Travel to VALENCIA and visit to the third largest Spanish city that mixes the modern with the historical. You will learn about its historic centre, the fish market, the cathedral and the avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences, designed by the architect Calatrava. Tour of 12 days visiting Madrid, Tordesillas, Leon, Oviedo, Covadonga, Santillana, Santander, Bilbao, La Rioja, Zaragoza, Poblet, Montserrat, Barcelona, Peniscola, Valencia, Alicante, Caravaca de la Cruz, Granada, Malaga, Marbella, Ronda, Seville.

DAY 01 SUN. Madrid.-
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Arrival. Transfer to the hotel.
Welcome to Europe!!!. On arrival at the airport we shall be waiting to transfer you to the hotel. You can enjoy free time until your tour starts, information about the meeting place and start time can be found on the information boards in the hotel reception area.

DAY 02 MON. Madrid- Tordesillas- Leon- Oviedo.-
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Leon, city tour of Oviedo.
We will leave in the early morning, crossing Castilla y León. Stop in TORDESILLAS to see the history of this small town and have a coffee in its main square. Continuation to LEÓN, time for lunch and to see the fantastic Gothic cathedral of this historic city on the Way of St James. We will later cross the mountains of the Cantabrian Range on our way to Asturias. Arrival in OVIEDO at mid-afternoon. We include (occasionally on Tuesday mornings) an hourand-a-half visit of the city with a local guide. We will visit its 9th century cathedral, Calatrava Congressional Palace, Campoamor Theatre, Calle de la Rua.

DAY 03 TUE. Oviedo- Covadonga- Santillana- Santander.-
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Fantastic landscapes. Altamira National Museum. Panoramic city tour of Santander.
We will travel to Picos de Europa. We will visit Basílica de COVADONGA which is surrounded by beautiful scenery. We will resume our journey following the coastline to SANTILLANA, one of Spain’s most beautiful towns, and we will visit its well-preserved medieval quarter. We visit the National Museum and Research Centre of ALTAMIRA (ticket included) located in the vicinity of this town. We will later travel to SANTANDER, the region’s capital city, a coastal city with amazing views and beaches. We include panoramic city tour to discover this elegant city and its beautiful bay. 

DAY 04 WED. Santander- Bilbao- La Rioja- Zaragoza.-
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Bilbao. Wine Museum in La Rioja. Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Dinner in Zaragoza.
We follow the motorway along the Cantabrian coast; some of the scenery between the mountains and the sea is very beautiful. BILBAO, arrival in the largest city in the Basque Country. On arrival, with a local guide, we make a short tour of the city: Guggenheim area, old quarter, Cathedral… then there will be free time for some “pintxos”.We will later travel to LA RIOJA region, an outstanding wine region. We will visit the Wine Museum in Briones, and we will learn about the importance of wine making from time immemorial. We will later stop in SANTO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA, a historic town in Camino de Santiago, a rooster lives in its cathedral. ZARAGOZA, arrival late in the afternoon. Dinner included.

DAY 05 THU. Zaragoza- Poblet- Montserrat- Barcelona.-
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Sightseeing tour of Zaragoza. Rack railway to Montserrat Abbey.
We include a morning sightseeing tour of ZARAGOZA with a local guide. We will visit the Cathedal-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. We will learn about Goya, the famous painter, and see some of his works. We will also visit a Roman theatre, a Renaissance palace, and walk by the Aljafería Palace. After lunch, we will continue to POBLET MONASTERY, a walled monastery surrounded by beautiful scenery. It is one of the best preserved medieval monasteries in the world (ticket included with guided tour). We will later travel to MONSERRAT ABBEY where we include a ride on the rack railway to enjoy fantastic landscapes. We will resume our journey to BARCELONA where we will arrive late in the afternoon. NOTE: In the winter months, from November to March (both included), as days are shorter, the Poblet Monastery will not be visited (in order to arrive in Montserrat during the daylight hours).

DAY 06 FRI. Barcelona.-
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Barcelona city tour. “Spanish Village” visit and evening transfers to Las Ramblas district.
Today we will explore Barcelona, an impressive city right on the Mediterranean Sea. Starting with an informative city tour with a local expert (note: If the group has fewer than fifteen people, explanations can be given by our guide.) We also visit the city’s historic central area with its Gothic neighbourhood dating back to the Middle Ages. We will visit the area where the Olympic Games took place. We will get the chance to see La Sagrada Familia Basilica; the masterpiece designed by the architect Gaudí. Following this, we include the entry ticket to visit ‘Poble Espanyol’ (meaning ‘Spanish Village’). This open-air architectural museum is situated in one of the most emblematic areas of Barcelona. Enjoy Spanish craftsmanship and discover the architectural styles, traditions and folklore of the different communities in Spain. Take some free time to explore the city on your own. In the evening we provide transfers to Las Ramblas and Plaza Catalunya area for dinner, where you can select from a great variety of restaurants. Return to the hotel. 

DAY 07 SAT. Barcelona – Peniscola – Valencia.-
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Visit Peniscola, a beautiful walled town combined with a castle on the sea. Sightseeing of Valencia. Evening transfer.
We journey south along the Mediterranean. We will make a special stop at PENISCOLA, a small walled town on the shores of the sea. After a short introduction by our guide, you can make your way through the town, discovering the fishing port, the castle and the beach. Afterwards we travel to VALENCIA, and time to enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, with a local guide, we will include a visit to the third largest Spanish city that mixes the modern with the historical. We will learn about its historic centre, the fish market, the cathedral and the avantgarde City of Arts and Sciences. In the evening we transfer you to the Plaza de Toros (bullring area). In this area you will have time to take dinner. Return to the hotel.

DAY 08 SUN. Valencia – Alicante – Caravaca de la Cruz – Granada.-
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Tourist train in Caravaca.
Today we continue to ALICANTE. We will take a walk in this charming city by the sea. After lunch make our way to the Murcia region, where we will see CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ, a town considered by the Catholic Church as one of the five holy cities. Its church holds a relic of Christ’s Cross. We will also take a train ride up to explore its historic area. After this we will carry on along scenic roads to Andalusia. We finish the day in GRANADA.

DAY 09 MON. Granada.-
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Visit to the Alhambra (if you boughtthe trip with the entrance included). Evening tranfer.
We will have a full day in GRANADA. With a local guide, if you bought the trip with the entrance included, we take a tour of Alhambra Palace and its beautiful Generalife Gardens, built in Arab times. Time to take lunch. The afternoon will be at leisure to see the Cathedral with the Sepulcher of the Catholic Kings. In the evening, transfer to the Albaicín of Granada, a World Heritage site along with Alhambra; here you can enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants in the narrow winding streets of this captivating Medieval Moorish quarter. Tonight you have the option to attend a flamenco dance show and the traditional neighbourhood of Sacromonte. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: The number of people authorised to visit the Alhambra is limited by law. The number of places assigned to tour operators is small and we are only given the quota one month before arrival. Even if you buy the trip with the ticket included, we cannot guarantee a visit to the Alhambra (if these tickets cannot be offered, the Reales Alcázares in Seville, which is similar, would be visited and a sightseeing tour with a local guide of the city of Granada would also be offered). If the visit to the Alhambra is very important to you, we suggest you purchase the trip “without tickets” (the lowest price) and book your tickets on-line from the quota for individuals on the heritage website https://www.alhambra.org

DAY 10 TUE. Granada – Malaga – Marbella – Ronda – Seville.-
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Costa del Sol and the Andalusian village of Ronda.
Departing from Granada and travelling towards the Costa del Sol, we will arrive in MALAGA and explore the historic centre, with its cathedral and the Picasso Museum. After this we will continue along the coastal motorway with beautiful views of the Mediterranean. Stopping in PUERTO BANUS, Marbella, a pretty resort known as a playground for Europe’s rich and famous. In the afternoon we will continue through the hills until we reach RONDA, a very beautiful white town with its large gorge that divides it in two. Continuing to SEVILLE, arriving in the late afternoon.

DAY 11 WED. Seville.-
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Guided visit with local expert in Seville. Boat trip along the river Guadalquivir. Evening tranfer to the historic city centre.
After breakfast, a local expert guides you through a scenic visit of Seville featuring the Cathedral and its famous Giralda (bell tower), the banks of the Guadalquivir River, popular neighborhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana and the beautiful Plaza de España. (note: If the group is fewer than fifteen travellers, it can be arranged in both Spanish and English). After the tour, we will include a boat trip along the river Guadalquivir, enjoying the panoramic views from the boat. Enjoy leisure time straight afterwards. At the end of the afternoon, we will go to the historic city centre area (Calle Alfonso XII). Here there are many different types of restaurants for you to choose from, enjoy your dinner.

DAY 12 THU. Seville.-
After breakfast, end of our services.

• Travel by bus with English speaking guide.
• Basic travel insurance.
• Hotels according to the itinerary.
• Breakfast buffet.
• Arrival transfer
• City tour in: Oviedo, Santander, Bilbao.
• Ticket admission: National Museum of Altamira caves in Santillana.
• City tour in: Zaragoza (Saragossa), Poblet, Barcelona.
• Evening Transfer: Ramblas and Plaza de Catalunya in Barcelona.
• Ticket admission: Wine museum in Briones, Poblet Monastery, Poble Espanyol in Barcelona.
• Train: Wine museum in Briones, Montserrat.
• 1 Lunch or Dinner Included in: Zaragoza (saragossa).
• Boat: along Guadalquivir river in Seville.
• City tour in: Valencia, Granada, Seville.
• Evening Transfer: Bullring square in Valencia, Albaicin in Granada, Historic center of Seville.
• Ticket admission: Alhambra Palace and Generalife in Granada if it is included in your tour.
• Train: Caravaca de la Cruz.

2022

• May.22: 08, 22
• Jun.22: 05, 19
• Jul.22: 03, 17, 31
• Aug.22: 14, 28
• Sep.22: 11, 25
• Oct.22: 09, 23
• Nov.22: 06, 20
• Dec.22: 04, 18
  
  

2023

• Jan.23: 01, 15, 29
• Feb.23: 12, 26
• Mar.23: 12, 26

PRICES PER PERSON

SEASON              DBL                 SINGL
High S.             $1.507               $2.062
Mid S.               $1.452               $2.007
Low S.              $1.348               $1.903

• If the number of travellers from Bilbao to Madrid is very small, the trip may be done by train or regular transport.
• In the winter months, from November to March (both included), as days are shorter, the Poblet Monastery will not be visited (in order to arrive in Montserrat during the daylight hours)
• The number of people authorised to visit the Alhambra is limited by law. The number of places assigned to tour operators is small and we are only given the quota one month before arrival. Even if you buy the trip with the ticket included, we cannot guarantee a visit to the Alhambra (if these tickets cannot be offered, the Reales Alcázares in Seville, which is similar, would be visited and a sightseeing tour with a local guide of the city of Granada would also be offered). If the visit to the Alhambra is very important to you, we suggest you purchase the trip “without tickets” (the lowest price) and book your tickets onine from the quota for individuals on the heritage website https://www.alhambra.org
• It is a general policy in the hotels that may request a deposit of money on arrival at each of the hotels where you will be staying. This deposit is charged at the time of check in and is refunded upon departure if you did not make any expenses at the hotel.
• The space in the holds of the coaches and in the train wagons is limited and this determines the maximum amount of luggage authorized per passenger on our circuits: one suitcase per person and one handbag. Carrying more luggage than allowed can be checked in at destination.