Day 1- Depart USA Overnight flight to Madrid
Day 2 - Arrive Madrid (2 nights)
On arrival at Madrid Airport you're met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, you may wish to relax at your hotel or why not take an excursion to El Escorial? Later tonight, we will enjoy a Welcome dinner including tapas and drink with our Tour Director and fellow travellers. (Welcome Dinner)
Hotel: Holiday Inn (2 nights)
Day 3 - Madrid sightseeing & at leisure After breakfast our morning sightseeing tour using our audio system shows us the Plaza España, the Puerta del Sol, the Cibeles Fountain and Gran Via. We also enjoy a walking tour of the old town. Then on to an included excursion to Toledo, capital of Castile. Where a walking tour with a local guide with audio system includes a visit to the Synagogue, the Church of Santo Tomé and a steel workshop. This evening, perhaps dine in a restaurant in the Plaza Mayor. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - Madrid – Burgos – Santander This morning our journey takes us over the Guadarrama Mountains to El Cid's city of Burgos, to see the gothic Cathedral. From here, we drive close to the Ebro, and over the Cantabrian Cordillera to the coast and sophisticated Santander for the night. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Santemar
Day 5 - Santander – Bilbao – San Sebastian – Pamplona Today's first stop is in Bilbao where there's a chance to visit the new Guggenheim Museum before heading to seaside San Sebastian. On our arrival an orientation tour shows us the Bahia de la Concha beach, then on to Pamplona. Here we see the ancient streets and learn of the Festival of St. Firminius, when the bulls are left to run free through the town! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: NH Iruna Park
Day 6 - Pamplona – Zaragoza – Barcelona (2 nights) After breakfast we return to the Ebro Valley making a stop at Zaragoza. Here we view its Cathedral of El Pilar as well as the first Cathedral of the city La Seo. Next, we make our way to cosmopolitan Barcelona, where we spend the next two nights. This evening, we enjoy dinner in a typical restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner) Hotel: Abba Sants (2 nights)
Day 7 - Barcelona sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide and audio system includes a walking tour which takes us to the Gothic Quarter with its impressive Cathedral. We also see Gaudi's 'Sagrada Familia' plus many of his other eccentric architectural masterpieces. Later, we'll view Columbus' Monument and the Ramblas. After enjoy time at leisure in this sophisticated city, or perhaps an optional excursion to mystical Montserrat? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 8 - Barcelona – Peñiscola – Alicante Today's journey takes us past orchards of oranges and almonds to Peñiscola, to see its ancient castle. Then on through the 'huertas' on our approach to the sunny resort of Alicante on the Costa Blanca. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner) Hotel: NH Alicante
Day 9 - Valencia – Guadix – Granada This morning we travel via Valencia – where this year the Americas Cup will take place, into the 'sierras' to Guadix, stopping to view the troglodyte cave dwellings. From here we continue our journey via the jagged Mora Pass, as we make our way to the Moorish city of Granada. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Gran Luna de Granada
Day 10 - Granada – Costa del Sol (2 nights)
This morning after breakfast our sightseeing tour with a local guide and audio system visits the spectacular Alhambra Palace as well as the Generalife Gardens. After, we will continue to the coast, and our hotel for two nights, in the Costa del Sol with its long beaches, stopping in the resort of Torremolinos. Tonight, dinner is included at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Melia Costa del Sol (2 nights)
Day 11 - Costa del Sol at leisure After breakfast you can enjoy a full day at leisure perhaps to relax! Or you may wish to shop for souvenirs in the old town of Torremolinos, lie on the beach and soak up the sunshine or maybe take an optional excursion to the white-washed village of Mijas. Your evening is at leisure. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 12 - Costa del Sol – Seville (2 nights) This morning we enjoy a scenic drive past the exciting millionaire's resort of Marbella and on to La Linea. Later, we cross to the Rock of Gibraltar, with plenty of time for duty-free shopping before continuing through the Jerez countryside. Finally, we arrive in the Andalusian capital of Seville for two nights. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Tryp Macarena (2 nights)
Day 13 - Seville sightseeing & at leisure This morning after breakfast we will drive through the tree-lined streets of Seville and enjoy a sightseeing tour with audio system including the Bell Tower and weather vane of the Giralda. We'll also see the pools and fountains of the Maria Luisa Park and Christopher Columbus' tomb and continue with a walking tour including the Jewish quarter and Casa de Pliatos. Tonight, why not experience a little Spanish passion at a fiery Flamenco show? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 14 - Seville – Cordoba Today along the Guadalquivir Valley, we travel to the Roman founded city of Cordoba. Here our sightseeing including audio system this afternoon features the Mezquita, a former Moorish Mosque, now hosting Cordoba's main Cathedral and also a visit to the medieval synagogue. Before dinner, there's time for relaxation and exploration of the city on your own. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Occidental
Day 15 - Cordoba – Madrid Today we cross La Mancha to Puerto Lapice where, according to tradition, Don Quixote was dubbed Knight by the local innkeeper. Next we drive back to Madrid where a local guide takes us on a visit to the world-famous Prado Museum to admire the paintings of Velazquez and Goya among the many fine works displayed. (audio system included) Then there's time perhaps to enjoy some last minute shopping. This evening, why not join your travelling companions for a final dinner in the Plaza Mayor? (Buffet Breakfast) Hotel: Orense
Day 16 - Madrid - USA
Time to bid farewell to new-found friends as we transfer you to the airport for your return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
Click on map for larger view
From US$2275
Included Features
- Madrid: Sightseeing including the Plaza España and Cibeles Fountain plus a highlight visit to the famous Prado Museum.
- Toledo: Sightseeing includes visits to the Synagogue, Church of Santo Tomé and a steel workshop.
- Burgos: See the tomb of El Cid.
- Santander: Orientation tour.
- Bilbao: Photo stop at the Guggenheim Museum†.
- San Sebastian: Orientation tour includes 'La Concha' Bay.
- Pamplona: See the ancient streets where the bulls run.
- Zaragoza: View the Cathedral of El Pilar and La Seo.
- Barcelona: Sightseeing includes the Gothic Quarter, Gaudi's 'Sagrada Familia'and the Ramblas.
- Peñiscola: See the ancient castle used in the film 'El Cid'.
- Valencia: See the Cathedral and Serrano and Cuarte Towers.
- Granada: Sightseeing including a visit to the Alhambra Palace.
- Torremolinos: Stay in this famous holiday resort.
- Gibraltar: Visit the famous Rock.
- Seville: Sightseeing including the Bell Tower and Maria Luisa Park.
- Cordoba: Sightseeing including the Mezquita and medieval Synagogue.
- Where Trafalgar considers that our excellent audio system will enhance the commentary made by our local guides, making your tour of a city clearer and more entertaining, it will be included.
Scenic Highlights
- Scenic drives over the Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains, the Cantabrian Cordillera, past Montserrat Mountain and through the vineyards of Catalonia, through the Levant Region, via the Mora Pass, along the Costa del Sol, through Andalusia, along the Valley of the Guadalquivir and across La Mancha.
Airport Transfers
- Passengers purchasing “Land and Air” from Trafalgar will receive coach transfers at times published in the brochure or, if they arrive outside of these set times, then a separate transfer will be booked for them. These transfers will be available only on the days of arrival and departure of the tour.
- Passengers purchasing pre and post tour accommodation must arrange their own transfers regardless of whether or not they have bought “Air” from Trafalgar.
Quality Dining
- A Welcome dinner and drink with your Tour Director in Madrid
- 14 Buffet breakfasts
- 6 three-course dinners in hotels
- 1 local speciality restaurant dinner in Barcelona
Requirements
The visit to Gibraltar is subject to British and Spanish Visa requirements. Please consult your Travel Agent to establish the specific requirements for your tour.
