Highlights of Spain

Gambar: unicohotelmadrid.com

Day 1 DEPART USA May 24 arrive May 25 (flight on your own)

Board your overnight flight (not included).

May 25 and 26
Day 2 to Day 3 BARCELONA, THE CITY OF GAUDI

Welcome to Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, a land that retains its own distinctive language, culture and traditions! On arrival at Barcelona Airport, your airport transfers leave for the tour hotel at 09:30 and 12:30. Relax and settle in. In the evening, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception with drinks and a light informal meal. After a restful night’s sleep, join your local guide in the Plaça Nova in the heart of the Gothic quarter. See the cathedral and walk through the Roman gate to tour the narrow lanes and old squares. Now drive by the lively Rambla and along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with elegant wrought-iron street lamps and some of the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district, to visit Gaudi’s extraordinary, unfinished SagradaFamilia church. Both inside and out, it defies belief! The afternoon is at your leisure.

Hotel: Melia
Meals: Welcome Reception / Buffet Breakfast

May 27
Day 4 ALONG THE ORANGE BLOSSOM COAST TO VALENCIA

Follow the sunny Costa Dorada past the rice fields of the Ebro Delta to stop in Peñíscola. Explore the lanes and white-walled cottages clustered around the sea-lapped castle, used in the film El Cid. Now we go to the famous orange groves to Valencia where you see the ultra modern Centre of Arts and Sciences. Circumnavigate the old town, past the City Gates of Serranos and Quart to reach your central hotel. Maybe take a pre-dinner walk to the castellated Lonja (Silk Exchange) or the Cathedral with its octagonal bell tower.
Hotel: Husa Reina Victoria/NH Centre
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

May 28
Day 5 GRANADA & THE ALHAMBRA, A PARADISE ON EARTH

Heading along the Costa Blanca, Benidorm suddenly rises like a Mediterranean Manhattan. Continue past the castle at Lorca and troglodyte dwellings hollowed out of the soft rock at Purullena. Drive along the Sierra Nevada, with magnificent mountain views, and over the Mora Pass to glorious Granada. Overlooking the town stands one of the most remarkable fortresses ever built, the Alhambra. Explore this exquisite palace; a fantasy of stone cut lace, arabesque gardens and fountains, built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century. Also stroll through the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the Royal summer residence. Granada has a rich variety of restaurants, so this evening, choose your own personal ambience and cuisine from our Dine-Around selection.
Hotel: Saray
Meals: Buffet Breakfast /Dine Around

May 29 and 30
Day 6 to Day 7 TO SEVILLE, THE CITY OF CARMEN

There is time, if you wish, to explore the labyrinthine Albaicin quarter—from the church of St. Nicholas there is one of the most exquisite views of the Alhambra. Then drive past gleaming white villages and through olive groves stretching for as far as the eye can see, to Seville. This exquisite capital of Andalucía is simply one of Spain's most charming jewels. Bask in the romantic aura, enjoy the flavors of Andalucía and share in the passion of Spain’s most fiery region. Seville has a distinctive character and presence best revealed by a local guide. During your stay, visit the Plaza de España in Maria Louisa Park. Then stroll through the fashionable Santa Cruz Quarter with its flower decked wrought-iron balconies. Emerge by the Alcazar, a Moorish fantasy in stone set in richly scented gardens. Visit the massive cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus and enriched with the spoils of the New World. The energetic can climb the Giralda Tower, former minaret of the Great Mosque, and enjoy views over the city. This afternoon is at leisure.
Hotel: Ayre
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

May 31 and June 1
Day 8 to Day 9 CORDOBA, THE MEZQUITA AND ACROSS THE PLAINS OF LA MANCHA TO MADRID

Set off early along the Guadalquivir valley, past villages and towns studded with Moorish towers and fortresses. Stop in the perfectly preserved Moorish city of Cordoba. Cross the famous 2,000-year-old bridge before a guided visit to the magnificent Mezquita, an 8th century mosque with a Christian church built inside it. Afterwards there is free time to stroll through the narrow streets of the Old Jewish Quarter. Now follow in the footsteps of Don Quixote, across the plains of La Mancha on your way back to Madrid. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the wines that make this region so famous. The next morning, join a local guide for a sightseeing tour along the noble avenues. Drive by the statue of Cervantes’ fictional hero, Don Quixote, in the Plaza de España. Continue past Cibeles Fountain and the Parliament and cross the Puertadel Sol. Visit the Prado Museum, a rose colored palace housing works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Botticelli, Rubens and many others. Take time out to relax at a café or shop in the trendy boutiques. In the evening, join a farewell celebration dinner in the heart of town, complete with wine and music.
Hotel: MeliaGalgos
Meals: Buffet Breakfast /Celebration Dinner

June 2
Day 10 MADRID

Board your onward flights today, taking home memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. Departure transfers arrive at Madrid Airport at 07:00, 09:00 and 11:00.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast

OPTIONAL TOURS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

MONTSERRAT AND THE BLACK MADONNA

Don’t miss the Montserrat, visit includes breathtaking views of unique rock formations (hymns explain how this “serrated mountain” was carved by little angels with golden saws); a dramatic Benedictine monastery and history that connect the Catalan people and their struggles. It has been Catalonia's most important pilgrimage site for a thousand years. Enjoy the spectacular views before visiting “La Moreneta,” the black Madonna.
Adult Price: EURO 37

PARK GUELL AND EVENING DRIVE

Park Guell is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site –“Works of AntoniGaudí”. The highest point of the park offers a panoramic view of Barcelona and the bay. Gaudi incorporated motifs of Catalan nationalism and elements from religious mysticism and ancient poetry into the park resulting in a unique and authentic experience. You will have some free time in Port Olympic to dine in one of the many restaurants, before taking a night drive through the city.
Adult Price: EURO 27

ALBAICIN AND ROYAL CHAPEL

We take a leisurely walk through the Albaicin World Heritage site, which is a national monument and the last bastion of Islam in Spain. We explore the intriguing maze of narrow streets with whitewashed houses and patio gardens of bygone Moorish splendor. Then we visit the Royal Chapel to see the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella, the “Catholic Monarchs.”
Adult Price: EURO 34

TOLEDO EXCURSION

A specialist guide takes us to the unique city of Toledo, Spain's capital during the golden era, and where El Greco lived and worked. We visit the fine Gothic cathedral, admire the old city views along the Tagus gorge and later visit a specialist Damascene workshop.
Adult Price: EURO 42

MADRID BY NIGHT

An evening drive to the most historic area of Madrid including a stop for wonderful views over the city and a walk through the streets of the old town to the ancient Plaza Mayor with its elegant arcades. Free time therefor dinner in one of the many restaurants and returning home along the grand AvenidaCastellana with its spectacular fountains.
Adult Price: EURO 18

FLAMENCO SHOW

This evening, enjoy dinner and the true spirit of Spain as we watch a spectacular and colorful Flamenco show.
Adult Price: EURO 39

ANDALUSIAN TAPAS AND THE ATMOSPHERE OF OLD SEVILLE

Enjoy a delicious selection of tapas specialties in a local restaurant with wine included. Then later we conclude the evening by taking an atmospheric walk through the old quarter of Seville, which has a special magic in the evening.
Adult Price: EURO 50

Price: $ 1785

INCLUDES:

• 9-day and 8-night Highlights of Spain tour.
• Comfortable accommodations, as listed in the itinerary.
• Transfers to hotel in Barcelona.
• Welcome reception on night of arrival with Tour Director and fellow travelers with drinks and a light informal meal.
• Meals as listed on the itinerary.
• Escorted tour by a professional Tour Director.
• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours.
• Visit Gaudi's extraordinary, unfinished Sagrada Familia church.
• Stroll through the fashionable Santa Cruz Quarter with its flower decked wrought-iron balconies.
• Follow in the footsteps of Don Quixote, across the plains of La Mancha.
• Travel along the Costa Dorada and through orange groves to Valencia, explore the Alhambra, strolling the areas of Seville and motoring across the plains to Madrid to end your journey.
• Inter-city travel in unique comfort of luxury air-conditioned coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom.
• Sightseeing  with entrance fees to places of interest visited as detailed on the itinerary.
• All service charges, taxes and porterage at hotels.
• Airport transfers in Madrid for your return flight.
• Must book your own airfare into Barcelona (BCN) and returning from Madrid (MAD).