Reservations are done
through Globus & Cosmos
Tours |
14 Day Spanish Fiesta
Tour ZX
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1st Day |
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Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
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2nd Day |
Arrival in Madrid
Time to rest or to join the locals in El Retiro Park. At 6 p.m. meet
your traveling companions for a welcome drink hosted by your tour
director.
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3rd Day |
Madrid
The capital since 1561, Madrid today is a strikingly modern city,
the showcase of a country resolutely turned towards the future.
Morning sightseeing takes you to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza España
with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain,
elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Then the highlight:
a visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art
treasures. The afternoon is at leisure. An optional excursion to
El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen can be arranged. Ask your
tour director for this evening's optional dinning suggestions. (BB)
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4th Day |
Madrid-Vitoria
Board your luxurious coach and head into beautiful Castile, "the
province of the castles." Cross the rugged Sierra de Guadarrama on
the way to Segovia, famous for its Alcazar and the 2,000-year-old
Roman aqueduct. Next is Burgos, the historic capital of Old Castile.
Admire the magnificent limestone cathedral of SANTA MARIA where the
mythical El Cid is buried. Afternoon arrival in Vitoria with time
for a stroll through this ancient Basque city's delightful historic
center. (BB,D)
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5th Day |
Vitoria-Bilbao-San Sebastian-Pamplona
This morning travel to Bilbao, the great port city of the Basque
region for a visit to the GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, an amazing feat of
construction created by the North American architect Frank O. Gehry.
Lunch break in lovely San Sebastian, the Pearl of the Cantabrian
Coast and Spain's gastronomical capital. Finally Pamplona, the city
of running bulls, situated at the foot of the Pyrenees and at one
time the capital of the Kingdom of Navarre. (BB,D)
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6th Day |
Pamplona-Saragossa-Barcelona
Enjoy vistas of Rioja wine country and the fertile Ebro Valley on the
way to Saragossa. A local expert is ready to take you to Plaza del
Pilar, one of Spain's grandest squares. Here you visit OUR LADY OF
THE PILLAR and the even more spectacular LA SEO. Later through the
rustic Catalonian landscape reach Barcelona, Spain's second-largest
city and the host of the Olympic Games of 1992. (BB,D)
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7th Day |
Barcelona
Sightseeing with a local guide features the Columbus Monument,
elegant tree-lined Ramblas and Plaza de Cataluna, historic buildings
along Paseo de Gracia, the Church of the Holy Family, a panoramic
view of the city and harbor from Monjuich Hill, and a visit to the
cathedral of SANTA EULALIA. Afternoon at leisure. An optional
excursion to Montserrat can be arranged. Tonight your tour director
will recommend a typical Catalonian restaurant. (BB)
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8th Day |
Barcelona-Valencia
Morning drive along the coast past Tarragona and Castellon to
Valencia, once a royal capital and now a sunny garden city
surrounded by orange groves. Valencia's Roman, Moorish, and
Spanish history come alive on your afternoon tour. Start out
with a panoramic drive past landmarks such as the Town Hall,
La Lonja, the Bull Ring, and the massive gateway towers of
Serranos and Quart. Visits include LA SEO CATHEDRAL and the
FALLAS MUSEUM. (BB,D)
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9th Day |
Valencia-Granada
Further along the coastline to Alicante, and then inland towards
the mountains. Troglodyte cave dwellings hollowed out of the soft
tufa stone near Guadix and Purullena come into focus as you
travel through one of Spain's most characteristic landscapes.
Rugged Mora Pass finally leads to the splendors of Granada. (BB,D)
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10th Day |
Granada-Torremolinos
Savor Granada's main attraction, the ALHAMBRA, a mighty yet graceful
citadel begun by the 13th-century ruler Al Ahamar. A fantasy of "lace
in stone" surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, it affords
superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied
by gypsy cave dwellers. Also amble through the exotic WATER GARDENS
OF THE GENERALIFE. In the afternoon a short drive down to the Costa
del Sol and your hotel in Torremolinos. Dinner tonight is not
included to give you a chance to sample the seafood restaurants for
which this resort is famous. (BB)
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11th Day |
Torremolinos-Gibraltar-Seville
Motor along the Costa del Sol to the rock fortress of Gibraltar, in
British hands since 1704. Hear about its turbulent history and tour
the Upper Galleries, Moorish Castle, and ST. MICHAEL'S CAVES. Also
on the agenda, of course, the colony of Barbary apes. Then on through
the sunny sherry wine region on the Costa de la Luz to vibrant,
festive Seville. (BB,D)
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12th Day |
Seville
Listen to your local expert's account of the Andalusian city's role
in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712, and its
contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire the pools and
fountains of MARIA LUISA PARK. Drive to the Plaza de España, the
Gold Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the fine Baroque building
that is now the university but used to be the tobacco factory of
Carmen fame. Visit the CATHEDRAL with Columbus' tomb, the world's
largest Gothic edifice. Finally stroll through the narrow lanes of
the charming Santa Cruz Quarter. The rest of the day is at leisure.
For a truly Andalusian night out reserve a seat at our optional
flamenco show. (BB)
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13th Day |
Seville-Toledo-Madrid
The lush valley of the Guadalquivir River gives way to the arid
landscapes of Don Quixote's La Mancha. Today's highlight is Toledo.
Spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of
the Tagus River, the ancient Castillian capital attracts more
sightseers from all over the world than any other Spanish town. A
resident expert takes you to the Moorish bridge, an early
SYNAGOGUE, the 13th-century GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, and the church of
SANTO TOMÉ with one of El Greco's most famous paintings. There's
time to visit one of the enticing Damascene steel workshops. Tonight
your tour director will suggest an optional dinner outing to
celebrate the success of your Spanish vacation. (BB)
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14th Day |
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Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)
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Avila |
Barcelona |
Bayona |
Bilbao |
Burgos |
Caceres |
Cadiz |
Cardona |
Carmona |
Cordoba |
Torremolinos |
Benalmadena |
Marbella |
Malaga |
Cuenca |
Granada |
Jean |
Leon |
San Millan |
Madrid |
Olite |
Pamplona |
Ronda |
Salamanca |
Santiago |
Santo Domingo |
Segovia |
Sevilla |
Toledo |
Tortosa |
Ubeda |
Valencia |
Vic |
The Islands
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