Spanish Experience

Welcome to Madrid, Spain's capital city. Check into your hotel then relax and unwind. Later meet with your Travel Director and fellow travellers. This evening, spend free time exploring on your own or join the group for an Optional Experience walking tour of the city and the chance to savour local 'tapas' at a café on the Plaza Mayor. Or perhaps dine in a local restaurant offering the traditional flavours of Spain.

Your Local Specialist shows you the sights of Madrid including the Cibeles fountain, the Gran Via, the Paseo de la Castellana and the Puerta del Sol. At Plaza de España, admire the monument to Cervantes. Afterwards, consider an Optional Experience to the medieval city of Segovia - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This evening you might be tempted by Madrid's nightlife, where the locals dine late and enjoy the open-air cafés and vibrant atmosphere until the early hours.

In the medieval city of Toledo - the ancient capital of Castile - your Local Specialist takes you on a walking tour through the quaint streets for views of the cathedral and synagogue. Toledo has been a traditional sword making and steel working centre for over 2000 years and was the standard source of weaponry for the Roman legions. Visit a steel workshop to see some fine examples of this age-old craft. Your journey continues south to Puerto Lápice where, reputedly, Don Quixote was dubbed 'a knight' by a local innkeeper. The plains of La Mancha give way to the hills of Andalucía with striking whitewashed villages and churches. Arrive in Seville, a vibrant city and the home of bullfighting and flamenco.

Admire the great monuments and sights of Seville with your Local Specialist. View the pavilions in Maria Luisa Park, constructed for the 1929 Exposition. Marvel at the mighty cathedral and La Giralda Bell Tower. Tonight you might like to experience the fire and passion of a Spanish flamenco show.

Start the day with a picturesque drive through beautiful villages to the Moorish city of Granada. Enjoy free time to explore or participate in an Optional Experience suggested by your Travel Director.

Cross the Mora Pass through the superb scenery of the Sierra Nevada. Admire the cave dwellings in Guadix with time to take pictures. Continue through Murcia and the palm groves of Elche to Valencia, renowned for its orange fruit. See the Bullring, the great Cathedral and the Towers of Serrano and Quart during your orientation tour. Stop to view the City of Arts and Sciences which is a large-scale urban recreation centre for culture and science, designed by Santiago Calatrava. Later arrive at your hotel where you dine tonight with your fellow travellers.

Head north along the coast through the Levant region and stop at Peñíscola to view the ancient castle of the 'Spanish Pope', used in the film El Cid. Continue along the Costa Dorada to Barcelona, Spain's most cosmopolitan city. Your Local Specialist takes you on a wonderful sightseeing tour, which includes views of Gaudí's Sagrada Familia and the Plaça de Catalunya. See the lively Ramblas and enjoy spectacular views of the city from Montjuïc. Tonight, consider visiting a Catalan-style restaurant for a delicious dinner of local specialities.

Today is free for you to explore this fascinating city. As well as having a rich Roman and medieval heritage, Barcelona also has a reputation for fun. Why not visit the monastery in the rocky mountains of Montserrat to see the Black Madonna? This evening, dine with your companions and celebrate a memorable holiday.

This morning say 'adiós' to Spain, your Travel Director, and your fellow travellers at the end of your unforgettable Spanish Experience. Transfers are available to Barcelona Airport. Conditions apply.