Day 1. (Wednesday) COSTA DEL SOL – GRANADA

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Granada, with its incredible and amazing monumental environment, the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdom up to 1492. We’ll visit the world-famous Alhambra complex with its imposing Alcazaba fortress, the Palace of Charles V, and the Generalife Gardens, fountains, gardens, and courtyards that with their sights and sounds have inspired authors such as Washington Irving in his Tales of the Alhambra. Free time in the afternoon. We recommend you to visit the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel that houses the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs, or stroll through the Albaicín neighbourhood and enjoy the beautiful views of the Alhambra from the Mirador de San Nicolás. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. Optionally, you can see a Gipsy Flamenco Show held in a cave-house at Sacromonte Quarter.

Day 2. (Thursday) GRANADA – VALENCIA

After our breakfast at the hotel, we drive eastwards, heading to the Mediterranean Coast. We’ll pass Murcia, capital of the fertile garden of the Segura River, and continue north via Alicante, the second-largest city within the autonomous Region of Valencia. Arrive to Valencia, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean coast, that harmoniously combine the remnants of its farthest past, with the most innovative and avant-garde buildings from the new millennium. Valencia’s landmark is the modern Arts and Sciences Architectural Complex integrated by six elements: Hemispheric, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanographic, Palau de les Arts and Agora. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation. We recommend you to take a night walk to enjoy the breathtaking avant-garde architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences under the nocturnal ornamental lighting, then continue to the old town and admire its highlights: Valencia’s Gothic Cathedral and the famous Micalet Bell Tower, Virgin Mary Square, Valencia Townhall and Post Office – 2 impressive buildings, the World Heritage Silk Exchange Building, its beautiful Central Market, Serranos and Quart Towers… And of course, you must taste the paella, this colourful mixture of saffron-flavoured rice and various meats, Valencia’s most well-known dish world-wide in one of the local restaurants.

Day 3. (Friday) VALENCIA – BARCELONA

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in the morning to discover on your own pace this fascinating Mediterranean city. You can visit the Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe, a true homage to our planet’s seas and oceans. It is made up of different buildings, housing examples of the most important ecosystems from each of the planet’s seas and oceans and also a Dolphinarium, the largest in Europe. You may also enjoy a nice walk through the Turia Gardens, former riverbed of the Turia River along palm trees and orange trees, fountains and pine woods, aromatic plants and ponds, sports facilities and rose beds. We’ll depart northward along the Mediterranean Coast to Catalonia, passing through Tarragona, the ancient Roman city of Tarraco. Arrival to Barcelona, main city of the Spanish Mediterranean Coast, homeland of the famous architect Gaudí, symbol of the Catalonian modernism. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 4. (Saturday) BARCELONA

We wake up in Barcelona. After breakfast, we get on the bus to visit Barcelona with a local guide, discovering its main avenues decorated with impressive modernist buildings of Antoni Gaudí. We’ll make a short stop to see the impotent Gaudí’s Great Basilica of Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) from outside, a unique creation that has become Barcelona’s most universal symbol. Our next destination is Montjuic and the Olympic Ring, a legacy of the 1992 Olympics Games that took place in Barcelona. The city tour of Barcelona ends with a walk into the city’s historic central area, with its Gothic neighbourhood dating back to the Middle Ages. From this moment, you’ll have free time to explore in depth what you couldn’t see before. We recommend you to book in advance your tickets to see the Sagrada Familia from inside if it is of your interest, or if you prefer, you may explore other parts of the Gothic Quarter… there are many options: visit the Cathedral of Barcelona, Plaça del Pi, the Plaza Real or take a walk on the famous Rambla de los Capuchinos, an emblematic street and a must-see for any visitor to Barcelona. Accommodation in Barcelona.

Day 5. (Sunday) BARCELONA – ZARAGOA – MADRID

After breakfast at the hotel, departure southwest along an industrial and agricultural area with certain relevance within Europe. Our destination is Zaragoza, capital city of Aragon Region, located on the banks of the Ebro River, Iberian Peninsula’s most important river by discharge. Zaragoza, known as Cesar Augusta, during the Roman period had an important role in Spanish history. Free time to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar, Patroness of Hispanity and stroll through the old streets of Zaragoza to discover its impressive monumental legacy as Romans, Muslims, Jews and Christians left their mark on this place. Taste the typical dishes of the region and, of course, take part in one of the great traditions of the city, “going for tapas” – small gastronomic creations that delight anyone who tries them. Continue to Madrid. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 6. (Monday) MADRID

Breakfast. We begin the day with a comprehensive panoramic tour of Madrid, exploring its most important avenues and discovering its squares and most iconic buildings. We’ll explore the Plaza de Oriente, home to the Royal Palace of Madrid, the official residence of the King of Spain. We’ll continue along Gran Vía, known as Madrid’s Broadway, which runs between Plaza de España and Alcala Street. We’ll see the famous Alcala Gate, one of the former royal gates that gave access to the city of Madrid. We’ll also see the Cibeles Square, Madrid’s most iconic square, with the fountain of the Greek goddess Cybele, where fans of Real Madrid and the Spanish national team celebrate their victories. The rest of the day is free for shopping or personal activities in Madrid, enjoying the wide range of museums and shows. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7. (Tuesday) MADRID – CORDOBA – SEVILLE

Breakfast at the hotel. We’ll drive southward along Castilla Province, the land of Don Quixote, “The Man from La Mancha”, along the way observing vast vineyards. We’ll cross the natural border of “Despeñaperros” and get into Andalusia, a region with a huge heritage from a splendorous past. Our first destination is Cordoba, former capital of the Caliphate. Lead by a knowledgeable English-speaking guide we will visit the highlights of Cordoba: the narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter, the Synagogue and the fantastic Great Mosque of Cordoba, one of the world’s greatest works of Islamic architecture, still standing from the time Muslims ruled Al-Andalus, that will ease our mind and spirit. In the afternoon, after a short ride, we’ll arrive to Seville, the capital of Andalusia. Arrival at the hotel, dinner and accommodation.

Day 8. (Wednesday) SEVILLE

After breakfast, we’ll do a monumental and panoramic visit of Seville. You will visit from outside the Cathedral of Seville, the second largest in the Catholic world after San Pedro in Rome and its famous Giralda, the old minaret of the Arab mosque, then stroll through the popular neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz, natural scenery of “Carmen” as well as where it developed the myth of “Don Juan” and also Triana, with a deep popular flavour and cradle of bullfighters and artists. After the visit, you’ll enjoy some free to discover different perspectives and specific flavours of this active city full of light. May we recommend you an optional boat trip on the Guadalquivir River to enjoy the panoramic views that exist from the boat? Then you can walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, the “great king of Andalusia” as the local poet Luis de Góngora y Argote called it. At night, optionally, you can enjoy a flamenco show. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 9. (Thursday) SEVILLE – RONDA – COSTA DEL SOL

After breakfast at the hotel we’ll drive south along the Route of the White Washed Villages, listening to stories of bandits while arriving at Ronda, one of the most beautiful towns in Andalusia, situated on the gorge of the Guadalevin River (locally known as Tajo de Ronda) that cuts the city in half. You’ll enjoy some free time to admire this town of Celtic origin and the marvellous views of the valley and mountain range. In the afternoon, continue on to the Costa del Sol. Arrival at the end of the day and end of the tour.