DAY 1

Welcome to Spain. You are met on arrival at Madrid airport, and then transferred to your luxury hotel, located opposite the tranquil Retiro Park. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before this evening’s private tapas tour. (D)

Palacio de Santo Mauro, Madrid

DAY 2

Madrid is one of the world’s most vibrant and seductive cities. This morning enjoy a private walking tour of Madrid with your expert local guide. Visit some of the capital’s most impressive sights: the Plaza de Oriente, the historic quarter including the 17th century Plaza Mayor, and a wonderful Baroque square lined with arcades and picturesque cafes. Relish an in‐depth tour of the majestic Prado Museum, recently revamped and home to one of the world’s finest collections of European art. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore the city on your own. (B)

Palacio de Santo Mauro, Madrid

DAY 3

Today you drive to the Imperial city, Toledo ‐ the capital of Visigoth Spain before Madrid even existed. This city, perhaps more than any other, embodies Spain’s past, with its narrow, winding streets and steps, stone houses and churches. Spend the day exploring Toledo’s splendid medieval heart. Marvel at the soaring gothic cathedral, among the greatest Gothic structures in Europe and home to paintings by El Greco, Van Dyck and Goya. View El Greco’s finest work ‐ the famed Burial of the Count of Orgaz. Wander through the old Jewish quarter, which includes two of the few remaining medieval synagogues in Spain. At the beautifully crafted El Transito, visit the Jewish Museum devoted to the history and legacy of Jewish Spain. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before you return to Madrid. (B, L)

Palacio de Santo Mauro, Madrid

DAY 4

This morning, travel in club class on the high‐speed train to Cordoba. Enjoy the hostess service, meal and all drinks included. 

Upon arrival in Cordoba, you will be met and taken on a half‐day sightseeing tour of the city. Until its fall to the conquering Christian armies in 1236, Cordoba was a city of half a million people, with thousands of mosques, massive libraries, palaces and baths renowned for their opulence and luxury goods that were coveted all over Europe. Your tour begins at the Mezquita or Grand Mosque. Dating back to 785, this massive structure contains a Catholic Cathedral that is one of the world’s best‐known pieces of religious architecture. A vast forest of hundreds of delicate marble columns and elegant arches, the Mezquita is breathtaking. This afternoon continue on to Granada and your hotel. (B)

Palacio de Santa Paula, Granada

DAY 5

Granada is unrivaled for beauty and architectural splendor. The entire city has been declared a national monument. This morning take a tour of the Alhambra, which dominates the city’s skyline and is one of the world’s most stunning monuments. Later visit the Generalife, the jewel in the crown of the Moorish kingdom of Spain. Your afternoon is at leisure to relax or further explore this magnificent city. (B)

Palacio de Santa Paula, Granada

DAY 6

Today, drive through the olive tree countryside to Ronda, Andalusia’s well-known white village. En route, visit Dolmen of Menga, megalithic burial grouns dating from the 3rd millennium. Ronda stands on a towering plateau, divided in two by a spectacular river gorge know as El Tajo. Ronda’s most notable landmark is its bullring, one of the oldest and most beautiful in Spain. (B)

Parador de Ronda, Ronda

DAY 7

Today enjoy the drive to Seville, en route stopping at Zahara de la Sierra, a stunning white village, to visit two fascinating olive oil mills, one modern and one dating back to the 18th century. On arrival in Seville, you will be taken directly to your boutique hotel, a beautiful little oasis amidst the narrow and bustling cobbled streets at the heart of historic Seville. 

This evening, enjoy an authentic flamenco show. With roots from the Andalusian, Islamic, Sephardic and Gypsy cultures, flamenco is a combination of intricate guitar playing, powerful singing, ranging from the exuberant to the sorrowful, and passionate yet graceful dancing. (B)

Hotel Melia Colon, Seville

DAY 8

This morning take a walking tour of this captivating capital of Andalusia – a city of flamenco, bulls, Carmen and Don Juan. Seville’s history and culture give rise to its pride, tradition, passion and joy. Stroll through the enchanting barrio neighborhoods, where the colors of the south reign supreme. 

This afternoon is free for you to enjoy the city. (B)

Hotel Melia Colon, Seville

DAY 9

This morning, fly to Barcelona, with its lively cosmopolitan streets, spectacular modern structures and an enchanting old quarter. 

You are met upon arrival, and this afternoon, enjoy a tour of the city’s historic Gothic Quarter. Resting on the ancient Roman city of Barcino, today this area is full of buildings from the 13th to 15th century. The Quarter is noted for its peaceful plazas, medieval Cathedral and the Picasso Museum. Stroll along the narrow streets and winding alleyways. 

Explore La Boqueria, the colorful central food market, and Barcelona’s avant‐guard neighborhoods. Your tour will also include the unique and magical Cathedral of Sagrada Familia. (B)

Hotel Palace, Barcelona

DAY 10

Barcelona is renowned for being one of Europe’s most dynamic and innovative cultural centers. Today is a full day at leisure to stroll through the city and explore further on your own. (B)

Hotel Palace, Barcelona

DAY 11

Today you are taken to the Barcelona airport for your departing flight home or on to your next destination. (B)

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

Hotel Santo Mauro
Madrid, Spain

This hotel is located in the centre of Madrid near the Buen Retiro Park and is a stone’s throw from the Paseo Recoletos, the Salamanca neighbourhood, Plaza de Colón, and the Sorolla and Prado museums. This five-star hotel occupies the premises of an elegant late nineteenth-century building, which was once the residence of the Duke de Santo Mauro; a highly influential member of Madrid society in his time. The impressive premises of this urban hotel in Madrid house 51 luxurious rooms, a restaurant, meeting rooms, and all the facilities and luxuries that AC Santo Mauro Hotel is renowned for.

Palacio de Santa Paula
Granada, Spain

Located in the old part of Granada and as the result of a careful restoration project, this building, which has been declared an historic and artistic monument, is made up of the Convent of Santa Paula, which dates from the 16th Century, and the Casa Morisca dating from the 14th Century. A unique establishment in which to enjoy the opportunity to relax in one of the key monuments of the historic centre of the city and the luxury of a great hotel.

When you enter your room, you will feel like you have entered into a place deigned to help you rest, like the four pillows on your bed. Exclusive details, such as the special reading lamps on the bed head, smoker/non-smoker rooms, room service and personal climate control. Designed to make you feel that your room is always how you want it.

The "El Claustro" restaurant which is set in the Convent’s old library, around the cloisters, serves lunches, dinners and exquisite buffet-style breakfasts in which the confectionery stands out. Furthermore, it has an extensive wine list featuring wines from the best Guaranteed Origin regions, and provides conscientious service. It also offers ‘tasting menus’ and business lunches.

Parador de Ronda
Ronda, Spain

In the town centre, in a privileged position next to Ronda’s famous Puente Nuevo bridge, built in 1761, the Hotel occupies the former Town Hall. The impressive setting has spectacular views of the “Cut.” a river gorge 120 metres deep.

There is a pool, cheerful bedrooms with lovely views and comfortable duplexes with terrace.
The Hotel restaurant offers excellent Andalusian dishes.

The rooms are decorated in blues, greens, yellows and reds, with brightly coloured fabrics on the sofas and curtains, and large, light rooms and designed by Pascua Ortega. The rooms have unbeatable views out over the New Bridge—an impressive piece of engineering by Martín de Aldehuela—and the hanging houses over the 100-metre high River Guadalevín pass. Light, size and warmth define the decorative features of the room at this charming hotel, fitting in perfectly at the Parador with its pretty nooks for your enjoyment. This will be a memorable visit heightened by the renowned and tasty Andalusian cuisine on offer.

Hotel Melia Colon
Seville, Spain

Design and service in a luxury city hotel in Seville, the Gran Meliá Colón, located in the historical, cultural, commercial and financial heart of the city, offers a striking combination of art, culture and style. Chosen by generations of bullfighters and important personalities from around the globe, Gran Meliá Colón is considered by the locals one of the city’s major landmarks.

El Palace Hotel
Barcelona, Spain

El Palace Hotel was totally refurbished in late 2009. The renovations have preserved the classic spirit that has always characterized this property, distinguished as a symbol of Barcelona’s hotel tradition. Set in the heart of the city centre, close to Las Ramblas and in the most prestigious shopping area, it is surrounded by boulevards, theatres and main banks. El Palace Hotel has 125 rooms fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology. They are all decorated with their own elegant style of classic luxury. Awarded a Michelin star in 2005 for his extraordinary work at Caelis, renowned chief Romain Fornell is in charge of overseeing the kitchen at gastronomic restaurant Caelis, the AE brasserie and all banquets held at El Palace.

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