DAY 1: Depart for Spain
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DAY 2: Arrive in Madrid
- Welcome to Madrid Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7 PM, followed by a light dinner
- Overnight: Madrid
- Meal: Dinner
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DAY 3: Madrid City Tour, Half Day Escorial Tour
- Take a morning sightseeing tour of Madrid. Drive along the Gran Via through the Opera District, Plaza de Colon, and view the Royal Palace. Pass through Plaza de Cibeles and Puerta de Alcala Gate. The tour will end at the Prado Museum, where you will be able to view works of art by famous artists such as El Greco, Velazquez, and Ribera. The balance of the day is countinued with Half Day Escorial Tour, Enjoy a visit to what has often been described as the "eighth wonder of the world." El Escorial is, perhaps, Philip IIs most enduring legacy to Spain. This combination monastery-palace-mausoleum is situated approximately one hour outside of Madrid in the foothills of the Guadarrama Mountains. This austere monastery, erected by King Philip II in 1584, was intended to be a memorial to his father, King Charles V, and to commemorate Spain´s victory at Saint Quentin in 1557. It has since become the burial place of subsequent Spanish kings and queens.
- Overnight: Madrid
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 4: Toledo Sightseeing En Route to Cordoba
- This morning, travel to nearby Toledo, the former capital city of Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin with a, visit to the St. Tome Church with its El Greco masterpiece and Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue with its beautiful Moorish architecture. Also admire Toledos famous handcrafted work, the Damasquinado. Continue south to Andalucia via the region of La Mancha, legendary home of Don Quixote, featuring panoramic views of its famous windmills. Arrive in the former Roman city of Cordoba for dinner and overnight
- Overnight: Cordoba
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 5: Cordoba City Tour, Travel to Seville
- Visit the Mezquita de Cordoba, a mosque that was transformed into a soaring cathedral in the 16th century. A walking tour of the city reveals the ancient Jewish Quarter with its labyrinth of winding narrow streets, courtyards, picturesque squares. View the 14th century Synagogue on Calle de los Judios before traveling to Seville, capital of Andalucia. Following dinner, an opportunity to attend Evening Flamenco Show, This evening, enjoy a drink and traditional Flamenco show. As performed by some of Sevilles leading Flamenco artists, enjoy routines based on the cante jondo or "deep song," which describes the performers profound emotions in ancient poetic phrases. Although the development of Flamenco has centered principally in the region of Andalucia, it has come to embrace many of the folk traditions of the northern provinces. As a result, it has become, along with the bullfight, a popular symbol of Spain.
- Overnight: Seville
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 6: Seville City Tour, Royal Alcazar of Seville Tour with Tapas lunch
- This morning, view Plaza de Espana and the gardens of Maria Luisa Park by the Guadalquivir River. Visit Barrio Santa Cruz and explore the narrow winding streets and plazas of the Old Quarter. Continue with a visit to the Cathedral of Seville, home to the burial site of Christopher Columbus. Built on the site of the former great mosque, its original minaret, the Giralda Bell Tower, still stands. The afternoon is countinued with Royal Alcazar of Seville Tour with Tapas lunch, Enjoy some Andalusian flavors of tapas and wine at a local restaurant before taking a guided tour of the Royal Alcazar of Seville. Marvel at the many examples of Mudejar architecture in this palace built in the 14th century by King Peter of Castile. The Royal Alcazar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was originally a Moorish fort and is the oldest royal residence still in use in Europe. Stroll through the expansive courtyards and the palace&rsquos beautiful gardens.
- Overnight: Seville
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 7: Travel to Granada, Moorish Influenced Alhambra
- Morning drive to Granada. Here, your sightseeing of Moorish Granada is highlighted by a visit to the 13th century Alhambra, perched atop Assabica Hill overlooking the entire city. This imposing hilltop fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a fine example of Moorish art and architecture. Walk along the lanes of the serene Generalife Gardens with its courtyards, waterfalls and ponds, and views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Tonight, dinner is at a local restaurant
- Alhambra visiting times, which may include evening hours, and which areas of the complex are accessible on the day of your visit, are determined solely at the discretion of the Alhambra. Your itinerary will be arranged by your Tour Manager to accommodate the designated time of entry.
- Overnight: Granada
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 8: Travel to Valencia, Valencia City Tour
- Today, head north to the garden city of Valencia. Discover this treasure trove of Roman and Moorish architecture before continuing to the City Gates, City Hall and Gothic Cathedral. Arrive at the City of Arts and Sciences, designed by contemporary artist Santiago Calatrava, with its avant-garde architecture that includes buildings such as the Hemisferic and Oceanogràfic. Tonight, savor dinner together
- Overnight: Valencia
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 9: Travel to Barcelona, Barcelona City Tour
- This morning drive along the coastline of Catalunya to Barcelona. This afternoons tour of Barcelona begins with a panoramic tour of the old harbor, Plaza de Espana and Plaza Catalunya. You will also have a chance to view Gaudis iconic Sagrada Familia. Ascend Montjuic Hill, home to the Olympic Complex, a number of sports facilities built for the 1992 Summer Olympics
- Overnight: Barcelona
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 10: Full Day in Barcelona
- A full day to explore Barcelona and choose to visit La Sagrada Familia. In the morning, is countinued with Half Day Montserrat Tour, Enjoy a relaxing drive along the picturesque villages of the province to reach Montserrat Mountain. On arrival, visit the Royal Basilica, where you will see the famous 12th-century Romanesque sculpture of "Virgen Moreneta."Tonight, dinner is at a local restaurant
- Overnight: Barcelona
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 11: Depart Spain
- Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
- Meal: Breakfast
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