdoba & Savor a Farewell Dinner.
(Sat.) Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide in Córdoba. See the Alcazar, the Roman Bridge, and the medieval old Jewish quarter. Tour the magnificent 8th–century MOSQUE OF THE CALIPHS, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry, marble, and jasper. Motor north from the fertile valley of the Guadalquivir River through the arid landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha back to Madrid. Tonight, join your farewell dinner to celebrate the success of this exciting vacation. (B,D)

Day 10
(Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)