The Classic Spain

 

DAY 1

Arrival at Barajas Airport. Transfer to the hotel.

 

DAY 2

Madrid
The tour starts by going to the Puerta del Sol. Feel the atmosphere of the city from the plaza, which is the "heart" of Madrid and one of the busiest places in the city. See the famous statue of  a bear climbing a tree, which is the symbol of Madrid. Continue to Plaza de España that contains a sculpture of Cervantes and his famous Don Quixote and Sancho Panza characters. See the Parliament building  and Cibeles Fountain, named after the roman goddess of nature, it is seen as one of Madrid's most important symbols. Walk along the elegant Calle Alcala and Paseo de Castellana, the longest and the oldest streets in Madrid. Visit  the spectacular Prado Museum and enjoy one of the finest art collections in the world and the best collection of classical art in Madrid.

 

DAY 3

Madrid – Toledo (90km./1h.) – Granada (370km./4h.)
Departure to Toledo. An often overlooked gem, Toledo sits majestically above the the Tagus River. Visit The Cathedral, the centrepiece of Toledo. See the sparkling gold reliefs, huge oil paintings and portraits of all of the Toledo Cardinals going back at least 500 years. Continue to one of the jewels of Toledo "Sinagoga El Transito", which hosts the Sefardi Museum. See one of El Greco's most famous and recognized works "El Entierro del Senor de Orgaz" , housed in the Church of Santo Tome. See The Alcázar of Toledo, the Moorish stone fortification located in the highest part of the city. Visit a Damascene steel workshop. Departure to Granada.

 

DAY 4

Granada–Costa del Sol (130km./1h.30min.)
The tour starts with a visit of Granada’s main attraction, the Alhambra.  Part fortress, part palace, part garden and part, this Moorish medieval complex overlooking Granada is often considered on a par with the 7 wonders of the world. Enjoy a walk through ornamental gardens and fountains. Admire the panoramic view of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a cave which houses a museum, discos, and flamenco shows. Enjoy the fascinating water gardens of the Generalife, a former summer palace and country estate of the Emirate of Granada in Al-Andalus. Departure to Costa del Sol. Arrival in Torremolinos.

 

DAY 5

Torremolinos – Ronda (100km./1h.30min.) – Jerez (220km./2h.30min.) – Seville (100km./1h.)
Enjoy the sandy beaches of Torremolinos and relax. Travel to Ronda, set in and around a deep gorge spanned by an impressive bridge. Feel the relaxing atmosphere here, a great break from some of the more tourist-ridden places on the south coast of Spain. Departure to Jerez, famous for its sherry wines and magnificent horses of mixed Spanish, Arab, and English blood. Visit to a Sherry Bodega, the biggest lure of the town of Jerez. Arrival in Seville, the magnificent capital of Andalusia.

 

DAY 6

Seville
Enjoy a walk in the Santa Cruz quarter with its cramped streets, flowered balconies, richly decorated facades and hidden patios. See The Cathedral of Seville, which occupies the site of the former great mosque built in the late twelfth century. The Cathedral is the final resting place of the remains of Christopher Columbus. Enjoy the panoramic view of the city from La Giralda, a symbol of Seville. Visit the Real Alcázar, built in Moorish style. Explore the secret of its myriad rooms, extravagant architecture and lavish gardens. See the Golden Tower on the Guadalquivir River and the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame.

 

DAY 7

Seville – Cordoba (150km./2h.) – (Madrid 400km./4h.)
Departure to Cordoba. The tour starts by going to  the impressive La Mezquita (The Mosque), with a Cathedral built inside. Visit the Alcazar, that is a Castle-fortress of the Christian Monarchs. Enjoy the beautiful gardens and historical heritage. See the Old Roman Bridge over the Guadalquivir River. Continue to Córdoba's old Jewish quarter. Walk along a fascinating network of narrow lanes and feel the atmosphere. Departure to Madrid.

 

DAY 8

Transfer to the airport.