SPAIN'S HEART & "SOL" Details

VISITING: 
Madrid, Merida, Seville, Cordoba, Granada

DURATION: 
8 Days - 6 Nights

Day 1, Saturday: En route
Depart your home city on an overnight trans-Atlantic flight.

Day 2, Sunday: MADRID
Arrival at Madrid airport. After clearing simple immigration and customs formalities, you will be transferred to your hotel. We suggest you take advantage of the free time to get to know one of Europe's most dynamic capital cities. In the early evening, enjoy an “Illuminated Madrid” drive through the bustling streets of the old city, ending at the historical and impressive Plaza Mayor. This area is home to some of the most typical restaurants and taverns, which serve the delicious "tapas".VALUE PACKAGE includes a Tapas Dinner tonight. Return to your hotel at your own convenience.  Accommodations.

Day 3, Monday: MADRID
Buffet breakfast. This morning's escorted sightseeing tour will allow you to get a glimpse of some of Madrid's most outstanding attractions, like the Puerta del Sol, the magnificent fountains of Neptune and Cibeles, the stately Alcala Gate, the busy Gran Via, the Plaza de España and the Plaza de Oriente. Time for lunch on your own.  VALUE PACKAGE includes a Lunch today. Highly recommended this afternoon, is an optional tour to the Imperial former capital city of Toledo, where you will be escorted through its narrow cobblestone streets, soaking up the medieval atmosphere. Touring will include the interior of the magnificent Gothic cathedral and a visit to St. Tome Church, where El Greco's masterpiece painting is displayed. There will also be some time for shopping for the unique typical local artisanry. VALUE PACKAGE includes the tour to Toledo. Return to Madrid for accommodations.

Day 4, Tuesday: MADRID-MERIDA-SEVILLE 
Buffet breakfast. Departure through the once-remote region of Extremadura, home to many of the “Conquistadores”. Arrival in ancient Merida. Free time for lunch. Lunch included in VALUE PACKAGE. In the afternoon, visit the impressive Roman amphitheatre archeological site before continuing to Seville. Accommodations.

Day 5, Wednesday: SEVILLE
Buffet breakfast. This morning’s tour of the “Pearl of Andalucia” will explore this gracious city, Spain's third largest. See the Tower of Gold, the tranquil and extensive Maria Luisa Park, the quaint Santa Cruz Quarter, and finally the huge cathedral (one of the worlds largest) with its Giralda Tower (a former minaret). Time for lunch on your own. Lunch Included in VALUE PACKAGE. The afternoon is free to continue to explore or shop. This evening an optional Flamenco Show is suggested, with the enjoyment of local wine.  VALUE PACKAGE includes Flamenco Show.Accommodations.

Day 6, Thursday: SEVILLE-CORDOBA-GRANADA
Buffet breakfast. Depart to Cordoba. Visit one of the world’s marvels, the former Great Mosque (now a cathedral). Time for lunch on your own. Continue to Granada, passing thousands of acres of olive groves. VALUE PACKAGE includes dinner tonight. This evening, an excellent suggestion would be to visit (optional) the quaint and typical Albaicin Quarter for a night view of an illuminated Alhambra and where Andalusian customs, music and wine join to create an enchanting atmosphere. VALUE PACKAGE includes this visit and Zambra show).

Day 7, Friday: GRANADA-MADRID
Buffet breakfast. This morning, enjoy an escorted tour of the amazing Moorish palace and fortress complex of the Alhambra and the verdant Gardens of the Generalife. Departure to Madrid, crossing the Plains of La Mancha, land of Don Quixote. Arrival in Madrid. Accommodations.

Day 8, Saturday: EN ROUTE
Buffet breakfast. Pre-arranged transfer to Madrid airport at the proper time to check-in for your return flight home. Arrival later the same day.

 TOUR FEATURES

• Transfers airport-hotel-airport
• Accommodations in your choice of hotels
• Buffet breakfast daily
• Deluxe air-conditioned coach transportation
• Professional multilingual tour escort throughout
• Escorted sightseeing tours with multilingual guide in Madrid, Granada, and Seville
• Evening Illuminations tour of Madrid
• Protection and assistance insurance while on tour
• Travel bag

 VALUE PKG    $255 pp

• “Tapas” dinner in Madrid
• Lunch in Madrid or Toledo
• Tour to Toledo
• Lunch in Merida
• Lunch in Seville
• Flamenco show in Seville
• Dinner in Granada
• Evening tour/Zambra show at the Albaicin, Granada