BEST OF SPAIN

• Welcome to the fiery Spanish capital that is Madrid.
• Take in the vibrant essence of Madrid before meeting up with your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a memorable Welcome Reception and orientation drive to see some of the city’s most iconic sights.

Arrival Transfer: Depart Madrid-Barajas airport at 10:30, 13:00, 15:30

Included Experience: Madrid Orientation

• Journey over the pine-clad Guadarrama Mountains to Burgos, the historic capital of Castile, where we will visit the tomb of El Cid, a national hero and the protagonist of the most significant medieval Spanish epic poem – El Cantar de Mio Cid.
• We cross the Ebro River and the Cantabrian Cordillera Mountains, travelling to the coast and the sophisticated capital of the Cantabrian region, Santander.

Included Experience: Burgos Orientation

• Depart Santander and travel to Bilbao to view the striking Guggenheim Museum.
• Continuing on to San Sebastián, we find the gourmet capital of Spain with a rich maritime history.
• Your Travel Director will take you on an orientation of the city.
• Overnight stay is in the vibrant city of Pamplona, famous for its Running of the Bulls fiesta.
• Follow in the footsteps of Hemingway and enjoy a drink at Café Iruña, ramble along the brilliantly lit city ramparts or delight in the local pintxos before enjoying dinner at your hotel this evening.

Included Experience: See Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum and Pamplona at Leisure.

Optional Experience: Pamplona Discovery With Tapas And Sangria.

• Our journey continues through the Ebro Valley to Zaragoza where we’ll view the Basilica of El Pilar and Cathedral of La Seo.
• Later, we arrive in Barcelona to soak up the charm of a city that professes two great loves – Gaudí and football.
• Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
• Perhaps amble through the aromatic La Bouqeria, or join us for an evening of discovery capped off with a traditional Catalonian style dinner and the best crema Catalana in town.

Included Experience: Zaragoza Orientation

Optional Experience: Gothic Quarter and Dinner / Olympic Barcelona with Calatalan Dinner

• The whimsical fantasy world of Gaudí is on display this morning as we embark on a sightseeing tour to see the inspiring, but as yet unfinished, La Sagrada Família in the company of a Local Specialist.
• See Las Ramblas, which lies at the heart of Barcelona, before paying tribute to Christopher Columbus at the monument that bears his name.
• Consider joining an Optional Experience to the mountain-top monastery of Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia.

Included Experience: Barcelona City Tour

Optional Experience: Mystical Montserrat

• The sweet scent of oranges accompanies us on our journey along the Costa Dorada to fortified Peñíscola, where we’ll see the ancient castle used in the film ‘El Cid’.
• Continuing through fertile huertas, we arrive in sunny Valencia where we will stay the night.
• Our orientation of this cultural city includes views of the modernist style Mercado de Colón, the Bullring, the Towers of Serrano and Quart, and the Art Nouveau Estación del Norte.
• During one of our iconic MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, we will also enjoy horchata, the celebrated drink of Valencia.

Included Experience: See the Peñíscola Castle, Valencia Orientation and Enjoy Organic Horchata, the Celebrated Drink of Valencia.

Optional Experience: Valencia Dinner and Discovery / Valencia’s Golden Age, a Leisurely Walking Tour.

• Journey by the dramatic Sierra Nevada Mountain range to the city of Granada where we meet our Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of the spectacular UNESCO-listed Alhambra.
• You will have a rare opportunity to explore as you wander through its palaces and exotic water gardens.
• Check in to your hotel later, where we will dine tonight.

Included Experience: Alhambra Palace in Granada

• Set your watch to Spanish time and enjoy a leisurely morning on your terms, or consider taking an Optional Experience to explore the medieval Moorish Quarter of Granada – the Albaicín.
• Then leave Granada behind for the sun-kissed shores of the Costa del Sol, where we’ll spend the next two nights.
• The rest of the day is yours to enjoy.
• Stroll along the beachside promenade, relax at one of the nearby beach cafes or visit the picture-perfect whitewashed Andalusian village of Mijas – the choice is yours.

Optional Experience: Albaicín and the Royal Chapel / Mijas Andalusian Hilltown & Mediterranean Dinner

• Enjoy fresh seafood in Torremolinos, relax on the bleached beaches and soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere or consider an Optional Experience to the effervescent Andalusian capital of Málaga to explore centuries of history.

Optional Experience: Experience Málaga

• A scenic drive takes you past the millionaires’ resort of Marbella and on to La Linea.
• Cross to the Rock of Gibraltar for free time to explore or consider joining an Optional Experience to St. Michael’s Cave to see the Barbary Macaques (Rock Apes).
• This afternoon, continue through the Andalusian countryside past Jerez.
• This evening, we Connect With Locals over dinner at a Be My Guest experience with the Morillo family at their olive oil farm.

Included Experience: Enjoy a Traditional Andalusian Dinner with the Morillo Family and Explore the Rock of Gibraltar

Optional Experience: A Guided Tour of the Rock of Gibraltar

• Join your Local Specialist this morning for a tour of Seville’s leafy avenues.
• See the iconic Giralda Bell Tower and visit the Seville Cathedral.
• Stroll through Maria Luisa Park, with its tiled fountains, pavilions, palms and orange trees, and walk through the imposing Plaza de España.
• Explore the Jewish history of Spain in Seville’s former Jewish Quarter.
• Tonight, consider soaking up the fiery flamenco atmosphere in the city that made this passionate dance famous.

Included Experience: Seville City Tour

Optional Experience: The Moorish Alcázar and Plaza América / Discover The Origin Of Tapas & Evening In Old Seville / Flamenco: Experience the Best Show in Town / Flamenco, the Best Show in Town With a Three-Course Dinner

•  Journey to Córdoba to meet a Local Specialist for a visit to the astounding Mosque of the Caliphs.
• Then visit the remains of the 14th-century Mudéjar-style synagogue in the old Jewish neighbourhood.
• Continue to Toledo for an evening in Spain’s former capital.

Included Experience: Córdoba Mezquita Visit

• Your Local Specialist takes you on a walking tour of Toledo where you’ll Dive Into Culture as you explore this ancient hilltop city.
• Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to El Greco’s masterpiece and the synagogue.
• Later, we arrive in feisty Madrid, where we’ll spend the next two nights.
• The grand plazas of Madrid welcome you as we join our Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Spain’s capital city.
• See Gran Vía and the Cibeles Fountain before we Dive Into Culture and visit the world-famous Prado Museum, featuring one of the world’s finest collections of European art, including masterpieces by Velazquez.

Included Experience: Discover the medieval Monuments of Toledo, Madrid City Tour and Discover extraordinary European art at the Prado Museum.

Optional Experience: Dinner and Discovery in Downtown Madrid

• Spend today at leisure exploring the city. Visit the Royal Palace with its spectacular Goya artworks, relax in the leafy Buen Retiro Park or enjoy the flavours and aromas of jamon in the Market of San Miguel.
• This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for an unforgettable Farewell Dinner to celebrate an epic adventure through Spain.

Optional Experience: Segovia World Heritage Site – Its Ancient Aqueduct & Fairytale Castle

• Our time together has come to an end. For now it’s a fond adiós to Spain and newfound friends.

Departure Transfer: Arrive at Madrid – Barajas Airport at 08:30, 11:00