DAY 1 MADRID
Arrival de Madrid airport and transfer to hotel.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Introduction
MADRID AND ANDALUSIA
8 days / 7 nights – Madrid/Sevilla/Granada A selection of the most representative monumental towns in Spain
DAY 2 MADRID
Breakfast dinner and overnight at hotel.
Morning guided city tour, we will visit panoramically some of its main avenues and monumental fountains (Cibeles, Neptuno), as well as the famous and busy “Plaza Mayor” (main square) and old town, visiting inside the Prado Museum, probably the best collection of classic painters of the world. Rest of day at leisure.
DAY 3 MADRID-CORDOBA-SEVILLA
Breakfast at hotel. Departure along the flat region of “La Mancha’, the Don Quixote’s scenario
CORDOBA. During the Roman age, this city was important, but during the Moslem domination it reached the maximum splendor,specially in the IX and Xth centuries, when Cordoba became the capital of the Caliphate, was the most populated town in the world (almost 1 million). Morning guided city tour, to visit the Mosque, considered one the most beautiful. Then, a walk around the Jewish Quarter, with its narrow streets and Andalusia “patios”, and finishing with a visit of the Synagogue.
Arrival to Sevilla. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 4 SEVILLA
Breakfast, dinner and overnight at hotel.
Morning guided tour to visit inside the Gothic Cathedral, the largest in Spain and third in the world, with the Giralda tower (striking minaret of the former mosque). Then a walk by Santa Cruz Quarter, a maze of small alleys and small squares with the peacefulness of a tiny garden is an invitation to rest. Afternoon at leisure.
DAY 5 SEVILLA-JEREZ-RONDA-GRANADA
Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Jerez de la Frontera
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA. Stop to visit a sherry wine cellar with a tasting. Sherry is the best well known Spanish wine abroad, and great part of the local economy is related to the production of this world-famous wine.
Departure along the ‘ROUTE OF THE WHITE VILLAGES’ (Arcos de la Frontera, Grazalema,…).
All these villages in this mountainous area were part of the warlike border between the Christian and the Muslim kingdoms for more than 3 centuries (XIII to XVth). They are surrounded by brilliant white houses with narrow streets like a maze. The path is filled with fantastic views.
RONDA. In an impressive location, a sheer cleft of over 300 ft. called El Tajo splits the town. Time to visit the bull-ring, built in 1784, considered the most beautiful in Spain. Walking through the old town, we will find nice palaces and some magnificent views over countryside (it is possible, and we suggest it, to include a guided city tour, to know widely the town). Continuation to…Arrival to Garanada. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 6 GRANADA
Breakfast dinner and overnight at hotel.
Morning guided city tour, to visit La Alhambra, the best example of the sophisticated Royal life in the Nazari Islamic kingdom from the XI to XVth century. We will find numerous halls and “patios” (courtyards) of amazing beauty. We will also visit the famous and beautiful Generalife gardens with its fountains. Afternoon at leisure.
DAY 7 GRANADA-TOLEDO-MADRID
Breakfast at hotel. TOLEDO. it has been the capital of Spain and the royal residence in the XIII century. During this period, Muslim, Jews and Christians populations lived together peacefully turning it as a great cultural and monumental center. We will enjoy walking along its narrow streets where the history can be felt in the air. Afternoon guided city tour , , we will visit the Cathedral, St tome Church (where is El Greco painter’s masterpiece) and the Synagogue
Arrival to madrid. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 8 MADRID
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to the airport.