Spanish Wonder
Explore every side of Andalusia, including its Moorish twist, and visit the principal Spanish cities of Madrid, Seville and Barcelona – with passionate experts on every encounter. It's Insider moments like…exploring Toledo's ancient cobbled streets with a local historian, who leads you into the cool tranquillity of the Church of Tomé to reveal the hidden meaning behind El Greco's Burial of Count Orgaz.
- Professional Tour Director
- 12 meals (8 breakfasts, 4 dinners)
- Luxury motorcoach transportation
- First class accommodations
- All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees, restaurant gratuities, and local taxes
AAA Member Benefits
- $25 per person optional excursion credit
- Complimentary excursion: Flamenco Evening
Vacation Highlights:
- Enjoy a traditional dinner on a ranch in the Andalusian countryside near the white-washed village of Gerida
- Visit an inlaid steel factory in Toledo and see local craftsmen at work
- View the Cave Homes of Gaudix, the Serrano and Quarte Towers and the City of Arts and Sciences complex designed by Santiago Calatrava in Valencia
- Visit the Synagogue and Sao Tomé in Toledo, Mosque of the Caliphs in Cordoba, Cathedral in Seville, the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Montjuïc hill and Placa Catalunya in Barcelona
Welcome to Madrid! Relax or explore this lively city. Later, meet for a welcome reception with your fellow travelers and Tour Director and enjoy an evening drive to take in some of the city's main sights.
Meals: Welcome Reception
Your expert guide takes you on a walking tour of Toledo. Watch craftsmen at work when you visit a traditional steel factory and gain insight into this historical craft. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to one of El Greco's most famous paintings – The Burial of Count Orgaz. Visit the synagogue during your guided walk through the narrow streets. Return to Madrid to admire the monument to Cervantes at the Plaza de España and see Puerta del Sol, the city's hub.
Meals: (B)
Travel southwards from Madrid, through La Mancha, to Cordoba. Visit the Mosque of the Caliphs and learn about the influence of the Moors from a local expert. Tonight, take in a fiery flamenco show.
Meals: (B)
Join a local expert for a sightseeing tour of Seville. View the Bell Tower of the Giralda, see the tiled fountains, pavilions, and lush palms in the Maria Luisa Park, renowned for its landscape design, and walk through the imposing Plaza de España. Marvel at Christopher Columbus' ornate tomb in the cathedral. Finally, take a walk through the former Jewish Quarter. This evening, experience a unique dinner at an authentic ranch with views over the Andalusian countryside.
Meals: (B, D)
Visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace in Granada with a local expert. A fine example of Moorish architecture, it was built during the 14th century towards the end of Islamic rule in Spain. Walk through the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer palace, once linked to the Alhambra by a covered walkway across the ravine.
Meals: (B)
Travel from Granada, via the Mora Pass, and arrive in Guadix in the northern foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains where you can take pictures of the troglodyte dwellings. In Valencia, view the Bull Ring and admire the architecture of the medieval cathedral and the Serrano and Cuarte Towers. Stop to view the City of Arts and Sciences which is a large-scale urban recreation center for culture and science and designed by Santiago Calatrava. This complex is also featured in the George Clooney movie Tomorrowland. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meals: (B, D)
Head north along the coast through the Levant region and stop at Peñiscola 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. See Gaudi's architecture at the inspiring Sagrada Familia. Walk the Ramblas and visit Plaça Catalunya. View the monument to Christopher Columbus and enjoy panoramic views from Montjuïc during your guided sightseeing tour of the city. Tonight consider visiting a Catalan-style restaurant for a delicious dinner of local specialities.
Meals: (B)
This morning, enjoy free time in the city to shop or explore, or join an optional experience to the monastery at Montserrat to see the mystical Black Madonna. This evening join your companions and Tour Director for a special Farewell Dinner with wine.
Meals: (B, D)
Say ‘adios’ to Spain and your fellow travelers at the end of a memorable vacation. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. Please Note: Your coach returns to Madrid from Barcelona on Day 9. You are welcome to use this complimentary transfer. Drop-off in Madrid will be in Trafalgar Madrid hotel and not at the airport. Arrival will be at approximately 6pm, depending on traffic conditions.
Meals: (B)